"We need medics," Daniel hollered. He was the first to burst through the 'gate, with Ana'lyss in tow. Teal'c came through a moment later, with Carter tossed over his right shoulder and dragging a cussing O'Neill on his left.
They had come under fire about 100 yards from the gate. Colonel O'Neill managed to cover their escape, but took a hit to the thigh as Daniel dialed home.
Teal'c helped the medics get the injured on gurneys.
"Dr. Jackson, what happened?" General Hammond demanded as he entered the gate room. Noticing the unfamiliar girl in the black vinyl clutching Daniel's arm, he came to a halt. "And who is our visitor?"
"This is Ana'lyss, General," Daniel began. "Major Carter was injured while protecting her from execution. It seems she is the last of a race that was being systematically eliminated."
"Is that the case, young lady?" the General asked. Ana'lyss did not respond.
"Sir, she hasn't said a word. Her guardian was killed and she may have been injured; I think she may be in shock," Daniel told him.
"Get her to the infirmary," Hammond replied, "then return with Teal'c for debriefing."
Ana'lyss clearly understood what Daniel was saying, she just wasn't complying. How she had managed to climb on the bed without releasing his arm was a feat of agility. "Ana'lyss, you are safe here, I promise," Daniel soothed, "and I will be right back." He tried to gently pry her fingers from his bicep, but she only latched back on. Her face was serene, but her grip was unbreakable.
Daniel sighed. "Teal'c, can you please ask General Hammond if we can delay until Doctor Frasier is able to examine Ana'lyss? I think I'd have to restrain her just to get away."
"I shall inform him of the situation," Teal'c replied, turning to leave.
"Umm, Teal'c," Daniel called after him, "could you hand me a chair first?"
It was a long wait and Ana'lyss seemed just as impatient as Daniel. Twice she had tried to bolt, and probably would have, had she relinquished her hold on his arm. Despite his own inclination to be gone, Daniel kept her right where she was.
Sam was brought in first, pale and unconscious. Daniel watched grimly as the nurse hung Sam's IV, connected a monitor, and checked her bandages. As he turned away, Ana'lyss buried her face in the pillow. "Hey..." Daniel said, "it's okay. It's not your fault."
About forty-five minutes later, Jack was wheeled in. A weary Dr. Frasier followed close behind. She walked to Ana'lyss' bedside, across from Daniel's chair.
"How are they?" Daniel asked.
"They'll recover," Janet replied quietly.
"You look exhausted," Daniel said sympathetically. Ana'lyss removed one hand from Daniel and began to gently rub Janet's arm in a gesture of comfort.
"Hello," Janet said smiling down at her. "I'm Doctor Frasier."
"She hasn't spoken since we found her," Daniel explained, "nor... has she let go of me."
"Well, let's just check you out, okay?" Janet said to Ana'lyss with a friendly smile. She squeezed Ana'lyss free hand. Ana'lyss smiled in return, then transferred her grip from Daniel to Janet.
Getting while the getting was good, Daniel called back to Janet, "You may need some help on that one!"
The debriefing was just ending when Dr. Frasier arrived. "Excuse me, General, but I have some questions about the young woman SG1 brought back with them."
"Certainly, Doctor," Hammond replied.
"Dr. Jackson, you said the girl hadn't spoken at all. Did you encounter anyone who did speak?" Janet asked.
"Yes, the man she was with when we found her. And the soldier who shot him," Daniel replied. "Why?"
"The girl doesn't appear to have the ability to speak. She may look human, but her physiology is quite different from ours, starting with her pharyngeal structure. She has no larynx," Frasier explained.
"Hmm," Daniel considered, "That would support what the old man said about her being the last of a different race."
"Did he say anything more about her?" Janet inquired.
"He said 'you must always be honest with her,' and something about her needing touch..."
"Well, that certainly seems to be the case," Janet exclaimed, "but I managed, no thanks to you!"
Daniel gave her a sly grin. "So how did you escape?"
"I let her hang on to the Colonel," the Doctor said innocently.
"O'Neill has regained consciousness?" Teal'c asked.
"Of course not!" Janet smirked.