So here I am with chapter 9, I finally got round to posting. I've been crazy busy but I've finally got my dissertation completed and handed in!! Yay!!!!!!! So on the plus side I have slightly more time to write!!
I have to say a BIG thank you to those who've sent feedback. Nikkibear624, you know that I'm now totally intrigued about what you reckon is going on here!!!! I know it was a pretty evil direction to take the fic in but I was feeling angsty and that came through, there will be some more darkness before I finish but remember I'm a firm believer in the happy ending!!
I also have, as always, to thank Naliza for betaing this for me and being so supportive of my stories!!! :D
Enough of me and onto the story...
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Teal'c had just completed his kelno'reem. He had been meditating in an attempt to try and understand what had happened to SG-1 on P2X-739 and their subsequent unexplainable symptoms. Despite having extended his meditation time he still had no idea why his friends and fellow team members were behaving in such a strange way.
Teal'c left his quarters and started for Major Carter's lab. As he had not been captured and seemed to be unaffected by the time he had spent on the planet, Dr. Fraiser and General Hammond had both asked him to keep a close eye on the others.
He knew that Sam and Daniel would both be working and he also knew their working patterns as well as anyone else. He was therefore slightly surprised to find Major Carter's lab door closed upon his arrival. He was just about to assume that she had already gone to the commissary when he heard a weak groan coming from somewhere inside the lab.
*~*
The first sensation Sam acknowledged was that she was cold. After a few seconds she realized that it was because she was laying on a cold, bare concrete floor. The next sensation she felt made her forget all about being cold - an intense pain was erupting throughout her head. Her jaw as well as a spot at the back of her head, that currently felt twice the usual size, was throbbing and her right cheek stung. Uttering a soft groan she repositioned her head slightly so that she was no longer resting on that one particularly painful spot. It eased the pain a little bit but the movement seemed to increase the already substantial pressure inside her head.
She forced her eyes open and tried to fix her blurred vision on something in a desperate bid to convince herself that she was stationary and not in fact on a ship in a gale. She groaned slightly again as her stomach attempted a revolt, she bit back the nausea, actively forcing herself to keep from vomiting.
Sam twitched her feet, they took a couple of seconds to acknowledge that they were still a part of her nervous system and were indeed willing to follow her commands. She took a few deep breaths, bringing the oxygen into her body that she knew she would need if she was going to start moving. She was busy summoning the energy to move when she heard the door to her lab sliding open. It was the most welcome sound she could possibly have heard at that moment since she was not looking forward to standing up and that way she would not have to.
Panic suddenly rushed through her. Maybe it was 'him' coming back, back to continue his assault on her, but as she heard Teal'c's deep and even voice gently calling her name relief came washing over her.
As his familiar face appeared in her vision she could see concern in his dark eyes. With the knowledge that Teal'c was nearby she allowed the approaching darkness to re-envelop her in its comforting arms.
Teal'c watched as Major Carter slipped into unconsciousness, her jaw was swollen, disfiguring her features and her right cheek was a bright red. Blood had matted her blond hair and a small red puddle was forming on the floor beneath her head.
Teal'c hastened to the phone to summon a medical team. On his way back to her side he noticed a red stain on the metal desktop, piecing together what had happened to his friend he realised that she had been attacked. Cursing himself for not having realised it sooner he alerted the security forces, informing them of Major Carter's assault.
The medics rushed into the room. Dr. Fraiser flew to her side immediately, calling her name out gently. Janet looked concerned when she did not respond. One of the nurses pressed a piece of clean white gauze against Sam's head. Janet being cautious ordered one of the nurses to run back to the infirmary for a backboard and spinal collar.
Daniel had been on his way to ask Sam's opinion on one of his translations that had contained a reference to some technology that he did not understand. He arrived at the same time as the nurse who returned with the spinal collar. He rushed into the lab, his eyes widening as he watched Janet fit the collar, immediately assuming the worst.
"Janet," he asked, waveringly, unable to keep the panic out of his voice.
"It's just a precaution Daniel," Janet explained quickly, not having the time to reassure him further.
Daniel watched Janet work with a heavy heart. It was alien to him seeing Sam hurt like that. It tended to be his gig and it was normally Sam's job to patch him up. Now she was laying there, appearing to be seriously hurt, and there was nothing he could do about it.
Once Sam was safely on the gurney Janet and the medics rushed past Daniel and Teal'c, leaving them alone in the lab.
"What happened?" Daniel asked, rediscovering his voice.
"I do not know. I came to accompany Major Carter to the commissary and the door was closed. I entered when I heard a sound from within. Major Carter lost consciousness as I entered the room."
"Have you seen Jack? He should know about this."
"I have not. I shall attempt to locate him."
"I'll be in the infirmary," Daniel muttered.
Teal'c' inclined his head before leaving to find O'Neill. With a shudder Daniel looked back into the lab, to the blood on the desk and the floor. He turned away and quickly left the room, following the path that the medical personnel had travelled with Sam a few minutes before.
*~*
Teal'c checked both O'Neill's office and quarters, there was no sign of him in either room. He eventually tracked him down in the commissary with a half-eaten cup of Jello in front of him. Teal'c still did not understand the Tau'ri fascination with the coloured gelatine product.
"O'Neill," Teal'c said gravely as he sat across from him.
"What's up T?" he replied, appearing to be in a good mood.
"Major Carter had been attacked, she is in the infirmary."
"What?" Jack exploded, bringing looks from others in the commissary. "She okay?" he asked, calming slightly.
"I do not know, she was unconscious when Dr. Fraiser took her to the infirmary. Daniel Jackson is with her."
"We should get down there," Jack said, standing.
"Indeed."
*~*
Janet quickly checked her friend over once they were in the infirmary. After a few minutes she was feeling a bit more reassured. Although things were not what would be considered normal for Sam they were not dangerous either.
"I want head, c-spine and facial films and get a head CT," Janet ordered. The left side of Sam's jaw was grossly swollen, so much so that Janet was concerned about a fracture. She pulled away the dressing on Sam's head as the blood had begun to seep through the material. Carefully she parted Sam's blood; she could see an inch long cut on her scalp that would probably need suturing. She covered the cut with another clean dressing, the stitches could wait until Janet was sure that there was nothing more seriously wrong.
Upon Daniel's arrival at the infirmary Janet took time to fill him in on Sam's status. Noticing the deep concern in his eyes she did her best to reassure him that all the tests were just a precaution, that she was just playing it safe. After having finished her conversation with him the petite doctor went with Sam to x-ray, leaving Daniel alone with his thoughts.
Jack rushed in a few minutes later, he was obviously angry, his eyes flashing with rage. Teal'c followed him in, his face betraying none of the anger he felt himself.
"Daniel?" Jack asked as he crossed to the slightly shell-shocked archaeologist.
"Janet's taken Sam to x-ray, as a precaution. She's still unconscious," Daniel reported.
"Right, any word on what happened?"
"No."
They waited patiently, or as patiently as Jack could ever wait in an infirmary. Sam was still unconscious when Janet brought her back. Janet reassured her waiting friends that the x-rays and CT scan had shown noting to cause concern. Sam had nothing more serious than a concussion and it was by no means her first. The three men looked relieved at that news.
Janet set to work suturing Sam's head, apologising to her friend for having to cut a small section of her hair to get to the laceration. With her hair being slightly longer than usual at that moment, she would not have too many problems hiding the missing patch of hair.
Four neat stitches later, there was nothing to do except to keep a close eye on the Major and wait for her to regain consciousness. Janet went to check on the rest of her patients, leaving Sam under the ever-watchful eyes of her team-mates, they would probably be able to notice a change in her before anyone else could.
When General Hammond entered the infirmary O'Neill stood slowly, his hands thrust deep in his pockets.
"How is she?" Hammond asked, with genuine concern.
"She's still unconscious but Doc Fraiser reckons that there isn't any permanent damage," Jack offered.
"That's good to hear," Hammond nodded.
"Any news on who did this?" Daniel asked.
"Security haven't come up with anything yet, they're still checking the security cameras."
"I don't get it, why anyone would do this to Carter," Jack sighed.
"No security breaches have been reported, right? So it has to be one of the base personnel," Daniel reasoned.
Jack blinked slightly as he processed the information, it was not a pleasant thought and one he did not relish thinking about. It was one thing for the Goa'uld to attack them but for a member of the SGC it seemed so much worse.
They shared looks, assimilating the information until Teal'c saw the slightest of movements from Sam. She groaned quietly and opened her eyes.
"Sam, can you hear me?" Daniel asked gently.
"Yeah," Sam muttered weakly.
"I'll get the doc," Jack said quietly. At hearing his voice Sam's eyes widened and her heart started racing.
"Major, do you remember what happened?" Hammond asked.
Sam took a few deep, calming breaths. She knew that she was safe, her friends were around her and would not let 'him' hurt her again.
"We were just talking in my lab…then he just lashed out. I tried to stop him but he hit me again. I guess I my head must have hit the desk when I fell."
"Who hit you?" Hammond asked confused.
Before she could answer Janet appeared, flanked by Jack. She quickly examined Sam before Hammond interrupted.
"Major?" he pressed.
Sam turned her head to look O'Neill square in the face, facing him brought a strange feeling to her stomach. He stared back at her, his brow furrowed. She could not see any malice, any anger contained in his features. She suddenly realised that he did not understand why she was so reluctant to say anything, he did not seem to remember what had happened.
"You don't remember?" she asked quietly while still looking at her commanding officer. Her voice was thick because of the significant swelling to her jaw, which was not broken but the intensity of the attack had knocked a couple of teeth loose.
"What?" Jack and Daniel said in unison.
"You did this Sir," she whispered but it was loud enough for everyone to hear.
Hammond's face tensed, his jaw clenched. Without saying a word he stood and went to the infirmary door, he returned after a minute with two SF's in tow.
Jack was still standing at Sam's bedside, stumbling over his words as he attempted to defend his innocence.
Daniel, Janet and Teal'c were all shocked by Sam's admission. Teal'c tensed, Daniel had placed himself as a barrier between Jack and Sam.
"Colonel O'Neill stand down," Hammond said shortly. Turning to the SF's standing with their hands on their weapons he ordered, "Sergeant, take the Colonel into custody." Noticing a slight hesitation in the younger man's stance Hammond warned, "Don't make this worse Jack."
"I'm sorry," Jack offered to Sam before leading the SF's out of the infirmary to a holding room.
*~*~*
So, another chapter done. I will post chapter 10 as soon as possible.
Thanks for reading and as always, I'd love some feedback!!! :D