Lifeboat

Racing through the corridors of the SGC, Jack yelled at random people who stood in his way. "Get outta my way!" Ignoring any ranks or pleasantries, Jack would knock someone out cold if they stood in his way. Especially if by getting in his way, Jack ended up with an injury. There was a code seventeen on the base and Jack knew that the only SG team off world was SG-1. There he had been, happily doing some paperwork – Jack now actually assessed a lot of upcoming missions, taking the work load from General Hammond – when the alerts had gone off. The base was on lockdown and a team was being brought back through the Stargate. He had heard the calls for a medical team to get to the Stargate. He approached the infirmary and came to a skidding halt. "Nurse, what's going on?" he demanded and the nearest nurse turned to him.

"Teal'c called requesting help with SG-1 and SG-4 was sent, sir."

"And?"

"Two members are unconscious and one's in the observation room." That must be who they had called a code seventeen for – Goa'uld infiltration. Spinning on his heel, Jack raced through the corridors to the observation room and found General Hammond and Teal'c standing and looking down into the room.

"T?"

"It is DanielJackson," the Jaffa answered and Jack moved further into the room. He looked down through the one way glass and saw Daniel, two male nurses and Janet. Daniel was pacing around, yelling at Janet in an incredibly uncharacteristic manner.

"Goa'uld?"

"Not sure yet, Colonel, but there's something not right."

"What happened?"

"We discovered a ship and were in the process of counting the stasis pods on-board, as per MajorCarter's orders, when a blinding light rendered all of SG-1 unconscious. I awoke and sought aid."

"Carter and Carpenter?" Jack finally asked.

"In the infirmary." Hammond met Jack's eyes. "They're unconscious."

"General?" Jack questioned and Hammond nodded at him. Trying not to allow his desire to check on Sam rule his entire being, Jack attempted to head to the infirmary in a calmer fashion. He was not too successful. His immediate concern at hearing the code was that the base was safe and then that all members of SG-1 were okay. There was only a small part of him that had wanted to run straight to Sam's side, especially given her recent abduction by Osiris. Jack's primary concern always had to be the base. Once he was back at the infirmary, Jack almost literally bumped into the same nurse as before and asked her, "SG-1?"

"Over there, sir," she answered with a point. "They are both stable, but still unconscious," she added, "Doctor Fraiser is still with Doctor Jackson. She can explain further, sir."

Suddenly a hesitation washed over Jack. For over six years he had forced himself to fight against feeling anything for Sam, to hide all emotions regarding her unless it was suitable and toward the entire team. Justification had started to become his middle name during incidents such as these. A few months ago, Jack would have had to decide quickly how to respond. He would have decided to check on Daniel first, as he was the code seventeen, and then both women equally. There could be no favouritism for any member of his team. Sometimes, it had caused Jack to favour others over Sam, for the simple fear of someone questioning his judgement. There had always been moments when he put her first. When Jolinar had invaded her, Jack had made his feelings clear.

Now things did not have to be quite so complicated. Although all that did was cause Jack greater confusion. Slowly he approached the two beds side by side and his eyes were immediately drawn to Sam. She looked simply as if she was sleeping. There were no visible injuries, no marks or even dirt smudges on her face. Her face was not even paler than it should be. They had not yet made firm arrangements at home regarding their sleeping arrangements. It had been Sam's suggestion to keep separate rooms. "I'm not saying never, Jack, it's just that I don't want things to move too fast. Yes, I know we have a child and already live together, but a bit of space for a bit longer. Please." He had not been able to say no to her, and during their month of leave, Sam had ended up in his bed every single night and all night long at that. Jack had always been cursed with being quite a light sleeper at times. It was a curse of his job and fear over his daughter, but ever since Sam had taken to his bed he slept soundly every night. He knew it would not take much longer for her to take that final step and then they could never go back.

Sam looked like she did every morning when he awoke.

"Colonel?" Jack turned at Janet's voice and he realised that he had been staring at Sam's unconscious form.

"Sorry," he mumbled.

"No need to apologise." She moved past him to check on the patients and Jack finally glanced at Carpenter who seemed also unhurt, except her pale skin stood out in stark contrast to her dark hair. "Let's see how they're doing."

"What happened to them?"

"They appear to be in some sort of neural shock, sir. They do both have normal activity on their EEGs, which is something to be glad of. I'm afraid it's a waiting game, Colonel."

He nodded, distracted by Sam again, but did manage to ask, "What about Daniel?"

She laughed sourly. "Now that I do not know. Have you seen him?"

"I heard a bit. Rambling about being some Sovereign or something." Janet nodded and Jack could not help but notice her pain. "Are any of them a Goa'uld?"

"No, not on any of our conventional tests. Daniel's EEG is hardly normal." Jack nodded and she continued, "I've called Doctor Mackenzie in to have a look at all three of them." She started to move past him and gently touched his elbow. "I'm sure Sam will be okay."

He met her eyes. "I'm sure Daniel will, too."