Author's Notes: Well, here it is a labour of love and a story I hope that is enjoyable and true to the characters. Apheresis procedure' is a legitimate medical technique, generally used to treat blood disorders by removing the plasma. Similar to the centrifuge used by Major Carter in Legacy.

Disclaimer: No profit, no gain except the enjoyment of other fans.

Additional: Since first completion I have noticed some flaws and areas that needed improvement to be true to the original series. I hope in adjusting several parts and adding the requisite infirmary' scene I have only added to the story. -- Nym


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For the second time in only a few days Major Sam Carter was being rushed through medical hallways. Doctors having been briefed via satellite phone, surrounded the gurney on which she lay.

Why is she unconscious? Colonel O'Neill demanded of a male doctor in the standard white coat.

Her body is attacking the Nanites that have infested it. It's acting as though there are foreign cell that a virus would normally carry, but the body cannot produce any antibodies. Dr. Fraiser has briefed us on the best way, and only way, she believes they can be removed.

I'm sorry Colonel, you'll have to remain here. A nurse interrupted.

Whoa, how are you going to get them out of her?

The doctors will be trying a drastic method Colonel, Apheresis procedure. Jack stared at her blankly.

Wait, I've heard of that. Daniel spoke up, appearing at Jack's side. Isn't that a type of blood filtration?

Yes Dr. Jackson. You're a medical doctor?'

Doctor of Archaeology actually...

Oh. Right. The procedure involves accessing an artery and by passing the Major's blood through a centrifuge to filter out a plasma, the blood then goes back into a vein on the other side of her body. We will then cycle the plasma, remove the Nanites and return the plasma to her body.

Isn't that risky?

Quite Dr. Jackson, unfortunately the Major has little choice. Excuse me, I'm needed in the OR. Carter's teammates had little to do but sit and wait. Jack would've preferred to have Sam back at the SGC and under heavy guard when any type of medical procedure was performed. However he'd spoken with Fraiser, he knew it had to be now. Resigned to another long wait to see if his major would make it through yet another dangerous procedure, Jack sighed. He couldn't stop himself from remembering how pale she had seemed against the sheets.

Thinking thoughts a CO shouldn't think of his 2IC, Jack let his head sink into his hands as another sigh escaped his lips. The waiting game sucked.

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A steady beeping awoke the Major, accompanied by white lots of white. Groaning she knew what that meant. Infirmary, heart monitor, not good. She rolled her head to the side and saw a table with flowers and a box of something called Jaffas'.

Rolling her head back she tried to move her arms, finding them stiff and swathed in bandages she frowned. She didn't remember injuring them. Beside her there was a noise, looking over she met the Colonel's eyes.

He said softly.

What happened? She asked, equally softly.

Same old. I should get a doctor. He rose to leave. She managed to grab his arm.

Wait. What happened to Patrice? Desperation shone in her eyes.

Under police guard in a different hospital. Sam nodded, her eyes were getting heavy again. So tired, she fought to stay awake as Jack re-entered the room, Daniel,Teal'c and a male doctor in tow.

Good to see you awake, Major. She nodded sleepily. I'm Dr. Roche. He told her picking up the chart from the end of her bed. You gave us quite a scare Major. Thankfully your teammates got you here in time. Turning to face her teammates, he flicked through her chart. I suggest you make sure she rest, her blood pressure is still low and--- The voice faded off as the Major fell asleep.

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The second time Sam woke she felt more human. At least as human as anyone could be after being infected by an alien. Daniel was sitting in the chair next to her bed and he gently helped her to sit up. Sam briefly closed her eyes against the spinning room. She opened them to find Daniel's worried face staring at her intently.

You okay? He asked. She shrugged.

You tell me. What happened? She asked.

Don't you remember? Sam shook her head. We found you in a confrontation with Patrice Conrad on the-

Wait a minute, Conrad. Patrice Conrad, as in Adrian Conrad? Daniel nodded.

His niece, inherited everything, including apparently his fascination with you, when he died.

Muttered Sam.

Anyway, we found you and Patrice on the roof of a carpark, you'd shot her and tried to shoot us. You were kinda delirious, you collapsed just after we got to you and we rushed you here. Turned out the Orban people couldn't help Janet. Seeing Sam's confused look he explained. She spoke with them to try and figure a way to get the Nanites out, they couldn't help. However she then thought that if your body was treating them like a disease she could too. Used something to filter your blood like you had a blood disorder. Sam looked and her bandaged arms.

Explains these I guess. He nodded.

Dr. Roche also said you might have low blood pressure for awhile, your body needs to regulate your blood again. You might have headaches too. Sam grimaced. At that point Jack strode into the room, two cups of coffee in his hands.

Daniel, you'd think I was speaking double dutch, I just wanted coffee. But no, I gotta pick from a latte, cappucino, mellowcino, short black, long white double soy crap...Carter? He only just noticed her sitting up in bed. Daniel took his coffee from Jack and went to fetch Teal'c. Jack shifted uncomfortably and sipped his coffee. Sam played with sheet on the bed. The Colonel moved to the seat Daniel had vacated and sat. How're you feeling?

Like I went a few rounds with Apophis. The Major smiled. You cut it a little close there Sir.

Sorry about that Major, tends to happen when you're halfway from home. Sam smiled as Daniel and Teal'c entered the room. Daniel, what're these? She asked holding up the packet of Jaffas'.

Uh, Teal'c got them for you. They're called Jaffas. He said pronouncing the last a' shortly.

I found them amusing Major Carter, I hoped they would reduce your expected recovery time.

Thanks Teal'c. Sam smiled tiredly, leaning back she started to drift off. The guys took that as their cue and left the room. Jack paused at the door and glanced at the now dozing Major. It'd been close.


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Nym -28/03/03