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-six

SG1 minus Teal'c were in the mess hall. The message had been sent to the Tok'ra and now they were waiting for a response, all keeping half an ear open for the sound that would indicate help was on its way. Teal'c had joined them briefly to get something to eat but had been sent for half way through by Dr Fraiser. Clare had become unstable again and Teal'c's presence seemed to be the only thing that was keeping her going until help could arrive.

The moment the sirens sounded, SG1 were on their feet and heading for the control room only to be disappointed when told it was SG3 returning.

'They're not scheduled to return for two days,' Hammond said, expecting the worst. 'Have the medics standing by.'

As the event horizon formed, a solitary figure stumbled through, appearing to be uninjured. The guards in the gate room relaxed slightly, but not completely until they were sure that the returned man did not harbour a goa'uld.

'Sir,' Lieutenant Anderson gasped out. 'The rest of SG3 are being held captive in a village about ten clicks from the gate. I wasn't with them when it happened and by the time I - arrived - I was able to avoid capture.'

'Get yourself checked out by Dr Fraiser. Briefing room one hour.' Hammond ordered.

'With all due respect, sir,' Anderson argued, 'I'm not sure they've got that long. They were putting up three posts with piles of wood around them as I left.' Visions of Makepeace and his men burning at the stake rose in all their minds.

'Very well, get yourself checked out by Dr Fraiser, Anderson. I want SG1 and SG6 to gear up and be ready to go ASAP. Colonel meet me in the infirmary as soon as you're ready.'

'As I said, I wasn't with the rest of the team when the locals arrived and started creating a fuss,' Anderson was sitting on one of the beds in the infirmary while a nurse checked him over.

'Where exactly were you?' Jack asked, sensing that he was holding something back.

Anderson looked extremely uncomfortable, glancing at the nurse examining him, hoping she would come to his rescue. Unfortunately, except for a few minor bumps and bruises the only thing wrong with him was tiredness and that could be put right by a good night's sleep.

'Out with it lieutenant,' Hammond ordered.

'I was - er - I was at the top of the tree they were standing around.'

'And what exactly were you doing there?' Jack spoke frostily.

'It was a…a bet sir. This tree was taller than some of the redwoods we get here and Colonel Makepeace bet me I'd never be able to get to the top.'

'And why would he do that?' Jack's voice was getting dangerously edgy and Anderson figured it was best to get it all out in one go, he knew he was in trouble but he could do without Colonel O'Neill's legendary sarcasm.

'When I saw it I…I said that you could probably see for miles from the top of it and Colonel Makepeace said he'd bet me a hundred dollars that all I'd be able to see was more trees. So I did, and he was right. When I was coming back down, the rest of SG3 were surrounded and some old guy was shouting at them and getting hysterical about something. I don't think Colonel Makepeace could understand him and neither could I. In the end they took the rest of them off and I followed them once I'd gotten down. They were taken to a building on the edge of the village with only one door in. There was someone stood outside all the time, I couldn't get anywhere near it on my own, so I came back.' Anderson finished up, rather lamely. At least he'd got it all out now, he knew he would be reprimanded but at least the rest of his team would get the help they needed.

He was saved from anything further just then by the approach of Dr Fraiser.

'I hope you've got everything you need, gentlemen, because my patient needs his rest now.'

'Daniel?' Jack raised one eyebrow in a question mark. Anderson hadn't noticed Dr Jackson come in and listen to what he was saying.

'It's some help, but I really think until we get there, there isn't much else he can help us with.'

They were making their way to the gate room to join Sam and SG6 when the incoming traveller alert sounded again. Increasing their speed, they reached their destination as the final chevron locked into place and the event horizon formed.

'It's the Tok'ra, sir,' they were informed.

'Open the iris,' Hammond ordered.

They greeted the new arrival, a tall, skinny individual who spoke to them in that arrogant manner typical of the Tok'ra.

'Greetings. My name is Karenin and I am told you have a subject with the contents of the Map of the Worlds in its brain. I have the means with which to extract this information.'

Jack shuddered, he didn't like most Tok'ra, except maybe Jacob, and this one he did not like one bit.

'Hi, I'm Jack O'Neill. I don't know what you've been told, but this 'subject' is a friend of ours. Her name is Clare. And what exactly do you mean by 'extract'?'

'Colonel O'Neill, I have heard of you and your team. Please accept my apologies. My work has me occupied much of the time and I get carried away. I mean I am here to help your friend by removing the excessive information she is holding and which is causing her some problems. Tell me,' he looked around at the faces watching him, 'are her life functions still operating independently or have they begun to shut down?'

'Karenin, I believe the best person to talk to would be Dr Fraiser, if you'd like to follow me to the briefing room I'll send for her.' Hammond replied.

'Please, I believe no time should be wasted. Would it be possible to go directly to where the patient is?'

'Certainly, Colonel?'

Jack escorted Karenin with Daniel, Sam and Hammond following close behind. Hammond ordered SG6 to remain on stand by as they would be departing within the hour.

On arriving at the infirmary, Janet showed them into Clare's room where Teal'c was still with her, the room filled with the light of glowing candles, all helping in the process of keeping her alive.

'Well this looks cosy,' Jack commented.

'I am not sure what you mean by this word 'cosy', Colonel O'Neill, but it is helping Clare Dawson and that is what matters most at this time.' Teal'c informed him gravely.

'Whatever. This is Karenin of the Tok'ra, he's here to help Clare.' Jack looked at Teal'c, receiving a slight nod from the Jaffa that indicated he understood that Jack didn't trust this Tok'ra and to keep an eye on him.

Karenin was talking with Dr Fraiser, firing questions at her to determine Clare's physical symptoms and health, frowning when he heard what Teal'c had been doing.

'What's - what's going on?' Clare became aware of the new arrival, watching him nervously.

'Clare, this is Karenin,' Dr Fraiser introduced him. 'He's from the Tok'ra and he's going to help you.'

'General Hammond,' Karenin turned to Hammond abruptly. 'I've learned all I can here and there is no time to lose. I must take her back with me to my own medical facility, you do not have what I need here, I'm afraid it is all too primitive.' Jack winced, why did they always have to say that - what was wrong with 'less advanced' for crying out loud?

'We found this. Clare seemed to think it would be needed.' Sam offered the device Clare had found.

'Excellent,' Karenin exclaimed. 'With this my job will be much simpler but there is no time to lose. We must leave at once.'

'General, I'm going with her, she needs someone who knows her. I also think it would be a good idea for Teal'c to come along - I'm not sure how long she'd be able to last without his help.' Dr Fraiser looked to Hammond for approval.

'Very well.' Hammond authorised, standing back to allow the medics to make the necessary preparations.

Wasting no more time, Dr Fraiser had her nurses unhook Clare from the monitors and moving her toward the gate room. Once there, the co-ordinates for the Tok'ra base were dialled and Teal'c picked Clare up, following Karenin through the gate with Dr Fraiser beside him.

On the other side Karenin appeared to be full of nervous energy, guiding them towards a ship that had come to rest on the ground just behind the gate.

'What's going on?' Dr Fraiser asked, her eyes full of doubt.

'My facility is not on this planet. Where we go does not have a gate so we must travel another way. Please, we must hurry.' Karenin rushed them towards his vessel, appearing to be more agitated than the circumstances warranted. Seeing them hesitating before stepping on board, he urged them on. 'Time is running out, if we do not leave immediately it could be too late.'

Clare's breathing was becoming more laboured and she seemed to be struggling to catch her breath. This decided them and they hurried forward, placing Clare on to a waiting stretcher where Teal'c resumed meditating with her while Dr Fraiser monitored her as her condition stabilised once more.

Shortly after the ship left orbit Karenin returned to the room where he had left them in the care of two of his staff, self-effacing people who seemed to float in the background as if unsure of what they were supposed to do. Attempts to engage them in conversation got them nowhere and eventually Dr Fraiser and Teal'c focussed only on Clare.

'How are you doing?' Dr Fraiser asked softly as she saw Clare's eyes flickering. It was amazing really, and completely unexpected in the circumstances, that there should be any signs of consciousness or awareness in view of her condition.

'Hurts. Can't see properly. Can't think. Teal'c?' Teal'c had moved to one side to allow Dr Fraiser and Clare some patient-doctor privacy.

'He's just over there,' Janet informed her. 'Karenin is taking us to his medical facility where he'll be able to help you.'

A look crossed Clare's face as her eyes fell on the Tok'ra who stood near by. Dr Fraiser couldn't quite interpret the look and assumed she was tired and in pain.

'It's ok, you're going to be fine, just close your eyes and try to get some rest. Teal'c.'

Teal'c returned to his station beside Clare, taking her hand in one of his, placing the palm of the other on her forehead and resumed the mantra he had used with her. Janet saw her relax once more and turned to Karenin.

'How long will it take to reach your facility? I don't know how much longer she can keep going.' Dr Fraiser looked at him anxiously, not wanting the reassuring words she had spoken to Clare to become a lie.

'It will take another two hours. If her condition deteriorates I have the ability to begin the process here, but only as a last resort. Perhaps you would care to make use of our facilities while you wait?'

Janet, glancing at Clare and feeling she could do no more for the time being, allowed herself to be led away by one of Karenin's staff. Teal'c looked up as she left, nodding his head in acknowledgement as she smiled uncertainly at him.

Twenty minutes later Teal'c's attention was caught by someone tapping him on the shoulder insistently. Slightly irritated, he turned towards the man standing at his side.

'Yes?' He demanded.

'Dr Fraiser has asked if she can see you for a moment.' He was told.

'Clare Dawson, Dr Fraiser requires me for a short time. I will return soon. Remember, focus on the memory of my voice while I am gone, remember to focus on taking one breath at a time. Remember to focus on the life force in your body. Remember my voice and all that I have taught you. You will be strong until I return.' Seeing Clare tense slightly when he mentioned being away from her, she relaxed again as she focussed as he had taught her and he left the room in search of Dr Fraiser.

'Where are we going? Where is Dr Fraiser?' Teal'c questioned his escort.

'Just through here.' The escort stood to one side to allow Teal'c to pass him and enter the room. Teal'c glanced around in suspicion as he saw the doctor lying on the floor unconscious. Spinning around, he was not quick enough to avoid the flare of blue light as a zat gun was fired at him, causing him to fall to the ground beside Dr Fraiser.