It's not easy being Green
Part 2 of 'The Asgard Sequence'
Sequel to 'Alien Reflections'
By Gumnut
Sep 2003
He woke.
That surprised him. This time he thought he had really done it. Taken the big ship outta here. Bitten the dust.
But no, he was awake.
Infirmary? He listened for the familiar beeps and the click of heels on concrete. Nothing. Not Infirmary.
Crap.
He opened his eyes. No annoying pen light in his eye. No infirmary ceiling.
Completely unfamiliar ceiling for that matter.
Double crap.
He was lying down on a small, simple bed, his feet sticking off the end, and a thin sheet covering him. He couldn't see much in the dim lighting, but he didn't feel alone. He pushed himself up on to his elbows.
"Hello?"
A bright flash of white light momentarily blinded him.
"Greetings, O'Neill."
He shook his head trying to dispel the red after images dancing in front of his eyes. "You know, Thor, you could just knock."
"I apologise. I have been waiting for you to awaken." The dim, hidden lighting brightened revealing a large room, various shades of blue, in the typical Asgard design. The bed was the only piece of furniture present.
"Where are we?"
"You have been here before, O'Neill. This is the planet Othalla in the galaxy of Ida."
"Oh, that old place." He sat up fully in bed and the filmy sheet fell to his waist. He suddenly realized that the thin sheet was the only thing between him and fresh air.
He clutched the sheet to his chest. "Where are my clothes?"
"Your clothes were unfortunately damaged by myself during our imprisonment and we are in the process of synthesizing some replacements."
The sheet felt even thinner as he tucked it around himself.
"So, okay, Thor, what's the story? Why am I here and not on Earth?"
"Your medical condition required immediate attention. Your people would not have been able to help you."
"Oh, so am I fixed?" He peered down at himself, everything seemed to be working. His toes were sticking out the other end of the cover. He wriggled them, only realizing a second later that there was something strange in their colouring. "Thor, why are my feet green?"
"They are not green."
"They are green." He held up his hands. They were green, too. On closer inspection he realized that he was all green. "I'm green!"
"You had lost the majority of your circulatory fluids due to your injuries. We have the facility to create more, however, it was decided to substitute it with a healing fluid for awhile to ensure a complete recovery. As the fluid is green, your body will reflect that colouring."
"I can bleed green?" Thor just looked at him. "I'm a Vulcan!" Thor continued to stare at him, so he back- pedalled. "Um, okay, thanks. How long do I need this stuff?"
"Our medical staff will replace the fluid once it has been decided that you are fully healed." He paused. "And you are not green."
Jack wasn't going to argue.
"I have notified your General Hammond of your location. He requested your team accompany you, so Frere has gone to Earth to collect them."
"I'm sure he is happy to be chartered as an interstellar bus service."
"Hmm. He did comment, but agreed."
Jack glanced at Thor. Thought of a grumpy Asgard had him hiding a smile, but his train of thought was interrupted by another flash of light.
Speak of the devil...
Four mildly bewildered humans, and that afore mentioned grumpy Asgard, appeared at the foot of his bed. Frere moved to speak with Thor, as four pairs of human eyes focused on Jack.
All at once.
"Colonel!"
"Jack!"
"O'Neill!"
And all together now. "You're green!"
"You know, guys, if you did that in harmony you could probably make it on Broadway." He turned to Thor. "I told you I was green." Then, suddenly realizing there was a female presence in the room, Jack pulled the sheet even tighter around himself. "Umm, did you guys happen to bring any of my clothes with you?"
"Hello to you too, Jack." Daniel dug into his pack and produced the requested items. "So what's with the green?"
"Thought it would be a change from pink, you know, thought it would go better with the colour of my eyes." The mandatory annoyed looked emitted by Daniel, Carter, and even Janet - not Teal'c though, he was smiling, good ol'Teal'c - was interrupted by Thor.
"O'Neill has been very ill. Near death."
"Way to go with the drama, Thor buddy."
Janet stepped forward. "I am aware of that, Commander, that is why I insisted I come along." She moved toward O'Neill.
Start the countdown...3...2...1. Bang. Bright light in the eyeball. Way to go, Fraiser. "You know I think you like doing that just for the fun of it. It's a power thing, isn't it."
She ignored him. "How do you feel, Colonel?" He jumped as her cold stethoscope found his chest.
"Good. Hunky dory. Fine and dandy. Fit and healthy. Raring to go."
"Colonel, you're green." Fraiser was now sticking something in his ear.
"S...Ow! What are you doing in there? So what if I'm green? Thor says it's some fancy healing thingy and they'll put me back to normal when I'm all fixed."
"O'Neill is correct. The healing fluid is more efficient than your blood in providing nutrients and oxygen to his systems. The majority of his injuries are repaired, but the fluid provides the necessary support and immunity for his body as it returns to normal functioning."
Janet looked up from her traditional patient torture session. "Commander, I would like to confer with the doctors who have been overseeing the Colonel's recovery."
"Certainly, Doctor." He paused a moment, then a set of double doors opened to their left and two Asgard entered.
"Finally a door!"
Thor threw a tolerantly amused look in O'Neill's direction. "Doctor Fraiser, this is Tanor and Forel. They will be able to explain the state of O'Neill's health. In the meantime, I would like to suggest a short walk in the Centre's gardens where we can discuss the situation."
"Is the Colonel well enough to be out of bed?"
"I'm fine, Carter." He shoved his legs off the bed, grabbing at the sheet as it threatened to display his nudity in all its glory. "But I would like some privacy to get dressed." He glared appropriately at Daniel and Carter in turn.
"Uh, okay, fine, sir. We'll just be outside. Call us if you need us." His team moved towards the door.
That left Thor and Frere.
"Uh, guys, do you mind waiting outside a moment." Their looks were totally clueless. Obviously their knowledge of the human race was a little patchy in places. "Uh, Thor and, er, Frere, it is courtesy in our culture to allow people to dress and undress in privacy." A few more alien interactions and he would start sounding like Daniel.
The two Asgard quickly cottoned on and, with a polite bow, they followed the rest of SG-1 into the hallway. The doors closed behind them.
Finally alone for a moment, O'Neill dumped the clothes on the bed. His hands caught his eyes again. I'm Kermit the fricking Frog! Well, he trusted Thor, had trusted Thor, with his life, and he had come through for him every time. This was hopefully no different.
On to the first order of business. He fossicked through the pile of clothes. Oh, damn. Daniel, when are you going to remember which type of underwear I wear?
*********
Thor joined the group in the corridor.
From the moment Frere had returned with the humans, he had been complaining about them. The female kept asking questions to which any answer was beyond her comprehension. The Jaffa, at least, was silent, but the male human never shut up. Only the Doctor had managed to avoid directly irritating him, but the day was still young.
He let out a sigh. Some times Frere took it to extremes.
Fraiser was in one corner speaking with the two specialists. The other three were hovering just outside O'Neill's door. Thor knew the rest of SG-1, but found himself not as familiar with them as he was with O'Neill. It was no lacking on their part, but as the team required many different personalities and skills to function, each member was integrally different to the other. O'Neill was the facet he understood the most, and consequently was the most comfortable with.
As comfortable with an alien from a completely different race and culture, who was twice your height, as he could be.
He knew O'Neill valued his team more than his life, trusting them implicitly, and Thor trusted O'Neill. They had worked together to save both his life and his people.
They were SG-1.
Now they were standing in a corridor arguing.
Well, Samantha Carter and Daniel Jackson were arguing. Teal'c was quietly supervising.
"I think we should tell him."
"Daniel, General Hammond specifically said not to tell him unless it is absolutely necessary."
"He should know."
"And he will. Just not now, he is still recovering."
The stubborn look on Doctor Jackson's face urged Thor forward. "Major Carter, is there some information being withheld from O'Neill?"
Major Carter looked at him, indecision on her face. "Something has happened. General Hammond felt the news would upset the Colonel and with his recent injury it would be advisable to postpone telling him." The look on her face illustrated her conflicting feelings of loyalty.
"He's going to kill us when he finds out we have been holding out on him." Daniel scowled.
"We will have to deal with that if and when it happens." She swallowed as if she had eaten something distasteful.
They were interrupted by a banging on the door. "Oi! Thor, wanna let me outta here?"
Beside him Frere muttered in Asgard, "Can't even open the door."
Whipping his head around, Thor glared at Frere. "We were once as them, and wouldn't be, without them. They deserve our respect."
Frere looked suitably chastened.
Thor waved his hand over the door control and the doors parted. A slightly rumpled O'Neill emerged into the corridor. The hair on his head stuck out at all angles, and, now out in the brighter corridor lights, the green cast to his skin was all the more apparent. It was rather amusing to see him this colour. He had had a friend several years ago who had been severely injured. The Asgard version of the healing fluid was an interesting shade of orange. His friend had been the subject of much jest for several months as he recovered.
Thor, smothering a chuckle, indicated the direction and led the group out into the gardens.
**********
The gardens were spectacular.
Combined with arches of elegant architecture, the plants of the garden inhabited all three dimensions. Towering pillars supported decorations of twined tinsel-like vines, thirty metres into the air. Some of these pillars were interconnected at different levels by arching buttresses, adorned by a variety of different vines and epiphytes, connected by the garden path that wove its way amongst everything.
The plants came in all different shapes, sizes, and colours. A flowering purple bush hung in midair by the entrance, seeming to have no contact with any surface. It just sat there. A tiny creeper wove its way along the edge of the path, its leaves minature crystals like those you would find on a chandelier. A breeze wandered through the air, bringing with it a musical sigh, as it breathed amongst the plants.
It was beautiful.
But there was one thing missing. Daniel spoke up first. "There are no trees. Do you have trees on this planet, Thor?"
"No, Doctor Jackson, there are no trees native to this planet."
Three human heads turned to look at Jack.
"What? So there is another reason why I like these guys." He put on a not completely successful look of innocence.
Carter chuckled.
They followed the path into the depths of the gardens in silence. Each seemed unsure where to start. Eventually Jack ran out of patience.
"So, Thor, did you find out what happened?"
"Not entirely, no." He turned to the rest of SG-1. "Has any progress been made to ascertain how Colonel O'Neill was taken from Earth?"
Jack's head came up as Carter answered. "As far as we can tell, the Colonel was taken from his home, probably while he was asleep. He was not missed until he failed to report for duty the following morning. That was seven days ago."
"Seven days! I've been missing for a week?"
"Yes, sir. We were becoming quite worried by the time the Asgard contacted us." Her eyes darted away from his as the term 'quite worried' took on its true meaning of 'frantic'.
Thor spoke up. "O'Neill was only in the cell with me for a short time before rescue."
"Thor," interrupted Frere, "you also were missing for approximately the same period of time. We had some serious difficulty locating you."
Something suddenly occurred to O'Neill. "Hey, Thor buddy, have you been fully checked out? You okay?"
"I am well, O'Neill. I was not injured in any way. I was only incarcerated." He paused. "Unlike yourself. However, I do not remember how I got there. Apparently, I too, was taken from my home whilst sleeping. He looked to Frere."
"Commander, all efforts were made to locate you. However, it was many days before your signature registered on our sensors."
O'Neill spoke up. "Where did you find us?"
"On an empty moon on the edge of your galaxy, Colonel. Once we had located Commander Thor, we immediately made to recover him. Once we realized your presence and condition, all efforts were made to save you as well."
"And for that I thank you, Frere." O'Neill bowed his head slightly in acknowledgement.
"We could do no less."
"That's the 'where', all we need now is the 'who' and 'why'." Daniel pushed his glasses further up his nose, before folding his arms across his chest in a familiar pose of concern.
Jack looked at Thor. "I presume you have investigated the site. Any clues as to the persons responsible?"
"None. We were held in an abandoned underground bunker. Our sensors were unable to locate any trace of any beings other than you or myself." The look on Thor's face showed he had suspicions.
"So who do you think may have been responsible?"
The look on Thor's face hardened. "Anubis."
He thought as much. "Hmm, good ol'Anudist. Haven't seen him for awhile." He turned to Carter, Daniel and Teal'c. "So what do you think, kids?"
Carter spoke up first. "It is possible, sir. He certainly has no liking for either of you. The question is what had he planned to do with you?"
"Well, he obviously tortured Jack." Jack looked at Daniel and suddenly realized that that was exactly what it looked like, but he had no memory of it. Had he said anything under duress? A sudden helpless panic stirred in him. Some of it must have risen to his face because Daniel began to look uncomfortable.
Carter stepped in. "Daniel, we have no proof that torture was the source of the Colonel's injuries. All precautions have been taken." She looked apologetically at her CO.
'Colonel O'Neill would never betray his people." Teal'c's certainty echoed off the ancient brickwork of the garden. Nearby a featherless bird was startled into flight.
O'Neill knew his team trusted him, and to a certain extent he trusted himself, but he couldn't remember most of those seven days, anything could have happened in that time. "Thanks, T, but until we know otherwise it is a distinct possibility that that is exactly what happened." Carter opened her mouth. "Ack! Carter, I know what you are going to say, but for the time being, I think we should prepare for the worst." He paused thinking. "I presume Hammond followed standard operating procedure?"
"Yes, sir."
"Very well then, as long as you three don't forget to take me home with you, there shouldn't be a problem." Something occurred to him. "Thor, was there a stargate on that moon?"
"No, we would have had to arrive by ship."
"Any trace of a ship in orbit of Earth, the moon, or your planet?"
"This planet is my home planet, O'Neill, and again nothing. I have had several complaints from my fleet commanders about the lack of information found." If an Asgard could frown, that was what Thor was doing.
Jack took a deep breath and suddenly found himself suppressing a cough. He cleared his throat. "Hmm. So where do we go from here?"
"O'Neill, I believe the specialists would prefer you to stay here a while longer until you have fully recovered. Also you need to have your circulatory fluid replaced before leaving." He looked at the group before him as if hesitating. "In the meantime, quarters have been prepared for you, however," and he turned to O'Neill, "I would be honoured if you all would join me at my home which is not far from here." He quickly added. "The security for my home has been recently upgraded due to this incident, I assure you, you will be safe and comfortable there."
If Jack didn't know better, he would have said that Thor was nervous. This could be interesting. He just hoped all Asgard architecture reflected the high ceilings he had seen on all occasions previously. He had this sudden vision of himself as Luke Skywalker in Yoda's hut.
He abruptly realized everyone was looking at him. He coughed. "Okay, Thor, sounds great." The tickle in his throat became persistent. He coughed again.
And again.
"Colonel, are you okay?" Carter moved forward.
"I'm f-" The cough that cut him off became a coughing fit that left him light headed. He put a hand to his head as Carter reached to steady him. "Uh, okay, perhaps I'm not a hundred percent." He felt dizzy. There was a flash of light and a hovering bed appeared. Abracadabra, Thor.
"Lie down, O'Neill, and we will return to the Centre."
Jack sat on the edge of the bed to steady himself, but refused to lie down. "I'm not legless. I just need a moment." He groaned when another flash deposited Fraiser and the two Asgard specialists. "Aww, thanks, Thor, now they will never let me outta here."
Thor just looked at him.
*********
It turned out that they did let him out, but only after the standard lecture in triplicate. Thou shalt not over exert oneself. Thou shalt do everything we doctors say. Thou shalt not make smart ass comments whilst being examined.
Well, at least he had learnt how to say the word 'ass' in Asgard.
They had given him his 'get out of our sight free' card and he had joined SG-1 at Thor's residence.
Earth had been allied with the Asgard for quite awhile, but he was forced to admit they knew little or nothing about them. Carter had reported back from that incident with the Asgard ship 'O'Neill' (note to self, must ask Thor about that). She had spoken of a vast city and a fleet of ships. She had also mentioned the food, and he was already thinking up excuses to out of that one.
Thor had beamed them all directly to his home. O'Neill didn't really know what to expect. What he did find was unexpectedly un-alien.
Thor lived in an apartment. Or what would be termed an apartment if it had been on Earth. It was quite large, possibly reflecting his status of Supreme Fleet Commander. He also had a garden. When Daniel commented on its similarity to the gardens at the Centre, Thor explained that it was part of the same garden. Apparently the gardens wove themselves throughout the inhabited portion of the planet, unbroken even by the oceans themselves.
Both Carter and Daniel started bouncing around like a pair of kids let loose in a candy shop. O'Neill was on the verge of ordering them to shut up, but was stayed by the look on Thor's face. Thor seemed amused by the two scientist's boundless energy, answering their questions extensively until even their eyes glazed over.
The apartment itself did have high ceilings to which O'Neill was immensely grateful. The basics followed traditional Asgard design, but were highlighted by various non-indigenous trinkets, presumably collected by its owner.
One wall contained a display of various weapons. O'Neill recognised a couple of definite goa'uld origin. He was even surprised to find one of their own Berrettas prominently on display. Briefly wondering where Thor might have gotten that, his eyes settled on Daniel. Yep, that's probably the source.
But one object looked far too familiar for his liking.
"Thor, why is my hockey stick stuck to your wall?"
The sudden look of guilt on Thor's face was memorable. He didn't answer.
"Do you realize how long I have been looking for that? It's a prime piece of sporting memorabilia. It's signed by three of the top players."
Thor still didn't answer, but the look on his face reminded Jack of a pet dog that knew it was in trouble.
Damn. Never could resist the puppy dog look.
"Ok," he sighed, "I suppose you could borrow it for a while." He held up his hand. "I want it back in one piece, though. No using it to bash some goa'uld over the head."
"Thank you. O'Neill."
Dinner was an interesting affair. Apparently Thor had taken note of Carter's distaste for Asgard cuisine. After some research and some synthesizing processes that O'Neill had no wish to investigate any further, the Asgard scientists had come up with what they thought constituted human food.
All O'Neill could say was, "Gee, thanks, Thor, looks great." as he was served something in a bowl that looked like cornflakes, was the colour of beetroot, and smelled like something between the milk that was left out overnight and burnt sausages.
O'Neill felt his stomach turn over. He checked out the rest of the diners. Both Carter and Daniel had expressions that would have won them a transfer to the diplomatic corps. Janet was eyeing hers as if it was a new lab specimen. But Teal'c...Teal'c was wolfing it down. He was literally shovelling beetroot cornflakes into his mouth. O'Neill felt his stomach turn over again.
He looked over at Thor, who was sitting behind a plate of children's multicoloured building blocks, waiting expectantly for their reactions. There was no way out. This was the part of 'do it for your country' they had never mentioned when he signed up.
He picked up the slender two-pronged fork and with the resignation of the doomed, poked it into the concoction and into his mouth. Fully expecting to gag, he was surprised when the morsel in his mouth melted like a bite from a Hershey bar.
In fact it tasted like a Hershey bar. Chocolate with a hint of caramel.
He took another bite. Hmm. Not bad, if you closed your eyes and held your breath. Perhaps chocolate was the food of the gods.
The rest of the evening, as the Othallan sun set over the garden, was spent discussing cultural differences. Daniel was in his element as they swapped examples of customs on different planets and compared them to their own. He was just starting a lecture featuring the pixie people on planet PXY-yadda-yadda when Jack O'Neill fell asleep on the couch.
********
It was Jack's snoring that alerted the rest of the group to the state of their CO. Jack had slipped backwards on the couch and now sat awkwardly, head flung back, half the brass section of the London Symphony Orchestra issuing from his throat.
After Thor had been reassured that this was a natural sleeping state, the now whispered discussion turned to whether they should attempt to manhandle him into bed or leave him where he was.
It suddenly occurred to Daniel that this had to be the first time he had ever seen Jack fall asleep in company. He supposed it had to do with recent events and his injuries, but Jack was always alert, even when on Earth, sitting in his lounge room drinking beer, he had that aura of watchfulness, an echo of experience. Daniel also didn't recall Jack ever snoring this loudly before. He glanced at Janet. She didn't look worried. Maybe he was being a bit sensitive regarding Jack - also to do with recent events.
Thor brought all discussion of manhandling to a halt by pulling out a small hand held device. He pointed it directly at Jack.
In the millisecond before he activated it, Daniel's reflexes had already reached for the gun he didn't have. But the beam that hit Jack did nothing but softly levitate him off the couch.
Thor led them to the sleeping room, gently leading a hovering Jack behind him.
Sam whispered in his ear. "We really need to get one of those. Makes handling the Colonel a whole lot easier." Daniel chuckled.
They were all going to sleep in the one room in deference to the Asgard norm and six beds had been arranged in a semi circle. They were a little small compared to what they were used to, but they would suffice.
Thor lowered Jack on to a bed and Daniel pulled his boots off and covered him with the sheet. Now he had stopped snoring he looked peaceful in sleep. His hair still stuck out at all angles and it made him look younger and untroubled. The green tinge to his skin was the only reminder that as recently as this morning this man had been on the verge of death.
They had been lucky to get him back.
The entire SGC had been frantically searching for clues as to his whereabouts. Daniel and Sam had gone to his house desperate for any hint to what might have happened. Call after call had been made to emergency services, hospitals, morgues, and a variety of alien governments, including the Asgard. It seemed he had disappeared off the face of the Earth.
And he had.
Janet had cornered SG-1 and threatened them with sedation if they wouldn't sleep voluntarily.
When it finally came, the call from the Asgard had been an immense relief, but none of them had relaxed until they had seen him with their own eyes.
And a funny sight it had been, seeing Jack half naked and flushing green with embarrassment.
Daniel smiled. Now that scene was worth relating several times at the next SGC Christmas party.
Making sure the sheet wasn't going to fall off during the night, Daniel left Jack's side and made ready for bed.
*********
It was dark and cold. Somewhere water dripped in a slow mournful rhythm.
Drip.
Drip.
He could see only shadows. He tried to move forward, but found himself restrained. A whisper of air movement raised the hair on his bare arms.
The dark was not empty.
Drip.
Drip.
A single footstep echoed on the hard floor. A shadow moved.
He tried to call out, but his throat was too dry for sound.
Drip.
Drip.
A voice asked him a question.
He could not answer.
Drip.
It asked again.
He could not answer.
There was a silver glint in the darkness. Pain in his side.
He could not scream.
Blood joined the water.
Drip. Drip.
Drip.
Drip.
Still he could not answer.
The shadow moved closer. He could make out shapes, twisting impressions of dimension. They formed themselves into a face.
Daniel asked the question again.
"Have you met death?"
He could not answer.
Drip.
Drip. Drip.
The shadows moved, silver glinted, and, finally, he could scream.
*********
FIN
Part 2 of 'The Asgard Sequence'
Sequel to 'Alien Reflections'
By Gumnut
Sep 2003
He woke.
That surprised him. This time he thought he had really done it. Taken the big ship outta here. Bitten the dust.
But no, he was awake.
Infirmary? He listened for the familiar beeps and the click of heels on concrete. Nothing. Not Infirmary.
Crap.
He opened his eyes. No annoying pen light in his eye. No infirmary ceiling.
Completely unfamiliar ceiling for that matter.
Double crap.
He was lying down on a small, simple bed, his feet sticking off the end, and a thin sheet covering him. He couldn't see much in the dim lighting, but he didn't feel alone. He pushed himself up on to his elbows.
"Hello?"
A bright flash of white light momentarily blinded him.
"Greetings, O'Neill."
He shook his head trying to dispel the red after images dancing in front of his eyes. "You know, Thor, you could just knock."
"I apologise. I have been waiting for you to awaken." The dim, hidden lighting brightened revealing a large room, various shades of blue, in the typical Asgard design. The bed was the only piece of furniture present.
"Where are we?"
"You have been here before, O'Neill. This is the planet Othalla in the galaxy of Ida."
"Oh, that old place." He sat up fully in bed and the filmy sheet fell to his waist. He suddenly realized that the thin sheet was the only thing between him and fresh air.
He clutched the sheet to his chest. "Where are my clothes?"
"Your clothes were unfortunately damaged by myself during our imprisonment and we are in the process of synthesizing some replacements."
The sheet felt even thinner as he tucked it around himself.
"So, okay, Thor, what's the story? Why am I here and not on Earth?"
"Your medical condition required immediate attention. Your people would not have been able to help you."
"Oh, so am I fixed?" He peered down at himself, everything seemed to be working. His toes were sticking out the other end of the cover. He wriggled them, only realizing a second later that there was something strange in their colouring. "Thor, why are my feet green?"
"They are not green."
"They are green." He held up his hands. They were green, too. On closer inspection he realized that he was all green. "I'm green!"
"You had lost the majority of your circulatory fluids due to your injuries. We have the facility to create more, however, it was decided to substitute it with a healing fluid for awhile to ensure a complete recovery. As the fluid is green, your body will reflect that colouring."
"I can bleed green?" Thor just looked at him. "I'm a Vulcan!" Thor continued to stare at him, so he back- pedalled. "Um, okay, thanks. How long do I need this stuff?"
"Our medical staff will replace the fluid once it has been decided that you are fully healed." He paused. "And you are not green."
Jack wasn't going to argue.
"I have notified your General Hammond of your location. He requested your team accompany you, so Frere has gone to Earth to collect them."
"I'm sure he is happy to be chartered as an interstellar bus service."
"Hmm. He did comment, but agreed."
Jack glanced at Thor. Thought of a grumpy Asgard had him hiding a smile, but his train of thought was interrupted by another flash of light.
Speak of the devil...
Four mildly bewildered humans, and that afore mentioned grumpy Asgard, appeared at the foot of his bed. Frere moved to speak with Thor, as four pairs of human eyes focused on Jack.
All at once.
"Colonel!"
"Jack!"
"O'Neill!"
And all together now. "You're green!"
"You know, guys, if you did that in harmony you could probably make it on Broadway." He turned to Thor. "I told you I was green." Then, suddenly realizing there was a female presence in the room, Jack pulled the sheet even tighter around himself. "Umm, did you guys happen to bring any of my clothes with you?"
"Hello to you too, Jack." Daniel dug into his pack and produced the requested items. "So what's with the green?"
"Thought it would be a change from pink, you know, thought it would go better with the colour of my eyes." The mandatory annoyed looked emitted by Daniel, Carter, and even Janet - not Teal'c though, he was smiling, good ol'Teal'c - was interrupted by Thor.
"O'Neill has been very ill. Near death."
"Way to go with the drama, Thor buddy."
Janet stepped forward. "I am aware of that, Commander, that is why I insisted I come along." She moved toward O'Neill.
Start the countdown...3...2...1. Bang. Bright light in the eyeball. Way to go, Fraiser. "You know I think you like doing that just for the fun of it. It's a power thing, isn't it."
She ignored him. "How do you feel, Colonel?" He jumped as her cold stethoscope found his chest.
"Good. Hunky dory. Fine and dandy. Fit and healthy. Raring to go."
"Colonel, you're green." Fraiser was now sticking something in his ear.
"S...Ow! What are you doing in there? So what if I'm green? Thor says it's some fancy healing thingy and they'll put me back to normal when I'm all fixed."
"O'Neill is correct. The healing fluid is more efficient than your blood in providing nutrients and oxygen to his systems. The majority of his injuries are repaired, but the fluid provides the necessary support and immunity for his body as it returns to normal functioning."
Janet looked up from her traditional patient torture session. "Commander, I would like to confer with the doctors who have been overseeing the Colonel's recovery."
"Certainly, Doctor." He paused a moment, then a set of double doors opened to their left and two Asgard entered.
"Finally a door!"
Thor threw a tolerantly amused look in O'Neill's direction. "Doctor Fraiser, this is Tanor and Forel. They will be able to explain the state of O'Neill's health. In the meantime, I would like to suggest a short walk in the Centre's gardens where we can discuss the situation."
"Is the Colonel well enough to be out of bed?"
"I'm fine, Carter." He shoved his legs off the bed, grabbing at the sheet as it threatened to display his nudity in all its glory. "But I would like some privacy to get dressed." He glared appropriately at Daniel and Carter in turn.
"Uh, okay, fine, sir. We'll just be outside. Call us if you need us." His team moved towards the door.
That left Thor and Frere.
"Uh, guys, do you mind waiting outside a moment." Their looks were totally clueless. Obviously their knowledge of the human race was a little patchy in places. "Uh, Thor and, er, Frere, it is courtesy in our culture to allow people to dress and undress in privacy." A few more alien interactions and he would start sounding like Daniel.
The two Asgard quickly cottoned on and, with a polite bow, they followed the rest of SG-1 into the hallway. The doors closed behind them.
Finally alone for a moment, O'Neill dumped the clothes on the bed. His hands caught his eyes again. I'm Kermit the fricking Frog! Well, he trusted Thor, had trusted Thor, with his life, and he had come through for him every time. This was hopefully no different.
On to the first order of business. He fossicked through the pile of clothes. Oh, damn. Daniel, when are you going to remember which type of underwear I wear?
*********
Thor joined the group in the corridor.
From the moment Frere had returned with the humans, he had been complaining about them. The female kept asking questions to which any answer was beyond her comprehension. The Jaffa, at least, was silent, but the male human never shut up. Only the Doctor had managed to avoid directly irritating him, but the day was still young.
He let out a sigh. Some times Frere took it to extremes.
Fraiser was in one corner speaking with the two specialists. The other three were hovering just outside O'Neill's door. Thor knew the rest of SG-1, but found himself not as familiar with them as he was with O'Neill. It was no lacking on their part, but as the team required many different personalities and skills to function, each member was integrally different to the other. O'Neill was the facet he understood the most, and consequently was the most comfortable with.
As comfortable with an alien from a completely different race and culture, who was twice your height, as he could be.
He knew O'Neill valued his team more than his life, trusting them implicitly, and Thor trusted O'Neill. They had worked together to save both his life and his people.
They were SG-1.
Now they were standing in a corridor arguing.
Well, Samantha Carter and Daniel Jackson were arguing. Teal'c was quietly supervising.
"I think we should tell him."
"Daniel, General Hammond specifically said not to tell him unless it is absolutely necessary."
"He should know."
"And he will. Just not now, he is still recovering."
The stubborn look on Doctor Jackson's face urged Thor forward. "Major Carter, is there some information being withheld from O'Neill?"
Major Carter looked at him, indecision on her face. "Something has happened. General Hammond felt the news would upset the Colonel and with his recent injury it would be advisable to postpone telling him." The look on her face illustrated her conflicting feelings of loyalty.
"He's going to kill us when he finds out we have been holding out on him." Daniel scowled.
"We will have to deal with that if and when it happens." She swallowed as if she had eaten something distasteful.
They were interrupted by a banging on the door. "Oi! Thor, wanna let me outta here?"
Beside him Frere muttered in Asgard, "Can't even open the door."
Whipping his head around, Thor glared at Frere. "We were once as them, and wouldn't be, without them. They deserve our respect."
Frere looked suitably chastened.
Thor waved his hand over the door control and the doors parted. A slightly rumpled O'Neill emerged into the corridor. The hair on his head stuck out at all angles, and, now out in the brighter corridor lights, the green cast to his skin was all the more apparent. It was rather amusing to see him this colour. He had had a friend several years ago who had been severely injured. The Asgard version of the healing fluid was an interesting shade of orange. His friend had been the subject of much jest for several months as he recovered.
Thor, smothering a chuckle, indicated the direction and led the group out into the gardens.
**********
The gardens were spectacular.
Combined with arches of elegant architecture, the plants of the garden inhabited all three dimensions. Towering pillars supported decorations of twined tinsel-like vines, thirty metres into the air. Some of these pillars were interconnected at different levels by arching buttresses, adorned by a variety of different vines and epiphytes, connected by the garden path that wove its way amongst everything.
The plants came in all different shapes, sizes, and colours. A flowering purple bush hung in midair by the entrance, seeming to have no contact with any surface. It just sat there. A tiny creeper wove its way along the edge of the path, its leaves minature crystals like those you would find on a chandelier. A breeze wandered through the air, bringing with it a musical sigh, as it breathed amongst the plants.
It was beautiful.
But there was one thing missing. Daniel spoke up first. "There are no trees. Do you have trees on this planet, Thor?"
"No, Doctor Jackson, there are no trees native to this planet."
Three human heads turned to look at Jack.
"What? So there is another reason why I like these guys." He put on a not completely successful look of innocence.
Carter chuckled.
They followed the path into the depths of the gardens in silence. Each seemed unsure where to start. Eventually Jack ran out of patience.
"So, Thor, did you find out what happened?"
"Not entirely, no." He turned to the rest of SG-1. "Has any progress been made to ascertain how Colonel O'Neill was taken from Earth?"
Jack's head came up as Carter answered. "As far as we can tell, the Colonel was taken from his home, probably while he was asleep. He was not missed until he failed to report for duty the following morning. That was seven days ago."
"Seven days! I've been missing for a week?"
"Yes, sir. We were becoming quite worried by the time the Asgard contacted us." Her eyes darted away from his as the term 'quite worried' took on its true meaning of 'frantic'.
Thor spoke up. "O'Neill was only in the cell with me for a short time before rescue."
"Thor," interrupted Frere, "you also were missing for approximately the same period of time. We had some serious difficulty locating you."
Something suddenly occurred to O'Neill. "Hey, Thor buddy, have you been fully checked out? You okay?"
"I am well, O'Neill. I was not injured in any way. I was only incarcerated." He paused. "Unlike yourself. However, I do not remember how I got there. Apparently, I too, was taken from my home whilst sleeping. He looked to Frere."
"Commander, all efforts were made to locate you. However, it was many days before your signature registered on our sensors."
O'Neill spoke up. "Where did you find us?"
"On an empty moon on the edge of your galaxy, Colonel. Once we had located Commander Thor, we immediately made to recover him. Once we realized your presence and condition, all efforts were made to save you as well."
"And for that I thank you, Frere." O'Neill bowed his head slightly in acknowledgement.
"We could do no less."
"That's the 'where', all we need now is the 'who' and 'why'." Daniel pushed his glasses further up his nose, before folding his arms across his chest in a familiar pose of concern.
Jack looked at Thor. "I presume you have investigated the site. Any clues as to the persons responsible?"
"None. We were held in an abandoned underground bunker. Our sensors were unable to locate any trace of any beings other than you or myself." The look on Thor's face showed he had suspicions.
"So who do you think may have been responsible?"
The look on Thor's face hardened. "Anubis."
He thought as much. "Hmm, good ol'Anudist. Haven't seen him for awhile." He turned to Carter, Daniel and Teal'c. "So what do you think, kids?"
Carter spoke up first. "It is possible, sir. He certainly has no liking for either of you. The question is what had he planned to do with you?"
"Well, he obviously tortured Jack." Jack looked at Daniel and suddenly realized that that was exactly what it looked like, but he had no memory of it. Had he said anything under duress? A sudden helpless panic stirred in him. Some of it must have risen to his face because Daniel began to look uncomfortable.
Carter stepped in. "Daniel, we have no proof that torture was the source of the Colonel's injuries. All precautions have been taken." She looked apologetically at her CO.
'Colonel O'Neill would never betray his people." Teal'c's certainty echoed off the ancient brickwork of the garden. Nearby a featherless bird was startled into flight.
O'Neill knew his team trusted him, and to a certain extent he trusted himself, but he couldn't remember most of those seven days, anything could have happened in that time. "Thanks, T, but until we know otherwise it is a distinct possibility that that is exactly what happened." Carter opened her mouth. "Ack! Carter, I know what you are going to say, but for the time being, I think we should prepare for the worst." He paused thinking. "I presume Hammond followed standard operating procedure?"
"Yes, sir."
"Very well then, as long as you three don't forget to take me home with you, there shouldn't be a problem." Something occurred to him. "Thor, was there a stargate on that moon?"
"No, we would have had to arrive by ship."
"Any trace of a ship in orbit of Earth, the moon, or your planet?"
"This planet is my home planet, O'Neill, and again nothing. I have had several complaints from my fleet commanders about the lack of information found." If an Asgard could frown, that was what Thor was doing.
Jack took a deep breath and suddenly found himself suppressing a cough. He cleared his throat. "Hmm. So where do we go from here?"
"O'Neill, I believe the specialists would prefer you to stay here a while longer until you have fully recovered. Also you need to have your circulatory fluid replaced before leaving." He looked at the group before him as if hesitating. "In the meantime, quarters have been prepared for you, however," and he turned to O'Neill, "I would be honoured if you all would join me at my home which is not far from here." He quickly added. "The security for my home has been recently upgraded due to this incident, I assure you, you will be safe and comfortable there."
If Jack didn't know better, he would have said that Thor was nervous. This could be interesting. He just hoped all Asgard architecture reflected the high ceilings he had seen on all occasions previously. He had this sudden vision of himself as Luke Skywalker in Yoda's hut.
He abruptly realized everyone was looking at him. He coughed. "Okay, Thor, sounds great." The tickle in his throat became persistent. He coughed again.
And again.
"Colonel, are you okay?" Carter moved forward.
"I'm f-" The cough that cut him off became a coughing fit that left him light headed. He put a hand to his head as Carter reached to steady him. "Uh, okay, perhaps I'm not a hundred percent." He felt dizzy. There was a flash of light and a hovering bed appeared. Abracadabra, Thor.
"Lie down, O'Neill, and we will return to the Centre."
Jack sat on the edge of the bed to steady himself, but refused to lie down. "I'm not legless. I just need a moment." He groaned when another flash deposited Fraiser and the two Asgard specialists. "Aww, thanks, Thor, now they will never let me outta here."
Thor just looked at him.
*********
It turned out that they did let him out, but only after the standard lecture in triplicate. Thou shalt not over exert oneself. Thou shalt do everything we doctors say. Thou shalt not make smart ass comments whilst being examined.
Well, at least he had learnt how to say the word 'ass' in Asgard.
They had given him his 'get out of our sight free' card and he had joined SG-1 at Thor's residence.
Earth had been allied with the Asgard for quite awhile, but he was forced to admit they knew little or nothing about them. Carter had reported back from that incident with the Asgard ship 'O'Neill' (note to self, must ask Thor about that). She had spoken of a vast city and a fleet of ships. She had also mentioned the food, and he was already thinking up excuses to out of that one.
Thor had beamed them all directly to his home. O'Neill didn't really know what to expect. What he did find was unexpectedly un-alien.
Thor lived in an apartment. Or what would be termed an apartment if it had been on Earth. It was quite large, possibly reflecting his status of Supreme Fleet Commander. He also had a garden. When Daniel commented on its similarity to the gardens at the Centre, Thor explained that it was part of the same garden. Apparently the gardens wove themselves throughout the inhabited portion of the planet, unbroken even by the oceans themselves.
Both Carter and Daniel started bouncing around like a pair of kids let loose in a candy shop. O'Neill was on the verge of ordering them to shut up, but was stayed by the look on Thor's face. Thor seemed amused by the two scientist's boundless energy, answering their questions extensively until even their eyes glazed over.
The apartment itself did have high ceilings to which O'Neill was immensely grateful. The basics followed traditional Asgard design, but were highlighted by various non-indigenous trinkets, presumably collected by its owner.
One wall contained a display of various weapons. O'Neill recognised a couple of definite goa'uld origin. He was even surprised to find one of their own Berrettas prominently on display. Briefly wondering where Thor might have gotten that, his eyes settled on Daniel. Yep, that's probably the source.
But one object looked far too familiar for his liking.
"Thor, why is my hockey stick stuck to your wall?"
The sudden look of guilt on Thor's face was memorable. He didn't answer.
"Do you realize how long I have been looking for that? It's a prime piece of sporting memorabilia. It's signed by three of the top players."
Thor still didn't answer, but the look on his face reminded Jack of a pet dog that knew it was in trouble.
Damn. Never could resist the puppy dog look.
"Ok," he sighed, "I suppose you could borrow it for a while." He held up his hand. "I want it back in one piece, though. No using it to bash some goa'uld over the head."
"Thank you. O'Neill."
Dinner was an interesting affair. Apparently Thor had taken note of Carter's distaste for Asgard cuisine. After some research and some synthesizing processes that O'Neill had no wish to investigate any further, the Asgard scientists had come up with what they thought constituted human food.
All O'Neill could say was, "Gee, thanks, Thor, looks great." as he was served something in a bowl that looked like cornflakes, was the colour of beetroot, and smelled like something between the milk that was left out overnight and burnt sausages.
O'Neill felt his stomach turn over. He checked out the rest of the diners. Both Carter and Daniel had expressions that would have won them a transfer to the diplomatic corps. Janet was eyeing hers as if it was a new lab specimen. But Teal'c...Teal'c was wolfing it down. He was literally shovelling beetroot cornflakes into his mouth. O'Neill felt his stomach turn over again.
He looked over at Thor, who was sitting behind a plate of children's multicoloured building blocks, waiting expectantly for their reactions. There was no way out. This was the part of 'do it for your country' they had never mentioned when he signed up.
He picked up the slender two-pronged fork and with the resignation of the doomed, poked it into the concoction and into his mouth. Fully expecting to gag, he was surprised when the morsel in his mouth melted like a bite from a Hershey bar.
In fact it tasted like a Hershey bar. Chocolate with a hint of caramel.
He took another bite. Hmm. Not bad, if you closed your eyes and held your breath. Perhaps chocolate was the food of the gods.
The rest of the evening, as the Othallan sun set over the garden, was spent discussing cultural differences. Daniel was in his element as they swapped examples of customs on different planets and compared them to their own. He was just starting a lecture featuring the pixie people on planet PXY-yadda-yadda when Jack O'Neill fell asleep on the couch.
********
It was Jack's snoring that alerted the rest of the group to the state of their CO. Jack had slipped backwards on the couch and now sat awkwardly, head flung back, half the brass section of the London Symphony Orchestra issuing from his throat.
After Thor had been reassured that this was a natural sleeping state, the now whispered discussion turned to whether they should attempt to manhandle him into bed or leave him where he was.
It suddenly occurred to Daniel that this had to be the first time he had ever seen Jack fall asleep in company. He supposed it had to do with recent events and his injuries, but Jack was always alert, even when on Earth, sitting in his lounge room drinking beer, he had that aura of watchfulness, an echo of experience. Daniel also didn't recall Jack ever snoring this loudly before. He glanced at Janet. She didn't look worried. Maybe he was being a bit sensitive regarding Jack - also to do with recent events.
Thor brought all discussion of manhandling to a halt by pulling out a small hand held device. He pointed it directly at Jack.
In the millisecond before he activated it, Daniel's reflexes had already reached for the gun he didn't have. But the beam that hit Jack did nothing but softly levitate him off the couch.
Thor led them to the sleeping room, gently leading a hovering Jack behind him.
Sam whispered in his ear. "We really need to get one of those. Makes handling the Colonel a whole lot easier." Daniel chuckled.
They were all going to sleep in the one room in deference to the Asgard norm and six beds had been arranged in a semi circle. They were a little small compared to what they were used to, but they would suffice.
Thor lowered Jack on to a bed and Daniel pulled his boots off and covered him with the sheet. Now he had stopped snoring he looked peaceful in sleep. His hair still stuck out at all angles and it made him look younger and untroubled. The green tinge to his skin was the only reminder that as recently as this morning this man had been on the verge of death.
They had been lucky to get him back.
The entire SGC had been frantically searching for clues as to his whereabouts. Daniel and Sam had gone to his house desperate for any hint to what might have happened. Call after call had been made to emergency services, hospitals, morgues, and a variety of alien governments, including the Asgard. It seemed he had disappeared off the face of the Earth.
And he had.
Janet had cornered SG-1 and threatened them with sedation if they wouldn't sleep voluntarily.
When it finally came, the call from the Asgard had been an immense relief, but none of them had relaxed until they had seen him with their own eyes.
And a funny sight it had been, seeing Jack half naked and flushing green with embarrassment.
Daniel smiled. Now that scene was worth relating several times at the next SGC Christmas party.
Making sure the sheet wasn't going to fall off during the night, Daniel left Jack's side and made ready for bed.
*********
It was dark and cold. Somewhere water dripped in a slow mournful rhythm.
Drip.
Drip.
He could see only shadows. He tried to move forward, but found himself restrained. A whisper of air movement raised the hair on his bare arms.
The dark was not empty.
Drip.
Drip.
A single footstep echoed on the hard floor. A shadow moved.
He tried to call out, but his throat was too dry for sound.
Drip.
Drip.
A voice asked him a question.
He could not answer.
Drip.
It asked again.
He could not answer.
There was a silver glint in the darkness. Pain in his side.
He could not scream.
Blood joined the water.
Drip. Drip.
Drip.
Drip.
Still he could not answer.
The shadow moved closer. He could make out shapes, twisting impressions of dimension. They formed themselves into a face.
Daniel asked the question again.
"Have you met death?"
He could not answer.
Drip.
Drip. Drip.
The shadows moved, silver glinted, and, finally, he could scream.
*********
FIN