Sandra – Mm, tento sa mi osobne tiez velmi paci, ale tebe uz nic neverim:( Asi to bude podla teba zase malo, ale o to tu nejde, vies? Tu ide o co? No jasne. O MNA:))))
All – Hey all. Happy too see you all again. This time only this: Rise your lazy fingers and click the small button down on your left. Because this one click plus a tiny messages make my little heart burst with happiness. See the powere you all posses? Its like the chaos theory – one butterfly wings its wings and on the next side of the world… But hey? Who would wanna get bored with that? ;)
Leenie – Cross fingers for your thesis. :)
And one more thing – Dawn – I sent you an email but I got it to the adress you gave but I got it back. So pls, if you could, sent it once more, if you wanna get that email. ;)
PS – This chapter is also without betta, sorry leenie! I hope it will be understandable though.
And hello especially to Myosotis13 and Spacegypsy1, who are such wonderful people. :)
This chappie is unusually dedicated to Hazmot, who is such a marvelous reader!
Where the truth lies
by- liz parker
Chapter 10 – Break-up and Make-up
It's been early morning when Daniel returned to the infirmary. The SGC was already buzzing with activity, the infirmary was however quiet. The only patient was lying exactly where Daniel saw her the night before, only this time, the curtains were closed to guarantee some privacy. Daniel could see some movement behind it, accompanied by a quiet conversation.
„So you'll try sometime tomorrow afternoon?" Mitchell's voice could be heard as Daniel came closer.
„Yes. Of course, only if nothing unexpected occurs." Replied Carolyn quietly.
Daniel drew the curtain slightly to the side.
„Good morning doctor Jackson." Said Carolyn who noticed Daniel first.
„Morning." Replied Daniel gloomily, then gave Mitchell a nodd, to which the other man replied almost as gloomily.
„We were just discussing Vala's condition with Col. Mitchell." Said doctor Lam.
„And?" Asked Daniel the doctor, although his look has already wandered to the patient.
„...and, since her condition didn't worsen during the night, not counting the rising temperature, and the CT and MRI supported our assumptions the swelling receeded and no more bleeding occured, I just told Col. Mitchell here that we would try to unplug her from the respirator tomorrow afternoon, see how she responds."
„Don't you think it will be too soon?" Asked Daniel worriedly, switching his look from Vala to Carolyn and back. Of course he wanted Vala to breathe on her own as soon as possible, however, he didn't want them to rush anything.
„Not really. There is no danger in doing so, we would plug her right on again, if she won't be able to breath on her own. And it wouldn't neccessarily mean anything if she didn t. But, and there's your positive news Col. Mitchell," She shot an meaningful look at Mitchell, who gave her an genuine smile, „if she will be able to breath on her own, it would be great news, indicating her lungs to work again, although there still would be a great way to go to full recovery. And, it would also extend our chances of Vala's awakening."
„Her chances." Said Daniel absent-mindedly.
„Excuse me?" Asked Carolyn in confusement.
„You said our chances,but it should be ‚her' chances. She is the one fighting for her life." Explained Daniel, still somewhat absent in his thoughts.
„Well..of course..I didn't mean it..." Stuttered Carolyn awkwardly. Cam layed his hand on her shoulder, trying to calm her down.
„It's ok. Jackson didn't mean it like that, did you Daniel?"
„What?" Flinched Daniel.
„See?" Said Cam. „Already forgotten." He gave the doctor a toothy grin.
„Can we stay?" Asked Daniel.
„Sure. If there is nowhere else you have to be, feel yourself at home." Said Carolyn graciously.
„I have to go to fill some report now, but I will check on her in an hour or so. If anything, press this." She pointed her finger to a red button on the wall. Then she gave the two of them a nodd and walked away.
„So..." Started Mitchell. „Did you sleep well?"
„Spectacular." Replied Daniel with an ironic smirk.
„Yeah...well...me neither." Said Cam. „BUT..." Started Mitchell in a convincing tone, „I am absolutely positive Vala is gonna make it. She is my girl after all."
Daniel raised his eyebrow.
„I mean our girl...SG-1 girl.., as in member of SG-1!" Said Cam hurriedly, then sighed and run his hand through his hair. Daniel seemed expremely edgy this morning. Finally, Cam waved with his arms through the air as if excercising, ending the movement with a clap of his hands.
„So, there is a meeting at 10 am with General Landry. He wanna know about yesterday." Said Cam nervously.
„I'll be there." Replied Daniel impassively.
„You staying here?"
„Yep." Replied Daniel as impassively as before and Cameron saw that Daniel maybe liked some privacy. One member of SG-1 would be enough for now anyway.
„Ok. See you at 10 then."
„Ok."
With that, Cam left the infirmary, leaving Daniel alone.
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It was exactly 10 am when Daniel entered the briefing room as the last one. He was always punctial, but how he did it was always a mystery to Cameron.
General Landry, who was sitting at the top of the table, signaled Daniel to sit down. Then he called upon Mitchell to recount on the events of the previous day. Everybody was quiet up until the part when Vala decided to step out on the ice. At that moment, Mitchell stopped talking for a second squirming in his seat uncomfortably, not sure how exactly to continue or how precisely and detailed to tell the general of the events that happened the day before. Finally, ho chose to follow the military path.
„...then, as she was about 10 feet away, there was a very strong earthquake nobody expected. We all fell down and when we got up again, we tried to warn her, we called after her, but Vala was down too and was obviously pretty confused herself. It must have been then when she hit her head. Before we could do anything, the ice started to break and she fell into the water. Teal'c was able to retrieve her. She was conscious at that time, but till we got her to the cave, she already blacked out. Then we changed her into dry clothes and me and Daniel..." He shot Daniel a short indirect glimpse „...returned to the gate to get help. That's pretty much it."
„What I don't understand,..." Said General Landry thoughtfully, „...is why she stepped onto the ice in the first place." He shot a short glimpse into a paper record laying infront of him.
„In this record of major Broody is written, that SG-7, which visited the planet before, warned you the ice could be unstable and also that possible earthquakes could occur. Why did Vala walk out on the lake anyway? Was there any particular reason?" Asked the General interestedly.
„Ehm..." Said Mitchell but then fell into silence again. The General waited patiently, but when no reply came, he saw there obviously might be a problem with the answer. He therefore asked again, although this time, he asked an appearently more suitable question.
„Col. Mitchell? Is there any problem why you don't want to answer the question?"
„No sir, it's just...we had kind of a rift on the team." Cam said at last. He was looking awkward, his eyes looking everywhere but at the General.
General Landry raised his eyebrows.
„A rift? Would you care to explain?"
„It was not a rift on the team, it was an argument between me and Vala." Interrupted Daniel sullenly.
„Excuse me doctor Jackson?" Asked the General surprisedly.
„Cam said it was a rift on the team. The truth however is, that itwas an argument between me and Vala." Explained Daniel in a bit hostile tone.
Cam couldn't help but roll his eyes on Sam. He knew where this was going and he also knew the rest of them wouldn't like it. Daniel, oblivious of Cam's expression, hastened to talk further.
„It was about the mace, sir. As you surely noticed, me and Vala haven't been on good terms with each other lately. I was still angry with her when we went on that mission and I couldn't restrain myself and started to drop stupid remarks which resulted in provoking her. We then argued and she, wanting to prove me a point, stepped onto the ice and refused to come back." Daniel gave a quick sigh but hurried to continue so no one had the chance to stop him.
„So at this point, I hereby say, that this whole mess is utterly my fault. I provoked the whole situation and I take full responsibility." Finished Daniel stubbornly.
„Col. Mitchell? Anything to add?" Asked the General, a slight dislike audible in his voice.
„Yeah." Said Cameron in a cool tone while throwing deadly glares over the table at Daniel.
„I think it neccessary to say, that I wasn't able to master the situation and I underestimated the possible danger of a rift on the team while going offworld."
„General, we all were pretty tense and unnerved, but even despite the argument, I believe it was really an accident. I mean, nobody could really predict the quake was coming and would be that violent. Otherwise, the ice would most probably hold Vala's weight." Added Sam, desperatelly trying to save the situation.
„Would you two quit it?! Stop...Stop taking the blame on yourself!!" Stuttered Daniel over his words in anger, turning his head in denial, then shooting a deadly glare at Mitchell.
„And stop trying to blame it on the conditions!" He snapped, giving his second glare to Sam.
„You've both been there, you've both tried to stop us but we just wouldn't listen! I called her reckless, I called her a liar, and that's the reason she took the risk! We all know that!" Daniel didn't even notice how he got up, but he realized he was standing and half-shouting. He sudden rush of shame washed over him and he slowly sunk into his chair again.
„You are not the only one who cares about her Daniel." Said Sam quietly. There was again, silence. Then, Mitchell spoke up.
„Yeah, Sam's damn right. And you know what? I feel guilty too! Like it or not, but I am still the boss and so I should have put a stop on you two right at the begining, kicking both of your asses for how stupid it was to fight, not to mention to fight OFF-WORLD! But instead, I stepped back and let it go that far. You think I am happy about that now?? And here's another thing. Sam was right, nobody could have predicted the quake, without which it may have never happened. We are a team, we do decission and we do them together! Everybody could have done something to prevent it, nobody did though. We can't change that now so quit arguing about who takes the blame like it was a contest of who cares more, because it's stupid and it's humiliating! It surely won't help the team and sure as hell won't help Vala!" Finished Mitchell impassionately.
There was a silence at the table. Daniel was looking at Cam angrily, but finally decided to keep his mouth shut. Sam had tears in her eyes and was glaring at the table and Teal'c looked as always. Very serious, very quiet.
The General had had enough. He has never seen his best team bite each other like this. They were almost always unanimous on decissions, at least decissions that really mattered. What the hell happened in the past 48 hours that could change them like this?
„Anybody else who would like to add something juicy or to take the blame on himself?" Asked General Landry wryly through gritted teeth.
„May I have the word, General Landry?" Asked Teal'c in his deep calm voice.
„If it is anything constructive, go ahead son!"
„I believe, that nobody's action could really have pretended what would happen. As Col. Mitchell correctly pointed out, everybody of us could have intervened but nobody really did. As for this, I think we all share the blame. I believe that this confrontation arised from the frustration and fear for Vala Mal Doran's well being, which every member of SG-1 must be feeling in this moment. However, I believe that we are forgetting about something very important. No matter how bad we feel ourselves about what happened, the fact remains, that it was Vala Mal Doran's own decission and free will to step on the ice and risk her life. In result, she takes as much blame for the consequences of her actions as the rest of uch. I also believe, that Vala Mal Doran would agree with me on this, as well as feel utterly unhappy and disappointed if she saw the rest of us arguing over something that she partly caused, as well as something that can't be changed anymore."
Teal'c ended his speech and felt into silence again. The whole room was so quiet so if a needle fell to the ground at that moment, it could have been heard. Everybody was shocked at Teal'c's speech; partly because of the length and elocution of their friend's address, who they never heard to deliver such a long speech before, as well as when the meaning of his words struck them all hard.
It really had no point arguing about the cause, everybody had a share, as well as coincidence and nature itself. The first one to come to words again was the General.
„Well said son."
Teal'c bowed his head.
„Now, as we cleared things out, I suggest you all return to your quoters, offices or labs again and continue your base work. Untill recall, SG-1 is called off off-world travel and mission duty. Colonel Carter, doctor Jackson, I believe there is plenty of work for you to do on base, Teal'c, you are free to do what you wish, although I believe doctor Parker could use your help with some goauld and jaffa translations. As for you Col. Mitchell, you pretty much lay behind on your paper work, so I propose you'll use the free time to catch up on it. I am awaiting it to be damn good and comprehensive reports."Said the General briskly.
Then he added more kindly: „Of course, you are all free to visit miss Mal Doran in the infirmary anytime and for how long you wish. Dismissed!"
General stood up and quickly left the briefing room. There was silence again, everybody was sheepishly looking at everybody. Finally, Daniel decided to break the silence.
„I am sorry." He addressed Cam and Sam.
„Yeah, me too." Replied Sam.
„Same here." Added Cam. They all looked at Teal'c, waiting for the Jaffa to say something as well.
„I have nothing to apologize for." He said resolutely, obviously misinterpreting their looks. Cam and Sam glanced at each other and gave a small, muffled giggle.
„Jeez T, that was hell of a speech you gave us there!" Said Mitchell appreciatively after the giggles subsided.
„Thank you. I used to be told if not being a Jaffa, I would do a spectacular orator." He said in all seriousness.
Sam and Cam started to giggle even harder. Even Daniel conjured up a smile. Teal'c raised an eyebrow.
„Is there any particular reason not to believe my words?" Teal'c asked in a serious tone.
„Why don't we give a visit to the infirmary and ask our dear doctor Lam how the patient's doing?" Proposed Cam, obviously avoiding the answer.
„Great idea!" Supported him Daniel.
„I am with you guys." Concluded Sam.
The three of them quickly jumped to their feet, already heading out.
„Ya coming with us?" Asked Cam at the door.
„Indeed." Replied Teal'c, yet he sounded kind of discontended.
They all made their way towards the infirmary, using the time to continue on the subject of how Teal'c or another member of the team could surprise them everyday with something new, some yet unknown fact about themselves. Every member of SG-1 was enjoying this silly, insignificant conversation, because it brought them close again. They once again had the feeling of familiarity and intimacy they so desperately needed in situations like these, when one member of their group was injured or missing. This feeling of closeness and understanding gave them the will and hope to go through almost anything. Exactly this was the mysterious strengh that made SG-1 the best and unique team.
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Daniel was at his office. It was late afternoon, but here, hundreds of metres underground, he could tell only due to his watch and the slowly emptiing corridors.
The four of them agreed to take shifts at Vala's bedside in the infirmary. It was not for the hope she would wake up, she was still heavily sedated, but it was a custom, an unwritten rule of their team. Somebody got hurt – they would keep him company, no matter if he was conscious or not, until he woke up.
Daniel's turn would start on a couple of hours. He asked the rest of his team if he could take the night shift. It had more benefits to Daniel that way. Firstly, he had a good reason not to fall asleep, so the chances his nightmare would return were slim, secondly, the infirmary with Vala as the only patient, as well as the rest of the SGC, would be pretty quiet, so Daniel wouldn't need to worry somebody could overhear what he might or might not say to Vala some 4 am while being drowsy and sleepy.
So here he was, at his office, and still had a couple of hours left. Daniel was trying to get some work done, he really did, but he just couldn't concentrate. His muscles were still aching from the tiring journey to the gate through the storm, he was deadly tired because of the lack of sleep last night, and his brain was busy thinking about the one person ocupying his mind for the past few weeks anyway. He sighed and decided to go and get some coffee, when the alarms suddenly went on.
„Unscheduled off-world activation! General Landry, please to the gate room! Repeat: Unschedulled offworld activation!"
Daniel was about to take off, just out of habit, but then stopped in his tracks. He decided to take a raincheck on this one. If he was needed, they would call him anyway. He turned around to take his mug and was about to made his way to the coffee maschine, when the radios went on again.
„All members of SG-1 immediately report to General Landry in the briefing room! Repeat: All members of SG-1 immediately report to General Landry in the briefing room!"
Daniel cursed, roughly putting the mug on the table, and set out in quick pace towards the briefing room. Half way through, he almost bumped into Teal'c and Sam, who were also heading the same direction. Cam caught up on them just before they were to enter the briefing room.
The sight of who was sitting in the room made Daniel stop dead in his tracks, causing Cam to stumble over Daniel's feet and cursing loudly in the process of ungraciously flying into the room and landing on the ground.
However, nothing of this caught Daniel attention, because of the sight of who was sitting in the room. There they were, the people that caused him so much distress over the past few days. Sitting at the table with General Landry, there was the mayor with two of his councillors, accompanied by a shy, sheepishly looking young boy; Tabuti.
TBC
NA – Hahaa, now that is what I call a cliffie!!! evil grin
I hope you liked this chapter. I personally think there might be some rifts between the team members, always occured to me it was kinda strange they all could agree on almost anything, and I dont know, I think this was was suited, but hey, its you whose opinion I want to hear!
So let me know if you liked it, didnt, or any other thoughts!
PS – As you can surely see, we are finally getting somewhere with this, so yeah, I am finally going to explain the whole mystery behind the mace. I am already kinda nervous about that, since you guys have been waiting for it for so long, your most probably are expecting some BOMBASTIC explanation.
But hey, again, the most reasonable explanations are always the most simple ones, right? ;)
Hope to see you all soon, kiss Liz