The Coldest of Hearts – Part Nine
The day passed slowly, the blizzard whipping around the old buildings, setting the cobwebs jiggling and the wood creaking.
Draper's restless energy kept him moving, keeping his men on their toes, but even he couldn't help feeling frustrated. It felt like the storm would never let up, despite reports that it was leaving the area.
When the call came that the helicopters were finally under way, he breathed a deep sigh of relief.
The girl, Cassie, hadn't stirred again and the Doctor hovered anxiously between her daughter and Jack.
"Colonel, where will we be landing?" asked Janet as she began to instruct her medics to pack.
"Looks like it's going to be the Academy hospital. The storm's moving east and the sky to the west is clearing. We can keep low. I know there's nearer, but for reasons of security the order has come in for the Academy ... unless that is ...?" He didn't finish speaking and Janet shook her head, knowing what he was asking.
"The Colonel appears to be stable enough for the moment," she responded, "and he'll not have finer treatment anywhere else."
Draper nodded and began preparations to leave. He instructed that the area and the path to the fields be thoroughly swept. There was no sign of anything moving. The snow continued to fall, but more softly now that the wind was letting up.
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Teal'c volunteered to carry Cassie and Janet approved of this. If there was any further trouble, she knew the Jaffa would keep her daughter safe and she felt she was better able to give the Colonel her full attention.
Janet's tired mind was flowing with questions ... just what had happened to Cassie ... damn the man! Why ... oh god, just why couldn't trouble leave them alone ... damn Jack O'Neill, why did he always have to get involved in things like this ... and this time her daughter was dragged along for the ride!
The signal came in and they made their way to the landing field. Everyone was tense, knowing that if someone were planning to strike, this would be an ideal time ...
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They took off without a hitch and were soon landing at the hospital. There was a veritable tempest of white coats and security waiting and the Colonel and Cassie were whisked away, Janet disappearing with them into the domain of the white coats.
Draper sent all of his team off with the helicopters, except for two men.
"You're not reporting back?" asked Sam as they made their way to the waiting area.
"Later. I need to find out when I can de-brief Jack and Cassie and also I need to make sure that security is fully briefed." With a polite nod, Draper left them to carry out his tasks.
It was almost an hour before he rejoined SG1 in the waiting area and they shook their heads to his enquiry for news.
"I've been in touch with General Hammond and SG1 are staying for the time being. He's already assigned some SF's, they're on their way." Sam paused and looked him straight in the eyes. "You really think that Mayer will attempt something, especially here?" she asked, a little incredulous.
"Never underestimate the enemy, Major. I really don't know what Mayer will or won't do. He may just leave the country. That's what most people would do, but Mayer isn't predictable and he's good, make no mistake about that. If it wasn't for Jack's involvement and your call, that missile would be on its way out of the country by now."
"It would have been better never being built in the first place!" interrupted Daniel scathingly.
Draper turned to face Daniel. "Well Doctor Jackson, that isn't something that I can do anything about. My job is to follow orders and keep my teams functioning, to show them how to be the best they can at what they do."
Daniel snorted a little and went to turn away, but was forestalled by Draper's hand on his shoulder. "My job is to pick up pieces, Doctor Jackson, when the shit hits the fan, not politics."
"Those pieces are human beings ..." began Daniel.
"Yes, sometimes they are ... and sometimes those pieces get hurt. We do what we have to do and we go on and try and learn from it." Draper shook his head despairingly at Daniel. "Jack must have gone soft in his old age," he commented suddenly.
"What?"
"If you were on my team, Doctor Jackson, you would be wearing a permanent gag!"
Sam fought valiantly not to giggle, but straightened her face when Daniel threw her an indignant look.
"Or do you just reserve this shit for other people?" enquired Draper, quite exasperated.
"Oh, no, no he doesn't. The Colonel gets it too, even worse," confessed Sam, relaxing a little more.
Draper's eyes met hers, both brows lifting incredulously. "Oh man, that's bad. Jack O'Neill gone soft."
"I'm very good at what I do," said Daniel haughtily, giving a little sniff as he folded his arms defensively.
"I'm sure you are Doctor Jackson, there has to be a very, very good reason why Jack would let you stay on his team," said Draper dryly.
Daniel's pursed his lips and frowned at the Colonel, but was forestalled from any reply by the appearance of Janet.
They all moved towards her and the diminutive doctor held her hands up to still them.
"Cassie's being made comfortable and is being checked over. The Colonel is in surgery now. It'll be a while before we know anything further, but I have made arrangements for a room and showers and a change of uniform." She grimaced at the clothing she was wearing before continuing. "So I suggest we take advantage of this and get some food and rest."
"Yes ma-am, anything else ma-am?" queried Draper dryly, causing Janet to give him a questioning glance.
"Nothing Colonel," she responded just as dryly, wondering if all of Colonel's O'Neill acquaintances were as sarcastic as the Colonel himself. She rolled her eyes and sighed as she led the way to the rooms they would be using for the time being.
Janet made use of the facilities quickly before disappearing again, promising that as soon as she knew anything she would be back.
SG1, along with Draper and his two men, showered, changed, and ate, before they left to brief the security team that had just arrived.
They were back just over an hour later, reporting that everything seemed okay and security were fully briefed, along with a guard posted on Cassie's room.
Janet appeared a few hours later with the news that the Colonel was out of surgery, that everything went as well as could be expected, and as soon as she could she would arrange a quick visit for them. Cassie was sedated and resting peacefully.
The day wore on to evening and the General joined SG1 at the hospital, just as soon as he had his duties covered at the mountain.
He acknowledged Draper and his team, before asking for a quiet word with SG1 alone.
Sam quickly filled the General in on the Colonel's condition and what they knew and he sat and waited with them. Draper joined them again and he was soon talking to the General like a long lost friend.
"Jack told me he had a great CO, Sir," said Draper suddenly.
"He did, did he?" said Hammond, a brief flash of humour lighting his face.
"Yep, and that you've got him pegged alright," laughed Draper.
"Pegged isn't a word I could use to describe Jack." Hammond responded dryly. "Latitude and understanding ..." he murmured suddenly, his face taking on a little far away look.
"Pardon, Sir?" asked Draper.
"Ahem, nothing, just something Jack said once ..."
Draper nodded solemnly. He liked this General. He was of much the same school as Jack as regards to the majority of 'ass-holes' that gave the orders they had to follow, but he could see why Jack liked and respected this man, and that the feeling was returned by Hammond.
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They were eventually allowed in to see Jack, just a short visit, a couple at a time. Teal'c deposited himself inside the room near the door and made like a statue. They all knew that nothing but nothing, was now going to move the Jaffa from that room – and that was alright, it was welcomed, giving them all just a little piece of reassurance for their CO's and friend's well being.
Daniel and Sam went in together. Jack's face was pale, his cuts and bruises standing out darkly from the whiteness. His chest and shoulder were heavily bandaged and he was wired up to various machines. There was a spaghetti of tubes from under the sheets that were attached to various drips.
The steady beep from the machines and his quiet breathing had given them a little reassurance. Janet promised them he was doing okay, but the next twenty-four hours would be the critical ones.
Cassie on the other hand was ... well, physically the girl wasn't too bad. Her examination had been thorough, very. Janet had insisted on that after finding evidence of blood and tissue under the girl's fingernails and the telltale bruising on her body. Her scans had shown that there was nothing wrong except for a few cuts and bruises, but mentally - that was another matter.
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The General left shortly after he had visited Jack, asking to be kept apprised of any developments, and he put SG1 on stand down until further notice.
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Sam spent some time with Cassie, just sitting quietly with Janet in the room. Janet's quietness made her a little uneasy.
Cassie was only lightly sedated and it was beginning to wear off. Colonel Draper had respectfully informed them, that as soon as it was possible, he would need to talk with Cassie. Janet wanted as much as anyone to hear what had happened, but at the same time, based on Cassie's previous hysterics, she dreaded it. Just what terrible things she and her daughter would have to cope with churned her insides and made her curse Colonel O'Neill ... despite the sensible side of her telling herself the Colonel would never hurt her... her mothers' voice of non-reasoning and alarms were taking over. The presence of the guard outside the room offered a little comfort, but worse was the thought that it was necessary. The fact that some of the people who had hurt her daughter were still out there, perhaps waiting for a chance to silence her, filled her with dread.
When Cassie suddenly began moaning and calling out, both women were on their feet quickly, trying to soothe her.
"No ... no ... please don't ... Jack ..." cried Cassie pitifully. Janet's alarm soared and she fought down her anger, her eyes flashing to Sam's distressed face briefly, before she focussed on her daughter.
"Cassie, honey I'm here, shush, it's alright, you're safe." Janet perched herself on the bed and held her daughter in her arms.
"Mom," said Cassie, her voice just a whisper as she opened her eyes. "Oh god, make them stop," she begged. A sudden cough turned into a gag reflex and Sam grabbed the kidney bowl quickly. Cassie heaved, but it was dry, just a reaction to everything and the sedation.
"It's okay baby, it's okay. You're safe."
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Cassie's nightmare followed her into consciousness ...
"No – leave me alone!" she spat as she struggled to free herself of the arms that engulfed her. The smell of Brinks, his breath, his body odour, filled her nostrils and she gagged again. The knife loomed in her distant vision and her eyes widened in horror as her heart pounded painfully, the terror drying her throat. "Jack no please ... don't let him ... don't... you can stop him – don't ..." she mewed, the tears falling down her face as she saw the knife rise higher ... she saw the face of her protector and her eyes snapped further open as she recognised the cold face of a killer ... no longer just Jack – but a killer and her mouth opened to emit a harsh high pitched wailing ... "Jack, oh god ... don't kill me!"
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Janet stared at her daughter in alarm as the words hit her. She flicked a glance to Sam and took a deep breath before she managed to utter some comfort to the girl. "Shush Cassie, it's okay, it's me, Cassie, honey," called Janet soothingly as she cast a helpless look to Sam. The words Cassie were wailing bit into her deeply, embedding themselves into her subconscious ... 'why was Cassie begging the Colonel not to kill her? Why didn't the son of a bitch help her ... he'd left her to die ... he had obviously been out there trying to save himself and her daughter was left alone with those killers ...' She knew, deep down inside, that she was being irrational, but she couldn't help it, swept up as she was in the surge of emotion. Then it was as if a dam had burst – she just couldn't watch her daughter's anguish any longer, and she rushed out of the room, her hand over her mouth to hold back the scream that she couldn't allow an escape.
Sam pressed the buzzer to get someone in as Cassie continued to make the awful wailing, and it was only minutes before the attending nurse had called a doctor and Cassie was gently sedated.
Janet's sudden disappearance from the room had caught Sam by surprise and she hurried out to find Janet in the corridor, her head leant back against the wall, her fists clenched in anger.
"Janet?" she asked quietly.
"Why, Sam?" asked Janet tightly, the question obviously surprising her friend by the resounding silence that followed. "I mean, you and SG1, you bound across the galaxy, that's your job – but why this? Why Cassie? She shouldn't have to face anymore suffering, hasn't she gone through enough already?"
Sam reached out to touch Janet on the shoulder. Words failed her for the moment, knowing that it was anger and stress making Janet react like this, at least she thought it was. Her friend's next words stunned her.
"Damn him, damn Jack O'Neill – this is all his fault!"
"Janet ..."
"Damn him to hell! Just what did he do out there? He almost got her killed ... and where was he? Just who attacked her? You heard her?"
"Janet, the Colonel would never hurt Cassie ..." began Sam, moving closer to her.
Janet let her head fall back again, making a thump against the wall. "Oh yes, big brave Colonel ... well he didn't protect her this time did he? Why did he leave her there? Those killers are still loose – what if they ..." Janet broke off with a sobbed breath.
Sam couldn't find the words to comfort Janet, hoping that it really was hurt and anger fuelling her statement, and that when it calmed down, everything would be okay ... she hoped!
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Sam drew Janet to one of the room that had been made available to them and ordered her to lie down, insisting that if she didn't rest she would have no alternative but to bring it to the attention of General Hammond.
Grudgingly the doctor admitted defeat, but only when she was reassured again that she would be woken when Cassie did, did she finally close her eyes.
Sam closed the door behind her with a sigh. Her name being whispered loudly almost made her jump and she turned quickly to find Daniel staring at her questioningly.
"Is she okay?" he asked.
Sam nodded. "She's just a little overwrought."
"That's an understatement," sighed Daniel. "How's Cassie?"
"She woke up a little, but she wasn't making too much sense, still shocked. They've sedated her again." Sam looked at Daniel, a question forming on the tip of her tongue ... "Daniel, do you ..." she hesitated then stopped speaking.
"What?" queried Daniel.
"Oh ... it's nothing really, Janet's just very upset and ..."
"And?" he prompted.
"She's blaming the Colonel for all this and some of what Cassie has said has kind of ..."
"It's only natural that Janet is lashing out with anger at someone. It will be okay Sam, I mean, I've felt like that a time or too myself, so have you."
Sam nodded, not entirely sure what Daniel had said was comforting, true – but not comforting at all.
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The next day saw a quiet, but outwardly calm, Janet Fraiser taking a seat in Cassie's room. The spirits of SG1 were raised considerably with the news that the Colonel was off the danger list and was improving all the time.
Colonel Draper and his men were re-called to base for the time being, the SF's from Hammond's command had the hospital sewn up as tightly as possible.
The Colonel promised to be back as soon as they had any news, or when the hospital confirmed that Jack was fit to be questioned. As yet, nothing new had come to light and no trace of Mayer or Brinks had been found.
Although she had woken earlier, Cassie remained quiet, refusing to speak, despite Janet's pleas for her to tell what had happened.
The Colonel brushed away Janet's apologies, giving the doctor the reassurance that he fully understood and that when Cassie was ready, she would talk.
Cassie seemed very withdrawn, not responding very much, in fact the only reaction she showed was when Colonel Draper entered her room. She had clutched hard at Janet's hand and moved closer to her. The doctor in Janet automatically checked her daughter's pulse and found it racing. The Colonel was a stranger to her and her reaction was certainly normal in the circumstances, but when she showed a similar reaction to Daniel, Janet's worry soared to alarm.
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Daniel watched his friend as he began to wake and was peripherally aware of Teal'c stepping closer to the bed. Jack's eyes opened slowly, obviously not fully aware yet.
Daniel cleared his throat softly before speaking, Jack's continuing silence unnerving him a little as he reached for the buzzer to let the staff know the Colonel had woken.
"Hey, Jack, it's okay, you're in hospital," he offered.
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Jack's eyes closed a little as he tried to digest Daniel's words. The buzzing in his ears made Daniel's voice seem far away and hard to distinguish.
"What?" he whispered, his tongue feeling thick and large in his dry mouth. He felt the touch of a glass against his lips and the welcome wetness that followed helped to ease some of the dryness.
"Thanks," he murmured as he fought to open his eyes more as the buzzing receded slightly.
The white coat that suddenly appeared in his vision with the command to 'hold still' followed by the flash of a light in his eyes, causing his vision to dance with orange spots, made him curse.
"Dammit!" He closed his watering eyes against the assault.
"Nice normal reaction Colonel," said the white coat. After a few seconds, the white coat obviously took the Colonel's silence as a signal to carry on talking. "Do you know where you are?"
Jack risked squinting one eye open at the faceless man. He caught sight of Daniel hovering over the doctor's shoulder and shot him an accusing glance.
"Yeah – he told me."
The doctor tutted and cast Daniel a look that said 'back off and leave it to me,' which Daniel ignored.
"I meant Colonel, what do you remember?"
"Then freakin well say so," rasped Jack. He ignored the doctor's annoyed look and raised the arm that had an IV attached to it. He squinted down at it, checking which lines were there. He hurt all over and his thoughts were tumbling around, even as the doctor spoke again.
"Colonel ..."
"Cassie ... how's Cassie?" he asked suddenly as his memory hit one particular point - he ignored the doctor and stared straight at Daniel.
"Cassie's okay, a little shook up," responded Daniel.
"But she's okay?" questioned Jack. He was weighing up if Daniel was speaking the truth and breathed a sigh of relief when his friend nodded, deciding that Daniel was being mostly honest with him.
His head sank back against the pillows. He felt so tired ... and hurting ... did he mention the hurting ... every damn bone ached and his chest felt like someone had stomped on him – a lot ... Mayer! He jerked up reactively and cried out in pain as his injuries made themselves felt even more.
He didn't see the doctor move to his IV and inject something into it. He felt the burning as the warmth hit his veins and the heated rush that followed it was welcomed, bringing relief from the pain. As his thoughts chased around he once again focussed on Mayer and he saw him raise the radio to his mouth. 'Say goodbye to her Colonel ... you could have saved her ... it's your fault ... say goodbye ...'
"No ..." murmured Jack, as he fought against the haze of the drug. "Please ... don't ..." he begged. He could see Cassie's frightened face in his mind's eye as he begged for forgiveness ... forgiveness for killing her...
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