What Fate Decrees (Revised)

by Jackie ONeill Nut

Disclaimer: Stargate SG-1 and its characters are the property of Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. I have written this story for entertainment purposes only and no money whatsoever has exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author(s).

PART ONE

The vortex whooshed out from the stone ring, lighting up the darkness, casting the shadows out from the immediate area. Four people emerged from the light and walked down the steps, the vortex folded into itself and darkness reigned once more.

Lights shone across the blackness and with eerie flashes, glimpses of statues, armour and cobwebs became seen. A particularly hideous face loomed out beneath one of the beams, making the torch holder jump and exclaim. "Ack, the welcoming committee!"

The beams of light cast along the huge stonewall illuminated large lanterns hanging here and there.

"Seeing as we're here we might as well make it more homely." A lighter flickered and the lantern burst into life. "They don't make `em like they used to," commented Jack O'Neill as he moved along the wall to light two more.

The group moved on as the light spread to show other exits in a very large room. On the opposite wall from the Stargate were several stone steps about ten feet across. They appeared to lead nowhere except up to a blank wall. At the bottom of the steps and to the right ran another low wall.

Teal'c stepped forward and leaned over to look behind low barrier. "O'Neill," he called.

Jack walked over to stand besides Teal'c. He saw a pit that appeared to go down about ten or twelve feet. At the bottom, dimly seen in the flickering light were the skeletal remains of humanoids.

"They all appear to have suffered the same fate," offered Teal'c.

"Ya think!" commented O'Neill as he leaned over to view what seemed to a large number of dusty remains, all of which seemed to have a large shaft of metal partially buried into their chest cavities or thereabouts.

"Way to go! I don't think," added O'Neill, looking hastily around to see if a projectile could be launched through any apertures. Relaxing slightly as he found nothing to warrant further investigation around the pit, he turned to his team and upon seeing Daniel already involved in blowing dust from a plinth to read what appeared to be heavy engraving, he gave his orders.

"Major, you and Teal'c take a look through one of those," he nodded at the exits "don't split up and don't touch - I'll stay with Daniel while he looks at his rocks."

"Artefacts," called a dusty Daniel.

Jack waved a hand his way "Whatever. And keep an eye out for any hidden traps. We don't want to end up like these poor devils." He grimaced at the pit. "Report back every fifteen minutes."

"We will, Colonel. We'll stay in touch," responded Carter, before turning to lead Teal'c towards the nearest passage.

* * *

Carter kept her MP5 at the ready whilst training her flashlight as far forward as possible down the dark musty cobweb riddled passageway. As several layers of cobwebs amassed on her head and shoulders she had a sudden thought "Teal'c, do you think the webs are normal spiders' sized?"

Teal'c raised an eyebrow at her "Normal? Major Carter, what do you consider normal size?"

"Oh, not to worry Teal'c," replied Carter, not too sure if the Jaffa was trying to wind her up. She quickly moved forward, scanning above as well as in front as she walked. It wasn't that she was scared of spiders - it was just that the webs seemed awfully big...

* * *

Back in the gate room Daniel started to mutter to himself, obviously getting excited as he moved on to another plinth to continue reading.

"Anything yet Daniel?" asked O'Neill, now bored with the room. He leaned over the pit once again, peering down at the remains, his neck prickling a warning.

Daniel's voice had him straightening again to look towards the other man, "Oh Jack, yes. It seems once a very large kingdom reigned here until, well. . . "There was a pause, then he continued. `Actually, I'm not too sure how recently it fell. It seems visitors were welcomed here by the king himself; err, here in the throne room."

"Throne room?" echoed Jack "They could sure use an interior designer or something. Maybe it was a poor kingdom."

"Actually," began Daniel "it tells of great riches that the kingdom had and of the struggles to maintain their wealth against invaders from the ring."

"Yeah, I think there's some invader remains in that pit," snorted Jack.

Daniel moved further down to yet another plinth and began to dust it off. "Ah ha! I think I've found the magic word - abracadabra," he exclaimed and with a flourish, pressed a raised bar on the plinth "and behold!"

Jack swung round with alarm; gun at the ready to face the wall along the top of the steps as a shuddering rumble began. The wall began to rise up slowly.

"Daniel, what the!" he exclaimed as dust and cobwebs welled up and a larger gap appeared at the top of the steps. The air was now thick with dust, but the gleam of torch light reflecting off bright objects drew their attention immediately.

"Gold," coughed Daniel as a large altar appeared, shields, swords and huge platters glinting brilliantly.

"Whoa!" gasped Jack from his vantage point at the bottom of the steps.

Daniel bounded forward, passed Jack and up the steps, his eyes gleaming like a child at Christmas.

"Daniel. Don't touch." Jack warned out of habit as he started to slowly follow, looking around cautiously.

"Jack, this is incredible. This must have been untouched for hundreds of years."

"Still, don't touch."

Daniel turned to face a huge glittering throne, the cloth covering it still resplendent in glorious vivid colours. Although the archaeologist took it in it's beauty, his attention was firmly upon some symbols that had become visible with the light source. Totally unable to control his feet, he began walking towards the newest find.

Jack's internal danger alarm rang out loudly, and without taking the time to think he launched himself at Daniel calling a warning even as he moved. A whoosh of air signalled the launch of *something* from behind the throne as Jack barely managed to fling his own body between the throne and Daniel.

He felt the *something* hit with a thump, the force strong enough to propel both men backwards and down into the pit.

* * *

When Daniel came around, he was disorientated, his glasses were gone and he realised with a sigh that a cut was bleeding profusely on his forehead. Trying to move, or at least to signal the others for help, he soon realised that he was pinned down by a heavy weight. It was a testament to his injury that it took him as long as it did to realise that the weight holding him down, was in fact his friend.

"Jack," he called and tried to shake him.

"Jack, wake up." he huffed, attempting to ease himself from beneath the large frame. The light was dim in the pit and having lost his glasses somewhere on his journey down. He moved a leg, feeling something hard beneath it, and it was only the sound of crunching glass mingling with the crunching of old bones that told him the location of his now useless glasses. Feeling slightly sick he continued to ease himself away from Jack.

A low groan emitted from the prone Colonel as Daniel tried again to free himself. "Sorry, Jack."

Knowing that he had to at least free an arm to reach his radio, Daniel attempted to move again.

"Come on Jack, I could do with a little help here," he complained, grunting with the effort. Eventually, he got himself free and struggled to sit upright as a wave of dizziness flooded through him. 'Radio?' he thought and reached for it, thankful to find it seemingly intact.

"Sam, Teal'c, come in." Letting go of the button he waited for a response, and was rewarded as a crackle of static accompanied Sam's voice.

"Daniel? Is everything ok? We heard rumbling, there's a lot of rising dust."

"Sam... I... um, we need your help." Another wave of dizziness stopped him and he put his head down for a moment.

"Stay where you are, we'll be right with you," called Sam, obviously having heard enough.

Daniel grimaced at her words, he certainly wasn't going anywhere He moved forward, leaning over to touch Jack, who he realised, still hadn't moved. "Jack," he called as he moved his hands down his jacket front to brush at himself. It wasn't until he did this that Daniel suddenly realised his hand had become wet - wet and sticky!

A wave of nausea hit him at the realisation that it was blood - a lot of blood. Taking a deep breath he let go of a cough as he realised there was far too much for it to be his blood. He scrambled forward on his knees to lean over Jack and started to feel his way gently along the inert figure. His vision blurred, not just from the loss of his glasses, but with the head injury and he had to rely on touch. He felt slowly up Jack's legs and past his waist to his backpack, finding nothing until his hand suddenly hit something hard. To his horror Daniel realised it was a metal shaft, about two feet of which was sticking out from Jack's pack. Startled, he sat back with a jerk. At the movement a groan came from his friend.

"Take it easy Jack. I'm sorry, don't move please," Daniel begged as he quickly swallowed the bile that was rising in his throat at his discovery and the realisation that the lance, or spear must have gone right through the other man's backpack and body to produce the blood on himself as he'd lay under Jack.

As gently as he could he put a hand under Jack's chest and felt around his chest. Just at the beginning of Jack's rib cage he felt what he had dreaded - metal and blood - a lot of blood!

At the intrusion Jack moaned softly, his breathing gasping. He began to twist about weakly as if trying to get up.

"Jack, don't move, you've got to stay still," called Daniel urgently, alarmed in case the movement made the injuries worse.

Daniel felt around his own shoulders to remove his backpack before he realised that he'd already taken it off. "Shit!" he called as a picture of it, sitting near the first plinth he'd examined, came to him. Jack was always complaining that Daniel dumped his pack just anywhere, and it seemed he had been proven correct.

Daniel looked around the pit in the dim light, finding the walls smooth and too high for him to climb alone.

"Sam, Teal'c, where are you?" he called into the radio.

"Right here, above you," Sam's voice came from above his head as a beam of light from a flashlight hit him in the face.

"Where's the Colonel?" she called down.

"Here, he's hurt Sam, badly."

* * *

Sam moved the flashlight around and the beam hit a prone figure, ghoulishly falling on a large lance extruding from the Colonel's backpack. She couldn't hold back her cry of shock at the sight.

Daniel's pale face could be seen just on the edge of the light, staring up. "It's bad Sam, it's gone right through. My pack is up there somewhere, near the first plinth. The first aid kit is in the front pocket."

Sam quickly assessed the situation as Teal'c moved to retrieve the pack. Seeing no obvious danger, she lowered herself down the walls before dropping lightly to the floor of the pit. She gestured to Teal'c to throw the pack down and caught it, quickly pulling the medical supplies from it.

"Teal'c, wait up there," she ordered as she knelt down, the beam from Teal'c's flashlight joining hers on the Colonel.

"Colonel, can you hear me?" called Sam, as she gently felt under his body, lightly examining his chest by touch. A low moan was her only response. Sam could feel blood seeping through and a hard point of protruding metal.

"God, this must have hit hard if it went through his pack first as well!" she exclaimed.

"The force of it took us both over the edge into the pit. We were.... he wasn't.... he must have known... he must have seen this coming, he wouldn't have been able to get here in time if he hadn't ... oh God, oh shit." Sam looked up to find Daniel's face becoming even paler as he obviously realised exactly what had happened. "He shouted a warning just before, oh ...no I must have triggered something when I got too close to the throne."

Sam took a handful of dressings. "Daniel, I'm going to need help turning him, we've got to stop this bleeding."

"Do not move him," shouted Teal'c urgently.

"We have to. He's bleeding badly," responded Sam, already aghast at how much blood was pooling around the Colonel.

"Look around Major Carter, look at the spears," urged Teal'c and he panned his flashlight about the pit, stopping it near them on a heap of bones.

At first Sam only saw the shaft of metal and then her eyes widened in horror "Damn!" she gasped as she realised what Teal'c had seen.

She scrabbled through the bones and picked up a spear. It was only about three feet in length, the metal still sound and free from rust, although stained with old dull blood marks, but about a foot from the point a large collar of blade-like spikes rose outwards.

"Oh God," she choked at the same time as Daniel gave a moan of dismay.

"We do not know if these blades are inside O'Neill and if you move him..." Teal'c's words remained unfinished as Daniel stumbled to his feet away from Jack, retching suddenly.

Heaving, he clasped his head, leaning against the pit walls to steady himself.

"Teal'c," called Sam "you need to go back to the SGC and get Janet. Take this." She stood and passed the spear up to him carefully. "Tell her what you can, but get help back here fast."

Without a word the Jaffa took the spear and disappeared from sight. Seconds later they heard the gate activate.

For a moment the enormity of the Colonel's injury had Sam frozen, before, with a mental shake, she stirred into action. She bundled together the field dressings and as gently as she could, inserted them between the wound and the floor to try and stem the flow of blood.

Daniel straightened himself, wiping at his mouth and came over to where she crouched over the Colonel. "I'm sorry Sam," he whispered.

"Are you okay?" She stood up and moved closer, reaching out towards his head. "Daniel, you're bleeding." As she did so, she saw how bloody her hands were. Daniel flinched and she grimaced at him in sympathy, turning to her pack to use the wet scrubs to clean off what she could.

"I'm fine Sam, it's nothing. You know it should be me lying there. He told me not to touch - again!" Daniel spat the words out, his distress clear.

* * *

Voices. Voices in the blackness, faint but there. Jack tried to open his eyes but they didn't want to respond. Everything felt heavy. Pain seeped in, burning and agonising pain. To just draw breath hurt, hurt so badly. He tried to speak "Daanl" was the hoarse whisper that came from his parched throat. He wanted to move, to get off his chest, away from the pressure on his lungs. The will to try to escape from the pain forced life into his limbs and with a sudden motion from his arms, he fought to right himself.

"Jack! No! Don't ..."

"Colonel, don't move."

The pressure hands exerted on his tired limbs held him still and once again he tried to open his eyes. A blurred image of his 2IC wavered in front of him.

"Can't breathe, need... need" was his cracked cry, the words breathless and needing great effort.

* * *

Sam leaned close to the stricken man. "Colonel, you're hurt. You took a spear through the back, and it's gone right through. You need to hold still, we can't move you. Teal'c's gone for help, to get Janet. He won't be long." Gently she started to touch his face as she spoke, trying to reassure him.

"Hurts." His voice was low, barely above a whisper.

His admission, without any sarcastic remark, frightened her badly. "Please, sir, just don't move," she begged him softly. Taking her canteen, she moistened a clean dressing and tried to gently wet his lips and then dabbed the cloth over his face.

"I can't give you anything for the pain, sir, but it won't be long before Janet arrives."

Although it wasn't warm, beads of perspiration bathed the Colonel's forehead and started to trickle down the planes of his face, along the strong line of his jaw. His eyelids were fighting to remain open, but it was a fight he was destined to lose as he groaned in pain. The eyelids slammed down in response.

"God, come on .... Please," whispered Sam, almost to herself.

Taking a fresh handful of dressings she added them to the blood soaked ones already there. She almost sobbed when she saw how much blood was pooling, and another moan of pain escaped from the Colonel.

The sound of the gate being activated brought Daniel to attention again.

"Thank God," he uttered, standing. There was a bustle of activity above them and moments later the diminutive Doctor Fraiser appeared, being gently lowered by Teal'c. She was closely followed by members of her staff carrying the cacophony of medical supplies she might need.

"We need more light," she called. Her people began to set up lights around them, run by portable generators, and soon the bottom of the pit was brightly illuminated.

Sam moved back to let the Doctor in closer, telling her quickly what she knew. Even as she spoke Janet was down and checking the Colonel.

* * *

"Colonel, can you hear me?" O'Neill's eyes flickered open and struggled to focus on Janet's face. "Let's get an IV in, get some blood and fluids going," she called to one of her staff.

"Sir, do you know where you are?" His eyes looked to her, but he didn't answer. "Colonel, I'm going to give you something for the pain, but I need you to stay awake. Stay with me sir," she called urgently to him. His pallor and his erratic, rattled breathing gave an indication of how bad he was, the low blood pressure and unsteady pulse telling her the story well enough to know he was in a great deal of trouble. Janet quickly inserted the IV needles into the Colonel's hand and set up a fluid and blood transfusions before injecting him with the promised painkiller.

"This'll help, Colonel." She saw his eyelids closing and called out to him, "Stay with me, sir," before turning to the people around her. "We need to turn him to his side; I can't do anything like this."

Sam and Daniel exchange glances. "You saw the spear Teal'c had? How it works?" began Sam.

"I had a quick look Sam, but if I don't stop this bleeding it won't matter, I can't pump blood into him fast enough to replace what he's losing now, never mind what he's lost already."

Turning back to O'Neill, she touched him gently on his cheek and his eyes opened again. She knew he was aware of what was going on but said it anyway. "Sir, we're going to turn you onto your side. We'll go easy but it's going to hurt."

Janet and her staff began to sort out the IV lines and equipment and positioned themselves around O'Neill.

"We'll put a body board under now; it'll save time when we come to move him." Her staff worked to follow her orders.

Quickly and efficiently they got ready to lift her patient. "On three. One, two, three, lift," ordered Janet and together they lifted and rolled the Colonel into a recovery position. Janet couldn't help the sharp intake of breath she gave at the Colonel's cry of pain at the movement. "Sorry Sir, hold on."

"It's okay," he slurred, "breathe better." His words came low and gasping.

"We can't remove his pack, but I need to get in at the front. Try and support the pack from underneath so it can't move as much." and again her staff work quickly to follow Janet's instructions. As soon as the Colonel's pack was supported, she began to cut the lace fastening on the side of the vest to pull it forward and away from him, giving her access to cut his jacket and shirt open. Her eyes kept monitoring the Colonel's face noticing with an internal smile that, as usual, he was watching everything she did. Even though he was obviously having trouble focussing, but he was trying to see as much as possible.

Most people look away or focus elsewhere, but the Colonel always watched. Knowing he was watching, she tried to school her features so as to not reveal how bad the injury was, but as she revealed the wound in all its glory, she couldn't help the distress that shook her and knew it must have showed on her face. `God he must be in terrible pain' kept running through her mind as she worked to try and stem the flow of blood from the raw wound.

"We need to get him back to the SGC. I've no way of knowing how much internal damage has been done. I've stopped the bleeding for the moment but ..."

It was Teal'c who spoke, his normal calm features frowning mightily, "If the blades have opened it would be dangerous, but if the blades are inactive inside O'Neill and are activated when he is moved he will surely die."

"The collar may not be that far in."

"Indeed, Daniel Jackson, that may be so."

"Hey." A low voice intruded, weak but clear "Can you guys argue later?" Those few words left the Colonel badly out of breath and his chest heaved to draw oxygen in.

Janet bent to him and put an oxygen mask in place "Keep it on sir, you need it."

Janet saw Sam's face pale as she looked down, and she blinked rapidly clearly trying to keep away threatening tears. Janet's gaze meet the other woman's and Sam visibly pulled herself together, a look of determination on her face as the major replaced the woman.

Daniel replied to the Colonel, his light tone and the smile on his face a contrast to the frown of worry that had been there the last time Janet had looked. "Hey Jack, do you mind butting out while we make a decision." He moved around to kneel down in front of the injured man. "After all it's only your body."

Jack tried to return the smile but failed, his features distorted into tight lines of pain.

Looking down at the Colonel's prone form, the doctor knew that she had to find out just how much of a threat the collar of the weapon posed.

"Sir, I'm going to have to get into the pack to see if I can feel that collar."

"Negative, Doc," he growled through the painkillers, "too dangerous... you need those fingers..."

Janet looked at Sam and Daniel "I need to know," she stated simply.

"I'll do it," offered Daniel; "like Jack said you need your fingers. You can always sew mine back on," he joked and moved around to start to undo the pack, working very slowly and gently. "Jack now is the time to tell me if there's any mice traps, dirty washing, or anything incriminating in your pack, cause I'm going to have to empty it down, its packed so god-damn tight."

A noise came from Jack beneath the mask and Daniel took that as the go ahead, slowly starting to remove the first layer from the pack, handing them to Sam who knelt beside him.

Janet moved closer to Jack's head and began to gently mop at his face with a cold dressing. "How's the pain?" she asked.

"Bad," he admitted, which frightened her, for O'Neill to admit to anything `bad' would be in anybody else's books `excruciating' so she quickly gave him another injection into the IV line.

"Hold on Colonel, won't be too long now." She continued to mop his face, trying to not let her eyes stray to where Daniel was working, carefully taking items from the pack, the danger from the blades clear in her mind.

* * *

"Jesus, Jack, you know how to pack it tight," Daniel exclaimed. "I wondered why your pack is always so heavy." He reached in again to withdraw yet more items, the concentration on his face giving no indication of how nervous and sick he really felt. `Please let the blades be here, please God,' he prayed inside his head.

There was utter silence in the pit, except for the noise of Daniel's movements and the coarse breathing of the injured man.

Daniel was almost to where the spear pierced through the pack when he felt something he couldn't recognise. It didn't want to move. As his fingers tugged at it gently he felt a shudder of pain from Jack and realised whatever it was, was pinned by the spear. Jack's hands and jaw clenched convulsively, and Daniel gave Janet a quick look, receiving a nod to go on as she continued to mop Jack's face and monitor the readings.

* * *

The pain seemed to be a constant pressure - granted there were bouts of severe waves, just to break up the monotony of general hell. It was getting harder to stay conscious and Jack's vision blurred constantly. Another wave of nausea hit and he tried to swallow it back. `It'll pass, it'll pass, focus, gotta focus, come on you can do it, box it down' he told himself. He pushed past the pain, holding on once more. More pressure on the spear and the pain increased. He reached out blindly with his hand and made contact with Janet's smaller ones and held them tightly.

* * *

Both of Janet's small hands were enveloped in one of Jack's and she had to bite down a retort of pain as his grip increased its pressure.

"Come on, Jack, hold on," she urged in the voice of a friend now, more than a doctor.

* * *

Daniel froze for a moment sensing how much he'd hurt Jack. Resuming his `feeling' after taking a breath, he proceeded to prod at the object. As his fingers moved up he found what he'd been searching for.

"The blades are open in here," he sighed with relief. "They're pinned into something, I ..." puzzlement formed in a frown on his features as he continued to feel around the object. "Jack, what on earth have you got in here? Its hard, padded I guess."

Jack's eyes closed for a moment and as Daniel watched he saw a flicker of emotion on his features, but when he opened his eyes it was gone.

"It's a glove," he managed to whisper.

"A glove?" echoed Daniel. He thought for a second or two. "A glove - a baseball glove?" he asked. Jack just managed a nod.

`A baseball glove, what on earth does Jack have a baseball glove in his pack for?' Daniel thought to himself, and then the light dawned, he'd seen Jack with a glove recently. Charlie's glove?

No one else asked and Daniel didn't explain further. He knew how much Jack valued his privacy and knew he'd rather people assume he was nuts than explain anything to anyone.

* * *

"Right, can we now get that thing outta me?" whispered Jack.

"I don't think it's a good idea to move you with this in you, especially through the Stargate," responded Janet.

"Sweet, pull it, plug it, let's go," he answered weakly.

"I wish it were that simple," said Janet, shaking her head.

"I can remove it, Doctor Fraiser," said Teal'c.

"Thanks T, you pull, Doc plugs, we go." The words came out quickly before the Colonel lost his breath again.

"We need a way to keep you level getting you out of this pit," said Janet, side stepping the issue of removal.

"We can sort that, Janet," said Sam. "Daniel, you wait here. Teal'c and I will go get some help and report to the General." With one last look at her Colonel, she almost ran to the wall of the pit, quickly accepting a helping hand to climb up, her eagerness to leave showing. Janet knew her friend would be anxious to bring help back to the stricken man, but that she also was finding the sight of his suffering hard to cope with.

As soon as Sam was out of sight Janet turned her attention back to Jack. "Any other instructions, Doctor O'Neill?" she asked lightly.

"Yeah, hurry, hockey finals tomorrow." His voice was barely a whisper now, his breathing getting much worse.

"One more complaint Colonel, and I'll have all the TV's removed" As Janet moved closer to his face, his colour seemed to drain even whiter and around his mouth and nose a feint blue tinge appeared to spread.

She instantly became more alert and put her stethoscope to his chest. "Colonel, take a breath for me, as best you can."

* * *

Jack did his best to comply with the Doc's orders, but a shudder of pain racked through his body and a sharp metallic coppery taste filled his mouth making him heave and gasp. He felt himself struggling for breath.

* * *

A slow trickle of blood appeared from the Colonel's mouth and nose and what Janet had been dreading, happened.

She galvanised her staff into action and a large needle and tubing were passed to her. "Colonel, I need to get a drain in, just hold on. I know it's going to hurt, just hold on."

Working quickly, she found her target and inserted the long needle through his ribs and into the punctured lung. His body shuddered and a low cry of pain was forced from his lips. The needle was finally in position and Janet removed the air, watching as his lung finally began to drain of blood.

The staff meanwhile began to cut the pack off the Colonel's back, revealing the glove embedded tightly against his back.

Daniel paled even further whilst this was going on and Janet found herself wishing that Sam would hurry. She wondered what Sam was bringing back that could take so long.

* * *

After filling Teal'c in on what they needed, Sam reported to the General.

"How long before you bring him home, Major?" he asked in a quiet voice.

"I'm not sure sir, but Doctor Fraiser seems anxious to get him back. He's only just holding on." Her voice went quieter as she spoke and the General put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Colonel O'Neill's a fighter Major, he'll make it."

She nodded at the General, unable to form a reply. Just then Teal'c entered the gate room with two volunteers all carrying assorted poles, bags and planks. Sam stiffened slightly.

Obviously seeing her need to be gone the General dismissed her, "Go bring him home, Major."

"Yes, sir" was the only response Sam trusted herself to say as she hurried down the steps, entering the gate room just as the gate activated.

* * *

PART TWO

Leaving the wormhole, they stepped once more into the room. The two volunteers looked shaky and a little green, but there was no time to offer advice on minimising wormhole sickness. Teal'c straight away set to work alongside them to erect a platform and steps so as to get the injured man up with the least fuss.

Sam was over the lip of the pit and down the side within seconds. She touched Daniel lightly on the arm in a mute request to be brought up to speed on the Colonel's condition. Daniel's recount served to diminish any colour that was left on her face, leaving her emotions plain for all to see.

Janet looked up at Sam. "He lost consciousness a few minutes ago. We need to act now."

"Teal'c," Daniel called over to the Jaffa, warning him of the need for haste. The Jaffa gave the men their last instructions before jumping down to standing besides Daniel.

"Are you going to move him like this?" asked Daniel.

Janet nodded. "It's his only chance. We can't take out the spear. If we tried to use a `torch' it would cook his insides. There's no other way, it's too risky to attempt to remove it here, even though the spikes aren't inside him." She turned to the Jaffa. "Teal'c, I need you to support the spear, hold it steady."

Teal'c immediately stepped forward "I will do my best for O'Neill, whatever it takes Doctor Fraiser."

"I know you will Teal'c, but it won't be pleasant, especially for the Colonel. Try and find a comfortable position - what you think best," replied Janet.

Teal'c knelt down facing the Colonel's back, ready to take a hold on the spear.

Janet and her staff hurried to get the dressings they would need and renewed the blood and fluids ready to move as quickly as possible.

"Sam, you come up top here where he can see you if he comes around, Daniel too" Janet nodded at her staff to take up position around their patient, before checking the Colonel's vitals once more. She shook her head and Sam knew the doctor had confirmed that it wasn't safe to give him a full anaesthetic.

The large Jaffa gently grasped the spear firmly to hold it steady, looking as calm as he always did, whilst Janet worked to pack the wound more.

Sam turned her attention to the Colonel's face, and as Teal'c began to support the spear on the Doctor's instruction, she saw his eyes flicker open, his face a mask of agony.

"He's awake," she frantically called to Janet.

"I know, I can't give him anything more yet, he's way past the safe levels already," answered the Doctor. "Talk to him - anything. Keep him going."

Sam couldn't help the sob that escaped her as she looked down to his face, his eyes wide open and distressed.

* * *

The pain was excruciating and no blackness welcomed him. Eyes, bright blue eyes captured his and he held onto them, grasping them with his vision like a drowning man would grasp a lifeline. `Beautiful eyes.' he realised yet again for what must be the thousandth time `She has such beautiful eyes.'

"Not long now Colonel, hold on, not long now. We'll get you back and get you in a nice warm infirmary," she called to him, still keeping eye contact with him.

"So blue," he murmured.

"What?" Carter looked confused, mouthing the question to someone nearby.

`Must have spoken out loud?' The buzzing in his head increased, a wave of blinding pain coursed through him, and the blackness claimed him once more.

* * *

Janet checked the Colonel's vitals. "He's in v-fib!"

A nurse handed her a prepared syringe of epinephrine, which she injected into the heart, and the Colonel was rolled as far as was possible with the spear still there, onto his back as the immediate area was cleared.

The Doctor stripped the Colonel's remaining clothing free from his chest and was handed the paddles from the portable defibrillator.

"Give me 200," she called "Clear" and with a whine and then a thump the electricity zapped the Colonel. His body convulsed briefly and Janet listened for a beat. "No response, give me 300 - Clear" and once more the Colonel's body convulsed. This time as Janet listened, she found what she needed. "Erratic pulse, poor respiration; we need to move now people."

Teal'c immediately positioned himself to support the spear again while the medical team moved with precision. The Colonel was quickly lifted and within a few minutes they were up the scaffolding and over the wall, Janet practically hanging on to Jack's arm, feeling his pulse as they moved.

Sam and Daniel weren't far behind and Sam rushed over to the DHD. She had dialled and sent the signal by the time the stretcher reached them. The two members of SG1 hung back slightly, keeping out of the way of the medical team, knowing that every second counted. As soon as the stretcher was through the wormhole, they stepped into the vortex, but by the time their feet hit the ramp in the gate room the medical staff had already gone.

Tears streamed down Sam's face and Daniel's eyes were misty, the blurring not just from the lack of glasses.

"I hope the Doc remembers that it's not just a glove to Jack," whispered Daniel.

"Was it Charlie's glove? Oh, God, do you think we can get it fixed?" moaned Sam. She sniffed and scrubbed at her eyes angrily with her sleeve, the events of the day finally catching up with her.

Teal'c regarded his friends gravely. "I will try. I will give it my best endeavour. The glove has indeed saved O'Neill's life."

Daniel just nodded at Teal'c, too emotional to respond.

Making their way down to the infirmary, they found the General already there. He was pacing anxiously but stopped as he saw them.

"Everyone else okay?" he asked "Doctor Jackson, you need to see the nurse," he pointed to the cut on Daniel's forehead.

Daniel shook his head. "I'm fine."

"Now Doctor Jackson, if you don't mind. Colonel O'Neill isn't going anywhere yet a while," he added speaking softly.

Daniel nodded and entered the infirmary where a waiting nurse led him to a curtained cubicle to tend to his head. Voices drifted around and he strained hard to listen for anything to indicate how Jack was.

"Is he ok?" he asked the nurse when he couldn't help himself any longer.

"Doctor Fraiser will speak to you when she is able, but he was alive when they took him into the OR," she replied, her expression sympathetic.

Not content, but unable to do anything, Daniel sat on the bed and allowed the nurse to tend to his injury. Fifteen minutes and a few stitches later, Daniel rejoined his friends outside the infirmary where three faces turned expectantly to him. Teal'c was holding his spare set of glasses out to him.

"Thanks Teal'c. No news?" he asked.

"No, we were hoping you ...." Sam's words trailed off..

"He's still alive, that much I do know," offered Daniel.

General Hammond pushed himself up from the chair he'd been given. "I'll have to return to my office. SG1's debriefing can wait until we know more about the Colonel's condition. Major Carter, please see I'm paged as soon as there is any word." At Sam's nod, the General left and the others settled down to wait.

* * *

A long set of hours later a tired looking Doctor Fraiser emerged from the OR, just as General Hammond joined them.

The General looked at the Doctor inquiringly. "Doctor?"

"We've got him stabilised, sir, and we've successfully removed the spear. There doesn't appear to be any major organ damage, but he's got four very badly broken ribs, one of which had punctured a lung. Also he's had major blood loss and is very weak."

"Can we see him?" asked Sam.

Janet shook her head. "Not yet. He's still well out of it for now, and we're constantly monitoring him. I suggest you all get showered, have a meal and get some sleep. I promise you if there's any change I'll let you know." As soon as she finished speaking she turned back into the infirmary, not even waiting for Hammond's permission.

"You heard the Doctor SG1, clean up, eat and sleep, that's an order. We'll debrief tomorrow," said the General before taking his leave of them.

"I shall perform kel-no-reem and return," said Teal'c.

Sam nodded. "Shower, food and sleep it is then, or at least try."

Yeah, me too" sighed Daniel.

Sam took herself off to the showers almost in a trance. Her body's autopilot kicked in and took her mindlessly through the motions of undressing and showering. As she sat down with the towel wrapped around her, the sight of her bloodied bdu's snapped her out of the fog she was in and the tears she'd been fighting to hold inside finally made their bid for freedom.

She wasn't sure how long she sat there clutching her towel around herself, shivering lightly as the chill from the air and the cold within her seeped throughout her body. She wiped her eyes with the towel in a bid to stem the flow, but it didn't help much.

She'd seen casualties before, but the image of her CO lying there, hurt so badly and in so much pain, cut to her core.

Finally, still shivering, she forced herself to dress and made her way to her quarters where she reluctantly lay down; biding her time until she thought Janet might let her in to see the Colonel.

Less than four hours later however, Sam and Daniel had had all the rest they could take and joined Teal'c outside the infirmary.

* * *

Unsurprisingly for the doctor, a nurse informed her that the rest of SG1 had returned way sooner than she would have liked, but just about as soon as she had expected them. Leaving the Colonel for a moment, she joined them in the corridor.

"Guess you need to see him," she uttered to no one in particular and with a sweep of her hand she admitted them into the room.

Several monitors surrounded the bed, emitting beeps intermittently punching the air, and an assortment of tubes and wires joined them to the unconscious Colonel. Jack's white face almost rivalled the whiteness of the hospital linen. It was the stillness of the man that was the most shocking. He was utterly and completely still.

"We had to intubate to stabilise him. It'll be some hours before we know much more."

Daniel swallowed hard. "Can we stay a little while?"

"Sure, you can even talk to him if you want. It may help him to know where he is and that he's safe."

Teal'c handed a chair to Sam and another to Daniel. Absently they nodded their thanks and sat side by side, with Teal'c taking up `guard' position at the foot of the bed.

"Hey Jack, we're all here, just waiting for you to get your butt out of bed," called Daniel softly. He leaned over and grasped one of Jack's hands, giving it a light squeeze as if willing for some response. Janet frowned at the sight, knowing that the Colonel would not wake for several hours, but she said nothing, quietly leaving to return to the ever-present paperwork in her office.

* * *

The day passed. Teal'c became the coffee boy, not understanding the Tauri's love of the beverage, but if it gave his friends some comfort, then he would provide it.

Janet entered on yet another check. "You all need to rest. He'll be unconscious for a long while. He'll need you when he's awake you know."

Teal'c inclined his head to Sam and Daniel "I have no need to rest some time yet. I shall wait for O'Neill to waken and come for you when he does." His voice was gentle and reassuring.

"We can take it in turns," said Sam protested.

"Fine, does anyone mind if I go first?" asked Daniel.

Teal'c and Sam both shook their heads and Sam rose, her reluctance to leave obvious. Janet gave her friend's arm a reassuring squeeze and led her out of the room, Teal'c close on the two women's heels.

Left alone with Jack, Daniel once more leaned in and grasped his friend's hand as though it were a lifeline.

"Well Jack, I didn't listen to you again," he began softly; all his guilt and anxiety came to the surface once more. "I'm so sorry. You've taken another fall for me. This time will be the last Jack, I promise. What I need is for you to wake up and yell at me or something and then I know you're going to be alright. I won't leave I promise until I know you're going to be okay." His eyesight became distinctly misty; his vision blurred with unshed tears. "I won't leave until ... but I won't put you through this again, too many times you've laid your life on the line for me." Not knowing what else to add to someone who couldn't possibly hear him, his voice subsided.

"Hey Daniel, you okay?" He started at the sound of a soft voice from the direction of the doorway.

"Uh Janet, sorry" Daniel quickly rubbed at his eyes beneath his glasses, "Sorry. I was just lost in thought."

Janet bustled in checking drips, tubes and changing some of the fluids.

"Respiration is picking up, pulse a lot stronger," she commented out loud for Daniel's benefit.

He looked at her hopefully. "Janet, will he be okay, really I mean?"

Janet looked at Daniel, frowning slightly before sitting in the spare chair beside him. "It's hard to be precise, Daniel, with injuries like this, but the Colonel has pulled through much worse. We've not yet lost a battle. He's strong and has plenty of will, and is as stubborn as hell. A lot of people wouldn't have made it out of that pit, let alone been conscious through it, so don't count him out yet."

"I won't, it's just, it's, I mean ...I hope I haven't killed him this time."

"Daniel, it was an accident. It could have been any one of you."

"No. Jack told me not to touch. He's told me the same thing a thousand times. That spear would have hit me if he hadn't put himself between me and it. I didn't listen, yet again." By this time Daniel was standing, all his fears and guilt written on his face. He clutched at his own arms, hugging himself. "Jack almost died - could die, because of me. He's going through this because of me."

Janet stood up, reaching out to guide him away from the bed. "Daniel, the Colonel did what he had to do. It's what he's paid to do, to serve and protect. Don't belittle his life Daniel. The Colonel always puts his team first, or anyone other than himself. He'd never think, he'd just act."

Daniel looked up at the Doctor and answered, his tone angry. "Well maybe he should think." He stopped, surprised at his own words. He thought for moment, then spoke again, this time quietly. "No that's wrong, he shouldn't have to wander around after idiots like me, picking me up, shielding me like he's a bodyguard or something."

"Daniel, that's his job, he doesn't want it any other way, believe me. He's one of life's protectors and he gets the job done."

"No matter what the price?"

"Not where one of his team is concerned."

"Perhaps the price is too high this time."

"Not for the Colonel. No matter the pain, he'd do it again, believe me."

"I know he'd do it again, that's the problem... I'm going to hand in my resignation," Daniel sniffed, removing his glasses. He rubbed at his eyes - he could almost hear Jack saying, "Don't rub Daniel, blink."

He felt Janet's hand on his arm and looked down into her anxious eyes. "Don't do anything yet Daniel. Please let's get him on the mend then talk it over," she pleaded.

Daniel nodded, reluctantly. "I won't do anything yet. I do need to speak to him. I owe him that."

"Good, now, first things first, the Colonel" She lead him back Jack's side, and Daniel sat once more, taking his friend's hand again.

A few hours later Sam arrived to take her turn at the vigil. Daniel took in the tired look on her face, and knew she had had very little rest. She looked at the quiet man in the bed beside them for a few moments, before speaking.

"Teal'c got the glove free from the blades. He's trying to find someone to repair it."

"Does he need help?" offered Daniel.

"Nope, I did offer, but he said he was okay and knows a saddler or words to that effect."

Daniel nodded. "A saddler?" His eyebrows went up.

"Yes," said Sam, her lips turned up in a small smile. "Apparently our Colonel introduced him to horses and a ranch owner not too far away."

Daniel couldn't help an answering smile. "Oh, sometimes I do wonder what he's learning from Jack."

"Apart from hockey and God knows what?" Sam grimaced, before grinning.

Daniel nodded, returning her grin. "They do spend a lot of downtime together. I should check it out someday" `Yeah after I've left,' he added, mentally kicking himself.

"Get some rest Daniel."

Daniel stood, his muscles tight from sitting for so long. Sam gave him a quick hug, and had already settled into the chair he had vacated before he had left the room. He hesitated for a second at the doorway, before dragging himself away, knowing he had to get some sleep.

* * *

Voices again. The blackness drew away slightly, but the pain unfortunately didn't. It clawed at him, gnawing away inside. `Focus, Jack, got to try and take a look around.'

Jack's eyes opened slowly, but then he was overwhelmed by a choking sensation and he found himself struggling to breathe.

* * *

"Janet!" exclaimed Sam, seeing the flicker of brown.

The Doctor responded quickly, leaning over her charge. She saw how he was starting to fight the ventilator and made the decision to remove it. "Okay, Colonel, take it easy, I've got you intubated. You know the drill - steady now, blow on the count of three." A whole lot easier than it went in, the endotracheal tube was removed from the Colonel's throat and a cannula was swiftly placed on his nose.

His grip on Sam's hand tightened and his gaze fixed on her. His deep velvet eyes seem to burn into Sam's. She held his gaze, blue eyes suspiciously moist once again.

Janet gave Jack a few sips of water to help to moisten his dry throat.

"Hey, Colonel," said Sam softly.

His eyes held puzzlement. "What happened?" he whispered hoarsely.

Janet bent in closer, trying to get the Colonel to focus on her. "How much do you remember, sir? Do you know where you are?"

A blank look crossed the Colonel's features for a moment, as he unwillingly altered the direction of his gaze, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Yeah infirmary, everything's hazy, PX whatever .... eyes," he murmured, leaving Sam and Janet to exchange puzzled looks.

"In short, you were on PX3403-7 and you and Daniel ended up in a pit full of bones with a spear through you," provided the good Doctor.

"Daniel okay?"

Sam nodded. "He's fine."

"Good," the Colonel whispered as Sam saw the battle to keep his eyes from closing was one he was going to lose.

"I've upped the pain meds for now. He'll probably sleep a while," offered Janet, once more monitoring his vitals.

Feeling slightly better now that she'd spoken to Colonel O'Neill and that he was off the ventilator, Sam allowed a small smile to touch her lips as she lowered her head back to its previous resting position.

She must have dozed off, because she stirred, feeling slightly disoriented, and as if she was being watched. She immediately raised her head, only to meet a gaze of chocolate brown, which seemed quite used to a steady perusal of her features.

"Hey," she murmured, suddenly nervous for a reason she couldn't quite pinpoint, but unable to bring herself to look away. She licked at her dry lips.

* * *

Jack stared into the Major's eyes, unable to tear his gaze away. `I wish you wouldn't do that, Carter. They do things to me, those eyes. Damn, they're so...' Startling himself with his thoughts he began to cough, slightly at first, but it quickly became a choking cough as he tried to bite back the cry of pain that came from him.

Janet appeared quickly at his side and adjusted the IV, once more injecting more painkillers into him. "Easy Colonel, take it easy." She braced his shoulders as he coughed in the hope of preventing further damage to his wounds.

"...Amazing..." he slurred as he held his focus on his 2IC for as long as he could, before sinking once more into a drugged slumber.

* * *

"Pain med talk?" Sam blushed, well aware of her Colonel's implication.

"Yeah, probably," agreed Janet, whilst her face was giving Sam an `I don't think so' look.

Luckily, Sam was saved from further interrogation as Teal'c and Daniel both entered the small room. "Hey guys, you just missed the Colonel. He came around for a little." She felt much better than she had earlier, knowing that her CO had been conscious and aware of his surroundings.

"But he's okay?" asked Daniel.

"He's certainly showing improvement, although he's in a lot of pain," replied Janet.

Teal'c inclined his head towards the Doctor as he acknowledged her words. "I have found someone to undertake the repair of the glove. It will not be exactly as before, but I believe it will be acceptable."

"Good. That glove saved his life. Whatever it meant to him before, it's so much more than that to us all now," replied Sam, knowingly.

* * *

PART THREE

The days passed slowly. One of the team always remained at Jack's side; but he was only awake for very short periods, his energies used up with healing rather than talking.

One morning Daniel was sitting quietly reading, taking his turn at watching his friend. He looked up as Janet entered the room. She checked the Colonel, making sure that he was asleep before she spoke.

"You okay, Daniel? Have you thought any more about resigning?"

He put the book down on the bed, and frowned up at her. "I've thought of nothing else."

"And?"

"And until Jack's on his feet I'm going to be here for him."

"Good."

"Nothing good about it, it's the least I owe him."

Janet didn't like the defeated tone in Daniel's voice. She tried once more to reason with him. "You don't owe the Colonel anything but your continued friendship. Have you spoken to Sam about this?"

"No, she's been too upset about Jack. I don't want to add any more problems to the load she already has to cope with." He paused before continuing. "And you're wrong. I do owe him an awful lot."

"He wouldn't want you to repay him like that, and he'd be angry if he knew that's what you thought."

"I owe Jack a lot," Daniel repeated, the emotion evident on his face. "I owe him my life countless times over and one day the price will be his life. Hopefully not this time, but the law of averages is bound to catch up - he's not invincible. It's funny you know, sometimes I think he is, so when he gets hurts it's a shock, I suppose. It really hits hard, and I don't want him throwing his life away on me."

Janet eyed Daniel steadily. She could see the guilt within him and there was only one person who could lift it, but that wasn't going to happen soon - the Colonel was a good healer, but not that good.

"I don't think the Colonel - no in fact, I know he doesn't think of you like that, a burden to risk his life on. You still won't do anything until you talk to him, will you?"

Daniel nodded reluctantly. "No, I won't. I promise."

Satisfied for the time being, but still worried, Janet left Daniel to his vigil.

* * *

It was much later that Jack started to stir once more, trying to focus his bleary eyes.

Daniel leaned forward "Hey Jack," he called softly.

`Voices again, no a voice,' he corrected himself as he struggled, fighting to control his eyes. He finally managed to wrench them open, finding a pair of blue eyes staring down into his, not Sam's though.

"Daniel," he muttered wearily.

"In the flesh," responded the other man, his voice light and quiet.

Jack tried a slight movement, but it released a wave of burning pain. The heart rate monitor beeped faster and faster until a low alarm sounded. Janet was beside him in seconds.

"Lie still, sir. I've got you." She held his shoulder and one of his hands while she continued to monitor the readings.

* * *

Daniel watched in horror as Jack's face became impossibly white, his eyes closed, and his face contorted with pain.

"Take it slowly Colonel, nice and easy." Janet was holding Jack's hand tightly. She spoke without turning, her gaze fixed on the monitors. "I can't give him anything stronger for the pain. His blood pressure is dropping rapidly."

Daniel sat watching helplessly. His friend was barely moving, but the pain he was suffering was clear.

A sudden spasm tore through Jack's body; and the monitors began to shrill alarms.

"He's crashing," called Janet urgently, pressing the emergency button. "Code Blue,"

Jack's body convulsed and then stilled. The heart monitor flat-lined, emitting an obscene tone that Daniel knew he would hear in his nightmares.

The next events unfolded too fast for Daniel to properly take them in. The medical staff entered the room and someone quickly pulled Daniel away from the bed. Clenching his fists tightly he backed away to near the door, his back against the wall. He stood there, muttering prayers as he watched.

"Prepare to shock, we're losing him," ordered Janet. The epinephrine and then the lidocaine had failed. "Clear," she called and applied the paddles to the Colonel's chest. The shock hit and his body jerked in response. The nurse checked his stats and then shook her head. "Clear," called Janet again and shocked the body with a higher charge.

"Come on Colonel, damn you," shouted Janet as she once more hit the paddles.

"Sinus tachycardia," called one of the staff.

A blip appeared on the monitor, followed slowly by more blips.

Janet gave a sigh of relief. "Thank God there are some orders you do follow Colonel."

Daniel stood, stunned, unable to move. He registered a presence at his side and realised Sam was standing next to him, He immediately grabbed her into a hug. "Oh Sam, we nearly lost him again."

"What?" stuttered Sam, looking over to where the staff were gathered around Jack. "Is he...?"

Janet turned away from the bed.. "Back in the land of the living, at the moment. You need to wait outside for now." She gestured towards the door and Daniel knew there was no point arguing. He gently guided Sam out as a nurse closed the door behind them.

* * *

Sam found herself out in the corridor yet again, barely noticing as Teal'c hurried to join them. She wasn't sure how much more she could take in right now. She cast a tearful look at Daniel, whose shocked pale face must surely have reflected her own. Teal'c stood with them, his face drawn into a frown, unusual for the Jaffa.

Sam couldn't stop the sob that tore from her throat and Daniel turned to her quickly. He grabbed her to him in a fierce hug and wept on her shoulder as she did the same to him.

"God Sam, we can't .... We just can't lose him, please God," he moaned.

"Hush Daniel, it'll be okay. He'll be ...." A sob choked her words off. Not able to speak further, they just held on to each other. Eventually they calmed enough to mop at their faces, but stood close, holding hands.

After what seemed like an eternity Janet appeared in the corridor, looking tired, her features grim. Taking in Janet's face, Sam clasped Daniel's hand harder, waiting for bad news.

"He's still alive," the Doctor stated quickly, seeing their expressions "but he's very weak and in a critical condition."

"Can we ...?" Sam motioned with her hand towards the closed door.

Janet nodded. "Only for a moment." She led them in. The curtains were closed around the bed and it looked like Jack was wired up to half the mountain with even more machines than before.

Sam flinched at the sight and Daniel grabbed her hand to comfort her.

"He's having trouble breathing at the moment, so we've had to intubate him again," Janet said softly. "Five minutes, then you all go and rest." She tapped her watch before leaving them.

"Oh God, Daniel," Sam muttered desolately. At her words Daniel grasped her hand tighter.

"He'll pull through," he said obviously trying to comfort her.

Sam nodded in agreement. `He's got to,' she added to herself. She moved forward and gently picked the Colonel's hand up, holding it with both of hers, cradling it as though she could give him life from her strength.

Janet, true to her word ejected them after five minutes. Once outside in the corridor the tears Sam had been holding in came thick and fast and Daniel held her tightly, his own eyes blurred with tears. Teal'c stood to one side, his expression blank.

"O'Neill will recover," he said softly, and to their surprise, walked away quickly.

As Sam's crying subsided Daniel let her go. He handed her one of his ever-present tissues and she tried to repair her wet and red face.

"Thanks Daniel, I'm sorry I ..."

"Ssssh, it's okay, really. I know Sam, I know. Do you want to talk?"

"No, not yet. Are you okay?"

He smiled a little and nodded. "Yeah. Let's get some rest. We need to be here when he wakes."

They made their way to their separate quarters. Sam threw herself onto her bed and the tears flowed once more. Eventually she cried herself into a restless sleep.

* * *

Daniel lay back on his bed, but the only images that came to him were of Jack lying there suffering in the pit, the blood, blood everywhere, on his clothes, on his hands. Unable to stand it anymore he sat up with a jerk. He knew he'd find no rest, so, not sure what else to do, he went in search of Teal'c.

* * *

Teal'c was sitting on the floor of his quarters, the candles lit, feeling once more at peace having just performed the meditation of kel-no-reem. A soft tapping at the door broke into his thoughts.

"Come in Daniel Jackson," he called without hesitation. Only Daniel Jackson would knock in such a manner and not enter. Major Carter always gave three short raps before calling out to him.

"Err, hi Teal'c. Sorry, am I disturbing you?"

"You are not."

"Oh." Daniel paused, clearly at a loss for words.

"Do you wish to talk?" enquired Teal'c, gesturing for the other man to sit on the floor with him.

Daniel Jackson sat down, mirroring Teal'c position with his own unconsciously. He stuttered slightly "I'm not sure actually."

"You are troubled? O'Neill will mend. He is strong."

"Oh God, Teal'c, I wish I had your confidence," the other man moaned.

"Do you not believe in O'Neill?" questioned the Jaffa with the raise of an eyebrow.

"Believe in him?" Daniel Jackson echoed. The question appeared to confuse him.

"Yes believe. O'Neill's hold to life is very strong, Daniel Jackson. He will not give up."

The younger man nodded. "I believe that Jack doesn't want to die, but hey who does? Oh - that was a Jack remark wasn't it?"

"No, Daniel Jackson, I did not say that he does not want to die - I said that his hold to life is strong. There is a difference."

The other man frowned slightly, as if thinking. After a few seconds he spoke again. "Yes, I suppose there is. When I first met Jack, he was suicidal. He couldn't kill himself outright though, he needed an excuse to die and the military tried to use that to their advantage. He chose to live instead, so perhaps Jack is destined for a long life. All I know is I don't want him dying for me."

"O'Neill has a purpose for his life."

"Yeah," Daniel laughed bitterly "Getting shot full of holes instead of idiots like me."

Teal'c just managed to prevent his frustration at the other man's words from showing. "Daniel Jackson, you are not an idiot. O'Neill would gladly lay down his life for you, also for Major Carter and even myself. That is O'Neill, but mostly he chooses to protect by fighting, which of course is the better option."

"I don't want Jack to die for me."

Teal'c spoke firmly. "O'Neill is not dead, but you mourn him as though he is. He will continue to fight for you and others like you."

"Others like me," muttered Daniel Jackson "That's what I mean, Teal'c - others like me who put people like Jack in danger."

"Forgive me, I did not mean that. I meant the people he cares for. It may be his task in life, but it is done willingly. It is also his life. Who are you to take that choice away from him?"

Teal'c watched as Daniel Jackson appeared to digest his words for a moment before replying. "I don't like seeing people hurt on my account."

"If the situation was reversed would you have behaved differently?"

"No," stated the other man firmly.

"Then why do you expect differently of O'Neill?"

* * *

Daniel didn't know what he expected when he had decided to speak to his team mate, a few platitudes, and words of comfort perhaps. What he had received instead was far more valuable. He re-evaluated his own arguments, and realised the Jaffa was right.

"Put like that Teal'c, yes why? I don't know!" He shook his head sadly as he reached a decision. He sat up straighter and gave Teal'c a small smile. "Thanks, you've been a great help. I'll leave you in peace." He got up stiffly and made his way back to his quarters, where he lay down and had the first proper sleep since the accident.

Sometime later a voice and an insistent shake on his shoulder awoke him.

"Hey, Daniel."

"Uh, Sam, what? Jack?" he mumbled sleepily grabbing for his glasses.

"No change yet, but Janet says, providing we eat first, we can visit. Come on. Let's go."

They made their way to the commissary with Daniel protesting along the way he wasn't hungry.

"We have to have something or else Janet won't let us in."

Several people stopped them and asked after the Colonel, which Daniel left to Sam to answer. In the queue Daniel tried to avoid picking up any food, merely collecting a large coffee, but Sam, obviously mindful of Janet's orders, placed a sandwich on his tray while adding a similar one to her own.

They were both munching half-heartedly at the food, when Janet appeared at their table "I'm glad to see you're taking my advice."

"I thought they were orders actually," grimaced Sam.

Janet sat down with her coffee and a sandwich. Before Daniel could open his mouth to ask the obvious question, she was already speaking.

"There's some improvement. He's steadier and maintaining his own. Teal'c's with him now, so don't rush." She rubbed tiredly at her brow.

"When did you last sleep?" asked Daniel.

Janet frowned. "Don't worry about me. As soon as I've eaten this and checked the Colonel once more, I'm going to get some sleep."

The conversation petered out as they ate and finished their coffees, before Daniel and Sam followed the Doctor to the infirmary.

"He's definitely improving," Janet confirmed as she finished checking Jack's vitals. "Now I'm going to crash, buzz if you need me." and with that she left them, giving the last minute instructions to the duty nurse before going to her office to sleep on the sofa there.

Daniel and Sam chatted quietly together, trying to include Jack in the general conversation. Daniel was sure that he could hear them, and knew Sam felt the same.

* * *

`Voices again, more than one for sure this time.' The voices were pulling at him from the inky blackness. `Oh crap! Pain! Perhaps the darkness was better?' So once more Jack returned to the darkness.

* * *

Several hours after she and Daniel had returned to the infirmary Sam was finally left alone with her Commanding Officer.

"Hey Colonel, you've got to get better, you know. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Her voice was soft, but it carried to the only other person who could hear - Janet. She didn't mean to listen, but the anguish in Sam's voice made her ears prick up. She came quietly around the curtain and placed a hand on Sam's shoulder. Janet was well aware of her friend's feelings for her CO, perhaps better than Sam herself.

"Hey Sam, you feel like a chat?" she asked softly.

Sam shook her head, blinking back the tears threatening to fall. "I keep thinking what if...what if he doesn't make it... what will... Oh Janet" She couldn't finish for the tears and Janet quickly hugged her friend.

* * *

`Voices again, God-damn voices.' He tried desperately to open his eyes, a dim blurred vision appeared, still voices, couldn't make out the words though, blinking, trying to clear his vision. 'Crap, can't move, can't speak, choking' - something in his throat!

* * *

Janet turned her head, letting go of Sam and moving closer to the bed. Wondering what had attracted her friend's attention Sam looked towards the Colonel and saw his eyes were blinking.

Janet quickly leaned over her patient. "Colonel, can you hear me?" She took his hand, and Sam watched as he blinked several times before his eyes finally focussed. Janet spoke again. "Colonel, do you know where you are?" She smiled and Sam realized the Colonel had squeezed her friend's hand slightly to let her know he understood. "Colonel, I'm going to remove the tube, on three sir, blow."

The removal of the tube was accomplished quickly, and Janet raised the Colonel's head to give him sips of water to relieve the dryness the tube always left behind.

Sam stood looking at him. His eyes drifted to her face and once again fixed on her eyes as if mesmerized. Gradually, after several long seconds, his eyes closed.

"He's sleeping now," said Janet, checking his vitals again.

Sam let go a breath she wasn't even aware she was holding and sat down quickly.

Janet disappeared for a minute or two and came back bearing two mugs of steaming coffee. She handed one to Sam before sitting next to her. Sam sipped her coffee, looking down at the sleeping Colonel.

"Oh Sam, you've got it bad," Janet exclaimed softly.

"Huh?" asked Sam, lifting her face to Janet in surprise.

"Don't act the innocent with me Samantha Carter," chuckled Janet.

"Oh Janet, sssh," said Sam looking around quickly, but seeing no one she relaxed slightly. "Am I that obvious?"

"No, not really, just to someone who knows you well. Goodness you're as bad as each other."

"Each other? I don't think the Colonel feels the same as I do."

Janet grinned. "You're kidding? Is love blind or what?"

Sam blushed slightly. "Really Janet I don't think he thinks of me as other than a friend and his 2IC."

* * *

Janet looked closely at Sam and realised she thought she spoke the truth. This was the perfect opportunity to tell her friend a few home truths. "Oh Sam, you watch each other constantly. You even seem to pick up each others thoughts without speaking sometimes. I've seen the way you look at him, and I've seen the way he looks at you. Neither of you do it obviously, only when you think it's safe. Honey, I think you've both got it bad." `Just that I think the Colonel isn't fully aware of it yet,' she added to herself.

Sam's face changed as she looked down at her Commanding Officer. Janet sighed at the `dippy' expression her friend wore. She squeezed her shoulder gently, and left her to her vigil.

* * *

Sam became lost in her thoughts, and sat, free to gaze down at Colonel O'Neill without censure for once. She was dimly aware of Janet taking her empty mug and leaving, but her thoughts were with the Colonel, ... with Jack. Seeing him lying there, pale and vulnerable, tugged at her heart. She leaned over, gently stroking her fingers through his greying hair. It was much softer than she imagined and her fingers strayed to his face. Asleep it was erased of the stress lines he normally wore and he looked so much younger.

He stirred slightly beneath her touch. A frown appeared and the slight movement his body made showed him to be in pain. Unsure whether to call for Janet or not, she stilled her movement, just keeping one hand clasped in hers. His eyes opened and Sam found herself yet again fastened to his dark chocolate eyes, eyes that appeared to lead to his soul.

* * *

`Beautiful eyes,' he thought `I could drown in those eyes. But she's your 2IC,' his conscience dictated, `What a 2IC though, okay not proper thoughts Jack, don't go there, be quiet,' he told his conscience `Way past it now Jack.'

He sighed deeply and gave Sam's hand a gently squeeze. "So Carter, how's things?" the words sounded hoarse and over forced to his ears, but it pulled them both back.

Sam's gaze flickered at the words, breaking the trance. "Oh just fine sir, you've given us all quite a scare though you know."

Still holding hands, neither of them seemed to want to break the contact and destroy the warmth and good feelings that it generated.

"Scare myself at times," Jack admitted hoarsely.

"I know the feeling well, sir," said Sam, looking down as she spoke and then up again and their eyes locked once more.

"Good to see you're awake, Colonel," called a voice from the foot of the bed.

Sam gave a start. She pulled her hand away from Jack's and stuffed them both in her trousers pockets. Turning to the voice she stood straighter "General," she acknowledged.

"At ease, Major" General Hammond moved around the bed and Sam stepped back to accommodate him. "Glad to see you're looking better than you were, Colonel."

"You mean I've looked worse than this?" said Jack with a slight smile, his voice still low and throaty.

"Yes son, I can say you've looked worse."

"I'll let Daniel and Teal'c know you're awake. Sir?" Sam asked the General's permission to leave.

"Carry on Major," he acknowledged as he sat down in the chair she had vacated. "Well son, another fine mess you've got yourself into. I've had the reports. Yours can wait a while." He held up his hand to discourage Jack from speaking. "I know you've saved Doctor Jackson's life in all probability, again I might add, but could you just not do it for once without getting yourself practically killed in the process?" His words were said softly, letting Jack know he wasn't censuring his actions.

"I'll give it a go next time," said Jack quietly, his eyes started to close once more, the effort of talking too much.

* * *

Hammond saw Jack's eyes closing and stood up, clasping his officer's shoulder gently. "Get some rest. You did well son." He quietly left the Colonel to sleep.

The General shook his head ruefully as he moved down the corridors to his office. "One of these days son, you're not going to survive," he muttered to himself as he climbed the stairs to his office. Once there he settled himself down in his chair. "The Doc's going to need more file space than me if SG1 carry on like this," he said sadly, trying to deal with the paperwork the last mission had generated.

* * *

Jack awoke some hours later to find a tousled brown-haired head on the bed near him. Daniel was fast asleep; his head over his arm on the bed, his body just about perched on the chair. Jack didn't have the heart to wake him so he lay quietly watching him. The pain was uncomfortable, but bearable, his head relatively clear.

Daniel stirred and mumbled, turning his head to give Jack a clear look at his bruised forehead and the butterfly stitches. Jack watched as Daniel opened his eyes, blinking a few times before latching onto his own. Stretching and yawning the other man sat up.

"Oh God Jack, I'm sorry I must have dozed off."

"It's okay," Jack whispered. "You okay?" He waved his right hand a little to indicate his friend's forehead, shocked at how much effort the small movement took.

Daniel put up a hand up to his head, plainly having forgotten about the stitches. Then realising what Jack meant he spoke. "Oh yes, goodness that's nothing, thanks to you."

"I did that?" asked Jack puzzled, feeling somewhat guilty but unable to remember anything about the incident.

"No, err yes, what I mean is you saved my life. I came off lightly with this."

Jack was uncomfortable with Daniel's words. "I probably had nothing better to do at the time," he said trying to dismiss Daniel's thanks.

"Oh Jack, no really, I mean thank you. So, how are you feeling? Want me to get Janet?"

Jack gave a slight shake of his head, which he instantly regretted as the room swam sickeningly. "Nah, I'm not too bad. I've felt worse."

Daniel looked like he was about to say something, but thought better of it, offering Jack some water instead, which he gratefully accepted, welcoming the cool liquid in his dry throat.

He took a few small sips before summoning up the energy to speak again. "Ah, that feels good. But if you're feeling guilty a beer would go down better."

"I'll never be able to smuggle that past Janet," grinned Daniel.

"Smuggle what?" asked a voice from the doorway.

"Damn, ears like a bat," Jack murmured.

"Colonel, I heard that too." said Janet, frowning as she approached the bed.

Jack groaned. "Damn," his eyes giving her a silent apology.

* * *

Janet gazed down at her patient, getting the full `puppy dog eyes look' `Oh Sam,' she thought to herself `I know how you feel about those eyes. They could just melt you down, or worse, damn you to hell if he wished.' Breaking her gaze she cast a look at Daniel. "Smuggling isn't allowed and if I catch anyone bringing a certain Colonel anything not cleared by me, there'll be trouble."

Daniel blushed at Janet's words. Colonel O'Neill looked from one to the other, smiling, and Janet wondered what he was thinking. He had a speculative look on his face, the sort she knew she had when she watched Sam and the Colonel together... No, surely not! She quickly looked away, avoiding his gaze. As soon as she did so the Colonel spoke in his best pleading voice.

"Trying to spoil our fun, Doc? Have a heart."

"You're not here to have fun Colonel, in case you've forgotten." But Janet laughed as she spoke, she could never be angry at him for long, especially if it was a contrite O'Neill fixing her with his eyes.

"No ma'am," said Jack with a grin and tried to give a salute, which couldn't quite reach, but got the message across.

"Now, how's the pain?"

"Not too bad."

"Right" Janet adjusted the IV, knowing a `not too bad' from the Colonel was way beyond comfortable. If he ever admitted past five or six on a scale she was worried - very.

The extra meds began to take effect and once more her patient succumbed to sleep.

As soon as she was sure Colonel O'Neill was asleep, Janet invited Daniel into her office. "How are you feeling? You're looking much better," she asked.

Daniel smiled a little. "I feel a lot better actually. I'm still deciding about leaving, but I accept that Jack doesn't, isn't, well you know what I mean."

Janet nodded.

"Teal'c actually helped me, he doesn't say a lot but what he does say does make sense. I can understand why Jack hangs out with him so much. Teal'c is a very reassuring person to have around - not that I think Jack needs reassuring," he added, frowning to see if his words made sense.

"Why wouldn't the Colonel need reassuring, at least sometimes?"

Daniel gave her a look "Jack? He's the most confident person I know. Why would he want reassurance from anyone? He's so self-contained."

Janet sighed and picked a pen up from her desk, twisting it in her hands as she spoke. She had her own opinion on the way Colonel O'Neill handled things, and they obviously didn't match Daniel's. "Daniel, as much as he appears that way, it doesn't mean he is. Anything that he is unsure of or makes him unsure he files it away, deals with it the `O'Neill' way. He boxes everything down, hides all his emotions and that isn't always healthy. He's done that a lot. He's had to in his line of work, the things he's not only done, but also survived over the years, but to keep doing it that way isn't living. You need feelings to live. His only feelings come from you guys, all his past is in shutdown - so to speak."

Daniel sat silently, and Janet wondered if he completely disagreed with her interpretation of the Colonel. Then he spoke. "Yeah, I guess, that's Jack alright."

"You and Sam and Teal'c are his family and he relies on you and he lives for you all, though he'd never admit it."

Daniel shifted uncomfortably. "He's my family too," he said quietly. "The thing is I've never been really sure how Jack feels about me. Sometimes I feel I'm a nuisance to him - holding him back, him getting hurt to protect me, in the way with two left feet, almost dressing me at times, reminding me to eat. He's there to pick me up when I fall...." his voice broke.

Janet placed a hand on his shoulder looking him in the face. "Then Daniel, my guess is you're describing a big brother and that is what big brothers do and probably how little brothers feel."

"But.."

"Daniel, you know the Colonel well enough, does he do this for others? How does he react to strangers? Or let me put it another way, can you honestly say the Colonel suffers fools gladly?"

Daniel shook his head with a rueful grin. "God forbid. I've seen Jack flay someone with his tongue, or that look he gives ... it's enough to stop a runaway ...." he stopped, smiling sheepishly "and I'm an idiot," he stated "too busy feeling guilty for having a big brother to enjoy it."

Janet laughed at his expression of enlightenment.

"Thank Janet, from now on I'll try enjoying his help and friendship instead of questioning it" and with that he scooped her into his arms and gave her a huge kiss.

Taken by surprise Janet didn't know what to say.

"Oops sorry," Daniel grinned at her.

She couldn't be angry with him, but she blushed slightly.

"That doesn't mean I'm happy for him to get beaten about for me though," Daniel added.

"I didn't think that for an instant. Now scoot, I've got work to do."

Daniel laughed, and left. Janet watched him walk out, smiling to herself. She could already see the difference in him. His head was up and he wasn't hunching over or hugging himself. `Thank goodness,' she thought, not only for Daniel but also for Jack - they both needed each other.

* * *

The days passed slowly for Jack. It was several days since the operation and he was sitting up in bed complaining. Janet again wondered at how well the Colonel healed.

"You are not - I repeat, not yet fit to go home," she told him yet again. "You're still not eating properly," she added as she eyed the tray barely touched in front of him.

"They call this food? The MRE's are better," spouted the irate Colonel. He was bored out of his mind and had clearly been spoiling for a fight, but hadn't found anyone willing to fight with amongst the medical staff, all of whom cast their eyes down and scurried away from his temper.

But, old Doc Fraiser, not so much of the old though, thank you, wasn't afraid of the grumpy Colonel. "Colonel O'Neill, if you persist in harassing my staff it will not get you out any quicker, it will get you on report with the General. When you are able to walk unaided and I'm satisfied you can help yourself and are eating properly, I'll think about letting you go home." She paused for breath and seeing he was about to open his mouth, put a hand up. "Tomorrow we'll get you up for a while and you can sit in a chair."

"A chair?" he echoed incredulously.

Janet didn't bother to respond to that, she raised her eyes to heaven and did an about turn to leave.

She stopped abruptly, almost bumping into Daniel. He put a hand out to steady her, and she felt a shiver run through her at his touch. Trying to cover her reaction she resorted to a quick laugh. "Oh, the cavalry. Will you please distract him before I personally murder him." They both grinned at her, not even bothering to ask what the matter was. They both knew well what their CO, a bored CO, was capable of.

"Hey Colonel, you upsetting the nice Doctor?" quipped Sam as they approached his bed.

"Getting my own back for all those damn needles," groused O'Neill.

"I heard that," Janet called from the doorway.

"Damn bat ears," he retorted.

"I heard that too!" she replied, and left the room, smiling to herself.

* * *

"Damn, expect more needles later." Jack grimaced as he heard the Doc's reply, only half joking.

"Pretty big ones, I'd say," snickered Daniel. "You done with that?" He motioned towards the food tray.

"Ack, even MRE's taste better," groused Jack, pushing the tray towards Daniel, who began to dig in hungrily.

Jack stared at him in amazement. "You forget to eat today or something?" he queried. Daniel just grinned, making himself more comfortable on the bed as he ate. Sam sat down in the chair.

"I take it you're bored, sir?" asked Sam, grinning at him.

Jack nodded. "Completely. Even the nurses won't put up a fight."

At Sam and Daniel's suddenly amused expressions he realised the innuendo. "Uh uh, I mean..."

"We know what you mean, Jack. I think," grinned Daniel.

Jack pulled a face. "Can't even have paperwork yet."

"Good grief sir, you must be bored." Jack couldn't help smiling at her comment - the entire base was fully aware of his views on paperwork.

"Take it easy Jack. I mean you haven't been out of bed yet." Daniel sounded concerned. Jack wondered what Daniel thought he was going to do with the reports he needed to read - get a paper cut or something.

He glanced quickly at the door before speaking. "Officially, no."

"You'd better not let Janet catch you," said Sam, smiling.

"God forbid," responded Jack with feeling.

He tried sitting up more, but his movements must have betrayed how weak and sore he really was, and in not just a little pain. He held his arm clasped across his ribs protectively. His friends, who both dived to rearrange his pillows, can't have missed the action if the looks they exchanged were anything to go by. Daniel gave into Sam with a wave of his hand and he sat back down on the bed none too gently, causing Jack to wince with the unexpected pain from the jarring to his body the sudden movement caused.

"Oh Jack, I'm sorry. I forgot," apologised Daniel quickly.

"It's okay, Daniel, I'll get you back," Jack ground out, trying to calm his breathing. It took a few minutes for him to relax and his for breathing to return to normal.

* * *

Sam sat down, suddenly aware that she was hovering uselessly. She desperately wanted to comfort the Colonel as he held himself stiffly, his breathing harsh and filled with pain. She felt so useless. They sat quietly for a few minutes, waiting until he recovered.

Eventually Sam saw the Colonel relax a little, as he slumped back into the pillows. Taking a couple of shallow breaths he finally spoke. "Well kids, anything exciting to report?"

Just a mineral survey with SG3," said Daniel.

"Well, that's so not exciting," responded the Colonel dryly. "Glad to hear I'm not missing out on anything."

Daniel shook his head.

"You're very quiet Carter," her CO commented.

Sam shot him a look "Oh, you know me sir, just thinking about something."

"What? Your latest do-hickey, build a thing-a-me?" He smiled at her.

She replied somewhat more sharply than she intended. "Something like that. I won't bore you with the details, sir."

The smile left the Colonel's face. "Something I said?" he asked, frowning.

Sam shook her head, aware that she'd hurt his feelings. She immediately felt contrite, but she wasn't able to say what was really on her mind. "Sir, if you don't mind, I'll go to my lab, and leave you and Daniel to talk." She stood and left quickly, giving neither man chance to change her mind.

* * *

Jack's face showed the sadness he felt as he watched Sam's retreating figure, then a flicker of longing crossed his features before being rearranged into blankness.

Daniel watched his friend's face sadly. `God Jack, why on Earth can't you just admit how much you care for her,' he thought.

"Do you need to work as well?" asked Jack, his disappointment at Sam's departure still carried in his voice.

"No I'm pretty much up to date. Yes, believe it or not, things have been so quiet here with us pretty much on stand down, I'm actually looking at old stuff again."

"Daniel, it's always old stuff," quipped Jack.

Daniel smiled "Fancy a game of chess?" he asked.

Jack accepted and the rest of the day wore on in a pleasant manner. It was getting towards late afternoon when Daniel noticed how tired Jack looked - how he struggled to keep going. He gave a loud yawn, "Gosh I'm whacked, let's save the chess for later."

"Bored with winning?" said Jack dryly. He leaned his head back heavily, his eyes battling to remain open, just like a child not wanting to sleep. "I'm too old for this," he murmured.

Daniel looked at Jack, seeing that his eyes were now closed. He had been surprised to hear Jack say that. The seriousness of his friend's injuries once again shot a dart of fear through Daniel. "Get some sleep, Jack," he murmured, moving the chessboard. "I'll see you later."

Jack didn't acknowledge Daniel. He had succumbed to a restless sleep.

Daniel slipped quietly out of the room and, making a decision, turned towards Janet's office. He gave a tap on the slightly open door.

"Hi Daniel, come in," she called to him, waving her hand for him to enter.

He closed the door softly behind him and leaned against it.

"Hope I'm not disturbing you?"

She shook her head. "For the man who can distract a bored Colonel for the afternoon - anything!"

"Actually, it was Jack I wanted to see you about. How's he doing? Really I mean."

"Well," began Janet "You know it's been a serious injury, with quite a bit of damage, including his lung and ribs, but he's doing quite well, all things considered. It's a marvel he's alive actually."

Daniel looked straight at her. "Will he recover fully - I mean be fit for duty?"

Janet hesitated slightly. "Well certainly for light duty. If it was anyone else that would be the case, especially at the Colonel's age, but as you know, he won't settle for anything less than fully active. Putting it bluntly though Daniel, he's going to have a battle on his hands. Hell, not many would have survived this far, never mind be out of bed so soon."

Daniel realised the implications of Janet's words and tried not to look guilty - after all it wasn't him that was disobeying doctor's orders. She gave a tight smile and continued. "Yes, I know all about his little excursions. I keep a close eye on him, don't you worry. I know most of his tricks by now, and then some. You should have seen the effort it cost him just to stand, but he made it. I know he thinks he's pulling the wool over my eyes, but I don't mind. If I think he'll get hurt I'll put a stop on it. The biggest problem is boredom, and then depression; they're his worst enemies if I don't get him out of here quick enough. The Colonel doesn't like time on his hands to think."

Daniel nodded in agreement.

"It'll be a few days yet and then he still won't be able to manage on his own. He'll need an awful lot of help."

"As long as SG1 is on stand down he'll not be short of help," said Daniel confidently.

"Thanks Daniel, he'll need you, that's for sure He doesn't like the infirmary and the sooner I can get him home the better for him, as well as for my sanity and nursing staff."

"Thanks Janet, just let us know when you want us. I can stay with Jack, no problem."

Daniel left Janet to get on with her work, seeking out Sam and Teal'c and letting them know some of what Janet had said, especially about the help Jack would need.

"I shall be there for O'Neill when required," responded Teal'c. "I have taken steps to get the glove repaired."

"Great work. Say, do you think Jack will want that spear thing as a souvenir? It would make a good talking piece wouldn't it?" joked Daniel.

Sam shuddered. "Oh God, I couldn't look at that thing again," she said with feeling.

"I have not disposed of it. I have cleaned it up in case O'Neill should require it, but should he not then you may have it Daniel Jackson." The Jaffa's face was perfectly straight as he said the words, and both Sam and Daniel gave him a look - was he joking?

"Okaaaay," said Daniel slowly, trying to refocus. "Uh, Teal'c, that was a joke? Wasn't it ....?"

The Jaffa gave the archaeologist a deadpan expression and Daniel began to look to Sam for help, but Sam shrugged helplessly at him, offering no support whatsoever.

The thought of the spear had each of them remembering what Jack had gone through, and a sudden silence fell over them.

* * *

PART FOUR

It was four more days before Jack built up to a level where Janet finally felt able to give into his demands.

"Right Colonel, yes you can go home, but I will be over regularly to check you for the first week. You can come in after that if you are fit enough. Rest is the key word Colonel, and take your medication and you can't stay on your own." Janet paused for breath.

"Okay, okay!" cried Jack raising his hands in submission "I'll be a good boy."

Janet laughed at his panicked expression. "You make damn sure you are - sir!" she added as an after thought. "Now who's sitting you?"

"Sitting?" he cried "Sitting? I'm not a child I don't need a sitter."

"Sir, I told you, you can't stay alone."

"I'll baby-sit," said a voice from the door.

"Daniel, I'll forgive you that wisecrack if you take me home," begged Jack. "Save me from this woman."

Janet gave him a glare.

"Yikes, see Daniel, I need your help. A deadly look from the enemy is enough to strike fear in the stoutest of hearts."

Daniel laughed. "What on earth have you been reading, Jack, or did you hit your head?"

"No, but if he carries on I'll put him out," threatened Janet "I'll just get your meds." She hurried from the room, knowing just how anxious the Colonel was to get out of the infirmary.

* * *

Daniel inwardly smiled at the sight of Jack sitting on the side of the bed dressed, looking like a child being kept in after school.

"Been waiting long?" enquired Daniel.

"Yeah, Doc's been giving out her do's and don'ts." Jack's posture slumped slightly and he cradled his ribs with his left arm.

"You okay?" asked Daniel.

"Yeah, just peachy, as soon as I get the hell outta here," his friend replied with feeling.

As Janet returned Daniel noticed Jack sat up straighter, taking a breath and trying to look like there was nothing wrong with him at all.

Janet handed her patient a large, bulky bag containing several items. "Here are your meds. Keep taking the painkillers as well, you need them. In fact don't miss any or you'll be straight back in here."

Jack eyed the bag with distaste. "Yes ma'am, can I go now?"

Janet laughed at his expression "Just as soon as the nurse gets here with your chariot - ah, speak of the devil." There was the sound of wheels on cement and a nurse entered with a wheelchair.

"I'll push," volunteered Daniel.

"Oh come on Doc!" protested the Colonel.

"You get, one - wheeled out or, two - you stay in," said Janet, her expression fierce with determination.

"What's three, Doc?"

"No three, Colonel."

"Sure there is, comes after two."

Janet folded her arms and started tapping the toe of her left foot.

"Okay," Jack conceded.

`That was too easy,' thought Daniel, an opinion obviously echoed by Janet Daniel realised when he heard her next words.

"I'll come up with you to make sure."

Jack's face was a picture.

`Yep, he was going to skip the chair out of sight of the infirmary,' thought Daniel, smiling.

"In fact Colonel, I'll come with you to your truck. I could do with some air and I can help carry your things and bring the chair back." The Doctor was clearly used to her favourite patient's antics.

Jack glowered at the smiling Doctor. "Okay, round to you Doc," he acknowledged as he got off the bed slowly. He shook his head ruefully, then glared at Daniel, who was trying to conceal a smirk and shot him an - `I'll get you later look'. Grumbling to himself he got into the chair.

Daniel noticed his awkward movements, `Not as good as you let on Jack,' he thought as he removed the brakes and swung the chair around to go.

The journey up to the surface took longer than they thought as people passing stopped to acknowledge the Colonel, wishing him well, which Daniel could tell Jack hated every moment of. By the time they reached his truck he was already looking tired and worn.

Daniel wasn't the only one that noticed the toll the journey to the surface was taking on Jack as his pallor grew more pronounced. "You doing okay, sir?" Janet asked quietly as she grabbed his wrist and checked his pulse. She caught Daniel's eye and nodded reassuringly and Daniel let himself relax a little.

Jack just nodded in reply to her query. The fact that not a sarcastic remark or look came her way spoke volumes to Janet and Daniel. They left the complex and headed through the parking lot to Jack's truck. Daniel helped Jack into it and put the things he'd amassed in the infirmary in the back.

"Don't worry Janet, I'll stay with him. Teal'c and Sam are coming over later tonight."

Janet nodded, still looking slightly worried. "Straight to bed I think. Don't let him move around too much for a few days. I'll be over tonight as well."

Daniel carefully manoeuvred Jack's truck out of the car park and passed through security and down the winding mountain road. He expected Jack to make some comment on his driving, but the twenty minute journey passed in silence, with Jack falling asleep less than halfway down the mountain.

As they pulled up on the driveway Jack woke from his doze. "Home sweet home," he murmured.

Daniel decided to get Jack in first and then come back to empty the truck, knowing full well Jack wouldn't wait to be helped. Jack made a slow entrance into the house and gave a cursory glance around before going to the couch and lowering himself down slowly into the soft cushions, giving a sigh of contentment.

Seeing that Jack was okay, Daniel headed back outside and unloaded the truck, then went to the kitchen to put the coffee on. By the time he returned the man was fast asleep, so Daniel grabbed a light blanket from the hall closet and covered him. He then headed for the kitchen, mindful of Janet's orders.

A short time later, Daniel bore a tray loaded with eggs, toast and coffee into the lounge room. Jack stirred, peering at him groggily, as he placed it on the coffee table.

"Wakey, wakey - lunchtime," called Daniel cheerfully to him.

Daniel helped his friend to sit, carefully placing a cushion at his back and ignoring Jack's disgruntled muttering. Once Jack was settled he handed him the tray and waited.

Jack sipped at the coffee, then pulled a face. "It's decaff."

Daniel smiled and ignored him, going back to the kitchen and returning with his own tray. He began tucking in hungrily. Between mouthfuls he mumbled to the other man. "Eat up. Janet said you don't eat you go back in."

Jack gave him a black look and picked up his fork, moving the food around on the plate and picking at the odd mouthful.

Daniel watched Jack with concern. He had noticed how much weight the older man had lost since the accident and he hadn't had much spare flesh to start with. Finishing his own meal, he took his tray through to the kitchen and came back.

"Okay, so my cooking isn't up to your usual standard," he joked, seeing how little Jack had eaten as he picked up the tray.

Jack didn't even smile. "Sorry, I'm not hungry. Think I'll go to bed. You don't have to stay you know."

"Well, if you're going to bed, I'll use the time to pick up some more things from my apartment, providing you promise not to get out of bed while I'm gone." Daniel replied, adding firmly, "And I am staying."

Jack just nodded, obviously far too weary to press the point. He got up with some difficulty, slowly seeking out support from the furniture. Daniel was unsure whether to help him; he knew Jack hated fuss and attention, so he decided just to stay close in case he needed assistance.

Slowly they made their way up to Jack's bedroom. He sank down on the bed with a thankful sigh and Daniel bent down, slipped Jack's shoes off and pulled the sheet over him. He didn't protest and within moments he was fast asleep.

Daniel got a tumbler from the en-suite bathroom and filled it with water and after he popped downstairs to abstract the necessary medication, he placed them on the nightstand with the water in case Jack awoke. Then he closed the blinds and crept from the room.

Quietly locking Jack's front door behind him, he headed over to his apartment to pack a few things. He guessed he'd be at Jack's a while. Before he left he made a call.

"Hi Sam, just letting you know I've got Jack home in one piece."

"How's he doing?"

"Well, so far he's slept, woken up, eaten and is sleeping again. I've just popped home to get a few things while he's in bed."

"He's not complaining?"

"Nope, I guess it'll be a while before he's up to that. Anyway, what time should I expect you and Teal'c?"

"Is about eight okay?"

"Great, see you then. I'll order pizza. It might tempt Jack into eating."

Daniel ended the call, checked to make sure he hadn't forgotten anything and left. He arrived back at Jack's to find him still sleeping. Having nothing better to do he busied himself in the kitchen making some salads and snacks for later. Seeing the house warranted no further tidying, he made fresh coffee and took some up to see if he could tempt Jack awake and get him to take his medication.

Jack was restless, trying to turn in his sleep, with a light sweat covering his face. He was twisting and murmuring against something in his dreams. Daniel opened the blinds, letting in some of the late afternoon light and sat down on the bed, placing a reassuring hand on his friend's shoulder.

"Hey Jack," he said softly. He wasn't sure if Jack was reliving the accident or if he was remembering something further back. God knew there were enough bad events in this man's life to give anyone nightmares. Jack responded slowly, his eyes blinking open, trying to focus on Daniel, and it seemed to take a moment or two before recognition lit his face.

"Oh, hi Daniel, sorry. I seem to sleep a lot lately. What time is it?"

"Fivish, I think. Do you know you don't have any clocks anywhere? Where's your alarm clock?"

Jack tapped the side of his head. "Here, and I have my watch for backup. When I'm at home I go by my time."

"Oh, eat when hungry etc," said Daniel as he offered the mug of coffee he'd brought with him, which was accepted gratefully.

"I need a shower," said Jack, grimacing as he wiped his sweaty face with the back of his hand.

"Do you need any help?"

Jack shook his head. "Nope, I'll manage fine."

Daniel waited while Jack slowly sat before passing him the tablets, which the other man surprisingly took without complaint. Taking the empty mugs, Daniel decided to give his friend some privacy and wait downstairs.

"Call if you need me. Sam and Teal'c will be over later."

"Great."

"I'll order some pizza if you let me have the number."

"Speed dial three," called Jack as Daniel left the bedroom.

* * *

Jack slowly moved to sit on the side of the bed. He managed to get his shirt unbuttoned and with a little difficulty, off. His right arm still hurt to move and when he did it pulled on the wounds painfully. He sat in just his sweat pants, suddenly realising how much he was still bandaged.

"Oh crap," he muttered "Looks like just a good wash then."

He had been dying for a shower. He got up slowly and painfully and made the short journey to his bathroom. Eventually, still very wet, but much refreshed he made his way back to his room to get some fresh clothes. Absolutely worn out, and in even worse pain than before from just the effort of washing, he sat down on the bed in just his boxers and looked at the mess he'd created in his search for loose fitting clothing. He shook his head dejectedly.

"Hey you okay?" Daniel's head appeared around the bedroom door. "I was getting a bit worried." He came into the room and walked towards Jack. "You're not looking too good."

"Yeah, I'm okay. Just taking it easy," breathed Jack. He was trying hard not to show the pain his exertions had caused.

Daniel gestured at Jack's heavily bandaged torso. "Um, you didn't shower with all those on did you?"

"Nope, had to settle for a wash," Jack puffed.

Daniel took the towel from him and began to dry his shoulders. "You're a bit soggy. Janet will be over later, you better let her change them." Seeing Jack hadn't resisted his help so far he helped him to dress. "Socks?" he enquired.

Jack shook his head "Nah, too much trouble. I can't reach my feet at all. Forget the shoes as well, it's much easier barefoot."

Daniel nodded in agreement and began to straighten up the room, putting the worn clothing in a heap for the laundry. He began shutting the drawers and tidying the other clothing Jack had pulled out in his search.

Jack hesitated, reluctant to ask for help, but knowing he had to. "Daniel, I'm sorry, but do you think you could mop the bathroom floor? It got a bit wet."

"Sure no problem," Daniel called, going in to the bathroom. There was a pause, then he laughed. "A bit wet! How about a swimming pool?"

As Daniel mopped up the water, Jack gradually recovered his breath and the pain subsided to a more comfortable level.

* * *

Coming back into the room Daniel was struck by his friend's appearance. Dressed in baggy bottoms and an oversized hockey shirt he looked thinner than ever. His face was pale with dark circles underneath his eyes. It showed what he'd been through the last couple of weeks and what he was still suffering. Following behind him, Daniel watched as he made his way slowly down the stairs and sank down on the couch.

"I've cleaned the swimming pool out. It's a good job I'm here you know otherwise you'd have drowned in a week," said Daniel cheerfully. Jack gave him a grin, the first one all day Daniel realised. He brought two tumblers of fresh juice from the kitchen, handing one to Jack.

"No beer yet?" quipped Jack as he accepted it.

"What, with those meds? You'd be floating high!" laughed Daniel.

Jack nodded sheepishly. "Done that a few times," he admitted.

"Not on my watch," Daniel responded firmly.

"Okay, I'll go with that for now."

"Sam and Teal'c said about eight. I ordered the pizza for eight-thirtyish."

"Yeah, that's good." Jack yawned widely and reclined further down into the cushions. Soon he started to doze once more, the medication taking effect.

Daniel covered him up and sat down to flick the TV on. Catching sight of a historical documentary on one of the channels, he settled to watch. A huge battle was being recreated and the commentary droned on explaining the scene. Some of the gory content made Daniel wince. Even knowing it was a re-enactment didn't make the violence any less real to him.

Jack stirred in his sleep and a moan escaped him. A film of perspiration covered his face as he began to twist and fight. Daniel quickly moved to his side, worried that the movements would aggravate the injuries further. As he reached out to hold Jack still, Jack's arm suddenly flew out, connecting viciously with Daniel across the chest.

"No, you bastards," Jack began screaming and cried out more. At first Daniel couldn't understand what he was saying, but then he suddenly realised Jack was shouting in Arabic. He moved closer again, but was unable to avoid another blow as Jack's arm connected with even more force than before, sending the surprised archaeologist flying over the coffee table to land in a heap on the floor.

"Idiot!" He cursed himself for approaching Jack that way. Realising the battle scene was blaring away in the background, he reached out for the remote and turned it off As soon as he did so Jack seemed to settle down a little. Daniel moved closer to him, but stayed out of range, calling to him softly.

"Jack, Jack, it's me Daniel."

Jack's eyes flickered slowly on Daniel's face, looking unfocussed and glazed.

`No instant recognition,' thought Daniel as he moved a little closer. He could see Jack struggling to surface. "Hey Jack, you're home, you're safe." He spoke softly, trying to keep his tome as reassuring as possible.

"Daniel?" Jack's eyes seemed to finally focus on him.

"Yeah, Jack it's me," he grinned, relieved that Jack was back in the present.

Still sweating, Jack closed his eyes again, clearly trying to calm his breathing down. He sucked in a shuddering breath, and winced as he let it go quickly, his hand shooting protectively to his ribs. Daniel watched in alarm as Jack's face paled dramatically.

A knocking at the door brought Daniel out of the slight daze he had been in and he shot to answer it. Upon seeing Janet standing there he practically dragged her in, her doctor's bag almost as welcome a sight as she was.

"Oh boy, am I glad you're here. Jack's in an awful lot of pain, quick!" He almost ran over to the couch, Janet close behind him.

Janet frowned as she took in Jack's appearance. "What on earth have you been up to Colonel?" she asked as she opened her bag, getting her stethoscope out. She didn't wait for an answer as she lifted Jack's shirt and placed the instrument on his chest. Daniel was shocked to see blood seeping through the bandages, but Janet ignored it and continued to listen to Jack's breathing, then checked his BP and pulse.

"What happened?" she asked Daniel grimly.

Jack's eyes opened at the annoyed tone in the Doctor's voice. "Not Daniel's fault," he panted.

Janet didn't comment, instead she looked at Daniel, waiting for an explanation.

Daniel tried to make light of it "Um, Jack had a bit of a nightmare."

"Oh!" Daniel knew Janet didn't need any further explanation. That told her all she needed to know. She had first hand knowledge of the Colonel's `nightmares'. She'd witnessed a flashback in the infirmary and knew that it could be quite distressing to say the least.

"Take it easy Colonel. This will help with the pain" Janet gave him an injection. "I need to check the wound, it's bleeding." She gently removed the bandages with scissors and then the dressings.

Daniel stood quietly watching, not having seen the wound since the pit, and then not very clearly. It seemed huge and livid, and very raw looking. Jack's stomach and chest still looked very badly bruised. Daniel felt slightly sick at the sight. God alone knew how much pain he'd been in.

"The bleeding's almost stopped. There isn't much, but you've torn a stitch. Did you fall?" Janet asked as she applied a little pressure to the area, making Jack wince and grey a little.

Daniel's hand involuntarily moved across his chest to rub the spot where Jack had hit him. Janet looked away from Jack at the motion.

"You two weren't fighting?" she asked, her tone angry.

"It was an accident Janet. I forgot the first rule of O'Neill waking up - staying beyond arms length," said Daniel sheepishly.

"I hit you?" groaned Jack "Crap, I'm sorry Daniel."

"It's okay. Like I said, it was an accident. You were still um, dreaming."

"Your stats are still a little high," Janet commented, noting them down as she spoke.

"No, I'm not going back in," stated Jack firmly, before she could say anything else.

"I wasn't going to suggest it, you're better off here. If you can stop beating Daniel up that is," quipped Janet smiling at him.

Jack grinned back at her. "I'll try, but that's gonna be the hardest part Doc."

"Good, now let's get you sat up while I check the back wound and then we'll get you bandaged again." She helped him to sit up and whipped off his shirt without fuss.

"Hey you're getting better at undressing me without scissors," joked Jack "Can't you pass it on to your staff. Soon as I get fatigues comfy your staff cut em up."

Daniel laughed at Janet's indignant face.

"Perhaps if you avoided getting injured we wouldn't have to Colonel."

"Touch" said Jack with a grin.

Deftly Janet checked the injury on his back and then replaced the moist saline soaked gauze on the wounds, before applying dry dressings, front and back. She worked quickly and even Daniel was aware that the pressure on his ribs was making itself felt and his friend couldn't hold back the occasional grunt of pain. She started the pressure bandages for his ribs, only to pause when Jack uttered a choked cough.

"Humph, Doc a guy gotta breathe," he moaned through clenched teeth.

Janet continued to bandage when he'd got his breath. "Those ribs need the support Colonel, they were pretty bad breaks, and they'll take a long while to just begin to knit." She finished and helped him re-dress and then eased him back down, supporting him with more cushions until she was satisfied he was as comfortable as he was going to get.

"Are you in a rush to get home? Sam and Teal'c are coming over and I've got plenty of pizza on the way," asked Daniel, feeling highly relieved now that Jack was settled down.

Janet smiled and nodded. "That'd be great. Cassie's at a sleepover. That's if you're not sick of the sight of me?" she asked looking directly at Jack.

"You're very welcome, honestly, provided there are no more needles tonight," he replied, giving her a charming grin, his eyes dark and welcoming.

Janet sat down with a grin, and Daniel smiled as she was obviously taken in by the O'Neill charm. She bent and began to re-pack her bag, putting it neatly to one side.

Daniel had been busy tidying up the coffee table, picking up the things that had been knocked to the floor.

"Good job it wasn't glass," he commented as he finished.

Jack looked at him with a guilty expression. "Did I hit you that hard?"

"Well, I barely touched it as I sailed over it," laughed Daniel, trying to keep it light. He didn't want Jack feeling guilty over that as well.

"Are you hurt?" said Janet, reaching for her bag again. "I'm sorry. I should have checked you out."

"It's nothing," Daniel smiled, "Just a bit of a bruise I expect, and my ego shattered."

"Ego?" asked Janet "Never heard of that part of a body." Her tone matched Daniel's - light and joking, as they both strove keep Jack from thinking about what had happened.

"Yeah, an injured man with one hand - or should I say one arm, who I might add was asleep at the time, sends me flying. Would you advertise it?"

Jack nodded with a grin. "Sure Daniel, just don't go admitting it to a jar-head."

"What is it with you and the Marines?" asked Janet "I'm quite partial to them," she added, with a twinkle in her eyes.

"Janet Fraiser, you can't admit that," said Jack in an outraged tone. "They should give you time with Mackenzie and throw away the key!"

"Sorry I spoke." she laughed.

Daniel looked up from where he knelt on the floor, picking up the last of the chess pieces from the carpet. He was about to make a comment when there was a knock on the door. He put the pieces in a heap on the board and got up to answer it.

* * *

Teal'c stepped aside for Sam to enter first as Daniel opened the Colonel's door. She walked in quickly, anxious to see how her CO was faring, but stopped short when she saw Janet.

"Is everything okay?" she asked, concerned, her gaze moving to the Colonel as she spoke.

"Fine, Carter. The Doc's on a social visit at the moment," the Colonel replied before anyone else could say anything.

"Yeah, I get a share of the pizza tonight," quipped Janet.

"You can have the anchovies then," said Sam. She realised there was something not being said, but she held her tongue for now.

Janet grimaced. "Yuk, no chance."

"Now then ladies, no fighting over the wee fishies," said Jack.

Teal'c took a seat. "O'Neill, is that what anchovies are?" he asked.

Jack nodded and accepted the drink Daniel handed him from the tray he carried in. Daniel finished handing out the drinks to the others and Sam picked up an orange juice gratefully, suddenly thirsty. She took a long swallow as Daniel flopped down with a tired sigh.

"Is he wearing you out?" she asked, giving her friend a sympathetic smile as she sat down on the floor cross-legged, her back against the armchair facing Jack.

"Nope, not yet," joked Jack before Daniel could reply.

Everyone laughed except Teal'c, who raised just one brow. Daniel smiled at Jack's comment and didn't argue.

Sam sat studying the Colonel as they chatted. She thought he still looked very ill, not yet looking remotely like himself. She noticed that he sat nursing his drink; letting the chatter just flow around him, seemingly lost in thought.

"Well it is so nice to see you all together and not in the infirmary for once," said Janet cheerfully.

Sam pulled her gaze from the Colonel, startled at the comment and found both Janet and Daniel watching her. She looked down, suddenly uncomfortable.

A knock sounded at the door and with a shout of "Pizza!" Sam bounded up, glad of the distraction.

"There's some bills in the drawer in the hall," called Colonel O'Neill.

Sam pulled the door open and handed the delivery boy the necessary cash, along with a generous tip, seeing the Colonel was paying. She balanced the boxes, shutting the door with a foot and made her way to the lounge. Daniel had meanwhile brought salad, snacks and plates through from the kitchen ready for the pizza.

Sam spread the boxes out on the table and opened one, grabbing a slice of her favourite quickly. She flopped down again in her previous seat on the floor and took a huge bite. The cheese pulled off in strings and stuck to her chin as she chewed, eating with great relish.

* * *

Jack's gaze lowered to Carter and he smiled as he saw her enjoyment of the meal. He watched as, between mouthfuls, she licked at her lips and fingers, relishing every morsel. `What I wouldn't give to be that pizza at the moment,' he groaned inwardly, mesmerised by her eating.

* * *

Daniel felt Janet's foot nudge his, almost making him spill the drink he was just sipping. He looked over at her inquiringly, only to have her give a quick nod towards Jack and Sam.

"That'll get his blood pressure up," she mused out loud.

"What?" asked Daniel, picking up a slice of pizza.

She nodded towards Jack again with a smirk.

"Oh, jeez," Daniel managed, finally seeing the look his friend was casting towards Sam.

Janet's answering giggle must have roused Jack from his thoughts because he looked up, puzzled. Daniel concealed a smile as he offered him a slice.

Sam finished her first slice and reached for another. Jack visibly tore his gaze away from her and concentrated on his own slice, which he picked at half-heartedly. The others ate with a good appetite, but Daniel noticed Jack's attempt at eating was poor, especially in light of the fact it was one of his favourite foods.

"I enjoyed my fish pizza O'Neill," stated Teal'c, who had demolished a full one plus another half.

Daniel laughed and he and Janet both blurted out together "Anchovy pizza."

"But you said earlier that anchovies were fish," said a puzzled Jaffa.

Daniel laughed again and tried to explain it, but without much success.

"Just like we say steak instead of, well cow," said Sam, taking up the explanation, also laughing.

Teal'c thought for a second and then spoke. "I understand, but I fail to see why the Tauri did not say what they mean."

The evening wore on pleasantly, as chattering and laughter filled the room. Jack was however, very quiet and slowly his eyes closed, despite his best efforts to remain awake.

Sam, who had been watching him fight the drowsiness, spoke up. "I guess we need to call it a night" she nodded to indicate the sleeping Colonel.

"Yeah it's been a long day," yawned Daniel.

"I spoke to the man who has the glove today. He is confident he will be able to match the leather, but it will take time," said Teal'c quietly, keeping his voice low.

"Glove?" asked Janet.

Daniel explained how Teal'c had taken the baseball glove to be repaired.

"Oh right. The Colonel mentioned it once when he first stirred and I sort of evaded it. I assumed it was pretty much beyond repair, I'm afraid."

"I was wondering about the glove. I mean, I've never known the Colonel to break regulations like that, not to mention the risk of losing it, seeing how often we've had to abandon our equipment in the past," said Sam quietly.

Daniel hesitated before speaking. "I err, I think he only got it recently."

The others looked at him expectantly.

"Just before we left on that mission, he ... well, he got a package from Sara."

"So you think maybe that was the first time he took it off world with him?" asked Sam with a strange look on her face.

Daniel nodded. "I only really made the connection a couple of days ago when I fetched some things from his locker. I found the box and a letter. I remember just before we left I must have disturbed him going into the locker room. I think he had hold of it then, but I didn't really think about it properly. He was a bit distant, sort of annoyed and pushed it into his pack when I disturbed him."

"Wow!" exclaimed Janet, shaking her head in amazement. "Do you realise how many coincidences added up that literally saved his life?"

"Talk about fated," mused Daniel.

* * *

Sam shivered, as she felt as though a ghost had walked through her. `For the package to be sent in the first place, the timing of the delivery, whatever caused Colonel O'Neill to put it in his pack ... Someone up there was surely looking after the Colonel ... they must be!'

She felt her eyes getting moist and she gave herself a mental shake. She ran a hand through her hair trying to dispel the prickles from her scalp.

The silence that had fallen was broken by a huge sigh from Daniel as he rose to start clearing up. The noise from the plates and silverware disturbed Jack. He stirred restlessly and tried to sit up, still half asleep. The movement caused him pain and he clutched at his chest, sinking back down with a moan.

* * *

Janet was over in a shot "Take it slow, Colonel," she murmured, kneeling down in front of him.

Blearily he opened his eyes "Doc?" She nodded at him. "Thought I'd escaped the infirmary," he muttered.

Laughing, Janet gave the Colonel's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "You did sir. You're home, but you can't escape your doctor."

Janet waited as he struggled to come around more. "That injection I gave you earlier was quite strong. I'm surprised you stayed awake as long as you did," she admitted. "Come on, I'll give you a hand to get upstairs while Daniel says goodbye to everyone."

Sam was hovering to one side, looking unsure of herself, as if she didn't quite know what to do to help. She reached a hand out, and suddenly pulled it back. "I'll just give Daniel a hand to clear before we go. Goodnight, sir," she said, before turning in the direction of the kitchen.

Jack seemed to suddenly remember the others were there, and spoke to Sam's retreating back. "'Uh, sorry I fell asleep, `night," he murmured. Janet helped him to his feet and walked beside him, holding one arm to steady him as he made a slow journey towards his bedroom.

It took a little while to get Jack to his room, but eventually Janet got him to his bed. She quickly stripped him down to just his boxers and gently lowered him down. He was asleep as soon as his head touched the pillow. She covered him with the blankets and turned off the light, but left the door ajar and made her way back to the lounge room.

The others had got everything ship-shape by the time she joined them. "I think he'll sleep the night out," she advised them.

"We better be going then. I'll drop Teal'c off," said Sam as she grabbed her things together.

Daniel walked everyone to the door. Janet paused to speak to him as they watched Sam and Teal'c get into Sam's' car.

"Keep him quiet, and make sure he does little as possible for now. I'll be back tomorrow."

Daniel gave her a smile "I'll do my best, but you know Jack."

Janet nodded, knowing he was right. Colonel O'Neill never played the part of an invalid well.

* * *

Daylight filtered into Jack's room, waking him. His body clock had been set for years to wake early and today was no different. Lying stiff from sleeping in the same position all night, he gently stretched himself as he listened to the birds' chorus outside his window. Hearing nothing else stirring, he realised Daniel must still be sleeping so he quietly and very carefully dressed himself in the same bottoms Janet had discarded the previous evening. Not bothering to wear anything else, he slowly made his way downstairs. He grabbed some juice from the kitchen and walked stiffly to the deck overlooking the garden and woods behind his house. There, he sat quietly sipping the juice as the sun rose higher, piercing through the early morning chill and promising a nice day. He gave a contented sigh - he never lost the wonder of seeing the sun rise and set.

A yawn announced the presence of Daniel as he poked his head out of the doors to the house. "God, Jack, it's still the middle of the night." He rubbed his hands over his arms and then did a `double-take' at Jack's apparel, or lack of it, almost making the man laugh.

"What are you doing? Janet'll kill me!"

"Relax Daniel, it's a beautiful morning. I couldn't stay in bed any longer."

"You could have called me," groused Daniel "I'll put the coffee on." He disappeared for a few minutes then reappeared, handed Jack a jacket to put on and disappeared again.

Jack left the jacket hanging loosely around his shoulders as he sat contemplating the morning.

Jackfic Fiction Archive Story

What Fate Decrees (Revised)

by Jackie ONeill Nut