CHAPTER 105
My own idea, which I hope turns out as well as it came up in my mind. A House crossover ahead! Season set for House is well before the episode where Amber died. Not sure what season that was, but figure it is season four.
Further more, I greatly, deeply, sincerely, apologize for the long wait in updating. I'm just a writer you likes to put up a bunch of chapters instead of one or more at a time. Really, I go over chapters a few dozen times or more before I figure they are ready for you to read. Again, sorry, I will try to be quicker in the future.
With the stress of work getting to them, more to the General because he wanted to travel more in the T.A.R.D.I.S., the group decided to go off somewhere and spend some time looking at things. Everyone was surprised when the General pushed a few buttons and then concentrated hard. They knew what was going to happen next and couldn't stop him as the ship took off. Other than a jolt that almost made them all fall, the trip was fine. It was some planet in another universe, not sure which one seeing as the entire six hours there nothing happened other than the peace and quiet, which they were all thankful for. The view was great, sort of pinkish blue sky and rings around the planet that could be seen from the ground. It wasn't like Saturn, but more than Jupiter had. The air was nice, no natives that he could detect for a hundred mile radius. Animals were around according to the scanners, and they did see a few, but didn't approach them. There was something like a cross between a kangaroo and deer, but it was stripped like a zebra, but red instead of black stripes. Another that looked like a panda in shape, but was red in fur color, and it was eating grass. The birds were huge, bigger than eagles, but flew so high they didn't bother to look at them closer. Others looked like rabbits, but different in color and looked like they got together with chipmunks. The ocean was pretty and calm and blue. Other than talking or telling stories as the T.A.R.D.I.S. was locating home, plus eating outside on a table they set up and Ford cooking, they did little else to pass the time. Sally ran around chasing butterflies that were actually butterflies, but ate other bugs instead of nectar and varied between a few inches in size to a couple feet. And they were friendly, which was strange. Once the T.A.R.D.I.S. found home, they packed up feeling refreshed and a greater appreciation of the universe around them. In a sense, it showing them what they were fighting to keep safe, even though it wasn't their universe. Didn't mean that they wouldn't come across a planet like this one in their own.
Ford was in a red pin stripe suit with his coat on the coat rack. Daniel was in green slacks and a white button up shirt, Teal'c in black slacks with a black T-shirt. Mitchell was wearing his leather jacket with a white T-shirt and black jeans. Vala was in a pink skirt that went just past her knees with a white top that thankfully covered her chest completely, but not her shoulders or arms. Carter was in blue jeans and a button up blue blouse that went up to her neck and covered her arms.
"Can this screen be opened while in flight?" Mitchell asked.
"Yeah." Carter said turning the dial.
The screen slid up and showed a blue vortex that they were traveling down.
"Isn't this the same thing you see with those new episodes of Doctor Who?" Daniel asked.
"The intro? Yeah. It's the time tunnel we are traveling in." Ford said as he was working at the console. "We've looked at it before."
"Does it turn red like in the show?" Vala asked.
"When we are getting close to arrival it does." Ford said. "We ended up in another universe, and a few thousand years in the future, technically speaking. So we are traveling back in time in our own universe."
"Why?" Daniel asked.
"Because when we go to another universe, and we come back to ours, in most cases, the T.A.R.D.I.S. places us in our universe at the same coordinates of the place we were at in the other one." Carter said. "In this case, we were many years in the future. Sometimes we can get home straight away because she'll know the spatial coordinates of the area in our universe already and, we get home quicker."
"Hmm. Just turned red. Guess we'll be back home soon." Mitchell said.
"Less than a minute." Ford said as he looked at the dial. "Back to work, saving the universe from the Ori and whoever else decides…"
They all fell as the T.A.R.D.I.S. jerked violently.
"What the hell was that?" Mitchell began as another sharp jerk shook the ship.
"Sam…" Ford said quickly as he got up grabbing the console.
Teal'c and Vala quickly followed her as she took off through the corridors to Sally's room. Mitchell and Daniel grabbed the console as it shook again.
"Did we hit something?" Daniel asked as Ford's hands were flying across different buttons and switches.
"I'm trying to find that out. We aren't dematerialized so we shouldn't have hit…"
There was a major jerk that tilted the room more than forty five degrees and caused sparks to fly out from areas of the console. Mitchell and Daniel were tossed into the main door while he was sprawled across the console, barely holding on. The G-forces started getting stronger for some reason as he got off the console slowly and hit a few buttons. The emergency stop kicked in and they dematerialized well above the Earth, just inside the orbit of the moon. Another sharp rock hit the ship and spun it a few times before it completely stopped.
There was grunts and groans as Ford slowly opened his eyes and noticed the Console Room was a lot less brighter than it should have been, sort of like a dark light was turned on. The Cloister bell was ringing in the background telling him there was something wrong. He got up slowly and noticed the ship was level again, plus the read out saying the T.A.R.D.I.S. was working properly, just the lights were dimmed because of the emergency stop. He could make out the forms of Daniel and Mitchell against the main door as he looked over there and then at the door to the interior which was also open.
"K-9." he said quickly into his watch.
"Master."
"Sam, Sally and the others, are they ok? Are you ok?"
"Affirmative Master. No physical injuries detected. I am operating at normal parameters."
"That's good. Are they awake or unconscious?"
"The Mistress is beginning to wake now."
"Hey, you two okay?" he asked loudly as he turned off the bell and brought the lights back up.
His rings fell off and rolled around on the console to his surprise. He grabbed them both and put them back on finding them loose for some reason. Before he could wonder why further though.
"Damn General, I thought your driving was bad enough." Mitchell muttered as he sat up rubbing his head. "How long were we out?"
"Good question…" he said checking as he pocketed the rings. "Hmm, just over an hour…."
"What's wrong?" Mitchell asked as the General looked at him strangely.
"Mitchell? Daniel?!"
Mitchell looked at himself and then at Daniel. Daniel looked at him as he sat up and rubbed his head.
"Mitchell?" Daniel said looking up.
"Daniel?" Mitchell said looking down.
"What the hell?" Ford muttered as he walked around the console to them.
The two got up and both had to grab their pants as they didn't come with them. A muttering behind them made them turn around quickly.
"Sam? Vala?" they asked.
"What the hell happened to us?" Carter asked as she was holding up her pants while Vala was holding her skirt and Sally was in Teal'cs arms.
"K-9, what happened to everyone?" Ford asked.
"One moment Master."
He rolled over and linked with the console as his ears rotated back and forth for a few moments and then he backed away.
"An unknown energy anomaly impacted the T.A.R.D.I.S Master."
"Kinda felt that one K-9." Carter said sarcastically. "What happened to us?"
"Everyone but the little Princess was effected Mistress. You have all lost a number of years causing you to digressed in age. Apologies Mistress, I am unable to explain the reason how or why. I am currently attempting to solve the mystery at this time."
"You don't look like you've lost many years." Daniel said looking at Ford.
"Nor does Teal'c, at least not really." Mitchell said.
"How old are we K-9?" Ford asked.
"You are currently 25 years of age Master."
"25? My favorite number. I can live with that. That's over thirty years back. Not that I was getting old physically anyway." he said trailing off.
"You do look, a bit different." Carter said. "What about the rest of us?"
"You are sixteen Mistress."
"I'm what?" she said almost loosing her grip on her pants.
"Sam, just how much weight did you loose?" Ford asked before thinking.
"The Mistress has lost 12 pounds Master and three inches in height." K-9 said as she gave them both glares.
"I thought you looked shorter and skinner. And don't give me that look. I'm betting those 12 pounds were all muscle."
"I stopped growing at 20." she said as she tightened her belt as she finally realized she had one.
"Oh, I can do that." Daniel said as tried the same. "Though I don't think it is going to work in my case. I must have really dropped several inches."
"Maybe I should just start wearing a belt in case I might need it." Mitchell muttered as he held his pants still. "What about me?"
"You are 19 years old Colonel Mitchell."
"At least I can still drink beer." he said getting a glare from Carter and a shake of Ford's head saying no. "I must have lost twenty pounds."
"16 pounds Colonel." K-9 said. "Your height was unaffected."
"I think I am much younger than the rest of you." Daniel muttered as he had to hold his glasses on his face and keep holding his pants.
"Affirmative Doctor Jackson. You are 6 years old and have lost four feet…"
"Six?!" he shouted. "What the hell?!"
"What about me? I must have really lost a lot because my underwear want to fall, along with the skirt." Vala said. "Bad enough I left my bra somewhere in the hallway."
"We really didn't need to know…" Ford began. "Wait, that means me and Teal'c are the only ones without that problem. You all have to change clothes, down to the last article."
"For that, I am making you watch me change and then we aren't doing anything…." Carter said pointing a finger and then trailing off. "I was still a…um…"
"K-9?" Vala asked.
"You are 20 Miss Doran. Your height is the same, however you have lost 18 pounds." K-9 said.
"Are you sure Teal'c was effected?" Ford asked.
"Teal'c is 76 years of age. No other change is apparent."
"Hmm. I had my symbiont still then. I too am happy with this change. Barring unseen circumstances that make it so I have to return to my true age, I believe I will stay this way." he said with a small smile.
"Same here." Ford said. "Unfortunately, we need to fix everyone else."
"There is no way anyone is going to allow a 25 year old man to stay a General." Carter said. "If it wasn't for our jobs, I wouldn't mind being 16 again."
"Oh god. Our jobs! I can't do any job like this!" Daniel said. "I can't even keep my glasses on! No matter how much you threaten the government and anyone else, I can tell you right now, Jack will not let me go off world. He'll shoot me first! And no way in hell am I going to daycare."
"Yeah, he would." Ford said. "No children on missions, dangerous or otherwise."
"And I was suppose to go with SG-7 and look at that…."
"Some ruins I know." Ford said. "Sally, are you okay?"
"She was unaffected Master."
"Thanks K-9, I already knew that." he said taking her from Teal'c. "Princess?"
"I know mommy is mommy. I saw her and Vala change. There was a weird white, fuzzy light and then they looked like that." she said pointing.
"How about we all talk about this and figure it out after we change clothes. My hands are starting to cramp." Mitchell said.
"Same here." Vala and Daniel said.
"There is more than one room in the T.A.R.D.I.S. with clothes. There is a few that only have women's and the same for men's. I'm going with Sam and Vala. K-9 can show you two the other rooms."
The three men watched as they left.
"Mitchell…"
"Yeah.."
"No matter what happens, assuming we can't fix this and we have to all grow up…whatever…" he said stopping Mitchell before he could say something. "I am not going to any foster home."
"Okay…." he said confused. "But your parents would have custody if it came down to that."
"Not a lot of people know about them being back, same goes for Charlie and Sam's mom. Raises to many questions and other possible problems. Who knows what could happen if certain people knew about this ship."
"Good point." he said followed Daniel, who lost his shoes within the first couple steps and then his socks next.
Seeing as he couldn't keep the pants up or his boxers, he let them go, picking them all up and kept walking since the shirt was more than enough to cover him.
"You did mention loosing your virginity somewhere around 18." Ford said as he leaned against the wall in the large black room that had clothes on racks, the walls, in chest, boxes, and dressers.
A few large full mirrors were around the large room and they could hear Vala off behind one looking through one of the boxes or something. Sally was on his right hip and watching Sam look through a dresser full of undergarments. Before entering, both woman had found something to cover their selves with quickly, Sam finding a long white slip that went down to the floor and Vala a robe way to big for her.
"I started getting more attention because my breast had fully developed by then." she muttered and then turned to him slightly with a sneaky look. "Am I getting to you yet?"
"Considering you are currently wearing only that long slip, yes." he muttered. "You're not scared of mom at all are you Princess?"
"No." she said shaking her head. "Mom will live longer and not be as old when I am older."
"Even though she needs to be returned to her real age?"
"I'm missing over thirty years of my life. Twenty I could handle. This many, no. Sally, turn and look over your father's shoulder for a moment."
"Okay." she said looking away.
"This drive you crazy?" she asked holding up a pair of panties.
"No. You don't do thongs." he said in Japanese, which he had been teaching her. Sally wasn't learning any languages other than English at the moment. "Must be something that was accidentally put in with the rest of the lingerie. Or something Vala would wear…or one of the other ladies."
"Oh, wrong pair. I meant these?" she said holding up some blue lacy, but non thong panties and a matching strapless bra.
"You are enjoying torturing me like this." he said in English.
"Damn straight. Teal'c didn't see anything fortunately, but as soon as I stood up, my pants and underwear were around my feet. Vala was the same way. At least our tops covered our hips. The lights were dimmed so we didn't see anything of each other either." she muttered as she put the undergarments on after tossing the slip. "I do admit I like having the hair long again. That's the biggest thing I hated about joining the Air Force."
"It is different. You look cute younger."
"How does this work?" Vala asked as she came out and spun around.
She had on blue jeans with sparkly little stars on them plus a white belt that had metal button holes. White socks with sneakers that were red plus a multi dyed shirt that just covered her belly button. Sam kept looking for something else and Ford figured that it was because Vala and her had showered together more than once with who knows how many other women in the female locker room which would explain why she hadn't tried to cover herself when Vala came out. It still bothered him, but he couldn't do anything about it and wasn't going to start an argument he would never win.
"That works." Ford said. "If you're looking for the hippy look."
"Can I turn back around mommy?"
"Sorry, one moment dear." she said.
She found a wavy black skirt that was just above her knees and a loose black blouse plus a ladies suit jacket that matched with a pair of slightly high heeled shoes to match finished the outfit. She looked into the mirror and smiled while saying it was finally okay.
"What do you think?" she said giving him a twirl.
"Mommy looks pretty."
"Yep. She's killing me."
"Very nice Sam." Vala said impressed. "Hard to tell it is even you."
He sighed and walked out quickly as she gave him a special look that made Vala laugh.
"Why is mommy killing you? You can't die daddy."
"You'll learn what I meant later when you are older." they heard him say as they kept walking down the hall.
"Oh yeah, I knew that would rile him up." she said smiling brightly.
"You did that on purpose." Vala said. "Even I could see the effect."
"Yes I did. I wouldn't have if he had to change like the rest of us."
"Wonder why he didn't change much?"
"Ford has always been big, in more ways than one. He finished growing at 16 or 17. Everything else after that was muscle. I don't know why, but I'm a virgin again. I've told him on more than one occasion I would have waited for him if I knew then what I know now. Ain't really the same thing, but…."
"This is so unfair. On the bright side, even if Daniel and I were sleeping together, we couldn't now if I wanted to. Are you actually going to wear that?"
"No. I just did it to drive him nuts and it worked perfectly. I found something else while looking I'm going to change into. Really, I think this makes me look sluttish."
"Well, you two do go at it a lot from what I understand."
"We're married, we're suppose to be having lots of sex."
"And I am so jealous of both those facts." Vala whined.
Daniel and Mitchell both were wearing white T-shirts and blue jeans, plus sneakers, mostly because it was easier to find and being guys, they didn't care much for what they needed to look like at the moment. Daniel had little choice and was surprised to actually find kiddy clothes that weren't Sally's. The T.A.R.D.I.S. did provide for them sometimes when they were looking for something in particular, but it wasn't huge things. Since it did it for the Doctor, they weren't surprised too much about it, but had yet to figure out how it was happening. The General, Sally and Vala were already in the Console Room as they entered with Teal'c, who had not changed, but did have to tighten his belt a notch.
"Sam's still getting dressed?" Daniel asked.
"Apparently the outfit before was for my amusement." he grumbled as he was messing with the controls. "If it wasn't for the fact we are married, I would have felt like a pedophile."
"She isn't that young. A lot of girls at sixteen have sex." Mitchell said.
"Yes, but I think they should all wait till 18 before giving their innocence away, no matter how in love they are." he said as he looked over to find Sally petting K-9's head and telling him good dog, which she liked to do for some reason.
"What are you going to do if we end up having to grow up again?" Mitchell asked as he crossed his arms in his oversized leather coat he kept on. "Wait, two years to sleep together again? Would you actually wait that long?"
"Knowing Sam, even if this problem is fixable before the end of the week, she'll have already jumped me at least once." he muttered.
"And you're not going to stop her?" Mitchell said without thinking and then got a look. "Right, you can't say no to her."
"Duh."
"You two would already be at it if none of us was here." Daniel said.
"Oh, I know they would." Vala said.
"Where are we currently General?" Teal'c asked.
"Hiding in a crater on the moon. When we made an emergency stop, she was suppose to dematerialize and land on the nearest planet. Being right at the halfway point between Earth and the moon, ironically, she chose the moon after a couple of minutes, other than because it got closer, but also because we have her programmed not to just drop in on Earth like the Doctor does because it would draw to much suspicion and questions."
"Wouldn't we just end up at home in the mountains or at your house?" Mitchell asked.
"We would, but currently we are over Asia, so…."
"Are we in our time?" Daniel asked.
"Weekend is almost over, Saturday, 8:38 pm. I'm surprised we haven't been contacted yet by the Odyssey or Stargate Command. Someone should have noticed us by now."
"Is everything as it was when we left General?" Teal'c asked.
"As far as I can tell. Readings show everything normal and that the chronometric partial traces I detect are from us when we left that Friday night after work."
"Okay, have you figured out what has happened and how to fix us?" Carter asked walking in.
She was wearing zip up boots, black jeans and one of his shirts that had the Enterprise A on it, not tucked in. Her hair was in a pony tail and her dog chains, with rings, around her neck on the outside of the shirt.
"Why are you wearing your rings around you neck?" Vala asked.
"Don't fit my fingers."
"Nor mine." Ford said as he did the same with his rings, leaving the chain outside his shirt. "You did change, thank god. The other outfit was great, but too showy. More showy than that red dress. As for the why and how to fix, K-9 is still working on it."
"Where should we go until then? No offense to K-9, but he's not really….um…medically inclined." Mitchell said.
"True. We'll have to stop in at the SGC infirmary and have Carolyn look at us. Maybe get Janet in as well." Ford said as he activated the different controls.
"Wait…" Carter said as she walked up and removed a phone that was in one section of the console. "I'll call Janet and tell her to meet us there. That way we don't have to wait for her to show up."
The conversation was short, mostly with Janet yelling over the phone in worry, but she said she'd be there shortly. Ford took the phone from Sam and muttered something before hanging up. Several minutes later, he dematerialized against the wall while Carolyn was looking at a couple of men in bed that had been injured while helping explore some ruins with another team. They were okay, just a few fractured bones and scrapes since a short wall fell over and some areas of the ground gave out. She called Landry telling him they were back and figured something must be wrong if they ended up in her area.
"Damn, I did it again." he muttered.
She walked up and noticed the door out was facing the wall.
"General, is everything okay? Do I need…."
"Um…you'll see in a moment. Janet should be along shortly. Hang on." he said going back in.
Janet came in as the T.A.R.D.I.S. dematerialized away.
"They call me, telling me to get here to help them and then they leave?" she asked.
"He….parked wrong. I guess that's the right…"
"Again? He's done it several times at the house in the mountains. And at their own home in Colorado Springs." Janet said as the ship came back.
The door opened slowly and he stepped out first, with Sally on his hip and Teal'c with him.
"Um…there's been a problem, one which we haven't figured out yet."
"General…did you get younger or something?" Carolyn asked. "Teal'c?"
"Indeed. I am now 76 years of age."
"Wow. What did you do to cause that?" Janet asked and then turned real serious. "I wouldn't mind loosing some years…..wait, please tell me you didn't play with that Fountain of Youth thing?"
"No it's locked up. Besides, Sally was with us when the….incident happened. She's fortunately unaffected. However, yes…I did loose some years, the others lost a bit more. K-9 is still doing a scan, search and identify program through the T.A.R.D.I.S."
"What's going on?" Landry asked as he entered. "Did you go off and fight someone else's war and end up getting seriously hurt General? Or I should say the team?"
"No." he said pointing at Sally who waved.
"Hi."
"Hey sweety." Landry said waving back with a smile. "So what's the problem then?"
The door opened and Mitchell came out first getting a few shocked looks.
"Colonel Mitchell?" Landry asked unsure.
"It's me sir. I'm just….19 at the moment." he said shrugging as Carolyn walked him over to a bed and told him to sit.
"Sam? Is that really you?" Janet asked grabbing her arms as she stepped out.
"What some girls wouldn't do to be 16 again. And I wasn't even wishing for it."
"You're 16?! Thank god you aren't pregnant. Who knows what would have happened then." Janet said as she pulled her to a bed. "You aren't…"
"No. We're too busy and not ready for another one."
Vala came out next with a covered yawn and sat on one of the beds as Carolyn pointed.
"How old are you two?" Landry asked.
"25." Ford said proudly.
"I am 76 General Landry. And if possible, I would prefer to stay that way."
"I do not see a problem with that. You barely look like you've changed anyway, though the hair is a bit longer. The rest of you….where's Doctor Jackson?"
"Right here." a small voice said as he walked out and had to look up at everything.
One of the reasons why it took what seemed a minute or so for them to come back after he parked against the wall wrong was that Daniel needed glasses he could wear, so he was able to make a pair with some equipment in the ship before they came back. The glasses looked the same, but were much smaller.
"Daniel?" Janet asked as she walked up and knelt down. "Oh my god. You must have been at the front of the blast or whatever it was."
"We don't even know what hit us to begin with." Ford said. "He and Mitchell were both together when…this happened. Why Daniel is six I don't know."
"Was the ship or K-9 affected?" Janet asked.
"No. Other than being shook up, it seemed we were the only ones effected by whatever hit us." he said trailing off and then snapped his fingers. "The T.A.R.D.I.S. was first hit and we were all in the Console Room, but Sally was in her room. Something must have gotten through the shield and through the door, hitting all of us."
"That would make sense, seeing as Sally isn't effected, but Mitchell and Daniel were both against the door. If it was some sort of wave or blast, even some invisible entity, why make Daniel much younger and not the same to Mitchell?" Carter said.
"K-9 is working on the technical aspects." Ford said. "You ladies and whoever else can do the other medical work in hopes we learn something."
"Isn't the medical equipment on the T.A.R.D.I.S. much more advanced than our equipment?" Carolyn asked.
"Yes, in many ways. But me and Sam, other than trying to figure a lot of it out, are still converting it to be able to scan more than just me. It's all basically set up to scan Time Lord physiology. You are welcome to use whatever you can to help you along though."
"As of this moment, SG-1 is on downtime until this is fixed. The only two of you that will be able to help if it becomes needed is you General and Teal'c." Landry said pointing.
"Wait a minute…"
"Mitchell, even though you are still a Colonel, your body has been compromised. No offense, but I doubt you have half the stamina you used to have."
"But…." he began. "I do admit I feel a little tired, but that's probably from being up for the last several hours like the rest of us. We ended up in another universe, had to wait on a very nice planet, ate and then finally came home. It might as well have been a full day for us."
"Wait a minute. What day are we in?" Carter asked.
"Sunday. Better than dragging in two tired doctors." Ford said as he sat on the bed with Sam, still holding Sally.
"Daniel, how do you feel?" Janet asked as she put him on a bed instead of letting him climb up.
"Tired. Small headache. Probably the glasses. Ford had to make me a new pair since my other ones wouldn't fit my face. I kept using the other ones for too long I think. It didn't help a lot, but it was better than not having anything."
"Are the rest of you tired?" Carolyn asked.
"I am not." Teal'c stated from the bed he sat on.
"I'm fine." Carter said with a small tone that only Janet noticed.
"Sam…" Janet began.
"What?" she asked innocently.
"Did she…" Janet started asking.
"Yes. You should have seen her previous outfit. But no we haven't." Ford said shaking his head. "No, I am not tired either. I feel perfectly fine."
"Same here." Carter said.
"I think it's more than adrenalin for you." she muttered quietly while checking her heartbeat. "Seriously, where do you get the energy?"
"I think that is why they call it sexual energy. It's hard to satisfy fully." Carter said very quietly to a stunned Janet. "Oh god, did I just say what I think I said?"
"Yes." Janet said and then muttered. "If I had to guess, you're still in puberty."
"Feels like it."
"Vala, how are you…." Carolyn said as she looked up from Daniel.
There was a soft snore and her curled up on the bed holding the pillow close to her chest.
"Hey Vala!" Ford shouted.
She sat up quickly and started to reach for a sword or gun she didn't have.
"What? What's going on? Why'd you wake me? I was in the middle of a good dream…"
"You must be really tired. It's only been maybe a minute or two. Don't you remember what happened?" Ford asked.
"Yeah, we lost some years because of some reason we don't know about." she said yawning. "Unless it is important, I'm going back to my beauty sleep."
"Did she do anything…." Carolyn asked as Vala instantly fell asleep.
"Other than exploring around the area while we were enjoying the view and also looking around, not really. I know she was hoping to find something valuable and even had K-9 out helping her look around for things. Probably that couple miles of walking that made her exhausted." Ford said. "The gravity was a bit heavier than here."
"Yeah, I thought that was the case." Mitchell said. "What, say two G's higher?"
"I didn't actually check." Ford said.
"Okay, Doctor Jackson is complaining of a headache, other than being tired. Anything else, from anyone?" Carolyn asked.
"Is it just me or does everything seem a bit brighter than normal?" Mitchell asked.
The others said no and when she shined a light in his eyes, he backed off quickly complaining that hurt.
"I want a full blood work, on all of you. Just in case, I want a head CT and MRI of both Jackson and Mitchell." Carolyn stated as nurses came to attention and got the necessary supplies. "Also check Vala to see if she is still Immortal."
"Ford…"
"Yes Janet."
"Seeing as I do know a little more about the medical equipment in the T.A.R.D.I.S. than Doctor Lam knows, and I am sure you and Sam would both like more privacy when I examine you both, I suggest we go in there now while Lam works out here with the others."
"Oh god. You want a full…."
"Yes, on both of you."
He hung his head and followed Sam in, who carried Sally with her.
The next morning, everyone got up feeling fine. Daniel wanted his coffee and out of the infirmary to get to work. Teal'c had stayed in his room on the base and was currently eating in the mess hall. It wasn't anything Ford made, but it was good anyway since Ford did have the chefs do better jobs. Vala had left earlier and was eating as well. Mitchell was feeling really good, a little tired and was being checked over before being allowed to go eat as well. The other two were still in the T.A.R.D.I.S., with Sally and Janet, and had yet to come out. The rest of SG-1 had already left the infirmary and were out working or whatever when they came out. Janet came out earlier, about an hour after she would normally show up if she was still working there and started working on the blood work and other test. She had tried to get the other two up, but they refused to open the door and had it locked, ignoring her yelling at them, more at Sam than him for going against her orders. She eventually left and checked on Sally, who was still sleeping despite the commotion. Seeing as the baby monitor was on, she left in a huff. Those two came out a hour later, and they were both tired, but feeling great, in more ways than one. Janet did some test on Sam and everything came back around noon on all of them saying they were all in perfect health, just the age problem being their current, problem.
"K-9 still hasn't learned anything yet has he?" Carter asked as she entered the T.A.R.D.I.S., which was in their room on the base.
She was in, her size, blue SGC BDU's. He was currently in a red three piece that had small black diamond shapes running lines on it like a pin stripe, just farther apart.
"Actually, a energy signature similar to the power the Ori hit us." he said as he was working on the controls.
"The Ori? One of the ships managed to shoot us? How's that possible? No Ori ships are even near our solar system."
"The Priors power I mean. Their power or ascended power if you wish." he said waving a hand. "I really haven't got any clue why or how that sort of…attack or whatever we want to call it to cause what has happened. Technically, it shouldn't have been effected at all."
"I know. Maybe you were changed with us because it wasn't anything life threatening and she knew that."
"Possible." he muttered as he stared at a readout on the screen. "Janet still pissed?"
"Yes. Maybe it is because she is feeling motherly or something over me because she is older or maybe because she made Cassandra wait till after she turned 18 and I didn't, setting bad example or something. We've been having sex for years, just because I am 16 now doesn't mean I can't continue doing it. K-9 says I am just fine, physically, mentally and medically."
"Hmm."
"Are you even paying attention to me?" she asked looking at the screen briefly.
"Yes, Janet is mad we had sex, more at me than you because I should have said no, K-9 says your fine on many levels and I remember he said your body wasn't ready to make a baby so we were safe on that account too. The shields were on the entire time, so the energy field we went through must have been…" he said rolling his hand as he thought. "Moving through time itself or was only effective on time machines, possibly subspace in nature and was attracted to us."
"You have no idea."
"Neither does the T.A.R.D.I.S. One moment the sensors say we were heading for the Earth to land, nothing in our way at all, and then it was suddenly there and she couldn't avoid it. She went through it and I hit the emergency stop, though she was going to land on Earth anyway. Probably would have been a rough landing though."
"Does that mean, had you not pulled the emergency stop, that we'd probably just be bruised instead of what we are at the moment?"
"I…ah, not sure really." he said moving the screen down to read the further info. "The T.A.R.D.I.S. doesn't have anything on if that could have been the case either. K-9 suspects it has something to do with the unusual particles of unknown elements in the air on that planet, which even the T.A.R.D.I.S. couldn't identify but could at least say weren't dangerous. But, seeing as nothing medically is coming up in any of the test, it had to have been something else."
"Has this sort of…thing, happened on Doctor Who?"
"Back when Tom Baker was playing him, there was a slightly similar incident, but that was from outside forces making his companions age or de-age depending on if he traveled in time and away from….it was either a planet or a ship. No, I think it was a ship. Seeing as our T.A.R.D.I.S. doesn't have any information in the databanks, like the Doctor's came with, since we've had to fill that in ourselves, I can't make a reference with that scenario. But I'm guessing no because we tested that theory when we parked her here instead of leaving her in the infirmary."
"Even though all the Doctor Who episodes are in the databanks."
"To her, they are like all the other TV shows and movies we've saved. It has given some incite as to more of her abilities for us to know about and such, but otherwise…"
"Unless she could tie into the Doctor's T.A.R.D.I.S. to get helpful info, we've got nothing. I'm surprised we haven't ended up meeting him, either by us ending up with him in his universe or visa versa."
"I've tried, but no amount of concentrating has worked. I heard you talking to Sally a few minutes ago, how is she?"
"Sally is still working with K-9 at the desk doing school work. I'm actually surprised she is willing to do it. He is keeping her monitored closely in case anything suddenly changes. He still detects no trace of the energy that hit us in her at all."
"She likes reading and learning, though she prefers being read to. I was helping her earlier and then got an idea about an hour ago." he said rubbing his hands through his hair as he stepped back. "Which didn't work out as much as I had hoped. But we did learn about the energy signature, just not the cause or why. What about the others?"
"Janet has limited Daniel to only three cups of coffee, and none near night. I think he's had five though and it's only just after 1:00. Other than being wired, he seems okay. Actually finished a few projects quickly and then, got bored."
"Wait, bored?"
"He wanted to go play."
"Play huh? Must be his body catching up with his mind. Or he is realizing he has a chance to relive his childhood with good memories. So, where is he?"
"Off base with his parents, doing something. I think they are at a amusement park. Personally, his parents wouldn't mind raising him again. They'd still be working here, so…."
"You know Daniel will never go for that, even though he would keep his job, despite the people on the hill and a few head shrinks who think otherwise. Between Jack, Landry and me, we got them to back off, for the moment. A couple people suggested Daniel go into a foster home, assuming that he has to grow up again, mostly because they don't know the full details of Daniel's parents being back. Worse case, he lives in here for as long as he needs. So, what about Mitchell?"
"In the gym. He figures if this can't be reversed, he better start working out now to get back in the game to ensure he can continue going off world. Teal'c is in the gym enjoying the feel of better vitality too. Vala…I think is in the gym or sparring with Kate, not sure. She might even be off base."
"Vala probably passed the test to continue going off world."
"Yeah, she does, and is still Immortal. Landry says that she is fit enough to do so, Teal'c and you too. Not happening for Daniel at all, not unless it is extremely important that he has to go and even then, you or Teal'c would have to be there with another team to ensure his safety. Bad enough as an adult he trips a lot, being a child, he could break something a lot easier."
"You don't qualify then." he said leaning against the open door to the outside.
"Mentally, yes. Physically, no. I can fire a nine, but not as great as before. Mitchell is way better at it than I am. I did keep in shape when I was this young, but not to the standards that we have around here."
"And you're not worried about that?"
"This can't be permanent."
"And if it is?"
"I'm trying not to think of it like that. Though mom and dad don't mind me being young again and the fact they know I can't go off world like this, I would hate to lose my job and position because of this. So you have to fix us, which includes yourself. How did you do on the test?"
"I still run fast enough to qualify and can fire my guns accurately, but not as rapid as normal. Coat is a bit heavy, but not a lot. In any case, unless I need it, I have it hung on the coat rack here."
"Heard you did some sparring with Kate and Vala earlier."
"Yes, and I beat them easily like always. Basically, I passed. You and Daniel are the only ones that can't go off world."
"Unless it is in her." she said patting the console.
The next day, SG-1 was at work like normal, and other than the age change, they seemed to be acting like they normally did. Daniel however kept going from keeping a sharp focus on his work to spacing off and playing games on his computer or going to the rec room to play the various video game systems. Shortly after lunch and them all being together talking during that time for a good hour, problems arose. They had all went their separate ways, back to their jobs and had been doing so for ten minutes when they were all called to the infirmary because Vala collapsed.
"What happened?" Carter asked as she entered first.
"She was sparring with Kate. Kate said Vala backed up and looked disoriented before she dropped to the floor suddenly." Lam said while holding a chart as K-9 came in shortly after they did. "I've barely started any test, but I can tell you this. Whatever caused you all to de-age, it went away on her."
The group looked to see Vala in the bed looking like her normal self again, and still asleep.
"Did Kate see what happened?" Ford asked as he ran his Sonic Screwdriver over her.
"She said when she called for medical help and turned Vala over, Vala looked like she does now." Lam said. "I want to run test on all of you right now, just in case."
They groaned but went to different beds as various nurses came forward.
"Do any of you feel, anything other than you normally do?" Lam asked as one nurse looked at her and then Ford, who Lam waved for the lady to go deal with.
"I'm perfectly fine." Ford said as he brushed off the nurse and stood near Carter's bed.
"I need to determine…"
"K-9, what is my status?"
"Scans indicate you are in perfect health Master."
"What about the rest of us, and Vala?" Carter asked.
"Scanning Mistress." K-9 said as the nurses were taking blood from the others anyway. "Miss Doran is perfectly healthy and back to her normal readings Mistress."
"And the rest of SG-1?" Lam asked with a somewhat gruff voice.
"Teal'c reads perfectly normal Doctor. Doctor Jackson, Colonel Mitchell and the Mistress have unstable readings."
"Clarify K-9." Carter asked with worry.
"Apologies Mistress. Readings indicate your DNA is in a state of unknown flux that I cannot identify. I am uncertain of the cause, nor can I speculate of what may happen if the flux continues or stops."
"I want a full blood work up on all of them." Lam ordered quickly. "Do any of you…"
They all shook their heads saying they felt fine. Seeing as Daniel was a child, he got priority with the MRI machine and a few others before Lam was going to do the same to the rest of the team. As Daniel was being wheeled off, Ford called Janet to have her come in and help just in case.
A couple hours later, Daniel's blood work said he had an infection, but what they were unsure. There was an indication that his brain had swelled too, but went away within a few minutes or possibly a few seconds. Could have been that when his body was, de-aging or getting younger, shrinking was another term being tossed around, his head shrank, but his brain didn't go at the same speed and started getting crushed possibly, but that was an idea only since they had no real evidence of why his brain had swelled, though other test were being done. The test from before were totally clean so they weren't sure why this had happened or when. He was currently asleep since he complained of a massive migraine that started up half way into the MRI scan. The General muttered something about a possible caffeine deficiency since Daniel had been a big coffee drinker for most of his life and hadn't had but one cup that day so far. The theory was going to be tested later if he awoke with a headache still. It was also possible he was feeling bad because of the coffee he was drinking since he was a child again, and being a child, he shouldn't be drinking it at all.
Teal'c's blood work came back saying he was doing much better than his normal test results, but since those test usually were the results of a man over a hundred and he was at least fifty years from what he was before, the results weren't that surprising. However, he was running a temperature and did mention he was beginning to feel a little warmer than usual so, he was currently laying in the bed with a hospital gown that had bottoms and drinking water. More test were still in progress or being waited for results too. They were waiting to see if the results of using more Tretonin would have the effect like he said he usually did when he didn't feel well.
Mitchell's eyes became so sensitive to light he couldn't even handle looking at a flame on a candle. He was also running a fever and had a infection somewhere as well that was being treated with antibiotics. They figured it was something in his eyes causing the extreme sensitivity that was also giving him a blinding headache every time he saw light, so he had one of those eye covers for when sleeping at night. His test also seemed to show he was a little on the dehydrated side so an IV bag was hooked up to him.
Vala was still Immortal, still capable of having children, and still asleep. She was perfectly healthy and back to normal. Seeing as there was no problems with her, medically, she was put in her room and being monitored in case anything happened. So far, other than moving a few times in her sleep, she was still out since the sparring match.
Sally was checked over, again, just in case and she was still as healthy as her last medical checkup two weeks ago. Ford, was in perfect health as well. There was nothing wrong with him at all according to all the test, other than the fact he was still 25, and still capable of having children. He really didn't want to do that test, but Janet insisted and Carter was worried, plus she had a test done on her just in case, and they both passed.
Carter's test showed she had an infection as well, plus the elevated adrenal levels and hormones, mostly because her body was telling her she was going through puberty again. However, they couldn't find where her infection was either and it was causing her to have a 100 degree fever at the moment.
Daniel did wake up an hour later, but with a minor headache. At first they were going to give him children's aspirin or caffeine pills.
"No, I want my coffee."
"Doctor Jackson…"
"Just give him the coffee." Ford said as he tried to rub the sleep from his eyes as he yawned while leaning against the bed Sam was in moments ago.
"But he's…." Carolyn began.
"He's thirty…um….no…"
"I can stick with 30. No need to say how old I really am." Daniel said quickly as he rubbed his tired eyes.
"Mr. Forty something turned 6 or 9 or whatever….look, having coffee isn't going to do anything. Even if it was going to stunt his growth as stupid as I think that rumor is, when we get this figured out, he'll be back to being old again, so it won't matter." Ford stated. "He's been drinking coffee all this time so far and I don't think it is the cause for the current troubles. What are you glaring at me for Janet?"
"I keep telling her no and for her to tell you no." she said with crossed arms.
"I'm so glad the walls are sound proof." he muttered and then hid a yawn. "Janet wants to kill us."
"I thought the walls…" she said sitting in the bed again after coming back from the bathroom.
"They are. I should have separated you two. Who knows what…"
"Janet, we had sex, again. I doubt anything medically is going to happen bad because of it. I feel fine, other than being hot, tired and a slight headache. Probably because I haven't had my second or third cup of coffee yet either."
Janet walked up closer and asked quietly how many times and Sam muttered off a double digit. When Janet looked at Ford for confirmation, they all noticed he had his head on Sam's shoulder, and asleep.
"Ford." she said shrugging him off.
"Hmm, what?" he said confused at first before shaking himself awake. "Damn. I need some coffee too. However today turns out, we are skipping tonight. I need sleep and so do you."
Janet threw her hands in the air while looking up and shaking her head as she walked away.
"Teal'c?" she asked going to him.
"I am well."
"Still feeling hot?"
"No. I believe the extra Tretonin did as it was suppose to. I am however hungry."
"I'm not. I'm sort of nauseated and can't see." Mitchell muttered as he woke up slowly.
"Colonel, you have…." Carolyn began as she walked over.
"I know. I removed it and noticed right away I'm blind, that was…maybe an hour ago. I was too tired to think or say anything and hearing even less, I fell back asleep." he said sitting up slowly and then opening his eyes. "Please tell me this can be fixed?"
His eyes were almost totally white and his face looked flushed.
"Colonel, I am shining a light…" Carolyn said while doing that.
"I don't see it."
"What else are you feeling, because most people are usually worried at this stage?"
"Feel like I have a fever, my feet feel numb, nausea, blindness and oh…my head hurts. How's Vala and the others?"
"Vala is still asleep, though one of the nurses said she got up at some point, changed clothes in the bathroom and came back to only fall asleep moments later. Daniel….we'll know more in a few moments. Teal'c…." she said looking back. "Has apparently left to eat."
"I guess Janet let him leave." Mitchell muttered. "What about…"
"The General and Sam are both tired. Sam has a fever though, but blames it on not having her extra cups of coffee. Do you want some since everyone else has asked?"
"No. The very thought of anything is making me feel ill. What the hell is going on?" he asked rubbing his belly.
"We don't know yet. About my…"
"I've worked here long enough to realize even in the most dire circumstances, miracles can take place. Even if I die, somehow the General will find a way to bring me back safe and sound."
"I guess he does give that impression. Are you feeling thirsty at all?"
"Yeah, a little."
Mitchell lay back as ordered while she checked him over and Daniel finished his coffee while Sam and Ford were still drinking theirs.
"Daniel?"
"Tasted like crap." he said coughing as he gave up the cup.
"And yet, you drank it all. This is your personal blend."
"I know, and it tasted terrible. Ford, did you spike my coffee?"
"No. Jack would do that, not me." he said walking over.
"Do you have a chocolate bar on you?" Janet asked.
"Yes." he said fishing it out.
"Daniel, try a piece of this."
"Why?" he asked looking at the piece.
"Seeing as I have no other food nearby for you to test…."
He took a bite and spit it out quickly and started coughing.
"Daniel…" she said quickly moving to his side as he kept coughing and then threw up all over the bed as Ford pulled her back in time.
"Daniel…" Ford asked as he put a hand on Daniel's shoulder.
"That tasted worse. And I still taste it. I've ate bugs that have tasted…"
"Okay, now I am getting sick." he said tossing the bar he started finishing into the trash.
"Did it taste fine to you?" Janet asked as she was checking Daniel over with the help of a nurse.
"It did until he mentioned bugs. I gotta…" he said walking away quickly before he got sick.
"Daniel, talk to me."
"My head hurts again, I think I'm going to puke, the room is spinning…."
His eyes rolled and then he passed out on the pillow. Janet called for additional help as Carolyn stayed with Mitchell, who wasn't feeling well either. Ford and Carter couldn't do much other than watch as their teammates and family were looked after.
"Seeing as you are feeling just fine, I'm guessing whatever it was that hit us, did the most to the people in the Console Room. It was just me and them, but I don't think I can get sick either since I can't die anyway. The T.A.R.D.I.S. readouts say she is performing at peak efficiency so…."
"Because me, Vala and Teal'c were in another part with Sally, we weren't effected as bad." Carter said.
"That's all I can think of. Mitchell…."
"He's passed out as well. Said his head started to feel like it was going to explode and then fell over. At least he didn't get sick." Carolyn said as she wrote down on his chart and then had a few nurses get him prepped for several test.
"You three are in trouble. All these different test haven't come up with anything and even K-9 hasn't been able to find out anything other than the strange flux he detected earlier has diminished and caused damage to various areas of you bodies. So far, the major impacts have been on Daniel's taste and Mitchell's eyes. Are you feeling anything strange Sam?" Janet asked.
"My chest kinda hurts."
"How long?" Janet asked as she placed a stethoscope under the shirt.
"Several minutes at most." she said with a grimace.
"Sam…" Ford asked worried.
"Probably gas." she muttered as Janet moved the scope around.
"That's usually Jack's excuse." Ford muttered.
"Quiet you two." Janet said harshly. "K-9, get over here."
"Yes Doctor Frasier."
"Scan Sam's heart. It doesn't sound right."
"Scanning."
"Janet…" Carter asked worried.
"Either your heart is pumping extra beats or you have something like a murmur." Janet said with worry.
"Someone get Vala up, now!" Ford said quickly as he pointed at the nurses. "We need that hand healing device as well."
A couple nurses ran off to do his orders as Sam laid back as she started breathing harder.
"Mistress, your heart rate is abnormal. Scans indicate there is scarring and several other unknown damaging effects on your heart."
"What?" the two asked scared.
"There is no history of heart disease or other heart problems you haven't told me about is there Sam?" Janet asked as she stayed as professional as possible even though extreme worry was in her voice.
"Other than the cancer dad got, I think that was it on both sides." she said as she tried to calm her breathing at Ford's urging.
"K-9, how bad is it?" Ford asked quickly.
"I do not…"
"Best guess K-9." Carter said quickly.
"You will need a heart transplant by tomorrow evening according to my data Mistress."
"What's going on? I was in the middle…" Vala asked as she came in tiredly.
"Get over here and get that hand device ready." Ford said quickly.
"What's happening? Sam, you look terrible." she said putting on the device.
"Sam's heart is failing." Ford said with a panicky voice.
He moved as she took his spot beside Carter and activated the device. After a good minute, she backed off and shook her head.
"It's not working. I can tell her heart is damaged, but I can't do anything to fix it." she said sadly. "I don't…"
"See what you can do with Mitchell's eyes." Janet said as a nurse pulled her away. "K-9, you can search the medical database and find a donor quicker than we can."
"I shall begin at once Doctor."
"Sam, the less stress you have, the less you put on your heart. I won't sedate you unless you let me." Janet said.
"Do it. Sleeping will help me relax better and will pass the time as well."
"Sam…" Ford began with tears.
"I will be fine." she said grabbing his hand. "I need the rest and you need to help the others."
"But…."
"Ford, we don't have the help that could save Daniel and Mitchell. I hate to say it, but there is nothing we can do for Sam at the moment. The better she is relaxed, the better off her heart stays." Janet said.
Sam slowly nodded her head as he looked at her. Giving her a quick kiss as Janet injected her I.V. line, he gave her hand a kiss and held it as she fell asleep.
"I'm going to make a phone call." he said quickly as he walked out into the hallway.
As he was calling his alternate timeline self, he heard Vala and the doctors talking as she said the device would only tell her the problems the two were having, but wouldn't do anything to fix them.
"Hello." the A.T. Ford said from the other end.
"Sam is dying and needs a heart transplant according to K-9." Ford said quickly.
"Um…yeah. I can't help you."
"What?!"
"She makes it through this, but I can't tell you how without screwing the time line in the process. Go help the other two and the answer of how to help Sam will come later. Talk to Janet."
Ford looked at the phone and felt like tossing it into the wall as he was hung up on. Putting it away, he walked back in and gave Sam a look before going to Janet and telling him the short conversation he just had.
"Okay, Vala's not able to heal Daniel or Mitchell and we're not sure what it really wrong with them. As far as we can tell, they aren't getting better but they aren't getting any worse either. Do you have any ideas?"
"Nothing. We're still working on setting the T.A.R.D.I.S. to work on physiology other than Time Lord. Even if it did work humans, we'd only have what medicine we have on hand right here anyway to work with. Do you have any ideas at all?"
"I have an idea and even talked to Hammond at one time when we had an incident here on the base, sometime before you arrived. I wanted to have someone I knew who was great with diagnostic medicine brought in to help, but I was told to try on my own. Thankfully, I was able to figure out the problem with my staff at the time. However, you have much greater influence and could bring this person in to help us."
"Are they a security risk?" he asked suspiciously.
"Not really. The main reason he wasn't ask before to help was because he has issues with the military. Something that has to do with his father. Great at his job, but is really rude and obnoxious."
"And he's the best?"
"Always saves the patient unless they are going to die because they can't be cured."
"Who and where?"
Doctor Gregory House was doing clinical duty at the moment on a father that accidentally shot his hand with a couple of nails from a nail gun. The son, 14, was there with him, having to had helped drive his father to the hospital since they couldn't afford the ambulance bill for the two mile drive. House was his usual sarcastic self as he removed the nails, prescribed medicine and did what he could for the hand, which the man was very thankful that his hand would recover and didn't have irreparable damage.
"As long as you don't drive like you're on the NASCAR track and have your son shift for you, you'll be able to drive one handed and not come back here from a car accident." he said handing over the prescription. "Go to the pharmacy here to get it filled."
"Thanks doc."
"Next time, don't have your hand in the way of the barrel." he said walking out with his cane. "Shoot wood, not yourself."
He signed the paper, closed the folder and placed in on the desk as one of his staff, 13, came up with a file on their latest patient.
"Her fever has spike again and we took her off the steroids since they weren't doing what they were suppose to." she said.
"And this info couldn't have been given to Foreman for what reason?" he asked with his usual sarcastic and grumpy tone.
"I couldn't find him count?"
"Did you try paging him perhaps? That usually works." he said while popping a couple Vicodin. "Or couldn't you find a phone in a hospital?"
"We are still waiting on the biopsies on the lesions." she said ignoring him. "Her history doesn't show signs of drug use and the boys didn't find anything at her house that could explain the lesions either. Her house was very clean, not even mold or mildew was in her shower. She doesn't drink and the blood work from her liver indicates it is completely healthy. She hasn't been out of the country in over two years, has had the Mazda truck she drives for five years and works at a brokerage firm nearby, mostly paperwork stuff."
"Still doesn't explain why she has lesions growing on top of her head. Did they check the products she uses on her hair like I told them?"
"She says that she has used those products for years and had no troubles. They are being checked anyway." she said quickly as he started to open his mouth. "Along with her toothpaste and other creams and female products she had at home."
"There is something she is not telling us." he said while thinking as he glanced around.
Seeing a four star General walk in, without a hat, nor tie and wearing metallic blue round rimmed sunglasses caught his attention as the man walked up to the desk and asked about him. The lady behind the desk pointed and the man pulled a photo from a file he had with him as he looked at House.
"What, is my father dying?" he asked as the man started to open his mouth. "Would serve his ass right."
"Um, no. I don't even know who your father is." Ford said as he walked around the desk and closed the file. "Not personally anyway. I'm here because I need your help."
"Why does the military need my help? Bad enough the C.I.A. took me off once already and then refused to tell me the full truth of the patient."
"Are you still telling people about that story House? What's going on here?"
The three looked as a dark haired lady in a woman's blue business suit walked up and set a file down. The blouse was rather low cut and the slits in the skirt rose up to mid thigh.
"It's the truth Cuddy." House said roughly. "That blouse gets any lower, the twins will be showing. Bet this guy would love to see that."
Ford didn't say anything as he rose his eyebrows and didn't look her way.
"Yeah, right. On both counts." she said crossing her arms. "Who are you?"
Ford looked back in the file a moment before taking his glasses off slowly and got different reactions from them seeing his eyes.
"The C.I.A. did call him in to help sometime ago. My name is Brigadier General Ford Carter. You must be Doctor Cuddy."
"Yes, I am." she said shaking his hand a bit more friendly than he wanted.
"I'm here because I need Doctor House's help."
"Why?" House asked as he leaned on his cane. "Don't the military doctors have access to things we can only dream of?"
"Yes, for the most part. I have some friends in desperate need. Our medical staff hasn't been able to figure out what is wrong with them and, one of the Doctor's said to get you for help. I trust her with my life so I came here."
"Something about your voice says they are more than friends."
"My wife needs a heart transplant." he said and then took a moment before speaking again. "The other two are people under my command that I consider family."
"And you can't tell me what is wrong with them because it would be classified I take it?" House asked with a bit of attitude.
"No. I will tell you everything once we get there though."
"The C.I.A. had the same attitude but didn't give me all the details and almost got their man killed. What makes you think I believe you and those doctors will tell everything?"
"Because, unlike the asinine C.I.A., I want my family to live even if it means breaching confidentiality issues." Ford said seeing House's eyes change to possibly believe him. "Considering how important I really am, being friends with the President, I doubt I'll loose my job. We can tell you everything that happened and do, but the moment you talk to anyone here or elsewhere, since you'll have to sign a nondisclosure agreement to keep quiet, let's just say, trouble will be the least you'll be in. Treason is just one of the charges you'll be brought up on."
"Is that a threat?" House asked sarcastically. "Because you almost made me shake in my boots."
"Where is it you'd be taking him?" Cuddy asked cutting in before House or the man could continue bickering. "You are taking one of my more important Doctors."
"See, I always knew you cared for me." House said smiling at her sweetly. "I knew there was more to us than just the sex."
Ford was unsure of how to take that as she glared at him and looked ready to slap him as well.
"We have never been together." she stated.
"I'm on the clock. My family is I mean. We need to hurry." he said ignoring her.
"What if I don't want to go?"
"House, our patient just crashed and had to be shocked back to life. We don't…." Foreman began as walked up.
"Can't you see I'm busy entertaining the U.S. military." he said sarcastically. "You can't be a real General in the Air Force. You're not allowed to have hair that long."
"I get special treatment." Ford said with a small smile. "And I have the President on speed dial. Now, time is short and you have three ways of coming with me."
"You are threatening me." House stated a bit appalled.
"That's one of the ways. Seeing as your leg is injured and you need help to get off the floor if you fall and there is nothing nearby to help you get up, I could easily knock you on your back and drag you out of here." he said with a straight face. "Two, I could have everything you own seized in moments and all your bank accounts froze and your job revoked in seconds. Or we can go with option three, which you should like a lot."
"How da…" Cuddy began when Ford raised a finger.
"Wow, not many people get her to shut up that quickly." House stated. "If the first two options are bad, then the last must be worse, not better."
"I'm willing to buy your help Doctor House. If I was in your office, I might even beg, but not here in front of everyone."
"You must really care for these people." House said softly as he heard the desperate tone in the General's voice.
"I trust them with my life and they with theirs. Wait, there is a fourth option." he said reaching into his coat.
Using the counter, he wrote out a check quickly and handed it to a surprised Cuddy.
"Is that enough to buy him for a week or two?"
"House, what did you do this time? Or is it about your father?" a voice asked before Cuddy could say anything.
Ford did a double take at the dark brown haired man that walked up in a doctor's coat, blue button up shirt and black slacks.
"Neither Wilson. This man has some friends in dire need of my expertise. Bad enough he gave Cuddy a five million dollar check to buy me for a week, or more."
"Oh. Has he said what is wrong with his fr….five million dollars!!!" Wilson exclaimed loudly.
"I think it is fake." House stated.
"Who are you?" Ford asked a bit more quickly and loudly than he should have as he noticed he startled the people like Wilson did.
"I'm, Doctor James Wilson." he said slowly.
"Do you know the name O'Neill at all? Two LL's."
"I have a cousin or uncle, something like that with that name."
"You're coming with as well. Let's go."
"Wait, go? Go where?" Wilson said as Ford pulled on his arm and pushed him towards the front door.
"If you're bringing Wilson, then it must be important." House said as he headed for the door.
"Wait, where…"
"The man needs help Cuddy. He did just pay for it, and since it did it in front of everyone here and for the cameras, it has to be real. He even dated the check for today."
"But a second ago you didn't even want to leave."
"Wilson is going so I'm going." he said with a shrug.
"There's another reason he's not saying." Foreman stated.
"Do you know what it is?" Cuddy asked as they left through the front door.
"No. But House's face changed to extreme curiosity when that man looked at Wilson, twice." Foremen said.
"So, where are we going?"
"Colorado." Ford said as he opened a limo for them to enter.
"Oh, the scenic tour." House said as he entered and saw the lavish open space to sit in. "Even has stocked bar."
"We must be riding on a pretty big or fast jet then." Wilson said as Ford got in and closed the door.
The black limo took off and down the road to the nearest airbase as planned. The two inside noticed that the windows were heavily tinted to keep people from seeing inside the car or the driver.
"Yes, I have him and someone else." Ford said into his cell phone. "Because Colonel, the other guy is important as well. Yeah, I'll take whatever blame that happens."
"Blame that happens?" Wilson asked slowly as Ford hung up.
"We aren't going into a war zone. Your lives are not in danger." he said taking a small bottle of some drink from House. "You can drink all you want after helping my friends. I don't want you intoxicated while working on them."
"We won't even be there for several hours." House stated sarcastically as he reached for the bottle again. "By then, it will be out of my system enough I can think straight easily. And I've worked on patients before and was a bit drunk and still saved them."
"We'll be there a lot sooner." he said setting the bottle aside and opening the folder again. "I need you both to sign these."
"What are they?" Wilson asked.
"Nondisclosure agreements. What I am going to tell you and show you, you cannot ever tell anyone."
"What, are we going to see little green men?" House asked sarcastically.
"No, they are gray actually and close friends. And I doubt you'll be seeing them unless we need to call them for help because you can't do it."
"You didn't bring me to help then?" Wilson asked, thinking that Ford was joking.
"You are another doctor and since you work with House, you must be very good and the extra hand could be what we need. Plus, I think a very close friend that should be arriving at the base we are going to will want to see you. You almost look like him in some ways." Ford said as Wilson was looking over the details of the agreement. "Look, just sign it and I can give you more details."
"This better not come back and bite us in the ass." House muttered as Wilson signed it and then he did a bit reluctantly.
Taking the papers back, he dialed his cell again.
"We're ready Colonel."
"One moment General. We're waiting for the car to stop at the next red light." the driver said.
"What's going…" House began after the car stopped.
A bright light surrounded them and then they were outside the infirmary. Wilson was beyond shocked and Ford grabbed Houses arm as he began to fall.
"Wha…" the two men began.
"Everything will be explained later." he said gently pushing them into the bustling infirmary as Janet walked up. "Medical work now."
(A.N. I had a few people that I had asked for help with this crossover using detailed medical knowledge for you all to read about the different conditions that group had and such. Alas, those people unfortunately for me, had many things in their personal life come up making it so they didn't have time to help. For those of you who know I asked and are reading this, I harbor no ill will or bad feelings for not being able to help me here. That being said, this chapter and crossover won't be as great as I wanted and this is all I was able to come up with and do. I would have just did some other story idea and plot here, but couldn't really come up with anything and had to do what you're about to read because it is important to the story and things to come.)
Mitchell and Daniel were taken to observation room one while Sam was put in observation room two. K-9 and the T.A.R.D.I.S. were in room two with her along with a couple of nurses that kept watch in case anything happened. They had been taken from the infirmary shortly after Ford beamed out to get help so that House wouldn't see the T.A.R.D.I.S. Everyone was already told to keep from talking about it and the story was that SG-1 was off world working on ancient ruins that were said to be cursed when the unknown bright light of some unknown energy hit the group. Two hours had gone by so far and the medical team had yet to make much progress on any of them, with the only good news being that their conditions didn't get any worse and Sam's problem being she was running out of time and no donors had yet to come up in the search. Teal'c and Vala were checked over anyway but nothing about them was found different or bad so they were allowed to go back to their normal routine. Ford had yet to change either and stayed by Sam's side while she continued to stay in a medically induced coma to keep from having any complications.
Janet and some of the medical staff were in the commissary eating along with Ford who was at a table by himself in the corner near the closed memorial amore like cabinet Ford put up some years ago. He picked at his food, not even having much interest in the cake as House and Wilson sat down across from him, not even bothering to ask if it was okay, which was mostly House's fault since he was going to sit there anyway no matter what the General said.
"So, I hear you're wife's condition hasn't changed, which is a good thing even though the problem with her heart is a bad thing. Even though I've been able to look at her medical records and the current ones on her, I still don't understand why we can't see her other than from her service picture." House said as Ford didn't even react to being talked to.
"House, she's obviously a special case. Or you could say, not in the same danger as the rest of the team is since her illness is already figured out making it so that she only needs to be monitored and not checked over and over again like the others who we're still trying to figure out what is wrong. The rest of the team is in worse shape than she is so seeing her wouldn't make anything we're doing for his friends change the situation." Wilson said as House grunted indifferently.
"Still doesn't mean that there isn't something underlining about her that could help us that they're not telling us about. Such as the fact that her doctor told her not to have sex since her body is sixteen again and going through puberty, and they've went at it several times already." House said loud enough everyone heard it making Ford flinch but not look up from his food or say anything.
"Are you trying to piss him off?" Wilson asked while slightly but not really shocked at House's brashness. "Or didn't you hear about how he deals with people he doesn't like or threatens his friends and family?"
"Oh yes, the bad ass General here is going to shoot me or attack me in some fashion." House said mockingly. "I'm a cripple and more importantly, the doctor here taking care of his friends making me even more important because I was personally brought in to help. Besides, I didn't make any threatening comments about his friends."
"No, you made remarks about his wife. Which is much worse than talking bad about his friends."
"Do you have something you want to say, ask or point out Doctor House or are you just trying to rile me?" Ford asked while putting his fork down and then leaning on the table with both elbows with his hands together and his forehead on them as he continued to look down.
"Does all three count?" House asked with a bit of attitude as Wilson shook his head and tried to eat some sandwich in peace. When Ford didn't respond, House took a few bites of his steak before continuing on. "How about we start with the truth about what really happened."
"A strange unknown energy we have yet to figure out hit all of us and had us knocked out for an hour or so, don't remember the exact amount of time, we all found ourselves changed, came back home and, now we are at this situation." Ford muttered while not moving.
"I got the whole this is what we do here from some Walter guy." House said as he wiped his mouth. "And as expected, children aren't allowed to go through this gate. However, you're child was with you when this happened and she wasn't effected."
Ford looked up with surprise that he was unable to hide. His eyes widened considerably as House continued.
"Further more, the story seems to be you and this team were off world in a ship or flying through space in the said ship of some sort when all this happened. By the look on your face, I have just proved the same thing I always say, everyone lies. So, you want to tell us what really happened and let us do our jobs properly or do you want me to continue to work on your friends without knowing everything and probably getting them killed because I didn't have all the facts." House stated sternly as he leaned forward and almost got into Ford's face.
"House, I seriously doubt having people or yourself checking their homes like you do with your team is going to give us anything like it normally does." Wilson said. "Those medical charts we've seen and read even tell us when they've had a Tylenol if they were at home with a headache on their day off."
"We were in a ship flying home when an unknown energy blast hit us. The ship was fine but we ended up as we are now. No, you can't see the ship and no you can't go to our homes like you have your team do back in Princeton or whatever the hell you work is." Ford said tonelessly as he was not intimidated by the stare House gave him. "Whether you want to believe that story or not is up to you. Considering we've told you the biggest secret the military has, including the fact we have spaceships and transporter technology, why would we hold back on medical information about our people?"
"He's got a point House." Wilson said. "They even let us see the medical information on that alien they have, T, something…"
"Teal'c." Ford said.
"We haven't seen your chart General. In fact, it is off limits. Why is that?" House asked as he sat back.
"I'm not human, for the most part." he muttered. "What I am is….very different. So different my blood would probably kill anyone would ended up getting it transfused into them. Which is why my blood is never taken for anything more than test. Anything else you want to ask?"
"Fine, I'll accept that for now. But what I don't get is why your daughter was with you. From what I've been told, your wife's parents are still around and are more than capable of taking care of her while you are working. Why was this time different? No one else is able to have their children here, and that Janet lady is an exception because her child is from another planet to begin with. Don't tell me our tax dollars were being used to allow you to have a joy ride or family outing."
"Fine." Ford said as he spoke but still didn't move from the same position even though he sighed greatly. "Truth is, not being human, the ship in question is mine for whatever I want to use, short of using it against Earth or her allies. It was the weekend and since none of us had to work, we were out looking at the planets, which we've done many times. On our way back, the strange energy thing hit us and, we are were we are at currently. And before you ask, the answer is still no. The ship is off limits and was unaffected."
"Even though it could hold the answer to our medical problems?"
"It's been checked over and over. It in no way had anything to do with whatever it happening. Mostly for the fact that our daughter hasn't had any sign of trouble and was completely unaffected. Anything else you want to rag me about?"
"Not at present. But I reserve the right to rag you later if I feel the need to." House said with his typical insulting demeanor in hopes of getting some sort of rise out of the man.
"Whatever. Now go away before I call security to have you removed." he said as he looked back down at the table.
Seeing a couple airmen standing nearby that moved closer, House begrudgingly got up with his tray and left while complaining.
"I apologize…."
"Don't bother. Janet already told me how he'd be and I really didn't care what he said. His medical talent far outweighs his asinine attitude." Ford muttered.
"I have to ask, why did you bring me here again? None of your friends seem to have cancer and we haven't had to operate thankfully, other than some non invasive biopsies. I'm surprised I haven't been sent back. If I'm here to keep House in check, it isn't going to work. Not even Cuddy is able to do that very well."
"You look like someone I know." he said looking up.
"That's right, you did say that back in the car. I totally forgot." he said pointing at Ford a moment. "I never encountered or was introduced to them yet."
"Jack hasn't arrived yet. Some problem back in D.C. or something kept him from getting here. He should be done by now and here soon." Ford said looking at his watch.
Jack entered the commissary while still wearing his uniform as he glanced around spotting Ford. He looked over seeing the food available and had a airmen grab some items for him as he headed over to the table.
"Hey Ford. I just got here a few moments ago and talked with Landry before coming here where he said you were. Has there been any change?" he asked sitting down by Wilson yet ignoring the man who did a double take.
"They are stable, even though they have whatever unknown thing is attacking them." Ford said as the airmen set a plate down that had some good foods but a very large slice of cake that made everything else seem insignificant. "Have you even ate today?"
"I had breakfast. Besides, when I get nervous and have little choice but to sit on my hands and do nothing but worry about friends and loved ones, I get hungry." he said digging in.
Ford shook his head slightly while giving a small smile that slowly went away.
"What about Sam?" Jack asked with evident worry.
"Still in a coma. No change in a donor and so far, no change in her turning around miraculously." Ford said with an unsteady voice. "I fucked up big time Jack…"
"There was no way of knowing this could have happened. You've all went out dozens of times in the……that thing." Jack said catching himself at the last moment as he saw out of the corner of his eye someone he didn't know sitting by him. "Even I, Sarah and Charlie have went with a few times. Nothing has ever happened before."
"Nothing should have happened." Ford growled. "There is nothing that should have been able to effect her or get to us on any level."
"Sorry to interrupt." Wilson said waving on hand. "I'm not going to pretend to understand what is going on, seeing as I have no idea what this ship you speak of is even able to do, but is there anything or anyone out there you've came across that could have done something like this? No offense, but it seems like this question hasn't even been asked or looked into."
Ford and Jack looked at the man before turning to look at each other, both deep in thought.
"I admit I'm not the brightest cookie in the jar, but seeing as you were, you know, here…" Jack said hoping that Ford caught on, which he did with a nod that allowed Jack to continue. "Is it possible if the you know who's above us could have done this?"
"I can't even begin to think of any reason why they would?"
"Neither can I, but I'm willing to bet Daniel would come up with a few ideas if he wasn't down. The question is, could they?"
"It's entirely possible." Ford said slowly. "But there is no reason that I can even fathom that they'd even do something like this. If they were behind it, and I found out, they already know what I would do and that they couldn't stop me."
"That is assuming that device we sent to the Ori galaxy even did its job." Jack said.
"All indications say it should." Ford muttered as he rubbed his tired eyes. He dropped his hands into his lap as he glanced at Wilson. "Doctor Wilson, this is Jack O'Neill, two L's. Jack, Wilson."
The two looked at each other with Wilson more surprised than Jack was.
"You must be that House guys assistant?" Jack asked after they shook hands.
"Oh no." Wilson said holding his hands up. "Just a colleague and friend. I've seen the way he treats his employees and wouldn't be able to stand one day of that. Bad enough I'm his friend and he treats me like crap like everyone else in his life."
"That bad huh? Can't say whether not seeing him yet is a good thing or not." he said going back to his food. "Ford, do you have any ideas of how to fix this…"
"No clue. Did you even look at Wilson?"
"Yeah, why?"
"You don't see it?"
"I do." Wilson said. "Kinda uncanny."
"What are we talking about here?" Jack asked confused as Ford slapped himself in the face.
"You two almost look alike. Or I should say, Wilson kinda looks like a younger version of you."
Jack looked back at Wilson for a moment.
"Wait, James Wilson?"
"Yes."
"You're my father's, brother's, daughters…um, or was it, father's, sister's….oh hell, I can't remember the finer details." he said shaking his head. "I do remember the name now. We had a family reunion some ten years or so back, and you were there.."
"Yeah, I do remember your face now." Wilson said snapping his fingers. "I am related to you through your dad, in some way I can't remember. Wow, it has been a long time since then. When the General here spoke the name O'Neill when we were still at the hospital, I briefly recalled I knew the name and that there was a cousin with that name…"
"Small world." Jack said with a smile. "Nice seeing you again, even though on bad circumstances."
"I'd tell House about this, but I think he'd try to have me ask for things since we're family, technically. Or he would rag on me about it." Wilson said.
"Knowing House, he'll probably see the resemblance if you two are near each other." Ford muttered. "Was your brother at the reunion?"
"No." both men answered and then looked at each other. "You have a brother?"
"I was talking to Jack. Oh well, I bet you two have things to talk about." Ford said as he slowly got up. "I'm going to the bathroom and then back to Sam."
The few people he passed by in the halls after leaving the bathroom gave him what words of encouragement they could before moving onto their duties and such before he made it to her room. A nurse was checking Sam's vitals while K-9 stayed nearby on guard duty along with keeping a watch on Sam medically as Ford walked in. She turned saying she'd be back later before leaving in a hurry and closing the large door seeing as Ford wanted to be there alone. As he was about to sit on the edge of the bed and take her hand, K-9 spoke.
"We are not alone Master." the dog said at his normal speed that slowed down considerably to a stop on his last words.
"K-9, are you okay? Your power pack…" he said confused while moving to open the side panel.
"His power supply is just fine." a female voice said.
Ford spun around so fast he ended up loosing his footing and fell to the ground by K-9.
"Changing made you into a klutz dear."
"What are you doing here mom?" he asked while sitting up with mixed emotions as he saw only his mother's face and her body being a glowing entity with no form. "Not that I don't mind, but aren't you breaking rules? Because I am going to start begging soon…"
"I am here because of Sam dear."
He opened his mouth a few times as he tried to speak, feeling even more mixed emotions even though happiness was the biggest one.
"That's, beyond fantastic mom! I…" he said while getting to his feet slowly.
"You will be the one saving her dear."
"How?" he asked after a moment of thinking and only coming up more confused than before. "I haven't figure out anything so far…."
"For someone who is suppose to be a very bright son, you are a lot like your father and Jack O'Neill. A complete idiot." she said crossing her arms as she became human looking with only a robe, and leaned on the end of the bed. "Not surprising since your father's brother was kinda like Jack."
"That's not very encouraging mother." he stated with a grunt. "What the hell is going on? You aren't like Oma and the others who loved to use riddles to make us figure out the answers ourselves. And I refuse to play the game."
She shook her head and then ran her hand through her thick hair before looking at him.
"This is going to be very hard for you to accept dear, or maybe not. Just remember after I say what I need to tell you, try not to explode or start yelling. I have a limited amount of time and a limit on how much I am able to manipulate around here. If you draw attention and make others come, I will have to leave even if that means never getting to tell you want you need to know to save Sam."
His eyes narrowed after a moment to have a deadly look to them as a thought ran through his mind he hoped was not the case.
"Are the Ancients behind this?"
"Yes. That energy blast or whatever you wish to call it that hit your ship and did what it has done was caused by us. Well, them more than me and your father. The results weren't exactly what we, they, were expecting."
Instead of exploding, shouting or going crazy on some level, he slowly sat down on the edge of the bed with his head in his hands.
"Why?" he asked slowly as he kept from crying as he turned it around into barely kept rage. "Why is God's name would they even……why?!"
"They don't want you ascending. Oma was bad enough and had many that supported her, but not enough to make a majority. You, would bring trouble, conflict and god only knows what else. Considering what you are now, if you ascended and then was sent back to mortal form because you refused to go along with the rules, there is a very high chance you'd get your memory back or have it back right away and either be Immortal or a Time Lord again. Though not the same technically, the T.A.R.D.I.S. is a life form of her own and made of energy basically, and a lot like we Ancients are. Which means she might also ascend with you since you two are connected, which we couldn't stop and might cause serious problems. Killing you would break a few rules since you haven't and wouldn't do some of those things to make us need to do that. Which would cause more problems…" she said trailing off. "They don't want you ascending."
"So killing off my friends and family is going to make me stay here! It's more likely to make me…."
"Primy, calm down before I make you." she said with a commanding tone while not raising her voice. "Now listen since you're brain cells aren't putting two and two together properly."
"Yes mother." he said, effectively scolded.
"I did not like or approve of this idea, but being one person, I could not stop the others from having this happen. You have just less than a day to get them and yourself back into that ship and go to the exact location where the, attack as we'll call it, took place. But, before you do that, you need to save Sam." she said putting a finger to his lips as he started to speak. "This was all done to make you do what I apparently will have to tell you since you haven't figure it out, which will increase Sam's life expectancy to greater lengths, giving you more than an excuse to stay here and not ascend. Especially when you two have more children making it so you don't leave them even when she is gone. Given time, she may even learn how to ascend so someone besides your father and I can keep you in check. Understand?"
"Well, I can't say no to her usually." he muttered while rubbing the cover on her legs.
"You would fight with us, but not her. Now, what are you?"
"What do you mean?" he asked confused. He grabbed the back of his head as she gave it a good slap. "What the hell what that for?!"
"Do I seriously have to spell it out?"
"Yes mother." he said sarcastically since he was still in a fowl mood. "I'm kinda in the middle of grief and lots of anger so, yeah. Not thinking straight."
"Give her your heart." she said in clipped tones as she tapped his chest.
"Thought of that already. Compatibility issues say it won't work." he said with a false smile.
"Since when? All you've done is mope around and do a few other things that don't revolve around research. Everyone else along with K-9 has been doing everything…."
"That's right. You and the rest of them can't see, hear or even know what is happening in the T.A.R.D.I.S." he said nodding his head sadly. "I did all the work in there and when I ran out of ideas, I came out and watched everyone else try things as I hoped and prayed. Guess the whole plan failed. You better all fix them before I decide…."
She was looking up as he was speaking and then looked back at him while smacking him in the back of the head again.
"We can't do much to you. Not like any other mortal out there anyway. And yes, even though it is considered interfering with the development, culture and all that stuff about lower life forms, we will work on her after you give her your heart."
"And this is all to make sure I don't join the glow club? Why in the hell didn't you just come down and tell me all this and do something else that didn't involve the rest of the team and such?"
"Thought of and quickly disregarded. I can't tell you the reasons why, but this is how it had to be and turned out. Now, you know what to do, but don't tell anyone I was here or the conversation." she said fading away. "Though knowing you, you'll talk anyway so when I say shut up, you better do it."
"There would be serious consequences if I did?" he asked looking at the spot where she just was.
"What do you think?" a voice said in his mind.
"Master? I am confused. My sensors…."
"Don't worry about it K-9. Someone was here and they gave me some info to help save everyone. They didn't want anyone to know who it was and the conversation kept secret."
"Situation understood Master. How will everyone be rescued?"
"Oh, that's the easy part. Saving Sam, a bit harder."
Another hour had gone by and the doctors had managed to stabilize Daniel and Mitchell. They weren't cured, but they were slowly recovering and not getting any worse. However, Daniel wouldn't ever taste anything again, would have to grow up all over again and need several different pills, one of which was a heavy steroid, each day to keep various chemicals in his body in check to keep from having migraines that would be more than debilitating along with a few other troubles. Mitchell was blind for life and had sensitive hearing, along with other serious medical troubles internally that would have him spend most of the rest of his days in a hospital bed. Both were awake and being told what was happening to them from what they could tell and how their lives were going to be now when Ford rushed in startling everyone. House was there as well, talking to Daniel about his situation because he felt sympathy for the child, though would deny it if anyone said or asked.
"Janet! Carolyn!"
Janet came out of the office with Lam as he rushed up.
"Get whoever you need, I don't care who, and get them ready to do a heart transplant. Since Sam can't be moved, get everything you need…"
"But we don't have a heart…" Janet began while trying not to get emotional.
"We have one." he said quickly while pulling her arm gently. "Trust me on this. After we fix her, we can then fix Daniel and Mitchell."
"How…" Lam began.
"I can't say right now. Just trust me, I know what I am doing."
"Are you sure? Or is this an idea that came to mind under a dire need to save your wife and friends here no matter what the idea is even if it has no chance to work, due to emotional stress?" House asked while walking over.
"You have no idea what I am or able to do Doc. And these people here know me, not to mention other than trust…" he said spinning around to stare hard at the man. "I am in command here. General isn't just my name, it is a title."
"I see." House said after a moment. "You seem very confident, therefore, let's do it. The only worse it could get is death."
"General." Mitchell said getting his attention. "We do trust you and I'm more than willing to go along with whatever plan you have. My only other alternative is to stay in a bed for the rest of my life and, there is no way I can do that. That being said, is there anything about how you came to the idea behind saving us, that you can tell us?"
"Up."
"Up?" several people in the room asked.
"You know, up there. Daniel has a better idea…"
"You don't mean…" Daniel began as he realized it quickly as Ford nodded. "Oh."
"I'll be back to fix you two. Janet, I need you to come with me." he said as he pulled her along, gently but still fast out of the room.
"What is…..you can't be planning what I think you're planning."
"We don't have any choice. No heart will be coming and I don't trust someone else's heart that may have complications further down the road." he said as he took off his suit coat and vest and then started on the shirt buttons.
"I almost hate to say it, but what about Vala…"
"I think Sam would be more creeped out by that than what I am going to do." he said as they quickly entered the room.
"But you've already found out you're not compatible…"
"Help will be there to ensure it does." he said tossing aside his upper clothes. "Janet, eyes up here please."
"Sorry." she said looking away from his upper physique that had caught her attention, again.
"You'll have a ten minute window at most to take my heart out. After that, just get to work on Sam and leave me on the table."
"That's going to be extremely painful since it is really hard to knock you out and putting that much sedation on your system…" she said following him into the T.A.R.D.I.S. where he tossed his once discarded clothes onto its floor.
"I can kill myself." he said while setting the controls. "Once I am gone, get to work right away."
"You heal in less than a few minutes. Even having a part of your body blown off takes less than a minute."
"I'm sending the T.A.R.D.I.S. into the past to Atlantis. Given the calculations K-9 and I came up with, she'll return back to here within ten minutes at the least. K-9 has already gotten scans of my hearts at various angles and different sizes so you and whoever can go over them before cutting into me. Once she returns, the healing effect will be almost instant."
"On Sam?"
"No, me. I can't send the T.A.R.D.I.S. away for any longer periods without the possibility of trouble. More for me than her." he said finishing the settings and then grabbing the Sonic Screwdriver. "I'll use this to make her take off and then once she is gone…"
"You kill yourself and we get to work?"
"Yes."
"If I hadn't known you all these years, I would have you admitted along with myself for even trying much less listening to this idea. I can only hope I don't have nightmares." she said rubbing her forehead. "What if this…"
"Janet, it has to work. Otherwise, she's dead either way." he said rubbing her shoulder.
"Give me a few minutes to get the staff and medical equipment needed."
SG-1, along with Landry and a few other personnel were informed of what Ford was going to do, and seeing as Carter was dead if they didn't do something, Landry agreed to allow it. Several doctors were in the room between the two beds, still getting ready as Ford laid down on the bed, wearing only jogging pants.
"We're ready here Doctor Fraiser." one doctor said near Ford.
"Colonel Carter is prepped and ready as well." one of the other doctors said by Sam.
"Alright." she said putting her mask on. "We all know what to do. K-9?"
"Link established to medical scanners Doctor."
"We're ready Ford."
Teal'c and Vala were in the upper room watching as Ford aimed his Sonic Screwdriver at the T.A.R.D.I.S. and activated it. The T.A.R.D.I.S. left with the usual noise it made and then the Sonic Screwdriver was taken away and set aside.
"I don't see a gun or anything in there. How's he killing himself without doing damage to his heart?" Vala muttered as she looked around and at the doctors around him. "He say anything to you muscles?"
"He did not."
"How are you, killing yourself?" Janet asked as the Sonic Screwdriver was set aide by one of the nurses. "You have to do it without damaging…"
Everyone was rather surprised when he grabbed the top of his head and his chin and snapped his own neck.
"The Master's life signs have ceased. Nine minutes 54 seconds left Doctor."
"Let's get to work people." she said slightly fazed.
Vala left the room as they started cutting his chest and cracking it while Teal'c looked at them work with interest. A couple of the doctors and nurses commented on how they were surprised at how Ford killed himself since they expected something else.
"With all the times I've seen him crack his neck or other joints, I'm guessing he did it once to himself and broke his neck before." Janet said. "He's broke fingers that way more than once."
It took about eight minutes to get his heart out and then they started working on Sam quickly after. The T.A.R.D.I.S. returned just shortly before the ten minute limit and it was fortunate that K-9 was in the room and had informed them of its arrival ahead of time otherwise they might have been startled when she came back. It took a lot of effort not to look at Ford as his chest was engulfed in a yellow light that moved around his injuries. One nurse, who was fairly new but knew what Ford was and was capable of doing, wasn't able to handle it apparently as she passed out shortly after Ford sat up and muttered about how strange the experience was. Though wanting to ask how it was going, he instead got off the table and took the unconscious nurse into the T.A.R.D.I.S. and placed her on the bed in the Console Room before going further in to clean up and rest and see how Sally was doing. A few hours later, and Vala helping with the healing device to keep Sam from having a scar or stitches, she was wheeled into the T.A.R.D.I.S. where Ford stayed with her in the Console Room while the nurse was taken away. A few hours later, Ford went in and told Daniel and Mitchell they would get fixed the next day after Sam had hopefully woken up. Janet said all indications showed the transplant did work even though Sam's blood work showed a few things that were surprising and yet not.
The next morning, Sam awoke looking at the ceiling of the Console Room in confusion. The sound of a soft snoring made her sit up and look around, finding Ford face down on the floor by the bed in the wall.
"Mistress."
"Hey K-9." she said rubbing her eyes. "What's going on?"
It took several minutes for him to inform her of what had happened while she was in a coma and up to the current situation, all of which never stirred Ford. She slowly reached down feeling her chest as she smiled, not only from seeing no scar, but for what he did.
"Gave me his heart in more ways than one." she said before getting out of the bed.
"How are you feeling Mistress?"
"Really good actually. Could go for coffee, but I bet Janet said no."
"Affirmative. She will be here in four minutes."
She thought about waking him, but instead sat back on the bed and wrapped herself in the blanket since she had nothing on practically and decided to wait for Janet to also allow her to see how ridicules Ford looked.
"Sam." Janet said coming in quickly with concern and relief. "How are you feeling?"
"Fine, for the most part." she said as Janet was checking her over. "There is something wrong isn't there?"
"Not wrong, per say. More of….a side effect perhaps. We're not sure, but think he….." she said now seeing Ford on the floor.
"I left him there so you could see that too. Funny huh?"
"Ford doesn't snore. Much less move in his sleep from what you've said."
"Only unless he is really worried. What side effect?"
"You're not a Time Lord if that is what you're thinking." she said seeing Sam looking perky.
"It can't be bad news otherwise you'd look worried. I've known you more than long enough to know when you try to hide something medical, especially if it is bad news."
"K-9." Janet said with a shrug.
"K-9?" Carter asked. "What does he…"
"All medical data and test have been unable to confirm how your DNA has been altered Mistress. Specifically your Telomere count is staying almost constantly the same." K-9 said.
"My telomere count? How much of a change?" she asked looking at the two.
"Estimated life expectancy is 300 years or more Mistress."
"I'm going to live how long?"
"300 hundred years or more Mistress."
"I…." she said unsure.
"I know Ford was rather happy, hell, he was ecstatic, which I would have been shocked if he had said otherwise." Janet said. "He was sure you were going to wake up fine and then after getting the other two fixed, he had some sort of plans he didn't go on about."
"Fixed?"
"Something about resetting or something along those lines of fixing what happened to all of you. Well, you, Mitchell and Daniel. Apparently, all three of you, four if you count Ford even though he'd rather stay 25 but can't since he has to be in the T.A.R.D.I.S. to operate her, will be going back to wherever this incident happened and somehow get back to your normal selves, aside from you in the fact of the telomere thing."
"Okay." she said understanding it somewhat. "Can't say I like having to go back to being over forty again, but I do look really good for that age."
"And will look that way for many years to come."
"Yeah. I need to talk to him about what's going on. Let's get him off the floor and find out what the plan is before he drools on the floor anymore."
A few more hours later, everyone was up and SG-1, minus Teal'c and Sally, was in the T.A.R.D.I.S. Daniel and Mitchell were unconscious again and getting worse after being moved since it aggravated their condition. They went back to the area where the attack took place and were rather violently tossed around for a few moments. Everything went dark and the others were all unconscious moments later. As preprogrammed, the T.A.R.D.I.S. came back to the room where Sam was during her coma and opened the door. Janet, Teal'c and a few others came in finding the room rather dim and everyone still unconscious but looking as they should. When none of them woke up after being prodded, talked to and even with the use of smelling salts, they were taken to the infirmary.
House was really surprised and extremely frustrated that he wasn't allowed to know what happened, but was happy, if you could call it that, that they were all okay and in the clear since he had heard some of the stories of what SG-1 and the other teams did and was doing which was the reason that Earth was still as it was. Despite the fact he was offered a job, he turned it down mostly because he knew his antics that Cuddy usually overlooked would not get him anywhere in the SGC. Plus, having to keep quiet about the medical advancements that they couldn't use on everyone bothered him greatly, but was told if there was a case he got that he was really stuck on, he would be able to call for advice in case the SGC might have an idea of how to fix it, as long as he kept it quiet and used his cell phone instead of a normal phone. Not having anything else to do for the team, he and Wilson were given first class trips back home after signing a few more papers. Jack told Wilson to give him a call when he had vacation time and wanted to get together again, which Wilson was glad to accept. House didn't know about this arrangement thankfully so Wilson was able to go home without having to be bugged about it since he knew House would want to go with him on that vacation trip.
"I'm just glad this whole thing is over. I was really contemplating suicide there if no one was going to be able to fix me." Mitchell said while they were sitting in the commissary eating. "Being stuck in that bed and having to learn how to walk again after crashing in Antarctica was bad enough. Not having any chance of recovery this time, I had nothing to live for."
"Can't say I approve Mitchell, but I understand why you'd do it. I wouldn't be able to live like that either." Ford said.
"Seeing as our conditions were failing anyway, it was a mute point." Daniel said after taking a drink of his fifth cup of coffee. "I am so glad I can taste again."
"You were cute as a kid Daniel." Carter said. "Glad we got a few pictures too."
"Mom and dad were sort of disappointed I had to go back to being a grown up again, but seeing as I was in a bad way…" Daniel said trailing off.
"I liked being 25." Ford said while leaning his head on one hand. "Not that I feel any different really, but just knowing I was my favorite number made it seem special."
"I am most happy to still be able to stay as I am now." Teal'c said. "Even though I still am older than all of you."
"I'm only twenty some odd years from 75." Ford muttered. "And Sam is thirty some….ow! What was that for?"
"My real is age is kept between us." she stated.
"Why are you worried about your age Sam?" Mitchell asked. "You're going to outlive all of us, including Teal'c."
"It's a matter of principle." she stated.
"That's right." Janet said. "A woman keeps her age a secret on purpose."
"Sarah is the same way. If it wasn't for the fact I have re-learned things about her I had forgotten, I wouldn't even know how old she is." Jack said. "Are you pulling our leg that all this crap that happened is because they didn't want you to join the glow club?"
"Yes, as stupid as it sounds. I can't go into details Jack so quit asking. Knowing Daniel, he'll ascend later in life at a very old age and understand the reason and come back and tell those of us left." Ford said sitting back up. "Let's talk about something else. I hate thinking of the future in the aspect you'll all be gone."
"You're not counting me are you?" Carter asked.
"Not really." he said shrugging. "Now, as strange as this is going to sound, how about any outings we feel like having are done somewhere on Earth. I'd rather not tempt the idiots above to try something else or end up anywhere for awhile."
"Agreed." the others said as they started tossing out ideas moments later.
(A.N. I really had big plans for this crossover but they fell through and not everything turned out as I had wished. I had to keep this story idea because of things later in further chapters so, love it or hate it, this is how it turned out. The other chapters to come are better so I hope they make up for this one.)
