Sam smiled at that comment – some things never changed, after all – and released Jack's hand.

"How's Colonel Mitchell?"

"She seems to be resting peacefully," Janet answered, looking back at the curtained area to see if Beckett had followed her out. He hadn't. "We'll know more when she wakes up, but her test results are coming back clean."

"That's a relief."

Jack looked at the others.

"Melony told me about Tao."

"How did she find out?"

Jack shrugged – and it hurt.

"What about the Jaffa with him?"

"One of the Light Ones managed to pull the data board out of the wreckage of the burning dart," Daniel said. "He burnt himself pretty good but Doctor Beckett said he'd be fine and he's already been released."

"Light Ones?" Janet echoed.

"A race of beings that Major Sheppard and Colonel Mitchell discovered," Teal'c said. "They are an amazing species."

"Really?" Janet hadn't ever heard Teal'c call anything – or anyone – amazing before, which led her to believe that they had to be something special.

"Another one is responsible for pulling General O'Neill out of the water when his dart crashed." Teal'c added.

"Really?" Jack asked.

Sam nodded.

"It was Kale."

"That's two I owe him."

Sam smiled.

"I'm pretty sure he's not counting."

"He did get a little beat up landing you, though," Daniel said. "So make sure you at least thank him."

"Landing?" Janet had a feeling she was missing something in this particular conversation. And Daniel couldn't help but add to the confusion in her expression once he realized that she hadn't heard of the Light Ones or their ability to transform.

"He broke a couple feathers…"

"No he didn't," Sam said, knowing from the twinkle in Daniel's blue eyes that he was just trying to confuse the poor doctor.

"He has feathers?" Janet asked.

"Only some times," Sam told her friend. "He and his kind can shape-shift. From human to bird, or a kind of really big dog."

"Wolf," Daniel corrected.

"Canine."

"Really?"

"Yes. It's incredible." Sam smiled. "However, I should warn you – since no one else probably will…" and she glanced at Daniel for a moment. "Their clothing doesn't change form with them, so if you see an eight foot tall naked blonde guy – or woman – running around, that's a Light One."

"Naked…"

"It takes a bit of getting used to," Jack said.

"I'll introduce you to one if we see one on our tour," Daniel promised. "They're really nice people."

"Uh huh."

She didn't sound convinced, but she was always more than ready to hold off a judgment on something – or someone – until she knew more about them.

"They are," Sam assured her. "It just takes a bit of getting used to."

"I bet." Janet actually was looking forward to seeing one of them, now, but there were other things to worry about, first. She looked at those around the bed – mainly Sam. "When his lunch comes, I want you guys to leave him alone so he can eat and get some rest."

Jack started to protest, but Sam placed her hand lightly on his forearm, stopping him.

"We will, Janet."

Fraiser gave them both an odd look, but didn't say anything – obviously the Light Ones weren't the only thing she was missing around here. So much gossip, so little time!

"Does this mean you're ready for your tour?" Daniel asked, anxious to have her to himself for a little while. They had catching up to do, also, after all, and he'd missed her.

Janet nodded. Mitchell would probably be out for a while, and O'Neill was definitely going to sleep when he'd finished eating – whether he thought he would or not. She should have a little time for a tour of the city.

OOOOOOOOO

When Beckett finally pulled himself away from Melony's bedside and came out from behind the curtain, everyone that had been visiting was gone. There was an empty tray on the table by O'Neill's bed, and the General himself was sound asleep. Carson watched his monitors for a moment, double-checked that the connection was sound, and then left both of his patients to their much-needed sleep. He was thinking that maybe he'd grab a couple hours of rest as well – he'd been shorting himself in his constant vigil over Melony and was feeling about as tired as he could ever remember feeling. With Janet Fraiser close at hand – wherever she was – and his medical staff, Carson didn't feel too nervous about leaving things in their hands. At least for a little while. He didn't even make it as far as the door, however.

"Ah, Carson."

Beckett sighed.

"What is it, Rodney?"

McKay wasn't at all fazed by the abrupt greeting. He'd had much worse.

"Is she awake?"

There was no reason to ask who he meant.

"No. She's asleep."

"How is she?"

"She'll be fine."

"Can I see her?"

"She's sleeping, Rodney."

"I won't wake her up."

"No, you won't. Because you can't see her."

"But-"

"When she wakes up – if she wants to see you – I'll let you."

Rodney frowned.

"Okay."

Beckett was fooled for a moment.

"You're not going to sneak in there and see her when my back is turned."

Rodney rewarded him with his most innocent expression.

"Would I do that?"

"Aye. But you're not going to, and I mean it. She needs rest."

"But-"

"I'll tell you this once, Rodney," Carson said, too tired to put up with McKay's sneakiness just then. "If you even think about it, I'll have the Jaffa down on you so fast you won't know what's happened."

McKay might have ignored most threats, but the Jaffa weren't one of them. While they were allies, they were also very much a force to be reckoned with, and Rodney had a lot of respect for just how dangerous they were. Especially if they decided they didn't like him for some reason. And he was pretty sure it wasn't an empty threat on Carson's part.

"Fine… Just let her know when she wakes up that I need to see her, okay?"

"I will."

"Thanks."

Rodney turned and left the infirmary, and Carson waited just long enough to make sure he wasn't going to return, and then he headed for his quarters.

Too bad he couldn't use the Jaffa more often.