Two taps on the radio told Jack O'Neill that someone at the Stargate wanted to talk to him. They had agreed on radio silence so this must be important. He took a quick look around. They weren't even close to the fortress yet, but as the darkness had quickly descended on the valley the Jaffa had fallen back. Good, that meant no enemies were nearby. He keyed the radio.

"This is SG-1 niner, go ahead."

"SG-1 niner, this is SG-8 niner. We've got good news for you. We found something you've been looking for."

"You got Jackson?" The mix of chock and relief made Jack forget about keeping the conversation in code. He could almost hear the major smile at the affection his slip up betrayed.

At the moment it didn't really matter, he knew for a fact he wasn't the only one whom the annoying archaeologist had grown on over the last year. It hadn't exactly been difficult to get volunteers to go on this rescue mission. The teams on stand down had practically fought over the opportunity. Daniel had a special place in the hearts of almost every man and woman at the SGC, as proven by the reactions when that Nem-guy made them all think he was dead. Jack still cringed at the implanted memory in his mind.

Lewis managed to keep to protocol as he responded:

"Affirmative. Lost puppy recovered."

"Roger that. Heading back. SG-1 niner out." Jack allowed himself a satisfied smile before he keyed the radio again, this time addressing the rest of his team.

"We're heading back guys. The puppy turned up."

"Roger that, sir."

"Acknowledged, O'Neill."

Carter's and Teal'c's responses were short and professional, but the relief was as evident in their voices as it had been in his own.

The retreat along the winding dirt road was uneventful and soon they were at the 'gate. The night had fallen properly now and Jack radioed ahead as they entered the clearing to avoid friendly fire.

"SG-1 returning. Where's my puppy?"

"Over here, colonel," was the response, shouted from the far side of the 'gate. As he got closer Jack could make out someone leaning over a body on the ground, evidently tending to wounds.

The sight stabbed him right in the heart. He would never let on, but ever since he brought the young geek back from Abydos Jack had made it his mission to keep him safe. Daniel had had more than his share of hurt in his life and he didn't need any more. However, as always, he wasn't doing his job very well. Daniel had been captured and apparently injured, again. Jack schooled his features as he approached the marine corporal tending to his friend.

"How's he doing?"

"Got a broken rib, sir, plenty of bruises and a grace on the leg from staff weapon's fire."

The corporal's tone was full of – guilt? – and he was avoiding Jacks eyes. What's he hiding? Then Jack saw the bandage on Daniels left shoulder.

"And that?" he asked, pointing at it.

An embarrassed cough escaped the corporal.

"Ehm, sir... a bullet wound, sir."

"A bullet...? A BULLET WOUND? And who exactly put that there?" Jack flung out his hands, encompassing every soldier in the clearing in his question. The corporal seemed to shrink away from his fiery glare.

"Sir... I did, sir. It was an accident, sir."

Jack was about to explode again, but a weak voice stopped him dead in his tracks.

"Jack... what are you yelling about? I'm trying to be unconscious here."

Before Jack could answer major Lewis broke into the conversation.

"Corporal Marks, is he stable?"

"Yes, sir."

Lewis turned to Jack.

"Then we're ready to move out, colonel. Dr Fraiser insisted we bring him home as soon as possible."

Jack nodded.

"Right. Let's move out. Carter, dial it up."

"Yes, sir."

Daniel was barely awake as they carried him through the blue puddle. Good thing the recalculations made the ride smoother, he thought as he passed out the other end of the wormhole a fraction of a second later. He caught a glimpse of the high gray walls of the 'gate-room, vaguely reminding him of something important, before his view was blocked by the friendly but stern face of one doctor Janet Fraiser.

"What have you gone and done this time, young man?"

His only response was somewhere between a smile and a wince before he closed his eyes and let himself drift away.

Daniel woke to the muted florescent light of nighttime in the infirmary. The florescent lights tugged at something he should remember, but here and now was winning the tug-a-war. He was sore all over, but he already felt stronger.

Must be due to this thing, he thought a he discovered the IV feeding something into his system. Probably some kind of nutrition. That was what Janet usually gave him after some accident or fight off world landed him here. He let out a snort of laughter at the thought. His visits to the infirmary was becoming way to frequent if he could use the word 'usually' in connection to the place.

There was a slight movement to the side of the bed and Daniel glanced over to find Jack exactly where he'd known he would be. By my side. When exactly did I start trusting that? Or that he wouldn't leave me behind? When did I start trusting him with my life? Now that he thought about it, it was all a little strange. He had always been on his own, and managed fine that way. Never expecting anyone to take care of him. Foster care had taught him to take care of himself. But here he was, trusting Jack with his life, calling him friend and knowing he would be there no matter what. When had that happened? A bewildered smile crept up on his face. It didn't matter.

"Jack..." His voice was weak, weaker than he had expected, but the man next to him responded immediately, jerking awake and almost falling off the chair.

"Daniel?" The suppressed worry was evident in his friend's voice, and it warmed Daniel's heart even as the colonel switched over to their usual banter. "So you decided to finally wake up, huh? Or are you just teasing before you take another snooze-vacation?"

"I'm awake. And I'm feeling quite fine actually, thank you for asking."

"I'll be the judge of that," a third voice cut in to the conversation. "I heard you talking," Janet explained, "you should have called and let me know he was awake, colonel."

"I was going to, doc." Jack defended himself with all the grace of a three year old caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Daniel rolled his eyes and focused on the petite doctor, who was now checking the readout on his heart monitor.

"Your blood pressure is up to normal again and the rhythm looks good too. How are you feeling, Dr Jackson?"

"Fine." The answer came out quick, automatic. Janet wasn't fooled.

"You have a broken rib, that only by sheer luck didn't give you internal injuries as you apparently traipsed around in a thick forest for a day, a nasty burn on your right leg, and a bullet wound almost clear through your left shoulder. Not to mention a black eye, a split lip and defensive wounds all over your arms. For a linguist you have a remarkably incorrect grasp on the meaning of the word fine."

There it was. Was this really what I was longing for back on PZX-760? Daniel could feel the heat on his face and he didn't need to turn his head to know Jack was grinning from ear to ear. As long as it wasn't him in the bed, the man surely enjoyed watching the 'Napoleonic power-monger' work.

"Okay." Daniel sighed. "I feel a little weak, but there isn't much pain."

"That, my dear, is because you are pumped full of good ol' pain killers."

"And if you can't keep your smart-aleck comments to yourself I will have to ask you to leave until I have concluded my examination. Maybe I won't let you come back at all."

Janet's quick reprimand reminded Jack exactly who was in charge in the infirmary, regardless of military rank. He quickly closed his mouth and took a demonstrative step away, silently declaring that he could butt out as long as it meant that he could stay. Janet nodded her agreement and turned back to Daniel.

"Regardless of his phrasing, the colonel is right. The reason you feel no pain is because I have you on a rather high dose of pain killers. You will heal though as long as there are no complications. All you need is plenty of rest, so I'm going to keep you here for at least the remainder of the week."

Daniel let out a low moan. I can't believe I actually missed this place. Janet just smiled.

"If you feel up for eating something, I'll take that IV out and get you some food."

The low rumble of his stomach at the mention of food almost made Daniel's response superfluous.

"Yeah, food would be nice."

As the Janet removed the IV line and went to fetch him some food, Jack moved closer again, resuming his place in the chair at his side. In that strange way that he had just become aware of Daniel knew he had not left that seat since they brought him home, and that Sam and Teal'c couldn't be far away.

"How long was I out?" he asked, beating around the bush.

"Almost thirty-six hours." The response was low and for once lacked Jacks trademark comedic tone.

"So I guess you're pretty sick of that chair?" He tried to make the comment sound casual, but he had to know, even if he was afraid the answer wouldn't be the one he hoped.

"A little stiff. You know, the knee doesn't really like sitting still. But, you know, we took shifts. Carter and Teal'c sat with you too. Let me take a walk to soften it up now and then." The humor was back in Jack's voice, but his smile was a little crooked. Daniel knew it meant he had as most taken a quick stroll through the hallway outside the infirmary.

"Thanks, Jack."

"For what?" The colonel was back to his dumb military guy act, so Daniel just ignored him and drifted off.

A touch on his arm brought him back from his drug-fueled daze and he looked up into Janet's face again.

"I brought you some food, Dr Jackson. I'll let you sleep after but you should really try to eat something. Your body hasn't had anything substantial for almost three days now. You need the nutrition to heal."

Daniel nodded and tried to sit up. Pain lanced through his entire upper body and he had to accept help from both his doctor and his friend to get upright enough to not choke on his food. His left arm was unmovable due to the bullet wound in his shoulder and his right hand felt weak and uncoordinated. Finally Jack had to help him with the eating as well. Okay, so maybe I do need that week in the infirmary.

Daniel slept on and off for the rest of the day. Each time he woke to found his friend and CO at his side. Sometimes Sam and Teal'c were there too, like he'd known they'd be. In snippets he got the story of their side of the events on PZX-760.

Just as Daniel had thought a Jaffa had taken him out with a swing of his staff weapon, resulting in the black eye adorning his left eye. Sam had called out for him but there was nothing the team could do at the time. Reluctantly they had escaped through the Stargate to return with reinforcements. SG-8 had backed them up for the S&R and with a few well placed flash-bang grenades they had taken control of the 'gate-clearing. As soon as they had the 'gate SG-1 had moved out, pushing the Jaffa back towards the fortress.

"They fell back when darkness fell though," Jack commented. "But before we could get to the fortress Lewis radioed that you had turned up."