A/N: This story has turned out to be way more ambitious than I ever intended, and far more dialogue driven than I expected. I am building up to some serious rising action but it is taking forever to get there. Arrgggghhh I also see where I have made some errors in continuity as well as my standard butchering of punctuation. If I knew how to use a Beta I would, it's just that really does a terrible job explaining the procedure, and for the life of me I can't figure it out.

Apologies to any medical personnel out there, for my inexpert skimming over things but I decided I couldn't afford too much detail anymore so I could finally get to the action.

Do excuse my verbosity in this A/N.

Disclaimer: I do not own. If I did we would have the movie (as promised) by now.

Please be kind in your reviews my ego is somewhat fragile now… lol just kidding, feel free to skewer me.

OoOoO

"Jack we have to check this planet out. If there's a cloning facility and it's full of hibernating Wraith we have to destroy it. Finding the Ancient device is secondary."

Jack stalked around Daniel's lab picking up random artifacts. He was considering his words carefully.

"Sam, I don't know if we have the resources to pull such a mission off. We're just beginning to bounce back from the war with the Ori, and the man with the most knowledge and experience with Wraith tech is dying in our infirmary. I can't authorize what promises to be a suicide mission."

The small room was crowded; all of the original SG-1 members plus Radek were there. The Czech wasn't intimidated. He spoke freely and passionately.

"With respect General, I have not known you to be an overly cautious man. Your reputation is that of man who sees big picture and is not how you say, mired in bureaucracy, much like our Colonel Sheppard. The Wraith are losing the war, and their food supply is dwindling. However, as you know they have already attempted to come to the Milky Way and Earth, and with an infusion of troops, we will be unable to stop them. As sad as it is to say Rodney's illness truly is of no importance compared to annihilation of Earth and the people of Milky Way."

O'Neill knew the scientist was right, he also knew it was the thought of Carter going on such a mission that gave him pause. He would have to put his fears aside, there was no way they could let such intel go.

"Yeah, you're right Zinka… I mean Zelenka. We need to discuss this with Landry and the President; I want a full brief ready in two hours. I need to know the Ancients information and the tactical ability and personnel required to successfully complete this mission, Colonel."

With that he turned on his heel and walked out.

Teal'c raised his eyebrow and looked at Carter and Daniel, they nodded in agreement, Jack was pissed and his teammates knew it, and knew why.

"Don't worry guys he'll be all right." Carter said.

Daniel's shrug was non-committal. Teal'c answered "Indeed."

Radek cleared his throat and said, "We need Mr. Woolsey and Colonel Sheppard for the brief."

"I agree. But whatever you do don't let Rodney know what's going on." Sam replied.

"Yes, would be very bad. Rodney will try to go on mission with IV in arm."

They laughed for a moment and then grew somber, going on this mission was dangerous, and there was no guarantee they would survive or bring back Rodney's miracle.

"We better go find Sheppard and Woolsey." Daniel sighed and they left.

O0OoO

Rodney's first night of chemo had gone fine; he was beginning to think it would be a cakewalk…

Now twelve hours later he was puking his guts out, shivering one minute and ablaze the next. All he wanted was for it to stop, and he had six more sessions of this, he was a much more brave man than he let on, but this was humiliating, demoralizing and miserable. He wasn't sure he could handle more days of this torture.

"Oh God… Why am I doing this?" He trembled after vomiting for the third time in ten minutes.

Jennifer's tiny cool hand brushed his brow wiping away the sweat that accumulated there.

"Shhh I know sweetheart. I am sorry. You are so strong and brave, you can do this, I know you can."

Her heart was breaking for Rodney's suffering, but she was terrified he would give up.

"Aye lad you are the most stubborn man I know."

Carson was biting his cheeks to hold his optimistic smile in place.

John just stood by the door of the tiny room with his arms crossed and a look of consternation on his face. He was angry. Seeing his best friend go through this hell was wrong on so many levels. Hadn't he been tormented enough, injured enough, given enough? Why did it have to be Rodney?

As Rodney began another round of throwing up Samantha Carter came in. She couldn't hide the look of sorrow that flashed over her face before she regained her composure.

"Rodney?"

"Yeah Sam," he gasped.

Carter walked to his bedside and held his unoccupied hand. Her eyes caught Jennifer's and she nodded.

"You hanging in there?"

"I guess," he croaked.

"Listen, can I borrow John for a minute?"

"John?" He looked puzzled. "He's here?"

Everyone exchanged worried looks and Carson pulled out his penlight to do a neuro check.

"Rodney I need to check your pupils."

"Oh God Carson, puking's not enough now you need to stab my brain with your penlight of doom?"

"Sorry lad I have to do it." He performed the test and then checked Rodney's tendon reflexes he wasn't pleased with what he found.

"Excuse me I'll be right back." Carson murmured.

"Where's he going?" Rodney grumbled and looked toward the door.

"Who's over there? I can't see you. Come closer."

"It's me Mc Kay."

"Sheppard, why are you skulking in the dark?" Rodney squinted in the Colonel's direction.

"Oh you know me I am a skulker."

Rodney huffed a small laugh. "Yeah you are. What's the matter no hot Nurse's to charm?"

John fought the urge to tear up at the banter. "No, but that Dr. Lam? Man is she gorgeous."

"Watch it John, she's General Landry's daughter." Sam admonished.

"Ah hell, there go my evening plans." He quipped.

They were interrupted by Captain Morgan, Dr. Lam and Carson's return.

"All right I need everyone out of here who is not a doctor and is engaged to the patient."

"See ya Mc Kay."

"Try to stay out of trouble Kirk."

"I'll be right outside Rodney." Jennifer assured him.

"I'll see you later Rodney." Sam said, and they all walked out leaving Captain Morgan and the other docs to it.

Safely on the other side of the door, Jennifer plopped down in a chair and began to cry.

"Hey Jen, shh it's okay." John said as he walked over and knelt down to hold her hand and look her in the eye.

"No it's not John, he couldn't see you! Don't you get it, he's got cancer in his brain!"

"Jennifer, I know this is horrific and feels hopeless but we are going to fix this. We will get our Rodney back." Sam averred.

Jennifer nodded blankly and whispered, "Could you guys give me a moment alone?"

"Sure, we can do that. Why don't we go get you something to eat and coffee or something?" John patted her hand gently.

"That would be good…thanks."

"Okay we'll be back in a few minutes Jennifer." Sam rubbed Jennifer's shoulder in reassurance then turned and walked out followed by a subdued John.

"So what is it Sam?" John asked as they walked down the hallway to the mess.

"There's a situation."

John didn't like the sound of that it made the hairs on his neck stand up.

"What do mean a situation?"

"Let's get Jen something to eat first and then find Woolsey. I'd rather not repeat this twice."

"Alright, but I can tell I'm not going to like it am I?"

"No I don't think so, but we need to hurry because we have a meeting with Jack and General Landry in an hour and a half."

They hustled through the line at the mess and rushed Jennifer her lunch. They found Woolsey in his quarters.

"Richard we need to meet in Sam's lab, something big is going down."

Woolsey arose from the small desk and walked quickly with them to Sam's lab.

All of SGA-1 were there plus Radek, and most of Sg-1, Vala and Mitchell were off world. The eight people assembled were more than adequate to handle almost anything Pegasus had to throw at them, but they all were aware what a hole Rodney's absence created.

"Okay for those of you who weren't here earlier I will give you a brief synopsis of what's going on."

"During Radek's search of the Ancient database he came across the mention of a healing device that was being researched in a lab on the outer edge of Pegasus. As promising as the device seemed, they abandoned it because the Wraith came, and we believe killed the scientists, and then built a cloning facility. The question is why haven't we seen evidence of these Wraith, and do we have resurgence in their population to combat in the near future?"

There was a pause and then the room erupted in questions.

"What are we waiting for?" Ronon asked.

"What of the device do we not wish to obtain it?"

"Will the brass let us go?"

"Alright people let her talk!" John yelled above the din.

"That's all I have to say really, except that we need to brief the generals and possibly the President in a little less than an hour."

Silence took over.

"Am I to understand Colonel Carter that you need us to come up with a suggested plan of action in less than an hour?"

"Yes that is exactly what I am saying Richard."

"Then I recommend we get started we don't have time for dithering about. First, I need to know what the operational requirements would be for such a mission. Colonel Sheppard, what are your thoughts?"

"We would need at least two teams and two jumpers. It may be good to have Deadalus or Promethius as well. If there are thousands of Wraith on the planet the Asgard weapons we help a lot."

"I'm afraid both ships are unavailable, they are dealing with the remnants of the Ori fleet."

"Okay then we need some serious explosives and a hell of a lot of luck."

"How many personnel?"

"I would like at least eight. We would have to have some people with the gene, and some who have experience with Wraith tech. Whoever goes has to be used to off world missions."

"I agree Colonel Sheppard. So who do you prefer be on your team?"

"Well SGA-1 obviously, but Radek will have to take Rodney's place, Major Lorne for his skills as well as his gene. I would love it if SG-1 could join us that way we could divide up and look for the device and take out the cloning facility. Don't forget there may also be ZPM's there as well… The more I think about it three teams would be better. That way we have coverage for our sixes. So I'd like some Marines too."

"I agree with your assessment Colonel Sheppard, and I am prepared to authorize you the jumpers and personnel. However, as you know I have no control over SG-1 that is entirely up to General Landry and presumably General O'Neill and the President."

"I think Jack will go for it, as for me count me in." Sam said.

"Me too." Daniel chimed.

"It would please me to join the mission as well, Mr. Woolsey."

"Great, I knew I could count on you guys, now we just have to work out the details and convince the Generals."

"Let's get started then."

Sam pulled her whiteboard over and they began brainstorming, Radek furiously typed the brief from what was decided. At the end of their hour, they had a plan typed and printed for the Generals.

OoOoO

"Rodney, your cancer is causing some neurological problems, so I think we need to do both the intrathecal chemo and the standard chemo simultaneously."

"What does that mean?" He asked tiredly.

"Well, I know you are pretty miserable right now, unfortunately this has the potential to make it worse."

Rodney groaned. "Worse? Like how?"

"The intrathecal treatment is prone to giving headaches and has been known to cause nausea as well."

"Great, so glad I chose treatment. This doesn't suck much does it?"

"Rodney we can give you some medication that helps with the discomfort by relaxing you. We will also use anti-emetics and something for pain relief as needed. We want you to be as comfortable as possible." Carson soothed his friend.

"Whatever, let's get it over with. But you should know if this doesn't work, that's it I'm done."

"Dr. McKay, I'm not sure what you mean by …if this doesn't work? What is your definition of working?" Dr. Lam asked.

"What's yours? I have no idea what my expectations should be. Frankly, I expected to be dead by now or damn close to it."

"That is a fair question and I am sorry we haven't addressed it before now. What we would all love to see is what we call complete remission, is that likely? I'm not sure we can assume such a result with the advanced stage of your disease, and the type of disease. The next best outcome is partial remission, which means that there is still evidence of the cancer but it is greatly reduced and your symptoms are usually much better. I do think we can realistically aim for partial remission."

"Does partial remission give me more time Chris?" All he cared about was time with Jennifer at this point.

"It certainly does."

"Okay, then hurry up and give me the intrathecal before I start puking again."

"Do you understand the procedure?"

"Yeah I think so, it's like a spinal tap right?"

"Yes, and no, because we will be injecting the chemotherapy agent into you, not just removing cerebrospinal fluid, it takes longer because of that."

"Fine, just do it. I'm tired and want to go to sleep." He sighed and closed his eyes.

"Rodney?"

"Yes, Carson."

"Why don't I get Jennifer in here to be with you during the procedure?"

"No! I don't want her to have to see me go through more than she already has."

"Now Rodney don't you think she will be hurt if you keep her away?"

He thought about it and knew Carson was right, but this drama was what he wanted to avoid to begin with. Still he realized that Jennifer would resent being left out and he really didn't want that.

"Bring her in here then."

"Good lad."

"Hey Rodney Dr. Lam and I are going to prepare your meds why don't we let you and Jennifer talk alone for a bit?" Chris asked.

"Sounds good, but seriously hurry this up I'm not feeling so good."

"What do you mean?" The Navy docs eyebrows wrinkled in concern.

"I feel rotten, and so tired…I don't know if I can stay awake much longer." His eyes closed again.

Dr. Morgan looked at Carson and said, "We better take his BP, and his O2 sats aren't as high as they were."

"Aye, I'll do it, you two get the chemo ready."

"Rodney I'm putting the blood pressure cuff back on you." He pushed the button on the machine and waited.

"90/50. That's a little low. Let me talk with Dr. Morgan and see if he wants to do anything."

Whatever Carson just leave me alone and let me sleep.

"All right I'll go get Jennifer for you."

Rodney nodded imperceptibly, and drifted off.

OoOoO