Disclaimer in chapter 1

30

Daniel and Kawalsky were stationed in a corridor intersecting the route the MPs would be using to move Sam. They were hidden from what would be the soldier's perspective, as were Ferretti and Janet, who were across the hallway. Janet had her white lab coat over her uniform and a stack of papers in her hands, waiting for Daniel's signal.

Pushing himself tighter against the wall, Daniel heard the approaching guards as well as O'Neill's beseeching pleas—Jack must have been following them in his wheelchair, he reasoned.

"Come on, guys! Have a heart! Are the cuffs really necessary?" Whether the vocal display was to give his team a heads-up, he didn't know, but Daniel took the advantage it offered. Signaling to Janet, Daniel counted down with his fingers. The major stepped out into the hallway on three, pretending to be oblivious to the advancing soldiers.

The lead MP crashed into her, sending papers flying. Janet started apologizing profusely, bending down to pick up papers. The rest of the soldiers too, stopped momentarily in the confusion, giving Sam the opening she needed. Daniel watched her lash out with her elbow first at the man on her left, then kicked the one on her right. Daniel caught himself wincing as Sam delivered a well-aimed foot to the man's groin. O'Neill was a few paces back, breathing hard, clinging to the arms of the wheelchair.

It only took seconds for Daniel to assess the situation and even as Sam's escort were collapsing to the ground, he, Kawalsky and Ferritti moved in to disarm them.

"Sorry, boys," Daniel said, relieving the leader of the handcuff keys. "Nothing personal, but we have some unfinished business with Major Carter."

"You're not going to get away with this," the man growled when he found his own wrists in Sam's vacated cuffs. "The Vice-President won't let this go."

"Oh, I'm sure he won't. When you speak to him, you can tell him to kiss. . ."

"That he sends his regards," Janet diplomatically interjected, locking her gaze with his. She nodded to Daniel as she and Ferretti gathered the MPs, marching them back to the cell they'd just retrieved Sam from.

Sam acepted the rifle Daniel handed her, sliding on a tactical vest.

"We don't have a lot of time, here," Kawalsky reminded them. Looking over at Jack he observed, "Jesus, you look like hell."

"Thanks. Kinda feel that way too." Daniel paused long enough to look over his shoulder at Jack. He really did look awful, he decided. His skin appeared grey, and he could tell it was sheer willpower keeping him upright in the chair. There was nothing about this situation that didn't suck for the guy, he realized.

Leaning over, Sam quietly admonished, "Jack, please go to the infirmary."

"If you're determined to do this, then I'm damn well going to be there when you go."

Finally, she noddeded, grabbing the handles of the wheelchair, moving quickly through the hallway.

"Guess there really isn't a lot of discrepancy in our universes is there?" Daniel observed. "I mean, you know your way around this facility as well as anyone stationed here."

"It's close enough. In my universe there's another storage room where you're 'gate room is." She took a few more steps then asked, "Do you have a plan?"

Daniel looked up, noticing the security camera and picked up his pace. Surely people were starting to question where the MPs were. "You mean about when we get to '233?" he asked. At her nod he added, "Not a clue. Find another mirror in your universe, I guess."

"Oh, is that all? Well, since it's going to be such a walk in the park. . . ."

Daniel jogged along side her. "I'm sorry, Sam. I wish I had a good answer for you. You know this is a long shot."

"I do know, and I want you also to know how indebted I am to you, and your team," she said, casting a glance backwards at Kawalsky. Daniel too cast a glance backward and saw Ferretti and Fraiser catching up to them.

"They're secure," Janet informed them, breathless.

"Good job, guys," Daniel said. They'd reached the blast door of the 'gate room and he wasn't surprised to see two more soldiers waiting for them, guns aimed in their direction.

Joining his team in raising his hands, Daniel spoke calmly. "Stand down. This doesn't concern you."

The younger of the men spoke up. "I'm sorry sir, but we've been told not to let you into the 'gate room. You're ordered to report to General Carter." Daniel was about to speak when off to his left, O'Neill began coughing and gasping for breath. It wasn't much of a distraction, but Daniel seized the moment the soldier's attention wavered, grabbing his gun and disarming him. Sam surprised the other soldier, delivering a well-aimed punch to his jaw, sending him to the floor.

"Sorry, Blakely," Daniel muttered to the young man he'd taken the gun from, just before he punched him as well. Kawalsky, Ferretti and Fraiser moved in closer as Daniel swiped his access card. Sam was bent over, checking on O'Neill as the door slid open.

"I'm okay!" he wheezed. "Just go!" As soon as his team was through the door, Daniel pushed the controls to close it, but it took time for the heavy door to roll closed and seal the entrance. Standing guard, he motioned the rest of his people to the DHD and the ramp. It wasn't going to be long before reinforcements showed up.

"Sam! Dial it up!" Daniel called, still aiming at the decreasing gap in the blast door. "Don't do it, Whitlock," he warned the soldier about to squeeze through the door. "Just let us go." After a moment's hesitation, the woman stood down, giving him a resigned nod. Daniel nodded his thanks, just as the door slid home.

Firing a few shots at the card reader, Daniel disabled it, joining his team at the base of the ramp, just as the wormhole engaged. "Thanks for the distraction, O'Neill. In another life, I might like you."

Jack managed a weak smile, "According to Sam, we do." Daniel grinned and clapped him on the shoulder. Yeah, he could see that. Daniel moved off to wait with his team, giving Jack and Sam a chance to say good-bye. He was going to have a hard enough time himself letting her go and he wasn't involved with her. He certainly didn't envy the man.

Jack stood, shakily, embracing Sam, then kissing her so hard Daniel wondered if she was going to have any air left. He heard murmured "I love you's" and turned his back, trying to give the couple a modicum of privacy.

"Sorry, guys. We've got to go. They'll get that door open any minute now."

Sam nodded, giving Jack one last kiss before she headed up the ramp, then stepped into the blue horizon. Daniel was the last to go through, ensuring everyone made it out. He looked down at O'Neill who'd collapsed back into the wheelchair. Before the man could entreat him, Daniel promised,

"I'll look after her," and he stepped into the 'gate.

A/N-One more chapter and then the epilogue. I'm too impatient to wait until tomorrow, so I'll post the end later today.