The second time through the wormhole was no less bewildering for Michael. When they stepped through on to a metal grate they were met with a flurry of activity.

It was a large, concrete bunker crawling with people in casual Air Force and Marine BDUs. A voice boomed through an intercom welcoming them home and what looked like an UAV drone was mounted on a launcher at the base of the ramp, Carter kneeling next to it but looking up at them with a wide smile on her face.

Michael noticed Jack's release of breath and a barely perceptible relaxation of his posture. "It's good to be home Hank!" he shouted back at the intercom before turning his attention to the base of the ramp and returning the smiles of Carter and Daniel who had come rushing in from somewhere. "Miss me yet?" He joked and the exasperation was clear on both of his former team member's faces.

The joking ceased when a crowd of medical professionals rushed into the room. Jack's posture straightened, and his face went serious, what Michael assumed was Jack's 'Commanding Officer' face.

He batted away an approaching orderly and ordered them to cease their ministrations. "Ack. Stop. Not now. Yes, take him, watch out for his ribs. I'll come down as soon as I'm done." He turned his attention to the windows above them "Hank, I need you, SG1 and anyone else you have heading up the Lucian Alliance efforts in the briefing room, now!"

He turned and gave a Michael a small smile, "Go with the Doc." He indicated the door with his chin. "I've got some things to take care of but I'll be up soon." With that Jack stalked off in the opposite direction and Michael was ushered through a series of unending tunnels by a team of people in white.

"It's okay to be a little freaked out." Comforted one of the doctors, Lam, according to her name tag.

Michael managed a little smile, "Thanks."

She steered him into what looked like a surprisingly conventional, albeit spartan, hospital ward and directed him to a bed. "Just sit down for now. The General mentioned your ribs? Why don't we start with that?"

With unsurprising efficiency Dr. Lam took him through a brief examination and even let him take a quick shower before wrapping his chest and providing him clean scrubs to change into. It was not long before he was settled into a bed receiving some fluid and having his blood pressure monitored.

He was just finishing up a cup of Jell-o when there was a commotion in the hall. He looked to the open door in time to see Teal'c enter, half dragging, half carrying Jack. They were quickly followed by Carter and Daniel as well as 3 other people Michael did not recognize.

"What happened?!" Dr. Lam came around the corner and went immediately to Jack who feebly tried to wave her away.

"I'm fine..." he complained but it came out much closer to a whine as Teal'c unceremoniously dropped his burden onto the empty bed next to Michael. "Ooomph...T..."

"Perhaps next time you will be well advised to be forthright about injuries sustained in battle O'Neill." Teal'c stepped back, not looking sorry at all for his rough handling of his friend.

Dr. Lam glared at Teal'c, "Let me ask again, what happened?"

Daniel stepped forward, "Jack was telling us about what a faction of the Lucian Alliance is trying to do but he was nearly falling asleep at the table as we talked about what to do about it."

"I was just blinking!...slowly…" Jack groused from where he struggled to roll onto his back, everyone glared at him and he said nothing further.

"Regardless," Daniel continued, obviously unamused, "It seemed an appropriate time to break up the meeting. General Landry invited Jack into his office and when he got up he tripped and fell into the door jam, hitting his shoulder and then passing out."

Michael winced, that had to have hurt.

Carter addressed the doctor, "Caroline, he has a broken collar bone and possibly ribs as well, has indications of strangling, possibly a concussion and apparently some significant blood loss."

Jack narrowed his eyes, "Tattle tale."

Sam took a step forward, "With respect? Shut up. Or I'll ask Dr. Lam if I can be the one to reset the breaks."

Michael raised his eyebrows in surprise at her blatant attitude. As for Jack, it seemed as if he was taking the threat seriously, the grin slid off of his face and his eyes went wide. He looked away, "I'm sorry." He mumbled.

Sam sighed, "It's okay. It's just that you wouldn't like it if we weren't upfront with injuries."

Jack's eyes stayed downcast as he picked at the sheets, "Well in the field it is important…right now it was more important to..."

"Important...?" Sam cut him off but her rebuke was silent as her mouth was set in a firm line and her eyes widened in disbelief.

At this point one of the men who Michael hadn't recognized stepped forward and put a gentle hand on Sam's shoulder while keeping his eyes on Jack. Michael noticed this man wore blues and had stars on his shoulders. The base commander he assumed.

"It was important Jack. I think what has some people so upset is that it isn't as important as your health. So, we will go away and talk further and allow Caroline to get you patched up. Okay?" Without waiting for an answer the General turned and ushered everyone out of the room.

Michael could hear Jack's sigh of resignation as Dr. Lam approached his bed and helped him get more comfortable.

As he was being wheeled away for x-rays Jack twisted his head to look back at Michael, "You should call your wife, it's Monday night."