Chapter 73

A/N from Abbot:

Dear readers,

About a week ago, I was bitten by my dog. The bite was somewhat severe, deforming tendons and, well, making a hole between my left index and thumb. It has become infected, and now the entire hand is swollen. It is hard and painful to move I am on antibiotics. Thank you for best wishes, it has been a lark writing for you all. I apologise for my absence, I have had a number of IRL issues come up.

And yes, the dog is also okay.

Abbot

And now we return to our regularly scheduled fic:

Sam's POV

I whirl around, weapon raised and take in the view behind me. Janet is rushing towards Jack who is kneeling on the floor. Teal'c is heading for him, and then Jack shifts to the side.

Daniel is half lying on the floor, his left leg obviously trapped down a hole and his right spread out before him.

"Daniel?" asks Jack. "Tell me that snap was not your leg."

"Sorry Jack."

"Ahh hell."

Janet is already checking his right leg for any injuries. "Try not to move Daniel."

"Trust me, I'm not going anywhere."

"Where does it hurt?"

"Left leg. I think I twisted my ankle as I fell and then… yep my leg bone is kinda in more pieces than it should be."

"Alright. Ferretti, SG-2 set up a perimeter. Teal'c, you're with me. Lets go chop us a few decent sized branches so we can carry our intrepid archaeologist home. Carter, stay here and help the Doc. Doc, lets not get him outta there just yet okay? We don't want our Danny-boy hurt any further than he already is. Move it people."

A few minutes later Jack and Teal'c have rigged up a stretcher and Janet is preparing a splint and various medical supplies.

"Alright Doc. How'd ya want us to get him outta his hole?"

"Colonel, if you and Teal'c could lift him slowly out and Sam can help me stabilise his lower limbs. Sam, I think it will be best if we splint his good and bad leg together as soon as possible, but for now, lets just ease his leg out slowly."

"Okay Danny-boy, Teal'c and I are gonna lift you so the Doc can get to work. If you feel anything getting caught down there, you're gonna have ta let us know ASAP. Right?"

"Just get on with it Jack." Snaps Daniel.

"Okay buddy. Carter? Doc?"

"We're ready." I reply. Janet looks as if she's about to scream any second, but she takes a deep breath and her professional mask slips into place.

"Slow and steady Colonel." Reminds Janet.

"On three. One. Two. Three." Jack and Teal'c lift Daniel's upper body slowly and Daniel bites his lip, trying to stay quiet. As his left leg is lifted out I can see the way his leg has twisted unnaturally a few inches below the knee.

"Stop!" I command.

Janet takes a deep breath, trying to contain her panic. "Okay, Daniel, this is going to hurt." Her hands reach down and she supports his lower leg as best she can while I keep hold of his upper thigh. Finally he is free and Janet and I are literally holding his leg together.

My stomach starts to roll and I swallow bile. "Janet?" I warn. She takes one look at my green complexion before turning to Ferretti.

"Stretcher. Now! Easy Sam. Deep breaths."

"Sam?" questions Jack from above me. He shifts Daniel's weight and rests his other hand on my lower back, rubbing soothingly.

"Colonel!" snaps Janet and I wince.

Thankfully Ferretti has the stretcher ready and Jack's hands leave me as everyone helps Daniel get settled on the stretcher. Janet and I lower the injured limb carefully. My friend is pale and weak, but silent and I pull away before loosing my breakfast in the bushes just to the side.

Half a second later, soothing hands are caressing my stomach and a cloth is wiping my forehead. Jack's soft voice flows over me, and I almost choke on an embarrassed sob.

"Easy Sam. Shh. It's okay, baby. I've got you. Shh."

After a few minutes, my stomach is empty and I gag slightly on the taste in my mouth.

"Finished Sam?" asks Jack in my ear and I nod slowly. "Here, have some water, it will help." He opens my canteen and I swill my mouth out and spit. "That's a girl. Now take a few sips to settle your stomach."

I shake my head in the negative as my stomach flips over again.

"Okay, you don't have to just yet."

I lean back against him, catching my breath. "Sorry."

"Shh. It's okay."

"Not usually… so weak stomached." I defend myself between gasps.

"I know. You've never been pregnant before either Sam."

I let that thought diffuse through my brain cells for a minute. God, how could I loose it like that? And in front of everyone. I straighten up and shrug out of Jack's embrace, suddenly conscious of the other eyes on me. I wipe my mouth with the cloth that Jack used on my forehead and straighten my BDU's.

When I turn around Jack is holding a glaring match with Janet and Daniel has been strapped up. Teal'c steps towards me in concern as my step falters for a moment, but I stop him with a warning glance. His eyes search mine before he nods his head slightly and resumes his post beside Daniel.

"Okay, are we ready to move out?" asks Jack, finally breaking his staring match with Janet.

There are a few assenting nods. Teal'c picks up Daniel's pack and one of the ends of the stretcher, while Littlefield picks up the other. Jack passes me my P90 with a reassuring smile and picks up my pack, slinging it over his other shoulder, before taking point.

I take a deep breath, silently thanking him for not making a big deal out of it in front of the others. Ferretti takes up position beside me and smiles gently. "So, d'ya think, as the Doc's gonna be occupied, we could get our showers first Major?"

I giggle softly and the tense set to Jack's shoulders eases fractionally. "Not a chance in hell Ferretti."

Jack sets a slow pace and Ferretti stays by my side the whole way back to the gate.