CHAPTER EIGHT

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Sam knocked softly on the door and waited.

"Perhaps they are both still sleeping, Major Carter," said Teal'c.

The door opened to reveal a disheveled O'Neill, his eyes squinted against the corridor lights.

"Sorry, sir, didn't mean to wake you."

The colonel yawned and scratched his ribcage then stepped aside. "No, no. Come on in, just---be quiet," he said with a wave toward the bed. "He's sleeping."

Sam crept over to the bed and looked down at its occupant. "How's he doing?"

"Better," replied O'Neill. He moved to the opposite side of the bed and gently pulled the blankets up over Daniel in a tender gesture that made Sam smile. He looked up at her blankly. "What?"

Sam just shook her head. "Nothing, sir," she said then did a quick subject change. "You look tired."

"Ah, yeah, well we were up pretty late----or early---what time is it anyway?"

"It is 08:20, O'Neill," responded Teal'c.

The colonel nodded then looked down at Daniel. "That guy really did a number on him, but I think that crap is working its way out of his system. I finally bribed him into coming down here to try to get some rest. He tossed and turned for quite a while, but he's been sleeping soundly for about an hour now."

"Bribed?"

O'Neill rocked uncomfortably on his feet. "Yeah, I told him I'd get the general to let us go back."

"What? Why, sir?"

"Oh, you know Daniel, Carter. Closure---everything has to have closure," explained the colonel testily then he sighed. "In this case, I sort of agree with him---maybe."

Sam nodded. "To be honest, sir, I'm a little curious myself to see how Kaatzál is doing with the Alarans now that Tezca's gone."

"There, you see? Closure."

"Yes, sir. Why don't you go grab a shower? We'll sit with him."

O'Neill pulled his shirt away from his chest and sniffed. "That might be a good idea, Carter," he said with a sheepish smile. "If he starts moving around a lot, just talk to him. It seems to calm him down." He reached for his discarded boots and sat in the chair next to the bed. "Oh, and don't let him grab his injured hand."

"Yes, sir."

"And Frasier is due anytime. One of her nurses – Morris maybe? – came by and checked his breathing a couple hours ago, but be sure to tell the doc he's been coughing a little since he fell asleep."

Sam smiled indulgently. "Yes, sir."

The colonel hesitated in slipping on one of his boots. "Maybe I should just stick around until Frasier checks him out," he said more to himself than to Sam or Teal'c then he shook his head. "Nah, it won't take me that long to shower." He finished putting on his other boot then stood. "Be back in a flash."

Sam watched as her CO glanced down again at Daniel, hesitating, then finally turned, crossed in front of Teal'c and left the little VIP room.

"He is most concerned for Daniel Jackson's well-being."

"You can say that again."

Teal'c regarded Sam with a slight twitch of an eyebrow. "Indeed I can," he intoned.

The major carefully settled herself on the side of the bed as her Jaffa friend moved to sit in the colonel's recently vacated chair. To her watchful eye, Daniel did seem to be sleeping peacefully and, she hoped fervently, dreamlessly. She didn't fully understand what had happened to her younger friend, but from what Kaatzál had described to her, she knew his mind had been horribly violated. And his heart, she amended.

Sam shook her head. "I hope he can get passed this."

"As do I, Major Carter," replied Teal'c softly. "I can not abide the thought of something so evil touching my most treasured memories. The joy I felt at my son's birth is mine and mine alone. To think that someone else could experience that specific joy without my permission is truly reprehensible."

"I guess I really never thought about how completely unique and extremely personal our feelings really are. The way I felt when my mom hugged me---my God, it makes me sick just to think that Tezca could have shared in that."

"Indeed."

A light rap on the door drew Sam's attention and she turned to see the door open and the general's bald head appear.

"Sir," greeted the major as she rose to her feet.

Hammond smiled kindly. "At ease, Major," he said then he looked at Daniel. "How's our boy this morning?"

"He is sleeping soundly, General Hammond," responded Teal'c. "O'Neill believes the worst has passed."

"Good to hear, Teal'c. And where is the colonel? I didn't expect he'd wander too far from Dr. Jackson's side."

"He just left to get cleaned up, sir. He'll be right back."

"Ah, I see. Well, I have a briefing in five minutes so I'd better head upstairs. Tell Dr. Jackson I said hello when he wakes up."

"Of course, sir."

Hammond nodded his head then slipped out of view quietly closing the door behind him.

"Hey, guys. What's going on?"

The major turned back to the bed to find Daniel squinting up at her through bleary eyes. "Daniel," she greeted warmly.

Teal'c stood from his chair. "Daniel Jackson, you are awake."

"Um, yeah, pretty much----I think."

"How are you feeling?"

"Fine, I feel---fine," replied the archeologist hesitantly. "How long was I asleep?"

"Approximately one hour."

Daniel started to cough and Sam helped him to sit up. She rubbed his back sympathetically as the episode passed.

"Thanks, Sam."

"Well, I don't like the sound of that, Dr. Jackson," said Janet as she suddenly appeared at the door. She entered the room in a flurry and Sam had to marvel at the way her friend could move in a skirt and heels. She dreaded the times she was required to wear dress uniform and much preferred her comfortable and baggy military garb.

"Just a tickle in my throat, Janet," downplayed the archeologist.

"I'll be the judge of that."

Sam stood from the bedside to let the doctor close in on the defenseless archeologist. She glanced across the bed to see Teal'c standing, hands linked at the small of his back, regarding the scene with amusement.

"Hmm, your heart rate is a little fast----are you still experiencing some anxiety?"

Daniel dropped his eyes from Janet's. "Maybe a little," he replied. "But nothing I can't handle."

Janet smiled kindly then warmed her stethoscope. "Okay, I'm going to check your lungs---."

O'Neill appeared midway through the deep breathing, his hair still damp from his shower, and moved instantly to the foot of Daniel's bed. "So---how's he doing?"

The doctor hushed him with a stern look and the colonel had the courtesy to look relatively admonished. He stuck his hands deep in his pockets and watched the exam with intent eyes.

"Well, your lungs sound clear, but I'm still concerned with that cough. I'd like you to stop in the infirmary later so I can run some tests."

Daniel nodded obediently then shifted slightly on the bed looking suddenly tense.

"Daniel?" prompted O'Neill. "You okay?"

"Um," replied the archeologist with a convulsive swallow. "Yeah, the---um---walls just seem a little too close."

"Okay," said Janet gently. "Why don't you get cleaned up, get some breakfast, and I'll draw some blood when you visit the infirmary later." She patted her patient's arm then gathered her bag and stood. "Colonel?"

O'Neill stepped around the foot of the bed and reached to grasp Daniel's elbow. "Come on, Dannyboy, doc says you need a shower." He sniffed the air and grimaced. "And I happen to agree with her diagnosis."

Sam turned and grabbed the wheelchair that sat next to the nightstand and maneuvered it around by the bed. "Here you go, Daniel."

The colonel helped his friend to his feet then carefully lowered him into the chair. "Hey, big guy," he said to Teal'c. "Mind helping us out?"

"I do not mind at all, O'Neill."

"You can leave his feet unwrapped, sir!" called out Janet as the threesome left the room. "I want to check for infection during his---exam." Her voice dropped at the last word as the men rolled out of earshot. Janet looked up at Sam and pursed her lips.

"So he seems better."

"Well, you know how it is with Daniel, Sam. He puts up a good front, but---in this case I think he really is doing better physically. Probably not as good as he's pretending to be, but---better none the less."

"Do you think he'll fully recover, emotionally I mean?"

Janet's slender brows puckered in concern. "I don't honestly know. He's handled far too many tragedies by himself and now thanks to this Tezca person, all those tragedies are fresh in his mind. I'm going to strongly recommend he talk to someone professionally---." She smiled knowingly at Sam. "And no, not to Dr. MacKenzie."

"I'm not too sure he'll go for that, MacKenzie or not."

The doctor shrugged then reached for her bag. "He may have no choice in the matter," she said firmly.

They headed to the door side by side then stepped into the corridor.

"Do you want to meet up with the guys for breakfast?" asked Sam.

Janet glanced at her watch. "I have time to grab a cup of coffee, sure."

The major looked at the floor ahead of her. "Janet, do you think it's possible for two brothers, twin brothers, to live in the same village for years and not be aware the other is there?"

"I don't know, why do you ask?"

Sam looked askance. "Both Tezca and Kaatzál said they knew the other was in the village, but both also said they couldn't tell each other from the Alarans. That just seems so unlikely to me. I mean, if they are so in touch with emotions, it just seems they'd know."

"Not necessarily, Sam. We're talking about a completely different species here. It's possible that even as siblings, as twins, they felt no connection at all with each other."

"But both of them knew Daniel was hurting the minute we stepped through the Stargate. They could sense him, but not each other?"

"Daniel was going through some pretty heavy guilt and though he was trying to convince himself and all of us he was all right, he wasn't able to suppress that guilt deep inside. Unlike Daniel and the rest of us, for that matter, Tezca and Kaatzál apparently have the ability to suppress their feelings. And again, we're talking about two different species here, Sam."

"It just seems so odd. I knew twin girls when I was growing up and they just seemed to have a sixth sense about each other."

"They were human, Sam, not----whatever Tezca and Kaatzál are. What holds true for one species may not hold true for the other."

"I guess you're right. It's hard to remember that not everyone out there is going to be like us."

Janet smiled. "You're telling me it's hard---now let's say we hurry up, I can smell that coffee from here."

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"You were quite passionate in your stance, O'Neill."

The colonel looked up at Teal'c then focused his eyes again on the path ahead. "I just think," he began with a quick glance over his shoulder to his two other teammates. "That it's important for Daniel to come back."

"I am not certain I agree with that assessment. I do not believe it was necessary."

"Why not? General Hammond certainly agreed with me."

"He did not in the beginning."

O'Neill scowled. "Well, no, he didn't, but that's where my---passionate stance came into play." He smirked. "I can be just as impassioned as the next guy when I have to be."

"And you felt it necessary to be so inclined in this case?"

"Yeah, I did, Teal'c. We needed to come back."

The Jaffa lifted a speculative brow at his warrior brother, but said nothing more. He looked ahead to see the team was fast approaching the Alaran village.

As they entered the little village, Teal'c instinctively stepped slightly in front of Daniel Jackson, his staff weapon gripped at the ready. He noticed O'Neill and Major Carter do the same, their weapons clutched at their chests, the three of them effectively forming a protective wall before the archeologist.

"You have returned," greeted Kaatzál. The old man looked up from his discussion with a young Alaran girl just outside the main square. He crossed his arms over his chest and tucked his hands into the long sleeves of his robe.

Daniel Jackson stepped around O'Neill eliciting an exasperated sigh from the colonel and moved to Kaatzál with his hand extended in greeting. "Yes, we just wanted to---um----make sure you and your people were all right," said the young man. He stared at his untouched hand for a moment then shoved it into his pants pocket. "So----how are you?"

Kaatzál smiled kindly. "We are well, young one, much relieved that the darkness is gone." He turned to look at the bustling square. "We have been busy planning a celebration for this evening."

"A celebration?" prompted O'Neill stepping to the side of the archeologist.

The holy man turned back to the colonel. "Yes, in thanks of our deliverance, I suppose you could say." He regarded Daniel Jackson with warm eyes. "And you are well, Daniel?"

"I am, Kaatzál, thanks."

"And your hand?"

Daniel held up his broken hand and regarded it. "It'll be good as new in no time."

A middle-aged woman approached carrying a basket of fruit. "I am sorry to intrude, but will these be all right? I picked only the best from my garden," she said with a slight bow of what Teal'c could only describe as reverence.

"Yes, Sallin, they will be perfect."

The woman smiled gratefully then moved quickly away.

"You must stay for the celebration. We're having it in the meadow outside of Teóti. The Alarans have always feared the ruins, but since Tezca's death, I'm hoping the people can enjoy the history there again." He looked at Daniel Jackson. "I can help you translate more of the temple writings if you wish."

The archeologist turned hopeful eyes to O'Neill. "Jack?"

"Daniel?"

"Can we stay?"

"Well, I've got nothing better to do tonight. Teal'c, Carter? You two free?"

"Sounds like fun, sir."

"I am indeed available, O'Neill."

"That is wonderful," said Kaatzál. "We will be departing shortly for the trek to the ruins."

O'Neill grinned. "Ah, good, can't wait."

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"This is their idea of a celebration?"

"Remember, sir, these people don't have the range of emotions we do. And technically, they're just---preparing for the celebration."

Jack snorted derisively. "Carter, I've witnessed more enthusiasm from a room full of bored Jaffa." He looked up apologetically at Teal'c. "No offense, big guy."

"None taken, O'Neill."

The colonel looked around. "And just where did Daniel run off to?"

Carter smiled. "He's helping them pack up supplies, sir," she replied pointing toward the town square.

Jack followed the major's extended finger and saw Daniel, the sun glinting momentarily off his glasses. The younger man was surrounded by villagers busily loading baskets with food and other wares. He was smiling and talking, his hands, when not loading up baskets, gesticulating as he spoke. He looked even more enthusiastic than normal in comparison to the mild-mannered Alarans who surrounded him.

The colonel relaxed his grip on his MP-5 and regarded his friend for a long moment. He knew coming back to the planet was a good idea and seeing his friend so animated sealed the deal. Daniel needed to do what he did best; talk to people, learn from people, and absorb the history of people. And Jack had to admit that he'd been drawn back as well.

"Sir?"

Jack started slightly. "Yeah, Carter, what is it?"

"Kaatzál says they won't eat until sundown, sir."

"And, so, but, therefore?"

Carter smiled. "We're due to check in with General Hammond at 1800 hours."

"Oh, yeah, right---the good general," replied Jack. He looked back at Daniel. "Teal'c, you stay with Daniel, Carter and I will go check in with Hammond, tell him our plans. We'll catch up with you at Teóti. Sound good?"

Teal'c canted his head in acknowledgement.

"Keep close tabs on him," advised the colonel with a pat to his big friend's arm.

"I shall."

"Okay, Carter, let's go."

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TO BE CONTINUED