As always thank you for the many kind reviews. For those of you who find this too dark - I'm sorry (I warned you!). From now on it will be mostly angst and adventure (although you know me - I can't promise no more whump - but I can promise romance).

They continued down the long, empty corridors, Reynolds in the lead, followed closely by Teal'c who carried O'Neill. Daniel and Sam made up the rear, both of them on the alert for any more aliens.

"Any ideas of who these people are?" Daniel asked again. He was looking at the walls of the underground facility, as if they would tell him who had done this thing.

"No, I told you, they didn't say anything."

"Then what the hell did they want and what did they do to Jack?"

"I don't know!" she said again. "I wish I did. I've thought and thought but I can't figure it out. They were checking me out but didn't hurt me. I don't know what they wanted with the Colonel."

"Maybe you were next", Daniel hypothesized. At Sam's horrified look he shrugged in apology. "Sorry. I just wish I -" Daniel suddenly stopped dead. He'd seen something out of the corner of his eye. "What the -?"

"Daniel", Sam hissed, as she watched him head towards the wall as the others continued to move ahead.

"I know – I'll just be a -" his voice faded as he stepped up close to the wall where a faint mark could be seen. He reached up and traced it with his finger.

"What is it?" Sam asked, following him to take a look. She squinted at the symbol, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Oh my God – that's -"

"What are you two doing?" Reynolds called down with a stage whisper. "Come on!"

Daniel and Sam took one horrified look at each other and then turned and hurried back down the hall. "Sorry", Daniel said softly. "We discovered something."

"Anything we need to know right now?" Reynolds asked.

"No – it can wait."

The Colonel nodded and they once more headed out. Soon they were at the bottom of the stairway leading to the outside.

It took only a few moments until they were up top, to find Sg-5, Bosco and Peterson waiting for them.

"Holly Crap", Major Altman of Sg-5 exclaimed when he caught sight of O'Neill. "What the f-k happened to him?"

"Come on people, let's get a move on. We need to get the Colonel back to the Infirmary", Reynolds snapped. "You'll get the details later."

The teams headed quickly in the direction of the gate, the soldiers all keeping their eyes out for hostiles. "Did you see anyone on your way here?" Reynolds asked Altman.

"No – not a thing. What was down there", he nodded towards the clearing.

"An underground facility. It looks like they were doing experiments of some kind."

"Crap", the Major replied, stealing a look at the unconscious man in Teal'c's arms. "O'Neill looks to be in bad shape." He didn't know O'Neill that well, but was still horrified by the condition he was in. As far as he knew the Colonel was a decent guy and certainly didn't deserve whatever had been done to him.

"Yeah, he is. The Doc'll fix him up."

It was only a few minutes before they arrived at the gate. Daniel stepped forward and quickly dialed, taking one last look at his still unconscious friend. Teal'c had given him a nod, so he knew Jack was still alive, even though he looked like a corpse. He could feel the anger well up inside – and the fear as he thought about what he'd seen on the wall of the facility.

Hammond was waiting anxiously in the Control room. More than anything he hated these moments. Waiting was always the worse. No, he took that back – there was worse, but he prayed it wasn't going happen this time. He desperately hoped they would find O'Neill and Carter. Two better officers and human beings it would be hard to find and they would be terribly missed if they didn't bring them back.

Dr. Frasier was on call, also waiting anxiously in the Infirmary. She too hoped that her friends and comrades would be found and would return without need of her services. Even if they were wounded it would still be better than the alternative. God – she prayed they were okay.

The entire base was tense, everyone waiting for news of the missing members of Sg-1. Anytime any teams were missing or lost it caused a pall on those remaining Earth-side. The small group of people who knew about the Stargate and who worked at the SGC had formed an unusual family – and they all supported and were there for one another.

It had been two hours since Peterson had come through the gate with the word that they'd found an underground facility and that Reynolds, Teal'c and Dr. Jackson were investigating it. Hammond had quickly gotten Sg-5 together and sent them off as back-up. Since then he'd waited for news.

It was a few moments later when the glyphs began to light up and a few more seconds before Walter announced that the signal was from Sg-5. "They're back Sir."

"Have Dr. Frasier and a medical team here standing by", Hammond called. He had a bad feeling – which he hoped was wrong.

A few more seconds and the event horizon whooshed into existance. Altman and his men walked through almost immediately, followed by Reynolds. There was a brief pause and Teal'c walked through, carrying a body.

Hammond started and immediately headed down into the gate room. He'd recognized that body – it was O'Neill.

"Teal'c!" he called.

"He's alive Sir." Dr. Jackson and Samantha Carter had come through immediately following Teal'c. It was Jackson who had called out to him. "He's hurt but alive."

Just then the doors opened and Janet walked in, followed by a gurney and two of her nurses. "What's going – Sam, you're okay!" she called spying her friend. A second later she saw Teal'c and his burden. "Colonel O'Neill? Lay him on the gurney Teal'c", she said directly, immediately switching to professional mode. "What happened?"

"We don't know Dr. Frasier", Teal'c answered as he gently laid the Colonel down. "We found him strapped to a table. He has remained unconscious."

While the others stood silently Janet did a quick examination of the Colonel. Her frown grew fiercer, but she didn't say anything other than to ask for readings from her nurses. "Let's get him to the Infirmary folks", she said after a brief check. She proceeded to give quick instructions to her nurses on what treatment to begin and immediately followed the gurney.

"Doctor?" Hammond called after her.

Janet turned around, acting almost surprised to see everyone. "I don't know Sir. All I know is he's alive but I need to do further tests. I'll let you know as soon as I find out." She then spied Sam and frowned again. "Major Carter needs to come to be checked out as well."

Hammond nodded. "Dr. Jackson, can you accompany Major Carter. The rest of you are to get your post-mission checks. We'll debrief later." He watched somberly as the teams headed off towards the Infirmary. He was dying of curiosity but knew that right now it was more important that everyone be checked out – and that O'Neill receive immediate care.

It took little time for the Sg teams to be cleared by the medical staff but they were soon gone, leaving only Sg-1 and Reynolds. A little while later Hammond appeared, unable to restrain his worry and curiosity any longer.

"Any news?" he asked Dr. Jackson.

"No Sir. Janet's still in with Jack. We haven't heard anything."

"And Major Carter?"

"Uh – Dr. Warner checked her out. He said she's fine. I think she's just showering and changing."

Hammond nodded and sat down, feeling exhausted with the uncertainty and worry of the last few weeks. "So, what can you tell me about what happened?"

Daniel and Teal'c filled him in on what they'd found. When they told him about Jack they could see the anger grow in the General's eyes.

"What the hell were they doing to him?" he wanted to know.

"We don't know Sir", Daniel answered. He opened his mouth to tell the General the worst when Sam suddenly appeared.

"Major Carter." Hammond stood and approached her. "How are you?"

"I'm fine Sir", she gave him a small smile. "Glad to be back home."

"We're glad to have you back home Major. And you're sure you're alright? Did Dr. Warner say it's okay for you to be up and around."

"Yes Sir. He couldn't find anything wrong with me so he said I could leave. He's recommended that I stay on base for 24 hours though, just to make sure."

Hammond nodded. "Have a seat Major. We're still waiting to hear about Colonel O'Neill. We haven't heard anything yet."

Sam looked worried at that but sat down. Even though the Doctor had cleared her, she still felt tired and emotional. She knew it was just reaction from being held captive, but she hated how nervous and weak she felt.

"So Major, Dr. Jackson was telling me a bit about what happened. What all can you tell me?"

She repeated what she'd told the others about her experience in captivity, adding a few more details but nothing that seemed terribly relevant. "I don't have any idea why they wanted me Sir", she said to the General.

"You said you thought there might have been a few times when you were given something to make you sleep. Any idea why that was?"

"No – no idea Sir. And Dr. Warner couldn't find anything wrong with me. It didn't look as if they'd done any experiments or anything."

"General – there's one more thing", Daniel interrupted at this point. "There's something we haven't told you."

"What is it Dr. Jackson?" Hammond turned to him and felt his stomach clench. Jackson had that look that could only mean something bad.

"We knew right away that the facility was Goa'uld – or at least Teal'c did – but we didn't know which Goa'uld, at least not until we were ready to leave. Sam and I found the Goa'uld's sign on the wall."

"And which Goa'uld was it Dr. Jackson", Hammond asked softly, his body tense.

"Nirti Sir. It was her sign."

Jack could hear noises around him, and thought that it must be the aliens coming back to do their thing. He immediately forced him mind to move away from the present, reaching out for memories of his son. Abruptly he frowned – something wasn't right. He was pulled back, against his will, to the present. He tried to resist but there was something that kept him from moving back into his mind. It took him a moment to discover – but finally –

It smelled different. That's what it was – the smell. He continued to hear people talking but hadn't paid attention – hadn't let himself listen. Now however, he let his hearing and senses sharpen and center on the present.

"His vital signs are increasing Doctor", someone said. "I think he's regaining consciousness."

"Let's see", another voice answered – a familiar voice. "Colonel. Are you awake Sir? Colonel O'Neill, can you hear me?"

Janet – it was Janet Frasier. Was this real? Was he in the Infirmary or was this a trick? It could be – the aliens could be doing something to make him imagine all this. Or then again, maybe it was his own mind. Maybe it had transported him to the SGC as another way to avoid dealing with the reality of his confinement.

Confinement? His head was turned to the side, at least that's what it seemed. But he was strapped in – restrained. His mouth hurt – burned horribly – but it felt like he could close it, something he hadn't been able to do for – forever.

What was this? Was it reality or a dream? He could hear the monitor start to speed up as he began to panic. He didn't know anymore what was real and what was fantasy. He was terrified that it was all still a dream – that he'd wake up still bound and unable to move. He couldn't take this – couldn't be here. He wanted to go back – to go back to his cabin with Charlie and Sara, where he was safe.

"His respiration and heart rate are increasing Doctor", the nurse said, sounding confused and worried.

"What the hell – Colonel, relax Sir. You're safe – you're here in the Infirmary." She watched in concern as O'Neill began to moan, the sound eerie in the bright Infirmary room. She instructed her staff to get a sedative and quickly injected it into the Colonel's IV. After a few moments he began to calm down, although his heart rate was still high.

"What the hell is going on?" Janet asked to no one in particular. The strange part of the whole thing was that during the entire episode O'Neill hadn't moved. She was pretty sure he was conscious, but he was acting as if he was still restrained. She cursed silently, wondering at the depth of the trauma the Colonel had experienced. With a sigh she tried again to wake him up.

"Colonel O'Neill. Come on Sir – open your eyes. You're safe here in the Infirmary."

It took a few moments but finally she could see his eyes begin to crack open. He closed them tightly the first time after a couple of seconds, but then tried again a little while later. When they were finally open completely they focused on her face – and he simply stared at her.

"That's it Sir", Janet smiled. "It's good to see those beautiful brown eyes again. You're here Colonel", she repeated. "You're safe. Daniel and Teal'c and Colonel Reynolds found you and brought you back to the SGC. You're going to be fine."

He continued to stare at her, not moving a muscle. It was worrisome so Janet reached up and gently touched his face, stroking it gently. "You're fine", she soothed. "You can move Sir – the restraints are gone."

He blinked once, twice, three times and then his mouth opened slightly and she watched as he licked his lips. "Are you thirsty? Of course you are. Here Sir." She gently lifted his head and held a straw to his lips. "I'm afraid your mouth is going to be sore for a few days so drink carefully."

There was a short pause and then his lips closed around the straw. He sucked on it and immediately his eyes closed as the cool water hit his mouth.

If what Daniel and Teal'c had said was true, he probably hadn't had anything to drink – at least by mouth – for weeks. It made Janet want to scream and hit something. No wonder his mouth was in such rough shape.

The Colonel was extremely malnourished and had lost over twenty pounds. On top of that he had numerous infected sores all over his body, including the ones in his mouth. The skin on his wrists, ankles and neck was rubbed raw and there was deep bruising from where he'd obviously tried to get loose from the bonds that had tied him down.

Other than that there weren't any life-threatening wounds, which was good. There were two things that worried her however, the odd chafing and sores on his genitals and the confusing readings she'd gotten from his blood tests. He'd been given some kind of drug, which were still in his system, but she didn't have a clue what it was or what the effects had been.

Of course more worrisome than the physical symptoms – which she was pretty sure would all go in time – were the emotional and mental ramifications of what had happened to him. Being restrained for weeks, without being able to move, would drive anyone insane. For the Colonel it would have been particularly difficult. He found it hard to stay still at the best of times.

"What did they do to you Sir", she asked quietly as she watched him. At her words his head turned slightly and she started, realizing he'd heard her. She smiled at him. "You're going to be okay Jack", she told him. "Just let us look after you, okay."

He gave a tiny nod and she could see his lips turn up slightly. Thank God – he was still in there.

"How's he doing Janet?" Daniel stood quickly when the tired looking Doctor came towards them. Hammond and Teal'c also stood, while Sam stayed seated, her face tight with worry.

"He's doing fine – at least physically", she said. "His wounds were superficial and will heal quickly. The worst is his mouth and that will mostly be painful, but not dangerous. He's malnourished and we'll need to get his weight back up. With lots of rest and good food he should be physically back to normal in a few weeks."

"Physically?" Sam was the one who caught what Janet wasn't saying. "How is he – otherwise?"

Janet sighed. "It's hard to say. He hasn't said anything, although he did regain consciousness. Until we know what was done to him it will be hard to tell how he'll recover. The fact that he was tied down – probably for most of the time if not all – will cause enough trauma of its own even if they didn't do anything else to him. He's going to need lots of reassurance and support. Right now he's not even moving."

"He can't move?" Daniela asked, frowning.

"Oh yes, he can move – it's just that he doesn't seem to know it yet. It will take a while for him to feel free, even though he is."

"O'nak ker 'trashak!" growled Teal'c. "They will die for what they have done!"

"I'm with you Teal'c", Daniel whispered. He then looked up at Janet. "Can we see him?"

"He's sleeping now, but I think it would be good if one of his team was with him as much as possible. Try and get him to move. That will help make him realize he's home. I think he doesn't quite believe it yet."

This time it was the General who swore. Sam looked a little surprised to hear Hammond use such language. She also looked like she agreed.

She went to stand up which caused Janet to realize she was there. The Doctor frowned. "Not you Sam – at least not right now. I want you to rest. You can come and see Colonel O'Neill tomorrow."

Sam was almost asleep in the VIP quarters when it suddenly dawned on her that she hadn't called Pete to let him know she was home, and safe. With a sigh she decided it could wait until tomorrow. Within seconds she was out like a light.

Daniel sat and watched as his friend slept. He still looked like hell, although now that he was cleaned up and wearing a hospital gown he looked marginally better than when they'd found him. His mouth still looked bruised and sore and there were dark circles under his eyes – and his cheeks were sunken and gaunt looking. At least he was breathing and according to Janet would be okay.

As for the trauma – Daniel knew it wasn't going to be easy on Jack – but he also knew if there was anyone who could overcome it, it would be the Colonel. He was as tough as they came.

Teal'c had taken the first shift with Jack while Daniel had gotten some sleep. He'd reported that O'Neill had neither woken nor moved the entire time he was there. Daniel had grimaced and sent Teal'c off to Kel'noreem. He'd then sat down and watched his friend.

It was almost two hours later before Jack began to wake up. By this time Daniel had begun to doze – his head jerking a couple of times as he'd started to sink into sleep. When he heard Jack's soft murmur he'd woken up completely and sat forward.

"Jack", he whispered. A moment later there was another sound from his friend and, without warning, his eyes popped open. His head didn't turn – didn't move – but Jack was suddenly looking at him, his expression not changing.

"Hey Jack", he said softly. "Nice to see you. We missed you."

Jack simply stared so Daniel began to speak quietly. "We tried looking for you and Sam immediately, but couldn't find you. I'm sorry it took so long. Please believe me that we looked everywhere."

Jack blinked and continued to stare, but now there was a faint frown line between his brows. He looked as if he wanted to speak, but didn't quite know how.

"What is it?" Daniel asked. "Is there something you need?"

Jack licked his lips, seeming almost surprised at the ability to do so. Finally he opened his mouth and attempted to speak. When nothing came out he closed his eyes in frustration.

"I'm sorry Jack – here." He held up the glass of water with the straw in it. "Your throat's probably dry. Have a drink and it'll be easier to talk."

This time Jack actually lifted his head himself, his eyebrows moving up as he did so. He took a few sips of water and then laid down again. "Sam?" he whispered, managing to croak out the one word.

Daniel could have kicked himself. Probably no one had bothered to tell him what had happened to her. "She's fine Jack. The aliens didn't hurt her at all. They simply kept her in a room but she said they treated her okay. She's sleeping right now but she's coming by in the morning to see you."

Jack nodded – a real one this time and gave a slight smile. "Good", he whispered.

"Are you going to be okay?" Daniel asked, looking worriedly at his friend.

Jack shrugged but at Daniel's looked rolled his eyes. "You – know me", he managed to get out. "I'm – fine."

"Right", Daniel snorted. "You are not fine – but you will be, I promise. Just rest and take it easy and everything will be okay."

As Daniel watched Jack fall back asleep he wondered briefly about Nirti and her underground lab – and hoped that his words to Jack would come true.