General Hammond and SG1 were in the briefing room, listening to Carter present her report on the team's last mission. Sam cut off in mid-sentence as the speakers announced, "Unscheduled off-world activation."

"No one's due back today," said General Hammond. They all made their way down the stairs to the control room.

Sergeant Davis looked up as he noticed their presence. "Receiving SG2's IDC, sir."

"They're two days early," the general frowned. "Open the iris."

The general noticed SG1 hurrying from the control room as he reached for the intercom. "Medical team to the gateroom," he ordered.

Everyone waited tensely for the return of the off-world team. They all knew that the SG2's early return meant that something was wrong.

Sloane and Gutierrez exited the wormhole first, the captain supporting a dazed lieutenant. Both men turned to watch the gate, their expressions grave. A second later, Ferretti stumbled through the gate.

"Medic! We need a medic here NOW!" Ferretti screamed, sinking to the ramp cradling the limp figure in his arms.

"Oh, my god." General Hammond wasn't certain if it was himself or someone else in the room that whispered the prayer.

The person Ferretti was holding bore no resemblance to the vivacious woman they all knew. She was covered in blood and obviously naked under what appeared to be Ferretti's field jacket.

The general noticed that the medical team had arrived. He saw the medics helping Lieutenant Gutierrez onto a stretcher and Janet Fraiser questioning Ferretti as she examined the injured woman. Suddenly Dr. Fraiser jerked her head up and snapped, "We need to get her to the OR, immediately. Call ahead and tell them we're coming."

In a flurry of motion, the medical team whisked the unconscious woman away, leaving a stunned audience behind. The general entered the gateroom to find Ferretti still sitting on the ramp, staring at his bloody hands. A quick glance told him that Sloane hadn't moved either. Hammond touched the major on the shoulder, making the man jump in surprise.

"What happened, Son?" he asked gently.

Ferretti shook his head slowly. "It was bad, sir. Really bad."

I know this one was short - sorry!