Title: Unity.
Author: LetitiaRichards.
Previously:
Hammond replaced the receiver and smiled. He could just picture Jack yelling about heavy handed tactics, just to get him to the infirmary. The real problem however, was the fact that he wasn't himself and there was no predicting how he was going to react to the order or the Zatarc test.
Chapter 24
"There you go Jack!" Daniel said, dumping a pile of clean clothes onto Jack's bed.
"What's this?" Jack grumbled, prodding the pile of BDUs with disgust; it should have been an orange prisoner's outfit he'd be forced to wear.
"You want to get dressed don't you?"
"Why?" Jack asked suspiciously.
"I thought you wanted to get out of here?"
"I do, but Doc never said she was gonna release me."
"I didn't say you were. I just said I thought you'd want to get out of here...meaning this room; the hospital; the..."
"Daniel!" Jack stared up at him determined to figure out what was going on. "This wouldn't have anything to do with that Napoleonic power-monger's orders would it?"
"What orders?" Daniel asked innocently, ignoring Jack's derogatory reference to Janet Fraiser.
"Don't give me that innocent crap Daniel. Your acting ability is zilch. I know when you're hiding something. What aren't you telling me?"
Daniel smirked and turned on his heel, heading for the door.
"When you're dressed I'll let you know," he called over his shoulder.
"Daniel!" Jack yelled, but Daniel was already shutting the door behind him.
"Fine!" Jack harrumphed, throwing his hands into the air in frustration.
He struggled to get himself dressed. Boots were out of the question with his heeling feet, so Janet had supplied a pair of soft slippers to cover the bandages to keep them clean. He had a problem lifting his arms over his head to pull on his T-shirt but he was damned if he was gonna ask for help.
He sat back on the bed to regain his breath. Who'd a thought that simply dressing would wear him out so quickly. A few moments later, Daniel re-entered bringing with him Teal'c, who was pushing a wheelchair.
Jack spied it with loathing, but knew he had no choice if he wanted to escape this place. He could hardly bear to put his feet to the floor let alone put any weight on them.
They both helped him into it and gave him a few moments to get the pain of his injuries under control before they all swept out into the corridor and then outside.
"So come on Daniel, tell. Where are we going?" Jack asked as he was steered across the parking lot towards Daniel's car.
"First of all we're going for a ride, then we're taking you to the SGC." Daniel cast a look up at Teal'c conveying his hope that Jack wouldn't give them any bother with a refusal.
Instead Jack sighed. He knew that sooner or later the General would need him to return there. He was just hoping he would have had a little more time to physically recover first.
When Jack said nothing, Daniel was worried; he'd fully expected an outburst. Janet had already told him that the Colonel hadn't reacted to the news the way she had expected him to. All she saw was a slight slumping in the man's posture as if knowing and accepting that the inevitable axe was about to fall.
Daniel had never seen Jack so passive or ready to face the endless rounds of questioning that would follow his statement of betrayal. If Jack was his usual self, he would be doing everything in his power to avoid a confrontation, but it was totally missing from his friend right now. He guessed Jack's complete breakdown had a lot to do with it.
Teal'c lifted Jack into the front passenger seat while Daniel loaded the wheelchair into the trunk. By the time he had managed this, Teal'c was already sitting cramped in the back of the car behind Jack.
As Daniel drove along he couldn't help give Jack a glance or two, but Jack's eyes were glued to the side window; the houses and stores flashing by without his focus and oblivious to the deafening silence in the car. He knew one thing that by doing this, it would either provoke Jack into anger or bring his right memory back. Either way he was glad that Teal'c was there with him; he'd never be able to handle Jack in a temper if it should come to that.
The houses gave way to a park like area and Daniel could see the spark of recognition in Jack's eyes.
"Daniel!" Jack growled. "What the hell are we doing here?"
"It's been a while Jack. I thought you might like to visit before you face your so called court-martial. You might not get another chance."
Jack thought it over for a moment then reluctantly nodded. It was true. If he was found guilty he would face execution or life imprisonment; either one wasn't a pleasant thought, he wouldn't be able to come here again and for that he was grateful to Daniel for thinking about it.
Silent as always, Teal'c lifted Jack into the wheelchair and pushed him towards his son's grave.
Teal'c parked him in front of the little grey headstone and he and Daniel retreated a little way, leaving Jack to do whatever he wanted; be it silently communicate with Charlie or just sit quietly and remember him.
After thirty minutes, Daniel tentatively approached Jack, bringing him out of his thoughts.
"Thanks Daniel," Jack gasped, and for once Daniel realised how much this had meant to his friend. Jack raised his hand and brushed away the remnants of moisture that had leaked from his eyes. They weren't tears as such, just a slight reaction that he always got from being here. He'd never really cried over Charlie's death but it had always provoked a deep sadness in him.
"That's okay Jack. I thought you would want to come by before..."
"Yeah. Thanks."
"Do you know why we are taking you back to the SGC?" Daniel asked after a short pause.
Jack looked at him as if he was the one whose memory had been screwed with. Daniel was up to something, Jack was sure; the man was biting his bottom lip again.
"Daniel?"
"They want to test your memory Jack. With the Zatarc machine."
"What?" Jack couldn't believe his ears.
Daniel looked worried, knowing Jack was annoyed, but Jack guessed it had something to do with Daniel wishing that his betrayal wasn't real.
"Daniel I broke. I gave away my country's secrets. I'll face a court-martial, possibly an execution; end of story."
"I don't think so Jack. Here..." Daniel took the brake off the chair and pushed Jack right up to the gravestone so that Jack could actually touch it. He pulled on Jack's hand making come into contact with the cold marble, holding it there while Jack squirmed, demanding to be released. "...tell me that you broke, Jack. Swear on your son's grave that you were a traitor to your country and I'll believe you."
With a heart wrenching cry Jack cringed, trying to pull his hand away but Daniel held him firm, forcing his hand to stay there. Teal'c stepped forward, unhappy with what Daniel was doing.
"Swear Jack. Tell us the god-damn truth!"
"Daniel Jackson do you think it is wise to force O'Neill into this situation?" He was ready to pull Daniel away if O'Neill needed him to act on his behalf.
Jack sat actually shaking with fright unable to swear to anything. He couldn't admit to being a traitor when he himself held out a little ray of hope after Daniel had voiced his doubts. Secretly he was holding onto the thought that Daniel was right and that the Zatarc equipment would prove him innocent. He couldn't and wouldn't taint Charlie's remains with what could well prove him guilty if indeed he was.
"No…No...Daniel I can't," he cried. "Don't make me do this! God...I can't! I don't know!" Jack ended up sobbing in humiliation and horror.
In the end Daniel sighed with relief and released his despondent friend's hand, then regardless of Jack's initial reluctance, enveloped him in a hug, comforting him. Jack cried into his shoulder, releasing all his pent up tensions and emotions; he was so damn tired of hiding them yet, he couldn't help but be amazed at how far his friend would go in pushing for the truth.
Daniel was proving to be a true friend and Jack realised then that Daniel wasn't about to turn his back on him but stand by him throughout everything regardless of his guilt. He just hoped that he didn't disappoint the man or his team for that, because he had no doubt that Sam and Teal'c felt the same as well.
He realised he was lucky to have such friends as these and from that moment on, he would try not to push them away but let them help him instead, hoping to god that he really was innocent for their sakes.
TBC
I'm updating now to save time in the morning. RL is interfering again. Don't worry the next chapter is all written too…I'm currently working on chapter 26.
Glad you're all sticking with me on this epistle, and I hope you are still enjoying it. Thanks to all of you who sent in reviews. I can't thank you enough. It means a great deal to me. Thanks.
