The gateroom 16.38 p.m
Hammond was standing ready to congratulate his flagteam on a job well done and was shocked by what he saw. Through the gate SG-1 came falling down on the ramp, one on top of the other. Sam was crying and Jack looked burned out. Even Teal'c's typical stoic appearance was a little shut but what shocked him the most was the condition of the youngest member of the team. The antropologist was unconcious and bleeding from what seemed like numorous cuts on his body. He activated the alarm and the red light swirled as he reached for the base speaker.
"Medical staff to gateroom...I repeat...medical staff to gateroom!"
A few minutes later Dr. Janet Frasier came running into the room followed by four nurses. She dropped to her knees besides the young man who were bleeding heavily while she directed her staff to take care of the rest of SG-1. After a quick examination she turned to two nurses behind her.
"His vitals are dropping...let's get him to the infirmary...let's go people...go go go."
She would be damned if they would loose this young man. Not on her clock. They got him on a stretcher and rushed him to the infirmary. She could feel someone looking at her while they rolled him down the halls and looked over her shoulders only to find that the remaining members of this young mans team was following the situation closely with concern and tears in their eyes. Even General Hammond was following. This man must really be special, she thought.
The infirmary 16.40 p.m
As soon as they reached the infirmary she sepereated the young man from his teammates and rolled him into a private examinationroom while his friends were taking in for basic examination. She was not concerned for them. They were not injured. Her concentration and cencern was directed at the young man. She cut of his now bloodred t-shirt and pants and took a look at the external damage. There was a lot of blood but as far as she could speculate the cuts were all superficial. So were the burns. She directed one nurse to clean and bandage them. Then she touched his chest and was relieved on his behalf, that he was uncoucious as she felt the broken ribs. Then she moved on to his head injury. This was much worse, she thought. Not good. Not good at all. It must had been a nasty fall cause the left side og his face was bruised badly. She could see the blue and purple beginning to manifest itself on the skin. But she was more concerned about internal damage. She couldn't tell how bad it was before he got an EKG. Right now she wished he would wake up. The longer a person stayed unconcious after an injury like this the greater the chance for brain damage. She ordered the EKG and had just gotten the young man into bed when the white drapes were violently pulled aside. In front of her stood a man in his fourties. His hair was beginning to show very small signs of grey but it suited him. It was one of the young mans team mates she had seen in the hallway. Probably his CO. He looked at her with tired eyes, then at her patient and then back at her. His voice was firm as he spoke but his eyes told the true story.
"How is he Doctor?"
"Who are you", she asked. "You can't be in here right now...he is not well enough for visitors".
"Colonel Jack O'niell SG-1". He said it like a robot and didn't seem to understand her words as he just repeated himself. "How is he Doctor?"
"Look Colonel...you have to wait in the waitingroo...".
"Don't give me that doctor crap...that's a member of my team lying in that bed!" He shouted and pointed to the young man.
"Calm down Colonel...or i will have you removed from my infirmary by force".
"Sorry Doc...". He looked ashamed and she couldn't help to feel for him and what he was going through.
"It's alright Colonel...look...actually there is something i need...".
"How much do you need?" He rolled his shirt up and stretched his arm out against her.
"No Colonel...not blood...i doubt you are the right type anyway...i need some information...". She admired his deepfelt wish to help.
"Ohh...sorry...i just...i mean...he must have lost a lot of blood...i just figured...".
"It's okay".
"What information do you need?"
"For starters...his name...".
"Daniel Jackson...".
"Okay...do you know if he has any allergies...?". He smiled and she wondered why.
"I think the question should be...is there anything he isn't allergic too". He smiled again and sent an almost fatherly look towards Daniel.
"Okay...got that...look Colonel...you will have to wait in the waitingroom just like the others...and get some sleep...doctors orders". She was certain she would find the waitingroom full once she entered.
"Alright...". He turned to leave but just before he reached the door he turned to her.
"Honestly Doc...how is he?" His plea for information was so sincere she had to tell him the truth.
"He is in a coma, but stable for now Colonel...the next twentyfour hours should tell us more...but right now it could go both ways". She watched him absorb the information.
"Thank you Doc..."
"Janet..."
"Thank you Janet..."
"You're welcome Colonel".
"Jack".
"Alright Jack". She gave him a nod and a comforting smile. He smiled back but it was a sad smile.
Then he exited and she checked the monitors on Daniel. Still no change. She looked at him. She found him guite handsome and he definately was a loved man. He had to be a good man for so many people to care about him. No doubt about it. He deserved to live. She had seen him around base just wandering aimlessly around like he didn't have anyone to go to, but that obviously wasn't the case. And he always seemed to have a cup of coffee with him. She had planned to have had a chat with him about the hole coffee thing because it wasn't healthy for anyone to have that much coffein but hadn't gotten the chance to se him before now. He just looked asleep but she knew better. He was in a deep coma. She brushed his hair away from his face and gave his hand a light squeeze.
"Stay with us Daniel...stay with us", she whispered.
The briefingroom 09.55 p.m next day
Hammond stood at the end of the table waiting for SG-1 to to get there and debrief so he could get clarity over what had happened on P3X-489. What the hell HAD happened? The planet had been classified a level 1 planet, meaning harmless. It was just supposed to have been a standard recon mission. Collect samples, investigate ruins. That kind of stuff. To get the team ruffled together. But something had gone terrible wrong. Dr. Jackson was hurt. But how? Did he fall down from somewhere? From the look of his bruised face he must have? But was Dr. Jackson really that clumsy? Had he made an awful mistake when he had approved a civilian on a SG team? He had done it out of two reasons. One of the reasons was the issue of Dr. Jacksons wife. The man deserved to help in the rescue. How could he deny him that oppourtunity? He couldn't. The other reason was the fact that Dr. Jackson really could be a good thing to have in the SGC. In many ways he was perfect for this job because of his skills in term of archology, antrophology not to mension linguistics. But maybe even more because of the man he was inside. Because of his heart. This was supposed to be their flagteam. When he had put this team together he had thought carefully to do it right. He had chosen Colonel O'niell because he was the most experienced in intersteller travel and a good man who he trusted a hundred percent. And because he was a leader that could be respected. It was important for the team leader to be able to gain respect from his team members or the teamwork would not be successful. He had chosen Teal'c because of his knowledge of the goa'uld and skills as a warrior. Captain Carter had gotten the spot in front of so many others because of her brilliant brain and because if was a good thing to have a women on the team for so many reasons. Dr. Jackson had been chosen to balance Colonel O'niell out. They were so different and Colonel O'niell had a tendency to forget about the emotionel issue of things. To dismiss his conciounce and Hammond had relied on Dr. Jackson to even that out. To get Colonel O'niell to see the bigger picture in things and maybe look at situations from a different point of view when it was needed. He believed it was a good team. No, not only good...an excellent team. He couldn't accept that the future of SG-1 might be cut short even before it had really begun. It just wasn't they way it was supposed to go down.
Three members of SG-1 entered together with Doctor Frasier. They all looked like they hadn't sleept in days except the doctor.
"Have a seat". He pointed to the chairs around the table and they all sat down but none of them said anything.
"Would anyone like to tell me what happened on P3X-489?", he continued.
When nobody answered he turned to Jack.
"Colonel...what happened to Doctor Jackson?"
Jack looked him strait in the face.
"He was hurt Sir". He said it with no emotion like he was far away in thoughts.
"I know that, but how?"
"The beings got him", Sam answered without looking at Hammond or Jack. She just sat there and didn't move.
"Beings? What beings? Wait...think i need to have the hole story from the beginning."
Teal'c seemed to be the one most capable of speech in that moment. Strangely enough. Cause he didn't talk a lot.
"Teal'c...can you tell me what happened?" The Jaffa nodded.
"We went through the stargate at aproximately 1300 hours yesterday afternoon. The planet on the other side was warm and appereared uninhabited. Daniel Jackson found a room in the ruins of a temple. We went to investigate. Then we were surprised by the beings. Daniel Jackson tried to communicate with these beings but he was unsuccessful and they attacked him with some kind of energy field. We opened fire but our weapons had no effect. They told us to leave and released Daniel Jackson in his current state. Then we retreated back through the stargate."
"Why did they attack?"
"That i am unable to say"
"Alright...can anybody tell me about these beings".
"They were blue", Jack said.
"Blue?"
"I think what the Colonel is trying to say is that they seemed to iluminate different colours Sir". Sam seemed to have awakened from her previous state of mind.
"What else can you tell me Captain?"
"They diffinately were humanoids but they hovered above the floor almost like ghosts. But what was really interesting was they way they attacked...i got the impression they could control electricity or maybe they are even made out of it...but it is only speculation Sir."
"Come one Carter...interesting?" Sometimes her scientific brain was too much for him. Daniel was hurt and she was sitting there talking about how interesting the attack had been. Have a little respect, Jack thought.
"Sorry Sir...didn't mean to...".
"I know Carter.."
Hammond interubted.
"And Dr. Jackson wasn't saying or doing anything they could have taken as an insult?"
"No...he was just...being Daniel Sir...he just tried to talk to them". Jack buttet in.
"They did think we were goa'ulds Sir", Sam said.
"Goa'ulds? Why?"
Sam and Jack looked at Teal'c and Hammond got the picture.
"It is I that are responsible for what happened to Daniel Jackson, Hammond of Texas".
"For cryin out loud...will you stop it T...it was not your fault!"
"The Colonel is right Teal'c...you are not to blame".
Teal'c didn't answer and Hammond continued.
"Alright...i have heard enough...P3X-489 is hereby off the list and no SG team are to travel to the planet again."
"You can't be serious General!" Jack spoke up.
"But i am Colonel".
"Why! I say we go back there and kick their colored asses for what they did to Daniel!"
"That's out of the question...i will not risk the lifes of any SGC personnel so you can go out for revenge! The planet is off limits Colonel".
"NO! We can not let them get away with it General...Daniel could die for cryin out loud!" Jack was yelling now.
"You are out of order Colonel...i suggest you calm down before you say something you can't take back."
"With all due respect General...this is one of our guys they hurt without no reason...and when they hurt one of us they hurt us all. How can you call yourself the leader of this facility when you won't retaliate an attack on us?"
Jack was angry and so was Hammond. They both starred at eachother for a while. Sam and Janet watched the power struggle with disbelief in their eyes. Teal'c was amazed as well.
"Colonel...you were warned...you are dismissed and confined to the base...". Hammond signaled to the guard outside the door. "He will escort you to your quarters...you will go now and stay there untill futher notice".
Jack hit the table hard and stood up abrubtly.
"Fine...and by the way...". He turned to Teal'c and Sam and snorted. "Thanks guys! Your support was overwhelming!" Sam looked down at the floor feeling guilty while Teal'c just looked at Jack with a stoic expression not understading his behavior. Then he turned to the quard who tried to take hold of him.
"Get your hands off me! I can walk myself!".
The guard looked at Hammond who nodded and they left. Then Hammond continued with the meeting. He turned to the doctor.
"Dr. Frasier...how is Dr. Jackson?"
Both Sam and Teal'c turned their attention to Janet as she spoke.
"There is no change. His wounds are healing nicely but he is still in a coma. He hit his head pretty bad when he fell. I don't know if...". She stopped talking and looked down at some papers to avoid looking Daniels team mates in the eyes. She didn't know how to tell them what she knew she had to. That maybe Daniel would never wake up again. She looked up again. They were all looking at her. Expecting her to heal everything like she was some kind of god. Sam was sitting with watery eyes with her hand above her mouth trying to hold back the tears. Teal'c looked down at the table. The pain in his eyes were so obvious. Hammond had put his hands on the table and took a deep breath.
"Alright Doctor...do whatever you can for Dr. Jackson and contact me the minute there is any change". She nodded. "SG-1...you are on standdown untill further notice. Dismissed".
He raised from the table and walked into his office. Behind him SG-1 left the room. He would bet his right arm that they were going to the infirmary. Now there was only the paperwork left. He knew he would get a lot of heat from the justice department for this. He knew how they felt about civilians in the airforce. But somehow he was grateful that he had something to do right now. That was more that could be said for Dr. Jacksons team mates. Now what was he going to do about Colonel O'niell? He could not keep holding his hand over the Jack and the sooner he understood that the better for everyone.
The infirmary 10.25 pm
He just laid there. Not moving. Not talking. Not smiling. Sam had keept watch by his side for a couple of minutes when Janet came to join her. They sent eachother looks while the observed the young man. There was no need for words between them. They didn't have to talk about eachoters feelings cause it was obvious they felt the same way. One of the machines beeped and Sam almost fell off the hard plastic chair. Please stop, she thought. I will not hear that flatline. No flatline. No flatline. Please stop. The beeping noise stopped and she took in a deep breath. She could feel her eyes burn with unshed tears. How many times had she cried now? She had almost lost count. There had been the planet, the shower, the cafeteria, the waitingroom and now the infirmary. And still the tears came easily. Janet went to the monitor and looked at Sam. She just sighed. Which meant no change.
"It was nothing Sam...not bad but not good either...there is no sign that he is coming to".
Sam nodded and looked at Daniel. She looked so tired, Janet thought.
"Sam...when is the last time you sleept?" Janet asked.
"Ohh...i don't know...the night before we left for the planet, i think".
"You have to sleep Sam".
"I know but i can't...all i see when i close my eyes is Daniel twitching and screaming...he screamed Janet...is was the most terrifying sound i have ever heard. He was in so much pain...and the blood...and the screams...".
"I know i know...try not to think about it". She knew how stupid she must have been sounding but what else could she say? "Would you like me to subcribe you something to help you sleep?"
"Yes please...".
"Alright..." She went to get a bottle of pills for Sam and quickly came back. "Here...don't take more than two at most...they are pretty strong.."
"Thanks Janet". She took the bottle.
"You're welcome. Would you like to tell me about him?"
"What do you mean?"
"Maybe it would help somehow...i know it would help me...i am his doctor and i don't know him...i would like to be able to say i knew him in case...".
"Maybe you're right...i can understand that." She took her time to figure out how to explain Daniel best then continued. "The thing about Daniel is that he just...he touches everyone he comes in contact with Janet. On some level whether they know it or not. He has so much heart. He cares so much. I have only known him for a couple of weeks but somehow it feels like forever. I can't help to wonder what i did before he influenced my life. It's like everything i did before i met him on Abydos is a blur. He is such an inspiration...and he is so intelligent...i don't know how to explain it better...he did not deserve this". She began to cry.
Janet put a hand on her shoulder to comfort her.
"He sure sounds like an amazing young man...". In that moment Teal'c knocked on the door and they both looked in his direction.
"Captain Carter...would you like me to sit with Daniel Jackson?".
"No Teal'c...it's fine...".
"I think it is best for all if you get some sleep Sam...eight hours at least...then you can come back". Janet buttet in.
"But Jan...".
"Doctors orders Sam". He tone left no room for discussion and Sam stood up to leave. On the way out she hesitated besides Teal'c and gave him a hug. The Jaffa seemed surprised but after a moment he returned it. Sam walked to the door and then turned to Janet.
"Thanks Janet...". They both knew it wasn't the pills she was thankful for and Janet just gave her a nod and a smile.
Then Teal'c came to sit in the now abandoned infirmary chair.
"Doctor Frasier". He bowed his head to her and she greeted him back without a word. Then she retreated to her office and left Teal'c by Daniels side.
Teal'c sat a long time just looking at Daniel Jackson. How much pain he had caused this man of the Tau'ri. So much unnessasary agony. He was amazed by the inner strength this man persessed. His abilty to forgive and forget. Daniel Jackson had forgiving him for taking Shau'ri back on Abydos and for choosing her as the Queen of Apophis the false god. Daniel Jackson had told him as soon as they got back that he had no hard feelings towards him. They had all forgiving him for being the First Prime of Apophis and for all he had done in his service. After all they knew he had done they still trusted him. He doubted he would have been just a generous in their place. The people of the Tau'ri were a people of honour indeed. He had seen it in all of them. But he had believed when he had looked into the eyes of O'neill. He had seen the truth that day. Now when he looked at Daniel Jackson he felt it more than ever. The guilt. He could never repay the debt to this man before he redeemed himself and brought back his wife and family. The familiy he himself had taken from him. His thought drifted back to Chulak. To his own wife and his son. Would he ever seen them again? Had he made to big a sacrifice? The Jaffa sat up strait in the chair. The people here were different. They were errasionel and emosionel and yet it seemed to work well for them. He didn't always understand their ways and they surely didn't always understand him but he felt accepted none the less. Maybe they had even begun to rub off on him. When Captain Carter had took him into an embrace he had felt something. Her pain. Heard her tears on his shoulder. Felt her need to be touched and comforted. It was not custum for the Jaffa to show emotion but he had done it. He had hold her in his arms and it had felt...right. He had given his alliance to this world and he would honor that vow to the day of his death. Then his thoughts turned to Daniel Jackson once again as he keept vagile in complete silence.