Chapter VI
Carter was the last on through the Gate and so on the other side, was the last one out. She purposely stayed quiet and a little away from her team in case they noticed she was acting a little…off. SG-1 were due to rendezvous with SG-4 in thirty minutes by an abandoned town, it was old and nobody lived there anymore but it looked like an advanced culture had occupied P3X 969 at some point due to the state of the buildings. It actually looked a little like Tollana. To reach the town the team had to walk through a narrow pass with tall cliffs on either side, a river had once flowed through there but now due to the conditions of the planet, it had dried up. Traces of water still remained but nothing more than tiny puddles every forty feet or so, there were no trees around the Stargate instead it was covered with sand, though not as much as Abydos but still quite similar. One sun lit up the red sky and SG-1 paused before continuing on to apply the sun cream that SG-4 had advised they bring along.
After walking for five minutes they came to the long river road, there was grass here though it was a sandy colour and it was quite short. No doubt it had not been given a chance to grow through lack of rain, it was very quiet on the planet and there appeared to be no other life forms present. The UAV had not picked up on anything either "so what did Janet say?" Daniel was the first to speak.
"What did she say about what?" Carter shook out of her thoughts and looked behind her to face Daniel.
He did think Sam's behaviour was unusual but after what had been going on lately he wasn't too surprised, it was still disconcerting though, the way she was acting. "Well when you went to see her before we came here…its just that even if you did suddenly start feeling better out of the blue like that, I would have thought Janet would still keep you behind for a couple of days" he responded.
Carter stopped walking and turned around fully to look at Daniel, she didn't appear very happy "are you saying I'm lying?" she demanded. Well I have to make it look believable "Janet checked me over and everything was fine, I made her see that there was no reason to keep me behind."
"There's no need to be so defensive Sam, it was a simple question" the Archaeologist answered, he was confused by her rapid change in attitude "and what do you mean you made her see there was no reason to keep you behind?" that was the second time she had phrased something strangely.
By this time Teal'c and O'Neill had also halted "keep it moving" it was making both the Colonel and the Jaffa uneasy walking through the pass, the area was too closed up.
"I'm not getting defensive, I just don't like what you're insinuating" what was making her most annoyed was the fact that he had begun to see through the pretense so fast, the Major had hoped she could get each of them alone but if Daniel kept on prying she would have to put her plan into action sooner rather than later.
"I do not believe Major Carter is herself, and I too do not think it likely that Doctor Fraiser would have allowed her to leave the base so soon" Teal'c spoke quietly to O'Neill, they were just out of earshot of the angry Carter. Jack nodded with a concerned expression on his face; he looked back at the bickering half of SG-1.
"I wasn't insinuating anything! I was just asking a simple question and you turn it into a debate" he tried to stay calm but worry and frustration was banding together and his voice raised an octave.
"O'Neill" Teal'c shouted from where he was standing, he looked up to the top of the right cliff.
Jack looked from Carter to Daniel "would you two stop it, if there was anybody else here you would've just let the whole planet know" that effectively shut them up.
"O'Neill" the Jaffa yelled again though his voice was louder and more urgent this time. As the Colonel turned around to find out the reason for his friends calls he found out why, a contingent of Jaffa were towering above them with their staffs weapons aimed in their direction. "We will not make it to the town" Teal'c stated, "Returning to the Stargate is our only choice."
Before the Jaffa could begin to fire upon them, SG-1 sped back the way they had come. It had taken them five minutes to reach the river road whilst walking and so running would cut that time considerably; the enemy had a distinct advantage being high up and with a clear view of their targets. SG-1 were sitting ducks, the firing began and numerous rocks began to fall onto the dried up river bed as staffs blasts missed the team and hit the sides of the cliff, as they dodged fire and rock SG-1 did manage to get a few shots off in the direction of some Jaffa. However they only wounded and did not succeed in killing any due to the position that they were, gravel crunched under foot as they ran and hearts pounded as more blasts rained upon them. The Jaffa ceased fire but SG-1 didn't stop to find out the reason why, however whether they wanted to find out or not they were going to. As they neared the exit of the river road it was blocked. Six Jaffa blocked their way and they weren't planning on letting them pass "so how's the view from up there?" Jack asked as though he did actually give a damn. "I was going to check it out later but some idiot decided to stop my fun" he chatted. "Maybe you know them…they were this high" he indicated the height of the Jaffa "wearing costumes that'd be laughed out of a fancy dress competition" he insulted. A staff weapon was aimed at his head "it's a simple question" the Jaffa stepped forward "I'll take that as a no."
"Silence" one ordered, "you will not speak."
O'Neill nodded then held up his hand as though he was in a classroom and wanting to speak to the mean teacher "so how can we answer any questions you might ask us?" Teal'c raised an eyebrow and Jack shrugged nonchalantly "it's a reasonable question."
"You will die for your insolence" the Jaffa retorted smugly.
A few feet away the members of SG-4 began to sneak up on the unsuspecting Jaffa, Jack chuckled "if I had got a cent for every time one of you guys said that, I wouldn't have to work anymore…course I would anyway cause its just so much fun seeing you guys get your assed kicked every single time --" he punctuated the last three words and would have continued had Daniel not interrupted.
"Well maybe not every single time" the younger man corrected, they spoke as though they were just in the commissary, conversing over a cup of coffee in the morning.
"Yeah…there was one time, maybe two…possibly three where they did gain the upper hand" Jack retracted his earlier statement. "We still got away eventually though, so even if we didn't really kick their butts it could still be classed as a win for us."
Daniel seemed to think for a moment before he nodded his agreement "that is true."
"I agree…many times we have 'kicked their butts'" Teal'c quoted "I do believe this may be one of those times" he regarded the Jaffa that had been speaking to them.
"And why do you think that, T?" O'Neill prodded, a cheeky grin on his face.
Teal'c didn't turn his gaze from the Jaffa, but he smirked – just a little bit "perhaps because they are surrounded" he offered. Now that had the desired effect. The Jaffa turned around and were confronted by the members of SG-4 "if this were a game of chess I believe this would be check mate."
The lead Jaffa however was not to be outdone by the Tau'ri and the Shol'va, as he spun around to meet SG-4 he fired his staff weapon wildly, this lasted for no more than three tense seconds before he was shot dead. The remainder of the enemy turned to look at one another after seeing their commander be cut down before them "so what's it going to be?" the Colonel asked them. He question was answered as they too began to fire, evidently not wanting to return to their 'god' with news that they had failed miserably. "How long have they been here?" O'Neill directed his question at the leader of the other team.
"We spotted them a couple of hours ago as they walked though the town, I don't know if they were here for any specific reason though" was the reply.
Behind them a low rumbling sounded as more rocks fell to the ground, dislodged after blasts had hit the rocks and caused them to crumble "Carter?" at O'Neill's questioning look, Daniel and Teal'c turned around to look at the spot where the Major had been standing minutes ago, a soft moan was the reason they found her location "Daniel get us out off here" was the Colonel's order, and the Archaeologist swiftly complied.
*
Thanks goodness for spare keys! Janet was shaky as she got to her feet, and she used the computer table for support as she reached for the phone "get General Hammond to the Infirmary immediately" she spoke in a no nonsense tone. The phone on the other side clattered as it was set back on its cradle, whoever was on the other end of the line had no doubt hurried to do what she asked. A few minutes passed before the door opened, the Doc had unlocked it once she could walk on steady feet. Janet didn't bother with pleasantries "where are SG-1?"
"Off world" the General replied "why? What's going on?"
"Did Major Carter go with them?" Hammond, much to Janet's dismay nodded a yes. "Oh I hope we're not too late" realizing the General had no clue what she meant by that comment she explained "Major Carter came to me just before SG-1 left, remember when I told you that she's been 'living' another version of events when she blackouts? Maybe even when she's been sleeping? Sam has come to the conclusion that this is false, and that the only way to stop this version from continuing is to get rid of all the reasons she's here. She came her and used the Zat to knock me out…she would have fired again but she realised that SG-1 were due to leave so she left" Janet paused to give Hammond time to let the information sink in.
His face had grown graver and more serious as the Doctor had given him the cliff notes version of what had happened "I'll get them back immediately" I just hope we aren't too late he and Janet both made for the door when the sound of the klaxons gave them cause to pause momentarily – this could not be good.
"SG-1 IDC."
General Hammond gave the go ahead to open the Iris and he and the Doctor waited with baited breath to see who would come through the Gate, and in what state. They were early so it couldn't be good news, what they wanted to know was how bad it was. SG-4 rushed down the ramp and met the med team as they waited for injured members, SG-4 were all fine, so was Daniel as he came through and Teal'c also was not hurt in any way. A few seconds before the Iris closed Colonel O'Neill raced through and laid a bleeding and unconscious Major Carter upon the waiting gurney, his hands bleeding, he looked up into the Control Room and watched as Janet rushed towards the Infirmary.
"What happened?" Hammond had ordered Jack to get cleaned up before he came to the Infirmary and so it was Teal'c that answered his question whilst they watched Janet work to save their friend. "There was a rock slide" Teal'c replied.
"Care to elaborate?" when the Jaffa said naught Daniel resumed the short debrief.
Half his attention was in the room and the other half on letting the General know what had occurred on the planet "basically we were attacked by Jaffa. They shot at us, we tried to run back to the Stargate, they stopped us, we talked, SG-4 came, and we fought some more. Evidently a staff blast had cause a small rock slide and Sam was in its path" despite the fact that she had still been hurt, Hammond was relieved it wasn't because Carter had been following out her plan.
"How is she?" his coat was off and hands now washed of blood but the look of obvious worry was still upon O'Neill's face, he moved closer to the bed that Carter had been placed on. He listened as Janet shouted orders, the majority of which he didn't know what it even meant, but as long as it helped he was fine with it.
The Doc stepped back as Sam momentarily regained consciousness, she looked around her distraught at where she was "no…it wasn't supposed to be like this," she whispered before closing her eyes again.
All members of SG-1 looked at Janet for an explanation "she thinks she made this reality up…"
Jack moved past the Doc and laid his hands on the side of the bed "now listen to me Carter…" he didn't know if she could even hear him.
***
Many of the bases personnel were at Daniel's apartment, anything breakable had bee moved out of the way and food and drink had been set out on the tables. The people that were there were the ones who had know Jack in some way, shape or form. The mood was somber but was made lighter by a couple of people telling others about some of O'Neill's antics, it was the wake and everyone had started to get there around half an hour earlier. It was felt strange that on such an awful day it was shining brightly outside, it should be raining so it'd match the sad and miserable mood that everyone was in. It was…hard, being there. SG-1 mingled saying hello to people as they walked through the door and the stupid but most oft question that had been asked so far was "how are you?" It was probably out of politeness more than anything, well that and because nobody else really knew what to say.
Teal'c, Daniel and Sam were in the kitchen. The Jaffa by the door, Archaeologist leaning against the fridge and the Major sitting atop one of the counters, all had a drink in their hand and none of them were speaking. They didn't need to though for there was nothing awkward about the silence, it was more companionable. They had been there for about fifteen minutes longer than all the others; they had helped Daniel prepare everything before the guests had started to arrive. Carter rubbed her temples, had been complaining of a headache since they had arrived at the apartment "I might just head home" she sighed.
"On your own? Are you sure?" Daniel questioned.
"Perhaps it would be better for you to remain a little longer" Teal'c let his thoughts be known.
Carter smiled at the two of them as she walked to the door "guys, I'm grieving, not an invalid." Before she could move further Sam grabbed the door and let out a yell of pain, any noise in the apartment ceased and all eyes were on the kitchen. Janet pushed through the people to get to Carter and see what was wrong "it hurts! I'm bleeding" well, she could feel blood on her stomach but when she moved the shirt away there was nothing there, the Doc gave her a puzzled look. Carter fell back against the door as he legs gave way, and clutched her stomach in pain, Janet didn't need to say anything, Teal'c helped Sam to her feet and they left the apartment for the SGC.
*
"I can't find anything wrong with her!" Janet told a frantic SG-1 "before Sam collapsed she said she felt as though something was pressing against her lungs, that she could feel a rib crack. She said there was blood – and you can see for yourselves that isn't true. I have ran tests, scans and there is absolutely nothing physically wrong with her."
Daniel sat down on one of the beds "you mean this is mental? That Sam is imagining she what? Dying?" realization kicked in "the blackouts…she thinks something happened in the other reality and she's feeling it here? Well, well how do we help her? What do we do?" so many questions that he wanted to ask and he already knew that there were no answers.
As Sam began to wake she could hear a voice, it sounded so close like it was next to her. It was soft and familiar and one Carter didn't think she would hear again for the owner was supposed to dead. "Now listen to me, Carter…you said your mind is making up all this stuff…why would you imagine yourself being hurt, a lot, by a rock slide? Now that just doesn't make sense. This is your home…"
Jack's voice was cut short by Sam as she began to regain consciousness "I saw it…I was hurt off world, it hurts…a lot. I can't be imagining…this…why would my mind create a scenario like this?" he head was hurting and she was so confused. Her mind was scattered and so many thought were travelling through her brain as she tried to answer her own questions "I can't stay here…I'm sorry" it seemed strange to be saying sorry to something that was in her head.
"No Sam, don't let go…you have to stay with us" was the pleading reply that Carter received. She closed her eyes then, a drifted away from this scenario until she woke in another place where she was in a lot of pain, but felt a lot more real than the place where she had killed her leader, friend, and one day maybe something more.
***
"She coming back…" a female voice called across the Infirmary.
Then the sound of footsteps as people ran over "is Major Carter well?" a familiar deep voice asked.
And then "Sam can you hear us? Look, look she's opening her eyes" a happy voice responded.
"Knew you'd be back Carter" on that note Sam opened her eyes and yawned tiredly.
Her gaze met the familiar overhead lights of the Infirmary and after a second or two she looked around at the people in the room, Janet, Teal'c, Daniel and O'Neill all hovered over her with anxious but pleased faces that she was awake, and apparently doing well. "How long have I been here?"
"You've been in and out of consciousness for a week. I found an abnormality in your blood work that wasn't there when I first tested it, you went to a planet to check out a temple…do you remember?" Janet questioned. Carter's neck felt sore as she nodded a confirmation "Colonel O'Neill informed me that you came in contact with what appeared to be a field of corn, it was the last place you had been to before your blackouts so the other members of your team went back there to get some samples."
"Doc she's only just woke up can't you give us the short version" Jack gave a little smirk as Carter shot him a grateful look, her head couldn't deal with it all just yet.
Janet nodded in understanding "got it…to cut a long story short, this 'corn' reacted with the protein marker. Teal'c wasn't affected because he washed his hands as soon as he returned, to get rid of the powder that was left. You came straight here, to the Infirmary, and it was during the debriefing that it was absorbed into your bloodstream. The substance caused your mind to produce hallucinatory images, basically the way you saw it, it was Colonel O'Neill that was affected and your subconscious began to make things up as it went along" she concluded. "I'll come back later to see how you're doing…guys, just a couple of minutes longer, Sam needs to rest" Janet smiled at her reassuringly then moved away from the team.
"The way we figure it, it was when you were in your weakened state that you had the strength to overcome what your mind was making you believe" Daniel added.
"So it was almost dying that helped me live…" now that's something to get your head around.
Daniel and Teal'c began to move away "how is it that whenever we just woke up in here, we can never have visitors see us for too long, because we need to rest…that's what you've been doing in here all week" he wasn't really complaining, it was just one of the kooky things about hospitals.
"I almost didn't come back…I was so sure I'd made all this up…" it was scary that sometimes she couldn't even trust her own mind.
O'Neill sat on the side of the bed "it was bad there for a while Carter, you were lost in your own mind. What brought you back?" he wondered out loud.
Sam smiled and lay her head back down on the pillow then closed her eyes; she heard footsteps as Jack moved away from the bed, evidently he thought she had fallen asleep again. Jack opened the door to leave the Infirmary but paused as she spoke, he grinned as she gave him his answer "someone told me this was home."