Thanks everyone, for your patience! I know half of you will be unhappy with what happens but hey – there's more story to come! Enjoy and keep those reviews coming – they're inspiring me!
"Teal'c, Dr. Jackson, who are all these people?" To say that General Hammond was looking surprised was an understatement! He looked like he was just about ready to tear into one of the two members of SG1 who were standing in front of him.
"Uh they were prisoners of the Goa'uld Matsya Sir. You remember, he was the one who kidnapped - "
"I remember Dr. Jackson. What I want to know is why they are here?"
"Well, we had no where else to take them General. A lot of them don't have homes to go back to anymore."
George sighed, knowing that he'd just received a whole mess-load of problems. As the numbers of women and children grew the SF's started to look slightly panicked. No one knew what to do. The General then had a wonderful thought.
"WALTER!" he shouted. The Sergeant responded from the gate room with a 'Yes Sir?"
"See to these people. Take them down to the Infirmary in groups and find a place for the rest in the meantime." What was the point of being in charge if you couldn't delegate?
Once that worry was off his immediate shoulders he turned back to his two recalcitrant men. "So, what about you two? You realize you're in big trouble?" He went to gesture to a couple of the guards but Daniel interrupted him.
"General, we know we screwed up Sir – although I would like to point out it was while we were under alien influence – and you can punish us as much as you like later but right now we need to get to the infirmary and talk to Janet."
"No way Dr. Jackson! Before you left you tried to kill her. I will not put her in danger again."
"But General, we're okay now – aren't we Teal'c?"
"Yes, indeed we are General Hammond. Whatever it was is no longer affecting us. We are fine."
"I wish I could believe you two, really I do. But you told us that last time and look what happened. No, I'm sorry but I can't risk it."
"Sir – General, then just have some guards escort us or something. Look, Jack's life is in danger unless we can tell Janet something. We really need to speak with her and I promise we won't hurt her." Daniel sent pleading looks to the General. They just had to get to Janet.
"Why don't you tell me what's wrong with the Colonel and I'll tell Dr. Frasier?"
Damn, thought Daniel, that's the last thing they needed. The crap would really hit the proverbial fan and Jack would kill them.
"We cannot General Hammond." Teal'c spoke very definitely. "It would take too long and we must hurry. You may bind us if you wish. On my honor we will not attempt to hurt Dr. Frasier or anyone. We simply must explain what is happening."
Hammond looked at the two men and finally shook his head in frustration. "Okay, you may go but I'll have the SF's escort you. I still want to talk to you both though!"
"Thank you Sir!" Daniel and Teal'c both turned and began to hurry down the hall, the SF's following closely.
oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
"So, am I pregnant or not?"
Janet was happy she at least had some news to give her friend.
"No Sam, you're not pregnant. At least according to the test although - " Her words were suddenly interrupted by a sob. She was sure Sam had kept firm control of her feelings up until now but Janet figured that the relief of knowing she wasn't pregnant finally made the Major break down.
"Come on Sam, sit down." She led her friend over to one of the beds. Sam continued to cry, the tears dripping down her face. Janet reached over and put her arms around the traumatized woman. "It'll be okay now. You don't need to worry anymore. You're home and everything is fine."
"No it's not!" a small voice answered her. Janet looked up and was surprised at how devastated Sam appeared. "Sam, what is it?" When her friend didn't answer she sat down beside her and began to speak.
"I know you went through something horrible, something no woman should ever have to experience – but it will get better Sam, I promise. We'll get you some good counseling to deal with it and you'll get things back together. You'll have lots of support and at least you don't have to worry about being pregnant."
Another small sob and then Sam began to speak. "You don't understand Janet. I'm not relieved! I wanted to be pregnant!" She began to cry once more.
"You wanted …?" Janet was astounded. What had happened that would make Sam want to carry some man's – or alien's child? All she could think of was the Stockholm Syndrome. Maybe she had gotten somehow attached to the man who had assaulted her.
"Come on sweetheart. This is just reaction from everything that's happened to you. You'll feel differently in the morning. Why don't you rest right now?"
"No Janet – it's not reaction. You don't understand. What if he dies? I won't have anything. At least I would have had a child of his – now I'll have nothing."
Okay, Frasier was seriously confused. Who was she talking about? She looked down at her friend once more. "Sam, I don't understand what you're saying. Who will die?"
"Jack."
"Jack? You mean Colonel O'Neill?" She looked in surprise at the Major. "What does that have to do with not being preg-" Oh no! That couldn't be what she meant, could it?
She sat down again. "Sam, who is the – I mean, who could have been the father of your child if you were pregnant?" Janet shook her head – that was really confusing. Sam, at least, appeared to understand because she looked up in shock at the Doctor.
"Uh – I don't know." But her answer was feeble at best.
"Sam, were you attacked – or forced – by some stranger?" Might as well be blunt!
After a long pause in which Janet didn't know if she would get an answer Sam looked down and muttered a soft "no".
"No?" Janet closed her eyes. Things had just gotten a lot more complicated! A small voice in the back of her head whispered that it was better for Sam. At least she hadn't been raped. Still, the consequences of this could be bad – at least they'd be bad if anyone found out.
Right there and then Janet decided on a 'don't ask, don't tell' policy. Sam hadn't openly admitted anything and, since she wasn't pregnant, there wasn't any reason to pursue the matter. With a sigh she looked at her friend again. Sam was still going to need lots of support though. She was clearly upset. Janet shook her head – she still was shocked at Sam's reaction over not being pregnant!
Just then Janet heard a commotion in the hallway and the door burst open. When she saw Daniel and Teal'c approaching she stood up and stepped back in fear. Oh my God, she'd forgotten. She looked around for any kind of weapon to defend herself but then saw the two SF's who were following the men.
"Grab them!" she yelled to the security detail.
"No Janet. We're not going to hurt you." Daniel walked nearer but Janet backed away. Sam wiped her eyes and tried to gain control of herself as she saw what was happening.
"It's okay Janet. They're back to normal. They won't hurt you."
"Are you sure? Daniel tried to kill me the last time he was here."
"Really?" Sam looked in shock at the very sheepish looking archaeologist.
"I'm sorry about that Janet – it wasn't me – it really was 'alien influence'. We're both okay now and we need to - ah 'talk' to you."
"Better? You're sure?" When Daniel, Teal'c and Sam all nodded she relaxed but then looked puzzled. "How did that happen? We didn't think there was a way to overcome the brainwashing - unless it just wore off over time?"
Both the men looked surprised at the fact that they had been 'brainwashed' – they had thought it was purely chemical influence. "I guess it was when we were hurt. For some reason that seemed to counteract the effects. It took a while longer for me but for Teal'c it was almost instantaneous."
"Hurt? How? Is there anything I need to look at?" She asked, slipping immediately into Doctor mode."
"Uh, I was stabbed but it's pretty much healed by now." Daniel looked a little nervous, knowing Janet would insist on a thorough check up (Damn!).
"I am fine Doctor Frasier." Teal'c spoke extra formally and was looking off into space. Daniel grinned and Carter looked guilty. Janet looked suspiciously at each of them.
"So, what happened? Teal'c!"
"Major Carter kicked me." He answered, offering no further details.
"Kicked you? Where?"
"On the planet of the Goa'uld Matsya." Daniel choked back a laugh. He couldn't believe it – Teal'c was embarrassed.
Janet sighed, "you know what I mean Teal'c. Where, on your body, did she kick you?"
"In the Ko'brai"
"Kobrai?" Janet looked even more confused and turned to Daniel who was turning red in the face trying not to laugh.
"Uh – in the 'ball's Janet – on Ba'al's planet." Daniel began to laugh at his own pun. The Doctor turned to Sam with an incredulous expression on her face.
"You kicked him in the testicles?"
"Yes" Sam answered in a tiny voice. "And I'm really sorry Teal'c."
"That is all right Major Carter. It cured me from the 'brainwashing'. I would simply ask that you do not do it again." He said very solemnly.
"Uh, no problem Teal'c." Daniel had, by this time, laid down on one of the beds, weak from suppressed laughter. Poor Teal'c.
A sound suddenly interrupted the short interlude. The members of SG1 and the Doctor turned to look as Jack was wheeled in, back from his tests.
"We have all the test results Doctor." The nurse who followed the gurney approached with a file. Janet reached out and took it, all the while keeping an eye on her very ill looking patient.
The nurses had heaped warm blankets around the Colonel as well as a number of hot water bottles, which were strategically placed all around him. He was still shivering though, the tremors coming ever few seconds.
"Were you able to warm him up?" Frasier asked the nurse.
"No Doctor. His temperature continues to fall no matter what we do. The last reading we took registered at 91 degrees."
"Damn! What the heck is this?" Janet looked at one of the reports in the file. a frown on her face. She then went over and lowered the blankets. Pulling the hospital gown down she stared at Jack's chest. Holy Shit! The man was wearing rings through his nipples! What in the world was this about? She glanced at the rest of SG1. Sam looked uncomfortable but not surprised. Daniel looked shocked and Teal'c – well Teal'c simply raised an eyebrow. For the Jaffa that was a sign of shock as well.
"What - ?"
"It was part of the torture Janet." Sam answered. "It was also a way to keep him from leaving. It controlled a device in his stomach that would cause intense pain if he were to leave the compound. We were able to deactivate it and eventually it came out."
The doctor nodded although she didn't quite know what to make of it. She made a mental note to tell her nurses to not say anything about this and also to check and make sure their were no lasting effects. She knew the Colonel well enough to know this had to be totally humiliating for him. It would also mean endless rounds of teasing from the Marines if they were to find out.
Ignoring the rings for now, Janet again looked down at the charts in her hand. They made no sense whatsoever. There was no alien substance in his blood and yet his readings were all off. Even his brain pattern was different – although it showed complete and normal activity – it was just not the activity that was normal for Jack O'Neill.
It was only as she glanced up to see the faces of three very worried people that she realized she'd been guilty of an indiscretion. She shouldn't be examining or discussing a patient with others present – even if it was Jack's team.
"Come on folks, I need to check the Colonel out. I suggest you all go and get something to eat and rest. Actually I need to check both of you guys out so don't go far." She turned back to the Colonel and began to study the test results again.
"Ah Janet?"
"Yes Daniel?" she answered impatiently.
"Can I – ur can we talk to you for a minute? Sam can stay with Jack."
"Daniel, I don't really have time right now. Can it wait for later?"
"Ah no, it can't. It's really important Janet. Please?" Sam looked up curiously at this exchange, wondering what Daniel and Teal'c had to say. She heard a small sound from Jack and immediately lost interest in her teammates. She moved up and put her hand on Jack's ice-cold forehead.
As Janet looked at the men she could see that they were desperately trying to signal something to her. It was obvious they didn't want Sam to see. With a small groan she turned to the Major.
"I'll be right back Sam. You stay with the Colonel and I'll send in one of my nurses. I'll be back soon." Sam nodded but didn't answer.
As Janet turned towards her office she noticed the SF's still standing in the door. "You can go now, everything is okay." As they began to argue she spoke again. "I'll clear it with the General. I can't have you in the Infirmary right now. Why don't you stay in the hall – Dr. Jackson and Teal'c can't get out without you seeing them."
She then led the two men into her small office and closed the door. "Okay you two, what's this about? I have to figure out what's wrong with the Colonel so I don't have much time."
"That's why we wanted to talk to you Janet. We know what's wrong and we know how to fix it – or at least we know how it can be fixed."
"What? You're telling me you know what this is? Why the hell didn't you say something before?" She was angry!
"We didn't have the chance Janet. We couldn't say anything with Sam present."
"Why not? What does she have to do with this?"
"Everything." Janet looked at the two men who were staring at her with very serious expressions on their faces. She sank slowly down into her chair.
"Okay, tell me."
"You know where they were and why they were taken, right?" Daniel asked hesitatingly.
"Yes, I understand they were taken to a 'breeding' planet; that the Goa'uld who kidnapped them planned to breed new hosts. What does this have to do with the Colonel's illness?"
"The Goa'uld Matsya planned to breed a Tauri child and sell it to Ba'al. He had heard that Ba'al hated the Tauri with a passion and thought to make a profit. Therefore, when he discovered he had Major Carter and O'Neill he decided that they would become the parents of this new host. He also chose them because they were attractive and would make beautiful children"
Janet nodded – her suspicions were correct about Sam and the Colonel.
"They were ordered to 'mate' so as to produce a child."
"Let me guess, they said no."
Teal'c nodded. "Indeed, they refused. O'Neill was tortured many times and threatened with …. castration", the doctor started – oh God no! "He still refused. Finally, in desperation, Matsya's servants gave O'Neill two drugs to induce him to … have relations with Major Carter. That did not work either."
Daniel then took over the narration. "What they did do, however, was make him sick. According to the Goa'uld's – uh servant D'jindra, the substances, if used together, cause an extreme addiction in the man. This addiction will kill him unless he's given the antidote." Daniel stopped and looked at Teal'c. This was it.
"So, what's the antidote? Is it something we have on earth?"
"Indeed it is Doctor Frasier."
"What?" impatient she looked at both of the men. What were they not saying?
"No, who." Daniel stated.
"Who? What?" Janet shook her head – this was sinking into farce territory!
"The antidote – it's Sam."
Janet was silent, confused and a little angry. Were they being intentionally obscure? What was this about?
"Okay, you guys had better tell me what the hell is going on. I have a patient I need to look after and you are talking nonsense!"
Teal'c looked at his friend. "Tell her everything Dr. Jackson. She needs to know."
"Janet – Jack has developed a severe addiction to Sam. It's what these drugs do. According to people on the planet they 'change' the man's mental and physical state permanently. The only thing that will help – or maybe cure him – is the person he's addicted to which, in this case, is Sam."
"Even if I believed you, what does that mean? How can she 'cure' him?"
"Well, we've seen that when she touches him Jack gets somewhat better. But, according to the people on the planet Jack and Sam have to 'Mai'thun' with each other for him to get completely better."
"Mai'thun? What the hell does that mean."
A short silent ensued. Daniel and Teal'c looked at each other. Finally Daniel sighed. "It means they have to make love with each other. That's the only thing that will save Jack. He knows it but Sam doesn't. He made us promise not to say anything to her."
For a long time there was complete and utter silence in the room. Janet was trying to process the information. Her first thought was to ignore this as utter nonsense, and then she remembered the many other times when they'd been hit with some wild alien illness. This could be real. She'd have to check it out carefully. If it was true then God help them.
Just as she went to stand up she had another thought. If Jack and Sam hadn't – what was the word Daniel had used? 'Mai'thuned' – then why would Sam think she was pregnant? She went to say something but caught herself in time. No, that was definitely not something to share with anyone!
"Okay, I'll check it out. I won't say anything to Sam for now but if it's true I may have to. Although even if it is true then I don't see that it would make any difference. The Colonel is unconscious – there's no way he could – uh – Mai'thun – anyone." On that note she walked back into the Infirmary.
"I believe we have done our duty Daniel Jackson. We must now wait and see what transpires."
"Yeah" Quietly the two men left the office and went to the hallway where they sat waiting, watched over by two SF's.
"How's he doing Sam?" Janet walked over to where the Major was standing, her hand cupped over Jack's face.
"Not well Janet. Can you help him?"
"I'll try. I'm just going to study these tests. You can stay there – I'll have a nurse bring you a chair."
"Janet looked closely at the reports in her hand but also continued to observe the Colonel. It was true that he'd settled a bit since he'd been returned to the room. Whether that was Sam's 'touch' or not she was unwilling to say at this point.
After a few minutes she got up; she wanted to check something. Walking back to her office she retrieved Sam's file and opened it. Looking at the data she was startled to see the readings matched O'Neill's almost perfectly – except for body temperature and blood pressure, both of which were extremely low in the Colonel.
She didn't have a recent brain scan of the Major but wouldn't have been surprised if it were to match the Colonel's as well. Despite her rational self, she was beginning to believe. Now, what to do about it?
"Sam?"
"Yes Janet?" The Major looked exhausted but had refused to leave O'Neill's side. Janet had spent the last few hours going over the tests and trying to figure out a solution. She finally decided she needed to speak with the Major.
"I understand that the substances they gave the Colonel were in order to make him … uh … have relations with you. Is that right?"
"Yes." Sam refused to look up and could feel her face begin to turn red.
"But it didn't work?"
"No – at least he didn't – you know. He refused to do what they wanted. They tortured him and threatened him but he wouldn't." Her voice was full of suppressed tears.
"But Sam, if that was the case, why did you think you were pregnant? Unless some other man 'touched' you?"
Sam looked up in shock, her eyes wide. "No – no one touched me. It was .. I mean … can't we just forget that Janet?"
"No Sam, I'm sorry. I'm not trying to get you in trouble, really I'm not. I just want to figure out what's wrong with the Colonel."
"What does that have to do with whether or not I thought I might be pregnant."
"I don't know Sam. I'm just trying to look at all angles. Don't worry – you haven't told me anything so I don't have to say anything to the General – but I want you to know I'm here for you."
"Thanks Janet. Just look after J- the Colonel. That's all I want."
Jack seemed to be holding his own, for now, but Janet knew it wouldn't be long before he'd begin to fade. His body couldn't take this punishment for much longer.
Returning to her office she sat back down and went over the reports one more time.
"Janet", a voice interrupted her reading. Looking up she saw the tense face of Dr. Jackson.
"What is it Daniel?" He walked in carrying a cup of coffee and a muffin.
"I thought you could use a snack. It's been almost 12 hours. The women and children we brought back have all been checked are are settled for the night."
"That's good. Do we know what's going to happen to them?" Janet didn't appear to be too interested, obviously exhausted and focused on O'Neill right now. Taking the coffee gratefully she took a small sip.
"Oh, that's good, thank you!"
"You're welcome. As for the women and children - we have a briefing scheduled in the morning. Hopefully by then we can figure something out. Anything on Jack?"
"No. I've gone over it and over it and can't find a solution. There are certainly similarities between the Colonel's and Sam's vitals so I am not totally skeptical but I can't figure out what to do about it. At this point, even if they decided to go ahead and have sex it wouldn't work. There's no way Jack's up for it." The dead silence only registered after a moment. Janet lifted her head and saw a rather strange expression on Daniel's face. It was almost as if he had eaten something really sour.
She went back over what she'd say and then suddenly got it. It started out with a small 'twitch' in her lips but she was able to control it. It was when she looked up and caught Daniel's eye that she lost it – she began to laugh. That was all Daniel needed as well. The next minute the two were laughing so hard they were crying.
"I can't believe I said that!" Janet gasped. Daniel choked.
"I can't believe you said it either."
"Don't you dare ever tell the Colonel!"
"Really? I don't know – he'd probably enjoy it."
"Are you kidding? He'd kill you – and then me."
After a few moments of uproarious laughter both of them calmed down, knowing that their reaction was much more than the comment had warranted, but was a release of tension and stress.
"Oh God, I haven't laughed like that in ages." Janet wheezed, trying to catch her breath.
"Me neither! I thought I was going to lose it there for a minute. I was afraid someone was going to come in and put me back in that padded room!"
"Yeah – if anyone could see us they'd think we'd both gone crazy! This time we couldn't blame Machello though."
"No." Daniel sat quietly, remembering that occurrence. In some ways it was similar – Teal'c had been dying and they'd had no way of knowing how to help him. This time it was Jack who-
"Daniel!" Janet was looking at him with a stunned expression. "I think you may have given us a solution!" She stood up and began to head to the lab. Daniel followed quickly.
"What? Janet, stop. What are you talking about?"
"Machello and his little worms!"
"Okaaaay", Daniel looked even more confused as he followed the swiftly walking Doctor. "I don't see what that has to do with this."
Janet stopped and turned to Daniel. "Don't you remember what Sam did to 'cure' the Colonel and I when we were infected?"
"Yeah, she took some of her blood and processed it so she could inject you with the antibodies. I still don't get it."
"Look, if it's true that Jack and Sam need to have 'sex'" here she lowered her voice so no one could hear, "I'm assuming that bodily fluids must play a role." Daniel began to feel uncomfortable. He really didn't want to think of his friends and 'bodily fluids' in the same thought.
"If that's the case, maybe all we need to do is give the Colonel some of Sam's DNA. If we can do the same with her blood – draw out the red blood cells – maybe that'll be enough to cure him."
"That's fantastic!" Daniel was getting equally as excited now. "But how are you going to get her to give you her blood without telling her what's going on?"
"That's no problem at all. I don't need to take any blood. Sam donates regularly. She has an unusual blood type and, when she's not going on a mission she'll often donate a pint. Once she's given it we can use it for whatever purpose we want. I don't have to ask permission to use it on a patient."
"Are you sure that's wise. Should we really keep this from her?"
"I don't know Daniel. Maybe we'll need to tell her but not right now. I don't think she's in any kind of emotional state to handle this. Let's see if we can help the Colonel and then worry about telling her."
"Okay."
"Look – I'm going to the lab to get working on the blood. Go back and sit with Sam, make sure she's okay."
"All right. I hope this works Janet."
"Me too, Daniel, me too!"