Chapter 19: More Bad News

Major Carter went to her lab first so she could store the laptop in her safe. She then grabbed the file folder locking up her lab tight. Sam was meeting with Sergeant Siler to give him her house keys. The general arranged to have him meet up with Agent Barret & Maybourne. Siler happen to be going home early for an electrical burn, again.

The marines regularly joked about Sgt. Siler getting injured on purpose because his wife was so gorgeous. Misa Mea was born to a Japanese mother and American father. Misa modeled clothing for retail stores through a local agency in Colorado Springs. She was absolutely stunning in whatever she wore. The marines asked Siler once how he got so lucky. He just smiled then walked away not saying a word. The colonel asked as well getting the same answer to his annoyance. The way he told the story during a team night was hilarious. Jack had the whole team rolling on the floor.

"Say hi to Misa for me Sergeant. Oh, you try to behave yourself." Sam told Siler after she gave him the keys. "I will major; Misa is waiting for me up top so I'd better get going. I'll make sure they get the keys, see you on Tuesday. We'll pray for Colonel O'Neill and everyone else at church." Sam almost cried when Siler gave her a hug along with his kind words. "Thanks Dan, I really needed a hug." Dan grinned while waving his right hand covered in medical gaze. The elevator doors closed leaving her alone.

Ajani: Twinkies are a piece of heaven on earth; I may be a little bit biased though. They are personnel sized yellow cakes with cream filling. Has General Hammond ever lied to us?

Sam composed herself knowing that Janet's staff would be giving her sympathetic looks. The elevator doors opening to the infirmary level. Sam exited the elevator with her military face for strength. When she showed up both Cassie and her mother was there. They were talking amongst themselves while including Jack in the conversation.

The conversation centered on the annual father/daughter dance. She smiled thinking how fortunate Jack was to have such friends. Sam sent up a quick prayer to God to spare Jacks his life. Jack deserved a second chance even though he thought otherwise. Cassie really needed him to be around as did many others including her. "Sam is everything okay. You look a bit….off." Janet observed getting up motioning her daughter to stay put. Sam let out along sigh then leaned against the wall. "Janet, I can't say anything right now but I will tell you this. We know for a fact that…" she paused tamping down the anger boiling up "my ex had it in for the Colonel, me specifically."

Janet looked back at Cassandra briefly. Her daughter was talking about the dress she was going to wear to the dance this year. Cassie's sole attention was on her father and not them. They could talk freely for the time being. Janet gave her friend a concerned look knowing there was more to the story.

"What else did he do Sam?" Janet asked quietly. "I don't want to talk about it...right now or here. There are too many ears that might be rogue NID. What they did is very painful in a personal way." Sam answered letting a single tear fall. Janet felt sad for her friend. Sam didn't deserve to be treated this way. "We can talk about it later over some wine this time. Can you explain the 'they" part though?" she asked already having an idea what the 'they' was. "He had a girlfriend prior me, her name is Jessie Bell. I was just an assignment." Sam answered bitterly. "I figured as much, a creep like that cares only for himself." Janet replied putting her arms under her chest. "Ya, I get that now. I was just...being stubborn."

Janet laughed at her friends' admission. "What's so funny Janet?" Sam asked confused at her reaction. "You get it honestly, Sam. Between your father and Jack you didn't stand a chance." She smiled bigger then laughed releasing tension. "You do have a point there Janet. That's probably the reason they butt heads so much, their alike." Sam smiled as well. With her anger gone now all she wanted to do was sit with Jack while reading the file.

"Cassie, Sam's going to watch over your father now. Come with me to the infirmary. I'll let you terrorize some marines." Janet told her daughter. "Just a little bit longer mom, please! I was just getting to the good parts of my story. Dad was enjoying it too." she complained. "Sure he was. You can finish terrorizing your father with high school drama later." giving Cassie a semi stern look. "Okay mom, so I can really terrorize the marines instead." she just nodded ushering Cassie out the doors. "See you later Sam, Jacks still the same so get a hold of me if anything changes." the CMO told her. "I do just that Janet." Sam watched mother and daughter walk away chatting. The last comment she heard was "I hope Lance Corporal Hicks comes in, he's cute!" Cassie said in a dreamy voice.

I thank everyone that has followed and placed my story as a favorite. It really humbles me.

Sam smiled knowing that Cassie believed that Jack would beat the poison becoming his old self once again. Sam only wished she could have that same faith. She took the seat vacated by her goddaughter grasping Jacks hand. His pulse was still steady. "Well I see your behaving. Janet seems to be getting bored though. You're going to have wake up and give her a little hell. Can't let her become complaisant now, can we?" Sam told her CO. "Jack, I miss you." she said quietly then smirked. "I'll make you a deal Sir. If you wear the 'I love Science' swimming trunks I bought you. I'll wear the 'SWEET LITTLE TANK TOP' you like. I saved it for a rainy day." she said in his ear seductively. Sam leaned back taking in his still form. Truthfully she was terrified of him not making it.

Sam tried brushing some wayward hair down to no avail. Shrugging her shoulders Sam opened the file folder starting with the report Maybourne filed. She was almost through reading his report when Jack started to convulsing. Sam dropped the file folder under the gurney in a panic. She pressed the call button furiously trying to instantly summon Janet.

The doors burst open with Dr. Frasier in the lead. Sam had to be forced to let go of the colonels' hand so they could do their job. A nurse led her over to the corner where Cassie was standing. Cassie immediately hugged her godmother tightly and started crying. Sam followed suite rocking them both in worry.

Major Rogers came running in 10 minutes later holding a syringe of fluid. Neither Cassie nor Sam noticed Sophia enter. All they saw was Jacks life hanging in the balance. Janet and her staff fought hard to keep the colonel alive. They didn't lose him once due the experienced medical staff. The syringe Sophia brought in was an untested antidote. Janet had ordered it to be used despite protests from the other doctor. Her reasoning was simple: the colonel heart was slowing despite their best efforts. The only chance was the untested antidote. Dr. Frasier told the other doctor that she'd take full responsibility. That shut up the smug man finally.

The untested antidote was administered as all involved held their breath. About a minute later the heart monitor started leveling out to a steady but weak 'beep'. Janet's medical team then concentrated on repairing organ damage. Two hours later the colonel was finally stabilized. Jack was hooked up to several machines performing his bodily functions. The antidote was fighting the poison but not hard enough. They'd have to come up with a stronger version and soon. If the colonel had another episode like this one, they might not be able to save him.

Did I scare anyone? No throwing food unless its Twinkies okay…they don't hurt like apples do.

Janet took a deep breath sending up a thank you to God. Janet had just finished washing up when a nurse walked up to her getting the CMO's attention. "What do you need Lt. Henson?" Janet asked a little too sharply due to the arduous surgery. The nurse was a bit of a pain at times although she knew her trade. "Ma'am, I found these files under the colonel's bed. They looked classified so I gathered them up." the lieutenant replied. "Thank you, I suppose Major Carter was reading them when Colonel O'Neill went into shock. I'll see that she gets them back." Janet answered dismissing the young nurse.

Thinking to herself Janet hadn't seen Sam or Cassie. The two SF's guarding the entrance doors might know where they went. The SF told her that "Sheppard Book took them to the chapel to pray, how he got them to go was a mystery to him." one said shrugging his shoulders.

Doctor Frasier started walking towards the chapel. On the way General Hammond stopped her asking for a SITREP. "General Hammond, Sir. We were able to stabilize the colonel with the antidote for now." she answered her superior. "What's his exact prognosis Major?" George asked not wanting to beat around the bush. Janet stamped her feelings down again then answered. "The antidote wasn't strong enough. It'll take 27hrs to have another one ready. If the colonel has another system shock he'll die. With the amount of machines we have Colonel O'Neill hooked to he's basically on life support." she informed him. "How long do you give him Doctor Frasier?" Janet sighed squaring her shoulders. "48 hours Sir. We're working on getting the proper mixture. If not, all his main body functions will simply shut down." she answered holding back a tear.

George thought briefly before coming to a conclusion. "The Tok'ra healing device, would that help?" he asked "that's a good possibility Sir." Janet answered with a bit of hope. "Very well then, I want a nurse posted with the colonel at all times. I'll call in a favor from our allies." the general said.

"By the way, Sheppard Book is holding an impromptu service doctor, I'm headed there now." he informed her. "Thank you for telling me Sir, I'll head that way once I assign a nurse to the colonel." Janet replied back. "I'll see you there then." he excused himself reflecting on the past day's events.

George kicked himself mentally for not being there for his 2IC or goddaughter. Kinsey just had to call. The man was so callus acting like he cared if Jack lived or died. Then Robert had the nerve to ask for a full report on the Osiris mission plus everything else. Kinsey defiantly had eyes & ears on base.

Janet approached the chapel doors quietly. To her surprise the chapel was full of base personnel. There was standing room only evident by the general leaning against the wall. Sheppard Book was leading a prayer sermon for Colonel O'Neill. Teal'c, Sophia, Sam and Cassie were in the very front. She could see SG25, 4, 3 and many other teams present. There were also scientists to janitors in attendance as well. To her utter shock Major Rollins was present praying on a Rosary. Janet took an open space along the wall.

The Marine that Cassie said was cute noticed her standing. Lance Corporal Hicks got up trading her places. He had noticed how tired the CMO looked. Janet thanked him silently then sat down. She listened to the Sheppard pray. Janet hoped all would end well.

Lost Wages, only been there during the daylight. I never had the chance to gamble there. I was an over the road truck driver.

Meanwhile 812 miles away Pete Shanahan and Jessie Bell were at 'Viva Las Vegas: Traditional & Themed Weddings'. (Don't own added in for realism). The two rogue NID operatives were soon to be married. To Jessie's relief she had talked her fiancé out of the 'ALEIN GRAY' wedding that he wasn't joking about. They had settled on his second choice of 'Marshall Dillon & Kitty Russell' of the T.V. show Gun Smoke(don't own either). A promise on her part to wear a leopard print one piece bathing suit sealed the deal. He was way too easy to manipulate she figured out long ago.

The chapel didn't skimp on the realism at all. They had full costumes complete with replica Peace keeper 45's (non firing). She was really impressed with their service. A few of their friends had made the trip with them to witness their union. Drae'ma was excited as well. She was very curious on the marriage practices of the tau'ri. They were sparked by Jessie's thoughts and various cable T.V. shows. She hoped that Sha'mus would be willing to get married as well. Pete's friend, Josh Jenkins, was giving her away today. In just under an hour all would be right in the world...Marshall Dillon was marring Miss Kitty…FINALLY! (I had to do it; Teal'c was holding my Twinkies hostage.)