"Message from Sg1, sir."
"Put it through. And send for Major Carter." Hammond knew if he didn't allow Sam access to the control room to hear this, he'd be holding his ass in his hands. The poor woman had enough to worry about, and walking to the infirmary to send her news just seemed callous for some reason. Besides, he had a gut instinct that she had coerced Janet into allowing her to quarantine herself in her office, so she could at least do something useful. Her fever was nearly gone, the contagion combated. Keeping her from working was impossible. If anything, it would help, she hated lying in bed. And if she was in her office, Hammond didn't want to know about it.
Apparently she was, because she appeared in the control room in record time, meaning she didn't have to talk her way out of the infirmary. "General?" she croaked, and cleared her throat. Didn't venture another word, just looked at the man imploringly.
"We have a signal from SG1. Seems they've found Dr. Jackson. We're waiting for Colonel O'Neill to send word, he radioed to the support team who radioed here. Message was simply that he would send a message asap."
"Sounds like the Colonel," Sam muttered as best she could, and sat slumped on a stool, waiting impatiently.
Hammond allowed himself a smile as he straightened his back and clasped his hands behind him. Waiting was what he did most, and the more he did it, the less he liked it. There wasn't a worse feeling he could think of that knowing someone he cared about was in danger, and all he could do was wait. It happened all too frequently, and the pressure was taking its toll.
The first sign was the way his mind wandered when conducting a briefing, when he should be listening to the opinions of the men and women before him. Instead of analyzing the facts, he found himself fretting about the possibilities of what might happen. He had scratched more than one mission due to his own increasing paranoia than a rational reason. Years of having everything under the sun thrown at him hadn't desensitized him, but made him all too aware of the risks his teams faced on an ongoing basis. One would think that was a good thing, but only if one was aiming for a heart attack.
He was getting too old for such stress.
Sam was drooping, and it was all Hammond could do not to send her to her bed. He knew she was in the same boat as he was, playing the damned waiting game when she should be out there doing something. He knew it hurt her even more, because she usually was the one in the field, the one solving the problems. Sidelines were fun at sporting events, but not when a life was on the line.
Hell, these days the sideline at any event was too much. He needed something where he could send people off to do different dirty work, and not have to look them in the eye as they crossed the threshold.
Getting too old.
So he did what he had been doing for the past seven years.
He waited.
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Daniel could hear Jack muttering something, and wanted the man to just shut up. He couldn't concentrate on the stick in his hand, trying to aim it at the hole was like trying to thread a needle blind, because what he was seeing wasn't helping him much. The hole kept moving and shifting and blurring, and if he had the strength he would have thrown the stick aside and yelled at the top of his lungs. His hand fell limply.
You ass.
"Backatcha." Daniel's eyelids fluttered.
No, you can't rest. Not now.
"Up yours."
Daniel . . .
"I can't, Jack. Sorry. Can't." His eyes closed.
Daniel? Daniel!
Why am I calling my own name?
"Daniel Jackson!"
That's not Jack. Why are you calling me that?
"Daniel Jackson, can you respond?"
Dammit Jack, shut up, you don't call me that, you don't even call me Danny anymore . . .
"Daniel Jackson!"
Okay, that sounded downright desperate, and close. And loud. Daniel forced his eyes to peek through cemented lids. No stick, no Jack. No duh. But, what – was that what he thought it was?
Who he thought it was?
"Teal'c . . . " His voice was gritty and thin.
"Daniel?" Okay, now he was confused, because that did sound like Jack. His vision tried to focus on the voice, trying to connect the sensation with some sort of reality, but as usual he couldn't. He allowed himself to pass out again.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Sir, perhaps you can try Colonel O'Neill again," Sam had never felt such impatience in her life.
Hammond knew the feeling. It had been an hour since the initial contact, and still no word passed through. They didn't know if Daniel was alive and injured, if Teal'c and O'Neill were safe or now buried under rubble. He didn't know if they needed another support team, a medical team, Frasier. . . he was five minutes away from going through the gate himself. The hell with this. He turned to Carter as static spat over the speakers, and Walter put his hand to his ear. "It's Colonel O'Neill, sir."
"Put him through. Colonel? What can you tell us?" To hell with beating around the bush.
"Sorry for the delay, sir, we've been trying to get to Daniel."
"Is he okay?" Sam was by the General's side.
"If you call being buried underneath three tons of rubble okay." Hammond saw Sam pale and braced her, sitting her back on her stool before she fell over. "He was conscious, but we haven't heard another peep out of him. Getting him out is tricky, but we're managing. Teal'c's digging, I had to back out to use the radio."
"Do you need another team?" Hammond asked.
"No, sir, but only because we couldn't fit another one down here. Better put Frasier on alert, I think Daniel's gonna need her."
"She'll be ready in the gateroom. You just say the word. Are you two all right?"
"Sand in the lungs. No big." Jack accentuated the remark with a cough. "Need to get back down there, sir . . . "
"Any idea how long this will take?"
"We don't have much longer." The underlying message was, Daniel didn't have much longer.
"Understood, good luck. Let us know as soon as you have him out!"
"Yes sir," and the transmission cut abruptly.
Hammond turned to Sam. "Will you go and tell Dr. Fraiser that her services are required?"
"Yes, sir." Sam stood.
"And get checked out. Don't think I don't know what you're doing." Sam smiled faintly in response and allowed the comment to bounce off as she rushed to the infirmary as quickly as her abused body would let her.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Teal'c could almost get his body through. The problem was, trying to shift things so that he could squeeze through meant debris falling near Daniel. Teal'c could see him more clearly now, his body buried from the chest down beneath sand and heavy beams. There was a small pile of sand near his head which leaked from the beam above. He must have thought the world was falling in around him. Teal'c heard shuffling and shone his beam on O'Neill. "Did you reach General Hammond?'
"Yeah, told him to have medical on alert. How is he?"
"There has been no change." Teal'c voice was thick with frustration. "I can almost force my way into the room. There appears to be a support beam directly beneath the hole, I believe it is the only thing keeping us from falling."
"Maybe I should go. Think I can get in there easier." Jack eyed the Jaffa's girth.
"The drop is steep. Your knees would not appreciate the impact."
"Well. . ." Jack tried to think of a snappy answer, but his concern dulled his wit. "Just get in there, will you?"
Teal'c turned back to the hole and continued to pull at the side walls, widening the space an inch at a time while keeping an eye on his friend below him. "Once I am through, I may be able to assist you. I do not believe I can move that beam off of him myself."
"Right." Jack had resumed his place, digging carefully, feeling the granules work into the grooves of his skin. "How about now?"
"I will try." Teal'c pulled back and removed his vest. He gave Jack a long look, almost seeking reassurance, and pushed his arms through the hole. Once cleared, he braced them and forced his torso in, feeling the beam directly below him bend. He froze, waiting.
"Teal'c?"
"I do not wish to bring the wall down on us. I must wait."
"Need help?"
Teal'c wasn't sure. He wasn't exactly stuck, he could breathe, but the gods help him if he ever had to do this again. "Pull me back. I can see a place where I may land safely when I jump." O'Neill complied, and held his friend's shoulders as he caught his breath. The Jaffa was obviously finding it harder to breathe, and his own lungs felt full and stilled. "We must hurry, or we will suffocate in here," Teal'c muttered.
"Teal'c, you've worn yourself down. Let me go down there, you can follow."
"I will manage." Teal'c rolled and shifted his feet toward the hole. He slithered backwards on his stomach as Jack held his biceps, then hands. "Now, O'Neill." Jack let him go, instantly shoving his head through the hole to follow Teal'c's track. The Jaffa landed with little effort.
Jack nodded and signaled for help. He backed through on his stomach, went as far as he was able and grabbed hold of the lip of the hole, then let go. For a moment he thought he'd swallowed his stomach, then there was the feeling of arms wrapped around him and a turn and tumble. A heavy weight rolled over him. Jack lay still and fought for breath.
"Are you injured?" Teal'c was beside Daniel, but looking at Jack with the utmost concern.
Jack waved his question away and crawled to Daniel. He tried to shift the beam covering his chest, but Teal'c was right, it was too heavy. Not only that, more debris needed to be cleared first. He found himself sitting behind his head as Teal'c was doing. Daniel's pulse was weak. His breath was almost nonexistent, but he still had color in his cheeks.
Jack leaned over him. "Daniel! Come on, wake up." He patted his cheeks hard, very close to slapping the man outright in his desperation. "Daniel! Son of a bitch, come on!" He shifted so that he was looking directly into his face as Teal'c started on the debris. "Come on, don't do this to me. Gotta wake up so we can nail those bastards that left you here, come on. Come on!" Then Jack did slap him, hard, and heard Daniel catch his breath. He grabbed the man's head. "That's it! Come on buddy, open your eyes. Breathe. Breathe!" Jack's face was inches from Daniel's, willing life into that limp body. Willing his eyes to open. And slowly, very slowly, they did.
Teal'c stopped what he was doing and joined Jack, his face burning with relief. He gently cupped his hand over Daniel's head, and spoke. "We are here, Daniel Jackson. You need no longer fear."
"What. . ." Daniel sounded confused. He blinked a few times, and his lids fell. Jack shook him, and they opened again. His brow furrowed, and they could actually see when the events coalesced in Daniel's mind. "Teal'c?" The Jaffa nodded as he smiled, and gave Daniel's head another gentle rub before returning to his load.
Jack looked up to the dark ceiling, allowing himself a moment of relief before leaning in. "How ya feeling?" he asked softly.
"Jack?" Daniel turned his head ever so slightly, and tried to raise it. "Really you?" he asked cautiously.
"Yeah, I'm here."
"I'm not dreaming?"
"Would you willingly dream up something like this?"
Those blue eyes faded behind closed lids, and a sigh of relief escaped his smile. "Don't 'sk," he slurred, "Knew you said you'd come, but didn't think . . . ow." He winced. Teal'c looked up, offering an apology with one glance and resumed work.
Jack patted Daniel's cheek. "Gonna get you outta here now. You keep awake, okay?"
"I'll try." He at least seemed more coherent. His head lifted, a little more steady this time, and he took in the scene. "OH . . . God . . . not good," he grunted against sudden pain.
"This? Pfft. Piece of Aunt Sadie's concrete pie." Jack joined Teal'c as they shoveled sand from Daniel's legs where the large beam crossed them. They worked upwards, shifting as much of the fallen sands as possible, removing the smaller debris that blanketed the man's body. "Any pain?"
There was a subtle nod. "Everywhere."
"Right." Jack placed his hand on Daniel's shoulder. The touch made him feel better. It seemed to help Daniel's spirits as well; he lifted his head to check on Teal'c's progress and cautiously lowered it again. A hand reached out and clasped Jack's, squeezing tightly.
Jack didn't miss the message behind it. The archaeologist had been scared shitless.
He regarded the network of beams and debris that nearly buried his friend. "Just like 'Pick-up-Sticks'" he muttered, and gave an experimental tug, looking to see if it caused the trapped man pain. Another pull and a smaller beam fell to the side. A third pull and it was loose enough to yank free. They worked for some time as Daniel faded in and out, his conscious moments becoming more and more clear. He knew good and well that he was being rescued, and the safety of that thought lured him to relax and nap. An hour later, they were ready for the large beam covering his legs. Jack walked to one side and Teal'c to the other, and they lifted. It was like lifting a car. Teal'c managed to walk around Daniel's feet and drop his end in a puff of dust.
Jack swung the upper side around and knelt beside Daniel. "Okay, one left." He waited until Daniel's attention focused, and one blue eye was visible behind a half-cracked lid. "Now listen to me. I need you to try and take a good deep breath before we lift this one, okay? As much as you can. Then exhale slowly." Daniel looked puzzled, but nodded faintly. "Also, don't try to move. I mean it, don't budge." Not only because of the possible internal injuries, but because the quickest way to remove the beam was to lift it over Daniel's head. He'd seen enough splattered brains for one day.
Reaching down for his end of the beam, Jack wondered again at the pure shit-faced luck that seemed to follow Daniel wherever he went. While most of the weight was on the body beneath it, just enough was wedged to prevent the beam from crushing him. It would take a straight upward haul, and a quick prayer to move it safely. He nodded at Teal'c, who nodded in return, and together they lifted the beam. Teal'c hurried his end around and above Daniel while Jack steadied it. Once a few feet away it landed with a powerful yet muffled thump. And both were again at Daniel's side.
Daniel realized why he had to take that breath. The relief of the weight being lifted was short lived as fiery pain filled his lungs and throat. Rather than yell out, he exhaled loudly, his eyes tight shut, his fists clenched. The pain ebbed, but left its mark. He opened his eye to find he was completely uncovered, completely filthy, and under the intense scrutiny of his friends. "Thanks."
"Don't mention it. No, actually, do mention it. I think we did damn good." His flippant tone didn't match the seriousness in his eyes. "Couple a more shakes, and we'll have you outta here."
"Suits me." Daniel managed a smile. It was a welcome sign, but then he'd been known to smile on his deathbed.
Jack eyed the hole. "And now we need reinforcements. I'm gonna go up and radio Hammond." He turned to Daniel. "No jogging."
"Wouldn't think of it."
Teal'c helped Jack back through the hole, and returned to his friend's side. He sat carefully, looking down at him with the same reverence that a father has for his son.
It unnerved Daniel. "Teal'c, I'm fine. Really. Banged up, I guess, but that's all."
"I am glad to hear it."
Daniel managed a small, uncomfortable smile. "How did you guys know to look for me?"
"You are past due for your check in with General Hammond. Did you not realize this?"
"How past due?"
"Nearly a day and a half."
Daniel raised his head. "What?" He looked around in a mild panic. "How long have I been down here?"
Teal'c shifted slightly, adjusting the beam of his flashlight. "That I cannot say. The Tekani arrived at the SGC with news of your disappearance. We set out at once."
"Disappearance. Huh. That's what they call this?" Daniel tried to lift his torso, and was gently pushed back down. "How many died?" he asked weakly.
"I believe you are the only survivor."
"Dammit." The young man turned away from Teal'c, and his eyes closed. Teal'c sat quietly, allowing Daniel a moment of private grief without interference. A small voice came from the turned head. "What I found, they didn't want. They didn't want it."
"And what did you find?" Teal'c asked gently.
"Proof. But it wasn't what they expected."
"I do not understand."
"It's more than I can explain right now."
Teal'c's eyes narrowed. "If this discovery is not to their liking, do you believe they would hide the information?"
"Bury the evidence? It's passed my mind," Daniel responded lightly. "Such as it is right now."
"You should rest. You should not talk."
"Been talking to my shadow, Teal'c. I need real conversation here."
"I understand." Teal'c looked up to see O'Neill's head poke through a now larger opening.
"You kids having fun?"
"We are engaging in conversation about the Tekani."
"Yeah, about that. Daniel, you do realize they were trying to kill you, right?
"I don't think that was the reason these walls came down." Daniel's speech was slowing, his voice low. His eyelids fluttered.
The area around Jack was crumbling. He winced and pulled back slightly. "Frasier's coming with one of those sling-things. Should be able to lift him out of here and take him back to the SGC."
"Provided the Tekani will allow that," Teal'c said.
Jack's stature grew with indignation, even though he was half hidden. "Excuse me?"
"If what we suspect is correct, and the Tekani did not want this information to be known, then why would they allow a rescue team to come through the gate?"
"They let us through the gate."
"I seriously doubt that they expected us to find Daniel Jackson alive."
Jack considered that. "What did Daniel tell you?"
"He says the information he discovered about the Tekani is not what they expected."
"So. . . . you think this cave in was intentional?"
"I do."
"So they didn't just leave him here to suffocate, they set him up!"
"In a manner of speaking."
"Son of a bitch!" Jack's yell was soaked up by the granular walls.
Daniel shifted slightly, muttered something about trying to sleep, and settled. The three friends waited.