TITLE: To Earn Freedom
AUTHOR: Sharim
EMAIL: MissSharim@yahoo.com.au
CATEGORY: Action, Angst, Drama, Adventure.
PAIRING: Sam/Jack, Other
SPOILERS: Minor for: Children of the Gods, In the Line of Duty, The Nox, Tok'ra I & II, Cold Lazarus, Pretense, Serpent Song, Forever in a Day,
SEASON / SEQUEL: Post Fair Game,
RATING: PG
CONTENT WARNINGS: Violence.
SUMMARY: Sometimes, the price of freedom is siding with the enemy.
STATUS: Working on it!
ARCHIVE: Sam and Jack, Heliopolis, My site (when I stop slacking off).
DISCLAIMER: Stargate SG-1 and its characters are the property of Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. We have written this story for entertainment purposes only and no money whatsoever has exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the authors. Not to be archived without permission of the authors.
A/N: Wow, two parts in two days! A record ;) Anyways, again, not been beta'd so I don't know if there are going to be continuity probs etc. *shrugs* not my problem..
Ps if anyone has forgotten what's happened or wants to read it from scratch, then www.fanfiction.net under 'sharim' would be the place to find it, seeing as my website no longer exists ~withering glares at topcities~
Chapter Twenty-Four
There was something achingly familiar about the situation, Janet decided, her jaw clenched in a stubborn determination.
She would not cry.
She wouldn't.
"I am very sorry," Narim said softly, his eyes hanging onto the tabletop.
Sorry? Sorry just didn't cover it.
General Hammond sighed, and Janet could see the weariness in his eyes.
"SG-1 did try to convince Chancellor Travell, but-"
"The Tollan are arrogant bastards!" Janet snapped, glaring at him.
"Dr. Fraiser!" General Hammond yelled, slamming his fist down on the table.
"I'm sorry, Sir, but this has gone on enough. They believed themselves superior and untouchable, you said so yourself. This is their fault; they underestimated the Goa'uld because they thought too much of themselves and now Sam, the Colonel, Daniel and Teal'c are all probably dead!"
Narim coughed awkwardly, but he didn't answer to her accusations. They were true, and everyone knew it.
"The Tollan arrogance is being dearly paid for," a quiet voice agreed from the doorway.
Janet felt compassion suddenly as she turned to face Chancellor Travell shuffling into the room, the burns along the side of her arms and body carefully covered with bandages. Her whole world had just been wiped out, bar a handful of survivors. "Are you staying here?" Janet asked hesitantly.
"We have no choice. None of the other worlds you are acquainted with are suitable, and we have no means with which to contact the Nox."
"Will you be sharing anything with us?" General Hammond asked almost bitterly.
Travell hesitated, glancing at Hammond. "I do not know. Sometimes, to share is the best thing, yet at other times it is not."
There was a heavy silence that settled over the briefing room table, and Janet blew her breath out softly.
"I think we should all get some rest," General Hammond said eventually, sitting back in his chair. "Narim, High Chancellor Travell, if you'd let the Airmen escort you."
Both Tollan knew it was an order thinly disguised as an offer. Silently they rose to their feet, dipping their heads with politeness before following the SF's out of the briefing room.
"That was highly insubordinate, Dr. Fraiser," General Hammond said eventually, his eyes resting understandingly on hers.
"I know, Sir. And I'm sorry for embarrassing you."
"Not sorry for saying it though, are you?" he almost chuckled, placing his pen onto the unused paper in front of him. "What do you think?"
She sighed. What did she think?
"I think that if they wanted to, they could share an awful lot with us."
"But you don't think they want to."
Janet shook her head. No. Why would they share? "No. I think they're too self righteous to ever go against their own laws, even if their world has been destroyed."
Hammond nodded silently; he knew that too.
"Are they going to be allowed to stay?"
He sighed. "The minute NID gets wind of their presence here on Earth again."
"They won't be safe here, will they?"
Hammond shook his head. "No. And even if their arrogance did lead to their demise, I still wouldn't wish that on them."
Janet agreed; they hadn't meant for anything to happen to SG-1. The old SG- 1 at any rate.
"So what now?"
"We carry on as usual, Dr. Fraiser."
"What about Sam?" Janet asked hesitantly.
"Is there anything you can do for her?" General Hammond asked gently.
No. There wasn't anything she could do for Sam, not according to what the Tollan doctor had told her.
"What about Colonel O'Neill?" Hammond continued gently.
"He's still unconscious, but that's probably mainly due to the sedatives we've given him. He should be asleep for a few more hours at least."
"Will he recover?"
Physically, she wasn't sure. The burns to his back and legs. the explosion he'd been exposed to must have been horrendous. He was lucky to have made it through the gate just after the others pushed Sam through. And emotionally. That was something she didn't want to think about.
"He'll walk again, but." she let the sentence die on her lips, the same way O'Neill and Sam's careers were extinguished: without fuss and ceremony.
Hammond sighed, rubbing at his face. "I'm going to have to let Teal'c's family know what happened. When will he be able to tell me?"
Janet shrugged. "I don't know. Sir, aren't you being a bit hasty in your decision to declare Teal'c KIA?"
"You saw the pictures, Janet. You saw what the Goa'uld did to that planet."
Yes. Janet had seen the MALP images. And they were pictures she never wanted to see again, not as long as she lived.
A wry smile touched General Hammond's mouth, and she gazed at him questioningly. "It just goes to show, the technology doesn't necessarily guarantee who'll be the winners."
And suddenly Janet felt better. Yes, they didn't have the technology the Tollans had, yes they didn't have the knowledge the Tollans had. But they were still alive and beating the Goa'uld, whereas the Tollans were wiped out.
~o0o~
Colban gazed down silently at the woman lying on the bed, and guilt filled his heart.
He'd all but promised her a successful recovery. He'd all but guaranteed she would regain at least some use in her legs, and regain the feeling in them.
He should have listened to their warnings about the Goa'uld. He should never have been so confident and arrogant in the Tok'ra capabilities. He should have heeded their warnings.
It was too late now.
He'd made a promise to Samantha he could not keep, and now her fragile strength would be broken down further.
"Isn't there anything you can do for her?" a strangled whisper begged from the doorway.
He shook his head slowly. They did not possess the right technology, the necessary knowledge. and even if they did, he was doubtful that he would be able to assist her now. "I am afraid not."
The man let a shuddering sigh escape from his weary body before he pushed a hand through his unruly hair. "Will she wake up?"
"When the sedatives wear off."
"How long will that take?"
Colban smiled sadly. "I do not know. The medication is designed to respond to the body's recovery. Until Samantha's body repairs itself to a certain extent, she will not wake up."
"And how is she supposed to recover when you've said it yourself that she won't get any better?" the man demanded angrily, his eyes raw with fury as he gazed at Colban.
Colban felt the heaviness in his heart again.
"I apologise, Dr. Jackson, but there it is not possible for me to help her recover. I made it abundantly clear that should she be moved so soon after the process, her chances of recovery would be very small indeed."
Dr. Jackson sat down limply on a chair next to Samantha's bed.
"You are close to her," Colban observed as he watched him take hold of one small, pale limb.
"No. I used to be, but then I. it changed."
"It must be difficult," Colban acknowledged softly, "to watch your friends together and know that you have somehow missed out on something very unique."
Dr. Jackson glanced at him sharply. "What do you know?" he demanded brusquely, his fingers tightening over Samantha's unmoving digits.
"She spoke to me about what occurred," Colban admitted, a sad smile touching his face. "She was hurt by your actions, Dr. Jackson, but she doesn't condemn you for them."
Dr. Jackson turned back to Samantha.
"Sam couldn't hate anyone if she tried."
"On the contrary, Samantha is quite capable of hate," Colban disagreed.
Dr. Jackson eyed him narrowly. "How do you know so much about her?"
Colban smiled. "I am old, Dr. Jackson, and I was married once to a woman very much like Samantha. The same fire is in her that was in Klera."
Dr. Jackson sighed and rose to his feet slowly, his body moving like that of an old man's. "You know, Colban, it's too late now. Even if I wanted to ask for her forgiveness, I wouldn't get it. If she does recover, it's going to look like I want to be around her again because she can walk, and if she doesn't recover. then."
"Then what?"
"It's still my fault that she can't walk, and I don't see how can I forgive myself and face her knowing that."
~o0o~
Hammond watched as O'Neill slowly regained consciousness.
With his eyes opening slowly, his mouth pulled tightly in a grimace of pain and he groaned, trying to shift on the bed to get more comfortable.
"Easy, Colonel," Dr. Fraiser cautioned, placing a calming hand on the Colonel's heavily bandaged shoulder and holding him gently down to the bed. "I need you to lie still for me, Colonel."
"Carter?" O'Neill murmured, his head twisting on the pillow as he gazed around blurrily. "General?"
"How are you feeling Jack?"
O'Neill blinked slowly, and Hammond could see him contemplating the answer.
"Like a steak," he said eventually.
Hammond smiled benignly and waited until O'Neill opened his eyes again.
"What happened, Colonel?" Hammond asked gently.
O'Neill frowned, flinching as his movements sent more spasms of pain rocking over his body. Hammond could see the tension in his muscles as he fought the waves of pain.
"The Goa'uld."
"We know, son."
"Skaara." O'Neill breathed, his eyes widening with desperation. "We were close, Sir. so close."
Hammond blinked desperately. Another son. O'Neill had lost another son.
"We just had to get him to the Tok'ra." O'Neill breathed, closing his eyes again and clenching his jaw. "Crap. hurts."
"I know. You were badly burnt in an explosion, Colonel."
"Explosion?" O'Neill murmured, and Hammond knew that he'd drop back to sleep soon. "The ion cannon," O'Neill whispered. "They shot it. Teal'c. Teal'c didn't make it, Sir."
"I know, Jack."
"What about Carter?"
"She's here, Jack, she's lying across from you."
"I want. to. see her."
"You can't yet, Colonel," Dr. Fraiser interrupted.
"Walk.?"
Hammond closed his eyes. No. She couldn't walk. And she probably wouldn't walk again.
"Gen." O'Neill's eyes fluttered closed and he sank back into oblivion on the bed in front of Hammond.
"He's not doing too well, General," Dr. Fraiser said hesitantly, her eyes anxious as she looked up at him.
Hammond swallowed. No, O'Neill wasn't doing well.
"What do you recommend?"
Janet hesitated. "His burns are too bad, General. I don't think. with Sam using his strength as well. they."
Hammond straightened his back and gazed down at his one time 2IC.
"We should alert their families then," Hammond said softly. "I'll get in contact with Jacob and-"
"Sir!" Dr. Fraiser looked up excitedly. "Sir, if they could use the healing device on them.!"
"Do you think it will work?" Hammond asked hesitantly, knowing that the results hadn't been satisfactory before.
"On the Colonel they should, yes, and it's possible that it could work on Sam's back as well."
"Why not before?" Hammond demanded.
"This is a 'fresh' injury that hasn't healed yet, General. The Healing device heals injuries. By the time we tried the Hand Device on Sam the time lapse had been too long. It's not even 24 hours yet, we still stand a chance! I could check with Colban but I'm sure-"
"I'll contact the Tok'ra straight away."
Without even dismissing the doctor, Hammond turned and headed straight to the control room.
It had been a while since he'd seen Jacob. About time the old guy came down for a visit again.
~o0o~
Daniel felt old.
Really old.
He ran a hand over his face and winced at the sharp rasping noise that grated through the air at the contact of skin on stubble. A shave. He needed a shave. He also needed a shower, a hair cut, some new clothes and a life.
A new life.
Far away from all this agony.
He sank down onto his chair again and sat silently as the infirmary buzzed around him. He didn't noticed the nurses going backwards and forwards, he didn't see or hear Janet entering the infirmary and barking out orders.
He just saw Sam, lying on the ground in Shu's temple with her blood spilling out of her. Saw her, lying limply in his arms, her life slowly leaking out of her.
Sam, in a wheelchair. Because of him.
He was oblivious to the sudden commotion in the infirmary, unable to comprehend the noise and the sudden air of excitement as a new group of people entered the quiet room, their steps light and full of hope.
And after he'd shot her, he'd deserted her.
He hadn't even said 'I'm sorry' to her face.
He'd argued with her, yelled at her, and then left her.
Left them both.
So they just had each other, and they'd found comfort in each other's arms.
He shifted awkwardly on his chair. He'd always known Sam and Jack had a bond that they didn't share with him and Teal'c. but this bond Nut had given them had added something to that. They were more than just friends now, and Daniel wasn't sure how he felt about that.
They were Sam and Jack. Two of his best friends - or used to be anyway.
But a couple? The two of them? Raising kids together? Growing old together?
Daniel frowned.
Actually, he could see it. Jack would probably run around in a apron and cook them all steaks every night while Sam would tuck the kids in and put them to sleep reciting the periodic table.
The thought brought a smile to his face.
"Dr. Jackson?"
He blinked, gazing up at Janet looking faintly bemused.
"Yeah?" he grunted.
"Are you okay, Daniel?"
No. No I'm not okay.
He just wanted to curl up in a ball and cry until everything was better.
"I'm fine, Janet. Thanks. What's happening?"
"General Carter is here. They're going to try the healing device on Sam and the Colonel."
Silently Daniel rose to his feet, and positioned himself to watch. The people around the bed fell silent, and Jacob Carter slowly positioned the healing device over his daughter's body. No one spoke as the light glowed warmly over her limp figure, a pale sheen of sweat appearing on the old man's face as he frowned and grimaced in concentration.
The light faded and the room was left feeling strangely dark and quiet.
"Did it work?" Janet asked eventually, breaking the silence.
Jacob looked down at his hand. "I don't know. It did something."
You must realise, Dr. Fraiser, the Hand Device has never been used or been attempted on this type of injury. We do not know what the results will be like.
"Of course, Selmak. We're grateful for any help you can give us," General Hammond nodded understandingly.
We will heal Colonel O'Neill now, Selmak stated, and the crowd around Sam's bed parted to let the Tok'ra through to where Jack was lying.
Daniel watched with interest as once again the device glowed and Jack's body was illuminated. Again, the light faded and the room was left silent.
Jack drew in a sharp breath, groaning as he let it out.
Colonel O'Neill should recover, Selmak stated, carefully removing the hand device from her hand.
"Thank you, Selmak, Jacob," General Hammond thanked them while Janet checked Jack's vitals.
Slowly Daniel stepped backwards, away from the scene in front of him.
He didn't belong here anymore. He wasn't part of their family anymore, and he didn't have the right to stay here.
Silently he turned and slipped away from the room, his lips tight with grief as he left the comfort of what had been his home.
~o0o~
He was there when she woke up, her eyes confused and blurred with pain as she returned to the world of the living.
He held her hand and smiled at her, and she slipped back to sleep silently, like a ghost moving unnoticed through the world of man.
And he was there each time she woke up, holding her hand and smiling at her, whispering words of comfort. He was there, brushing the hair back from her forehead and wiping the sweat from her brow as her legs cramp and spasmed, the once inert muscles painfully returning to existence of feeling, moving and hurting.
He would always be there for her, and she knew it. They both knew it.
Jack smiled as he pushed her in her wheelchair. Before, she would never have let him help her. Ever. Now he was allowed to push her.
She was going to walk again. Maybe not perfectly, maybe not without a limp, and maybe not tomorrow, but she would walk again.
They both knew it.
"Ready to go home, Carter?" he asked conversationally, pushing her chair into the elevator.
"Yes, Sir," she smiled at him and sat back in her chair.
Maybe tomorrow she'd ask him about Teal'c. And Daniel. And then he'd have to tell her that Teal'c had died and Daniel had left her.
They only had each other, but Jack knew it would be enough.
~o0o~
Feedback? Plleeeaasseee..
sharim
AUTHOR: Sharim
EMAIL: MissSharim@yahoo.com.au
CATEGORY: Action, Angst, Drama, Adventure.
PAIRING: Sam/Jack, Other
SPOILERS: Minor for: Children of the Gods, In the Line of Duty, The Nox, Tok'ra I & II, Cold Lazarus, Pretense, Serpent Song, Forever in a Day,
SEASON / SEQUEL: Post Fair Game,
RATING: PG
CONTENT WARNINGS: Violence.
SUMMARY: Sometimes, the price of freedom is siding with the enemy.
STATUS: Working on it!
ARCHIVE: Sam and Jack, Heliopolis, My site (when I stop slacking off).
DISCLAIMER: Stargate SG-1 and its characters are the property of Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. We have written this story for entertainment purposes only and no money whatsoever has exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the authors. Not to be archived without permission of the authors.
A/N: Wow, two parts in two days! A record ;) Anyways, again, not been beta'd so I don't know if there are going to be continuity probs etc. *shrugs* not my problem..
Ps if anyone has forgotten what's happened or wants to read it from scratch, then www.fanfiction.net under 'sharim' would be the place to find it, seeing as my website no longer exists ~withering glares at topcities~
Chapter Twenty-Four
There was something achingly familiar about the situation, Janet decided, her jaw clenched in a stubborn determination.
She would not cry.
She wouldn't.
"I am very sorry," Narim said softly, his eyes hanging onto the tabletop.
Sorry? Sorry just didn't cover it.
General Hammond sighed, and Janet could see the weariness in his eyes.
"SG-1 did try to convince Chancellor Travell, but-"
"The Tollan are arrogant bastards!" Janet snapped, glaring at him.
"Dr. Fraiser!" General Hammond yelled, slamming his fist down on the table.
"I'm sorry, Sir, but this has gone on enough. They believed themselves superior and untouchable, you said so yourself. This is their fault; they underestimated the Goa'uld because they thought too much of themselves and now Sam, the Colonel, Daniel and Teal'c are all probably dead!"
Narim coughed awkwardly, but he didn't answer to her accusations. They were true, and everyone knew it.
"The Tollan arrogance is being dearly paid for," a quiet voice agreed from the doorway.
Janet felt compassion suddenly as she turned to face Chancellor Travell shuffling into the room, the burns along the side of her arms and body carefully covered with bandages. Her whole world had just been wiped out, bar a handful of survivors. "Are you staying here?" Janet asked hesitantly.
"We have no choice. None of the other worlds you are acquainted with are suitable, and we have no means with which to contact the Nox."
"Will you be sharing anything with us?" General Hammond asked almost bitterly.
Travell hesitated, glancing at Hammond. "I do not know. Sometimes, to share is the best thing, yet at other times it is not."
There was a heavy silence that settled over the briefing room table, and Janet blew her breath out softly.
"I think we should all get some rest," General Hammond said eventually, sitting back in his chair. "Narim, High Chancellor Travell, if you'd let the Airmen escort you."
Both Tollan knew it was an order thinly disguised as an offer. Silently they rose to their feet, dipping their heads with politeness before following the SF's out of the briefing room.
"That was highly insubordinate, Dr. Fraiser," General Hammond said eventually, his eyes resting understandingly on hers.
"I know, Sir. And I'm sorry for embarrassing you."
"Not sorry for saying it though, are you?" he almost chuckled, placing his pen onto the unused paper in front of him. "What do you think?"
She sighed. What did she think?
"I think that if they wanted to, they could share an awful lot with us."
"But you don't think they want to."
Janet shook her head. No. Why would they share? "No. I think they're too self righteous to ever go against their own laws, even if their world has been destroyed."
Hammond nodded silently; he knew that too.
"Are they going to be allowed to stay?"
He sighed. "The minute NID gets wind of their presence here on Earth again."
"They won't be safe here, will they?"
Hammond shook his head. "No. And even if their arrogance did lead to their demise, I still wouldn't wish that on them."
Janet agreed; they hadn't meant for anything to happen to SG-1. The old SG- 1 at any rate.
"So what now?"
"We carry on as usual, Dr. Fraiser."
"What about Sam?" Janet asked hesitantly.
"Is there anything you can do for her?" General Hammond asked gently.
No. There wasn't anything she could do for Sam, not according to what the Tollan doctor had told her.
"What about Colonel O'Neill?" Hammond continued gently.
"He's still unconscious, but that's probably mainly due to the sedatives we've given him. He should be asleep for a few more hours at least."
"Will he recover?"
Physically, she wasn't sure. The burns to his back and legs. the explosion he'd been exposed to must have been horrendous. He was lucky to have made it through the gate just after the others pushed Sam through. And emotionally. That was something she didn't want to think about.
"He'll walk again, but." she let the sentence die on her lips, the same way O'Neill and Sam's careers were extinguished: without fuss and ceremony.
Hammond sighed, rubbing at his face. "I'm going to have to let Teal'c's family know what happened. When will he be able to tell me?"
Janet shrugged. "I don't know. Sir, aren't you being a bit hasty in your decision to declare Teal'c KIA?"
"You saw the pictures, Janet. You saw what the Goa'uld did to that planet."
Yes. Janet had seen the MALP images. And they were pictures she never wanted to see again, not as long as she lived.
A wry smile touched General Hammond's mouth, and she gazed at him questioningly. "It just goes to show, the technology doesn't necessarily guarantee who'll be the winners."
And suddenly Janet felt better. Yes, they didn't have the technology the Tollans had, yes they didn't have the knowledge the Tollans had. But they were still alive and beating the Goa'uld, whereas the Tollans were wiped out.
~o0o~
Colban gazed down silently at the woman lying on the bed, and guilt filled his heart.
He'd all but promised her a successful recovery. He'd all but guaranteed she would regain at least some use in her legs, and regain the feeling in them.
He should have listened to their warnings about the Goa'uld. He should never have been so confident and arrogant in the Tok'ra capabilities. He should have heeded their warnings.
It was too late now.
He'd made a promise to Samantha he could not keep, and now her fragile strength would be broken down further.
"Isn't there anything you can do for her?" a strangled whisper begged from the doorway.
He shook his head slowly. They did not possess the right technology, the necessary knowledge. and even if they did, he was doubtful that he would be able to assist her now. "I am afraid not."
The man let a shuddering sigh escape from his weary body before he pushed a hand through his unruly hair. "Will she wake up?"
"When the sedatives wear off."
"How long will that take?"
Colban smiled sadly. "I do not know. The medication is designed to respond to the body's recovery. Until Samantha's body repairs itself to a certain extent, she will not wake up."
"And how is she supposed to recover when you've said it yourself that she won't get any better?" the man demanded angrily, his eyes raw with fury as he gazed at Colban.
Colban felt the heaviness in his heart again.
"I apologise, Dr. Jackson, but there it is not possible for me to help her recover. I made it abundantly clear that should she be moved so soon after the process, her chances of recovery would be very small indeed."
Dr. Jackson sat down limply on a chair next to Samantha's bed.
"You are close to her," Colban observed as he watched him take hold of one small, pale limb.
"No. I used to be, but then I. it changed."
"It must be difficult," Colban acknowledged softly, "to watch your friends together and know that you have somehow missed out on something very unique."
Dr. Jackson glanced at him sharply. "What do you know?" he demanded brusquely, his fingers tightening over Samantha's unmoving digits.
"She spoke to me about what occurred," Colban admitted, a sad smile touching his face. "She was hurt by your actions, Dr. Jackson, but she doesn't condemn you for them."
Dr. Jackson turned back to Samantha.
"Sam couldn't hate anyone if she tried."
"On the contrary, Samantha is quite capable of hate," Colban disagreed.
Dr. Jackson eyed him narrowly. "How do you know so much about her?"
Colban smiled. "I am old, Dr. Jackson, and I was married once to a woman very much like Samantha. The same fire is in her that was in Klera."
Dr. Jackson sighed and rose to his feet slowly, his body moving like that of an old man's. "You know, Colban, it's too late now. Even if I wanted to ask for her forgiveness, I wouldn't get it. If she does recover, it's going to look like I want to be around her again because she can walk, and if she doesn't recover. then."
"Then what?"
"It's still my fault that she can't walk, and I don't see how can I forgive myself and face her knowing that."
~o0o~
Hammond watched as O'Neill slowly regained consciousness.
With his eyes opening slowly, his mouth pulled tightly in a grimace of pain and he groaned, trying to shift on the bed to get more comfortable.
"Easy, Colonel," Dr. Fraiser cautioned, placing a calming hand on the Colonel's heavily bandaged shoulder and holding him gently down to the bed. "I need you to lie still for me, Colonel."
"Carter?" O'Neill murmured, his head twisting on the pillow as he gazed around blurrily. "General?"
"How are you feeling Jack?"
O'Neill blinked slowly, and Hammond could see him contemplating the answer.
"Like a steak," he said eventually.
Hammond smiled benignly and waited until O'Neill opened his eyes again.
"What happened, Colonel?" Hammond asked gently.
O'Neill frowned, flinching as his movements sent more spasms of pain rocking over his body. Hammond could see the tension in his muscles as he fought the waves of pain.
"The Goa'uld."
"We know, son."
"Skaara." O'Neill breathed, his eyes widening with desperation. "We were close, Sir. so close."
Hammond blinked desperately. Another son. O'Neill had lost another son.
"We just had to get him to the Tok'ra." O'Neill breathed, closing his eyes again and clenching his jaw. "Crap. hurts."
"I know. You were badly burnt in an explosion, Colonel."
"Explosion?" O'Neill murmured, and Hammond knew that he'd drop back to sleep soon. "The ion cannon," O'Neill whispered. "They shot it. Teal'c. Teal'c didn't make it, Sir."
"I know, Jack."
"What about Carter?"
"She's here, Jack, she's lying across from you."
"I want. to. see her."
"You can't yet, Colonel," Dr. Fraiser interrupted.
"Walk.?"
Hammond closed his eyes. No. She couldn't walk. And she probably wouldn't walk again.
"Gen." O'Neill's eyes fluttered closed and he sank back into oblivion on the bed in front of Hammond.
"He's not doing too well, General," Dr. Fraiser said hesitantly, her eyes anxious as she looked up at him.
Hammond swallowed. No, O'Neill wasn't doing well.
"What do you recommend?"
Janet hesitated. "His burns are too bad, General. I don't think. with Sam using his strength as well. they."
Hammond straightened his back and gazed down at his one time 2IC.
"We should alert their families then," Hammond said softly. "I'll get in contact with Jacob and-"
"Sir!" Dr. Fraiser looked up excitedly. "Sir, if they could use the healing device on them.!"
"Do you think it will work?" Hammond asked hesitantly, knowing that the results hadn't been satisfactory before.
"On the Colonel they should, yes, and it's possible that it could work on Sam's back as well."
"Why not before?" Hammond demanded.
"This is a 'fresh' injury that hasn't healed yet, General. The Healing device heals injuries. By the time we tried the Hand Device on Sam the time lapse had been too long. It's not even 24 hours yet, we still stand a chance! I could check with Colban but I'm sure-"
"I'll contact the Tok'ra straight away."
Without even dismissing the doctor, Hammond turned and headed straight to the control room.
It had been a while since he'd seen Jacob. About time the old guy came down for a visit again.
~o0o~
Daniel felt old.
Really old.
He ran a hand over his face and winced at the sharp rasping noise that grated through the air at the contact of skin on stubble. A shave. He needed a shave. He also needed a shower, a hair cut, some new clothes and a life.
A new life.
Far away from all this agony.
He sank down onto his chair again and sat silently as the infirmary buzzed around him. He didn't noticed the nurses going backwards and forwards, he didn't see or hear Janet entering the infirmary and barking out orders.
He just saw Sam, lying on the ground in Shu's temple with her blood spilling out of her. Saw her, lying limply in his arms, her life slowly leaking out of her.
Sam, in a wheelchair. Because of him.
He was oblivious to the sudden commotion in the infirmary, unable to comprehend the noise and the sudden air of excitement as a new group of people entered the quiet room, their steps light and full of hope.
And after he'd shot her, he'd deserted her.
He hadn't even said 'I'm sorry' to her face.
He'd argued with her, yelled at her, and then left her.
Left them both.
So they just had each other, and they'd found comfort in each other's arms.
He shifted awkwardly on his chair. He'd always known Sam and Jack had a bond that they didn't share with him and Teal'c. but this bond Nut had given them had added something to that. They were more than just friends now, and Daniel wasn't sure how he felt about that.
They were Sam and Jack. Two of his best friends - or used to be anyway.
But a couple? The two of them? Raising kids together? Growing old together?
Daniel frowned.
Actually, he could see it. Jack would probably run around in a apron and cook them all steaks every night while Sam would tuck the kids in and put them to sleep reciting the periodic table.
The thought brought a smile to his face.
"Dr. Jackson?"
He blinked, gazing up at Janet looking faintly bemused.
"Yeah?" he grunted.
"Are you okay, Daniel?"
No. No I'm not okay.
He just wanted to curl up in a ball and cry until everything was better.
"I'm fine, Janet. Thanks. What's happening?"
"General Carter is here. They're going to try the healing device on Sam and the Colonel."
Silently Daniel rose to his feet, and positioned himself to watch. The people around the bed fell silent, and Jacob Carter slowly positioned the healing device over his daughter's body. No one spoke as the light glowed warmly over her limp figure, a pale sheen of sweat appearing on the old man's face as he frowned and grimaced in concentration.
The light faded and the room was left feeling strangely dark and quiet.
"Did it work?" Janet asked eventually, breaking the silence.
Jacob looked down at his hand. "I don't know. It did something."
You must realise, Dr. Fraiser, the Hand Device has never been used or been attempted on this type of injury. We do not know what the results will be like.
"Of course, Selmak. We're grateful for any help you can give us," General Hammond nodded understandingly.
We will heal Colonel O'Neill now, Selmak stated, and the crowd around Sam's bed parted to let the Tok'ra through to where Jack was lying.
Daniel watched with interest as once again the device glowed and Jack's body was illuminated. Again, the light faded and the room was left silent.
Jack drew in a sharp breath, groaning as he let it out.
Colonel O'Neill should recover, Selmak stated, carefully removing the hand device from her hand.
"Thank you, Selmak, Jacob," General Hammond thanked them while Janet checked Jack's vitals.
Slowly Daniel stepped backwards, away from the scene in front of him.
He didn't belong here anymore. He wasn't part of their family anymore, and he didn't have the right to stay here.
Silently he turned and slipped away from the room, his lips tight with grief as he left the comfort of what had been his home.
~o0o~
He was there when she woke up, her eyes confused and blurred with pain as she returned to the world of the living.
He held her hand and smiled at her, and she slipped back to sleep silently, like a ghost moving unnoticed through the world of man.
And he was there each time she woke up, holding her hand and smiling at her, whispering words of comfort. He was there, brushing the hair back from her forehead and wiping the sweat from her brow as her legs cramp and spasmed, the once inert muscles painfully returning to existence of feeling, moving and hurting.
He would always be there for her, and she knew it. They both knew it.
Jack smiled as he pushed her in her wheelchair. Before, she would never have let him help her. Ever. Now he was allowed to push her.
She was going to walk again. Maybe not perfectly, maybe not without a limp, and maybe not tomorrow, but she would walk again.
They both knew it.
"Ready to go home, Carter?" he asked conversationally, pushing her chair into the elevator.
"Yes, Sir," she smiled at him and sat back in her chair.
Maybe tomorrow she'd ask him about Teal'c. And Daniel. And then he'd have to tell her that Teal'c had died and Daniel had left her.
They only had each other, but Jack knew it would be enough.
~o0o~
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