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"How is Sam?" Daniel asked Teal'c, who was just choosing a cupcake to sample. Teal'c had spent the last two hours with Sam, revisiting the rescue mission to Chulak. He went to check on her and she ended up asking about why he helped them escaped then. She learned about the last assignment he got as the Apophis' Prime, which culminated in punishing the resistance of a village by executing all children under fifteen. Usually the Goa'uld let the children live, so they had hosts and slaves for later. This time for some reason it was different. And it felt different too. Teal'c never really talked to anyone about that specific mission, but it felt right to confess it now to Colonel Carter.

They also talked a little about what fate Major Kawalsky suffered and what it felt to blend with Jolinar. By then though, Teal'c could sense Carter's exhaustion, both physical and mental and suggested some rest. He waited until Laura came and then left for the kitchen.

"Colonel Carter is in good spirits, but has little to do in the infirmary." Teal'c finally chose the chocolate and vanilla cupcake and took it with him to the table.

"Yeah, I guessed that would be a problem. Let's hope her eyesight gets better so she can busy herself with research or help me with my artifacts."

"That is my hope as well, Daniel Jackson."

"I should probably go visit her." He put down the mug he got accustomed to use, all white with little butterflies on it. Teal'c liked the all blue one and upon Daniel's request, Laura made a sticker of the letter T for it, so it was now his official. She also made a sticker saying GENERAL, but Daniel did not apply it yet because he was still angry with Jack running around the ship, not talking to anyone.

"I do believe she's sleeping now."

"Probably what's best for her. I do feel, however, as if she is distancing herself from us." Daniel admitted, shrugging his shoulders awkwardly. He poured more coffee into his mug, almost so much it overflew.

"I believe she behaves normally for someone in her situation."

"I know. I know." He nodded, sitting down on a chair next to Teal'c. "I just feel like I am not doing enough to help her. I feel so useless."

"This is not a sprint, Doctor Jackson, it is a long-distance race of over 26 miles."

"I think you mean a marathon, but I understand. How come I am the impatient one? I wish Jack would get together and carry that torch."

"I think the lighting is sufficient and torches are not necessary, but I too miss O'Neill's presence."

Daniel gave up on the language thing and just focused on the topic at hand. It seemed like Teal'c was in more talkative mood than usually. "What do you think is up with him, Teal'c?"

"Sometimes a leader needs time apart to evaluate his conduct and to consider future actions."

"You mean the last mission or something else? Have I missed something?"

"I do not know. That is something only O'Neill can answer, but I believe that is what is happening."

"I wonder if he shows up to kick us off this ship on our next stop. By the way do you have any idea when that'll be?"

"Within two days, I believe." Teal'c said and then turned his attention to the last cupcake on his plate.

Daniel looked incredibly sullen as he drank the rest of his coffee in silence. The prospect of Earth was not looking so tempting anymore.

Carter's progress was most visible in her motor skills, mainly gross ones. The fine skills involving muscles of fingers, hands and wrists and toes, feet and ankles were still lacking. She could grab Laura's hand and squeeze it, could raise her limbs and exercise them a little, but she wouldn't be doing engineering work anytime soon. Her sight hadn't returned yet and her liver still had to work hard than normal.

After testing the performance of her muscles, Carter and Laura talked about the first time each of them saw a stargate activate. For Carter it was just before then Colonel O'Neill pushed her into it.

"He really did that?"

"Yes. I couldn't even enjoy the moment." Carter shrugged with a soft smile on her lips. "It's interesting how I took it for granted not long after the first mission."

"The first wormhole I remember was leaving Sifos. Our ship's beam was disabled and we had to board another one. I was so in awe of the shivering of the event horizon, it felt like something out of a folk tale even after all the technological marvel I've seen."

"I get that." After that remark Carter paused, the fingers of her right hand drumming lightly on the bed.

"What, Colonel?" When she saw Carter's frown, Laura corrected herself quickly. "Sorry, I mean Sam. Sam? What is it?"

"What I wouldn't give to see the good old boring wormhole now…"