"Daniel Jackson to the Briefing Room. Dr. Daniel Jackson to the Briefing Room right away, please."
Daniel put his glasses back on. General Hammond was a patient and understanding man, but even Daniel was not going to make him repeat the page for a third time. As Daniel mechanically navigated the path between Janet's 'quarters' and the Briefing Room, he noticed that the halls were strangely empty. This was perfectly acceptable, given that approximately half of the SGC was currently out on a mission, but the echo of his steps seemed a bit louder than was customary.
Daniel entered the Briefing Room to find both General Hammond and Dr. Warner waiting for him. He took a seat across from Warner and accepted the cup of coffee Hammond pushed him with a grateful nod.
"Dr. Jackson, we received a communication from Aeronn," Hammond began gently. "He said that his people might be able to treat Janet in ways we can't. They'll help her...if we send her back."
Daniel said nothing. He didn't even splutter. Hammond realized then how desperate the situation was.
"I talked with one of the returned medical teams," Warner took over. "I think Aeronn was talking about a protein in the bloodstream on animals on their side can be utilized to – "
"He said that?" Daniel interrupted.
"Not in so many words, no." Warner shifted uncomfortably. "Aeronn doesn't really know what he's talking about, Daniel. Medically speaking. He did say that their was something in the village that will help, and the med team thought he meant the protein."
"Can't they send us some?"
"Daniel, son, if Janet stays here, she'll die in that room."
"In a cage, you mean, General."
"I know it sounds bad, but if we send her back to Sandiem – "
"She'll die an animal."
"She is an animal," Warner said, wincing again. "I'm sorry, but – "
"I understand, doctor." Daniel's tone was frigidly cold. "General, when do we leave?"
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The sedative they used on Janet had a name eight syllables long. Daniel wasn't sure what it did, but somehow it rendered Janet capable of walking and not very much else. Aeronn, Zephrey and Maram met Daniel and the medical team that accompanied him at the base of the Stargate. It was dark, and the three Sandiem stood without fear in the blackness, but Daniel couldn't help the flood of bitterness that swept through him.
"Daniel Jackson," Aeronn intoned. "I grieve that we meet again under such circumstances."
Daniel nodded his head in reply, not trusting himself to speak.
"Dear Janet," Maram took Janet's hand without any sign of apprehension. "We owe you so much, and now we are in your debt doubly so."
Janet did not react at all. She did not even blink. Maram kissed her, and took her arm to guide her through the forest.
"Come then," Zephrey said, holding up his torch so they could follow him, and they began their walk towards the town.
This time, as Daniel crossed the clearing towards the cathedral, it was framed by a thousand stars instead of overwhelmed by the light of only one. He watched his shoes instead, dividing his attention between Janet and the ground in front of him, completely ignoring the architecture which had so fascinated him. At length, they passed through the gate. The streets were deserted, but the lights in the houses were merry.
When Daniel finally looked up, they had completely crossed the town. Zephrey was unlocking a small door, and Aeronn gestured Daniel and Janet forward. Daniel took one look over Zephrey's shoulder and took several steps back, dragging the non-responsive Janet with him.
"What is this?" he burst out.
"It's a cloister," Aeronn said. "We come here to pray in isolation."
"It has an east facing window. And no curtains!"
"We know," Maram said quietly. "Daniel, if we do nothing, she'll get worse. She'll go mad, and cease to be the woman you know. She'll be a monster, and someone will have to kill her. If we put her in here, that someone will not be you."
"What about treatment? Blood proteins?" Daniel demanded. "You said you could treat her with something in the village."
"This is the treatment, Daniel," Zephrey said. "It's the only humane way."
"No!"
Daniel had heard Jack explain what military autopilot felt like. He knew what regular autopilot felt like, having spent time on it, but his first instinct was not usually to go for his gun. This time, however, he drew without a second thought."
"Daniel Jackson!" Zephrey shouted. "What are you doing?"
"Back - back away. Get away from us!" Daniel yelled. "Crombie, set your med kit down. Now!"
Alison Crombie, knowing full well that her med kit was the best stocked, set it down. Daniel, his gun still out, picked up the kit in his other hand and wrapped that arm around Janet's waist.
"Keep away from us." Daniel warned as he backed himself and Janet into the shadows.
Zephrey stood, flabbergasted in front of the cloister. The medical team looked to Alison, but she waved them off with a small shake of her head. Aeronn moved to follow Daniel down the alley.
"Aeronn! No!" Maram called out, bringing her husband up short. "Not in the dark. Not in the dark."
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Daniel, practically dragging Janet behind him, made his way up and down every dark alleyway he could find, eluding all signs of people. He made his way to the sally port next to the main gate. As he and Janet stood in the shadows, Zephrey and a large party of men marched out through the gate. Daniel held his breath. Janet moaned, and he put his hand over her mouth to silence her. She struggled only minimally. The company passed by and headed towards the woods and the Stargate.
Daniel's mind, which he had more or less regained control of, raced as he tried to think of another option. He had, as far as he could determine, seven hours until sunrise. He pulled Janet through the sally port and looked around. "They go up to caves which can be sealed from the inside." Daniel put his gun away, took the med kit in one hand and Janet's hand in the other, and set off for the mountains.
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to be continued….