Author's Note: This story is set between the episodes 'Fair Game' (Season 3), when we first meet Cronus, and 'Double Jeopardy (Season 4), when he is killed. The last time Major Ferretti is mentioned on the show is in 'Shades of Grey' towards the end of Season 3.

On a Slow Ride Through Molasses – Part three

It was late when they brought Colonel O'Neill back, dropping him unceremoniously in his corner. The SGC members all leapt to their feet at the first sounds from the corridor and they watched in relief as their commander was returned to them.

The ever-present light was dimmed at night, but it gave Teal'c enough illumination to see the shallow rise and fall of O'Neill's chest, and he allowed himself a small lessening of the tension he had felt since their capture.

"He's free." Daniel Jackson spoke quietly, as if scared that merely pointing out the fact would bring the guards back to rectify their mistake, but Teal'c could see that his commander's gag had also been removed, and could only surmise he had been left unrestrained on purpose.

"Colonel." To one side, Major Carter was straining forward as if by sheer willpower she could make the strong chain stretch enough to reach the man. Major Ferretti was the nearest to his position, and he knelt, calling out softly, yet urgently.

"Colonel. Jack. Come on, buddy."

His voice must have registered, because O'Neill gave a small groan and rolled a little, bringing himself away from the wall.

"That's it. Come on, sir." Major Carter joined her voice to that of Major Ferretti. Teal'c caught the small flicker of O'Neill's lids as he moaned again. Three days with no sustenance had left his teammate hollow cheeked and pale. Then sunken eyes stared back at him, moisture gleaming in their corners.

"T?"

Teal'c echoed Major Ferretti's posture, kneeling on the slightly spongy floor covering and stretching as far forward as possible.

"There is water here, O'Neill, but we are still restrained and cannot help you. You must reach it on your own."

"Easy." The word was so quietly spoken that Teal'c almost missed it. He nodded, recognising the spark of defiance that still burnt within the man lying so broken in front of him.

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Water. Teal'c said there was water if only he could reach it.

So reach it he must.

Jack edged forward slowly, pushing himself along by sheer will power. He could see the large bowl set into the floor and knew it was almost within his reach, but he was so weak – so dangerously weak.

Now he could see the small ripples on the water's surface as the floor moved slightly beneath his body.

It was so close.

He reached a shaking hand out, the tips of his fingers touching the bowl's cool side and dropped his head, the blood pounding in his skull.

So close.

He groaned with frustration.

Large fingers clasped his wrist, pulling him forward and warm arms encircled him. He was held tightly as a cupped hand touched his cracked lips.

"Drink, O'Neill."

He opened his mouth and let the liquid in.

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The others watched as Teal'c held the Colonel to him, scooping water from the bowl and slowly allowing O'Neill to drink.

"Not too much," Major Carter warned, and Teal'c nodded, acknowledging her words. He stopped after a few minutes. The Colonel lifted one arm, but dropped it again, giving a small nod and let his head fall to rest against the Jaffa's chest. The hair on his forehead was dark with moisture and Teal'c brushed it aside, exposing an ugly gash.

"It must have happened when they dragged him out. Do you feel any injuries other than the cut?" Sam leaned forward trying to see better, annoyed that she was the furthest of any of them from the injured man. She raised her voice. "Sir, you need to stay awake. You could have a concussion."

Teal'c's searching fingers, combined with her words, provoked an immediate reaction. The Colonel flinched, trying to pull his head from his teammate's reach – a fruitless exercise given his position in Teal'c's lap. He muttered something as he moved, but Sam wasn't able to make out the words. She did catch the momentary hurt that flared in Teal'c's face, before it was carefully masked. "I apologise if I caused you more pain, O'Neill. That was not my intention."

" . . .know." Colonel O'Neill twisted a little in Teal'c's grip, his eyes scanning the room, until they came to rest on her. She held his gaze and spoke as clearly as she could.

"Please try to stay awake, Colonel."

He nodded and winced, then the tip of his tongue came out to lick his lips.

"Water."

Teal'c bent forward again, bringing a cupped hand up to the parched lips, but this time they didn't open. The Colonel's head lolled to one side in the massive arms and Teal'c looked down in consternation.

"He is unconscious, Major Carter." He held his fingertips to the Colonel's throat. "His pulse is rapid."

Sam chewed her lip. The Colonel shouldn't be allowed to sleep with a head injury, but there was really no way he could be expected to stay conscious. Getting Teal'c to try and wake him would probably do more harm than good, so she contended herself with merely asking for more information.

Her heart sank as Teal'c gave his report. The cut on Colonel O'Neill's head was already surrounded by a livid bruise. In his weakened condition any injury was doubly serious.

They needed to get him back home.

xoxoxoxoxo