Chapter 30: Debts Repaid with Interest Part 2
0142Hrs: Isolation Room... Janet had rushed into the room excited about her friend waking up. She had to make her daughter wait outside until sent for. Cassie protested but understood her mother's reasoning. Once inside she went into CMO mode. Doctor Frasier saw Sam holding Jacks hand lightly caressing it. Her friend had a look of complete happiness.
The colonel wasn't fighting the breathing machine like usual. That could probably be chalked up to Sam. She always had a calming effect on him. Sam could also do it with a motherly stare as well. Janet hated to break up their moment but she needed to check him over. "Prince charming has decided to finally wake up. Did the princess give you the story book kiss colonel?" She asked causing Sam to blush deep red while Jack just smiled despite the breathing tube. "I see she did, I'll have to file that one away then." Janet added smirking. "Janet, please confirm this isn't a dream." Sam pleaded with her friend. "This isn't a dream Sam, it's real. Jack is awake!" She said beginning the check up.
0212hrs... "Well Col. O'Neill I'm happy to say that you're on the road to recovery. Unfortunately you'll have to keep the breathing tube in. Your lungs aren't strong enough to breathe without help yet." Janet explained much to Jacks dislike. Sam could have sworn she heard a groan. She smiled at this because that was a great sign. "I'll remove machines as your health improves, not before!" Janet said in a no argument tone. "We almost lost you several times. I'm not going to take any chances. You will be okay sir. We all need you around for a very long time, understood!" she spoke firmly giving his other hand a squeeze of reassurance. "Thank you Janet, we really needed that." Sam told her friend with gratitude. "Anytime Sam, now I have an anxious daughter that's probably has no fingernails left." She said sarcastically. Cassie stormed the room as if on a mission. Her mother's warning was the only thing keeping the teen from smothering Jack. "Daddy...you pulled through. Sheppard Book told me keep praying to God. I did and he answered my prayers. I love you Dad." The crying teen said. Cassie held on tight to Jacks free hand feeling his pulse.
A tear escaped from the colonel's eye betraying his tough solider image. He was so happy being alive and loved. Sam and Cassie had been his anchor somehow. Jack remembered snippets of one-sided conversations. He remembered declarations of love from Samantha. Cassie had said something about boys, marriage and dancing he thought. Jack shuttered internally about his little girl dating. To think about Cassie getting married was almost a nightmare. That meant he'd have to admit she wasn't little anymore. Teal'c had come to visit as well he believed. 'T' talked about vanquishing some evil person or dragoon. He couldn't remember which one. Hell, his memories were like dreams . To his knowledge he shouldn't remember anything.
Jack nodded at the women in the room. He was very thankful for them being in his life. Without them he knew he'd been dead long ago. The colonel squeezed Sam and Cassie's hands best he could. Pain shot through his arms causing panic among the women. "Colonel, please don't over exert yourself. Just lay there and relax, we'll take care of you." Janet admonished him. Jack agreed without argument. Maybe is he behaved they'd bring him some cake. Oma observed the activity in the room unnoticed. She was overjoyed at how everything turned out thus far. The highlight was witnessing God's healing grace. With her faith restored Oma sat back waiting for Thor to show up for his part.
...Staring at the screen wait for words to appear doesn't work to well...
0232Hrs: Earth Standard Orbit...After finally receiving permission to orbit earth Thor engaged his cloak. Once in orbit Thor tapped into the designated communication satellite. General Hammond yawned despite having his third cup of coffee. He was waiting for Thor to call him from orbit. This setup worked better than him just popping in for a visit. It also prevented RED alerts when Colonel O'Neill suddenly disappeared. The general's phone rang interrupting his thoughts. Seeing his 2IC vanish was humorous at times.
"General Hammond, I apologize for the early morning visit. There are matters of the utmost importance to discuss." Thor explained. "I wasn't getting any sleep anyways Thor. There's been a lot going in the past 3 days." George said with a yawn. "Is O'Neill available to join us General Hammond?" the little Asgard asked hoping his friend was okay. "Thor, it might be best if you come down here. Colonel O'Neill got shot by a sniper Saturday morning." The general informed their ally. "I'll beam right down General."
Thor beamed down the transporter room just outside the gate room. A pair of burly marines met him then escorted Thor to the general's office. George greeted the Supreme Asgard Commander shaking his small hand. Before the marines left one of them placed Thor in a booster seat allowing him to see over the desk. "What is O'Neill's condition General Hammond? O'Neill is a great friend of the Asgard. I'll do whatever I can to help in his recovery?" Jacks little buddy asked.
"When he got shot we almost lost him several times. Thanks to our highly trained medical staff the Col. O'Neill is still with us. The sniper shot him with a poisoned bullet. Fortunately Dr. Frasier was able to formulate an antidote along with Anise/Freya." He said then paused for some coffee. "I see general, has the sniper been captured? Is the antidote overcoming the poison?" Thor asked the same question as everyone else. Rubbing his temples George continued. "No, but we do have eyes on the pair. The antidote was only strong enough to hold it at bay." He explained further then continued. "I sent out SG teams to all of our allies, you included. The tok'ra sent Anise/Freya to help. They perfected the antidote pushing back the poison." George said stifling a yawn. "However I'd appreciate if you just put the colonel in your medical pod. I want Colonel O'Neill back in 100% shape or better ASAP." General Hammond answered honestly. "There is no need to ask General Hammond. The Asgard would help O'Neill or the SGC anytime. I shall begin immediately then." Thor replied then waited for the general to pick him up from the booster seat. George laughed internally at this. If only his family could see just how weird his life was.
The colonels little buddy
0312hrs: Isolation Room...Thor and the general walked into the isolation past two fully armed Rangers. Their primary weapons were M4 Carbines w/M203s. The sidearms were Magnum Research Desert Eagle .44 Magnum, guaranteed to take down most anything. They also had enough ammo and knives to fight a small battle themselves. Thor had taken notice wondering why such security was needed. "General Hammond is there a threat to O'Neill on base?" he asked. "We believe there are rogue elements of the NID still on base. I'm not going to take any chances with the colonel's life. The Rangers have orders to kill anyone that attempts to harm him. Believe me, they'll do it too with extreme measures if needed." He answered. Thor nodded understanding the generals reasoning. The Asgard would do no less for their favorite human.
The Desert Eagle .44 magnum was my Army Ranger friends chosen sidearm.
The isolation room had quieted down greatly since Jack awoke. Sam was sleeping again with her head on the bed. Cassie tried to stay awake failing as Thor and the general entered. Janet was sleeping beside Sam head propped up by her hand. George heart warmed at the scene before him. Jack's personality maybe gruff but he instills loyalty. Thor looked around the room seeing the same thing. Although he also spotted Oma at the foot of O'Neill's bed. She looked over to him smiling. Through their telepathic link they spoke...
"Thor, I'm glad you're finally here. I was able to aid Jack O'Neill and Samantha Carter." She informed her long time friend. "That is very good Oma. General Hammond is going to allow me to heal O'Neill. I will need your assistance in enhancing his ATA gene (Ancient Technology Activation). This must not ever happen again!" Thor said with much emotion. "I agree my friend. I have made a discovery while waiting for you. Both Major Carter and Cassandra Frasier have recessive ATA genes as well. We must activate them for this will aid in our struggle to come." Oma informed Thor. "We shall do as you suggest then." He said ending their link.
Thor turned to the general then spoke. "I wish to begin right away. The sooner O'Neill is well the better off we'll be." George knew this as well. "Very well Thor, I'm going to send Dr. Frasier along with you. Do you mind if she helps you." He asked Thor. "Her help will be greatly appreciated General." the little Asgard replied. George nodded then walked over to wake his CMO. "Dr. Frasier, wake up. Thor is here and he needs your help." George spoke while trying to wake her. The doctor slowly woke stretching her arms with a yawn. "What is it General. Is there a medical emergency?" she asked looking around the room. "No major; Thor arrived not long ago offering to help us." George informed her.
"He is, that's great!" Janet replied becoming more alert. She looked around spotting the little grey alien. Getting up Janet went to him immediately. "I'm so glad you're here Thor. We can always use your help. Even with the colonel on his way to good health." She let him know of her gratitude. "It's the least we can do for O'Neill. He is the most advanced human on earth. The Asgard High counsel regards him highly. Would you get O'Neill ready for transport Dr. Frasier?" Thor asked Janet then blinked a few times.
While Dr. Frasier went about getting the colonel ready General Hammond woke Sam and Cassie. "Major Carter, It's time to wake up. We have another visitor." He said shaking her lightly then stepped back. Sam shot up from a dead sleep into a combat stance. Disoriented she looked around for the threat. Finding none focused on her godfather. "Major stand down, that's an order! There is no threat." George informed her from a distance.
He knew very how PTSD worked from experience. Both Jacob and he had a hard time overcoming it. Almost everyone that went through the gate had it in some form. The combat teams had it worse, especially SG1. They seemed to always draw the short straws. Cassie just happens to wake at the same time. Janet was near her when Sam popped up. Cassie began to speak but her mother covered her mouth. The two of them watched as Sam realized her surroundings relaxing seconds later. Thor found this scene interesting although showed no signs of it. This is what they refer to as combat fatigue. Oma agreed through her telepathic link. "When I was in Colonel O'Neill's mind I saw many battles. I saw the similar scene's in Major Carters mind as well." She said in a somber tone. "Perhaps there is a way we can lessen the effects on them." Thor replied in their link. "We must help if possible my friend." Oma answered. "I shall see what I can do for them." He answered back with conviction.
"I'm sorry Sir; I didn't mean to react that way." The major told the general standing at attention. "At ease Major, you haven't done anything wrong. Extended combat can have that effect on you." He answered her. Sam did as the general ordered relaxing some. "Thor is here to heal Colonel O'Neill major. Dr. Frasier will go with Thor's to his ship." He informed her. "May I go as well grandpa, please? I promise I'll be good." Cassie asked her adopted grandfather not wanting to leave Jacks side. "Permission to go to, Sir." Sam requested of her godfather. George faked a sigh knowing that this would happen. "Permission granted for both of you. Behave yourself and don't touch anything." The general informed the group. "I won't grandpa." The teen said as she hugged him. "I was referring to Major Carter mostly." Janet snickered from the other side smirking. "I promise not to destroy another Asgard ship Sir. I only destroyed one..." she said with a fake sigh.