RUSH

Jeremiah Kendrick sat in the RV with surveillance equipment trained
on the entrance to Cheyenne Mountain.

So far he'd watched Jack O'Neill leave, albeit a little worse for
wear, then three hours later, a blond he assumed to be the "love" of
Jack's life, along with a geeky looking guy with glasses and a tall
black man left in rather a hurry.

Add to that a bunch of medical types departing two hours later and
Kendrick had himself a little soap opera.

Kendrick set the cameras to auto and left the RV, walking over to
O'Malley's Bar and Grill where he wandered in, seated himself at the
bar and ordered a beer.

A woman sat down beside him.

Kendrick smiled at her, "Hi!" he said, smoothly.

She looked at him and smiled slightly. "Hi." She turned and ordered a
drink.

"Let me get that," Kendrick said, removing his wallet, stuffed full
of notes he'd taken from Jack O'Neill's wallet the night before.

The woman saw the amount he had and immediately took more of an
interest in him.

Kendrick was not stupid enough to take any credit cards, but cash was
fine. Not that Jack would be in any state to notice.

Either way, the woman's attention was on him.

The bartender brought the drinks over, "That'll be $8.," he said.
Kendrick nodded and drew out a $20 bill, "Keep the change."

The bartender looked impressed, "Uh, thank you!" and quickly moved
away before Kendrick had chance to change his mind.

Security was all out as the unmarked ambulance raced through the
gates of Cheyenne Mountain.

As it came to a halt, medics swarmed around it, aiding the doctor and
nurses that were inside.

Sam watched as they took Jack, hastily wiping away tear tracks as she
got out of the van.

General Hammond was waiting. This was one of the worst parts of the
job, seeing officers injured or in danger. He moved towards Sam as
she stood silently sobbing. Hammond's role moved from CO to a more
fatherly attitude as he touched Sam's shoulder; "Come on inside,
Major." he said quietly.

Sam cast one last look at Jack, and then followed the General inside.

Daniel and Teal'c arrived a good half an hour later. By then, Jack
was in the Infirmary, Sam sat at his bedside, willing him to somehow,
miraculously get better.

General Hammond took Dr Fraiser to one side, "What's going on?" he
asked.
"It's a lot more than just a hangover as we assumed last night," the
doctor told him. "His condition was stable for a time, but it seems
to be deteriorating again. He's been suffering from everything from
fever to fits, sir. At one time he even had the symptoms of radiation
poisoning, but when we ran tests we could find no indication of
that." She went on, "We're awaiting test results, sir."

Hammond sighed.

He saw Sam carefully holding Jack's hand, talking to him quietly.
It was hard not to see the affection that existed between these two.
Above them in the Observation Room, Daniel and Teal'c watched the
scene.

"General," said Janet, "I hate to have to say this, and I am very
grateful for your intervention regarding Anise in this matter - but
if this was inflicted by a Goa'uld...we really do need the Tok'ra's
expertise."

"No!" Sam said suddenly, "That is a last resort."

"Sam," said Janet, walking over to her friend.

"No," Sam persisted. "You can help him Janet, I know you can! And,
and I'll get the healing device, maybe I'll be able to--"

"Major." General Hammond's voice was soft.

"What?" Sam asked, before breaking down. He simply put a caring hand
on her shoulder, and she turned her face away to hide her tears.

As if sensing the tension in the room Jack suddenly moaned.

"Jack?" Sam asked immediately, gripping his hand in hers. Jack was
still deeply unconscious, but he had made a sound.

"I'm sorry Sam," said Janet quietly, "he's still in a deep state of
unconsciousness. It's the best thing for his body right now."

"I know, Janet, believe me I know. I just feel so damn helpless."

Janet knew how she felt. She decided to leave Sam alone with Jack
however, and the look she gave Hammond shared her view. Hammond
nodded, once, and the two officers left the room.

"Daniel Jackson, I am here to relieve you of your vigil of O'Neill."
The voice of Teal'c made a sleepy Daniel snap awake.

"Oh. Thanks, Teal'c." He got up, a red mark on his face where he'd
been leaning heavily on his hand.

Daniel stood and stretched his legs. He looked back down at Sam who
remained by Jack's side.

"I wish she'd sleep," Daniel commented, glancing down into the bottom
of his coffee cup and grimacing.

"I do not think she will sleep, Daniel Jackson, "She wishes to be
there when O'Neill awakes."

Daniel nodded wearily and Teal'c sat down.

"Teal'c let me know if there is any change." Daniel said, "Please."

"I certainly shall, Daniel Jackson," replied Teal'c. "I will also
make sure Doctor Fraiser is informed."

Daniel smiled ruefully and left the room, deciding to get Sam some
coffee and something to eat.

The door of Jack's room opened, but Sam did not respond. She expected
it to be a nurse, or perhaps Doctor Fraiser.

When no-one spoke but the door did not close, Sam turned.

"Anise."

"Major Carter. How is Colonel O'Neill?"

"How does he look?" Sam responded icily.

"Major, I am sorry for the Colonel's condition but the Tok'ra are not
to blame." Anise responded.

Sam turned back to Jack. "You could have warned us beforehand. We, in
turn, could have conducted the correct investigations, THUS" - she
raised her voice when Anise tried to interrupt - "preventing what
happened."

Anise bowed her head. When she raised it again it was Freya who spoke;
"We were not entirely sure of the Goa'uld's intention. It is believed
that this Goa'uld may have remained hidden since Seth was removed."

Sam did not reply. She gazed down at Jack, just as she had done for
what felt like forever and a day.

After a moment Sam said, "Seth was not removed, he was killed. So
you are implying that Kendrick was made a host and has been waiting
to strike an attack?"

"We believe Seth gave orders to those left behind to build a force to
ultimately destroy those opposed to the Goa'uld." Freya said.

"Starting with Jack," Sam said sadly. "So we find Kendrick first.
"Where is your spy now?" Sam asked.

"He is the operative I was accompanied by when I came through the
Stargate." Freya said.

"The nervous looking guy?" Sam was incredulous, "Why didn't you say
so before?"

"Because the subject did not arise."

Sam inwardly seethed; suddenly she could see why Jack mistrusted the
Tok'ra so much. They seemed to share information on a need to know
basis and usually the SGC did not need to know.

This situation was no exception.

A uneasy silence followed which was broken a few minutes later when
Daniel appeared with a cup of coffee, a sandwich and a cookie for Sam.

"Sorry it's not much," he said apologetically.

Sam smiled gratefully, "It's fine Daniel." she replied.
Daniel was saddened by how exhausted Sam looked.

"Can you do something for me?" Sam asked.

"Sure. What is it?" Daniel replied.

"Tell Hammond we need a meeting." Sam said, "We have to find Kendrick
and whoever else he's working with."

"You wanted to see me Major?" Hammond said, appearing in the doorway
to Colonel O'Neill's private Infirmary room.

Sam was surprised, she hadn't expected the General to come see her
personally.

"Actually Sir, I was going to come up to your office." she said.

"It's OK, Major. I thought I would see how Colonel O'Neill is doing."

Sam closed her eyes and rubbed the bridge of her nose.
Remembering that Hammond was still in the room, Sam looked up, "No
change Sir." she replied, feeling like she had been there for days
instead of the last nine hours.

"Major, have you rested at all?" Hammond asked gently.

"I'll rest when Jack's OK." Sam said, almost stubbornly.

Hammond looked at her sympathetically. "You can be of no use to Jack
if you're exhausted," he told her.

"If I'm asleep I won't be any use either," she responded, "And if I'm
not here when he wakes up, I'll have let him down."

"No, Major. You will NOT have let him down." Hammond replied, but
seeing the look on Sam's convinced him she was serious.

"I've already let him down once. I refuse to make the same mistake."
She was adamant, Hammond realised.

"What do you mean, you've already let him down once?" he asked gently.

She closed her eyes for a moment. "We spoke shortly before all of
this happened. It was my fault he went drinking at O'Malley's. It was
my fault he didn't stay on base, or go home. It was all my damn
fault!" Her voice was filled with grief and self-loathing.

"NOW STOP!" Hammond's voice was stern, "I will not tolerate you
speaking like this, Major. Colonel O'Neill is able to make up his own
mind, and I believe that he is more than capable of deciding to take
some personal time and do with it what he wanted.

"Was able," Sam muttered.

Hammond sighed slightly, and rested his hand on Sam's shoulder.

"Whatever was said between you and Jack is none of my business, Sam.
I will not ask for you to tell me what went on. All I ask is that you
stop this self-blame and consider your own health for a moment." He
paused. "Would you like me to send a message to Jacob?"

Sam looked relieved, "Actually yes. But before you do, I need you to
call a meeting."

Hammond nodded, "Shall I call it here?" he asked.

"Might as well," Sam, said, with a slight smile, "Jack would hate not
being the centre of attention."

Sam looked back at Jack, "Sorry Sir," she said, "I need to say some
things but I don't want to leave you."

Sam thought she saw Jack's eyelid's flicker, but then he was still
again.

There was no more time to think about it, Hammond had walked back in,
closely followed by Major Davis, Daniel, Teal'c and Freya.

Sam looked at Freya, and then shifted her gaze to the others.

Dr Fraiser walked in and checked Jack's vitals.

There was silence in the room for a few moments, then Hammond
commenced.

"As of now, Major Carter is the commanding officer of SG-1, she will
remain so until Colonel O'Neill regains full health."

Daniel looked between Sam and Teal'c. Major Davis nodded ever so
slightly.

Hammond turned to Sam, "Your orders now, Major."
"Sir." Sam said

She felt very nervous, especially with Jack's prone form only feet
away.
"At the moment we have very few options." she began.

She could feel Freya's eyes on her, and shifted slightly in her
seat. "We either track down this Kendrick, which carries a certain
level of risk due to lack of intel, or we give Dr Fraiser time to
formulate a cure."

"I say we do both. " Sam continued, "Daniel, Teal'c.. I request that
you take the Kendrick side."

Teal'c nodded in his usual manner, and Daniel gave a slight assuring
smile.

"We know Kendrick and O'Neill were at O'Malley's. Start there ask
questions. Maybe he's been back. Now, Freya..." Sam was beginning to
enjoy this bit, "I want you to go back to Revanna, bring Selmac back
here, tell them I need the healing device."

Freya looked affronted, "I am skilled with the healing device," she
said.

"I request my father's assistance in this." Sam said.

Freya frowned, but Sam continued, "Major Davis, I request that you
will inform Daniel, Teal'c, and I of all intel regarding this
matter."
Davis nodded.

Hammond looked around the group. "I am giving Major Carter authority
on this." He looked at Freya, a look that said, these are Earth
matters; do as you're told. "However," he continued, "Dr Fraiser will
have the last word on all medical matters."

"Agreed," Davis, Daniel and Teal'c said.

Eyes turned to Freya.
"Very well." Freya said. She bowed her head, Anise took
control, "Without Tok'ra intel you will fail."

"That's why you will leave your new operative here at the SGC," Sam
said, "He stays, tells us what he knows about Seth's orders."

Anise looked reluctant, and for a moment Daniel was sure she glared
at Sam. A natural-born diplomat, he said, "We only wish to do this in
the most sensitive way possible. Jacob is, after all, ambassador to
Earth, and as our friend would like to know of the situation. You are
of course welcome to help us, we just need to detail our plans."
Sam wondered for a moment where he'd gotten all that from, but then
realised he must have been speaking to Davis beforehand.

Either way she was grateful.

"If you have any concerns, feel free to raise them with me," Davis
input. Anise lowered her head, and Freya spoke: "Thank you," she
said, though a little resigned.

"Very well," Hammond looked at his watch, "Daniel, Teal'c...your
recon at O'Malley's should take place at around 1300hours tomorrow.
Until then I suggest we all get some rest. " He directed the last
comment at Sam.
Turning to the Tok'ra, Hammond continued; "Anise, I would like you to
return to Revanna immediately to keep Jacob and Selmac informed.

Everyone murmured his or her concurrence, and Hammond gave a "Dismissed."
Everyone began to leave, except Daniel who hung back to ensure Sam
was OK.

He turned to her. "You look exhausted."
Sam smiled, " I am." she admitted.

"Then why don't you rest? I'll sit with him for a while."
He knew why she didn't want to rest, but that wasn't the point.
No, he corrected, that's exactly the point.

"Thanks Daniel, but I need to be here." Sam said, "I just can't...."
she paused, wondering whether Daniel really understood what she felt.

He nodded. "Well if you ever change your mind..."

Sam did something she had never done before, at least not this
intense. She hugged Daniel. Held him like she never wanted to let
go.

And wept.

Daniel held Sam while she sobbed. SG-1 had been through so much
together.

He could see Teal'c standing sombrely in the doorway, head lowered
slightly.

Suddenly Sam pulled away. "I'm sorry, Daniel," she began.

Teal'c stepped quietly into the room, "DO not apologise, Major
Carter." he said and suddenly Sam wanted to cry again.

"I just..." She paused, trying to regain composure. "Thank you,
both."

"We'll get him." Daniel said savagely, surprising Sam with his
tone, "We'll find Kendrick."

"We will indeed," said Teal'c, "he shall not escape unpunished for
what he has done."

As the remaining members of SG-1 joined together, General Hammond
watched silently.

They were all unaware as Jack opened his eyes and tried to call out.
But as soon as he had opened his eyes, pain swept through Jack and he
slipped into unconsciousness again.

Kendrick had certainly enjoyed his evening with the woman from the
bar. Especially considering he hadn't paid for one drink.

He had persuaded her back to his apartment, but not for what she had
been expecting.

The symbiotes had been waiting.

He was grateful for the apartment he had rented in Colorado Springs.
It wouldn't have looked good if Kendrick had invited the woman to his
RV.

He'd had some fun with her at first, of course; but once it was over
he'd implanted one of the symbiotes.

Now she lay unconscious in the only bedroom.

The symbiote was very young; younger than he'd have liked. But of
course, there were no Jaffa here, so this was the only way he could
have done it. It would take some time for it to take over the host.

His orders from Seth had been clear, as if the Goa'uld had known of
his fate at the hands of SG-1.

A knock at the door.

Kendrick growled and stalked over. He peered through the peephole and
saw a rancid looking man glaring at the closed door.

"What?" Kendrick snapped.

"Advanced rent." the man said.

Kendrick growled again, glanced over at the woman who was still
unconscious. Then he opened the door.

"Advanced rent," The landlord said again.

"Tomorrow, I said." Kendrick replied.

"It is tomorrow," the man said, taking the opportunity to nosy around.

"Hey!" he exclaimed, seeing the woman, "I thought I told you, no--"

"She'll be gone in the morning." Kendrick said, "She had too much to
drink, didn't want her driving home."

The landlord grunted.

"Rent," he repeated, glaring at Kendrick.

"Yeah, yeah." Kendrick said, before pulling out his wallet and
drawing 3 $50 notes. The landlord's eyes widened slightly and his
lips seemed to twitch in glee. He quickly left before Kendrick either
changed his mind or realised he had over-paid him.

I'll get him later, Kendrick decided, when the next symbiote is ready.
It was late, 2am. Kendrick smiled. More than 24 hours since he had
seen O'Neill.

The virus was flourishing, he could feel it. And then, a sudden rush
flooded through his veins. He laughed aloud.

Back at the SGC, Sam Carter shouted for help.