Once again I need to thank Naliza for being the best beta I could wish for.
I also need to thank everyone who has reviewed this and Shadows and Whispers, I just passed 50 reviews for each, which is great!!!
I know you all won't be happy but I'm not sure when I'm going to get round to writing more, I've got a lot of work on and unfortunately I can't write my dissertation on SG-1!! But saying that lots of feedback might help me find a few minutes between lectures to do some writing so you all know what to do!!!!! :-)
*~*~*
Jack O'Neill sat down next to Sam's bed and took her hand into both of his. He was shocked at what had just occurred. Sergeant David Martin had become the first casualty of the epidemic. Jack had stood at Daniel's side while the medical staff tried in vain to save the man's life. He had seen people die many times and he had killed more people than he cared to remember but he was not used to seeing a man die like that and it was affecting him deeply.
"Hey Carter, It's me, back again. You're probably getting sick of me by now, huh?"
"Thought I'd come back and see how you are. I should be doing some work, did I tell you Hammond put me in command. That disease must have really messed with his head. Me in command, it could be funny at any other time."
"I don't really know how to say this Sam but Martin, he…he didn't make it. You'll make it, you've gotta fight it, you just gotta."
*~*
Janet held an ice pack behind her neck, savouring the welcome cooling effect. She was desperately trying to find a cure before she became too ill to work. All of the available qualified staff was working on trying to find a cure but she was the resident expert on rare and exotic diseases and everyone seemed to be looking up to her for a cure or they were relying on the Tok'ra to eventually help them out.
She was currently testing the organism against all the medications they had on base. A combination of amoxicillin and Augmentin had slowed the replication of the organism significantly but had done nothing to destroy it. She had ordered that as many people as possible were given a dose. It had worked, but only to a point. It had stabilised the most seriously ill patients but none of them had improved to any significant degree.
She looked over at her adopted daughter; it was breaking her heart to be so helpless to stop the disease. The first fatality had occurred and it would not be long before more people would die, unless she found a cure in time. The clinical realist in her told her that Sam and Cassandra were among the most critically ill and would surely be the next to go.
She stood and crossed the room to sit by Cassandra's side. She wiped the tears from her sweaty face and took hold of Cassandra's hand.
"Keep fighting this thing sweetheart, you just keep fighting."
"You know you're the best thing that ever happened to me. I don't know if I ever told you this before but I don't know what I'll do without you. I'd be so lost without you," her voice was cracking but she felt that she needed to say it.
"I'm working on a cure, we'll find something soon. I should get back; I'll be just over there, okay honey? You stay strong; promise me you'll stay strong."
She answered the phone when it rang a few minute later. She listened as one of the medical team working at the hospital detailed their progress, or lack of it. Janet told him about her discovery with the antibiotic treatment. This was welcome news to the Captain on the other end of the phone.
The disease was spreading throughout the hospital as quickly as it was spreading through the base. Thankfully none of the infected at the hospital had died, but a number of them were listed as critical.
Once she had finished with the hospital team she called the team at the high school. They were also pleased with the news about the antibiotic. Janet was dismayed to hear that Cassandra's best friend, Liz, was seriously ill, as was Miss Martinez, Cassie's biology and favourite teacher, at the school.
She found out that Cassandra's history teacher, Mr King, had died a few minutes before. He had a pre-existing heart complaint and the organism had attacked his organ with ferocity. He had died within twelve hours of exhibiting symptoms.
*~*
Jack was back in his temporary office; he called the President and offered an apology for missing his earlier phone call. He barely listened to what the President had to say; he was too concerned about the SGC personnel, Cassandra and Sam to care.
He hoped the Tok'ra would get back to them quickly. He had a great deal of faith in Dr Fraiser's abilities, she had saved SG-1's lives more times than he cared to remember, but she still have not found a cure and was becoming more and more ill. Soon she would not be able to work and the SGC would be without their CMO and rare disease expert.
As much as he hated to admit it the Tok'ra could be their best shot at curing the disease. Even if the Tok'ra could not help them Jack thought that Jacob deserved to see his daughter. They had really rebuilt their relationship since Jacob had joined the Tok'ra. Jack was sure that Jacob would be here in a shot if he knew that Sam was critically ill.
*~*
Daniel sat at Sam's side, talking to her about Ancient Babylon, he did not know what else to say and he found he could always talk about ancient history. When he was upset or in pain he would either recite long dead languages or Egyptian Pharaohs in his head.
He looked up as Teal'c entered.
"I have completed my kel'noreem, I will sit with Major Carter."
"Thanks Teal'c,"
"You are welcome Daniel Jackson," Teal'c replied as Daniel relinquished his chair to the Jaffa and walked slowly to the next room. He took his glasses off and rubbed his eyes tiredly as he tried to work out the last time he had slept properly.
He rushed to Janet's side as he heard her coughing. He opened the bottle of water on the bench and handed it to her once the coughs had subsided. It took her a few moments to get her breath back.
"Thanks Daniel," she said breathlessly.
"You alright? Dumb question," he added after a moment.
"Yeah, I'm doing okay."
"How's Cassie holding up?"
"A bit of a scary moment not long ago but she's through that, she's fighting it."
"That's good. You need anything?"
"A miracle cure," Janet replied seriously, looking Daniel in the eyes.
"I was thinking more along the lines of a sandwich. I'm fresh out of miracle cures, sorry."
His levity was rewarded with a smile from Janet which he returned; the moment of good humour did not last long.
"What would I do without her Daniel?" Janet asked with tears in her eyes. Daniel enveloped the petite doctor in his arms and rubbed her back gently as she sobbed into his shirt.
Janet eventually regained her composure and gently pulled away from Daniel's embrace. He gently wiped tears from Janet's face, she looked up and smiled slightly, he smiled back. She conveyed her thanks for his support without words.
"So you want a sandwich?" Daniel asked with some humour in his voice.
"No, not hungry," Janet replied, with the traces of a smile on her face.
"Sure, do you want me to sit with Cassie for a while?"
"It's okay but could…can you sit with her when I can't? I don't want her to be alone."
Daniel did not immediately grasp what Janet was alluding to; when he finally understood her plea he was momentarily shocked. He was not used to seeing Janet being so defeatist; she was normally a positive person. He took hold of her hand, surprised at how hot it was.
"Of course, you know I will."
Janet nodded, Cassandra was like a niece to all of SG-1, and she knew they would look after Cassandra to the best of their abilities.
"Hey Daniel, you look exhausted. You should go and get some sleep."
Daniel did not reply. Instead he looked around the room, avoiding her gaze.
"Doctor's orders," she added.
"You love that doctor's orders thing, don't you?"
"The only way to keep Colonel O'Neill in line."
Daniel gave a short laugh before leaving Janet to go in search of Jack. Daniel tracked him down in Hammond's office; he was on the phone again. Daniel could see the exasperation on his face. He took a seat while Jack finished the call.
"Janet's started talking negatively," Daniel said as Jack put the phone down.
"That's not like her."
"I know and that what's worrying me. It's got to be so hard for her though."
"With Sam and Cassie ill and the pressure to find a cure, it's amazing she's still functioning."
"She is pretty amazing," Daniel added, without thinking about what he had said. Jack looked up at his friend who was looking slightly sheepish at his unintentional admission.
Jack stood as he heard the Stargate spin into action. He followed Daniel down to the control room which was unusually empty, being staffed by a skeleton staff. The Stargate engaged and the gate room was flooded with light. After a few moments Sergeant Davis spoke up.
"Receiving IDC Sir, it's the Tok'ra."
Jack and Daniel shared a look; they were both relieved that the Tok'ra was arriving. They needed all the help they could get and the Tok'ra was their best shot. They were fast running out of ideas and as no cure was forthcoming they needed their allies desperately. The Tok'ra was their last hope since the SGC has run out of ideas as to how to stop the spread of the disease.
*~*~*
Okay, the medical information slot is back, amoxicillin and Augmentin are both anti-biotics which are often used together to treat penicillin resistant infections. Thankfully that's it for today, not too scary for me!!
Please keep the feedback coming in, it really does help me write!!