A/N: This chapter has a TW for mentions of Sam's torture.

"What now?" Hammond grumbled under his breath as the klaxons blared, announcing an unscheduled off-world activation. He'd been on base since 2300 when Walter had called him after SG-16 failed to check-in and multiple attempts to dial the gate had failed.

Normally, Walter would have called Colonels O'Neill then Reynolds, as they were the next in the chain-of-command. But Jack had taken personal leave and Albert was out on sick leave. Hammond's orders were for Walter to contact him directly if anything went awry, and that's exactly what the Master Sergeant had done.

"It's the Tok'ra's IDC, sir," Walter informed him, his hand moving to hover over the iris control as he waited for the order.

"About damn time," Hammond muttered, "open the iris."

It had been over a week since Hammond had contacted the Tok'ra High Council for them to relay a message to Jacob that Sam had been attacked. Knowing his friend wouldn't have willingly waited this long to come check on his own daughter, Hammond could only assume the High Council had chosen to withhold the message for whatever reason.

"Where the hell is my daughter?" Jacob barked as soon as he exited the event horizon.

"She's at home," Hammond answered as he entered the gate room. "SG-1 took Major Carter home twelve hours ago," he glanced at his watch noting it was 0300.

Jacob visibly relaxed and exhaled a loud breath. "So she's alive," he stated out loud, "the message said—it was bad."

Hammond felt sympathy for the man. When he'd had Walter send the message, Sam had been gravely wounded and Dr. Fraiser had whisked her into surgery. It had taken several hours before they knew Sam would likely make a full recovery.

"It was," Hammond confirmed. "But Sam is as strong and as stubborn as her father. She's healing well." His words pulled a harsh chuckle from Jacob. "Although, I don't think she'd mind if you and Selmak used a healing device to speed up her recovery."

Jacob's head lowered as Selmak resumed control of her host. "As soon as we received the message, we found the closest Stargate to travel here against the High Council's wishes. We would be in your debt if you do not immediately alert them to our arrival."

"Of course," Hammond nodded.

"The message said she was attacked by the man she has been seeing?" Selmak asked.

"She and Colonel O'Neill were both abducted by Pete Shanahan. According to Colonel O'Neill, Sam was tortured with hydrofluoric acid before they were able to break free. Shanahan is on the run, but we will find him," Hammond said.

Jacob resumed control of his body. "Jack saved her?"

"He did. But not before Shanahan inflicted some substantial damage. Jacob," Hammond leveled with him, "I won't sugar coat it. What he did; it was bad."

"How's Jack doing?" Jacob asked, knowing Hammond was aware of the Colonel's fondness for Jacob's daughter.

"Let's just say, I've been holding off on having a particular conversation with him," Hammond said cryptically, knowing Jacob would understand. Ever since saving Sam, Jack had been flirting with crossing the boundaries of professional concern. But even Hammond knew better than to get in between the two officers at a time like this. The conversation could wait until they were both on their feet. Jack might not carry the physical scars this time, but the psychological ones were significant.

Jacob nodded in understanding. "If you don't mind," he told Hammond, "I'd like to hold off on our debrief."

"I thought you might," Hammond said. "I'll have someone from the motor pool give you a ride, but you should change your clothes first."

Jacob nodded, then followed an airman out of the gate room.

"Sir, shall I call Colonel O'Neill and alert him to General Carter's arrival?" Walter asked from the control room.

"Negative," Hammond replied. There was no sense in causing his goddaughter any more stress. Besides, if Hammond's suspicions were correct, Jacob might save him from having to initiate a certain uncomfortable conversation after all.