Author's Notes: Ok, now, this is going to remind all of you about the Tok'ra episode. I almost left it out because of that, but the fact is that this story was born from a dream I had, and this chapter is that dream. And since this is the event that prompted me to write the entire story, I couldn't leave it out. Therefore, I ask that you forgive me.
SGC
November 28th, 2006
Over the next several months, Alexia got steadily better. For the first couple of weeks, General Hammond allowed Daniel to stay on the base, but as the weeks turned into months, Alexia told General Hammond to make him leave her alone. He was driving her crazy. General Hammond agreed, and in July, SG1 resumed its normal mission status. Alexia continued to do her job, and aside from the occasional headache and nauseous feelings, she was actually doing really well. Then, one day, it all went downhill. Alexia was in Spain when she collapsed and slipped into a coma.
Daniel, however, knew nothing of this, since he and the rest of SG1 were on a planet called Howatha.
"Come again," Daniel heard Jack ask as he walked into the meeting room where they were discussing with the leaders of the planet.
"We experiment on humans, like you and me, to further our technology," he saw the looks of horror on their faces, "Now, rest easy, it is strictly a volunteer program. We offer the program to all of our people. Mainly, we get people who are sentenced to death to volunteer. They do not feel a thing, and many of our volunteers are happy to assist us in what we know will be a better future for our people. So far, we have developed a drug that cures most common diseases."
Jack stood up, these were not the kind of people that they wanted to be dealing with, "Um, ok. Well, on that note, we will be leaving now."
The leader stood up, "I'm afraid that we cannot allow you to do that," he said as many more Howathans came and detained them, as Jack, Daniel, Sam and Teal'c struggled.
The ambassador to Spain dreaded the call that he was about to make. Dialing the number that had been found on the young woman, the ambassador asked to speak with Dr. Daniel Jackson.
Sgt. Davis turned to General Hammond, the phone in his hand, "General, the ambassador to Spain is on the phone. It's about Dr. Miller."
General Hammond sighed and took the phone, "General Hammond."
The ambassador was shocked, he hadn't expected a General to answer, "Um, yes, General Hammond, we have a situation involving a Dr. Alexia Jackson. She's in a hospital here. They want to care flight her back to the states. I was told to contact her husband, a Dr. Daniel Jackson."
"Daniel Jackson is not available at the moment. I'm his CO. What is wrong with Alexia?" he asked.
"Well, apparently she was in a meeting when she collapsed. She slipped into a coma about three hours later. We were informed that she was diagnosed with Cancer about six months ago. We think that's the problem," the ambassador explained.
General Hammond nodded, "Care flight her to Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs immediately. We will be waiting for you. I'll attempt to make contact with her husband in the mean time."
"Yes, sir," the ambassador answered, handing up the phone and making the arrangements to have Dr. Jackson flown to the states.
General Hammond hung up the phone and turned to Sgt. Davis, "Sgt., contact SG1 immediately. Tell them they are to report home now."
Sgt. Davis did as he was told, and a few moments later turned back to General Hammond, "Sir, I received no response from SG1."
General Hammond cursed under his breath, "Get SG5 up here immediately prepared for departure," he said.
Thirty minutes later, Major Gates and his team found themselves on Howatha in the same cell that held SG1.
"Gates," Jack acknowledged, "what are you guys doing here?"
"We're here to recall you," Gates said, turning to Daniel, "Dr. Jackson, your wife is being transported back to the states from Spain. Apparently, she collapsed and slipped into a coma. According to the doctors, her cancer is spreading very, very quickly. General Hammond sent us to tell you."
Daniel slunk down the wall and put his head in his hands, "Oh, no," he whispered.
"We're to report back to the SGC immediately," Gates said, slowly, wondering why no one else was moving.
Teal'c turned to Gates, "We have been told that we cannot leave this place until one of us agrees to become an specimen," he said.
"What do you mean, a specimen," Gates asked.
Jack stood up, "Well, it seems that our friends here experiment on humans, and they won't allow us to leave until someone agrees to become one of their volunteers."
"They did however say that they would allow the remaining members to return with an antidote that they have concocted. Carter's been studying it," he continued.
Upon hearing this, Daniel stood up and walked over to Sam, "Sam, this antidote, it can cure most human disease, right?" he asked.
Sam looked up, "Well yes," she said, "it can."
"Does that include cancer?" he asked.
"Well, we'd have to test it to make sure, but if what I'm looking at is correct, than sure, it should," she said.
Daniel nodded, "Get that guy back in here. I want to make a deal."
"Wait a minute, Daniel," Sam said, "what kind of deal?"
Daniel looked into Sam's eyes, "If that drug can save Alex, then I will volunteer for their human experiments," he said.
Teal'c arched his eyebrow, "Are you sure that is wise, DanielJackson?"
"Once Alexia is cured, I will allow myself to be brought back here for their experiments. I would gladly die if it meant that she were to live," Daniel said.
Sam was taken aback, "Daniel, this is crazy. Let us think of another way."
"No," Daniel said, "they aren't going to let us go. I would rather die knowing that she is going to live than being held here for all my life and her dying anyway. I would have to make sure that the drug actually cures her, and I would like to say goodbye, but then I'll come back here," he said, turning to Jack, "Please, Jack..."
Jack had kept silent, but he had to admit that he knew where Daniel was coming from and understood why he was making the decision he was making. He nodded slightly.
Sam looked at Jack and saw him nod, "you can't be serious, sir. You're not going to let him go through with this are you," she said, walking over to him.
Jack looked into Sam's eyes, "I understand him, Carter." He positioned himself to where his back was to everyone else in the room, so they couldn't see or hear what he was about to say. He heard Daniel and Teal'c each strike up conversations with Major Gates' team and smiled slightly. He turned his focus back to Carter.
Sam didn't understand what he was trying to tell her, "But, Sir," she said; she couldn't believe that he was actually going to let Daniel go through with this crazy idea.
Jack avoided her eyes, "I understand him, Sam. If it were," he paused and lowered his voice, "if it were you," he whispered, still staring at the wall, "I would do it." He looked into her eyes.
Sam didn't know what to say, and was taken aback by her CO's words, "Jack..." she whispered.
Jack tried to keep his thoughts from how much he liked the sound of his name coming from her lips, "Like I said, Carter, I understand. End of story. I'm not going to stop him from trying to save the woman he loves."
Sam nodded as they walked back to the group. Daniel was making his deal with the leader of the Howathan people. Sam and Jack hung back a little and waited for the leader's response.
The leader thought for a moment, wondering whether or not this deal was worth making, "How could we trust you enough to know that you would actually come back?" he asked.
"Well, how about if someone stays here until I get back?" Daniel responded.
"Who would volunteer for such a thing?"
Jack stepped forward, "I will," he said.
Sam turned to face him, shocked, but knew better than to say anything.
"Ok, we have a deal," the leader said.
"If the cure doesn't work, you'll let both me and Jack go," Daniel asked.
"Yes, that is the deal."
"Let me warn you, Sir. If you don't live up to your end of the deal, you will be overrun by very angry soldiers who will not hesitate to kill you, understand?"
"We understand. The cure takes about 48 hours to complete its functions. If Colonel O'Neill agrees, we will give you 96 hours to return. Is that alright with you, Colonel," he asked.
Jack nodded, "Sounds fine."
"Very well, the rest of you are free to leave. Dr. Jackson, we expect you back in 96 hours." He opened the cell door.
"Thank you, Jack," Daniel said, "I'll see you in a few days."
Jack nodded and waved to everyone as they walked away.
When Daniel, Teal'c, Sam, and SG5 returned to the SGC, they were told that General Hammond and Dr. Frazier had left to meet Alexia's plane. When they returned with Alexia, Daniel went and sat with her while Sam explained to Janet exactly what they were returning with. General Hammond got the story from Teal'c and Major Gates about why Jack did not return with the rest of the team. He turned to Daniel, "Dr. Jackson, a word," he said.
Daniel knew that he was going to eventually have to tell General Hammond, and decided that it would be better to do it sooner rather than later. He kissed Alexia's forehead and walked over to him, "Sir, I know what you're going to say, but this is the only way. They weren't going to let us go. I had to do something. This can cure her. This was a decision that I chose to make," he said, heading General Hammond off.
"You couldn't come up with a better plan than this?" General Hammond asked.
"Well, time was of the essence," Daniel said as Janet walked over to him, holding the antidote that they had been given.
She held it up, "So, this is supposed to cure her," she asked.
Daniel nodded, "it's a cure for most common diseases and ailments."
"Has it been tested," she asked.
"No," Sam answered.
"Look," Daniel said, "they promised that if it didn't cure her, they would allow both me and Jack to return home." He turned to Janet, "does she have any chance of waking up on her own?"
"Daniel, there's always a chance..."
Daniel stopped her, "In your professional opinion, Janet, is there any chance that she will regain consciousness?"
Janet shook her head, "Honestly, I don't think that she will."
"Then this is the only way that she could possibly be saved," Daniel said.
Janet knew that she wasn't going to change his mind, "How much do I give her," She asked.
The doctor on Howatha said that the amount we have should be enough," Sam said, "and they promised more when Colonel O'Neill returns."
Janet nodded and turned to Daniel, "Well, it won't hurt to try it, I suppose. With your permission, General," she said.
General Hammond sighed, "very well. I will allow it."
Janet nodded and turned to administer the antidote to Alexia. Daniel sat by her bed and settled himself in for the night. Sixty hours later, Alexia opened her eyes.
Daniel was pacing by her bed when he heard her whisper his name. Turning toward her, he dropped to his knees by her bed and took her hand in his, "Janet," he called, "she's awake."
"How did I get here, what happened?" Alexia asked.
"You collapsed and slipped into a coma almost three days ago. I was off world when it happened, and you were care flighted back here. Your cancer was spreading very quickly. We didn't think that you were going to wake up," Daniel explained as Janet walked over to Alexia's bed.
"So, if it's as bad as you say, then why am I awake," Alexia asked.
"Before we get into that, we need to run some tests, ok," Janet said, hoping that the antidote that they were given actually worked.
Alexia noticed the way that both Daniel and Janet avoided her eyes and knew that there was something they weren't telling her, "Wait, what aren't you guys telling me?" she asked.
Daniel squeezed her hand, "Let Janet run her tests, ok, love. We'll talk later."
Alexia nodded, "Ok," she said, as Janet began to run her tests.
Two hours later, Janet pulled General Hammond, Sam, Teal'c, and Daniel into her office, "What did the tests say, Janet," Daniel asked.
Janet smiled, "The antidote worked. I can't find any trace of cancer anywhere. It's as if it just disappeared. I can't even find any evidence that she ever had cancer in the first place."
Daniel grinned, "that's wonderful news. Have you told her?"
Janet shook her head, "I didn't know how to tell her without telling her where we got the antidote or what the deal was."
"When are you going to tell her, Daniel," Sam asked.
Daniel turned to Janet, "is she awake?"
"No, she fell asleep as soon as the tests were done," Janet answered.
"I'll let her sleep then, and tell her tomorrow," Daniel said, wondering how he was going to be able to tell her at all.
Daniel didn't leave her bedside all night, nor did he sleep. He only had a little more than 24 hours before he was due back on Howatha. He looked at her, trying to memorize every feature, every curve, every aspect of her. He knew that chances were he would never see her again, and as much as that hurt, he knew that the decision he had made was the right one. She would live, that was all that mattered. Daniel was determined to let Alexia sleep, and by the time she woke up, he only had 10 hours left. When Alexia woke up, Daniel was dozing lightly. He woke up when she called his name.
Daniel sat down on the bed and took her hand in his, "how are you feeling?" he asked.
"I feel great, actually," Alexia said, noticing that they were alone, "where is everyone?"
"They'll be here in a few minutes. Before they come in, there's something I have to tell you," Daniel began.
Alexia noticed the seriousness in his eyes and wondered what it was she needed to tell him, "What is it, Daniel? Is something wrong with me? Tell me," she said.
Daniel smiled, "Actually, Janet says that your cancer as completely disappeared. There is no sign that you have cancer or that you have ever had cancer," he said, giving her a long kiss.
Alexia let herself get lost in his kiss and was disappointed when he pulled back, "but that's good news, Danny," she said, "so why so serious, and how is it possible."
"We were off world when news of you being in a coma reached us. The planet we were on had developed a drug, a drug that can cure most common human disease and ailments. However, they were reluctant to let us leave without a volunteer to stay and become a lab rat, so to speak," Daniel said, looking into her eyes, "you mean more to me than anything in the world, Alex, and in order to get them to allow me to return to give you the antidote, I had to make a deal."
Alexia didn't want to know what was coming and felt tears come to her eyes, "What kind of deal, Daniel," she asked.
Daniel avoided her eyes, "I told them that if the antidote cured you than I would gladly come back and volunteer for their program," Daniel said, forcing himself to look at her, "I have to be back there in less than 10 hours."
Alexia gasped in surprise, "What?" she whispered, "no, you can't."
Daniel stroked her cheek, "I have to, love. Jack is staying until I return. I just wanted to be able to say goodbye. General Hammond already knows and is allowing this to be my decision. Just knowing that you will live makes me more happy than you could ever imagine. I love you so much, Alexia. I can't stand to see you in pain. Don't forget me, ok," he said.
"Daniel, don't do this to me," Alexia cried, "I don't want to live unless you are here. You're my husband. I don't want to have to remember you; I want you to be here. Don't do this." She clung to him and cried into his shirt.
Daniel held her tightly, wishing that he didn't have to let her go. This was much harder than he had ever imagined that it would be. He hated the thought of having to leave her and hated even more that he was hurting her. He forced himself to think about how she would live thanks to his decision, but he couldn't stop the tears that flowed down his cheeks and landed in her hair, "I'm sorry, love," he whispered, "but I had to do everything that I could to save you. You're my life, and I wasn't about to let you go when I could have done something to save you."
Alexia wrapped her arms around him and continued to cry into his shoulder. She knew that he did what he thought was best, but that didn't stop her from being hurt and a little mad. She was going to regain her life only to lose her husband. She knew that he thought he was making the right decision for her, but she would have liked some say in the matter. She didn't know if she could survive without him, but she did know that she didn't want to find out, "I don't want you to leave me," she whispered.
Daniel dropped a kiss in her hair and pulled back, "I'm going to get us some food, ok. I'll be right back."
Alexia nodded and let him go, "Don't be gone long," she whispered.
"I'll send everyone else in, ok. They've been wanting to see you," Daniel said as he left the room. General Hammond, Sam, Teal'c, and Janet were waiting outside. Daniel leaned against the wall and sank to the floor, putting his head in his hands, "that was the hardest thing that I have ever had to do," he said, tears running down his cheeks.
Sam sat beside him and pulled him into a hug, "I'm sorry, Daniel, I really am."
Daniel nodded and stood up, "You guys go and talk to her. I'll be back in a few minutes. I told her that I was going to go and get some food," he said making his way to the mess hall.
Nine hours later, Daniel extracted himself from Alexia's arms. She tightened her arms around him. Daniel sighed, "I have to go now, love," he said.
"No, Daniel, don't do this," Alexia cried, tears streaming down her cheeks, "don't leave me. You can't leave me. I can't do this without you, and I don't want to. Don't." She held onto him with all of her might, refusing to let him go.
Daniel hugged her tightly and gave her a deep kiss, trying to pour all of his feelings into this one kiss, but he knew what it was, and she knew what it was, a good-bye kiss. Daniel pulled away and looked into her eyes, "I love you, Alex. I will always love you. Never forget that," he said through his own tears. He turned to Janet and nodded.
Janet came over with a needle. Alexia didn't need to overexert herself, and she certainly didn't need to be out of bed. Alexia saw the needle and knew that Daniel was seriously leaving, "Daniel, no," she said, "I love you, don't do this, I love you, don't leave!" Janet gave her an injection as Daniel moved toward the door.
"I will always love you, Alex," he whispered as he left the room. He could hear her screaming his name all the way down the hall