So sorry to keep you all waiting for this. Christmas was rather hectic and the New Year fraught with incidents I had no control over. I'm going to be off-line for a couple of weeks, beginning next week, so I'll try to get another chapter in by then.

Thanks for all your reviews and hope you enjoy this chapter.

Danger Zone.

By Lingren.

Previously:-

"As soon as Major Davis can arrange transport. Both Janet and Annie agree that you should be well enough to travel now."

Chapter 17

"What do you mean it doesn't matter?"

"I mean it doesn't matter if they take him away. He's stitched up pretty tight. He doesn't have a leg to stand on. It's a closed case against him. With the girl's evidence, he's already damned. It's just a matter of time now."

"He's recalled a lot of things. Enough to delay the trial."

"That maybe so, but I heard he doesn't remember the rape and that's good enough for us. At least he didn't, the last I heard. He'll be out of that mountain and the Air Force so fast his feet won't touch the floor, which is exactly what the boss wanted."

"If you say so, but..."

"Quit worrying will you! I told you it doesn't matter."

"I don't like it. It's my neck on the line here if he remembers."

"Then we'll just have to make sure he doesn't remember!"

"How? You're not gonna be able to get anywhere near him now!"

"I have my methods, you let me worry about that."

"You're the boss!"

"Yeah. That's real!" If I was, then I wouldn't have a problem finishing the job my way, he sighed.

OoOoOoOoO

Two armed guards stood firm at the side entrance to the hospital, another two guarded the opening in the back of the helicopter as it stood ready for it's special passengers.

Major Davis, Daniel, Teal'c, Sam and Janet hurried alongside the gurney as it was pushed across the parking lot towards the waiting transport. Each of them taking up a position on one side or the other to protect the patient. Annie helped, making sure Jack was comfortable and not showing signs of distress at being jostled in their haste to get him on board.

The last thing they needed was Officer Gruber showing up with a posse of cops to take Jack into custody despite that the USAF had taken on the responsibility for justice on this case. Once in their hands, they didn't think Jack would stand a chance for a fair trial, and certainly his case wasn't one whose evidence would hold up in a proper court of law.

The Jag officers were coming up against more brick walls than filled the Pentagon. It seems nobody was willing to give up any information on the events of that night. Mouths were closed tighter than a pile of clam shells.

The gurney was finally wheeled into position and Jack transferred onto a make shift cot deep inside the helicopter. The orderlies pushing it back down the ramp, returning it to the hospital.

Janet fussed over him until she was satisfied he hadn't incurred any undue pain or suffering, but he was so doped up, he barely knew what planet he was on, let alone what was happening to him.

Annie hugged Sam and Janet, and patted Jack on the arm before taking her leave and promising to keep in touch if only to find out how Jack was.

They waved to her as the helicopter prepared to lift off, but her gaze was averted from them. Janet turned to face the same way and sucked in a startled breath. There were several patrol cars arriving with red blister lights flashing. She watched as Annie stood, hands on hips, ready to face the onslaught. Janet wasn't sure whether to admire her, or go back and grab her, taking her with them.

Her last view before they swept over the trees was of an angry Gruber marching up to Annie and yelling something at her, pointing to the helicopter.

OoOoOoOoO

Jack woke to familiar grey walls and ceiling, but it took him a while to pull his thoughts into some semblance of order to understand he'd arrived at the SGC.

A tug on his hand brought his eyes down to see Sam sitting vigil by his bedside, her hand clasping his, a smile on her face and tears hovering on her long lashes.

She sniffed and the smile widened, and he couldn't help smiling back.

"You okay?" she asked, trying to ignore her own obvious distress/

"Are you?" he responded, successfully drawing her away from his own discomfort.

She nodded, looking down at the bed cover almost guiltily.

"Sam? What's wrong?"

Her head jerked up as she quickly denied that anything was wrong.

"Nothing sir."

"You still gonna call me sir, even though you're holding my hand?" he asked tightening his grip on her fingers to stop her from pulling away. "Don't!" he commanded. "It's nice!"

She blushed, giving a quick glance over at the door as if she was expecting it to burst open any minute.

"I have to let Janet know you're awake."

"Fine!" he shrugged, regretting the move with a low moan.

"Sir?"

"Just...sore," he sighed, waving a hand negligently towards his body.

"Janet said you would for some time yet sir. That car wreck was pretty nasty looking."

"I don't remember it. I don't remember anything I need to, Carter and that's just not acceptable."

"You just need some time sir."

He sucked in as deep a breath as he dared and blew it out slowly, his shoulders sagging in frustration and defeat.

"I guess."

The door opened and a nurse entered, carrying a small covered dish.

"Time for your medication Colonel," she stated all business like. "Dr. Fraiser wanted to know if you'd remembered any new details sir?"

"No!" Jack snapped, not wishing to discuss it with anyone else, especially a mere nurse. If Doc Fraiser wanted to know, she could come and find out herself.

She glared down at him and lifted the syringe, deftly injecting it in his IV line.

"You should begin to feel a little sleepy sir," she informed him. Leaving them to it, she walked from the room, giving Jack a strange look before she shut the door behind her.

Jack's head spun from the jab and he gripped Sam's hand harder as the room swirled around him. His eyes widened, his eyebrows rose in panic and he let out a groan as the blackness closed in and he succumbed to the pull of the yawning void.

Sam watched him closely, making a note of how he fought to stay awake, but eventually drifted off to sleep. Whatever it was, it was powerful stuff that Janet had ordered for him. She settled back into the chair and picked up the book she had been reading, determined to be there when he next woke.

OoOoOoOoO

Some time later the door opened and Sam stirred from the sleep she'd fallen into while she'd been waiting. She looked up quickly, seeing Janet enter the room. She offered her friend a sleepy smile.

"Hi!"

"Sam, you should go and rest in your quarters." She frowned slightly and moved in on Jack, surprised that he was still asleep.

"Has he woken up at all?" she asked, worriedly.

"Yeah, he was okay, a little sore still, but he seemed fine. I can't understand why you would want to put him to sleep again?" Sam said round a yawn. "Ooh, sorry!"

"What did you say?" Janet looked aghast.

"You sent a nurse in to give him his medication; she said it would make him sleep. He... Oh god...it wasn't you was it?" she cried, realising something was very wrong.

Janet hurriedly grabbed a wrist and took Jack's pulse. She reached across and pressed the call bell, yanking the bedding from Jack's upper body.

Sam stood by, stunned rigid as Janet prepared to start CPR.

"Get me some help in here Sam! Now! He's crashing!"

TBC