Sorry to keep you waiting...enjoy.

Tangled Web 17 - ICU

Four hours later –

General Hammond and Dr. Summers stood at Daniel's bedside, the quiet 'beep, beep' of the heart monitor interrupting the otherwise peaceful room. They spoke in whispered tones, even though there was no chance of them waking him. He was still heavily sedated and would remain so as his body struggled to recover from his wound and the surgery that followed.

Hammond's face was the picture of concern as he looked down at the peaceful form of the man he had known so well these past years. The atmosphere of the room, penetrated only by the sound of beeping machines and occasional alarms, reminded him that Daniel's life still balanced precariously on a very thin line.

"Is he going to be all right, Dr. Summers?"

"He has a bullet wound to the abdomen but they rushed him to surgery as soon as he arrived. He's lost a lot of blood and there's a lot of healing to be done but it looks as if he'll be fine. Of course there is always the chance of infection or complications following major surgery and he'll have a lengthy recovery either way."

"O'Neill?"

"They should be bringing him into recovery now, Sir. He'll be there for several hours."

"No chance of taking them back to the base then?"

"Teal'c, yes; Colonel Carter, maybe tomorrow; the General and Dr. Jackson, no. They can't be moved yet, it's too dangerous, Sir, they need time to recover."

"How much time, Doctor?"

"That's hard to say, General. We're lucky they're still alive. I'd like to check on General O'Neill now."

Hammond shook his head in understanding and followed her out of the room. Teal'c stood waiting just outside the door and Dr. Summers lead them both to a nearby waiting room.

"I'm sorry, Sir, you'll have to wait here."

"Yes, of course, Doctor."

"And Teal'c…you need to get off that leg." The Jaffa bowed and made his way to a nearby chair as the doctor disappeared down the hallway.

Dr. Summers entered the recovery room and showed her ID to the nurse on duty. "How is General O'Neill?"

"He's listed as critical for the moment, Doctor. His vital signs are slowly improving but he's got a ways to go yet."

"His chart?"

The nurse reached behind her and handed the chart to Dr. Summers who immediately opened it and began reading. After a few moments she returned it and walked across the room to Jack.

She grasped his wrist and held it momentarily, counting the beats automatically, as his heart pulsed weakly against her fingers and her eyes read the many indicators above his head. The respirator clunked and whooshed steadily as it regulated the flow of oxygen and eased the burden on his damaged lung, allowing his body to begin the healing process.

She could see several stitches had closed the wound near his temple, a dark bruise spreading just beyond his hairline onto his face, and, of course, the large bandage covering his chest, small splotches of red marking the point of penetration.

She gently placed his hand back at his side and after watching his face for a moment, spoke aloud. "Hang in there, General."

Dr. Summers returned to the waiting room and briefed Hammond and Teal'c on Jack's condition. "They'll keep him in recovery the rest of the night, Sir. Baring any complications they should move him to ICU sometime tomorrow morning."

"What the hell happened, Doctor?"

"It seems Pete Shanahan showed up at General O'Neill's house looking for Colonel Carter. You know about the earlier incident…the abuse?"

"General O'Neill reported it to me."

"Well, SG1 was safeguarding Colonel Carter at the General's house and apparently Shanahan had made up his mind she was leaving with him…with or without her consent."

"I see. Teal'c?"

"We were preparing the barbeque grill in order to cook our evening meal. I was alone in the backyard when Shanahan approached."

"Did he ask to see Colonel Carter?"

"No. I had only become aware of his presence when he fired at me from behind. The bullet entered my leg and as I turned he fired two more shots. I attempted to apprehend him but I was unarmed and he fired another weapon, one that I am unfamiliar with – the effect was similar to a zat. It rendered me unconscious."

Hammond looked to the doctor for clarification. "It was a taser, Sir, on a high setting."

"So apparently he had planned this…assault…abduction."

"Yes, Sir. We won't know all the details until we can talk to the rest of SG1, but Dr. Jackson must have been injured next, just before he grabbed the Colonel. General O'Neill had been at the base and must have walked into the situation unaware. The 911 call came from his cell phone. He was shot after the Police arrived."

"Well, at least they're alive. Let's try and keep them that way! Teal'c you should return to the base infirmary."

"General Hammond, I wish to remain here with Colonel Carter. I have given my word, I must not fail again."

"You haven't failed, this wasn't your fault, son. Doctor?"

"He really should get some rest, Sir, but he can return in the morning. There's a guard stationed with Colonel Carter and I don't see any further problems there. I stipulated 'no visitors' without clearance. No one will disturb her before morning."

"Yes and I'm leaving a couple of SF's at the ICU, just in case. Most of the others will be returning with me, unless you feel they are needed."

"I don't think so, Sir."

Well, I need to return to the base and make some phone calls. The press will have a field day with this and I need to advise my superiors before that happens. Keep me advised, Doctor and try to get some rest yourself."

"Yes, Sir, I will."

General Hammond started down the long hallway and Teal'c followed reluctantly, as Dr. Summers returned to recovery to check on Jack.