"I am fine."

Doctor Fraiser nodded, but continued her ministrations. "Yes, I know. You've already told me that."

"It is because I speak the truth," Teal'c said, pulling down his shirt. Had he not just said so? "My symbiote protects me."

Doctor Fraiser forced a smile. "I understand that, Teal'c, but we both know that is not always the case. You remember what happened on BP6-3Q1?"

Indeed he did, he thought soberly. The consequences of contact with the creatures of that planet had been too much for even a Jaffa. If not for the determination of his friends, and the help from his symbiote, he would no longer draw breath in this form.

He arched an eyebrow. "You believe this is what has happened to DanielJackson?"

Doctor Fraiser sighed, placing her chart down. "It's possible, Teal'c."

This news was not news he had wanted to hear. For if Doctor Fraiser spoke the truth, there would be no hope for Daniel Jackson.

This was not acceptable.

"There were no large insects on the planet of which we visited," Teal'c informed her, following her from the room to the one across the hall. "I do not believe DanielJackson could have been stung by such a creature."

Doctor Fraiser opened the door, motioning him to enter. "I know. But it could be something else, something with the same properties."

Teal'c nodded. "I see."

For if this was indeed the case, Daniel Jackson was in danger. How would they be able to protect their friend if he turned into something he was not?

"Teal'c. Hey, there. Join the club." O'Neill stated from inside, tossing a ball into the air.

Teal'c watched O'Neill distract himself with such nonsense, before gazing at Major Carter. She was seated nearby, on top of a table surface, kicking her legs. As Doctor Fraiser and himself entered, she stopped and sat a little straighter, the concern in her features never ebbing.

"What club is this, O'Neill?" Teal'c asked, coming to stand beside him.

O'Neill frowned and glanced over to Major Carter.

"It's just an expression," Major Carter answered. She quickly changed to the subject at hand. "So, Janet, any luck figuring out what is going on?"

Doctor Fraiser pulled off her mask. Teal'c was amazed how such a simple act could change the level of tension in the room. Suddenly, O'Neill appeared to be less inclined to move around the area and Major Carter seemed more focused. Even Teal'c felt the positive change.

"You're all in perfect health," she stated, tapping her clipboard. "Even Junior."

"So, here comes the bad news, right?" O'Neill asked.

With a sigh, Doctor Fraiser nodded. "I'm afraid so. Daniel has alien DNA."

Perhaps O'Neill and Major Carter had not expected Doctor Fraiser to be so blunt, for Teal'c had never seen them turn such a pale coloring. Major Carter was the first to recover.

"Alien DNA? Janet, that can't be." Major Carter hopped off the table, her imploring face searching the smaller woman. "We were with Daniel. How can he suddenly have a whole different DNA code?"

"Oh, it's a fact," Doctor Fraiser said grimly, tossing her clipboard onto a stray chair in frustration. "I've had it double checked, triple checked."

"So, are you telling me that's not Daniel in there?" O'Neill asked. "That we brought some alien through the Stargate?" His face broiled with anger. "We could have left Daniel on that planet?"

"No, Sir, I am not suggesting that as the sole theory." Doctor Fraiser glanced up at Teal'c. "I can't rule out any possibilities until I have more data."

"What?" O'Neill asked, exasperated. "What else could you need?"

"Doctor Fraiser believes that DanielJackson could have been infected with something that is transforming him."

Major Carter and O'Neill immediately focused on Doctor Fraiser.

"That is not entirely true," she replied in response to their bewildered expressions. "Frankly, a number of things could be at work here. We could have a situation on BP6-3Q1 where Teal'c was infected with alien venom."

"Oh God," Major Carter uttered. "Is the alien code rewriting Daniel's DNA?"

Doctor Fraiser remained steadfast. "Daniel is currently carrying two viable strands of DNA. One code is his unique pattern and the other is completely alien. At this point, there seems to be more alien DNA than human." Doctor Fraiser paused, and for a moment Teal'c believed she would surrender to her emotions. "I'm sorry."

O'Neill and Major Carter said nothing. He had learned long ago that often when humans carried concern or felt deep mourning, they would become silent. This was a reaction among many others he had witnessed. Teal'c breathed in deeply. By studying his friends, he had begun to learn there was not much difference between human and Jaffa.

He remained silent as well.

"I had to move him to one of the isolation rooms," Doctor Fraiser said quietly. "So far he hasn't exhibited any symptoms similar to what Teal'c experienced when you made contact with the insect specimens. But we have to take precautionary steps just in case."

Major Carter nodded, appearing distracted. She brushed some of her hair from her face before she spoke. "You said you had other theories?"

"Yes, though, I don't have much to support them right now. I can only speculate at this point."

O'Neill glared at her. "So speculate."

Doctor Fraser ignored his tone and continued. "Sir, we could have a situation where Daniel came in contact with something—an insect, a microbe, anything—which in turn started a reaction concerning his DNA. Currently, this is the most probable. He had a low-grade fever, and it's almost like he's—"

"Like he's fighting an infection," Major Carter finished for her.

Doctor Fraiser nodded. "Yes. But we can't rule out other possibilities. It's also plausible this is some creature that some how absorbed Daniel's DNA."

"Is that even possible?' Major Carter asked skeptically.

O'Neill raised his eyebrows.

"Right," Major Carter said sheepishly.

"Then, thirdly, it could be some new entity all together. Daniel could have merged with something else to create what we have now, a hybrid of sorts."

"None of these sound like good options, Doc," O'Neill muttered.

"I never said they were," she said with a sigh. "But they are all possibilities. I'm calling in some geneticists to take better look at the samples before I jump to any conclusions."

"There's always Doctor Harlow," Major Carter offered.

"He's exactly who I had in mind."

"He is a most admirable man," Teal'c added, recalling the scientist and his efforts.

"Great, then it looks like we should get to work," O'Neill said. "I'm assuming we are free to go? Again?"

Doctor Fraiser nodded. "Yes, Sir. I just have to run my recommendations by General Hammond, and then I can't see any problem with you reporting to the observation deck."

Teal'c dipped his head to Doctor Fraiser as she moved towards the door. She understood her patients and their needs well. As soon as they were free, he had every intention of watching over Daniel Jackson.

"Good. Once that's done, I want to have a chat with the general."

Major Carter turned to O'Neill, frowning. "Sir, there is no way that General Hammond is going to let us back to the planet, especially now.

"He has permitted us to return to infected worlds before," Teal'c reminded them.

"Look, I'll see what I can do," Doctor Fraiser said, pausing at the door. "It might help us get to the bottom of what has happened."

O'Neill nodded. "Thanks, Doc."

Teal'c watched the exchange between Doctor Fraiser and O'Neill. Both were charged with the care of another, and he could see the internal strain this event was causing them both. In addition, it was cause for pain for himself as well as Major Carter.

But Teal'c was confident in Doctor Fraiser's capabilities. The SGC held nothing but the most respected of leaders.

She would find the answer.