CHAPTER SIX: RETURN TO FREEDOM
Teal'c and Sam spun with trained reflexes, their guns pointed at the rings, waiting for whatever had just transported itself down to make its move. Except the heap of clothing lying on the floor wasn't making any sort of movement at all. Sam cautiously stepped forward, her gun aimed at the suspicious figure that lay on the ground, the figure sparking with the familiar blue electricity from a zat blast.
The mass of clothing moved slowly, turning to lie on its back. Sam could have sworn that her heart stopped, and her gasp of shock brought both Daniel and Teal'c forward to see what had startled her.
"Oh my god," Daniel whispered.
He stepped forward, not even considering the dangers, kneeling down to check the pulse of the figure hidden by too-large clothing.
"Janet?" he whispered. "Janet, can you hear me?"
"Hear you," she whispered, though it was only Daniel that understood what she said.
Sam dropped to her knees beside her friend, wondering what the hell was going on. "What did she just say?" Sam asked.
"She…she said she heard me."
"Am I mistaken in thinking that DoctorFraiser is speaking in the language of the Ancients," Teal'c put forward.
"No, no, you're definitely not mistake," Daniel replied.
The trio watched as Janet struggled to pull herself into a seated position, and Sam quickly helped her to her feet. After taking a moment to push off the dizziness, Janet looked around the outpost –the Opelia- and breathed in deeply.
She gently extricated herself from Sam's worried hands and cautiously made her way over to where Jack was still seated on the control chair.
"Brother," she greeted him.
With effort, Jack managed to open his eyes and stared at Janet as though he was seeing her for the first time. His shaking hand reached out to her and she took hold of it, closing her eyes and pushing out a little of her energy to lend him some strength.
"Thank you," Jack whispered.
She nodded and helped Jack out of the chair. They stood, staring at each other with an intensity that none of the others had ever seen before. Silent conversation flowed between them, and the trio standing behind them just watched in awe before Jack finally nodded, and placed his right palm over Janet's heart, the doctor mimicking the position over Jack's heart with her own hand.
"What are they doing?" Sam asked quietly.
"I have no idea," Daniel replied slowly, shaking his head.
Sam wasn't sure what she expected. Except a moment later, both Jack and Janet sagged and collapsed to the ground, and the trio raced to their sides, Sam checking Jack's pulse and Daniel checking Janet's.
"Pulse is normal," Sam proclaimed with more than a little amazement. Not even a minute ago, Jack's pulse had been running a marathon beneath her fingers, and now it was as steady as hers.
"Janet's is running a little fast, but…nothing too unusual," Daniel replied.
"Perhaps we should contact General Hammond," Teal'c suggested. "They will have adequate medical facilities on the Prometheus."
"Good idea Teal'c," Sam replied.
Carter quickly radioed Hammond, and told him to prepare for two casualties, though she didn't name names. There were some things that needed to be seen to be believed.
Teal'c moved to pull Jack into a fireman's carry, and between Sam and Daniel, they managed to get Janet's arms slung over a shoulder each. They moved towards the transport rings. Daniel took over keeping Janet steady as Sam activated the rings and quickly ducked back into the circle, and the beam transported them to the Prometheus above.
SG-1 wasn't all that surprised to see General Hammond waiting for them personally in the Ring Room, Sergeant Davis at his side. Sam was watching the General carefully, and took great delight in seeing the completely shocked and flabbergasted expression on his face when he realised that there were five of them being transported up from the icy cavern.
"SG-1…you certainly are full of surprises."