Title: The Trouble With House Calls (Part 2)
Thanks to Jack for his continuing harassment *ahem* sorry, encouragement and to Chezza, G and Annie for keeping me sane through my issues.
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Growing up Sam had always thought snow was somehow magical. The way it blanketed everything in sight and made the world seem so fresh. Especially the tang in the air it brought with it.
Today snow seemed less magical and more threatening. The blizzard had set in with a vengeance and from her vantage point just behind the cave opening she couldn't see past the rocky outcrop about 5 feet away.
The planet had been truly picturesque when they'd first arrived. The gate was nestled in the middle of a cluster of snow-dusted pines, tucked away against a cliff face on one side of a plateau. They'd walked out of the trees to find themselves surrounded by mountains and almost blinded by the glare of sunlight reflected by the snow.
Their reason for coming here had been the readings the MALP had sent back. Indications of trinium in the soil, and a sole marking on one of the trees that Daniel insisted indicated some form of occupation. By whom and for what purpose he couldn't ascertain, but being Daniel he needed to go explore and find out.
She hugged her arms tighter around her body as a chill swept over her. Of course in true SG-1 fashion things had gone wrong.
They'd circled round the edge of the plateau assuming that whoever may live or have lived here would seek the shelter afforded by the mountains and possibly any caves hidden in them. Sure enough they'd found another marking by a fairly inconspicuous looking cave entrance.
Low and narrow they'd all had to stoop as they entered, Teal'c seemingly bent almost double. Then the cave had opened out into a richly decorated 'lobby'. Covered in earthy red and brown markings unlike anything she had ever seen. There was something primitive and primal about the paintings yet somehow also sophisticated. She couldn't put her finger on it but Daniel went into predictable raptures and broke out his camcorder to capture on film the all-encompassing geometric patterns. They spoke of blood and fighting and life and death in a puzzlingly abstract way.
Light footsteps crunched through the light scattering of snow that had crept into the cave, had to be Lt Lutz, Teal'c would make less noise.
"Major Carter?"
Sam sighed and turned to face the young nurse. "Lieutenant."
"I've made Dr Jackson as comfortable as possible. SG-5 were supposed to follow us with the spinal board and the rest of our equipment."
"I know Teal'c told me, and they won't risk venturing out into this weather. Radio communication is out so all we can do is wait."
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There is a special kind of fascination that comes only when you're truly bored. Daniel was definitely bored, scared and more than a little worried but bored none the less.
Right now his fascination was fixed on the roof of the large cave that seemed to serve as the main gathering place in the underground city. At least the part of it that they'd managed to explore the previous day.
Unlike the entrance hall this cave was only decorated on the walls. The ceiling was bare and unadorned, the only colour on it coming from the natural variations in the rock. There was a wide ledge or veranda running around the edge peppered with doorways leading off into other caverns and corridors. There were no doorways on the lower level aside from the one leading to the entrance cave.
Jack had pointed out the advantages of the arrangement from a defensive point of view. It was a perfect natural trap; any potential invaders would have to come through the hall. When they did the natives could surround them from above and if the worst came to it simply hail boulders on them. Personally Daniel wasn't sure whether it was a deliberate measure or just a naturally occurring coincidence.
Most of the features in the city were carved out of the mountain itself with wooden additions added where they were needed. Doors to what Daniel assumed were homes, the remnants of tables and other furniture. Most of it had disintegrated almost to dust. Obviously whoever had lived here had left a long time ago.
The accident had been stupid, he'd taken one step back too many and crashed through an already crumbling railing on the edge of the veranda. He had learnt at a very young age to be cautious around very old structures.
The fall itself was a blur, passing by all too quickly. The actual impact was a blank; he'd hit the floor hard enough to knock himself out cold. He'd woken to Sam's gentle touch urging him to stay still. He'd wondered why his head was hurting so badly before the realisation that he couldn't feel anything below his waist had dawned. Then initially full-blown panic had set in. This wasn't like any injury he'd ever sustained before. Normally there was pain, the severity depending on the damaged body part, but the pain was nearly always there. Which he'd realised with a start had always been strangely reassuring.
Sam had done everything she could to calm him and keep him comfortable to some degree whilst Jack and Teal'c had returned to the gate to summon help.
He was left studying the rock formations of the ceiling in an attempt to distract himself. He'd passed right through boredom and was now utterly transfixed by the rock above him, seeing patterns that probably weren't even there.
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"Colonel!" Janet swatted Jack's hand away from her head; she was getting irritated. "You're done."
"Really Doc?" She watched as he tried in vain to bit back a grin. He was finding this whole situation far too amusing.
She scowled at him frustrated by her inability to help herself. "Yes really."
"If you say so, you are after all the professional." He turned away from her, the expression on his face disguised by the fading light, but she'd bet the farm he was still grinning.
She huddled deeper into her jacket as the temperature dropped another degree, sending an icy shiver up her spine. It was going be a very cold night. "You sent Lutz to Daniel?" She was far enough past the concussion caused headache to let worry for her patient take over again.
The grin faded as the Colonel became all business, a concerned frown marring his features. "Yeah, Teal'c was then supposed to return to the gate with Carter to get help. The blizzard set in pretty quick though, they would have just about made it back to the city."
She sat up straighter as a sudden thought entered her mind, "No radios?"
The frown lines deepened. "No radios."
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Sam followed the path Lieutenant Lutz had taken back into the main cavern to find Teal'c had set a lantern by Daniel to provide some light. It cast an eerie glow over the hall throwing shadows from their equipment that stretched over the ceiling. Lutz was searching through her pack for something as Teal'c stood in his customary guard over them all.
She dropped into a kneeling position next to Daniel rubbing the palms of her gloves together to try and fend off the chill that she'd not been able to shake. He was lying almost too still. "Hey Daniel." His eyes looked glazed over. "You okay?"
His eyes fluttered closed briefly in exasperation. "Erm, I'm laid on my back on the floor of a cave with suspected spinal injuries."
Sam winced and unconsciously moved one of her hands to rub at her knee. "Okay stupid question. You just looked a little out of it."
He sighed, one of the very few movements he was allowed to make. "I'm just bored."
She tilted her head back to get a look at his view. The limited light reflected off a streak of dark rock giving it a strange shine. She could see the limited appeal, not much to keep the attention of an archaeologist form wandering. She found herself muttering, "sorry this room doesn't come with a view."
"What?" Daniel's voice bought her back from her musing. His expression told her the question was more likely asked for something to do than anything else.
She smiled softly. "Oh nothing just a random thought."
TBC
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Thanks to Jack for his continuing harassment *ahem* sorry, encouragement and to Chezza, G and Annie for keeping me sane through my issues.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Growing up Sam had always thought snow was somehow magical. The way it blanketed everything in sight and made the world seem so fresh. Especially the tang in the air it brought with it.
Today snow seemed less magical and more threatening. The blizzard had set in with a vengeance and from her vantage point just behind the cave opening she couldn't see past the rocky outcrop about 5 feet away.
The planet had been truly picturesque when they'd first arrived. The gate was nestled in the middle of a cluster of snow-dusted pines, tucked away against a cliff face on one side of a plateau. They'd walked out of the trees to find themselves surrounded by mountains and almost blinded by the glare of sunlight reflected by the snow.
Their reason for coming here had been the readings the MALP had sent back. Indications of trinium in the soil, and a sole marking on one of the trees that Daniel insisted indicated some form of occupation. By whom and for what purpose he couldn't ascertain, but being Daniel he needed to go explore and find out.
She hugged her arms tighter around her body as a chill swept over her. Of course in true SG-1 fashion things had gone wrong.
They'd circled round the edge of the plateau assuming that whoever may live or have lived here would seek the shelter afforded by the mountains and possibly any caves hidden in them. Sure enough they'd found another marking by a fairly inconspicuous looking cave entrance.
Low and narrow they'd all had to stoop as they entered, Teal'c seemingly bent almost double. Then the cave had opened out into a richly decorated 'lobby'. Covered in earthy red and brown markings unlike anything she had ever seen. There was something primitive and primal about the paintings yet somehow also sophisticated. She couldn't put her finger on it but Daniel went into predictable raptures and broke out his camcorder to capture on film the all-encompassing geometric patterns. They spoke of blood and fighting and life and death in a puzzlingly abstract way.
Light footsteps crunched through the light scattering of snow that had crept into the cave, had to be Lt Lutz, Teal'c would make less noise.
"Major Carter?"
Sam sighed and turned to face the young nurse. "Lieutenant."
"I've made Dr Jackson as comfortable as possible. SG-5 were supposed to follow us with the spinal board and the rest of our equipment."
"I know Teal'c told me, and they won't risk venturing out into this weather. Radio communication is out so all we can do is wait."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------
There is a special kind of fascination that comes only when you're truly bored. Daniel was definitely bored, scared and more than a little worried but bored none the less.
Right now his fascination was fixed on the roof of the large cave that seemed to serve as the main gathering place in the underground city. At least the part of it that they'd managed to explore the previous day.
Unlike the entrance hall this cave was only decorated on the walls. The ceiling was bare and unadorned, the only colour on it coming from the natural variations in the rock. There was a wide ledge or veranda running around the edge peppered with doorways leading off into other caverns and corridors. There were no doorways on the lower level aside from the one leading to the entrance cave.
Jack had pointed out the advantages of the arrangement from a defensive point of view. It was a perfect natural trap; any potential invaders would have to come through the hall. When they did the natives could surround them from above and if the worst came to it simply hail boulders on them. Personally Daniel wasn't sure whether it was a deliberate measure or just a naturally occurring coincidence.
Most of the features in the city were carved out of the mountain itself with wooden additions added where they were needed. Doors to what Daniel assumed were homes, the remnants of tables and other furniture. Most of it had disintegrated almost to dust. Obviously whoever had lived here had left a long time ago.
The accident had been stupid, he'd taken one step back too many and crashed through an already crumbling railing on the edge of the veranda. He had learnt at a very young age to be cautious around very old structures.
The fall itself was a blur, passing by all too quickly. The actual impact was a blank; he'd hit the floor hard enough to knock himself out cold. He'd woken to Sam's gentle touch urging him to stay still. He'd wondered why his head was hurting so badly before the realisation that he couldn't feel anything below his waist had dawned. Then initially full-blown panic had set in. This wasn't like any injury he'd ever sustained before. Normally there was pain, the severity depending on the damaged body part, but the pain was nearly always there. Which he'd realised with a start had always been strangely reassuring.
Sam had done everything she could to calm him and keep him comfortable to some degree whilst Jack and Teal'c had returned to the gate to summon help.
He was left studying the rock formations of the ceiling in an attempt to distract himself. He'd passed right through boredom and was now utterly transfixed by the rock above him, seeing patterns that probably weren't even there.
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"Colonel!" Janet swatted Jack's hand away from her head; she was getting irritated. "You're done."
"Really Doc?" She watched as he tried in vain to bit back a grin. He was finding this whole situation far too amusing.
She scowled at him frustrated by her inability to help herself. "Yes really."
"If you say so, you are after all the professional." He turned away from her, the expression on his face disguised by the fading light, but she'd bet the farm he was still grinning.
She huddled deeper into her jacket as the temperature dropped another degree, sending an icy shiver up her spine. It was going be a very cold night. "You sent Lutz to Daniel?" She was far enough past the concussion caused headache to let worry for her patient take over again.
The grin faded as the Colonel became all business, a concerned frown marring his features. "Yeah, Teal'c was then supposed to return to the gate with Carter to get help. The blizzard set in pretty quick though, they would have just about made it back to the city."
She sat up straighter as a sudden thought entered her mind, "No radios?"
The frown lines deepened. "No radios."
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Sam followed the path Lieutenant Lutz had taken back into the main cavern to find Teal'c had set a lantern by Daniel to provide some light. It cast an eerie glow over the hall throwing shadows from their equipment that stretched over the ceiling. Lutz was searching through her pack for something as Teal'c stood in his customary guard over them all.
She dropped into a kneeling position next to Daniel rubbing the palms of her gloves together to try and fend off the chill that she'd not been able to shake. He was lying almost too still. "Hey Daniel." His eyes looked glazed over. "You okay?"
His eyes fluttered closed briefly in exasperation. "Erm, I'm laid on my back on the floor of a cave with suspected spinal injuries."
Sam winced and unconsciously moved one of her hands to rub at her knee. "Okay stupid question. You just looked a little out of it."
He sighed, one of the very few movements he was allowed to make. "I'm just bored."
She tilted her head back to get a look at his view. The limited light reflected off a streak of dark rock giving it a strange shine. She could see the limited appeal, not much to keep the attention of an archaeologist form wandering. She found herself muttering, "sorry this room doesn't come with a view."
"What?" Daniel's voice bought her back from her musing. His expression told her the question was more likely asked for something to do than anything else.
She smiled softly. "Oh nothing just a random thought."
TBC
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