Chapter Thirteen:
Earth
Daniel carefully and quietly edged open the window. The back alley smelled strongly like fish, and trying to think what Jack would do in a situation like this, he decided to sneak in. Stealing back the machine was better then not getting it back at all.
Carefully using his knife, he pried open the small window, opening it and carefully squeezing through. As he maneuvered his ribs through the tiny hole, he slipped, crashing to the hard cold floor below. Feeling dizzy, a pair of hands lifted him to his feet and dusted him off somewhat. Opening his streaming eyes, he looked into the face of Teal'c.
"How did you get in here?" He asked, looking back at the window. Teal'c smiled somewhat.
"The door was open, Daniel Jackson."
Frowning, Daniel looked at the open door, then felt his face burn red.
"Oh." He said, his voice gruff. He dusted himself off and looked around, picking up his pistol from where it had dropped onto the ground.
"Looks…empty." Daniel commented, looking through the empty hanger.
"Daniel Jackson…" Teal'c whispered, "I believe we have company."
Looking past Teal'c's bulking form, Daniel noticed several men in black BDU's walking toward them, each holding an MP5 machine gun.
Daniel waved slightly, raising his hand.
"On the count of three…" He whispered, "Run."
Teal'c frowned.
"I do not believe that is wise."
"Oh? Why not?"
"Those men seem…I believe the Earth term is…Lever happy."
"Lever Happy? Don't you mean Trigger Happy?"
"That is what I said Daniel Jackson."
Daniel frowned, his mouth open, a retort forming on his lips.
"Silence!" One of the men growled. Daniel recognized him instantly, but gulped anyway. "Who are you?"
Daniel and Teal'c remained silent.
The man grinned.
Turning to the rest of his men, he indicated they should take Teal'c.
As Teal'c was handcuffed and dragged away, leaving the man and Daniel alone, the man turned to speak.
"Doctor Jackson."
"Agent Barret. Wasn't I speaking to you a little while ago?"
"They said intruders had broken in here. I assumed you, so I took the job."
Daniel smiled gratefully.
"Do you know where the machine is?"
Barret grinned.
"It's in a van outside. I've organized the van to break down. You and Teal'c will have faulty handcuffs," He indicated the cracks in the metal, "Break out, you'll knock me out, and I'll make sure the machine is sent to the SGC."
Daniel stopped.
"But what about your job?"
Barret grinned.
"You took it when you and the alien escaped from the van."
Daniel smiled, happily moving along with Barret as he was pushed outside, and toward a large navy blue van.
Atlantis, Pegasus Galaxy
Elizabeth looked around at her friends. They had gathered around her in the gate room, watching as the gate activated and one team returned from their mission on another planet, and left for the infirmary, leaving Elizabeth and her now small group of friends alone, all watching the Stargate, lost in their own thoughts.
Gently squeezing her arm in support was Rodney. Holding onto Rodney's arm was Kate, her eyes fixed on the gate. On Elizabeth's other side stood Ford and Teyla, each giving each other side-glances when they thought the other wasn't looking.
And they waited. They waited for the team to return. They waited for their friends to come back. And they waited for a miracle to happen.
M65-644, Pegasus Galaxy
John looked at the unconscious woman before him. His ribs were hurting from where the Wraith had smashed them with his foot, kicking repeatedly into John's ribs and face. But none of his injuries compared to Jack's, emotionally that is, the Wraith had apparently told him all the ways he had tortured Sam. That had nearly broken the man itself.
Jack was now lying beside the Colonel, fast asleep. John sighed, pulling Sam's limp leg toward him as he busied himself, changing the 'bandages' around her ankle.
Stargate Command, Cheyenne Mountain
Daniel grinned, watching as the machine was wheeled into his lab. Beside him stood Mitchell Sanders, one of the only humans found with the powerful ancient gene, a person who had not been reached by the Trust first.
Taking one look at the machine, Daniel groaned slightly. Half of it was dented in.
Teal'c standing close to the door, lifted the machine and gently placed it on the desk.
"Shall we try it Daniel Jackson?"
Daniel took a deep calming breath.
"Might as well." He said quietly, his voice echoing, "Might as well…"
Teal'c nodded and turned to Mitchell.
"Will you please activate the machine?"
Mitchell turned his confused look to Daniel.
"Can you press this for us please?" Daniel asked. Mitchell looked at him, eyebrow rising.
Daniel sighed.
"Please? I'll give you my supply of jelly beans…" He opened his draw, revealing two large jars, lying on their side, full of multicolored jubes. The brown haired, blue eyed five year old grinned evilly, and reached his hand out to the machine.
With a quick press of the small red button, a large light filled the room.
M65-644, Pegasus Galaxy
John smiled at the sleeping couple. Carefully pulling off the Colonel's boot, he winced at the ugly red and black swelling.
If they didn't get her out of here soon, John didn't think she had much of a chance.
Surprised, John jumped slightly, noticing Sam's eyes had opened and she was watching his every movement.
"Hey sleepy head." He whispered. She looked at then sleeping form of Jack.
"Hey." She said throatily. Grinning he reached out and rested him palm against her forehead.
"You're burning up." He whispered. She nodded painfully. As he let out a small supporting smile, the entire cell was bathed it white light.
The Wraith guard outside jumped, turning around and aiming his stunner, only to find the cell empty.
Atlantis, Pegasus Galaxy
Elizabeth sighed. It had been a long while as they stood, watching the gate, waiting for their miracle. Several people had joined them, staying for a while before drifting off to attend their duties or sleep.
Feeling a crick in her neck, Elizabeth stretched. Rodney shuffled beside her, and Kate beside him.
"It's time to go Elizabeth." Kate said softly. She knew how important John was to Elizabeth, and had gone along with her deep meaningful emotional wait, but it was now past midnight, and only Elizabeth's closest friends were left in the silent vigil.
Elizabeth nodded.
"I know." She sighed, looking at her closest friends around her. "Thank you." She whispered.
Rodney smiled tiredly.
"No problem Elizabeth."
Ford stepped in front of her.
"John's a strong guy. I'm sure he's alive." He said, his eyes reflecting sadness.
Elizabeth nodded.
"I know he is."
For Zelenka, watching the group from the small control room out jutting balcony, he sighed.
Watching them, he was surprised when a familiar white light, beamed them all away…
Ttfn!
