SGC
December 1st, 2005

"UNSCHEDULED OFF-WORLD ACTIVATION"

General Hammond made his way to the control room wondering who it was. None of the teams off-world were due back for two days, when SG-15 was due back from Alaris, "Who is it, Sgt.," he asked as he walked in the door.

Sgt. Davis looked from his computer screen to General Hammond, "It's SG-1, sir," he said.

"SG-1 just left an hour ago," he said, confused, "open the iris."

Sgt. Davis complied, and General Hammond watched as Sam came running through the gate, "We need a medical team, now," she shouted, a little pale and having a hard time breathing. Then she turned to help Teal'c, who was supporting an unconscious Daniel through the gate. Jack came through a few seconds later, still firing into the gate, "close the iris," he shouted.

General Hammond followed the medical team into the gateroom as the iris closed. Teal'c and Jack helped put Daniel on the stretcher, where he began convulsing. General Hammond turned to Sam, "Major, what happened?"

Sam looked at the blood on her hands, then turned to General Hammond, apparently still in shock, "Sir, there were..., they were everywhere. Jaffa overran us almost as soon as we got there..., got to the site to do our tests. Daniel..., um, Daniel, he was hit," she said, gasping for breath.

Jack turned to Sam and gripped her upper arms, "Carter, breathe. Take deep breaths," he said, turning to General Hammond, "Sir, I think she's in shock," he said.

"Take her to the infirmary, Colonel," General Hammond said, turning to Teal'c, "Teal'c, can you tell me what happened?"

"There were many Jaffa, GeneralHammond. Much more than we had anticipated. We were on our way back to the gate when DanielJackson pushed MajorCarter out of the way of a staff weapon blast and was hit himself. Now we are back here," Teal'c said.

General Hammond nodded, "ok, let's get to the infirmary," he said, leading the way out of the room.

Jack led Sam over to one of the beds in the infirmary making sure that her back was to the bed that Daniel was in, "Carter, sit," he said.

"I'm fine, sir," Sam protested, but sitting anyway. She was still having trouble catching her breath. She was supposed to be strong. She was an air force major. She used to be able to control her emotions. What had happened to her?

"Don't talk, Carter," Jack said, "just breathe. Concentrate on your breathing."

Sam turned around, looking at the doctors and nurses surrounding Daniel's bed, "Oh, god," she whispered, beginning to hyperventilate again.

Jack turned her back around, "No, Carter, don't look over there. Look at me," he said, forcing her eyes to look into his, "you have got to breathe. Deep, even breaths. Daniel will be fine, ok, but you're not unless you breathe. Don't make me get Doc to sedate you."

Sam forced herself to calm her breathing. She knew he wasn't joking and did not want to be put to sleep. It was hard to ignore the orders the doctors behind her were barking, but she tried her hardest to focus on Jack. When she finally had her breathing under control, she sat back, "How is he?" she asked.

Jack looked over her shoulder toward the bed that Daniel was lying in. The doctors were still working on him, "The doctors are still working on him," Jack answered as General Hammond and Teal'c walked in. Janet saw them come in and walked over to General Hammond. "If you stay here, I'll find out and come back and tell you. Keep taking deep breaths," Jack said. Sam nodded as Jack made his way over to General Hammond, Teal'c and Janet.

"How is he, Doctor," General Hammond asked as Jack walked up, looking at the unmoving man on the bed.

Janet sighed, "He was hit in the upper chest. The blast did miss all vital organs, however, he's not out of the woods yet. He's slipped into a coma," she said, looking over at the man on the bed, "It doesn't look good, Sir."

General Hammond nodded, then turned to Jack, "Colonel, you and Major Carter be in my office in 10 minutes," he said, turning to leave.

Jack nodded, and walked back over to Sam, "Doc says that he's in a coma. She said that the blast missed all of his vital organs. She's not optimistic," he said, watching her face fall. "The General wants us in his office in 10 minutes."

Sam nodded, "ok," she said, looking down.

"Don't blame yourself, Carter. He wouldn't want that," Jack said as Janet walked over to them to check them over, Teal'c in tow.

Ten minutes later, Jack and Sam walked into General Hammond's office. "You wanted to see us, General," Jack said as he and Sam sat down.

"Yes, Colonel, you and the Major are to leave at once. You are going to Moscow to retrieve Dr. Miller. I've been trying to get in touch with her superiors, but I keep getting stonewalled. Dr. Frazier doesn't know if Dr. Jackson is going to make it. I'm sure Dr. Miller will want to be here," General Hammond said.

"Sir, do you think you could send someone else. We would like to be here as well," Jack said.

"Well, I thought about that, but Dr. Miller is going to want some news, and I'm pretty sure she would prefer to hear it from you," General Hammond replied.

Jack nodded, "good point."

"Good. There's a jet waiting. Dismissed."

Jack and Sam stopped by the infirmary to tell Teal'c to call them is something changed and made their way to the waiting jet.

Sam sat in silence on the plane. She dreaded having to tell Alexia that it was her fault that Daniel was hurt and might die. Placing her head in her hands, she sighed. If Daniel died she would never forgive herself. Alexia was going to be devastated. Their wedding was a month away, now was not the time for this to happen. Sam had never seen Daniel so happy in the eight years that she had known him than he was when he was with Alexia.

Jack paced for a few moments before sitting down beside Sam. Putting a hand on her shoulder, he squeezed it gently, "Carter, stop blaming yourself," he said.

Sam looked at him and smiled weakly. He could read her so easily that it was scary. "I can't help it, Sir," she said, "If he hadn't pushed me out of the way, he wouldn't be lying in that bed, and we wouldn't be on the way to tell his fiancé that he might die."

"Do you really think that things would have been different if it were you that had gotten hit? Only the people would change. Daniel and Teal'c would be on this plane to get Alex, and I would be sitting at your bedside wondering whether or not you'd wake up," Jack said, putting his arm around her shoulders.

"I know, Sir, but Daniel has so much more going for him in life than I do. He's supposed to be getting married in a month. Things might not have been that different if it had been me that had gotten hit, but things would have been better. His life has more meaning than mine," Sam said.

"That's not true, Carter, and you know it," he said, looking into her eyes, "Why don't we try and get some sleep. It's been a very long day, and we've still got about seven hours before we get to Moscow," Jack said, squeezing her hand and leaning his head back in his chair.

Sam nodded and curled up in her chair, leaning against the window.

Nine hours later, Jack and Sam were finally given access to the building where Alexia was acting as an interpreter between Russia and China. They were lead to a conference room on the second floor where they waited for another two hours before Alexia was able to see them. She was lead in and sat down at the table, "Hey guys," she said, "what's up?"

"There's been an accident, Alex," Sam said.

Alexia nodded, "Colonel Johnson called me a few hours ago. He told me that Daniel had been injured."

Jack and Sam exchanged a look. Jack raised his eyebrows and shrugged his shoulders. She was taking this very well. 'Too well', Sam thought, and turned back to Alexia, "Um, Alex," she said, "what exactly did Colonel Johnson tell you?"

Alexia had caught the glace that had passed between them and wondered what she was missing, "He said that Daniel had received minor injuries on a routine mission. He said that Daniel was awake, alert, and in good condition," Alexia said, slowly.

Jack's mouth fell open and Sam suddenly found the floor very interesting. Her superior had lied to her? Jack was in complete shock. How were they going to be able to tell her the truth?

Alexia noticed their reactions and for the first time noticed something else, "But wait a minute, why are you here? I mean, General Hammond wouldn't have sent you to Moscow to tell me that Daniel had received minor injuries. What's going on?"

Jack sighed, "You're right, he wouldn't," he said, softly, "Alex, I don't know exactly how to tell you this, but Colonel Johnson lied to you."

Alexia held her emotions in, "What?" she said tearfully, "What is wrong with Daniel?"

Sam looked up from the floor, "He took a staff blast to the upper chest, Alex," she said, and sighed, "he's in a coma."

Alexia felt her eyes fill with tears, "And..." she asked, knowing there was more.

Jack leaned forward and put his head in his hands, she was not going to take this well, "Doc doesn't know if he's going to make it," he said, rubbing his eyes, "we're here to take you home."

Alexia nodded and stood, "We'll leave immediately," she said, her voice shaking. "I will inform the Emperor and General Zukhov. Follow me." She left the room, spoke to the Sergeants outside the door and Jack and Sam followed her down the hall.

Nine hours later, Alexia walked into the infirmary, Jack and Sam at her heels. She was exhausted. Teal'c was sitting next to Daniel's bed, and General Hammond and Janet were standing on the other side. They turned when they heard her come in, and all three of them walked over to her, "AlexiaMiller, it is nice to have you home," Teal'c said.

"Thanks, Teal'c," Alexia answered wearily, then turned to Janet, "Janet, how is he?" she asked, rubbing her eyes.

"He's doing the same. He's not getting worse, but he's not getting better, either," Janet said, leading Alex over to the bed.

"Will he get better," Alexia asked.

Janet sighed, "I don't know," she sighed, "it doesn't look good."

Alexia sat down in the chair that Teal'c had just vacated and put her head in her hands, and finally allowed the tears to come. She had been holding them back all day, but now she lost it and they flowed freely down her face. She looked at him lying on the bed. His face was so pale. Alexia couldn't believe that this was happening, and she really couldn't believe that Colonel Johnson had lied to her. She was going to be in trouble with him for coming back without his permission, but she just couldn't get over the fact that he lied to her. She regained her composure and looked over at Jack and Sam, "What happened?"

Sam looked down and turned and left the room. Jack turned to Teal'c, "Teal'c tell her what happened," he said, and turned to General Hammond, "Sir, there's something you should know."

General Hammond nodded, as Teal'c went to stand behind Alexia. Teal'c began to explain to Alexia just what had happened and Jack took General Hammond into a corner of the room.

"What is it, Colonel?" General Hammond asked.

"Well, when we arrived in Moscow, Alex already knew that Daniel had been injured. She said that Colonel Johnson told her they were minor injuries, and that Daniel was awake and alert."

"Her superior lied to her?" General Hammond asked in disbelief.

Jack nodded, "It appears that way, sir."

"Well, it would appear that I need to have a talk with Colonel Johnson," General Hammond said and left the room.

Jack walked back over to Alexia, noticing that Teal'c had left the room. She was still crying softly. He hated that this was happening to her. In the past year and a half, he had come to think of Alexia almost as a daughter, and he hated to see her in pain. Placing a hand on her shoulder, he squeezed it gently, "hey, he'll be ok, you'll see. Daniel's survived way more than this."

Alexia covered his hand with hers, "Thank you, Jack," she said, "will you do me a favor?"

"Anything," he answered.

"Find Sam for me. She has to know that I am not mad at her, and that I don't blame her. Tell her I want to talk to her," Alexia said, looking at him through her tears.

Jack squeezed her hand and nodded, "I'll see what I can do," he answered, and left the room. After he left, Alexia turned her attention back to Daniel, and placed her hand in his, "Daniel, I need you to wake up, please," she whispered.

Jack made his way to Sam's lab; he figured that's where she would be. He was right. She was sitting at the table, staring off into space. He walked up behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder, causing her to jump.

"Sir, you scared me. I wasn't expecting you. How's Daniel, any change?"

"No change, Carter," Jack said, going to stand in front of her, "she wants to see you," he added softly.

Sam looked at the ground, "I don't think I can face her," she said, softly.

Jack lifted her chin with his finger, "She doesn't blame you," he said.

"Doesn't mean that she shouldn't, or that I don't." Sam replied.

Jack spoke quickly, "Look, Carter, stop wallowing in this self-guilt. We don't blame you, she doesn't blame you, so stop blaming yourself. Her fiancé is dying, Carter, dying. The least you could do is give her what she wants. It's not like she's asking for much."

Sam looked at him in shock; she really hadn't seen that coming. In a way, though, she was glad he had done this. It had really woken her up, and he was right, "You're right, sir, I'm sorry," she said, "I'll go and talk to her."

Jack nodded and followed her back to the infirmary. Alexia was still sitting by Daniel's bed, holding his hand. She looked up when they walked into the room. Jack stood by the door as Sam walked over to Alexia; he wanted to give them some privacy. Sam went to stand by Alexia, "I'm so sorry, Alex," she said.

Alexia looked up at her and smiled weakly through her tears, "Don't apologize for this Sam," she said.

"But, if he hadn't pushed me out of the way, he wouldn't be in that hospital bed. I mean, you're supposed to be getting married. It should be me in that bed, not him," Sam replied.

To Sam's great surprise, Alexia laughed, "Oh, Sam, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Daniel's love for you, Jack, and Teal'c equals or even exceeds the love he has for me. I would be more worried if he hadn't done everything he could to protect you. He'll be ok, Sam, you'll see."

Sam smiled, "I'm sure you're right. How are the wedding plans coming," she asked, sitting down in a chair next to Alexia.

"Actually, the plans are done. The wedding's going to be on January 7th," Alexia said, "Oh, that reminds me, Jack come here for a moment."

Jack was happy to see that they were talking, and grinned as he walked over to Alexia, "What is it, Alex," he asked.

"Well, for the past two months or so, Daniel and I have been having a running argument," Alexia said, looking up at him, "we've been fighting over you. And last week, I won."

"Um, ok, can I ask why?" Jack asked, confused.

"Well, Daniel, you may have noticed, has been putting off asking anyone to be his best man. That's because he wanted to ask you, Jack, but I wanted to ask you to do something for me. So, last week we compromised, and Daniel is going to ask Teal'c to be his best man," Alexia said, standing up, and looking at him, "Jack, would you do me the honor of giving me away."

Jack was shocked; he knew that she didn't get along with her father that well, but he had always assumed that the other man would give her away. He was still her father after all. "But Alex, what about your father?" he asked.

"My father is not my dad. He doesn't love me. In fact he spends most of his life pretending I don't exist. He's not even invited to the wedding. You have been way more of a dad than he ever could," she said softly, "and I want my dad to give me away."

Jack hugged her tightly, "I would be honored, kiddo."

"Thank you, Jack," Alexia whispered.

Over the next three weeks, not much changed. Alexia only left Daniel's bedside when Jack, Sam, or Teal'c made her. Three days after Alexia came home, Colonel Johnson came to the base to apologize for lying to her and to tell her to take as long as she needed. Other than that, though, nothing major happened until 2 days before Christmas. Alexia was asleep in a chair by Daniel's bed with her head lying on the bed when Daniel opened his eyes.

Daniel opened his eyes, surprised to find himself alive. The last thing he remembered was Teal'c dragging him back through the gate after he had been shot by a staff weapon. Taking in his surroundings, he noticed that it was most likely the middle of the night and that Alexia was asleep on his bed. "Alex," he whispered touching her hand.

Alexia's head shot up when she heard her name. She automatically turned behind her to see who it was that had decided that it was time for her to eat or get some exercise. Seeing no one, she shook her head, now she was hearing things. She turned back to the bed to find Daniel staring at her and she nearly jumped a mile. She smiled, "It's about time you woke up. I've been worried sick. Don't do that ever again," she said, tears of relief flowing down her cheeks.

Daniel reached up to wipe her tears away with his fingers, "I'm sorry," he whispered, "how long have I been out?"

Alexia grasped his hand in hers and placed it against her cheek, reveling in their contact, "over three weeks. You scared the hell out of me," she said, standing up, "I'm going to go and get Janet."

Daniel grabbed her hand, shocked at her answer, "I've been out for three weeks?" he asked.

Alexia looked back down at him and nodded, "three very long weeks," she said, tears still running down her cheeks, pulling her hand from his.

"Don't you go anywhere," he said, pulling her toward him, "that's what they have these buttons for," he said, reaching up and pushing a red button above his bed.

Alexia smiled, "Well, in that case, I am going to go and wake up Jack, Sam, and Teal'c. They have been very worried about you too. It's almost six, so they're going to be up soon anyway. I'll be back in a moment," she said as Janet came running into the room.

Janet was scared to death as to what she would find when she ran into the infirmary, "Alex," she said, knowing that the younger woman would be there, "what's wrong?"

"He's awake, Janet," Alexia said grinning, "I'm going to go and get Jack, Sam, and Teal'c. I'll be right back." She kissed Daniel's cheek and left the room.

Janet sighed with relief and walked over to Daniel as Alexia left the room, "So, how are you feeling?" she asked, checking his vitals.

"I feel fine," Daniel said, "Janet, have I really been out for three weeks?" he asked.

"Yes, Daniel, you have. We've all been really worried. We didn't think you were going to make it. She hasn't been taking it well," Janet said.

"I imagine not," Daniel said, "why was she sleeping here?" he asked.

"Are you kidding, Daniel? That girl hasn't left your bedside for over three weeks. Only when one of us made her eat or get up did she leave your side. She's spent every night here. The one night that we did make her sleep in her quarters, she woke the whole base up with her screaming. We had to sedate her. It was bad, Daniel. When she sleeps in here, she doesn't have nightmares. We felt this way was better."

Daniel nodded. He had given her nightmares. He would never forgive himself for that. "So, will you let me go home?" he asked. He and Alex had purchased a house about a week before he had gotten injured. They had just gotten everything in the house when Alexia had been called to Moscow. Then, a few days after that, he had gotten injured.

Janet sighed, "I don't know, Daniel," she said as Alexia, Jack, Sam, and Teal'c walked into the room.

"Please, Janet," he said, as they walked over to him, "I mean, Alex will be there, and Jack, he lives down the block. Janet, three weeks. Please."

"I am keeping you in the infirmary for the rest of the day. We'll see how everything is tonight and maybe, maybe I'll let you go home. Understand?" she said, moving away from his bed, "I'm going to go and tell General Hammond that you're awake."

Daniel nodded at her and turned his attention to the four people surrounding his bed, "Hey guys," he said.

"It's about time you woke up. Do you know that General Hammond hasn't let us go on any missions in over three weeks? I've been bored out of my mind. Nah, I'm kidding, just glad you're awake," Jack said, grinning.

"As am I," Teal'c said, grinning.

"How are you feeling," Sam asked, "I'm so sorry."

"Hey, no, no sorrys," Daniel said, "Don't ever apologize for this again. I'm fine, just happy to be awake, after what appears to be a very long time. I just want to go home."

Sam nodded, "We are very happy that you are awake," she said.

"And no going home until Janet says so," Alexia said, "I want you in perfect health when you leave here, got it?" She grasped his hand in hers. She didn't know if she would ever let him go again.

"Yes, Ma'am," Daniel said, intertwining their fingers.