Begin Transmission
Alright, Lacy here with Air Part 2. In Part 1, we saw who Grace has good relationships with and who would be wise to stay away from her. Here in Part 2, I'll be adding a bit with Sam and Jack dealing with what's happening. We know they are gonna have a hard time with it. Not sure when I'll add it but it'll be in there. Got nothing else so have fun.
Disclaimer: Grace is still the only thing that's mine.
End Transmission
~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~
Grace leaned against the wall near to TJ and Everett. She could hear Matt giving everyone assignments and she was okay with him taking over for now. She was really in no shape to be taking command and she didn't want to be too far from Everett in case he needed more healing.
"You okay Grace?" TJ asked, noticing the younger woman wince.
Grace nodded. "Yeah, just moved wrong. And once again, really wishing my healing gift worked on myself."
TJ smiled. "Yeah, I can imagine that would be a nasty downside."
"The ability to heal everyone but myself." Grace said. "Yup, sucks." she realized how snappish that sounded and looked at TJ. "Sorry TJ, I didn't mean to snap."
TJ shook her head. "Don't worry Grace. I think we're all a little on edge."
Grace tipped her head back against the wall. "I keep thinking about what my parents must be going through. Dad was so on edge about me being..." her words faded and she turned her head sharply. Standing as fast as she could, she moved over to Rush, who had Everett's bag. "Drop it Rush."
Rush looked at Grace, startled. "Grace,"
Grace shook her head. "You've known me long enough Rush where you should have known I would be keeping an eye on everyone here." she moved the bag away from Rush. "Nothing in this bag is for you to see. It's for Colonel Young and myself." she grunted as she picked up the bag. "Go work on getting us home."
TJ helped Grace sit back down as she rejoined her.
"What was that about?" TJ asked.
Grace grunted in pain then exhaled. "I'll let you know once we've got Everett back on his feet."
~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~
(A/N: Okay, yes I changed that a bit. I know Rush was supposed to take the stones and go back to Earth but this is Grace we're talking about. There was no way he was getting away with that. The others will find out about the stones in a little bit.)
~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~
Grace flitted through the minds of everyone in the room. Out of everyone, seven people carried the ancient gene, Everett included. Grace looked at the unconscious man and wondered. She'd gone into the minds of people who were out before but she was wondering if she could talk to Everett while he was like this.
"Hey TJ," Grace said, turning to face the Lt and Colonel fully. "I'm gonna try something but I don't know if it'll work. So keep an eye on both of us."
TJ frowned. "What are you gonna do?"
Grace focused on Everett. "I'm gonna try to talk to Sleeping Beauty."
Before TJ could say anything, Grace's eyes fell into their unfocused state and TJ knew not to interrupt her. Seeing Rush noticing this also, TJ moved Everett's bag from Grace's side to her own. She didn't know what was in it but knew Grace and probably Everett wanted Rush no where near it.
Grace made her way into Everett's mind. The man had one of the most active minds she'd ever seen and it appeared being unconscious didn't stop that. His thoughts were flying from his own safety to hers and TJ's to the rest of the team.
Okay Grace, she thought, focus.
'Everett, can you hear me?'
It took a few minutes but Grace got a response.
'Grace?'
'Hey there, uh here. Whatever.'
'What's going on?'
Grace quickly ran through everything, including her confrontations with Armstrong and Camile.
'You should play nice Grace.'
'I've got three broken ribs and you're unconscious. Nice wasn't in the play book. Rush tried taking the bag.'
'Keep it away from him. Who knows what he'd tell if he used them.'
'I think I should fill the others in on them.'
'Reason?'
'Might keep everyone calmer if they know we have a way to talk to Earth.'
'It's your command too Grace. Do what you think is best.'
'At least until you're up and around.'
'I trust you're working on that.'
Grace smiled. 'Of course.' she got ready to pull out when she spotted a thought that caught her attention. That's interesting. She pulled out of Everett's mind and sighed.
"Did it work?" TJ asked.
Grace nodded. "Yeah, it worked. I filled him in on everything. Don't know if he'll remember when he wakes up but,"
"What matters is you were able to talk to him." TJ said. She smiled slightly. "Should I ask what's going on in his head?"
Grace returned the smile. "He's worried. About the rest team, himself and you and me."
TJ looked at Everett. "I'm surprised he's worried about himself."
"Yeah, I am too." Grace said. She spotted the bag at TJ's side. "Alright, hand me that. Time to get this over with."
TJ handed Grace the bag. "Gonna fill me in?"
Grace nodded as she unzipped the bag and pulled out a silver case. She opened it and showed it to TJ. Inside, the case lit up and showed five Ancient communication stones. Grace quickly explained them to TJ.
"So we can contact Earth." TJ said.
Grace looked at the stones. "Pretty much. It's how I gave my weekly reports to Dad. It was weird talking through someone else but it'll let everyone know we're alive."
TJ nodded. "Alright, go fill in the others. I'll watch the Colonel."
Grace stood with a grunt then smiled at TJ. "You can call him Everett when it's the two of us."
TJ shook her head. "I don't think that's a good idea."
Grace put her hand on TJ's shoulder. "Take it from someone who was just in his head. Yes it is."
Before TJ could respond, Grace smacked her radio and called everyone back to the gate room. Time to share information.
~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~
Glaring at Rush, Grace laid the case on the table. "You and I are going to Earth. You say anything without an okay from me, broken ribs or not, I'll kick your ass off this ship when we get back. Are we clear Dr. Rush?"
Rush nodded. "We're clear."
Grace nodded sharply and handed Rush a stone. "There are always two people standing by so on my count," she gave Rush a look. "put your stone down. Three, two, one. Now."
~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~
Jack sat in his office, his elbows on his desk, his head in his hands. He'd just finished a talk with Sam, who was flying back, and sent her to eat. He knew she was blaming herself for not getting Grace out of there before things went to hell but like he told her. Grace took her shared command seriously and did exactly what they would have done; stayed behind until every last person was safe. Jack leaned back in his chair. Only problem was, they didn't know if anyone on the base WAS safe. And it was killing them that they didn't know where Grace was.
"General,"
Jack sighed. "What Walter?"
"Sir, we have to connections from the Icarus team." Walter said.
Jack snapped his head up so fast, he knew he'd be paying for it later. "Who?"
Walter smiled. "Dr. Rush and Grace."
"Send them in." Jack said. He'd become familiar with the Lt. that Grace traded bodies with so when he saw the blond woman step into the room with, Jack snorted, Dr. Lee of all people, he felt a wave of relief.
"You have no idea how relieved I am to see," Jack paused. "well not you but close enough."
Grace smiled. "It's great to see you two Dad."
Jack motioned for the two to sit. They never touched when it wasn't really Grace. She found it too weird. Grace and Rush sat down, as did Jack.
"What happened?" Jack asked.
Grace glanced at Rush before explaining everything to her father, including it being Rush's fault that they were stuck so far from home.
Jack looked at Rush. "You were told to listen to Colonel Young and Grace. To follow the orders they gave. What gave you the stupid idea to dial the ninth chevron when the base was under attack?"
Rush exhaled. "I didn't want to risk an explosion coming through the gate back to Earth and," he hesitated. "it was our last chance."
Jack turned back to Grace. "You and Colonel Young have the okay to do what you see fit if he steps out of line again." Grace nodded and Jack sighed. "Rush, out for a minute." Rush left the room. Jack turned off his general side and let the worried father take over. "Are you okay Gracie?"
Grace's hand drifted to her ribs on instinct. "I broke a few ribs when Everett and I came flying through the gate, the explosion pushed us but other then that I'm fine. It's Everett I'm worried about. He hit his head pretty hard and I've healed what I can for now but he hasn't woken up yet."
Jack had to be proud of his daughter. She was trapped billions of light years away from home with broken ribs and her concerns were about someone else.
"Well, we both know a little something about head injuries." Jack said. "But if you want, I can get someone here to let you know what to look out for when Young finally does wake up."
Grace shook her head. "No, I think I remember from the, oh I don't know, dozens of blows to the head you, Uncle Daniel and Cam have taken."
Jack tried to play innocent. "I don't you know what you're talking about."
Grace nodded. "Uh huh, nice try Dad."
Jack laughed but slowly sobered. "Well, I'm glad I can tell your mom you're safe. She's beating herself up for not bringing you home."
Grace leaned back in her chair. "The only way I was leaving was either being beamed out or Telford physically removing me and I would have gladly drop-kicked his ass if he had tried." she sighed. "Next time I drop in, I'll talk to Mom. Remind her I'm way too much her daughter and yours to leave my people behind."
"That's exactly what I told her." Jack said. "But I think it'll help, hearing it from you."
Grace glanced out at Rush. "We should bring the good doctor back in. He's got that face and it's making Bill look funny."
~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~
Grace stepped into the room with Chloe and her father. She knocked on the wall to get Chloe's attention. Chloe walked over to her.
"How is he?" Grace asked softly.
Chloe glanced at her father before crossing her arms. "Those pills are the only thing keeping him alive but if he takes them, they'll kill him."
"I can try and heal some of it." Grace said. "I don't know if I can save him but maybe I can give him a little longer."
Chloe smiled. "I thought of that but he said no." tears filled her eyes. "He's so stubborn."
Grace flashed all the stubborn things Jack had ever done. "Trust me Chloe, I know a thing or two about stubborn fathers." she inhaled and hissed. "Damn, gotta stop doing that."
"Are you okay?" Chloe asked.
Grace nodded. "Yeah, just gotta remember not to breathe too deeply."
Chloe nodded as Grace's radio sprang to life.
"Grace, it's TJ."
Grace hit her radio. "Yeah TJ?"
"The Colonel is awake and asking for you." TJ said.
"Alright, I'll be right there." Grace looked at Chloe. "Try and change his mind and let me know. I may not get along with your father but I don't want to see him die."
Chloe nodded. "I'll try."
Grace patted her arm before turning and leaving.
~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~
TJ leaned against the wall, arms crossed over her stomach as she waited for Grace to arrive.
"You're thinking too deeply." Everett said from where he was laying.
TJ smiled some. "Just thinking about the situation."
"Which one?" Everett asked.
TJ debated for a second before moving to sit beside Everett. "Both."
Everett didn't say anything but did take TJ's hand in his own. Grace entered the room a few seconds later but neither moved, they just looked at her.
"Look who's back among the world of the living." Grace said with a smirk.
Everett laughed. "Thanks." he sobered fast. "Look, TJ has explained things to me. About the life support and everything."
Grace nodded wincing as she crossed her arms. "Yeah, it's not looking too good but Rush is working on it. Our biggest problem is that we're venting atmosphere through a shuttle that we found and we can't seem to close it off. There's some sort of fail safe keeping it open. Someone has to,"
Grace bit her lip and Everett connected the dots.
"Someone has to sacrificed himself." Everett said.
Grace nodded. "Yeah."
"I'll do it." Everett said.
"What?" Grace and TJ echoed each other.
"This isn't the kind of thing I can ask somebody else to volunteer for." Everett said.
Grace stepped closer to Everett. "If we're going to make it past this, we're gonna need you Everett."
Everett shook his head. "I don't know about that. You're doing a pretty good job without me, Grace."
Grace snorted. "Right, I've got broken ribs and am pretty much letting Lt. Scott do everything. Look at the mess we're in. If that's not proof that we need you, then,"
"I'm not sure anyone should do it." TJ said. "I don't want someone sacrificing themselves for me. I say we figure this out together while we still have time, or we all die trying."
Everett sat up and tried to swing his legs over the side of the bed.
"I want you to both listen to me. This needs to be done and I'm doing it." he said.
As Everett tried to stand, Grace turned her back. She wouldn't watch.
"Look sir, you can barely stand." TJ said.
Grace rolled her eyes. Of all the times to use the man's first name, it was now.
"Help me." Everett said.
Looking or not, Grace could feel Everett struggling to get to his feet. If she was sure it wouldn't hurt him, she slam his ass back onto the bed with a barrier.
"Look, the paralysis is temporary. You know that now." TJ tried again.
"Help me." Everett repeated.
TJ shook her head. "Damnit Everett, you WILL recover."
Grace and Everett both looked at TJ in shock. Grace, because she didn't think TJ would ever cross that line again and Everett, because TJ had never used that tone before.
Everett looked at Grace. "Grace,"
Grace shook her head. "I'm siding with TJ. You are going to recover and you are not going to sacrifice yourself."
Before Everett could say anything, Chloe came running in.
"My father's not in his room." she said.
Grace nodded. "We'll find him." she looked at TJ while pointing at Everett. "He does not leave this room." she looked at Everett. "Don't make me put a barrier on the door."
Grace and Chloe were gone before Everett could respond.
"Bossy, isn't she?" Everett muttered.
"Too much time with you and General O'Neill." TJ said. "Now lay back down."
~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~
Grace found herself working beside Camile to sort things out. After losing Armstrong, she had informed Everett and left Greer with him as she'd sent TJ to go calm Chloe.
"Are you alright Grace?" Camile asked.
Grace shook her head. "None of us are Camile." her head snapped to the entrance of the room. "Damnit Everett, I told you not to leave your room."
Camile looked and saw Everett walking in with an annoyed Greer behind him.
"Colonel!" Camile said.
Grace internally rolled her eyes. She just pointed out he was there.
"We've lost Senator Armstrong." Everett said to Camile after Grace passed on through the link that she hadn't told the IOA rep.
Camile's hand flew to her mouth. "Oh my god."
Everett stopped in front of the two women. "He's bought us some time."
"To do what?" Camile asked.
Everett sighed. "Well, we're working on it. First up is trying to dial the Gate back home."
"Should you even be on your feet?" Camile asked as Everett swayed some.
"No." Grace and Greer said.
Everett gave the two a look. "Well, I am on my feet and right now we're trying to get home. Camile, I need your help. You know these people. I need you to spread the word, try to keep things as positive as you can."
Camile looked at Grace. "You both agree with this?"
Grace nodded. "Yeah, we do. I'm good with civilians but I have to play both fields. You focus on them, Everett focuses on the military and I bridge the gap."
Camile nodded. "I can do that."
"Good." Everett and Grace said.
Grace looked at Everett. "If you insist on being up, at least let me heal you a little more so you don't, oh I don't know, collapse."
Everett sighed. "Fine."
Grace moved behind Everett and moved her hand up and down his back to find the damage. True, the paralysis was from the head injury but he did do some damage to his back when he landed. Finding the source, Grace pressed her hand against it and closed her eyes.
"What is she doing?" Greer asked. He'd never seen Grace's abilities.
"Grace's ancient gene is more advanced then others." Camile explained. "She has gifts others don't."
"If you two don't shut up and let her concentrate, I'll shoot you." Everett said. It was his back Grace was working on, he didn't want them causing her to mess up.
Grace pulled her hand away and stepped to Everett's side. "Alright, walking should be a bit easier but it'll still be hard for a while."
Everett nodded. "Thank you Grace."
Grace shrugged. "Well, when you're being stubborn, what else am I supposed to do?"
~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~
Grace stood beside Everett as the off world team stepped through the gate.
"You sure you don't want to go?" Everett asked.
Grace nodded. "I'm not gate traveling for a while, unless it's back to Earth."
Everett looked at her. "How are your ribs?"
Grace laughed humorlessly. "They'd like it a lot better if I'd stop moving but there's too much to do."
"Grace, I'm back on my feet, you can take care of yourself now." Everett said. "No one will fault you for it."
Grace rubbed her forehead. "When the team comes back, maybe. For now, I don't think I could rest if I tried."
~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~
Begin Transmission
Alright, I know I didn't put Sam in here but she'll be in the next chapter. Everett is back on his feet, Jack has been filled in on what's going on and that his daughter is alive and Grace, again, is pushing herself to hard. Just like her parents. Let me know what you think, flame policy stands and thanks for reading. Next up is Air Part 3.
End Transmission
