Hi – am writing from a hotel room in Phoenix (34 C/94F here!). I'm loving the desert but am exhausted from a crazy week. I hope this chapter makes sense. I'm terribleat action so please bear with me and forgive me! Also, I hope there aren't any glaring mistakes. I wanted to get this chapter posted but am suffering from jet lag and found myself writing a few bizarre things unintentionally (I had Jack and Sam go 'shoe shopping' instead of hugging!)
Thanks for so many great reviews. I will try and get back to you this weekend. I read all my reviews on my IPhone and find it really hard to respond on it. I write on the go and often don't have internet so am limited in my 'response' time. Be sure I read and really appreciate your comments. Thank you!
Sam opened the door to the ranch house and was quickly shoved inside. James followed quickly with Pasha and two of his men. The others were told to stand guard and watch out for anyone coming onto the property.
Sam hoped that Charlie would stay at Janet's as long as possible. She was afraid that if he showed up he'd end up getting killed. She watched the four men standing in the hallway of the ranch home and knew that she'd have to watch carefully for any opportunity to take control and put a stop to Pasha and his plans.
"Sit", the alien instructed. "You" he then said to James, "go and bring back whoever it is that who join you."
"Who can join me?" James frowned, confused by the order. "Oh, you mean marry? I don't know if the preacher will be willing to come out here. We may have to go to town -"
"Tell him it is a matter of life and death", Pasha instructed, his eyes narrowed. "The woman will die if you do not bring him back. Her death will shortly be followed by yours."
Sam could see the sweat begin to appear on James' face and would have laughed if the situation hadn't been so dire. He thought he was so tough but she suspected he'd never really dealt with true villains before. Or, she thought, true heroes! SG1 would make mincemeat of James Knightly in a heartbeat.
"Alright, alright", he stammered. "I'll go."
"You will take two of my men with you. Find some clothes for them."
Sam sat quietly, thinking that the fewer aliens who were present the easier it would be for her to stop them. She watched as James ran upstairs and came down a few minutes later with some of Henry's things. His room had never been cleaned out – she had asked Charlie to deal with Henry's things, feeling it was more appropriate for the man who had known him for years. As yet he hadn't been able to face even entering the old man's room.
"Here", James showed the bundle of clothes. "Who should I give them to?"
The alien commander instructed the two men with him to change. Once they were addressed in more appropriate clothing Pasha gave them instructions. "You will accompany him into the town. Watch him closely", he told them. "Kill him if he tries anything."
"Hey! I've obeyed all your instructions – you don't need to threaten me," James objected.
"Get something to tie up the woman before you go", the commander told him, ignoring his complaint. "I do not trust her."
"What do you think I'm going to do?" she asked calmly, although inside she was cursing. How the hell was she to get away if she was tied up? "You're eight men against one woman."
The alien didn't speak – he only gave a sharp nod with his head. James quickly ran upstairs and retrieved some rags which he quickly ripped. "This is your fault", he told Sam as he tied her hands behind her back. "If you'd just -"
"Oh shut up", she snapped. "Don't kid yourself. We both know whose fault this is. You're an ass James – don't try and shift the blame."
He yanked on the ties, causing Sam to wince, but she refused to make a sound. He then tied her legs and left her on the settee.
"Tie her to a chair. It is too easy for her to get loose there." Pasha watched dispassionately as James brought over an arm chair and manhandled her into it.
Damn! This was going to be even more difficult. What she wouldn't give to have SG1 – or even just the Colonel – riding to her rescue!
They rode over the rough terrain, moving quickly through the stark desert. Jack couldn't help but think about the picture they made, as they rode their dirt bikes across terrain which had probably seen nothing faster than horses.
As worried as he was about Sam, a small part of him couldn't help but enjoy the speed and the power he felt under his hands. There was something about moving so quickly, the wind in his hair and the hot air hitting his face, that gave him a jolt of adrenaline. He must have ridden before, he reasoned, since it felt so – natural.
He looked at Daniel and surprised a grin on the other man's face. He was enjoying this too – and for some reason he was surprised. He couldn't quite remember, but he would never have thought this was something Daniel would enjoy.
And then there was Teal'c. Jack had to grin himself. The man looked huge on the small dirt bike. He also looked totally uncomfortable and even a bit scared. Of the two of his friends he would have thought Teal'c would have found the trip the easiest, but in this case it was Daniel who seemed to be doing better – and enjoying it.
"How far?" Reynolds mouthed at him. It was too noisy, over the din of the motors, to hear one another. Jack looked ahead and calculated that they were a few miles away. He motioned to the others to stop.
Everyone came to a halt and turned off their engines. "What is it O'Neill?" Reynolds asked. "Are we getting close?"
"Yes. I'm afraid if we go any closer with these they'll hear", he explained. "Sound travels easily over the desert."
Reynolds agreed and then asked, "how far a walk is it?"
Jack grimaced. "Probably a good forty-five minutes to an hour", he answered. "I think a couple of us could go with the bikes – it won't be so loud with just two of us and we can get closer. The rest can follow on foot."
Reynolds nodded. "Sounds like a plan. Why don't I take Teal'c with me on the bikes and the three of you can walk the rest of the way?"
There was silence for a moment. Jack was worried – how could he rescue Sam when he didn't even know what to do? He'd dealt with the four aliens, it was true, but that had been by instinct and he still wasn't quite sure how he'd accomplished it. Could he risk Sam's life by going? Should he leave it to the others?"
"No", he said quietly. "I'll go. Reynolds, you follow. I'll take Teal'c and Daniel with me. This is a job for SG1." As soon as he'd said it he knew it was true. However, he looked at his friends, unsure how they'd feel. Their dual grins answered his question.
"It is indeed O'Neill." Teal'c nodded, a solemn look on his face.
"But Jack, you said yourself you don't remember much. I mean, do you think you're – ready for this?" Reynolds asked gently. "Remember that Sam's life could be in danger."
"I know", he replied. "That's why it has to be me – us. We're a team Reynolds, and we never leave anyone behind – or in this case – ahead!"
"But if you take three bikes you might as well take them all. That's still going to be too noisy."
"We'll take two. Daniel can ride with me."
"Uh Jack?" Daniel asked, looking at the small motor bike. "Do you think we'll fit?"
"We'll have to Danny", Jack said, looking determined. "Reynolds – I may not remember, but I do know that it's up to me to make sure she's okay. I – it's Sam", he finally said, as if that explained everything.
"Okay Jack", the Colonel sighed. "I think you're crazy, but then that's what SG1 is known for, and it's always worked for you guys in the past. I just hope your luck holds."
"Me too", he gave a lopsided grin. "I'll expect you to be right on our six though."
"We will be Jack, don't worry."
Reynolds and Petersen watched as the three members of SG1 took off across the remaining distance. "God, it's good to have him back", Albert said, "even if he doesn't remember everything yet."
"Do you think he'll do it Sir", Petersen asked.
"Jack O'Neill? Oh yeah, if there's any way in hell, he'll do it! Come on – let's get walking."
James rode towards town, Pasha's two men – Zorta and Elkay riding slightly behind. He could feel himself sweating and knew it wasn't just the heat of the day. He kept thinking about what Samantha had said and for the first time wondered if he'd survive the day. He'd taken a huge gamble – something he'd done all his life – but this time he wasn't so sure he'd win.
He glanced carefully at the two aliens but they seemed to be watching him intently. He knew he didn't have a hope in hell in getting rid of them – yet. Mariscola was ahead and there he had men who could help. All he had to do was get to them and have them disarm, or kill, Zorta and Elkay. James could then take a posse back, under the guise of rescuing Sam, and kill Pasha and his remaining men. He hated that he'd be out all that money, but for once he decided it just wasn't worth it.
Suddenly, without warning, he heard an odd sound. He thought at first it was some kind of animal but the noise continued without abating. He pulled his horse up sharply as did the two men with him.
"What the hell is that?" he turned to Elkay and asked.
"I do not know", the other man answered, although he had realized that the sound was not organic in nature. He had pulled his weapon and was looking around, trying to determine where it was coming from.
"Jack!" Daniel clutched frantically at the man in front of him, fearful that he'd be tossed off the back of the bike at any moment.
"Got 'em Daniel", Jack shouted back at him. "Hang on! Teal'c!"
"I see them O'Neill!"
Almost immediately they were on top of the riders. The bikes spooked the horses and the immediately tried to bolt. Unfortunately, James' horse tried to get away by turning away from the frightening noise and ran right into the two horses behind. Elkay's horse responded by rearing up, knocking the alien off and onto the ground. Zorta desperately tried to get control of his horse and aim his weapon at the same time.
Jack rode by the alien and Daniel reached out and grabbed his arm, causing him to drop the weapon. Realizing that he had no way of defending himself, Zorta pulled the reins around and kicked the horse as hard as he could. With a scream, the horse took off at a dead run, heading back the way he'd come.
"Follow him Teal'c!" Jack shouted. "Don't let him get to the ranch."
That left Jack and Daniel with Elkay, who had pulled himself to his feet, and James, who was torn about whether to go after the men on the strange machines or go after the alien. He pulled his gun and waited.
Elkay reached his weapon at that moment and went to point it at the man on the loud machine. Just then, out of the corner of his eye, his saw a flash of light. He whirled quickly and shot his weapon.
James screamed in pain and dropped his gun. He grabbed his arm, which had only been grazed but felt like it had practically been ripped off.
Elkay, realizing that for the moment the threat from James was gone, refocused his attention on the stranger. He was too late however, and was soon back on the ground from another shot from a zat.
"Daniel, see to that guy", Jack pointed at Elkay. "I'll deal with Mr. James!"
"God! What was that?" James was bent over his horse, sick with pain.
"That was one of their weapons", Jack said. "Get down!"
"I – I can't. Can't you see I'm in pain?"
"You're going to be in more pain real soon if you don't get down." Jack was ready to reach up and pull the man down, although he restrained himself and waited for James to stumble off his horse.
"God, I'm dying!" the other man said.
Jack took a quick look, and although the wound was messy, it didn't look deep. "I think you'll be okay. Now talk! What's happened with Sam? Is she okay?"
"Samantha? She's fine. Pasha has her at the ranch."
"Has she been hurt? Did anyone touch her?"
"No – no, she's fine – really!" he gasped, sure O'Neill was going to kill him.
"You'd better be telling the truth you bastard! If you've hurt her – or if anyone has hurt her, you're a dead man. Now tell me what's going on."
After Jack had heard the story from James he called Daniel over. "How's the other guy?"
"He still hasn't come around from the zat. I've never seen anyone react like that before."
"Yeah? Well their weapons pack a pretty good punch to humans as well. Maybe our physiologies are different or something?" Jack murmured, looking at James.
Daniel looked at him in surprise. Although he'd always known Jack was smart, he usually tried to hide it. "Uh yeah – could be. What about him?" he gestured towards James, who was sitting sullenly on the ground.
"He'll live", Jack said indifferently, "although if he's hurt Sam I'll kill him."
"So, any ideas as to what we're going to do?"
"Yeah", Jack scowled, "although I don't think you're going to like it!"
As they rode to the ranch Daniel decided that Jack was right – he really didn't like the plan at all. Although to be fair, it was the only thing they could come up with on short notice that would enable them to get into the house.
Daniel had stripped the clothes off the unconscious man and Daniel had changed into clothes from Mariscola. They'd then co-opted the horses and were riding to the ranch. They'd left behind the dirt bikes as this was quieter and they were close enough it wouldn't take long to walk.
Daniel tried to stretch, but the shirt was tight and the pants itched like hell. How did they wear these clothes, he wondered. "You sure I'll pass?"
Jack looked him up and down. "Yeah, you look like a native." He grinned. "Did ya ever want to be a cowboy when you were a kid?"
"No", the archaeologist answered seriously. "I wanted to be Marco Polo or Henry Stanley." When Jack looked at him blankly he explained – "you know Stanley and Livingstone? 'Dr. Livingstone I presume?'", he said in a fake British accent.
Jack continued to look confused. He had no idea who either Marco Polo or this Stanley guy were. "Shhh", he held his finger up to his lips abruptly, having heard something close by. "God Teal'c – you scared me", he exclaimed, when the big man walked out from behind a tree.
"I am sorry O'Neill. That was not my intent."
"No, I'm sure it wasn't. So?"
"So I was able to stop the man from reaching the ranch."
"Good, good. Where is he?"
"Unfortunately, the zat seemed to affect him more seriously than I expected. I only hit him once and I am afraid he had died."
"Damn", Jack said. He really hated this. Although the aliens weren't the nicest folks around, he didn't like the idea of killing them. Then again, Pasha was one he could seriously consider getting rid of. Right now though, all he could think was that there really must be a difference in physiologies. That was the only thing that could explain their reaction to the zats. "Okay, we can't worry about that now. We need to get to the ranch."
"How do you intend to get close to the house?" Teal'c wanted to know. "Will this Pasha not recognize you?"
"Oh yeah, which is why I'm not going up to the house – at least not right away. Daniel is going to do it, with James."
"Daniel Jackson? Will not the commander be suspicious?"
"I hope not. Look, James was sent to bring back a preacher to – to marry him and Sam. Pasha doesn't know Daniel and certainly doesn't know the preacher. He'll pretend to be this person and get inside the house with James. While he distracts the commander you and I can get closer and then get inside."
"What about his men – the two who we vanquished? Will he not wonder why they do not accompanty James?"
Jack raised his brow at Teal'c – he was starting to find Teal'c's formality familiar, and rather endearing. "Uh – Daniel's going to say that they went off chasing some of us. That'll also explain the noise if they happened to hear the bikes."
James stood quietly through the whole episode. He'd decided to throw in his lot with O'Neill and the others, at least for now. He figured his chances of living went up substantially with these men, although he knew enough to keep quiet. O'Neill didn't like him and it probably wouldn't take much to send him over the edge. Still, he had to be better than Pasha. He'd finally decided the alien wasn't to be trusted.
Once Pasha and his soldiers were gone, James figured he'd have a chance to get something out of the deal. Samantha was a lost cause, but maybe he could still get her ranch.
"Come on Knightly", O'Neill grabbed his arm and pulled him forward. "And if you try anything I will kill you. I've had a hard time restraining myself to this point, so don't push it."
"You need me", James told him bluntly. "Without me Pasha will just kill her. So you owe me."
"Oh, I've already paid that debt James, with your life. If it wasn't for the fact that I need you I would have killed you – for what you did to Samantha and what you did to Janet. You're scum and the world would be better without you. However, I'm not going to worry about that right now – just know that if you screw up, I will make sure you regret it– even if I have to follow you to hell to do it."
"Come on, let's go", Daniel motioned to the man who had wanted to marry Sam. He glanced surreptitiously at Jack, hoping the older man was okay. He'd seemed to find his stride and for the last little while had returned fully to 'Colonel' mode. Daniel wondered if it would last. Oh well, as long as he kept it up until they saved Sam that was okay.
Jack dismounted and untied James and then stood back as the slimy little villain re-mounted the horse. "Daniel, keep your zat handy in case Mr. Knightly here decides to pull a fast one, just don't let Pasha or his men see it."
"Okay Jack. See you in a few."
"Yeah, good luck Daniel", he saluted.
"Indeed Daniel Jackson. May you break a leg." Teal'c said seriously.
Daniel stared briefly at him and then shook his head, still sometimes surprised by Teal'c's slight misunderstanding of Earth idioms. Or maybe he didn't misunderstand them. Oh hell- he didn't need to worry about this right now.
"Okay, thanks Teal'c."
Jack watched as Daniel and Knightly rode towards the ranch. He knew the first few minutes could be deadly, so he kept his weapon handy
The two men tied up their horses on the post at the front of the ranch house. James walked up the stairs to the front porch, followed a few feet later by Daniel.
"Good man Daniel", Jack muttered. The archeologist had come a long way over the years and was now a battle-hardened soldier. He wondered what role, if any, he'd played in that.
The door opened and both Jack and Daniel held their breaths. A few seconds later and Jackson and the 'weasel' entered the house, the door closing quickly behind them.
When the door opened Daniel couldn't help but hold his breath. He clutched the zat tightly although kept it concealed in the bulky pocket of his jacket. It was one of Pasha's men.
"Where are Zorta and Elkay?" the man asked suspiciously.
"We were attacked by two men. They took after them on their horses and told us to get here quickly. Look, can we see Pasha? I did what he wanted and brought the preacher."
The man – Storus – if James remembered correctly, looked them both up and down carefully. He finally jerked his head to the side, indicating they could proceed.
James took a deep breath and nodded at Daniel. "They're in the parlor", he explained, leading the way. "Pasha", he said, as they walked into the cozy room. "I brought the preacher."
Daniel did a quick sweep of the room with his eyes. He saw Sam first thing. She was bound to a chair, but otherwise looked okay. Her eyes had widened suddenly when she saw him, but she'd quickly shifted her face back into neutral and just looked bored. That's my Sam, thought Daniel. You're one of the bravest people I know – you and Jack.
"Should we get on with it?" he asked Pasha.
"With what?" the alien smirked at him.
"You wanted us to get married as soon as possible', he told the commander. "I went and brought the preacher from Mariscola and he's ready to marry us."
"I see. You are anxious, but then again that's probably for the best." He faced Daniel. "Marry them."
"Uh – I have to have the consent of both parties, and it doesn't look like she is consenting to anything." He figured he should make himself look as real as possible. No preacher would simply marry a girl who was tied to a chair.
"You will marry them, or I will kill you", Pasha answered plainly.
"You'll kill me?" Daniel looked at the commander. God – he was creepy. Those eyes! He was pretty sure the man was completely mad. "Who are you? What's going on here?"
The alien commander slowly lifted his arm. Clasped in his hand was one of the alien weapons. Daniel had heard what the result of these things were from Jack.
"Okay, okay. But she can contest it afterward. She can say rightly that she was forced."
"Do it", Pasha hissed quietly.
Dr. Jackson felt a shiver run up his spine. "Okay. Uh are you going to untie her?" he asked.
"No, she can stay as she is."
"Okay, but then it won't be legal. Part of the ceremony is the bride and groom have to hold hands. If they don't there's no marriage."
Pasha narrowed his eyes, looking ready to kill. Daniel briefly wondered why he was even bothering with this whole charade. Then again, James would need to prove this was somehow legal, after the fact and what better way to do that then to have the preacher who had married them.
The alien turned to Sam. "I will untie you. If you try anything -" he pulled out the disk from his pocket. "You will agree to marry James, freely and without coercion, is that not correct."
Sam debated for a moment, but the fact that Daniel was here must mean that the Colonel had a plan. With a sigh she nodded her head. She then waited while the commander had one of his men come in and untie her. She rubbed her wrists and then bent down and undid the ties around her ankles herself.
"Now – marry them."
The ceremony was long! A few times Daniel had been pretty sure that Sam had had to bite her lip in order not to giggle, and for good reason. He'd made the entire ceremony up and at times it had flown into flights of the ridiculous. James had almost blown it once, but had caught himself from saying anything and the 'ceremony' had gone on.
When he'd had the 'couple' walk in circles five times and then do the 'do see do' he'd thought he'd heard a 'snort' from Sam. Pasha had grown impatient and had told Daniel to hurry up and finish.
"You must respect our customs if you wish them truly married", he'd replied. "Our ceremonies are based on long traditions and honor our ancestors as well as the couple and their families."
He'd discovered one of the things which made Pasha tick and that was tradition. He wasn't surprised considering that the alien had gone to a lot of work to track down the scepter. So Daniel continued to draw out the ceremony as long as he could.
"Samantha, you must tell your betrothed the history of your family – the generations past – to the very beginning."
Sam gave him a 'look that could kill' and proceeded to make up a long list of family members, starting back from when Columbus discovered the new world.
"James, it is your turn." If anything the 'little' villain (as opposed to the 'big' villain, which is how Sam had labeled their enemies), gave Daniel an even dirtier look, although he began with his made up relatives from generations ago.
"ENOUGH!" Pasha cried. "You make a mockery of me. You are married and James the ranch is yours."
"Well, not exactly", Jack said from the door way. His zat was trained carefully on the alien. "Put your hands up slowly and drop the weapon."
Pasha grew totally still, although his eyes flashed with anger and hate. "You will regret this O'Neill", he jeered. "Storus, Marto! Come!" he called.
"Uh, if you're looking for your men -"
"They are all secured O'Neill", Teal'c waked into the room. "All the aliens are accounted for."
"Good. You killed them all?" he asked casually.
"Of course", Teal'c replied.
Good man, Teal'c, Jack thought. A few years ago his Jaffa friend wouldn't have been able to dissemble like that.
"You killed them", Pasha screamed.
"Yeah, sorry. It didn't take much. For some reason this weapon of our seems to kill you guys."
"It is much like our weapons then", the commander answered. He still held on to his weapon, although he hadn't made a move to attack anyone – at least not yet.
"I said to put it down", Colonel O'Neill was in full command. "I'd say I didn't want to kill you too, but I'm afraid that would be a lie. I can't think of anything I'd like to do more than eliminate you, so just drop it!"
Pasha moved faster than Jack thought a two legged being could. One moment he was standing there, defeated. The next he had grabbed Sam and was holding her in front of him.
"Good God – did you see that Jack?" Daniel was shocked at the speed the man had moved, just like the others.
"You know him", Pasha gestured to Daniel. When Jack simply nodded the alien's eyes flashed. "I should have known."
"Yeah, you should have. Now let her go Pasha. You're not going to get away with this."
"Why not? I have the woman and this." He held up the disk and then laid it on Sam's stomach, his hand pressed flat palmed over it to keep it there. "Maybe I should use this", he laughed. "Or maybe you'd like to try it again. I wished I could have been around to see you being looked after like a newborn infant. I'm sure Samantha enjoyed it. I enjoyed the brief few moments I got to see your dead eyes and face."
Jack was only half listening to Pasha. Instead he was watching Sam. She was being pressed up against the commander but he couldn't see her face.
Jack wanted to shake his head, to cry 'no', but he was sure Sam would ignore him and act anyway. He figured the best thing to do was to go along with her, although if anything happened, he'd never forgive her – or himself.
One, two, and three blinks and Sam collapsed, allowing all her weight to lie on Pasha. Surprised, and unable to hold a suddenly 'dead' body, Pasha let go of her. She fell to the ground and the alien suddenly pointed his weapon at Jack.
There was no thought, to decision, nothing but adrenaline. Jack shot his zat at Pasha, instantly causing the man to curl up in pain. He continued to watch as the commander rolled on the floor, his arms held protectively over his abdomen.
"Is he faking?" Daniel wanted to know.
"Maybe – I can't tell, although we'd better act like he -"
"Jack?" Daniel's voice sounded funny, and Jack took a closer look at the alien who had caused both him and Sam such grief.
"Good god! What's happening to him?" The electricity from the zat still seemed to surround Pasha. His body was held rigidly in the light and it looked like all his muscles were in spasm. "This is worse than the others even."
"I don't know what it is", Daniel wanted to do something to help the alien, but couldn't think of anything.
"O – Neill?" a haggard voice spoke to him from the body of the alien.
"Yeah?" he asked. He had to respect the man's dying wish. "What is it?"
"I hope – you – go to – HELL!" With that he took one last breath and died.
"Sam!" he cried, relieved beyond measure that she was safe. "Daniel, you and Teal'c watch the others. Keep your eye on Pasha too just in case." He turned back and rushed over to the woman he loved and threw his arms around her. "Sam", he said again. "Are you okay? He didn't' hurt you"
"No – I'm fine. She returned the hug, allowing her head to rest on his shoulder. "The worst part was listening to Daniel's wedding ceremony."
"Hey!", the person in question answered. "I'll have you know that that ceremony saved your butts!"
Jack and Sam didn't answer, they just held on to each other. "God, I was so worried", he murmured into her neck. "I can't lose you."
"You won't", she whispered.
By this time the aliens were either dead or captured, so Teal'c returned to the parlor. "Is everything fine?" asked the Jaffa. He noticed Sam and Jack in a desperate 'clinch'. "Are they well?" he finally asked Daniel.
"Uh – I don't know Teal'c", he answered, staring at the sight of the two hugging. "Uh guys?" he asked. He didn't quite know what was happening but then again, he didn't want to know.
"Does anyone know where James is?"
Jack finally came up for air and carefully looked around the room. "Looks like he's gone", he answered indifferently."
"Jack!" Sam cried as Jack suddenly went down onto his knees. His face was paper white and he was shaking. Kneeling beside him she took his face in her hands. "What's wrong? What happened? Did you get hurt? God, don't tell me you got hit with one of those weapons. Daniel – did you see what happened?" All the time she was talking she kept checking him over, feeling for wounds and fever and anything else she could find.
He reached out and captured her hand. "I'm fine – just tired. I'm not exactly used to riding a dirt bike and a horse and wrestling with aliens."
"You're sure?" She didn't trust him to tell her if something was really wrong.
"I'm sure. I just -" He rubbed his eyes. "I just need to sit down for a bit." He squinted up at Daniel and looked confused. "Who -?"
"It's Daniel" she told him, even more worried now. "Come on, let's get you to bed. A sleep will help."
The fact that he didn't protest as Teal'c and Daniel helped him up to his former room worried her more than anything. God – what if he started to regress.
"I'll be fine", he told her quietly as he put his head down on the pillow. "I'm just tired Sam, really."
"And Daniel?"
There was a pause and then half of his mouth turned up. "You mean ol' space monkey? Yeah, I remember him. It was just a brief moment Sam, I promise."
She kissed his cheek. "You rest. I'll check on you in a while."
"Mmmm", he agreed, and was asleep before she'd even reached the door.
"Is he okay?" Daniel asked, worried. One minute Jack had seemed his old self and the next he'd collapsed. What the hell was wrong?
"I think so. I think he's right and he's just tired. He gets like this sometimes."
"He needs Dr. Frasier", Teal'c added. "She will 'fix him up'."
Sam couldn't help but laugh. "You're right Teal'c. And the sooner we get back and under her care, the better it will be! It's time to go home."
There was a sudden commotion down below and Reynolds and his team arrived. Now they'd really see about getting off the planet!