(This is an extra chapter for all of the wonderful reviews! Enjoy…)
They all ran into the ship, guns at the ready, but met only light resistance. Jack and Teal'c watched in amazement as Buffy used her speed and strength to take out several of the Jaffa before they could fire their weapons. They were finishing taking out their own Jaffa when Sam and Daniel suddenly showed up as well, "Done Sir." Sam said breathlessly, about to head further inside.
Jack stopped them, "They knew that we were coming, it's a trap." He said decisively. Teal'c took out the last Jaffa and looked at Jack.
Buffy nodded and looked at Willow, "I know how to get to Jay. Will, do your stuff."
Willow nodded at Jack, "Follow Buffy and me. We'll keep you safe."
Going against every instinct but remembering the death glider he gestured, "Lead on Ladies."
Buffy walked cautiously down a passageway, alert and heard a faint noise. She held up her hand and pointed to Willow who nodded. Willow closed her eyes, whispered a spell and threw up her arms. They were rewarded by thuds from around the corner. Teal'c, Jack and Sam did a quick recon around the corner and found the Jaffa were all down.
"What did you do?"
Willow dimpled, "A spell." She said this like it was obvious.
Buffy moved forward, turned right and stopped at a closed door, both guards down as well. She felt the door but it didn't open, frustrated she looked at Teal'c who moved forward and after making sure the doorway was cleared in case of hostile fire from inside, opened it.
A goa'uld voice spoke, "So you've finally made an appearance Taur'e. Come see my handiwork."
Jack and Buffy stood in shock. Jay was still tied to the wall, shoulders obviously dislocated, face battered and bruised. In front of him the goa'uld Ahkeru' stood, a knife to a defiant Jay's throat.
"Come in, come in. I want you all to see."
Everyone moved in carefully, aware that the knife was already started into Jay's throat, the blood dripping down his chin. Willow was not a happy camper. She held up a hand, whispered a spell and watched as the knife disappeared from his hand to appear in hers, then she thrust out a hand and threw the goa'uld against the wall to fall into a boneless heap on the floor.
Teal'c and Sam went over to release Hayden while the others turned their attention to Jay.
"Yay Will." Came Jay's raspy voice.
Buffy rushed over to kneel beside her battered but not broken, lover. "I'm here Jay," She gently moved her fingers over his bruised face. He tried to move his arms but cried out in pain.
"Oh God Jay." Buffy moaned. Quickly Jack and Daniel came over and undid the chains, finally letting Jay's arms to rest in place, making him grunt in pain. Daniel, Willow and Buffy gently lay him on the floor, wincing when he winced. Buffy took his hand and twined their fingers together.
"Buffy, I think I'm dying. I'm so sorry." He whispered, hating the sadness on her face but unable to change the facts.
Willow shook her head, "Don't give up just yet." She held her hands over Jay, her eyes darkening, her hair turning white as she focused the energy to heal the injuries that were slowly killing him. Suddenly she felt tendril's of Buffy's power, strengthened by her love and Willow's eyes moved to Buffy. Buffy held out her free hand to clasp Willow's and nodded.
"Do it."
Willow and Buffy gasped, their heads snapping back as the glowing energy enveloped themselves and Jay.
Everyone watched in astonishment as Jay's injuries quickly healed, his bruises disappearing, his shoulders falling into their natural position until he gasped loudly, his back arching off of the floor and both Willow and Buffy slumped to the ground in a dead faint.
"Oh for cryin' out loud. Teal'c, grab Willow. Daniel, take my pack, Jay, can you get to your feet?"
Jay touched Buffy's face in concern and nodded, "Yes Sir." He stood shakily, Sam and Hayden's arms around him.
"Ok, I'll take Buffy and let's get the hell off of this rock."
They rushed through the building and started up the trail to the Stargate, going slower than the antsy Jack would have liked. He felt Buffy twitch and he stopped to let her down.
"I think I want to barf." She said woozily and Jay came over to hug her gently, rubbing her back.
Jack looked over, "Buffy we need to book. Can you walk?"
Stepping back from Jay she closed her eyes for a moment, then nodded, "Yeppers. I'm good." She looked at Jay, "I love you Colonel."
"Same goes Babe." He smiled.
"Please, I'm going to toss my cookies, let's get going before the Jaffa start waking up."
Teal'c grunted as he started to walk, "I do not think that they will be reviving O'Neill."
"Huh?" Jack replied in surprise.
"The symbiotes are all deceased."
Sam's eyes widened and she looked respectfully at the unconscious Willow. "Way to go Will."
"Indeed." Teal'c stated with satisfaction.
They made it to the place where Sgt. Walters body was and stopped. Buffy went to Jay and took his hands. She looked over at Jack who nodded encouragingly, "Jay," she looked over at his team member, "Hayden? I'm sorry but Sgt. Walters didn't make it."
Both men looked at her like she was crazy and Buffy looked helplessly over at Jack. He moved over and stomped the grass down so that they could see the bodybag.
Jay felt like his breath got knocked out of him, "Nathan?" he said.
"I'm so sorry Jay."
He moved to kneel beside the bodybag, Hayden on the other side. He reached for the zipper, but Jack grabbed his hand, "Let Janet clean him up first. You don't want to remember him this way."
Buffy knelt beside Jay and laid a comforting hand on his shoulder, "Come on love. Let's take him home."
Hayden stood, "What happened?"
Buffy winced, she felt like it was her fault that the entire thing had happened. Jack answered, "Let's get home campers and we'll talk then."
Jay grabbed the end of the bodybag, Hayden the front and they walked to the gate. Daniel dialed home them home, everyone standing silently. He looked at Hayden and knew the man was grieving and going through sarcophagus withdrawal, a bad combo.
Jay looked at his 2IC and let his shared sorrow and friendship speak for him and was rewarded by a small smile. Teal'c stepped through first, Willow still draped over his shoulder, Sam and Daniel next, Buffy with a long look at Jay who nodded, Hayden and Jay with their sad burden and Jack, with a last look around and a sigh. None of them were aware of a set of rings that had activated in front of the ship, several Jaffa stepping off and scurrying inside.
General Hammond stood in the gateroom and watched as his premiere teams walked heavily through the event horizon, Colonel Coburn and Major Hayden carrying a bodybag.
"Welcome back SG-1, SG-2, and Miss Summers." He added for the tired and distressed woman. The blast doors opened and Dr. Frasier came in with a gurney, her face falling at the sight of the body bag. Jay and a very shaky Hayden placed their burden on top.
"Briefing in one hour. Everyone head to the infirmary to see Dr. Frasier. Good job people." The happiness that he felt about his people coming home was tainted by the circumstances and one of their own in custody.
Everyone except Major Carter and Willow were in the conference room. Sam suddenly walked in and looked at the General, "I've contacted Master Brat'tac and the Tok'ra about the planet. They're going to take a look."
"Very good Major, have a seat."
Jay stood and looked at the General, "Sir, what happened? Why are Buffy and Willow here? Where's Simon? Jack won't tell me anything." His voice was frustrated.
The General looked at him until he sat back down, face flushed with embarrassment.
"Sorry Sir, no excuse Sir." Jay said, rubbing his eyes for a moment.
With a lot of compassion the General spoke, "Due to your ordeal I'll overlook your outburst. Colonel O'Neill, will you fill us in please?"
Jack smiled wryly at his friend before he took a deep breath and began.
Jay listened to Jack carefully, but kept his eyes on Buffy, wondering why she wouldn't look at him.
There was silence as Jack finished and the General sighed heavily. "Ok son, I guess it's your turn to get the answers you need."
Buffy stood abruptly, "It's my fault. I shouldn't have come here for Thanksgiving."
Both Jack and Daniel shook their head, "Buffy, No! We invited you!" Daniel protested and Jack agreed.
Shaking her head miserably, "If I hadn't come then Jay and Hayden wouldn't have been hurt, Walter's would still be alive and Daniel wouldn't have almost died. I'm so sorry." She said and fled the conference room.
Jay stood, mouth open in shock but the General waved him back down, "Dr. Jackson, would you see if Miss Summers is alright?"
Daniel looked at Jay and nodded to the General before hurrying out.
"Will someone tell me what's going on?"
Jack scrubbed his face with his hands and looked at the General who nodded. "After Buffy and Ireland saw each other at Thanksgiving he's been acting squirrelly. Especially the day you left for Px3whatever. When he came back alone I was suspicious but he said that you were all dead."
Hayden looked surprised, "I don't understand Sir."
Jay shook his head, "What?"
"Sometime around Thanksgiving we think Ireland called his old boss and this morning the man snuck into the SGC and shot Daniel in the chest and he almost died. Again." Jack made a face, "They were trying to clean up the mess that they perceived from you, Daniel and I knowing about them. The civilian of course, the first to go." A sigh, "Buffy had a dream and saw you and your team come out of the Stargate and you and Hayden get captured by the goa'uld. Ireland left you on purpose, shot Walter's in the back in cold blood and return to the SGC."
"God!" Jay exploded, "Simon? He did this?" he stood and paced while Hayden looked lost.
"Why would he do this?" Hayden asked, his face going ashen. Jack looked over and realized the sarcophagus withdrawal was starting to hit the man big time. Jack stood and walked over to sit in the chair next to Hayden, "Ireland was part of a rogue military group. He didn't feel loyalty to us, only to them. You and your team were expendable. Buffy recognizing him just started the ball rolling." He patted the anguished man on the shoulder, then looked up as the door opened.
Daniel walked back in, "I'm sorry but Buffy and Willow are gone."