Another chapter ... sorry for the Ancient - I'm afraid mine isn't very good!
"How's he doing Janet?" Sam looked through the window at the Colonel, who was lying quietly in the Infirmary bed. He was hooked up to various monitors, but the fact that he was alone now seemed to indicate he was okay.
"He's fine now", the petite doctor replied, also looking through the glass at the sleeping officer. "His vitals dipped pretty seriously and I was worried for a while, but things seem to be coming back. His temperature, blood pressure and pulse are all still low, but almost within normal ranges. He should be fine."
"And Lieutenant Morrison?"
"She's totally okay. As far as I can tell she's healthy as a horse. I'm keeping her for 24 hours observation, but it looks like he healed her completely."
The two women fell silent, both contemplating what had happened. It was obvious now that the Colonel had gone Ancient – whatever that meant. Sam felt a cold sense of foreboding wash over her. Did this mean he was going to die?
"Janet – what about –?"
The doctor turned and looked at her friend, noticing for the first time how pale and frightened Sam appeared. "Hey, what's this?"
"I'm just – the last time this happened – the Colonel almost died. Does this mean -"
"No – no I don't think so", Janet assured her quickly. "I did another brain scan, and although there are changes, it doesn't look like last time. I don't think his brain is being – overwritten – not like it was before. Whatever is happening, it's different. I'm sure he'll be okay Sam."
"But – he can't speak Janet. I know it's driving him insane – it would any of us. He can't communicate and that's everything to him. What's he going to do?"
"Honey – let's wait until Thor gets here. I'm sure he'll be able to help. In the meantime, we just have to be there for the Colonel. I'm sure it won't be long. Thor will – do whatever he does to clear this stuff out of his brain and the next thing we'll know the Colonel will be back to his usual sarcastic, irascible self!"
Sam snorted, hoping that what Janet was saying would turn out to be true. Damn it – where the hell was Thor?
"Hey Jack." Daniel spoke softly to the still sleeping man. It had been almost 24 hours since he'd healed the Lieutenant and he still hadn't woken up. Janet said it was probably just exhaustion, but Daniel was worried. "Hey sleepyhead", he said again. "You're missing the hockey game."
Daniel almost laughed when Jack's eyes shot open. It took a few seconds for the other man to focus and then he slowly turned his head. "Daniel?" he croaked.
"Hi. Decided to wake up finally I see. Here, have some water." Daniel held out the cup with a straw and Jack took a couple of sips.
Once he was finished Jack put his head back down and frowned slightly – obviously still somewhat disoriented. His eyes wandered around the room for a moment and then he looked back at his friend. "Infirmorum?"
"Yup – do you remember what happened?"
Again the furrow appeared between the Colonel's eyes. He tried to think back. "Uh - ?"
"Two Sg teams returned from off-world – they'd gotten into a fire fight and some of them were injured. You came down to the Infirmary and saw that Lieutenant Morrison was badly hurt." Daniel watched him for a second to see if he remembered. When the Colonel continued to look uncertain he sighed and continued. "You healed her Jack – you put her hands on her chest and healed her."
Jack's eyes grew round and then he grew pale. He started to shake his head, although the memories were starting to come back. "No way – Daniel – no!"
Daniel didn't know whether to be surprised at Jack's denial or at the fact that he'd spoken in English. "Uh – yes, I'm afraid that's what happened. Don't you remember?"
"Non etay me." He shook his head firmly. He hadn't done it – he refused to believe it.
Well, so much for the English, thought Daniel. He'd have to think about that later. "Yes, it was. Jack, we all saw it. I think – you seem to have gotten back the healing power of the Ancients." He winced as Jack's head fell back and his eyes closed. Damn it – this was so unfair.
"Me cerebro mutato est?" O'Neill asked softly.
"Uh – yeah, a bit – but Janet says it's not like last time. She's sure this isn't going to kill you – it's not – what did she say 'overwriting your brain' like it did before. The changes are much more gradual and seemed to have stopped. It may be -"
"Quod?"
Daniel wished that he wasn't the only one who could understand Jack, because right now he wanted someone else – anyone else – to be here. This was really Janet's territory, not his. "Janet thinks -"
"Quod Daniel?"
"Janet thinks this may be a natural change – that it's your own brain or body that's doing this in response to your injury. She figures that maybe the Ancient gene kicked in to save you when you almost died and – and that it's become somehow dominant."
The Colonel blinked, not quite sure what to say – or to think for that matter. If what Daniel, and Janet, said was true – did that mean Thor wouldn't be able to fix it, fix him? No – his little gray friend had to be able to do something. There was no way in hell he was going through life as some freak who couldn't even speak. And if what Daniel was saying was true – why the hell couldn't he speak – English that was. Surely he'd be able to at least relearn his own language? But that didn't seem to work. No matter how hard he tried the words just wouldn't come out. His head fell back again and he took a deep breath.
"Quid ego nunc faciam?"
"What do you do now? Just rest Jack. The healing took a lot out of you. I'm here – hell, we're all here for you – and as soon as Thor arrives he'll fix this. In the meantime, just take it easy."
"What do you mean the NID want him?" Daniel stared at General Hammond, whose own face registered his anger.
"Just that Dr. Jackson. They found out about the healing and now they want to take him away and examine him. We have a snake in the grass who must have informed them. I'll find out who, but in the meantime someone is coming this afternoon to take him to Area 52."
"Sir, you can't let them", Sam said forcefully. "You know that if they get their hands on him they'll never let him go. They'll use him as a guinea pig!"
"I know Major but I'm afraid my hands are tied. This comes down from the top. I've been ordered to cooperate fully. Look, I even put in a call to the President, but he's not answering. Someone is pulling some strings and there's nothing else I can do."
"We cannot let them have Colonel O'Neill", Teal'c said calmly and quietly – although both Sam and Daniel recognized the sound of danger in their friend's voice. Now was definitely not the time to mess with the former Jaffa warrior.
"What are we going to do? When are they coming Sir?" Daniel stood with his arms wrapped around his chest, the glasses falling down on his nose. He was not going to let this happen.
"In about an hour son", Hammond told him. "The plane is just about to land at Petersen."
"Well then, I guess we should go and say goodbye to Jack. If you'll excuse me Sir?" Daniel barely waited for Hammond's nod before turning and striding out of his officer.
"Uh – Sir, does Colonel O'Neill know?"
"Not yet Major. Maybe you could tell him?"
"Yes Sir. Teal'c, are you coming?"
"Indeed Major Carter. Thank you General Hammond."
"You're welcome Teal'c and – good luck, both of you."
The two of them scurried after Daniel, meeting up with him just outside the Infirmary. "What are we going to do Daniel, Teal'c?" Sam asked quietly. "We can't let them have him."
"No, I know. Look, I think the only thing we can do is get him through the gate."
"How? There's no way they'll let us through. The General would get in huge trouble."
"We've done it before Sam", Daniel reminded her. "We'll just have to do it again. And somehow – I think the General won't be watching too closely."
Sam nodded, not likely what they had to do, but knowing they had little choice. "You get the Colonel – Teal'c and I will get our equipment and meet you outside the gate room in – twenty?"
"Yeah", Daniel nodded and headed into the Infirmary. He watched for a second as Sam and Teal'c headed off to collect their equipment. This was going to be close.
"How's Jack?"
Janet looked up from her desk when she heard Daniel enter the Infirmary. "Hi Daniel. He's doing fine – still tired, but he should be back up to speed in a day or so. Go ahead and go in – I think he's bored and could use the company."
"Uh Janet." Daniel grimaced, unsure of what to tell the Doc. He really didn't want her to get into trouble.
"What is it?" She looked at him in surprise – there was something wrong.
"It's just – the NID know about Jack."
"They do? How?"
"General Hammond doesn't know. Someone from here must be working for them and obviously told them about the healing. Anyway, they're on their way to get him."
"Colonel O'Neill?"
"Yup – they'll be here in less than an hour."
"Oh my God – what's the general going to do?"
"There isn't anything he can do. I'm going to go and tell Jack now."
"Crap – he isn't going to be happy."
"No – uh Janet?"
"What?" she looked at him with a frown.
"I think – maybe – isn't it time for your coffee break?"
"My what?"
"Coffee break. You've been here for a while and I thought maybe – you know – you might want to go to the commissary for a cup of coffee and a bite to eat. I mean, you said yourself that Jack is okay. I'm sure it's fine if you leave him for a bit."
Frasier's face suddenly changed and by the look in her eyes she was beginning to realize what was going on. "I – guess I could. Yes, a coffee sounds good."
"What about your nursing staff?" Daniel asked. "Any of them here that might like to go?"
"Just Nurse Gomez. I think – I need to send her to pick up some test results from the science lab. Just let me tell her and then I'll go grab that coffee. As long as I know you're here I don't mind leaving the Colonel."
"Thanks Janet", Daniel said softly.
"I just hope you know what you're getting yourself into", the doctor answered, equally as softly. She then reached over and buzzed for the nurse on duty. "Gomez, can you go down to the labs and get the latest tests on Colonel O'Neill? I want to check his blood work."
"Of course Dr. Frasier." The nurse left quickly at which point Janet stood up. "She'll be back in less than ten minutes. I'm off for coffee. Good luck."
"Thanks Janet." With that he hurried into Colonel O'Neill's room. "Hey Jack – get out of bed. We have to hurry."
"Quod?"
"Don't argue Jack – just get up. Here", he tossed the Colonel a clean pair of BDU's which were in the closet and then grabbed his boots from under his bed. "The NID is coming for you. They heard about you going – Ancient – and they want to take you to Area 52. We only have a few minutes. Come on."
Jack didn't need any more urging. He quickly stood– and would have fallen over except for Daniel, who grabbed him and steadied him. With a quick nod of thanks he held on to the bed but dressed as fast as he could.
"Let's go."
"Quo?"
"To the gate room. We figured the only safe place was to go through the gate to a safe planet. Here on Earth they'll be sure to find us."
"Qui nos?"
"Us – you, Sam, Teal'c, me – Sg-1."
"Non!"
"Yes Jack – come on, don't argue. We've got to go."
Jack clenched his jaw and proceeded to inform Daniel that his team was not going. He could go on his own, he argued. He was not about to let his teammates get into trouble to help him. If they left Earth they'd all be labeled as traitors and there was no way he would let this come down on them. After a few moments he realized that if they didn't move it wouldn't be an issue – he'd be captured. He followed Daniel to the gate room, refusing to continue the argument now. But when he got to the gate he'd stand firm.
Teal'c and Sam were waiting in the hallway outside, a pile of equipment at their side. Without saying a word Sam handed him his flak vest, jacket and weapons. "Okay Sir – ready to go?"
"Non", he repeated. He looked over at Daniel in frustration. "Daniel!"
"Jack says he's going alone – he refuses to let us accompany him."
"No way– we're going with him."
"That is correct", Teal'c agreed. "Come we must be going."
Jack shook his head at his 2IC. He could at least order her to stand down.
"Sorry Sir – what was that? I'm afraid I don't understand."
"Sam!" he hissed. He couldn't exactly order her to stay since she could claim she didn't understand, so instead he turned to Daniel and told him.
"Sorry Jack – what's that? I'm afraid I'm having trouble understanding you. Sam, we'd better get the gate open. They'll be here any minute."
Sam nodded and turned to head up into the Control room. She prayed that whoever was there wouldn't stop them. "Oh hello Sergeant."
"Major." Walter looked up, surprised to see Major Carter. "What's happening Ma'am?"
"I'm here to do the diagnostic", she told him, acting as if he should know what she was talking about.
"Diagnostic?"
"Yes, didn't Siler tell you?"
"Siler? No Ma'am, he didn't say anything."
She sighed. "Darn it! I told him to tell you and to have the equipment here. Look Sergeant – could you page Siler and have him go to my office and bring my diagnostic equipment here? Damn!" she cursed. "On second thought – could you go down and get it for me? I just remembered that Siler is helping Chloe out with an experiment today. I hate to ask you, but I strained my shoulder and Dr. Frasier told me not to lift anything for a few days. I'll wait here and guard the gate for you."
Walter was surprised at the request – it wasn't at all like Major Carter. However, she was one of his favorite officers and rarely asked him to do anything for her. Besides which, it was nice to be able to stretch his legs for a bit. "Sure Major", he said, standing up.
"Look – why don't you grab yourself a coffee on the way down. I'm sure you'd like a bit of a break. I'll just log on to the computer and look at some of the files while I'm waiting. I don't' mind – it's kind of nice having the gate room to myself for a change."
"Sure Ma'am", he smiled. He knew the feeling. He also enjoyed sitting there just looking at the Stargate. It was soothing somehow. With a nod he left.
Sam waited for a few seconds until she was sure he was gone and then immediately began dialing. She had to think for a moment but then decided on the Land of Light. She knew there would be no problem going there – they were good allies and friends.
As soon as the Stargate started turning she closed the blast doors and hurried down into the gate room, to find Daniel, Teal'c and the Colonel waiting. At least Daniel and Teal'c were waiting – the Colonel was speaking furiously in Ancient.
"He's insisting we stay", Daniel said, although she really didn't need the explanation.
Just then there was a pounding on the door. They could hear faint shouting coming from the hallway. Damn it – they'd been discovered. At the same moment the event horizon opened. "Come on", she shouted. "We have to go."
With a curse muttered in Ancient Jack started up the ramp, followed closely by the rest of his team. He glanced back, just before hitting the horizon, to see the blast doors begin to open. He stepped through, knowing that his team was with him. He didn't know whether to be happy – or furious. In the end he figured he was a bit of both.
The event horizon snapped shut as soon as they all exited on the Land of Light, but Sam knew they had to hurry. The NID would quickly discover where they went and would follow them. They had to dial out quickly before the Gate engaged and they were trapped. She ran to the DHD and immediately began to input a new destination.
"Quo tendimus?" Jack asked, still seething over what was happening.
"Uh – I'm not sure. Sam", Daniel called. "Where are we going?"
"PXK 8RS", she replied. She hit the final symbol and the gate 'kawooshed' behind them. She breathed a sigh of relief. "Let's go."
It was only as they were stepping through that Jack realized – he had no idea where the hell PXK 8RS was. Oh well, it was a good thing he trusted Carter.