I'm back! Phew! I'm just too shattered to clear everything away tonight after the workmen. I've done the basics; and at least I can crawl into my bed tonight! But, despite the tiredness, the pull of my computer was just too strong! LOL! Okay, so I'm an incurable addict of reading and writing Stargate fanfic!

My thanks to everyone who reviewed this so far. I'm glad you're all enjoying it, and you'll have to keep guessing where it's going. All will be revealed...in time!

UNITED WE STAND

By Lingren.

Previously:

General Hammond watched, a growing bundle of nerves tugging at his insides from tension. Just how this mission was going to play out he had no idea, and knowing how long it took Jack to find a replacement before, he wasn't hopeful on the outcome.

Chapter 3

Jack sighed in frustration.

"I thought this place was supposed to be devoid of any life-forms," he growled.

"That is what the M.A.L.P. predicted Colonel," Jonas responded agreeing wholeheartedly with his CO's frustration. They really didn't need to bump into any patrols out here, not with a complete stranger to the enemy as Locke was. He was totally untried during a battle scenario against the Goa'uld as yet. Jack wasn't altogether sure if he could trust the man to watch his back like Sam had.

They were lying face down in the dirt, hidden by some ground covering shrubs, watching several Jaffa milling round the Tel'tak which had settled on the ground in an open field not 200 metres from their camp. Jack held his breath as half a dozen of them broke away from the main contingent and made their way towards where they were hiding. Jack signalled frantically for them to get the hell out of there, leaving last and watching their sixes as the others left in a hurry. He winced as he could hear Locke crashing through the undergrowth like an elephant.

The Colonel moved out of his hiding place, his P-90 poised ready for action, when a fiery blast shattered the tree trunk inches from his head. Instinctively he ducked and turned, firing off a hail of bullets, grunting with satisfaction when two of the enemy went down. Teal'c stopped and opened fire too, letting loose his staff weapon in retaliation, offering Jack the chance to catch them up.

Jack could see it now, with the sounds of battle echoing round the forest, the other Jaffa would soon follow, hot on their comrades' heels. His breath came in hot gasps; his knees protested loudly, his legs were growing heavier by the minute. He stumbled but kept right on going. By now Jonas was offering both he and Teal'c covering fire, while Locke kept right on running with his head down.

The Stargate came into sight and Jack yelled for Jonas to dial up home. He could see Locke hiding behind the DHD while Jonas stood in full view of the enemy pressing the glyphs that would open up the wormhole to the SGC. He stopped behind a convenient tree and opened fire again. Teal'c echoing his actions from across the clearing. More Jaffa went down under the onslaught, and Jack thought they were winning, but more yells filled the air, bringing yet more Jaffa out from the cover of the forest.

Behind him he heard the gate roar into life and ordered Locke and Jonas through it.

"Teal'c!" he yelled over the noise, when he saw that the other two had made it to safety. "Go. Go. Go!"

Teal'c let loose another parting shot then ran towards the gate, where he stood at the very threshold of the shimmering flux. He turned and started firing back, again giving Jack a chance to join him there. He watched as Jack launched himself from his safe haven and ran with every ounce of energy he could muster towards him, while blasts of white hot heat hit the dirt around him, spraying the air with jagged fragments of rock and soil.

OoOoOoOoO

The level of anxiety in the gate room grew as long minutes ticked past. All were waiting nervously for Teal'c and Jack to return. Captain Locke had been the first one through, quickly followed by Jonas, who came home backwards obviously still firing his weapon until the wormhole had sucked him in.

General Hammond had been dismayed to discover they were being chased by several Jaffa where they were supposed to find a quiet, deserted planet.

The wormhole destabilized and shimmered, causing everyone to hold their breath, before righting itself again. Weapons blasts ricocheted around the walls embedding themselves in the plaster. The personnel gathered in the gate room ducked instantly. Then suddenly two figures clattered onto the ramp, one clutched tightly to the other to keep himself upright. Hammond yelled for the iris to be closed then called for a medical team, before he rushed up the ramp in time to see Jack straighten himself up to stand in front of him, his lungs heaving as he gasped for air. The noise of objects hitting the closed Trinium shield held everybody's attention, until a sudden hush fell over the room when the gate shut down.

Hammond studied his 2IC closely seeking out any injuries.

"Colonel? Are you okay?"

Jack nodded too winded to say anything just yet.

Teal'c explained what had happened.

"We were out-numbered General Hammond. O'Neill offered covering fire so that we might all escape. When I reached the safety of the gate I too lay down covering fire in order that O'Neill could outrun the enemy back to the Stargate. He stumbled at the very last minute, and had he not done so I do not believe he would be alive now. The blast merely passed over his body and entered the wormhole."

"Lucky escape for you Colonel!"

"Yes Sir, but not entirely." Jack gasped, slowly regaining his breath and pointing to his pants where blood had now seeped through the BDU's on his left leg. "It's just a scratch though Sir."

"Let Dr. Frasier take a look at it anyway son."

They were interrupted by the medical team rushing through the door. Janet Frasier quickly ran her professional eye over the various members of the team, wondering who it was that needed her skills.

Jack protested that he was fine but General Hammond pointed out Jack's bloodied pants. Teal'c helped him limp down the ramp and made him sit on the steps while she took a closer look at his wound. She took the small pair of scissors and slit the leg of his pants to the knee. An ugly gash revealed itself and Janet quickly swabbed it clean to get a better look.

"I'll need to get you to the infirmary Sir. That will require a couple of stitches in it, and I'll be giving you a shot of antibiotics too."

"Oh joy! I can't wait. Nice welcome home that is, sticking a needle in my butt!" Jack muttered. He just knew he shouldn't have come into work this week. Murphy's Law had done him proud this week.

Janet grinned at his comment and pointed to the gurney.

"Colonel!"

"No way Doc! I can walk."

Giving up on his stubbornness, she slapped a quick dressing over the gash and nodded.

"Very well Colonel. Ready when you are. Teal'c will you assist Colonel O'Neill to the infirmary?"

"Indeed Doctor Frasier."

Jack stood up and hobbled past the pair of them, walking unaided.

"I'm fine Doc. It's okay, I don't need any help thanks Teal'c, so don't bother."

"Teal'c, Jonas, Captain Locke...report to the infirmary for your post mission check ups," General Hammond stated, using the situation to the Doctor's advantage, smiling at her in understanding. Thus giving Jack no option other than to have someone escort him all the way there.

Jack frowned at the order, but Teal'c merely walked up to him with a slight smile on his lips.

"It is no bother O'Neill. I am to report to the infirmary immediately, as are you."

"Yeah right," Jack muttered watching the other two head for the elevator. He turned back to the General. "One down, two to go Sir!" And with that cryptic comment, he turned and limped out into the corridor towards the elevator.

Hammond sighed. He knew full well what that comment meant, and answered with one of his own.

"Here we go again," he muttered, more to himself than to anyone in particular as he left the room to head back up to his office.

OoOoOoOoO

Jack leant back against the pillows on the bed, his hands tucked behind his head, watching intently as Janet stitched his leg up with a neat row of sutures. The sound of the door swinging open noisily made him look up. Sam's face was pale and anxious as she entered, but vastly relieved on seeing him sitting up apparently looking for all the world like he was having a lazy lie-in on a Sunday morning; none the worse for his injury.

He sent her a huge grin, and could see her visibly relax. She grinned back, taking the few steps towards his bed.

"Carter," he greeted her warmly.

"When I heard you'd been injured..." Her voice trailed away, not really wanting to contemplate what might have been. "I didn't know what to think."

"Hey! I'm fine. It's just a little scratch, huh Doc?"

"It needed a few stitches that's all," she confirmed, pulling his torn pants leg down. "There you are Sir. You're free to go."

"Thanks Doc!"

"You want a coffee after you've changed?" she asked tentatively.

"Sure, I got a while before the de-briefing. Meet you there in 10 minutes."

They walked together to the elevator, where they parted company. He to the Locker room, and her to the commissary to wait for him.

TBC