A/N: Sorry this took so long. I've just got the Word software that we ordered in September (it only took 5 months!!) so I'm back writing now. I do have a lot of college work to do, however, and I'm sure you understand that this is my top priority. Despite this I will try to post on this story as often as I can. Thanks for you patience.
Colonel Ryu Gaia – Thanks for the review. This story originally started as a slash PWP, before I had the urge to make it into a story with a plot. That's pretty much the only reason that the pairing is Jack/Daniel. And to answer your question: Total Recall was the first name that came into my head while I was being my usual impatient self and wanted to post this story. However it does have a link to the story, which hopefully should become more evident as the story goes on. I haven't actually seen the film myself, and I'm hoping not to get sued for pinching the name :)
Anyway, onward….
A distant buzzing sound broke through Daniel's attempt to sleep and he froze in a sudden rush of paranoia. He stood cautiously and glanced around his immediate surroundings. The sound had gone. He stood, staring at the sky for a moment before the noise began again, and he spotted the source: an object flying directly overhead. A sudden wave of panic that had taken over him before suddenly resurfaced and he broke into a run, covering metre after metre of forest in sheer panic. The sound followed him mercilessly and he took a last glance round over his shoulder before he lost his footing and fell.
*****
"We've found what we think is Doctor Jackson but at present we can't be sure," Hammond informed what now remained of SG-1, "if it is him, he's not moving and may require medical attention. I want you to take Doctor Frasier and cover the area. Good luck."
Nods were exchanged and Sam led the team through to the gate room. Nothing was said; nothing needed to be said. All three knew what was at stake, and they all wanted Daniel back as soon as possible, preferably alive.
*****
Sam was getting sick of the sight of this planet. Nothing ever changed. It was always the same: desolate, abandoned, and very, very green. After spending so long on the same team as Jack O'Neill she began to feel his strange hate for trees creeping though her. She shook it off and focussed on more important matters: Daniel. The UAV had detected what could be him at the bottom of a deep ravine - a position the both Sam and Janet had mixed feelings on - which subconsciously quickened the team's pace in their search.
They arrived at their destination in just over an hour. The scans hadn't quite done justice to the size, or appearance of the ravine. Tangles of thorns and all kinds of flora carpeted the steep sides, leading down to a small stream running gently over rocks and stones. "There!" Teal'c's voice broke through Sam's admiration of the area and she followed his line of sight.
Janet led the way down the side of the ravine, avoiding the thorns and other dangers - as yet unnamed - until they reached a flat platform.
"Daniel?" she shouted. No answer came from the immobile form just metres away from them. Janet reached out and now saw that it clearly was Daniel. His face was grazed and he led in a small puddle of his own dried blood. Sam cringed at what she saw. Teal'c stood in his usual stoic form, but clearly concerned for his team-mate. "Daniel?" Janet tried again, and o her relief, Daniel's eyes flickered open.
Blurred faces filled his vision; three of them. Something inside him was afraid, but the aching that possessed his body at every conceivable part overruled his fear and he concentrated on the kind-sounding female voice that was trying to tell him something: "...move?" he stared up and his vision became slightly sharper, the blur slowly retreating. He stared at the face that had just spoken, willing the sound again. It came; "Daniel! Can you move?"
She gave him a moment to hear, and for his brain to register and interpret the words. Daniel used all the strength he had to force himself to roll over. He jumped slightly as he felt the contact of hands on him, making it easier for him to attempt to stand.
Sam grabbed Daniel's left arm as his legs faltered and he stumbled forward. Janet helped from the right, pulling Daniel up slowly and allowing him to test the strength of his legs.
Daniel used his strength - what little he had - to hold his Balance, as the four of them began the long journey back to the 'gate.
After only a short while, Daniel's legs began to once again buckle beneath him, and the two women fought to keep him upright until the thought of simply dragging Daniel back to Earth was not worth thinking about.
"Teal'c, can you take my place?" Janet asked. Without a word, Teal'c switched places and Janet moved to stand in front of Daniel, holding his head up gently in her hand. His eyes were half closed and the wound on his left temple was beginning to bleed again slightly. "Daniel, open your eyes," she ordered. He blinked softly but made no attempt to comply. Janet raised her voice, "Daniel, open your eyes and keep them open. You can't afford to sleep now!
The sharpness of her voice jolted Daniel and he stared back at her with fear-wide eyes.
"That's better." She smiled briefly at him before looking to Sam and Teal'c. "We have to hurry. He won't stay awake much longer."
*****
Jack sat back in his chair, sighing. His fourth bottle of beer dangled from his right hand – this one almost empty. He sat forward again, unable to relax, and clumsily put down the bottle on the edge of the table to his right. He stood and walked to the window, staring out at nothing in particular. His fists clenched by his sides, fighting back the urge to scream. He gasped suddenly, looking down to his hands and seeing the four crescent-shaped imprints he had forced into each palm. He took a deep breath and tuned his back on the window, staring at the clock; it had been six hours since he had been relieved of duty, and each minute had crawled by. He picked up his bottle again, taking a swig from it and attempting to calm himself down. The almost silent ticking of the clock screamed at him and he turned away, his blood boiling, and hurtled the bottle towards the wall. It hit, shattering into a thousand pieces and staining the carpet below in the stench of alcohol with what had remained in the bottle. Jack turned away and grabbed his jacket, pulling it on as he slammed the front door and made his way to the car. He started the engine up and sped down the road. Horns blared at him as he drove through red traffic lights, and screeches reached his ears several times. He glanced in his mirror each time and sped up.
*****
"Incoming wormhole."
Hammond made his way to the control room. SG-1 or, rather, what was left of it, were due back.
"Receiving SG-1's IDC."
"Open the iris," Hammond ordered. The iris spiraled open in response and he waited, his eyes fixed on the event horizon as one, two, three people emerged, followed by a fourth: Teal'c. Hammond grabbed the microphone, "Doctor Frasier?"
"He's alive," she announced as a medical team arrived. She and Sam lifted Daniel on to the gurney and Janet followed the team to the Infirmary.
Daniel felt the soft cover beneath him and smiled weakly, closing his eyes and ignoring the muffled shouts that seemed to be directed towards him.
