For disclaimer and warnings see part 0/1.
Teal'c quietly kept watch throughout the day and into the night. There was little he could do but keep the fire going. Both women were unconscious after their little escapade in the rain. Sam was frighteningly still, her chest barely rising with each breath, and Teal'c frequently found himself grabbing her wrist and praying he felt a pulse. He was unable to help either woman and felt utterly useless. He was a protector, yet all those he cared for were being hurt.
He had lost so many people he loved and respected in such a short time. First Daniel Jackson had died, and then his own wife Drey'auc had given her life for his cause. O'Neill had taken ill, forced to choose between death or a blending, an option O'Neill had always despised. Although Jack still had a chance at life, he doubted his friend would emerge from the experience unchanged. Finally Samantha Carter had been seriously wounded and stranded on an alien world. And now he cannot protect their defender, the doctor who healed them and the friend who listened to them. A small moan brought him out of his dark thoughts. Looking between the two women, he noticed Major Carter's eyes were open and she appeared lucid. When she saw him, she gave a small smile.
"Teal'c."
"Major Carter," he said warmly. "How do you feel?"
"Thirsty," she said, looking around the cave. "Confused." She slowly drank the water that suddenly appeared in front of her. "Where are we?"
"We are still on P6X-241."
"What happened?" she asked, trying to get her jumbled memories into order.
"We were liberating SG-8. We had nearly completed our mission when the villagers attacked. You were injured." The memory flashed through Sam's mind.
"Everybody else get home?" she asked. Teal'c nodded. Satisfied, she allowed her eyes to close shut again. "How long?"
"It has been several days," Teal'c told her.
"We should have heard from the SGC by now," she said, pushing herself up. She didn't get very far though, a combination of intense pain and Teal'c's gentle hands stilling her movement.
"Major Carter, you must not move." She nodded painfully.
"You gave to get back to the SGC Teal'c. Bring back some help." Teal'c looked uncomfortable at her statement.
"I cannot." Seeing her about to protest, he continued, "The Gate is malfunctioning. I have tried to connect to the SGC but have been unable to do so."
"What's wrong with the Gate?" Teal'c could see her strength fading, but she was unwilling to let go quite yet.
"I am unsure. When I attempt to dial, the glyphs do not engage. I have inspected the DHD but am unable to find anything wrong."
"Help me up Teal'c. Let me take a look"
"I cannot," he told her, grabbing the canteen again. Searching through the medical kit, he took out some antibiotics and aspirin. "We are several miles from the Stargate. You are injured and there is a severe storm raging outside." She cocked her head to the side, as if hearing the storm for the first time. He helped her take the medicine before making her as comfortable as possible. "You must rest. When the storm breaks, you will need all your strength to return to the Stargate." Nodding, she finished the rest of the water before falling into a restless sleep.
SG1SG1SG1SG1
The storm broke a few hours later, the sun making a valiant effort at breaking through the clouds just as it set for the day. Janet had awoken and they decided to wait out the night in the cave. Teal'c told her about Sam's awakening, and after a brief check of her friend Janet had gone back to sleep. Teal'c placed himself in Kelno'reem and waited for the morning. When the first rays of light fell on him, he opened his eyes. There wasn't a cloud in sight and it looked like it would be a beautiful day. Checking on his companions, he found them both asleep.
He threw more logs onto the fire, before grabbing a MRE and preparing it. While it was warming, he went to check on his friends. Major Carter was sleeping again, although restlessly. Teal'c was disturbed to hear the harshness in her breath. Leaving her to rest, he went to check on Janet. She was also sleeping, though he could see a slight fever flush on her cheeks. Placing a hand on her forehead, he could feel heat radiating off. His gentle touch was enough to wake the sleeping doctor.
"Teal'c," she asked, taking a few minutes to focus on him. "What's wrong?"
"You are ill," he stated. Janet sat up, placing her hand to her forehead.
"I think I'm getting a cold."
"Do you require nourishment?" he asked, hoping he could help her in some way.
"Water," she told him. A canteen quickly appeared by her side. She cautiously sipped the liquid, hoping her stomach wouldn't rebel. After a few sips she set the canteen aside. "Help me up," she ordered the Jaffa. "I need to check on Sam." He nodded and pulled the doctor to her feet, holding her up while she steadied herself. They slowly made their way to the other side of the fire where Sam was resting. After a quick check, Janet turned to the Jaffa. "Her temperature is elevated, but it's not dangerously high. She has some congestion in her lungs, but it's not as bad as I feared. I think she's doing great, all things considered."
"And yourself," he asked.
"Nothing more than a spring cold," she dismissed. "I'll be fine within the day."
"You require rest," he told her. She nodded.
"Keep an eye on Sam," she instructed. "Wake me if she gets worse. She's treading a fine line right now." Teal'c nodded his agreement as she lay down near her friend. Within minutes she was asleep. Teal'c quietly returned to his now hot meal. He ate slowly while he debated his remaining options. He still had absolute faith in Major Carter's ability to repair the Stargate, although he was starting to doubt whether she would recover enough strength to attempt the act. He could still fly the Glider back to P9M-674 and return to the SGC through that Stargate. Once he reached Stargate Command it would be very simple to return with a naquadah generator. But that would involve leaving his two sick companions alone and unguarded for a minimum of two days. That was not an option at the moment.
The last remaining possibility was the Palace. He was confident he could escape their confinement, even if his presence was detected. But even if he escaped unscathed, would they send a party to the Stargate as they did before? What would they do when they discovered Major Carter had been removed? Would they hunt them down or simply let them walk away? Could he hide his companions as he laid false trails for the villagers to follow? What if they were discovered? Could either woman survive another forced march, even if their lives were at stake? Shaking his head, he realized there was nothing he could do until another option became available. Resigned to another long wait, he left their shelter to gather enough wood to last them through the night. When he returned, he was surprised to find Sam awake and watching him with suspicion.
"Major Carter," he asked, immediately dropping his bundle of wood and moving to her side, "are you well?"
"I think I'm starting to remember." She pierced him with her gaze. "Didn't I tell… no order you to leave?"
"Indeed," he replied, holding out the canteen.
"Where's Jonas?" she asked, making no move to sip the water. "You were supposed to make sure Jonas made it back to Earth. You were supposed to return to Earth too." She was visibly getting upset, shaking with uncontrolled emotion. "Colonel O'Neill will be so angry. He promised nobody would be left behind and I've broken that." She paused for a second, looking around her surroundings before attempting to rise. "I need to find Jonas."
"Major Carter," Teal'c said, dropping the water and securely restraining his friend.
"No, Teal'c. Let me go. I need to find Jonas," she yelled as she struggled against the Jaffa's restraining hands. "I need to find him and get him home. He's my responsibility. I can't leave anyone else behind." The commotion woke Janet, who promptly helped hold Sam down. Sam, however, was so delirious she could not tell friend from foe. She fought their hands as hard as she could, leaving Janet no other choice but to sedate the out of control woman. She quickly prepared and administered the injection, Sam's energy seeming to fade as soon as the needle pierced her skin. "Janet?" she asked, finally able to focus on the other woman.
"It's okay Sam," the doctor soothed.
"Jonas is safe?" she asked, her jumbled thoughts starting to make sense.
"Indeed," Teal'c replied. "Jonas Quinn is safely at the SGC. You, however, are severely injured. Such frantic movements will only aggravate your injuries. You must remain still. Do you understand?" Sam nodded and they loosened their grip.
"The Gate is broken?" Sam asked, remembering more than Teal'c thought she would.
"It is," Teal'c confirmed reaching for the fallen canteen and helping Sam take a few sips. Janet continued to soothe her, running her fingers comfortingly through her short hair. She could feel the sedative working, combining with Janet's actions to send her deep into slumber, but she had to make Teal'c understand before she gave in.
"DHD reset," she managed to get out before sleep claimed her. She could only hope Teal'c would understand.
"DHD reset? Any idea what it means?" Janet asked when the blonde finally succumbed to unconsciousness. She was berating herself for leaving her friend's side, even for a moment. She was worried something like this would happen.
"I believe so, Doctor Fraiser," Teal'c said thoughtfully. "If the Stargate malfunctions during the dialing procedure, the Gate will lock up. Resetting the DHD would occasionally unlock the Gate, allowing normal dialing procedure to commence."
"Like resetting a computer when it freezes," Janet said, getting an idea of the solution. Teal'c nodded. "Did you try that yet?"
"I did not think about it," he admitted ashamedly. He went over to the cave entrance, looking outside. "There are several hours before the suns set. I believe I could travel to the Stargate and attempt to reset the DHD and return before night falls, if you are able to watch over Major Carter."
"Go Teal'c," Janet said immediately. "You've got to try something. We'll be fine." Teal'c nodded and quickly left the cave. Janet let her attention drift to the unconscious woman beside her. She could feel Sam's fever returning when she was attempting to soothe the confused woman. Without proper medicine, Janet was worried she wouldn't be able to bring it down again. She saw the blanket off to the side and realized it must have been shoved aside during the struggle. She quickly grabbed it and draped it over her friend before joining her underneath it. Curling up, she prayed Teal'c would get the DHD to work before it would be too late for any of them.
Several hours later Teal'c returned to the cave. Janet, roused by his arrival, merely glanced at him. "It was unsuccessful," he answered her unasked question.
"I'm sure we'll think of something else," she replied. She gently eased out from under the blanket and went to stand by him, hugging herself in the chill of the night air. She mumbled thanks to Teal'c as he laid his jacket over her shoulders.
"You're illness is worsening." It wasn't a question. He could see the bags under her eyes, and her pale skin only accentuated the fever flush on her cheeks.
"We both are." Teal'c silently agreed. Even from this distance he could hear the troubled sound Sam's lungs were making. "Her condition is worsening."
"What of yourself?"
"I think my simple cold is turning into a bad case of the flu, if not something more serious." Teal'c nodded, turning to search through their few remaining supplies for some dinner. Grabbing two pouches, he returned his attention to the doctor.
"I will warm dinner for you," holding up his hand against her protest, he continued, "then you will retire for the night. I shall watch over Major Carter tonight." She wanted to protest, but in the end it was easier to just give in to his demands.
While she ate, he again bathed Major Carter in cold water in an attempt to cool her overheated body, stopping only to help the doctor lay down and to put wood on the fire. His fingers got numb, but he did not stop. If this was the only thing he could do to help his friend, nothing was going to stop him. Sam cried out several times during the night, sometimes calling names he knew and others he did not. She also started coughing uncontrollably during the night, and he winced whenever the spasms would jar her broken body. He talked quietly to her, hoping the sound of his voice would bring her some comfort.
"Teal'c?" she asked, surfacing from the darkness once during the night.
"Major Carter," he replied softly. Her eyes were open and surprisingly clear.
"We're still on the planet," she said, her eyes fully taking in the cave for the first time.
"Indeed." He helped her sip some water, pleased to see a small smile in appreciation. "The Stargate is malfunctioning. We are stranded."
"How did you get here," she asked.
"We arrived in the modified Death Glider." Sam looked around in confusion until her eyes found the sleeping form next to her.
"Teal'c, promise me you'll get Janet home. Use the Glider."
"I cannot," he told her. "I believe she would not survive an extended journey in the Death Glider in her present condition." He was surprised when she shook her head.
"The Gate," she insisted, "use the Glider to power the Gate." She closed her eyes as a coughing spell attacked her and when she opened them again Teal'c could see the fever clouding her mind again. "Please don't leave me Teal'c," she begged.
"I will remain by your side," he told her, trying to calm the younger woman.
"Don't leave me. Please. Daniel left and Jack left. Please don't leave me too." Another coughing fit came. Sam closed her eyes tightly in pain. Teal'c proficiently prepared some morphine to relieve her pain. Administering it, he tightly grasped her hand, willing her the strength to continue.
"You must rest," he told her gently, "for we will be rescued soon."
"Please Teal'c," she said when the spell had passed, opening her eyes to look at him. "Don't let them leave me behind." The hopelessness broke Teal'c's heart. He could see the fear in her eyes as they started to close against her will. Her eyes finally rolled back into her head as she gave in to the morphine. Teal'c continued to minister to her, pondering her words while he did. She was delusional, but what if she was right? Did she just tell him how to fix the Stargate?
It was a risk. If they attempted to use the Death Glider as a power source, it would likely render the Glider inoperable, if not destroy it completely. If it was unsuccessful, they would be stranded here indefinitely. He glanced over at his companion. He was genuinely surprised she didn't awaken during their discussion. It gave testimony to how truly ill she was. He would need to discuss the situation with the doctor, but that discussion would need to wait until the morning. Sitting down between the two women, Teal'c settled in for a long night.
SG1SG1SG1SG1
Morning came far to slowly for Teal'c's liking. His mind kept going over Major Carter's idea and he had a good idea how it would work. "Morning Teal'c." He looked down at the disheveled doctor. He could hear her restless sleeping throughout the night, and now she did not look refreshed.
"Dr. Fraiser," he acknowledged her. He watched as she slowly moved toward the fire. "Major Carter woke during the night."
"Why didn't you wake me?" she asked.
"You needed your rest," he replied. "I stayed with her throughout the night. Her fever again decreased, though her breathing is still labored." Janet glanced over at her friend, noting the med kit nearby.
"You gave her some morphine?"
"She was in great pain. If we cannot heal her, the least we can do is make her comfortable." Janet nodded in agreement. "Major Carter did have an idea for fixing the Stargate," Teal'c admitted hesitantly, "though I am not sure if it is rational." He proceeded to relay their conversation to the doctor.
"Will it work?" she asked when he finished.
"It is possible," he admitted, "but not without risks."
"I know." She thought for a long time before turning to face him. "It's your decision Teal'c. You are the one who will need to live with the consequences if it doesn't work." He wanted to protest her diagnosis but he knew she was correct. Neither woman would live much longer if they couldn't reach the SGC. Even the primitive medicine of the villagers would no longer be able to help, assuming the villagers would be merciful if they surrendered to them. Making his decision, he turned back to Doctor Fraiser. "Good luck," she said, able to read the determination in his eyes. "I'll keep her alive a little longer," she promised.
Teal'c nodded and left the cave. He quickly made his way to the clearing where the Glider was waiting. He powered it up and flew it to the Stargate, landing as close as possible. He instinctively dialed the SGC in the slim hope the problem had corrected itself, unsurprised when it would not connect. He turned to survey his surroundings, looking for the materials he required. The MALP was nearby, however Teal'c did not believe it would ever be useful again. The villagers had obviously assaulted it with clubs and rocks, the metal casing bent and the instruments on the outside were either damaged beyond repair or removed and scattered about. He pried the metal casing off, hoping the cables he desperately needed were still intact. Relieved when he saw the majority of the internal components were intact, he snatched the cables from the useless machine. Within minutes he had the Stargate hooked up to the Glider. He returned to the DHD, his hand hovering over the glyph.
He said a silent prayer as he touched the glyph. The gate whined perilously before starting to spin. He nearly fell to his knees in relief when the first chevron engaged. Unsure how long the Glider could sustain the power level, Teal'c quickly finished plugging in the rest of the address, ensuring the current glyph was fully locked before moving to the next one. When he entered the seventh glyph, his hand hovered over the ruby colored central dial. Hoping this last desperate endeavor was successful, he pressed his palm on the alien device.
