Spoilers – yada yada yada, Season 2 onwards

Rating:PG

As usual, I don't own Stargate, I'm just playing.  But if any of the MGM directors want me to star in an episode of Season 7 – well let's just say I wouldn't turn you down.

Chapter 5 – Comrades in Arms

It had been nearly 6 hours since they'd seen Sam disappear through the gate with Jaret.  Teal'c advised his colleagues that just before the alien and Sam stepped through the wormhole, he'd recognised, Jaret.  At present General Hammond and Teal'c were in the process of reviewing the security logs, which fortunately for them had not been tampered with.  The SGC personnel were desperately trying to get the gate back online, but as yet to no avail. Whatever Major Carter had done, she'd ensured a complete system shut down. Siler had already apprised the General that there was little chance that the system would be up and running within the next 12 hours.

Jonas had been taken directly to the med bay, still unconscious.  It wasn't known at this stage if he was going to make it.  The General had been advised that it might be a few more hours before they knew for certain if he had suffered any permanent brain damage.  Doctor Frasier had informed them that due to Jonas's physiology and his increased mental capacity, whatever had effected him, had done so on such a level that she wasn't even sure if he would wake up. General Hammond had also asked to be kept apprised of the situation and to notify him of any changes regarding Jonas or the Colonel's condition.

As General Hammond and Teal'c sat through the vid cams, he came across a section whereby Major Carter had entered the armoury.  They saw Carter grab several items from the weapons store and noted that on several occasions she appeared to be talking to herself. Quietly disconcerted with what he had witnessed, General Hammond paused the video and turned to face a sombre looking Teal'c.  The General felt truly sorry for him, 2 of his friends were currently in sickbay, and his other friend had disappeared… maybe permanently.

The General knew Teal'c was not one to openly show his feelings, but it hadn't been that long since Daniel had ascended. In their own way, they were all still grieving for him; including Teal'c. 

"Did you notice that Teal'c? The way Major Carter was behaving."  To the General, it appeared as if she had become schizophrenic. Gesturing wildly to an invisible force, talking to thin air.

"Indeed General Hammond, but I do not think that Major Carter was mentally incapacitated.  If you recall, throughout the time that I have served with SG-1, we have come across many life forms that possess the ability to alter their form and become stealth like; such as the Nox and the Reetu.  I do believe that Major Carter was being influenced by some kind of external force, and I believe that force was Jaret."

General Hammond nodded for Teal'c to continue.

"It is my firm opinion that Jaret has the ability to alter his form, similar to that of a shape shifter. Alternatively it may be possible that he was carrying some device to ensure that he remains invisible. Without further evidence General Hammond, I cannot speculate."

General Hammond turned the video back on and continued to review the logs.  Both men were tired and weary; he couldn't believe how much film he and Teal'c had gone through. They had both been up for the majority of the night and the General was aware that Teal'c had been disturbed during his Kel no reem. He also knew that without this meditation, Teal'c would in time become sick.  He checked his watch, it was now almost 10 am and he knew it wouldn't be long before the Colonel awoke.

"Teal'c listen, we've been up for nearly 24 hours, you didn't get to finish your meditation and I haven't slept for some time. Before we continue, I think it would be a prudent gesture if we at least got a couple of hours of sleep."

Teal'c turned towards the General, lifting one eyebrow, which in turn caused his forehead to crease. Responding in such a baritone voice that no one could mimic, he simply said, "I wish to remain.  I do not require meditation as yet; please permit me to continue General Hammond.  I shall inform you of any findings."

Shaking his head in a negative gesture he replied, "Teal'c, you will not be any use to your friends if you make yourself sick.  We are both tired and in need of rest.  There may be subtle things that we are missing due to the fact that we have been at this so long.  In all honesty I cannot allow you or myself to continue until we've rested."

With heartfelt sorrow in his eyes, he implored him further. "General Hammond, they are more than my friends, they have become my family.  I must do everything in my power to ensure that Major Carter is returned safely."

Placing his hand on the Jaffa's forearm he stated simply, but firmly, "Teal'c, I appreciate your concern. Please believe me when I say that I want Major Carter to return as soon as possible, but it's not open for debate. Three hours rest Teal'c, no less.  After you have rested we will go back to the infirmary to check on the Colonel and Jonas, hopefully Doctor Frasier will have more news for us by then."

"Is that an order General Hammond?" questioned Teal'c.

"Let's just say, that it is request that shouldn't be ignored."

Teal'c knew that meant that it was an order.  With a slight bow of his head he departed the briefing room; leaving behind a haggard looking General.

***

After three hours of restful sleep, General Hammond awoke and headed towards the Infirmary. He knew that Teal'c would already be there and hoped that he'd managed to get some rest. From the looks of things, the day was going to be a long and arduous one.

As the General was about to enter the infirmary, Teal'c was just slightly ahead of him; the Colonel was pleased that he had at least rested some.

Doctor Frasier was just coming out of her office, and headed towards them.  "Oh General, Teal'c, I wasn't able to contact you on the phone, and your secretary advised that you were already on your way here."

"Has there been any change, Doctor?"

"Yes, Sir, there has. Colonel O'Neill has just woken up. He mentioned something about Major Carter being here last night. He's still a bit groggy and confused, but the good news is that his blood pressure has stabilised to a more acceptable level.  Now, what I don't want to happen, sir is for his blood pressure to rise again. To do so may bring on another bleed and the colonel may not be as fortunate next time. So please, Sir, by all means explain what has happened, but for the time being, give him the watered down version."

"I understand, doctor, I won't stay too long.  Has there been any change in Jonas Quinn's condition?" the General asked, his eyes drifting towards the second gurney that held the young still form of Jonas Quinn.

"Well, he's stable for now. We've got him hooked up to respiratory for the time being, but I'm hoping it's only a temporary measure."

The General's face filled with concern, he hadn't realised how much damage had been done.  Seeing the General's expression as she mentioned the respirator, Janet added quickly, "Don't worry, sir, it's to help him heal. His cardiopulmonary system is still functioning, but I've paralysed him to allow his body to recuperate."

"Thank you doctor, I promise not to stay to long"

As Teal'c and General Hammond strolled towards the Colonel, he was pleased to see him sitting up slightly. While he knew the Colonel was not ready to face a battle - he had also seen him in worse conditions than this.  The General and Teal'c knew that within a few days he would be back to his normal sarcastic self, and they didn't mind a bit.

Teal'c waited for the General to ask the first question, "How are you feeling Colonel?"

"Like I've been to an all night liquor party, without the party!  I'm now convinced that somewhere in my jumbled up brain there's a little man hitting me with a sledgehammer."

Both General and Teal'c looked at each other, and smiled. If the Colonel was making wise cracks, then it was a sure sign that he was on the road to recovery.

"General, please tell me what's going on.  Ol' Doc Frasier has been clucking around me like a mother hen and they won't give me the full story on what happened to Jonas.  General, if you don't tell me what's going on soon, I'm going to go nuts.  I heard the nurses whispering something about Carter, but I was a bit out of it earlier.  I think she came to see me, but I don't remember much about anything else that happened."

The General wanted to obey the doctors ordered, but could see plainly for himself that by only giving him half an explanation, it would be doing more harm than good.

"Okay, Colonel. I'll explain what happened, but you will have to promise me that when I tell you, you'll stay as calm as possible. No jumping about.  You are not healed yet, Colonel."

Colonel O'Neill was now even more concerned. What could have gone so wrong, that they had to molly cuddle him? Fragments of conversation came filtering through his head from last night.  He knew it had to do with Carter, but for the life of him, he couldn't remember what had happened in her lab. He remembered some reference to carrying her over his shoulder, but that's as far as he got.  With that thought crossing his mind, the machine that monitored his pulse started to bleep incessantly and all General Hammond and Teal'c could do was stand by and watch the Colonel's heart rate accelerate.

Looking concerned, Teal'c was the first to speak; " I shall alert Dr Frasier."

Jack looking sheepish thought to himself, "Damn those machines! A man can't even have a little daydream without the whole world knowing."  Aloud he said,  "Teal'c it's, okay.  Really, you don't need to bother the doc, I'm fine."

"Very well O'Neill, however if you over exert yourself, I shall be forced to baby-sit you." Teal'c countered with a deadpan expression.

Jack rolled his eyes in response to Teal'c's attempt at sarcasm before bracing himself for what the General had to tell him. In his mind, he had conditioned himself to expect the worse; and it wasn't far from the truth.  As the General continued to explain the happenings of last night, the Colonel's heartbeat continued to rise, alerting the doctor.

"…And the last we saw of Major Carter, she was being carried through the Stargate." General Hammond finished.

Jack's hands and knuckles were white as chalk where he had clenched his fists, his heartbeat now hovered around 110 beats per minute.  Throwing back the covers, both Doctor Frasier and Teal'c placed a restraining hand on his chest.

"And just where do you think your going, Colonel?"  Janet demanded.

"Where am I going?  Where am I going?" he repeated for effect.  In his mind he was saying, "where the hell do they think I'm going, I'm gonna get the hell out of this infirmary and go and find Sam, that's what I'm gonna do! And, there 'aint no way in hell I'm gonna just sit here and wait. Waiting was not his style, and he wasn't going to start now.  All he knew was that Sam was in trouble, and that's all it took to get him fired up as hell.

"I'm not sitting here, whilst my team are injured. I'm going to go out and tear the head of that mans shoulders. And when I'm finished, I'm going to use it as a hockey puck.  That's what I'm gonna do!"

"Colonel!" they all shouted in unison, it was like having 3 mothers all at once.

The General gave the others a look indicating that he would take control on this one, "Jack, look I know you're concerned, but you are not 100%.  I will authorise you and Teal'c and whomever you need to bring back Major Carter, but for the time being, you are staying put; at least until Dr Frasier gives me the okay and the Stargate is back on line.  All I'm asking is that you be patient for just a little while longer.  I promise you that as soon as we find out any information, we'll let you know. Now for the time being, you need to calm down."

"General, how can I calm down? My team are being struck down one by one." He gave Teal'c a look that screamed 'help me out here'.

"General Hammond, if I may make a suggestion? Perhaps Colonel O'Neill and I can review the remaining security tapes - at Doctor Frasier's discretion of course."

The Colonel gave Janet his puppy dog eyes; sadness and concern for his friend clearly evident.  Janet knew there was more to this than comradery, and relented.

"Fine, but first, Colonel I want you to get some rest."

O'Neill whined like only he could, "Oh common doc, I've been asleep for nearly 24 hours already, don't you think I've slept enough?"

"Colonel, I'm not prepared to argue with you on this one." Placing her hands firmly on her hips she continued, "You either get some rest now, or you don't view the tapes.  Which is it to be?"

Jack pulled a face and said "Fine."

With that Janet headed towards her office, finally getting the last word.

O'Neill grumbled silently "Who made her in charge?"

The General replied "The United States Air Force!"

"I'm still not getting all my memo's." Jack responded with a sour face, and subsequently grew very tired.

Teal'c and General both said their goodbye's allowing him to rest. Both felt that the weight of the world had been lifted from their shoulders.  They were determined now; they were going to get Major Carter home… and safely.

End Chapter 5