Chapter 8: Another Pleasant Surprise

When he arrived back at the SGC at around 0100 hours, General Hammond first went to his office and went through some paperwork from what had gone on that day while he had been out. After taking about an hour to filter through what he needed to tend to, he walked into the control room where the gate technician was sitting at the computer terminal and looked up when Hammond approached.

"You're here late, sir. How did everything go with Colonel O'Neill and Dr. Jackson?"

"Everything went well, Sergeant. I need you to dial up the coordinates for the Tok'ra base world. I want to send a message to Jacob Carter." Hammond ordered.

"Yes, sir."

After the seventh chevron locked on and the wormhole opened, Hammond coded a message to his old friend letting him know how things were going and making a personal request of him, along with an assurance that nothing was wrong and he only made this request to try to calm tensions.

"Do you think the Tok'ra will get the message?" The technician inquired as the Stargate disengaged at the end of the transmission.

"I hope so, Sergeant. I sure hope so."


At about 3:00 in the morning, Sarah was looking at whatever was on the television in Daniel's hospital room. She was trying to do anything that she could think of to keep her mind from wandering to all of the different possible outcomes and the what if scenarios. Then she turned her attention from the television and her frightening, worrisome thoughts to her fiancé sleeping on the bed. Sarah took his hand tightly in her own and let the knowledge that the risk was gone and that he was going to make a complete recovery wash over her mind and soul once again like a cleansing wave. Realizing that she would do good to rid her mind of these disturbing thoughts and images were plaguing her, Sarah left the room and decided to go down the hall and check on how Jack was holding up.

Sam was reading through one of her favorite books, which is what she liked to do in stressful times. She was so into the book she was reading that she was startled when she heard a soft knocking on the door. Putting the book down, she looked up to see who was there.

"Sarah. Are you okay?"

"I'm better now that I know that everything is getting back to normal and everyone is going to be fine. I wish I could keep the what ifs from taking over my mind though. That's one of the reasons I came in here at this hour. I wanted to talk to you. So, how's he doing?" Sarah asked, looking past Sam to glance at Jack on the hospital bed behind her, appearing slightly pale.

"He's holding his own right now. I just wish that he could open his eyes and throw one of his off keel jokes at me to make me laugh. I can't tell you how much I deem Daniel as a hero for what he's done to save Jack's life. I don't know if I'd tell him that though because I wouldn't want to embarrass him. To be honest with you, I've had a few thoughts about what might have happened if Daniel hadn't been willing to step up to the plate and do what he's done. Don't feel like you're alone in this, Sarah, because you're definitely not. I'm right in this with you and we need to support each other through the tail end of this." Sam reassured her quietly, placing an arm around her friend's shoulders.

"We will. I appreciate all the support that you've been giving me. I feel a little bad though that I was too wrapped up in my own fears and bad feelings to be much of a support beam for you. I know you needed someone to lean on too. This situation isn't about me but I've gone and made it that way. Can you forgive me for being so selfish?"

"Sarah, there's nothing to forgive because you have not been selfish in the least little bit. You just handled your worry differently. No one can blame you for that. Actually I haven't been back here in the room for very long. I was going stir crazy too so I took a stroll to the waiting room to talk to Teal'c. So you shouldn't beat yourself up for being human."

"Thanks, Sam. I really appreciate it. So what are they up to in the waiting room? I hope Teal'c was able to help you." Sarah said.

"He did. Talking to him helped me get some perspective on things. Actually, Teal'c was the only one I could have talked to. When I went in there, Jonas was sound asleep on one of the couches. Teal'c said that he told him that he hadn't slept in over 24 hours when he came through the gate yesterday morning meaning that he'd actually been awake for longer than that, so he was completely exhausted." Sam smiled.

"Sometimes we never realize how great it is to have such loyal friends and how important those friends are to us until we get into times like this when we truly need them. Only true friends like Teal'c and Jonas would have stuck it out with us here for this long. I don't know about you but I really appreciate it."

"Yeah, I know, so do I. Friendship really is the glue that holds people together sometimes. So is love."

"That's true. But where did that come from? I've never heard you talk about things like that before." Sarah asked, a little surprised at the statement.

"I don't know. It's just something that I've been thinking about since I found out that this whole thing needed to happen. It's like I suddenly realized that there's something that I've been missing out on and it's, or should I say he's, been right in front of me staring me in the face the whole time. Now I have the opportunity to place that missing piece in my life. I just feel like I've have a new awakening in my life." Sam explained.

"I know exactly what you mean. I felt the same way for a long time after I got back together with Daniel. It was like when he wasn't in my life, some major part of it was missing and then after my ordeal when he came back into my life it was like it was whole and thriving again."

"Well, it's good to know that I'm not the only one who goes through these types of feelings."

"You aren't, Sam, and you never will be. Anyway, I need to go back to be with Daniel now. He needs me now more than he ever has before."


At 5:00 that morning, back at the SGC, the gate alarm blared through Cheyenne Mountain. Hammond rushed to the gate room from his office to see who was incoming.

"Incoming wormhole!"

"Who is it, Sergeant? We don't have any teams due back for another four hours."

"Wait a minute. Okay, here it is. Receiving Tok'ra IDC. Looks like they got your message, sir." The technician confirmed the computer display.

"Open the iris."

As the iris swooshed open, a team of six SF defense soldiers stood in strategic positions, their rifles at the ready. Within a few moments, Jacob Carter stepped through the Stargate and waited at the top of the ramp for clearance to come further.

"Defense team, stand down." Hammond ordered over the speaker, hurrying to the gate room as the SFs lowered their guns.

"George, what's going on? Don't tell me something went wrong. Are Jack and Daniel okay?" Jacob asked, concerned and a little confused.

"Everything is fine, Jacob. Sorry about the confusion of my message but I had to make sure you were the only one who received the true content."

"Understood. I don't understand why you sent for me if things are fine, though."

"Well, Jacob, I thought you should be here for Sam. She's been under a lot of stress these past couple of days, a lot more than any one person should have to handle, and I think it may be starting to affect her. The point I'm trying to make here is that I have an emotional embattled officer who really needs her father right now. We should really get to the hospital. It's across town so I'll have to drive you." Hammond clarified as he and Jacob headed out of the gate room, heading for the parking lot.

"You're one in a million, George." Jacob smiled as they stepped into the elevator, the doors pinged closed and the elevator car rose slowly toward the surface.


When Hammond and Jacob got to the hospital, the first stop they made was to go to the waiting room for a moment to make sure that nothing untoward had happened during the night. As soon as they entered the room, Teal'c stood and came to meet them in the doorway.

"Teal'c. What's going on?" Hammond asked as Teal'c lead them just outside the door and into the hallway.

"There is nothing wrong, General Hammond. I merely met you in the hallway because quiet in necessary. Jonas Quinn has fallen asleep and I do not wish to disturb him." Teal'c explained quietly, pausing as he noticed Jacob standing behind the General. "Jacob Carter, it is good to see you again."

"It's good to see you too, Teal'c. I appreciate you being a friend to Sam when she needs support. We'll catch up on everything later. Right now, I'm going to go and check on Jack and be with my daughter." Jacob smiled, clapping Teal'c on the back and heading down the hall in the direction that Hammond was indicating.

Sam had retaken her vigil at Jack's side and was telling him stories of the wild adventures and misadventures they had all shared in the past, reminiscing with the unconscious man on the bed in an attempt to keep his subconscious anchored more firmly to positive times.

"Then, after we figured out the secret of Kheb and defeated the Goa'uld we started to head out and you had to remind Daniel to go back and put on his shoes." Sam smiled, finishing her latest memory tale when she heard footsteps and felt the presence of someone standing in the doorway.

"Sam." Jacob said softly, stepping into the room completely.

"Dad? What are you doing here?"

"Well, early this morning I received a message from Earth. I immediately recognized the handwriting and knew the letter was from George. Then after I took a minute to decipher the cryptic writing and figure out what the hell the message meant, I got the meaning clearly. I came through the gate, came here, because you need my help. I'm here because my baby girl needs her father."

The love and support in Jacob's voice was the little push Sam needed to send her over the edge. The stress and fear that she'd been hiding for the past couple of days in order to be strong for Jack came rushing forward, and suddenly she was a scared twelve-year-old again who needed her Daddy to reassure her. Sam started to cry then, and she jumped up, rushing across the room and into the open arms of her father.

"Oh, God. I've been so scared, Dad. This is the first time since Mom was killed that I've been in a situation where I was completely helpless to do anything at all. Now that I know and can see with my own eyes that Jack's all right, I can't help but entertain what if scenarios. I've never been this afraid in my life. I really need you, Dad." Sam cried, her tears soaking into the shoulder of Jacob's tunic.

"I know, Sam. I'm here now, honey. I was on a recovery mission when this thing started but I'm here now. You don't have to be afraid anymore. I love you, Sam. I love you so much." Jacob whispered soothingly, stroking his daughter's back to calm her.

"I love you, Dad."


Sarah was asleep in the chair next to Daniel's bed, her head resting lightly on his arm. It made her feel comfortable to know that she could be close to him if he needed her. She had made a promise to Daniel as well as to herself when this whole thing began that if she had any control whatsoever over it, she would be there by Daniel's side when he finally woke up.

About an hour later, Sarah woke to hear noises permeating the room around her. She sat up quickly and looked around. But she only saw Janet checking the readings on the monitors that Daniel was hooked to.

"Sarah. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."

"It's okay. In times like this, it's hard to sleep very well anyway. Is he showing signs of waking up."

"No, I'm sorry. We won't be able to being either of them out of sedation until tomorrow afternoon. I promise you that no harm will come to Daniel. You said you trusted me, right?" Janet began as Sarah nodded her head. "Okay. Then you need to be patient with me for one more day. After that things can get back to normal. All you need to do for Daniel right now is what you're already doing. He needs your support and he needs to know that you're here."

"I understand. It's just really frustrating to stay by Daniel's side when he's not even aware of my presence." Sarah said, slight frustration evident in her voice.

"If there's one thing that I know from all my years of experience, it's this. Even though Daniel is unconscious and can't respond to your voice, it does not under any circumstances mean that he is unaware of your presence. I know for a fact that he is perfectly aware that you're here and that you are supporting him. Don't stop believing that."

"I know. I'm sorry I was short with you just now. It's just that seeing Daniel lying there helpless like that has me a little on edge."

"It's okay. I understand how you must be feeling. You know I have a daughter and if it was Cassandra in Daniel's place and me in yours, I'd be just as short tempered and impatient as you are right now. To make you feel hopefully a little better, I have some positive news. Other than the fact that he's sedated, Daniel's doing well. He's healing as he should be and well on the road to recovery. From what I saw this earlier this morning, Colonel O'Neill's condition is stable as well."

"That is good news. If things keep going as they are, it sounds to me like it won't be very long before things will be back to being exactly as they were before." Sarah whispered, twirling the gem on her necklace between her fingers.

"Not long at all. Actually, you'll be pleased to know that when we bring them out of the sedation and make sure their conditions hold stable, the Colonel and Daniel should be cleared to leave the hospital and go home in 48 hours. Basically what I'm saying is that if things go like they should, you'll have Daniel back home with you within 72 hours. You just need to hang on until then. Now, if you'll excuse me I need to finish my rounds." Janet said, squeezing Sarah's hand gently before she left the room to continue her work.


After Jacob left Sam alone, she took Jack's hand and once again began talking to him. All she could think about was when Jack could wake up and talk back to her. She wanted nothing more than to hear his voice.

"Hey, Jack. You have another link in your support ladder. My dad came through the Stargate a little while ago and he'll stick around as long as he can. He gives you his best wishes, so does Selmak." Sam smiled a little at her own words. "You need to wake up soon. There are so many things that we have to talk about. Above all, I just want to get everything back to being the way it should be."

A short time later, Sam heard a soft knocking on the door. She turned her head and smiled when she saw Teal'c and Jonas standing in the doorway.

"Good morning, Major Carter." Teal'c said quietly.

"Hey, guys. What's up?"

"We just wanted to know if you wanted to walk down with us to get something for breakfast. It might do good for you to get out of this little room for a little while, too." Jonas commented.

"Yeah, I think I will come with you to get something to eat. Where are my dad and General Hammond?"

"They have already gone downstairs to the cafeteria and are indeed finding a table at which we may sit."

"Okay. Let's go and see if Sarah wants to come with us and then go get some food. I am pretty hungry." Sam smiled as she turned to her Kelownan friend. "You seem to be much more rested, Jonas."

"What are you talking about?"

"I got a little stir crazy during the night and decided to seek a little distraction so I went to talk to Teal'c. Anyway, when I came in, you were conked out on one of the couches in the waiting room. Teal'c mentioned to me that it had been more than a day since you'd last slept. Then on top of that you came through the gate pretty early yesterday and we all know firsthand how tiring gate travel can be sometimes."

"Well, I do feel pretty well rested. I know you're probably thinking of saying something like I should have taken a nap or something before I came through but helping friends who are in a tough spot was a much stronger priority. I know that in a similar situation you would do the same thing I did." Jonas said gently, squeezing Sam's shoulder.

"Okay. Wait here, guys. I'll go try to convince Sarah to come to breakfast with us. I shouldn't be very long."

Sam walked in and approached Sarah slowly, clearing her throat as she approached to avoid scaring her friend. She didn't want to frighten her more than she already was.

"Sarah. How's he doing?"

"Hi, Sam. He's doing pretty well. Dr. Fraiser says that other than the fact that he's still sedated, he seems to be fine. I just wish he would wake up and look at me with those beautiful blue eyes of his so I can know once and for all that this is over and everything is going to be okay." Sarah said quietly.

"Well, I have an idea that might help you to distract yourself at least for a few minutes. Come down to get some breakfast with us. I know you have to be hungry. It's been hours since the last time you've had anything to eat. Besides, if you stay here all you're going to do is drive yourself crazy."

"Sure. I am pretty hungry. It'll be tomorrow before Daniel will wake up anyway so I might as well take a little break. Okay, I'll come get something to eat with you."

"Great. Come on, let's go. Jonas and Teal'c are waiting outside for us."

A few minutes later, they were in the elevator heading down to the cafeteria to meet Hammond and Jacob. It was then that Sam decided to say something that she'd had on her mind for the past several hours.

"You know, guys, I think I am definitely one very lucky person. I mean, I have the greatest group of friends that anyone could ever ask for and now I suddenly have an opportunity that I never thought would open itself up to me. My point is that I don't believe I could have gotten through this thing with my sanity if it hadn't been for you guys." Sam said as her three friends enveloped her in a large group hug as the elevator reached the bottom and the doors pinged open for them.