Disclaimer: Let's see...nope! Still not mine. Maybe I'll put in on my Christmas list...

A/N: And now for the exciting conclusion...

Chapter 5

I arrived in South America yesterday. But I haven't gone to the excavation site yet. I found out from my escort that Claire is sick. I insisted on being taken to the hospital where she is staying.

So far, she has remained unconcious. I have been her only visitor – her father, according to the doctors, has not been to visit. I hold her hand in mine and tell her all the things that I haven't been able to put in my letters.

The doctors aren't sure if she will survive – they say it is up to Claire now. My heart holds out hope that she will wake up. She has to wake up. I love her.

I will tell her I love her until she hears me and wakes up.

--From the journal of Dr. Melbourne Jackson

The next morning, Jack walked into the infirmary to find Daniel asleep – his arms resting on the edge of the bed, his head on his arms. He was precariously balanced on the edge of the chair. If it slid back just another inch...

A mischievous impulse had Jack reaching for the back of the chair to pull it back. With a sigh, he elected to give it a shove forward. Startled awake by the sudden movement, Daniel's head snapped up, eyes blinking.

"Jack?"

"Hey." Jack's eyes fell on the woman unconscious on the bed. "How is she?"

Daniel sighed. "Janet says she's in a coma." Pain filled his eyes.

Jack's heart went out to his friend. Just when they thought he'd found happiness again it looked like it might be snatched from him.

"Come on," Jack said, gently. "Hammond wants us in the briefing room. I'll buy you a cup of coffee," Jack offered when Daniel seemed to hesitate.

Janet came out of her office, a stack of notes and reports held in her arms. She walked over to where Daniel was just standing. "Nurse Evans will notify me if there's any change," she said.

Daniel yawned and stretched. "I need to stop by my office," he said. "I'll meet you in the briefing room."

Fifteen minutes later Hammond entered the briefing room and saw SG-1 and Janet Fraiser seated around the table. He tried to read their expressions. Doctor Fraiser looked troubled, but that was normal when there was a critical-care patient in her infirmary. Colonel O'Neill, Major Carter and Teal'c seemed pleased with the results of their mission and Doctor Jackson looked exhausted.

"I've received a communiqué from the Vedrans," Hammond said. "They are anxious to have their property and their archeologist returned to them. They insist that Eve must pay for her crimes."

"Dammit!" Daniel growled. Before he could continue, Jack jumped in.

"General," he said. "It was a combat situation. Eve did what she had to do to resolve the situation. They want to try her for murder. From what I know of their politics, she'll be found guilty."

Hammond considered Jack's statement then turned to Major Carter. "What have you found out about the crystals?"

"Separately, they emit a low level of energy. When put together, they draw energy from whatever is connected to them. In the lab, it's equipment. If a person is holding them, they would draw energy from the person. Once its reached capacity, the energy is discharged in the form of an energy blast – similar to a staff weapon, but it goes through a Goa'uld shield."

"Can you duplicate it?" Hammond asked.

"No, Sir. This technology is way beyond us. In fact, it's way beyond the Vedrans." Sam replied.

"Doctor?"

"Based on Sam's information, I can only guess that using the crystals drained Eve of all her energy – kind of like using up a battery. She just needs time to recharge."

"How long?" Hammond wanted to know how much longer he'd have to stall the Vedrans.

"I don't know for sure, Sir. A day or two, at least." Janet said.

"General," Daniel spoke up.

"Yes Doctor?"

"When we were working together, Eve explained that Vedrans hold murder as the worst possible crime a person can commit. Even the accidental taking of a life is considered murder. Partly, this is due to the high death rate because of the lack of medical skills. But it's also because the original Vedrans – the ones that imprisoned Nuit – had the same moral standard and they passed it on to the humans they befriended.

"If Eve goes back to Vedra, she faces the death penalty. Even though she was stopping a Goa'uld, she'll still be executed."

"Strange punishment for a society that is so against killing," Jack commented.

Daniel shrugged. "We've seen stranger." Daniel looked at the General again. "Sir, I don't think we should send her back. She could be a valuable asset to the SGC. She's an excellent archeologist."

"I'll consider it," Hammond said. "In the meantime, I need to go see if I can't persuade the Chancellor to keep trade negotiations open for the time being. Dismissed."

Daniel followed Janet to the infirmary. In the elevator, Janet placed a concerned hand on Daniel's arm. "Daniel, you need to rest."

"I know," he frowned.

"Trust me," Janet said. "I'll page you if there's any change. Okay?"

"Okay," Daniel agreed.

Twelve hours later, Daniel woke up. He was sprawled across the bed in his quarters, his BDU's were rumpled from having been slept in. He showered and changed, swinging by the commissary for a cup of coffee before he went to the infirmary.

"There's been no change," Janet explained. "This is good, though," the doctor explained. "Her vitals have remained constant so we know that she's not getting worse."

"Thanks," Daniel said as he took a seat by Eve's bed. He remained there, slowly stroking her hand until he was paged to the briefing room.

"It seems that the Vedrans are more in need of our medical technology than they are of pursuing justice. They've agreed to maintain a trade relationship with us on two conditions," Hammond said, once he and SG-1 were settled around the table in the briefing room. "Conditions, which I have agreed to."

"And those conditions are," Jack prompted.

"We return the crystals, immediately. And Eve is not allowed to return to Vedra."

"Sounds fair to me," Jack said.

"That's what I thought. Major Carter, please have the crystals ready to be returned within the hour. Dismissed," Hammond stood. "Doctor Jackson, may I have a word with you, in my office?"

Daniel looked nervously at Jack who just shrugged. "Of course, General," Daniel answered.

Once the door was closed and both men were seated, Hammond began. "Colonel O'Neill briefed me on some of the more personal details of the mission." When Daniel opened his mouth to speak, Hammond held up a hand. "Now, they haven't been included in the official report, but I expect you to maintain the highest level of professionalism as long as you are on this base."

Daniel sat in silence. "As soon as she is cleared and the Air Force has set up her identity, Eve will be allowed to leave the base. She'll need to be taught about Earth's society and economy. Will you be able to do that?"

The implications of what General Hammond was saying finally hit Daniel. Eve was staying and she wouldn't be confined to base! "Yes, Sir," Daniel agreed.

"Good. Now, go give the young lady some good news. From what I've heard, she's going to need it."

"Thank you!" Daniel jumped out of the chair and out of the office.

In the infirmary, Janet greeted Daniel with a smile. "She's awake," Janet informed him.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Daniel gave Janet a quick hug. "Thank you," he said.

"Daniel," Eve croaked when she saw him approaching.

"I'm here," he whispered, taking her hand.

"I have to go back," she said, struggling to sit up.

"No, you don't," Daniel assured her. "You can stay here."

"But I took his life, I couldn't control it and Virgil is dead," Eve tried to explain. Tears began streaming down her face.

"You did what you had to do. You saved your entire world," Daniel tried to comfort her.

"And now I can never go back," Eve said. "Because they'll execute me for murder."

"I'm sorry, Eve, I really am," Daniel said. Then he leaned forward so that his face was inches from Eve's. "But I can't say I'm sorry that you're here." He smiled and was rewarded when Eve returned his sentiments with a soft kiss to his lips.

Epilogue

Claire woke up today. The first words she spoke after opening her eyes were, "I love you too, Mel."

Now I know I'm in love.

A/N: I know, I know...it's cheesy. But what can I say? I like a happy ending. I already have more 'episodes' in mind; so, unless the review box catches on fire from all the flames I'll have to write them. Stay tuned...