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 thirty-two

Jack was never so glad to be following his team back through the 'gate and down the ramp at the other side where they were greeted as usual by General Hammond.

'Anything to report, Colonel?' Hammond asked.

'Well, Daniel made himself Mr Popular by helping the geeks over there get started on their translation.' Jack ignored the glares Daniel was aiming in his direction. 'Jacob says they'll let us know when they've been able to find anything useful, but I'm not holding my breath. Carter played with some Tok'ra doohickeys and claims she can use the information here. So half the team managed to get something out of this little visit. Now, if you don't mind I'm heading for the locker room to get a real shower. You'd have thought a race as advanced as the Tok'ra would be able to come up with something a little better than that barely dribbling pipe they call a shower.'

Jack barely paused for Hammond to give a nod of dismissal before leaving the room, responding to Hammond's 'Full briefing at 09.00 tomorrow, Colonel,' with a wave of his hand, not slowing down his departure for anyone.

Twenty minutes later, feeling properly clean at last and dressed in his own clothes, Jack exited the locker room to find Sam waiting outside.

'I thought you'd already showered?' Jack asked in surprise.

'I did, sir,' Sam said, 'Janet asked to see us before we left, Daniel and Teal'c are already there.'

'I thought we didn't have to have a check up this time,' Jack grumbled as he walked with Sam to the infirmary. He may hate being in the infirmary for treatment or medicals but he knew better than to get on the wrong side of Dr Fraiser.

'You made it then - thought maybe you'd gone down the plughole,' Daniel greeted Jack.

'What's going on?' Jack asked, suspicion in his voice.

'It's ok, Colonel,' Dr Fraiser reassured him, 'We were just waiting for you to arrive before I brought you up to date on Clare.'

'What about her - what's happened?' Jack knew she'd been acting strangely since the information had been downloaded from her brain and wondered what had gone wrong now.

'Nothing has happened. The tests we carried out after you left a couple of days ago came back clear. As she was no longer a security threat and was physically fit, General Hammond agreed with me that it would be beneficial for Clare to spend some time at home to help her adjust to what she's gone through. She went home this morning and I've arranged for someone to collect her tomorrow.' Before anyone else could speak, Janet continued in that tone of voice that was almost impossible to argue with.

'I know you're all concerned about her, and so am I, but she has been through a lot in the time since she got involved with all of this and she needs some space in familiar surroundings, ON HER OWN,' Janet's voice seemed to spell the words out in capital letters, 'to help her acclimatise. I want her left alone.' Jack, Sam and Daniel all opened their mouths to protest, even Teal'c looked like he wanted to say something but Janet halted their protests. 'Clare will need your support and help after she returns tomorrow, but as I said before, this time on her own is an important part of the healing process. You can see her tomorrow, not before. Understood?'

SG1 were in the mess hall eating lunch the next day when Janet tracked them down.

'I've just had a call from the driver who went to pick Clare up. She's not answering the door or picking up the phone, I don't want someone she doesn't know barging in on her and I've got my hands full at the moment,' she explained.

'What about the neighbours?' Sam asked, knowing how protective they were of Clare.

'The driver said he tried them and didn't get an answer there either.'

'Well I guess we better go check it out then,' Jack said calmly as he pushed his chair back and stood up, the others following his lead. 'Carter, you're with me, Daniel and Teal'c you better stay here, I know you've both got things scheduled this afternoon.'

'But…' Daniel tried to protest but was interrupted by Jack before he could say anything more.

'We can handle it,' Jack told him calmly. 'Go translate or whatever it is you're supposed to be doing. We'll let you know as soon as we've got anything.'

'Thanks Colonel,' Janet smiled at him in relief. 'I have to get back - I've got SG8 in the infirmary with some kind of allergic reaction.'

Taking only the time to change into civilian clothes and report their activities to General Hammond, Jack and Sam were soon in Jack's car and on their way. As they drew up in front of Clare's house they were surprised at the lack of activity from next door in spite of what the airman had reported. Each time they had been there before, either Mr or Mrs Wilson had come out to speak to them, normally with some warning to make sure they took proper care of Clare. If the neighbours were away, Clare could be in trouble with no-one around to keep an eye on her.

Signalling to the airman to wait by his own car, Jack rang the bell before hammering loudly on the door when there was no reply.

'The curtains are all closed and I can't see any lights on,' Sam reported as she glanced at the windows.

'Something's wrong. It's the middle of the afternoon. I'll just see if I can get us in…' Jack delved into his pockets for something he could use to pick the lock.

'There's no need for that, sir, I've still got the key Clare gave me when I was staying with her.'

'Then what are you waiting for?'

They entered the house cautiously, scanning for any signs of movement or sound but could detect none. Searching the downstairs rooms first they found nothing except a bad smell coming from the counter in the kitchen where a carton of milk left out had gone bad, noting that the house was uncomfortably warm. Silently they moved up the stairs, eyes searching the gloom ahead of them. They took each room in turn, revealing nothing until there was only one more room to go.

Jack pushed the door open and looked in, then snapped on the light and moved over to the bed, Sam following closely behind him.

Clare was curled up tightly in the quilt and was shivering in spite of the heat in the room. Her face was flushed and when Sam checked her pulse and felt her forehead found her skin to be clammy while her forehead radiated an uncomfortable warmth, indicating a very high temperature. At Sam's touch, Clare started to mumble.

'…help the children…not their fault…innocent…haven't done anything wrong…not fair…can't do that to children…'

'Clare, wake up. I want you to open your eyes for me,' Sam spoke firmly and loudly, trying to rouse Clare from the fevered sleep. Clare's eyes flickered open, picking out first Sam, then Jack standing in the room with her. A glint of fear came into her eyes as she failed to recognise them at first, then as Sam spoke again she relaxed a little. 'Clare, do you know who we are?'

'Sam…Jack…' Clare's voice was dry and cracked but more recognisable now. Jack had made himself useful while Sam had been checking Clare, returning from the adjoining bathroom with a glass of water, helping Clare sit up to take a few sips. He'd also called Dr Fraiser and informed her of Clare's condition.

'Can you remember what happened since leaving the SGC?' Sam asked.

'Got home. Was tired…cold. Came upstairs. Fell asleep. Couple of hours ago - thought you'd be away longer.' Clare spoke haltingly, pausing to take frequent sips of water and trying to focus her thoughts.

'Clare, we were away three days. You've been here since yesterday morning.' Clare gazed at Jack, not really comprehending what he was saying. 'Well, I guess that's not important right now. We need to get you back to the infirmary.' Clare nodded her understanding and managed to get herself into a sitting position, insisting she was well enough to get herself out to Jack's car she managed to get to her feet with assistance from Sam, only for her legs to give way and she found herself sitting on the bed again.

'Whoops, I'll just try again,' Clare was absorbed in her efforts at trying to stand, determined to make it out on her own two feet and was taken by surprise when she found herself wrapped up in a blanket and lifted into Jack's arms. Clare initially struggled in protest but at a sharp retort from Jack to keep still if she didn't want to end up on the floor, she relaxed and rested her aching head comfortably against his shoulder.

As soon as they were settled in his car, Jack drove off as fast as he could. Within moments of the car moving off Jack realised that Clare had either fallen asleep or passed out.

Jack had stopped at a red light and heard Clare muttering again.

'She did this when we travelled back from your cabin, sir,' Sam informed him. 'She'd sleep in the car and every time we stopped she'd wake up. What's she saying?'

'If you'd stop talking I might be able to hear,' Jack said a little testily.

'The children are in danger.' The words came out clearly and loudly, not mumbled like the rest of it. 'They were safe as long as he was alive. Now they are vulnerable. They're going to make them slaves.'

Jack and Sam glanced at each other, concern in their eyes. Something didn't add up here and the sooner they were back at the infirmary the better. Just then the lights changed and Jack put his foot down and speeded back to the mountain.