DISCLAIMER: The characters mentioned in this story are the property of Showtime and Gekko Film Corp. The Stargate, SG-1, the goa'uld and all other characters who have appeared in the series STARGATE SG-1 together with the names, titles and backstory are the sole copyright property of the people who made them up. This fanfic is not intended as an infringement upon those rights and solely meant for entertainment. All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author.

A Snake In The Hand Is Worth Two In The Bush

Part twenty-five

Jack had to try just about every location in the house before he managed to get a signal on his cell phone, eventually succeeding by standing at the bottom of the steps leading up to the cabin. Even then it seemed to take forever to track down Dr Fraiser, reaching Cassie first of all who informed him that her mom was working late and wanted to chat with Jack. Jack, speaking as gently as he could, praised whichever gods were out there that she was brighter than your average teenager as she recognised the urgency in his voice. When he got through to the SGC infirmary, one of the nurses had to fetch Dr Fraiser from the mess hall where she had been on a break and at last he managed to speak to her, putting the time it had taken him to get hold of her to good use by thinking of the quickest way to let her know the situation and Dr Fraiser was halfway out of the infirmary before he'd finished speaking.

He made his way back into the cabin and back to the room where Clare was being watched over by Sam.

'Any luck, sir?' Sam asked quietly.

'Yeah, it took me a while to get hold of her but she's on her way now, should be here within an hour. Any change?'

'She seems a little more restless now, I think she may wake up any time.'

They sat quietly for another few minutes, waiting for her to waken. Her eyes opened slowly, trying to focus on the two faces watching her.

'What's happening to me?' Clare whispered, her voice full of confusion. 'My head hurts. What's wrong with me?'

'Sshh,' Sam soothed, 'Take it easy. We don't know what's going on, but Dr Fraiser is on her way and should be here soon.'

She turned as she saw a movement in the door.

'Perhaps I may be of assistance,' Teal'c offered.

'How?' Jack asked sceptically. 'Have you suddenly become a doctor while we've been up here?'

'I have not.' Teal'c responded evenly. 'However, I believe that if Clare Dawson were able to focus her mind and participate in kel'noreem, she may find it beneficial until Dr Fraiser arrives.'

'It's worth a shot, sir, back in the car when we kept her mind on other things there seemed to be an improvement.'

'Ok, Teal'c, over to you.'

A short time later, the room was filled with the soft glow of candlelight, Teal'c sat cross-legged on the floor immediately next to the bed, holding one of Clare's hands.

'Close your eyes,' he instructed. 'Focus on your breathing. Breathe in, and out. In and out. Relax your muscles. Breathe in and out. In an out. In and out. Feel the life flowing through your body. Breathe in and out. In and out.' He continued in this way, focussing Clare's thoughts on controlling her breathing, keeping her mind away from those dangerous thoughts, helping her to concentrate on helping herself.

Sam took her pulse, feeling it more steady now but still pretty weak, her breathing a little stronger and regular. The look of pain in her face had eased and she seemed to be relaxed.

Teal'c's voice became quieter, his instructions becoming infrequent, until at last he stopped, the two them focussing, meditating and healing.

Jack left them to it when he heard sounds coming from outside, racing down the stairs as soon as he had left the bedroom. He opened the door cautiously then flung it wide when he recognised Dr Fraiser and SG2 who had accompanied her with the medical transport.

'Thought you could use the moral support,' Ferretti grinned at him.

'Where's my patient, Colonel?' Janet interrupted abruptly, 'I don't want to waste any time.'

Jack led the way upstairs where Janet cast a suspicious look at the candles.

'I know how it looks, Janet, but it really seems to be helping,' Sam informed her. As Dr Fraiser ushered Teal'c out of the way and was examining Clare, Sam brought her up to speed on what had happened. 'She was injected with something around eighteen hours ago. Since then she's been in a daze and talking non-stop. To begin with it was just normal, everyday matters, then she started trying to recall some of the information she's got stored in her brain. She was ok with Qu'ilar's memories, but as she tried to recall the information from the orb she became confused, forgetful and seemed to be in pain. After that she became lethargic, then she collapsed. Since Teal'c's been doing this her pulse has steadied and her breathing's become easier.'

'Well, she seems to be stable at the moment,' Janet said at the conclusion of her examination, 'but she's getting weaker and I want to get her to the infirmary without any delay. I need to monitor her and carry out some tests, but it's not looking good.'

'What on earth?' Jack exclaimed from his position outside the room. 'For crying out loud, these guys must have the worst timing.'

Six men in dark suits had forced their way in through the front door, Major Ferretti and his team were unsuccessfully trying to hold them back.

'Ok, ok, let them up,' Jack sighed. 'Can I do something for you gentlemen?' As he spoke, he blocked their access to the room behind him.

'Colonel O'Neill, I presume?' One of them spoke up. 'Please stand aside or my men will use force.'

At that moment the door was opened abruptly and they were faced with a very angry Dr Fraiser. 'I don't care what disagreements you gentlemen have but I am going to take my patient to my infirmary so I can save her life. Now, out of my way.'

'Dr Fraiser, we have papers giving us authority to take Clare Dawson into custody. Please stand aside.'

'I don't care. At the moment we have one very sick woman here. If she doesn't get medical treatment immediately she will die. Is that clear enough for you? MOVE!' It was surprising how much force could come from that petite figure and the men blocking her way allowed her a path through.

'Teal'c, you're with me, you seem to be of some assistance. The rest of you can follow.'

Teal'c picked up Clare and carried her carefully to the waiting ambulance, Dr Fraiser climbing in after them. Major Ferretti detailed one of his men to drive them back, the rest of them dividing themselves between Jack and Daniel's cars. They set off, an entourage of one medical transport, two cars carrying SG members and two holding NID men in close pursuit.

Half an hour into the journey Clare's vital signs dropped dangerously low.

'We're losing her,' Janet cried, pulling out the defibrillator, ready to charge.

'Dr Fraiser, there is no need,' Teal'c replied calmly as he moved towards Clare, placed one hand on her forehead, the other holding her hand. 'Clare Dawson, focus on the sound of my voice. Remember. Breathe in and out. Remember. Feel the life flowing through your body. Remember. Remember. Focus.' As his voice repeated these words, Janet breathed a sigh of relief as Clare's pulse steadied and her breathing became stronger, although still well below acceptable levels.

'I don't know what you did,' Janet thanked Teal'c, 'but well done.'

SG1 and the NID representatives were arguing heatedly around the table in the briefing room. They were still arguing when General Hammond walked in.

'Enough!' He snapped. 'As far as I am concerned, the NID have no authority in this matter and any and all attempts by yourselves to gain control of Clare Dawson are illegal and unauthorised. I have been on the phone to the President and have discovered that Colonel Simmons' interpretation of his orders were somewhat biased and unless she chooses to come with you on a voluntary basis then she will remain here. I suggest you leave now before I have you arrested. Is that understood? Airman!'

Hammond summoned a couple of SF's. 'Please escort our 'guests' off the base. Thank you.'

There was silence for a few moments before Hammond spoke again.

'Any progress?' He asked, turning to the door as he heard an unexpected voice responding.

'We nearly lost her a couple of times,' Dr Fraiser walked up to the table and sat down, thrusting her fingers through her short hair. 'The first time, in the ambulance, Teal'c somehow managed to bring her back. This time, we did the hard work, but Clare seems dependent on Teal'c to help herself. I have no idea how, but she is getting strength from him and it is keeping her going. I haven't had time to carry out any tests yet, but from what I've seen so far I'm surprised she's still alive. I'm willing to accept any help I can to keep her that way.'

'Teal'c is staying with her,' Janet continued. 'When he tried to leave, her breathing and pulse became erratic so he's going to keep on doing whatever it is that's keeping her alive. Her heart and lungs are struggling to keep going, her brain is trying to shut down her autonomic nervous system and her brain patterns are extremely erratic.'

'What exactly does this mean?' Hammond asked the question they all wanted the answer to.

'Well, General, I know what's happening at the moment and what is likely to happen soon but there is nothing I can do. I don't know what to do and I can't help her.' Dr Fraiser sounded frustrated and upset, to lose any patient was difficult, to lose them to something you couldn't even begin to fight was even worse.

'What about the device she found in the woods?' Sam asked, suddenly remembering it.

'What device?' Jack looked up, his eyes full of caution.

'Clare told us that it was intended to be used to download the information from what she called the Map of the Worlds…'

'That paperweight?'

'Uh, yes, sir,' Sam hid a grin. 'It was for downloading the information held in her brain from the light show it emitted, his associate was the one working on it. Unfortunately, I have no idea how it works, but I know someone who can probably help us.'

Jack grimaced, he had a feeling he knew what was coming.

'I think we need to contact the Tok'ra.' Yup, he was right and he had a bad feeling about this. Nothing good ever came from their dealings with the Tok'ra. 'They have the technology and knowledge to be able to make use of this device, and we need to act quickly.'

'I agree, sir,' Janet added. 'I cannot help her any further and I don't know how long Teal'c can sustain her. If we don't act soon…' she left the rest of the sentence unfinished. They all knew what would happen if help did not arrive soon.

'Dial them up, Major,' General Hammond authorised.