Author's Notes: Sorry this took a couple days; it's been ready for a little while, but I had trouble uploading. Hopefully a few of you will still be with me. ;)

Daniel crossed his arms self-consciously over his chest and sunk down a little lower in his hospital bed. Since he'd woken up from his surgery, there'd been a constant stream of people in and out of the room. Thanks to many years of working with Jack O'Neill, Daniel found that he was generally an extraordinarily patient man, but this was becoming wearying… even for him. First there were the doctors, including one seemingly over-eager intern, updating him on his condition: Daniel hadn't really retained anything of what they'dtold him, especially being still groggy from the anesthesia. Next came the young woman: Natalie, as Daniel learned. She'd been overwhelmingly grateful, and once again threw herself at Daniel, which ended up being a rather pain-inducing way of expressing her thanks. Natalie was followed with the police officers, who had needed a statement. Daniel had recounted, several times, what had happened to the best of his ability, also not made easier due to the anesthesia and the re-invigorated pain coming from his abdomen. And lastly, at the moment, there were two giggling nurses who were eyeing him while gathering supplies for changing Daniel's bandages: it seemed word had quickly spread around the hospital that Daniel was some sort of knight-in-shining-armour, risking life and limb for fair maidens across the land, or at least in supermarket parking lots.

Daniel sighed: there were some days when it just didn't pay to get out of bed. Hindsight being 20/20, he silently cursed himself and his practicality over being unwilling to eat ketchup and butter… maybe he just wouldn't eat ever again, he thought bitterly… especially as he wasn't sure what had even happened to the bags of groceries he had just bought.

Daniel sunk even lower as the door opened and two more people stepped in the room.

"Hey Jack." He mumbled.

"Daniel."

The young man Daniel remembered as Dr. Langer approached his bed. "How are you feeling, Dr. Jackson?"

"Fine." Daniel answered quickly. "Can I leave now?"

"No Daniel, you can't leave now." Jack jumped in before Langer could answer. "This is what happens when you get shot. People have to operate on you and then you have to stay in the hospital while everyone panders. Meanwhile,I get dragged out of a perfectly comfortable bed-"

Daniel rubbed a hand over his face. "Look, Jack, it's late, I've got a hole in my abdomen and am on some pretty serious pain medication."he leaned his head heavily in his hand. "Is there any possible way we can have this discussion later?"

"I'm gonna kick your ass later." Jack replied. "You know that, right?"

Daniel sighed. "I do know that." He looked to Langer, who seemed quite horrified at the whole exchange. "Can I sign myself out or something, doctor?"

The poor intern seemed flummoxed. "I… I, um… I guess you could – I mean, there's… you could, against medical advice…" he stammered on and was thankfully interrupted by the entrance of Dr. Burlington.

"Daniel!" she greeted easily. "I see you have plenty of visitors." She went to the foot of his bed and flipped through his chart. "I just came in to tell you that we received a call from a Dr. Janet Fraiser, and we're currently authorizing a transfer. It shouldn't be any more than a few hours, but we'll make sure you're comfortable here for a bit and then get you on your way." Dr. Burlington looked to Daniel. "Do you have any questions?"

"No." Daniel smiled tightly. "No, thank you."

"Alright. Dr. Langly and I will leave you to visit," she gestured toward Jack. "If you need anything, please don't hesitate to let us know."

"Thank you, doctor." Jack said. After they left, he turned back to Daniel, who now seemed to be trying to disappear under his blanket. "So, Daniel… do anything fun tonight?"