Take a Chance on Me – Chapter 29
Dr. Frasier took a deep breath and stepped into the waiting room just as Sam and her father entered from the other door. She looked at Sam, who nodded to her to go ahead with her news.
"Colonel, Lieutenant." She drew a deep breath. "When we got to Rayne she had already fallen into a severe state of shock caused by a sudden drop in her blood pressure. Her heart stopped beating momentarily, but we were able get it back." John sunk into a chair but stared expectantly. Jack's jaw clenched and his hands curled into fists. Jonas stood next to him looking vaguely lost. Janet continued. "I'm worried that the decreased blood flow cut off oxygen to her brain – there's no way to know yet if the damage is permanent. I'm afraid that she's currently in a coma." Janet swallowed hard and drew herself up. "Her chances of waking up at this point are very low."
John's head fell into his hands and he dug the heels of his hands into his eyes. Jonas continued to stand, but clutched the doorframe, a stricken look crossing his features.
Jack turned around brusquely. "Jacob?" He asked, a slight note of panic creeping into his voice.
Selmac answered, voice vibrating eerily, "We will do what we can. Samantha informed us of the situation."
John's eyes grew wide and his knuckles turned white as he clutched the armrests of his chair. He began inhaling small puffs of air as he fought for control. Jack gripped his arm at the same moment that Sam pulled out a zat and took aim.
Through clenched teeth John gasped out, "Just give me a minute."
"What's going on?" Jacob demanded as he observed what was going on.
As John's breathing began to even out, Jack explained, "He's a snakehead, too. Same species, different vintage." He loosened his grip minutely as he felt his nephew relax but turned to his 2IC, "Keep it on him." He nodded toward the weapon in her hand.
"So, you're Goa'uld." John stated through clenched teeth.
"We are Tok'ra." Selmac answered patiently.
"Yeah, we can discuss ideologies later." Jack interrupted. "What are you going to do about Rayne?"
Jacob turned back to Jack. "I can try your healing device, however, you should know that damage to the brain is very difficult to repair. It's possible that I could end up doing more damage."
"Do it." Jack ordered.
Looking back and forth between the two men, like a cat watching a ping pong game, John protested, "What, just like that? No other options? What about a new symbiote? What about a sarcophagus?"
"Well, those just aren't options available to us." Jack replied snidely. "We don't have a sarcophagus and even if they did, they tend to make people GO NUTS! As for the other, you can just forget about it. We are not putting another snake in her head."
John gaped at him before his face contorted to anger. "And who are you to decide what's best for my sister. If you hadn't been so revved up about removing the symbiote in the first place none of this would be happening. I want another symbiote."
During the course of their tirade, both men had jumped to their feet and were now standing nose to nose, fuming.
Jack's voice took on a cool, dangerous quality. "This is not up for debate. You have no idea if there even is another snake available. And even if there were, I will not put my niece through it. She will not become a slave trapped in her own mind. There aren't any more symbiotes like yours and the other kind can't be controlled. It. Will. Not. Happen."
John's eyes narrowed. "If there aren't any more symbiotes like mine, how is it that there's one standing here? What did you call him, a Tok'ra? He seems to be handling things just fine. Besides, the point is moot. I am her closest relative; it's my decision. Not yours." He turned on his heel to look at Jacob. "Can you get another symbiote?"
Jacob nodded slowly just as Jack pulled his nephew back to face him. The colonel's face was pale with anger, but he spoke slowly and deliberately, "You are under the influence of an alien entity. You are not capable of making medical decisions. We are going to try the healing device now."
John's mouth opened to argue, but Jack quickly interrupted. "Ah ah, no. Not another word. If it doesn't work, I will consider..." He shuddered, "Our other options. In the mean time, you will behave, or you will return to your room under heavy guard. Is that understood?"
John glared heavily at his uncle but gave him a nod of compliance. Without breaking eye contact with his nephew, Jack asked, "Jacob, you ready?"
"Yes, Jack. I have the device."
"Let's go then." Jack turned and led the way into the recovery room, allowing the others to silently follow in his wake.
Jacob held the glowing healing device over Rayne's prone form. It was going on twenty minutes and trickles of sweat were beginning to roll down his face. His brow wrinkled in concentration. Finally he lowered his hands and the device stopped glowing. He dropped his hands to his sides and bowed his head in exhaustion.
A tone of carefully controlled fear crept into Jack's voice, "Jacob?"
Jacob lifted his head up to look Jack in the eye. "I'm sorry, Jack."
Jack bit the inside of his cheek and clenched and unclenched his fists. He stared at Jacob a moment, then gave him a brief nod of acknowledgement before turning his back on everyone.
John touched Jacob's arm lightly to gain his attention. "And the, um, other option?" He asked quietly.
Jack drew himself up, clenched his fists one more time and turned back to Jacob. "If she doesn't want it, you can find a new..." He spat out the final word, "host?"
Jacob thought for a moment, choosing his words carefully, "Much of it depends upon the extent of the damage, but we'll do what we can."
John looked between the men expectantly. Jack's jaw tightened as he ground out a tense nod. "Do it."
