Chapter 7- The Iris and Painful Memories
They all stepped through the gate, Laura helping Kawalsky bring Ferretti through. From the sound of the groans, Laura wasn't sure if being alive was good or bad for Ferretti. From the sketchy memories about staff weapons, being dead would be more welcome than being alive as a staff burned so badly all anyone could think of was the terrible pain.
Laura looked around as the soldiers pointed guns at them. and someone shouted for a medic. "Close the iris! Close the iris!" Laura heard Samuels say faintly.
Laura and Jack started as something that looked like a huge piece of rock closed over the Stargate. "Wormhole disengaged," a electronic voice said.
"What is that, Sir?" Jack asked Hammond.
"That's our insurance against any more surprises. It's pure titanium. Hopefully impenetrable. What happened, Colonel?" Hammond asked as Laura and a few others lowered Ferretti on a gurney.
"Apophis happened," Laura said. feeling slightly winded.
"Base camp was hit while we were on recon, Sir," Jack said.
"Same hostiles who attacked us?" Hammond asked.
"Yep," Laura said.
"That's a fair guess and Laura I.D.'d Apophis. Jackson's wife and one of our kids was kidnapped," Jack said.
"Your kids?" Hammond asked confused.
"From the previous mission, Sir," Jack said.
"General, hi. Daniel Jackson. We've never met," Daniel introduced himself. I'd like to be on the team that goes after them."
"You're not in any position to make demands, Jackson," Hammond said stiffly as he walked up to Ferretti and the other injured airman.
After a long, hot shower and changing back into her street clothes Laura felt a lot better as she and Jack walked down the corridor to the infirmary. "How are you feeling, Kiddo?" Jack asked, holding Laura's hand.
"All right, I guess. Since I just saw someone that I never thought I would," Laura said.
"It's not your fault what happened to Skaara and Sha're. You didn't know Apophis would come there," Jack said.
"I should have. I'm living proof of what happens when the Goa'uld decide they want hosts. To them, humans aren't people. They are the means to carry out their plans. And the worst thing is, is that I can't remember if my parents were Goa'uld or Tok'Ra," Laura said as they entered the infirmary. Kawalsky was seated by Ferretti's bed.
"Doc says he's gonna make it," Jack said.
"Yes, Sir," Kawalsky said.
"You gonna stay here all night?" Jack asked after a few seconds of silence.
"Yes, Sir," Kawalsky said.
"Okay. Come on, Kiddo. Let's go home," Jack said. As they walked down the corridor to the exit. Jack noticed Daniel at the end of it. "Hey," Jack said, walking up to Daniel.
"They don't know what to do with me. And I don't know what to do with myself," Daniel said, sounding lost and confused.
"Come on. Let's get out of here," Jack said clapping Daniel's shoulder and taking Laura's hand.
After a late night meal Jack came back from the fridge with two drinks and a Dr. Pepper for Laura. Daniel sneezed into his hands as Jack came in. "Nice catch," Jack said.
"Thank you. Sorry. Gate travel always seems to make my allergies- Sorry," Daniel said as he blew his nose.
"So, you were saying," Jack said, handing Daniel his drink.
"Any way as soon as you were gone and they realized they were free- I mean Abydos was their world for the taking," Daniel said.
"Had a little party, did ya?" Jack asked, sitting next to Laura.
"Oh, yeah. A big, big party. They treated me like their savior. It was, um, embarrassing," Daniel said awkwardly.
"It's amazing you turned out so normal," Jack snarked.
"Well, if it wasn't for Sha're, I probably- She was the complete opposite of everyone else. She practically fell on the floor laughing every time I tried to do some chore they all took for granted, like, um, grinding yaphetta flour. I mean, have you ever tried to grind your own flour?" Daniel asked.
"No," Laura said.
"I'm trying to kick the flour thing," Jack deadpanned.
Daniel laughed. "This is going straight to my head. What time is it anyway? I must have gate lag or something," Daniel said.
"Daniel, for crying out loud, you've had one beer. Even my wife drinks more than that," Jack said.
"Yes. When am I going to meet your wife?" Daniel asked.
Oh, probably, um, never. After he came back from Abydos the first time Mom had already left. I refused to go and Dad got full custody," Laura said.
"I'm sorry," Daniel apologized.
"Yeah, so was I. I think in her heart she forgave me for what happened to our kid. She just...couldn't forget. And she and Laura never had a warm relationship. Laura always preferred me. So it made sense that I got custody. Of course we also gave Laura the choice and she picked me," Jack said.
"And what about you?" Daniel asked.
"I'm the opposite. I'll never forgive myself. But sometimes I can forget. Sometimes," Jack said as he took a drink.
"Well, I'd better get to bed. General Hammond did say he wanted us in tomorrow. Maybe by then, we'll know if we're going to Chulak," Laura said, kissing Jack's cheek.
"Night, Kiddo," Jack said.
"Night, Dad. Night, Daniel," Laura said, leaving the room.
