Jack entered guardedly, feeling nothing but his own heavy breath inside his mask. Carefully, he started to walk forward, aware of the presence of Carter to one side and Teal'c to the other.
His goal remained huddled in the corner. Daniel made no move to meet them, his wary eyes watching every single move they took. As they continued to press forward, Jack saw the fear grow in Daniel's eyes, pushing quickly to the limits of panic. Daniel gasped, squeezing his eyes shut, pressing his face into the wall.
"DanielJackson appears to fear us once again," Teal'c commented.
"We have no way of knowing just how deeply that chemical affected his mind," Carter added. "His perceptions of us could be altered."
"It's not that," Jack said matter-of-fact. He could see that Daniel was trembling now, one eye open to keep vigilant, the other shut to hide within his fear. "He's afraid of the suits."
Carter seemed surprised, turning to face him. "Sir?"
Jack shook his head, his anger rising as he observed Daniel cower in the corner. A man should not act this way.
But at the same time he felt crushed. He was instantly reminded of a time, some years back, when Charlie had a fit at the local McDonald's. The boy had been scared into a screaming fit, terrified of the Grimace that had bounded over to him ever so cheerfully.
"Doc said this thing was weakening, right?"
Carter glared at him. "Sir, you are not considering taking off your hazmat suit."
"Who? Me?" Yeah, the thought had crossed Jack's mind. Quite a few times, actually. But he had something else in mind. "What about Teal'c?"
With a shake of her head, well the whole damn suit, Carter protested. "If whatever has infected Daniel is something similar to what happened to Teal'c, then his symbiote would not protect him, Sir."
"I am willing to risk that chance," Teal'c said, moving to dislodge his helmet.
"Well, I'm not," Jack said, reaching over quickly to stop him. "If Carter doesn't think it's a good idea, then we'll just stand here and watch Daniel break down even more."
Irritably, Carter shifted her weight from one leg to the other. "Trying to guilt trip me won't work."
"Who said anything about guilt?" he asked her with a knowing smile. "But, come on, Carter. You and Fraiser told me that whatever was in Daniel was weakening. Dissolving. Whatever. We've all been exposed to the stuff, in one way or another. Don't you think we're safe?"
"Just precaution, Sir. We really haven't any idea if what Daniel has develops through stages, or if what is happening with the substance is supposed to happen."
"Major Carter is correct, O'Neill. We should remain vigilant if we are to help DanielJackson."
Teal'c was right. But that didn't help the fact that Daniel was staring at them, his wide eyes full of dread.
"Alright, well let's see—"
"Go away."
Jack stopped, returning his full attention on Daniel. He gazed hard at the man, just an island lost amidst a sea of paper, crayons, and picture books. "What?" he asked.
Daniel licked his lips, his eyes never leaving them. "Go away," he said again, his voice unsteady.
His timber was off, causing Jack to wince. Extremely fearful, slightly raised. Childlike.
But at least he was talking.
Jack took another step forward.
Daniel winced, scurrying back, holding his arms up in defense. "Go away!" he yelled, his voice slightly stronger. "Go away! Please? Go away…"
"Daniel? It's us," Carter said calmly, kneeling by Jack's side. "It's me, Sam. And this is Colonel O'Neill. Jack," she said patting his leg. Jack looked down at her. She cleared her throat and pointed over their left. "And that's Teal'c. You remember Teal'c, right?"
Daniel followed her movements, his own jerky, agitated gestures revealing just how nervous he was. Finally, his eyes settled back on her.
"Monsters," he whispered as he sucked in a deep breath. "Monsters. Go away. Please. Monsters." He sniffled, choking back a sob. "I'm good. I be good. See?" He swallowed hard, brushing his tears aside. "Good. Please, go."
Jack set his jaw, the anger ripping through him. Daniel, sitting in front of him, pleading for them not to hurt him, sobbing like a baby. This was everything Daniel wasn't. What the hell was this stuff?
"DanielJackson, there are no monsters present," Teal'c said, frowning.
That only made Daniel cry harder.
"Oh, no, Daniel," Sam soothed. "We're not monsters. These are just masks. Costumes?"
He sniffled, and then started crying yet again. "No monsters! I'm good!" He rocked back and forth, grabbing at his knees, continuing to sob as Jack attempted to move closer. "I want my Daddy!"
Jack froze, not quite sure how to answer that. He glanced over at Carter for help, but she appeared to be as stunned as he was. Quickly, he grabbed Teal'c before he said anything that could add insult to injury.
"Your Daddy?" Sam questioned, puzzled.
Daniel hiccupped, rubbing his eyes. "I wanna go home. I want Daddy."
"Sir, I don't know—"
He held up a hand to silence Carter. She was bright, but she wasn't always the most tactful. And he certainly wasn't going to have them remind Daniel that his father was dead. Not right now.
"Your Daddy can't come right now, okay?" Jack said cautiously. "That's why we're here. To help take care of you. You got that?"
"Mons—"
"Not monsters, Daniel. Okay?" he said firmly.
"Okay."
"These suits are for protection only, DanielJackson."
Daniel frowned, sitting a little straighter as he hugged his knees. "Why? I'm good. I don't hurt."
Jack nodded, trying to remember that, really, Daniel's mind was only functioning at a child's level. It didn't seem possible that a scholar of his magnitude couldn't get past simple concepts.
"Oh, yeah. We know that, Daniel. We just got to wear them in case something else hurts us."
Daniel seemed to consider this. He shifted his weight, twisting his fingers as he gazed shyly up at them. "Do I get to have one?" he asked quietly. "Like yours?"
Carter exchanged a nervous look with Jack before she nodded. "If you want one, we can get one for you, but you'd have to keep it on and not take it off."
"Oh. Okay."
Jack shrugged, before gesturing to Carter and to the door. This actually might make things easier for them. "If Fraiser gives the okay, get him a suit." He pulled her a little closer before she completely rose to her feet. "See if you can get an update from Fraiser. And ask if we can take off these damn suits." He tugged at the collar. "It's hot."
She nodded. "Yes, Sir."
"Good," he said with a nod of his own. "I'll ask the questions."
He was going to ask them anyway. That was the agreement, aside from the fact he was in charge of SG-1. Fraiser had given them the okay to enter the isolation room to question Daniel, in order to try and get some answers to what had happened. He'd started talking about thirty minutes ago, pleading for Gosinphled, whatever the heck that was. Coupled with the discovery that whatever was in Daniel appeared to be dying, or at least weakening, questioning him seemed the best course of action.
General Hammond had not approved of a return trip to the planet.
He sighed. At least another MALP and a UAV would be sent through the Gate tomorrow.
"Okay, Daniel, now I gotta ask just you just a few questions, alright? Then maybe we can get you some more of that pudding you like."
"It's yummy," he answered.
Yeah, yummy. Whatever, he thought irritably.
Jack patted Teal'c on the shoulder before taking a step forward. Hesitantly, he lowered himself to the ground, leveling himself off with Daniel. The other man seemed to appreciate the gesture, his shoulders relaxing. Quietly, he stretched out his legs, and then tucked them under his body.
"I'm Jack. Remember me?"
"Jack," Daniel repeated. "Jack. I like Jack."
"Good. That's good to hear," Jack said, smiling through his shield. "And this is Teal'c. You remember him?"
This time Daniel did not smile. He glared at the Jaffa, his blue eyes darkening.
"Daniel?" Jack cautioned.
"Yeah. Te-Teal'c," he muttered, fighting the pronunciation. "Teal'c icky."
Teal'c frowned at the comment, arching an eyebrow. "O'Neill, what makes one, 'icky?'"
"Uh…nevermind, Teal'c." If they had to deal with issues Daniel might be harboring for Teal'c…"Daniel, I need you to tell me about the planet."
"What planet?"
"The planet we just came back from a day ago. With the dirt and the trees."
"Bushes," Daniel corrected. "No trees."
"Yeah, yeah. What—" Jack stopped. "You remember that?"
Daniel nodded. "Yup! And moss and bushes and dirt and sometimes a little mud. Not much 'cause no water." Daniel giggled, turning away, and held up a piece of paper. "Look! Nurse gave to me. Mine!"
Jack forced a smile, looking at the blank sheet of paper and put it down. "That's great. Can we talk about the planet again?"
He nodded. "Okay."
"Do you know what happened before you got here?" Jack pointed to the room and then made a circle with his hands, borrowing a technique he'd seen Daniel do a thousand times. "Here?"
"I was there."
"Yeah, can you elaborate?"
Daniel blinked at him.
"He does not appear to understand, O'Neill," Teal'c stated.
"Daniel, can you tell me more? More about the planet?" Jack asked, trying again.
Daniel scrunched up his face, as if he were deep in thought. "Um, there was gooey stuff. Scary."
Now, they were getting somewhere. Finally.
"What about the gooey stuff?"
Daniel shrugged, looking down at his hands. "Sad. I miss Daddy."
Of course, he thought. This wasn't going to go anywhere. How could this help Fraiser find a cure?
"Daniel, you—"
"Sir?"
Jack turned around, twisting his weight over his waist, shocked to find Carter standing in the entranceway with Fraiser and that Harlow guy.
Without hazmat suits.
Without any gear, for that matter.
"What's going on?" he asked, keeping any hope at bay.
"Good news, Colonel," Carter said, her eyes bright.
Jack turned to Fraiser. "Good? As in good?"
She nodded. "The latest sample we analyzed from Daniel actually had a greater presence of Daniel's DNA versus the alien Daniel with comparison to his last test."
Blowing out some air between his lips, Jack nodded. "Okay, and?"
"Doctor Jackson's DNA is actually rewriting the alien DNA!" Doctor Harlow exclaimed, his eyes dancing. "It's simply amazing."
Looked like the geneticist was having just a wee too much fun with the situation.
"I take it there's no threat then," he commented, gesturing with the wave of his hands in their general direction. "Unless you've forgotten something."
Fraiser smiled patiently at him. "There are no contagions in his blood and we had already ruled out the other possible ways of contracting whatever is affecting Daniel. With his body overriding the alien material, we have no reason to believe he is harmful." She paused, becoming serious for a moment. "However, Colonel, we do have no way of knowing, at this time, if the affects he has suffered will be permanent or temporary."
Jack gave a slight nod, understanding the gravity in her voice. The damage already might be done. Daniel could be brain damaged and they couldn't do a thing about it.
But things were looking up now. There was at least that. And Daniel had been showing signs of improvement.
"O'Neill," Teal'c said, snatching Jack from his thoughts. "It appears DanielJackson is consuming what you call 'crayons.'"
"Hey!" Jack shouted, grabbing the red colored stick from Daniel's mouth. "You don't eat that."
Again, Daniel just blinked at him.
"Here," Jack said, pointing to the paper on the floor. He scribbled a zigzag to demonstrate. "You draw on this."
"That's so pretty, Jack," Daniel whispered, mesmerized by the small drawing. He rubbed his hand over it and gasped, before collapsing into a fit of giggles.
Jack took the opportunity begin removing his hazmat suit while Daniel was preoccupied with the paper; Teal'c did the same. Taking a nice fresh gulp of stale air, Jack shook his head, clearing the droplets of sweat from his forehead.
"So," he said, tossing his suit to the side, "any idea how we figure out if this behavior of his is permanent?"
"I'm afraid not, Colonel," Fraiser said softly. "We'll have to continue to observe him and monitor him. I'm hoping that as his DNA continues to rewrite the alien DNA, Daniel will become more like himself."
"Janet's right, Sir," Carter added. "Daniel has been showing signs of fighting an infection. It's quite possible that once he's fished warding it off, he'll just go back to the way he was before. We've already witnessed Daniel relearn basic tasks at an alarming rate. It could be the more regular DNA he has in his body, the more like himself he becomes."
Jack considered their statements. "Good," he said finally, gazing at them with approval. "Good job." He glanced back at Daniel, who had begun to try and mimic Jack's simple design. Suddenly, feeling a little protective, he glanced over at Harlow. "You didn't bring any friends with you?"
Doctor Harlow frowned, paling slightly. "No, Colonel. I've only consulted with the team working here on this base."
That was also good.
"This is indeed good news," Teal'c stated with satisfaction. Carefully, he lifted his suit and Jack's, walking over to meet the others. "I am pleased to hear DanielJackson is no longer in danger."
"Me too," Jack admitted. With a smile, he walked over to Daniel, gently tugging at the man, and lifting him to his feet. Daniel watched him curiously, snatching his crayons and paper in a protective manner. Jack managed to feign a smile, trying not to let Daniel see how much this bothered him.
"What?" Daniel asked.
"We're getting out of here. We'll set you up in a nice room with a table so you can draw some more." Jack kneeled down and grabbed some of the books. "That is, if it's okay with the Doc?"
She smiled. "General Hammond said anything is fine, as long as he doesn't wander over Level Seventeen."
"Sound okay to you?" Jack asked.
Daniel nodded vigorously. "And some pudding? The really dark kind?"
"Of course. And some chocolate milk."
Naturally, Daniel's eyes lit up. Maybe things weren't so dire. Grinning, Daniel gave him a quick hug before scurrying off to say hi to Fraiser and Carter. Sighing, Jack had no recourse but to follow, and try to stay positive.
This would all blow over in the end. It had to, or…
Jack refused to think of the possibilities as he followed the rest of them out of the isolation room.
