Trapped
By Demon Faith
TITLE: Trapped
CATEGORY: S/D, Angst, Drama
SPOILERS: COTG,
Broca Divide, FIAD, Hathor, Into the Fire, Small Victories, Need, In the Line
of Duty, Jolinar’s Memories, The Devil you Know and Fire and Water (just to
annoy Jazz…)
SEASON/SEQUEL: Season 3/4
RATING: PG-13
CONTENT WARNINGS: Implications and violence
SUMMARY: Daniel falls victim to a booby trap, with
devastating consequences
DISCLAIMER: Don’t own them, wish I did. Didn’t make
money, wish I did.
PS I am fortunate to
never have been paralysed. Everything involving the wheelchair (you’ll know
when you get there) was worked out by myself. Sorry for any inaccuracies.
“So, what did you do this
weekend?”
Sam and Daniel walked towards the
gate room, helmets in hand, ignoring all the strange looks they were
attracting.
The rumour mill was always
buzzing, and most of the far-fetched ‘incidents’ involved SG1. Whereas the
gossip about Jack and the nurses probably had a basis in fact, Sam couldn’t see
Daniel and Janet locked in a passionate embrace, or Lou Ferretti and Jack
making a gay couple.
“Oh nothing much. I had a lot of
work to do.”
Daniel fumbled with the strap on
his helmet, as Sam dragged him to a halt.
“You worked? Daniel, you’re
supposed to be resting!”
Daniel glared back, hating to be
discovered. He had a habit of trying to survive on a cocktail of caffeine and
chocolate and three hours sleep. Janet was always coming at him with sedatives
and had told SG1 to make sure Daniel got sleep, decent meals and didn’t work on
his off-days. Looks like we failed again, thought Sam.
“That’s rich coming from you.”
They continued down the corridor,
falling into the casual conversation they usually reserved for annoying Jack.
“Janet’s going to kill you.”
“Well, Jack’s gonna kill you.”
Sam stopped them again.
“Why will Jack kill me?”
Daniel grinned and resumed
walking.
“Because you’ve forgotten your
gun!”
Sam slapped her side and cursed.
Daniel laughed and waved her sidearm in front of her nose. Sam made a wild grab
for the weapon but Daniel was too fast. She chased him down the corridor and
snagged his jacket. He went sprawling on the floor and Sam tripped over his
legs. She landed on top of him and they struggled for the gun, falling into
hysterical laughter.
“When you’ve quite finished…”
Daniel finally let go of the gun
and Sam sprang to her feet, to face her CO and one very amused Jaffa. Daniel
also climbed to his feet, breathless and red-faced. Jack shook his head and
went into the Gate room, followed by Teal’c. Sam slapped Daniel playfully, as
he followed her into the Gate room.
“Don’t you ever try that again! I
could’ve shot you.”
“No, you couldn’t. I have the
bullets.”
Sam’s mouth fell open, as Daniel
handed her back the little metal cylinders. Sam popped open her gun, to find an
empty casing.
“How did you do that? You didn’t
have time…”
Daniel shrugged and wearily picked
up his backpack, looking older than his years.
“Jack made me practice. We were up
‘til two in the morning.”
Sam glared at Jack, who shrugged
gamely. Sam turned back to Daniel, who was struggling with his backpack. Sam
slipped the loose strap onto his shoulder and he smiled tiredly. Sam looked at
him with concern.
“Are you alright, Daniel?”
He just smiled at her, as the
wormhole blasted open. Sam made a mental note to beat the crap out of Jack
O’Neill the next time she could get to him. Bullying Daniel into emptying a gun
was not the way to make the young man ‘fit in’. Personally, Sam liked Daniel
just the way he was and didn’t think Jack’s brutal military training was going
to change the young man.
SG1 marched through the gate with
ease, having used the scientific wonder many times before. They stepped out of
the other side, to a cold, grey building with little lighting or heat. Daniel
was trying not to shiver but the numbing cold was already setting into his
muscles. Jack raised an eyebrow.
“Didn’t the MALP say this was a
lush, green world?”
“We must’ve mis-dialled.”
Sam shrugged, thinking of the
amount of trouble one certain sergeant would get when they got back. Daniel
squinted into the darkness, before turning towards Jack.
“I think there’s something out
there.”
“Don’t be silly, Dan…”
Suddenly, metal projectiles sailed
through the air and hit Daniel in the centre of his back. He cried out, as he
fell to the ground, motionless. Sam, Jack and Teal’c ran over to the
archaeologist’s prone form.
“Teal’c; dial it up!”
Daniel’s wide, scared eyes stared
up at them, trying to say something.
“What is it, Daniel? We’re gonna
get you out of here, okay?”
Sam stroked his short hair, trying to ignore the sharp pain in his
eyes.
“I…can’t fell my legs, Sam.”
Jack cursed loudly, as the
wormhole opened. He scooped Daniel into his arms and SG1 ran back through the
Gate.
“We need some help here!”
George grabbed the phone and
dialled through to Janet. She was there in seconds and Jack placed Daniel
face-down on the gurney.
“We went to the wrong planet.
Daniel got shot in the back. Don’t know what it was, but…he can’t feel his
legs.”
Janet stared at Jack in shock, and
then, rushed him towards the infirmary.
~
Janet sighed and ran a hand
through her hair. Daniel’s eyes met hers and the fear cut through her like a
knife. She had tried every scan possible and had drawn up nothing. All she
could tell was that he had been shot, and now…now…
Janet couldn’t even bring herself
to think it. Daniel looked up at her and she knew what he was going to say.
“So, what’s wrong?”
Janet tried to smile but the pain
in his eyes was only too clear.
“It’s bad, Daniel.”
He gave her a little half-smile,
trying to keep calm. Janet knew he was being strong for his friends but it seemed
almost desperate this time.
“Tell me when the others come. I’m
sure they’re going frantic out there.”
No arrogance there; only a slight
embarrassment that he attracted so much attention. Janet smiled at him and
motioned for the nurse to get them.
“Don’t try and move, Daniel.”
“I think we both know I can’t ,
Janet.”
His quiet acceptance brought tears
to Janet’s eyes and she had to tear herself away. Sam almost blasted down the
door when she came in, followed by one Colonel-like tornado and a highly-strung
Jaffa. Janet hated to do this to such caring people, but it had to be done.
“So, now you’re all here, I can
give a diagnosis.”
Sam took the empty chair beside
Daniel and took his hand, faintly surprised when he didn’t return her grip.
“The…projectiles struck Daniel’s
central and lower spine. They seem to have…to have…”
“Spit it out, Doc.”
Jack was feeling worried. Janet
always gave it to them straight. Why was she being hesitant this time? Janet
calmed herself and began to speak in a neutral, even tone.
“Daniel has a permanent…paralysis,
from the neck down.”
There, she’d said it. Janet turned and walked away, to spare
herself the shocked, hurt looks from all of SG1, except Daniel. She had just
caught his little smile; the brave face he always reserved for such occasions. But
there’s never been one like this, Daniel. Sam leaned over him, concern in
her eyes.
“Are you alright, Daniel? What
would you like us to do for you?”
He smiled openly, even though Jack
was still hovering around like an avenging angel. Teal’c had brought up his
‘stoic Jaffa’ façade, but Sam…
“Quit worrying, for a start. Janet
says that she can find me a carer. And you guys will just stay here and kick
Gourld butt. Problem solved.”
He smiled again but Sam noticed
that it didn’t quite reach his eyes. Okay, wait for the tough types to
leave, and then we can really talk. Sam barely nodded and got a half-smile
from Daniel in return.
“So, whatcha gonna do with your
time, Danny?”
Daniel thought it over carefully.
He wanted to wave his hands, incline his head and just move among his
friends but some alien booby-trap had ruined any chance of that ever again.
Daniel uttered a little sigh, something only Sam heard.
“I thought I would get a
voice-commanded computer, so I could still work on translation stuff. You could
e-mail it to me, I suppose.”
Jack thought it sounded as if
Daniel’s heart wasn’t quite in what he was saying. As for Jack himself, he was
in deepest shock. Having no Daniel on SG1, no bouncing linguist annoying him at
every turn or even a little Sam-Daniel co-conspiracy going on behind his back.
He would miss that the most. They didn’t seem to realise how their faces lit up
when they talked to each other, shared ideas or just enjoyed each others
company. But no more on SG1. Jack couldn’t take it anymore, and he just walked
out. Teal’c followed close behind, not wishing to see his young Tau’ri friend
endure such suffering. Sam leaned over Daniel now, staring deep into his eyes.
“Talk to me, Daniel. Tell me what
you really think.”
“I think that I’m going to shrivel
up and die. Not being with you guys is gonna tear me apart, and I don’t want to
lose you, Sam. Especially not you. Please, not you.”
Daniel let one tear tumble
unhindered down his cheek. Sam wiped it clear and kissed him lightly on the
cheek.
“I’ll never leave you, Daniel. In
fact, I have an idea…”
~
“Damn it all to HELL!”
Another coffee cup met its end to
Jack O’Neill’s fury. As soon as he had left the infirmary, the emotional dam
had burst. Half-crying, he had fled to his office. Airforce Colonels DO NOT
cry, he told himself, at least, not in public.
He had slammed his door shut,
breaking down in the face of such horror. Young Danny Jackson, vibrant genius,
so full of life, had been struck down on his watch. And Sam's face had
been the last straw. Despair and anger overwhelmed him, as the guilt and sorrow
set in.
There was a timid knock on the
door and Jack quickly composed himself.
“Come!” he barked.
A very quiet and subdued Sam
Carter entered his office, a slip of paper in her hand. It didn’t even register
until she placed it in his palm.
“I’m resigning.”
The words pierced his soul and he actually grabbed her shoulders.
“Why the hell are you doing that?”
Sam pulled him off, roughly, anger
in her eyes.
“Because Daniel needs me! There
are other scientists, other majors, but Daniel only has so-many friends. And
I’ll be damned if I just leave him with some stranger.”
Jack felt like he’d been slapped.
He had been too busy feeling sorry for himself to realise that Daniel wasn’t
going to accept this overnight, no matter what he tried to pretend.
“I’m s…sorry, Sam. You go. I’m
just an…old fool.”
Jack collapsed into his chair,
feeling drained. Losing half your team in a day, Jack. Some commanding officer
you make. I mean, next minute Teal’c might decide to leave for that Broca place
and you couldn’t do a thing to stop him. You’re losing your touch, O’Neill. Jack
smiled sadly to himself.
“Are you okay, sir?”
Jack snapped out of his reverie.
He had forgotten Sam was still there.
“So, exactly what is the plan for
Daniel?”
~
“I want you to rest completely for
the next few days. Your system is still in shock but I think Sam can cope with
that.”
Daniel smiled at Janet. She was
going to so much trouble. They all were. Especially Sam. Daniel sighed.
He didn’t want Sam to give up her life for him but she had made him admit that
he needed someone and, yes, it would help if he knew them. And Sam was
determined she was going to help.
Daniel couldn’t quite decide how
he felt about this. No more Stargate missions; a whole life of being dependent
on someone else; a whole life with Sam. I can’t ask her to do that, he
thought to himself, She’ll only regret it later. So, when Sam walked in a few minutes later, he
knew exactly what he was going to say.
“Sam, you…”
“…can’t possible give up your life
for me, so just forget the whole idea? Was that what you were going to say?”
Daniel’s mouth opened in surprise
but Sam just smiled.
“Daniel, I want to help
you. I would miss you too much otherwise. Come on, we spend most of our lives
with each other anyway. What are a few hours more?”
Danny tried to blink make the
tears, but Sam saw them all too clearly. She gently wiped away the tears,
sighing.
“I don’t know what I’m gonna do
with you, Danny Jackson.”
Daniel gave her a watery smile and
she realised she was only inches away from his handsome face. She curled
herself on the edge of his bed, leaning on his chest to look into his eyes. He
could only slowly cry as she held him lightly in her outstretched arms. He felt
so heavy and weak, no reaction from his still muscles.
Sam realised her commitment, what
she had given up for the dead-weight in her arms. But Daniel was so much more
than that and she wouldn’t let a piece of alien technology steal his life away.
After she had left the depressed
Colonel, Sam had visited General Hammond. Janet had already filled him in and
her request came as no surprise.
Now, if only Daniel would agree…
“I have something to tell you, Daniel.”
He looked at her, curiously.
“General Hammond says you don’t
have to leave. If we convert a VIP suite into a proper apartment, you could
still work here everyday. Of course, it’s no substitute, but you can…”
“Would you work if I stayed?”
Sam was taken aback. She came
first?
“Work? On what, Daniel?”
Sam was resisting the urge to call
him ‘Danny’, like a kid. It was just how he seemed to her now; so frail and
vulnerable.
“Science stuff. Like wormhole
physics and all the other stuff you love. I can’t keep you from that, Sam.”
There was genuine concern in his
eyes and Sam was close to tears.
“You never cease to amaze me,
Daniel Jackson.
He tried to smile but tears
threatened to ruin the show. Yet, Daniel knew that Sam wouldn’t judge, wouldn’t
condemn him, for merely being human.
“Yes, I think I will then. We
could move some of my stuff to your office or visa versa. As long as you’ll be
alright, Daniel.”
~
General Hammond was in state of shock. Daniel was paralysed, Sam
was resigning, Jack was in deepest depression and Teal’c just didn’t know what
to make of it all. Neither did George.
Morale was fading fast, and SG1
wasn’t around to boost it back up. Daniel’s ‘loss’ had hit them all hard and
with Sam and Jack having almost disappeared, things were getting pretty tense.
Teal’c just hung around the infirmary and Janet let him because she wanted the
company as well.
Several airmen were converting a
VIP room and Daniel was due to move in that afternoon. George just didn’t know
what to make of it all. Sam had volunteered herself without a second thought,
despite Daniel’s protests. George was wondering what that would come to…
There was a knock on the door.
George had called Jack to his office a few minutes ago. Must be him.
“Come!”
A slow, slothful creature shuffled
into George’s office, head bowed low. Jack collapsed in a chair, looking pale
and tired.
“Yes, sir?” he said in a weary
voice.
“Colonel, I am ordering you to go
and see Doctor Jackson.”
Jack’s head snapped up and a
little spark of light flitted into his eyes.
“Daniel? Why?”
George didn’t even ask why he was
questioning orders.
“He’s been asking for you all day
and Sam’s been looking for you everywhere. He says he hasn’t seen you since
Janet’s announcement.”
Jack squirmed slightly, chewing
nervously on his lip.
“I don’t think he wants to see me,
sir. I…got him into this mess.”
“Jack, that is the biggest load of
crap I’ve ever heard!”
The Colonel straightened himself,
levelling his shoulders.
“Excuse me, sir?”
George smiled inwardly. That
got your attention!
“He wouldn’t be asking, if he
didn’t want to see you. Now, go and see the man before he harries poor Sam
stupid!”
Jack smiled at that and left
George’s office, with his heart lighter.
~
“So, I can leave now?”
Daniel was getting bored of just
looking at the barren, white ceiling in the infirmary, which was all he saw
until Sam came in and propped him into a sit. Now, his eyes were darting round
the infirmary, happy to be leaving. He was still in the clothes he had worn
when he was shot and he was sure he smelt awful, but Sam didn’t comment at all.
Janet had been tutoring her in ‘care’ and she was pretty sure she’d got it
sorted. Janet wasn’t too happy about letting him out but she had no reason to
keep him any longer.
“Yes, I suppose you can. Sam will
take things from here.”
One grinning Sam Carter appeared
by his bedside.
“Why are you so happy?”
Sam’s grin just got wider. She
pushed a wheelchair to his side and he eyed it warily.
“You’re not going to push me down a
cliff, are you?”
Sam laughed loudly, causing Daniel
to smile as well.
“No, I think I’ll keep you safe
for now.”
Keep you safe. That sounded nice, especially coming from Sam. Daniel
just wished it were under different circumstances.
Sam gently turned Daniel to face
the bed’s edge. His legs flopped uselessly over the edge and Daniel began to
feel embarrassed.
“Any redder and you’re gonna
burst, Daniel. Don’t worry about it; just think of it as VIP treatment.”
Daniel smiled again. Sam lifted
him into a standing position, swivelling him deftly into the chair.
“Wow; some technique!”
“I’ve practiced.”
She hefted Daniel’s legs onto the
metal support and wheeled him off towards the converted VIP room. They passed
many marines and airmen in the corridors, who all nodded and smiled.
“I never knew I was so popular,”
Daniel murmured to Sam.
“Yeah, but did you notice that
most of them were women.”
Daniel resisted laughing, as Sam
pushed his chair easily through the doorway. The room was totally different. Daniel’s
jaw dropped, as Sam pushed him into the centre of the room. There was a new
computer with a headset and speakers. There was a neat bookcase which contained
about half of Daniel’s references. There was a reclining couch and an easy
chair, as well as the usual bed. There was a compact stereo system and the
ceiling was covered in swirling patterns and shapes.
“It’s amazing,” he breathed in
wonder.
Sam smiled and pushed the chair
towards the couch. Daniel raised an eyebrow.
“So, what are we gonna do now?”
Sam slipped off her jacket and
threw it onto the security camera. Daniel’s eyebrows lifted higher and Sam
knelt down beside him.
“You need a shower, Daniel.”
The archaeologist’s eyes widened
and he wished he could back off from the grinning woman in his apartment.
“You can’t be serious, Sam.”
She smiled even more, leaning the
reluctant linguist forward. With his shoulder against hers, she slid her hands
under his T-shirt and pulled the damp cloth over his head. His arms flopped
back down, landing heavily on her shoulders. Sam laughed and pushed them off
with a sigh.
“Do we have to do this, Sam?”
“Yes, Daniel, we do.”
Sam carefully sat him back in the
chair and undid his trousers.
“Y’know, if this wasn’t so
serious, it would be romantic.”
“Don’t go there, Sam.”
She smiled at the very flushed
archaeologist and wondered how many of Janet’s nurses dreamed of being in this
position. But Sam didn’t dream of vulnerability; she only hoped for kindness,
stability and, most of all, love.
When the stiff fatigues were gone,
Sam wheeled the nearly-naked Daniel into his bathroom.
“So, where do we go from here?”
Daniel was feeling very silly.
This was so embarrassing, but Sam was taking it all in her stride.
She lifted him smoothly out of the
chair and against her small frame.
“Don’t hurt your back, Sam.”
“I won’t, Daniel. Don’t worry.”
She manoeuvred him into the
cubicle shower, still holding him tightly. She turned on the stream of water,
and yelped as the cold water hit her. She cranked up the thermostat and the
water gushed in warmer waves. Sam grabbed a bottle of shampoo from the shelf,
while still holding onto a very red and wet Daniel. By all rights of
physics, the boy should be steaming. By all rights of reality, I shouldn’t be
in this situation, but here I am. And, right now, I wouldn’t be anywhere else… Sam
kept her happy thoughts to herself, as she squeezed some shampoo onto Daniel’s
head and, after replacing the bottle, rubbed it furiously. The white bubbles
streamed onto her and Daniel and she took the shower gel and used that as well.
When she was sure Daniel was as clean as he could be (and was royally pissed
off with her), she finally turned off the water and swung Daniel into the cold,
metal chair. Which, of course, he can’t feel, she thought, bitterly. She
found a peach fluffy towel and dried down Daniel, while still aware that she
was dripping water everywhere. She took the towel and squashed his handsome
face between the soft folds. He smiled, then promptly sneezed. Sam smiled and
wheeled him deftly into the main room. Using her previous techniques, she
somehow managed to get him on the couch. She found some of Daniel’s off-duty
clothes and dressed him quickly in a blue shirt and jeans. He patiently waited,
as she finished doing up his shirt buttons, bringing her right up to his face again.
She stood up quickly and he smiled at her.
“Go and get changed, Sam. Have a
shower, change your clothes, and then come back. I don’t mind being alone.”
“I’ll use the shower here, Daniel.
You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
Sam leaned Daniel carefully onto the couch, before going to have
her shower. Daniel sighed to himself. How Sam kept her composure when he was
beet red with embarrassment was amazing. He wanted to help her, not be so
useless, but that was all he could be. A tear escaped down his cheek and he
couldn’t even raise his hand to wipe it away.
There was a knock at the door and
Daniel was mildly surprised.
“Come in?”
The door opened slowly but Daniel
couldn’t turn to find out who it was. The person moved gradually into his line
of sight and Daniel smiled.
“Jack, you came.”
The Colonel shrugged and sat in
the easy chair, admiring the ceiling.
“Siler and his cronies did it.
Impressive, huh?”
Daniel smiled, as Jack pulled
chocolate-walnut cookies out of his pocket. Daniel’s smile grew wider and Jack
laughed.
“So, where’s Sam?”
“Right here, Colonel.”
Sam came out of the bathroom, in a
bath-robe with her hair in a towel turban. Jack raised his eyebrows but didn’t
say anything. He had noticed Daniel’s damp hair when he came in. Why was Sam
wet as well? Don’t go there, Jack.
“Ah, the elusive Major. You been
avoiding me, Carter?
“Looking for you, actually. Well,
I’ll go get the canteen’s latest offering. You can hold the fort here, Jack?”
Then, the Colonel started.
“Jack?” he echoed.
“Yes. I resigned, remember. From
the Air Force at least. I am now officially a civilian conscript.”
“So, I call you Sam?”
She smiled and went out of the
door. Shaking his head, Jack sat back in his chair. Daniel watched him
carefully, wondering why he had suddenly arrived.
“So, how are you doing? Who’s
replacing us?”
Jack sat bolt upright. Daniel had
asked a casual question but it had stung.
“Replacing you? No one will ever
replace you, Danny.”
Daniel murmured a quiet ‘oh’ and
Jack slapped himself.
“Sorry, Daniel. Don’t know what
came over me. Um…we’re getting a Captain Mara Andrews, who’s an astrophysicist,
and Rothman’s coming back as our archaeologist and linguist. But, of course,
Sam and you will still be working away to yourselves, so they won’t have to do
too much.”
Daniel smiled and looked up at the
ceiling. It would take forever to recognise all the symbols in the patterns up
there, and, like clouds, every time you looked, you saw something else in the
images. He was so grateful to his friends for being so compassionate and he
just wished he could do something in return.
“So, have you met this ‘Mara’
yet?”
Jack sent Daniel a reproachful
look.
“You have the most attractive
woman on base waiting on you hand and foot and you’re still looking? You blind,
Daniel?”
The linguist’s eyes widened, as he
was struck speechless. His mouth fell open in his characteristic goldfish
expression, as Sam bashed through the door.
“I got loads of stuff. You sticking
around, Jack?”
“Nah, Sam. I think I’ll leave
now.”
Jack stood up and winked at
Daniel, before diving out of the door. Sam didn’t seem to notice, as she leaned
over Daniel.
“So, do you want to start?”
“Might as well, Sam.”
Sam picked up plate of chips and
kneeled beside Daniel, who was still lying on the couch.
“Didn’t Janet say a ‘wholesome,
balanced diet’?”
“Since when did we obey Janet’s
orders?”
Daniel smiled. Sam took a chip and
placed it in his mouth. Daniel took it gratefully. He hadn’t eaten properly
since…since…well, it had been a while. Sam was experimenting with tomato
ketchup and mayonnaise and Daniel was laughing between bites, at Sam’s
concentration on the precise amounts of ketchup and mayo required for each
chip.
“Difficult calculations?”
“The hardest.”
Sam popped the last chip in his
mouth and Daniel grimaced.
“What did you put on that?”
Sam frowned.
“Sorry. Must’ve been too much
mayonnaise.”
Daniel sighed, as Sam dived out of
view. She re-appeared with a very large, sticky chocolate cake.
“Are you determined to make me
fat?”
Sam giggled and broke off a piece
of cake. He stuck out his tongue and
she placed it on the end. It was gorgeous! Daniel closed his eyes and smiled.
Sam laughed loudly. Daniel looked like he was in seventh heaven. Sam took a
piece of cake and ate it. She smiled as well and it was Daniel’s turn to laugh.
Sam took the cake and climbed onto the couch, straddling the archaeologist.
“You want the cake, Daniel? You’re
gonna have to beg.”
He pouted and Sam was on the verge
of giving it to him.
“Say I’m the best astrophysicist
in the universe.”
“You’re the best astrophysicist in
the universe.”
Sam took a piece of cake and
dropped it in his mouth. He swallowed it with relish, looking hopefully at the
rest.
“Say I’m the best woman in the
world.”
“You’re the best woman in the
world.”
Sam broke off the next piece and
leaned in to put it in his mouth. Daniel licked his lips, to capture the last
chocolate crumbs.
“You want the last piece, Daniel?”
“No, you have it, Sam.”
Sam grinned and split in half. She
ate the first piece and gave the bigger one to Daniel. Once they had finished
the rich cake, the phone rang. Sam sighed and rolled off the couch. She got up
and answered it.
“Hello?…Hey Janet…You’re coming
round?…Okay…Bye”
Daniel grinned at her, as she
rushed round, disposing of the lunch evidence. She flicked on the radio and
Radio Colorado blared from the speakers. Daniel winced at the volume and Sam
twisted the knob down.
“Sorry! Lieutenant Matthews was
listening to Westlife.”
Daniel smiled, as he watched Sam
whenever she drifted into view. She was totally absorbed in the music, humming
to herself as she tidied up the room.
There was a knock on the door and
Sam dived for the door handle. Janet came in, eyebrow raised, shouting over the
music.
“I thought you were looking after
him, not bursting his eardrums.”
Sam grinned sheepishly and turned
the stereo off .
“Thank you, Sam.”
Janet hovered over Daniel, smiling
brightly.
“Hello there, Daniel. I’m just
going to check over your spine.”
Daniel smiled, as Sam propped him
up into a sitting position. She turned him slowly towards the edge, gently
lifting his legs off the couch. She slipped off his shirt and leaned him into
her shoulder, bracing her slender arms around his neck. Daniel closed his eyes
for a minute, drinking in Sam’s perfume. Her hair was still wet and the chill
of the water trickled steadily down his neck, beyond his ability to perceive
it.
Janet winced at the brutally
obvious metal, jutting out of his skin. His back was discoloured with bruising
and blood lined the metal. Sam looked up at Janet with wide, scared eyes and
the doctor shook her head. Suddenly, she frowned and reached down to the
‘bullet’. She squinted at the object and tapped it.
“Ow! Janet, what did you do?”
Daniel’s eyes flew open in panic,
as hot, stabbing pain burned up his spine.
“What? You felt that, Daniel?”
“Of course I…”
Daniel stopped, as he realised
what he was saying. Sam looked at Janet again and she just shrugged.
“What exactly did you feel,
Daniel?”
Daniel considered a minute, as the
tingling died away.
“Burning. Sharp, spiking pain, all
up my back.”
Janet and Sam exchanged puzzled
looks and Daniel began to get worried, as he couldn’t see what was going on.
“What’s wrong? Janet? Sam?”
The doctor bit her lip but Sam
jumped in to save her.
“You still have some nerve
connections, Daniel; which is a good thing. Some sensation is better than
none.”
Janet smiled gratefully at Sam,
who frowned at her. Daniel was still worried but tried not to show it.
“Oh, alright then. So, can I go
back to work?”
Go back to work. He said it so casually, so calmly; erased all meaning
from the simple phrase. How could he ‘go back to work’, when he used to dive
around the galaxy, experiencing archaeological wonders and meeting alien races?
“Yeah, sure. But try not to get
too stressed or work too hard or go to bed late…”
Daniel started to laugh and Sam
laughed.
“I’ll make sure he’s home by
eleven, ma’am!”
Sam saluted. Janet smiled and
moved to leave the room.
“Well, I’ll be going then. Oh, and
Daniel? General Hammond wants you to go for a quick de-briefing in the Gate
Room.”
Daniel frowned, but didn’t say
anything. Sam nodded at Janet, as the doctor disappeared out of the door.
Sam sighed, wondering just how she
going to keep her promise to Janet. Daniel won’t give up that easily! Sam
leaned him back against the couch, trying to ignore the exposed torso of the
now thoroughly-worried archaeologist. Sam picked his shirt up, leaned him
forward again and slipped it behind him. Pulling his arms carefully into the
sleeves, she started to do up the buttons. All the time, Daniel didn’t say a
word.
When she was finished, Sam lay
Daniel back down on the couch, giving him a perfect view of the ceiling. She
dived to the floor and pulled out the bag of chocolate-walnut cookies Jack had
delivered earlier. Daniel smiled slightly and Sam pulled out one of the
delicious cookies.
“Up for some more calories?”
“What did Janet find, Sam?”
Daniel’s forehead was deeply
furrowed and Sam was getting concerned. She had seen what the supposed ‘bullet’
really was, but could she tell Daniel?
“What do you mean, Daniel?”
“Don’t play with me, Sam.”
Daniel focused his wide, blue eyes
directly on her and she couldn’t resist.
“Tell me what she found.”
Sam closed her eyes, hoping she
was doing the right thing.
“Well…the bullets aren’t…actually
bullets.”
Sam looked up, to see Daniel
looking at her expectantly. Can’t back out now, Sam.
“They are…well, appeared to
be…technological. I mean, not just lumps of metal. Maybe a mechanism of some
kind.”
Daniel frowned again and lowered
his eyes. Sam looked at him in apprehension, searching his eyes for a clue to
what he was thinking.
“You want to do some work, Daniel?
Or, go and see General Hammond?”
Daniel looked up and smiled
slightly.
“SG5 brought back a Minoan
tablet.”
Sam nodded and grinned.
“Minoan tablet it is!”
Sam lifted Daniel into his chair
and wheeled him over to the computer. She logged him into the main system.
“You already have a login system.
Sergeant Siler used pieces of your Dictaphone tape to match up your voice.”
Daniel smiled and Sam got a
document up. She reached for the phone.
“Robert? Can you bring up the
Minoan tablet that SG5 brought back? Thanks!”
Sam replaced the receiver and sat
down next to Daniel.
“Jack’s gonna bring it down. Says
he has nothing better to do.”
“He’s a lousy liar, “ Daniel said
quietly.
Sam smiled sympathetically. Only a
few minutes later, Jack barged through the door.
“One cup of coffee, a couple of
decent CDs and one Minoan tablet, courtesy of SGC room service. If you need
anything else, our Jaffa porter will be happy to help you!”
Daniel rolled his eyes, as Sam
took all the items off Jack. She placed a CD in the stereo and soft, romantic
music began to trickle out of the stereo. Sam frowned at Jack and scowled, but
he just grinned and left. Sam sat down beside Daniel again, muttering about
‘sanguine colonels’.
“So, what can I do?”
“Um…hold up the tablet and I’ll
translate directly into the microphone, when you turn it on.”
Sam nodded and picked up the
tablet. She flicked the switch on Daniel’s headset and he began to dictate.
“At<space>
first<space>…”
Sam flicked off the microphone.
“I’ll press the space bar for you,
okay?”
Daniel smiled gratefully, as she
switched it back on.
“At first glance, the tablet
appears Minoan, but the letters are badly carved and are suggestive of some
kind of…high-tech cutting tool, like a laser or something. I think it isn’t
actually Minoan, but a very accurate forgery. It says: So, let our might reign
forth but out heart will always truly rule. Our…”
Daniel drifted off, as his eyes
widened. Sam frowned at him.
“What is it, Daniel?”
Daniel swallowed, looking at the
tablet in fear.
“Our Chosen, of the Tau’ri, will
always be held dear.”
Sam swore under her breath and
laid the tablet down. She reached for the phone again.
“General? The planet that SG5 just
visited? We think it’s one of Hathor’s…”
~
Daniel was afraid; Sam could see
it in his eyes. Hathor’s dead, yet he’s still afraid. Sam was unsure of
what to do. She crawled around on the floor and grabbed a bag. She went back to
her seat and pulled out a cookie. Breaking a piece off, she dangled it in front
of Daniel’s face. A slight smile appeared on his lips, as she placed it on his
tongue. His lips closed around her fingers, trapping her.
“Daniel…”
He gave her a half-grin, as she
leaned closer to remove her fingers. When Sam was only centimetres away from
his face, she slowly drew her fingers out. Daniel’s eyes met hers, locking
intensely. Daniel closed his eyes trustingly, as Sam brought her lips to his.
She placed a hand on his cheek, slowly deepening the kiss. He tasted of the
sweet cookies and Sam wanted to kiss him forever.
A sharp rap on the door made her
pull away. Daniel’s eyes were slightly glazed, as Sam got up to answer the
urgent knock. Jack swept straight past Sam, grinning when he saw the slightly
bemused look on Daniel’s face. He winked at Sam, who frowned at him.
“Well, hate to interrupt,
but the General wants you both at our Gate room meeting.”
Daniel suddenly snapped out of his
reverie.
“Why are we having a meeting in
the Gate Room?”
Jack and Sam exchanged worried
looks but Daniel filled in the gaps himself.
“It’s because of me, isn’t it?” he
said, softly. Sam just took the chair and wheeled it into the hallway.
“After this, Daniel; you need to
sleep. Janet made me promise, remember”
Daniel was strangely silent all
the way to the Gate Room. Jack excused himself half-way, as he dived off to
find Teal’c and the new team members. Sam pushed the chair into the Gate Room,
as they waited for the new SG1 and the General.
Suddenly, the klaxons started to
blare and the Gate Room doors slid shut.
“What the…”
Sam gripped Daniel’s chair
tightly, as the lights went down and the power cut. Slowly, the Stargate began to dial. Without power, the SGC was
defenceless to anyone coming through the Gate. Of course, the last time this
had happened, it was only the Asgard coming to call but that didn’t stop Sam
worrying.
The last chevron locked and the
wormhole blasted open, casting Daniel and Sam in an eerie half-light. A
shrouded figure stepped through the Gate and removed their hood. Sam heard
Daniel gasp, as the legendary Hathor was revealed.
Hathor looked around the Gate
room, knowing her moment had come. Anxious faces stared out of the Control Room
window, but she was far more concerned with the two horror-struck figures
standing in front of her.
#My Chosen#
Daniel faced her off, not that he
could do much else. He felt his chair shudder slightly, as Sam’s trembling
hands gripped the handles. Trembling? Sam didn’t tremble!
# I have found you at last#
Sam didn’t understand what had
come over her. Everything about Hathor repulsed her, but why was she afraid?
Sam had seen what the vile whore had done to the men the first time round and
the Colonel’s experience with Hathor’s little ‘friend’ had been far from
pleasant. But what sickened Sam even more than that was what Hathor had done to
Daniel. Sam alone knew how much the bitch had worked her mind games on him. Sam
was the only one who could talk the distraught man down from a
nightmare-induced panic. And the second time, when a powerless Daniel had stood
before her as she tortured his best friend in the worst way possible. And now
Hathor was back with a scared vulnerable Daniel in her evil hands. Sam leaned
down and saw the calm aura on Daniel’s face. Boy, am I proud of him.
“You’re dead, Hathor.”
#The Goa’uld are most resilient,
Chosen. You could do well to remember that#
Daniel just blinked owlishly at
her. Jack watched nervously from the Briefing Room, wondering how his two
friends had got themselves into another shitty mess. Why is it always the
innocent?
“What do you want, Hathor?”
#You Chosen. Which is why the
woman must go#
The False Goddess raised her
ribbon device and aimed it unwaveringly at Sam. She just stood there and closed
her eyes, waiting for the blast that would surely kill her.
“No!”
Daniel shouted and Hathor turned
to him, her weapon still intently focused on Sam.
“You are not going to kill her.”
Hathor smiled sadistically and
walked over to Daniel, lowering the ribbon device. She leaned down and trailed
her fingers down his jaw, eyes laughing when he couldn’t flinch away.
#I sense you are unwell, Chosen.
No matter; Our sarcophagus will correct that#
“You can’t do that!”
Hathor turned back to Sam, who was
facing her bravely, eyes glowering. Hathor hesitated, unsure of what this woman
was truly capable of. But it was only for a moment.
#You dare challenge me!#
“Do you want to kill him?”
Hathor was silent. Kill him? Sam
continued.
“The sarcophagus is dangerous for
him. There is…alien technology at work, not physical ailment. You’ll just make
it worse, possibly to the point of death.”
Sam stumbled on her own words, but
made no move to wipe away the liquid trickling down her cheeks.
#You care for our Chosen greatly#
“Yes, I do.”
Daniel didn’t know what Hathor was
going to do but he wanted Sam kept out of it.
“Which is why you’re taking me
with you.”
“No, Sam. You can’t!”
Sam knelt beside Daniel, taking
his chin.
“I’m not leaving you alone with
her, Daniel. If we’re gonna face this, we have to do it together.”
Daniel bit his lip and let one
tear just slide down his cheek. Sam turned back to the False Goddess.
“I can help him, but you have to
take me with you.”
Hathor was intrigued. This woman
showed very real affection for her Beloved, and it was well mirrored in
Daniel’s eyes. She would make an interesting bargaining chip when her Chosen
denied her. Oh, Hathor wasn’t stupid; she knew Daniel wouldn’t play along for
much longer. But Sam would change all that.
#We have a deal#
“Excuse me? Hello, up in the Control
room? How about you just let them both go and get out of here before we blast
you to high hell?”
“Very subtle, Jack,” Daniel
murmured, “Very subtle.”
#Keep out of this, Tau’ri scum.
You escaped my kal’ma the first time; next time, it shall be your friends that
suffer#
Jack faltered, as the Stargate
deactivated. Hathor pressed a button on her ribbon device, and the Stargate
shimmered back into existence.
“Daniel, that’s Asgard
technology.”
“I know.”
Their whispered exchange was
unnoticed, as Sam took the wheelchair and pushed it gently up the ramp, with
Hathor’s ribbon trained steadily on her. They stepped through the Gate and the
wormhole shut down.
Suddenly all the power came on,
and the Stargate powered up. The Gate Room doors slid open and Jack was
instantly down there, Teal’c hot on his heels.
“They are gone, O’Neill.”
“But we’re gonna get them back
from her, Teal’c.”
Jack stared into the empty
Stargate.
“We’re gonna get them back.”
~
Sam pushed Daniel into the
expansive room, with its bare grey walls. Three of Hathor’s Jaffa followed and
Sam stopped in the middle of the room. She swung Daniel’s chair round so that
he could see the door. She knew he didn’t like enclosed spaces anymore than
heights, and he didn’t need any more tension right now. Two of the guards stood
either side of the door, while another stepped forward.
“I am Ar’nac, First Prime of
Hathor.”
He walked forward and pressed a
hand to Sam’s face.
“You are Tok’ra!”
“No, she isn’t. The Gourld is
dead, as you should well know.”
Daniel sounded cutting and
condescending, unusual traits for the quiet archaeologist. Ar’nac removed his
hand and Sam rubbed her cheek, leaning unconsciously towards Daniel in
protection. No matter how he tried to pretend he was strong, she knew what kind
of trouble Daniel could attract, and most of it was negative. Even the women
who obsessed over his clear blue eyes and handsome figure usually brought a
hell of a lot of trouble with them. The guy just couldn’t catch a break.
“You know much, Pharaoh. But your
slut must go.”
Ar’nac grabbed Sam by her hair,
and dragged the unprepared major straight towards the door.
“No! You can’t take her!”
Sam didn’t want trouble for
Daniel, even if it meant her life.
“Don’t stop it, Daniel. Just
remember – love is strong for both of us.”
Ar’nac hit her and she slumped
back, despite Daniel’s protests. She was soon through the door, the other
guards following.
Daniel closed his eyes, letting
the tears filter through his blond lashes. Oh Sam, why did you let yourself
fall in love?
“I love you, Sam,” he whispered.
~
“So, why can’t we just re-dial and
grab the kids?”
Yes, I know I’m not the brightest
of people, but I occasionally know what I’m talking about! Jack was sure Hammond had dumped him with the technicians
for a reason.
“Firstly; we have the first five
chevrons of the address but not the sixth. That’s a hell of a lot of
combinations, sir. Secondly; we have no idea what is on the other side, let
alone whether we can deal with it. And; thirdly, sir, with all due respect…”
“No! You are not going to say it!
Have you not heard of our proud record? No deaths! At least, not
permanent ones.”
“Your enragement will not help
them, O’Neill.”
Jack turned quickly, and his Jaffa
raised an eyebrow. Okay, I’m chilling! Jack turned back to the
technicians who were looking quite scared.
“You will find me a viable
solution for a rescue, and you will not leave this base until we have some
answers. Dismissed!”
“Sir!”
The cadet-sharp response
he received told him he had let too much of his anger slip into his voice. The
technicians scurried away. Jack wished Sam was there; she would have got it in
five seconds.
“Life just isn’t fair, Teal’c.”
“Life is as fair as we make it to
be.”
Jack tuned around, slightly surprised
at the Jaffa’s theological tone.
“You’ve been hanging around Daniel
again, haven’t you?”
~
All she knew was pain. Numbing,
blinding, stabbing pain. Y’know how I’d go through fire for you, Daniel, she
thought, Well, this certainly qualifies!
“Talk, woman!”
Sam almost laughed. She could
barely breath, let alone tell them anything. And she would rather die than give
Daniel’s weakness away.
#What damages my Chosen, slut? You
will be rewarded if you speak#
Yeah, as if I’d believe that. Sam fought off the sharp throbbing pain echoing
through her body, trying to concentrate on an image. Hell, I need something,
an object to focus on. Anything! Anyone…?
Sam forced the pain and malicious
voices of Ar’nac and Hathor to a distant corner of her mind, and brought
Daniel’s image to the surface. He had a hesitant smile on his face, the way he
looked at her when she had started bantering with Jack. Then, his eyes seemed
to sparkle in her mind, smiling at her. Sam allowed a blissful smile to
creep onto her lips.
Hathor slammed the table with
frustration. Why would the girl not relent? The pain was obvious, but her
loyalties were deep. Especially to my Beloved. Hathor stared at the
girl, trying to work out why her lips were curved in a smile when a moment ago
they had grimaced in pain. We must learn more.
Hathor turned up her machine and
Sam’s smile faded. Yet, her determination held and she didn’t utter a sound.
The False Goddess gave it a violent kick and it choked, and suddenly stopped.
Hathor screamed at it.
Sam was laughing inside.
We beat her, Daniel.
We finally won.
~
Daniel waited nervously, dreading
what Hathor may have done. He was tired and angry, rage replacing any guilt he
had felt. Why? Oh hell, why? Sam, please forgive me. He wanted to go and
help her, rescue her from Hathor; trounce the evil bitch of a Goddess who was
keeping Sam from him. But all he could do was sit and wait, running painful
scenarios through his mind, knowing the odds but calculating against. If anyone
could survive, it was them. They’d been through Hell; they could get through
Pain.
There was a stomp of heavy boots
charging down the stone corridor, followed by a steady drag. Sam, thought
Daniel, and his heart sank.
Ar’nac strode through the door,
smiling, and stood to one side. Two more guards followed, pulling Sam between
them. She moaned softly before they threw her roughly on the floor.
“She has told us all, Pharaoh. We
have broken her.”
“You’re a lousy liar, Ar’nac. Go
to bloody Sokar!”
The First Prime’s eyes bulged but
he took the deadly insult.
“You are a mere Human.”
“And you’re an evil bastard.”
Ar’nac started for him, but seemed
to constrain himself.
“What? Too hard for you to
handle?”
Ar’nac roared and drew his Zat. Oh,
this will be fun! He aimed it steadily at Daniel and the archaeologist
faced him fearlessly.
“You shall pay.”
Ar’nac fired and the electricity
caused Daniel to convulse. Then, strangely, the electricity sparked down his
back. Ar’nac laughed and motioned for the two guards to leave, before going
himself. Daniel shuddered with the unbearable pain shooting from the wound in
his back, almost bending him in a curve. He screamed, as the bullet
exploded inside him, throwing him from the chair.
~
Several minutes later, Daniel
managed to force his eyes open. The room was slightly blurred and he couldn’t
remember what had happened. Darkness was everywhere and the smell of smoke
haunted the room.
There was a moan from across the
room., and all the memories came flooding back.
“Sam?”
“You’re…such a stubborn…bastard,
aren’t you?”
Her reply was weak and strained
but Daniel managed a smile. Pain was still shooting up his back, and he could
smell charred flesh, even if he couldn’t…wait! Daniel gasped suddenly, when the
full force of feeling hit him. Ever so slowly, Daniel turned his neck from left
to right. With a slight struggle, he pulled his arm from under him and held it
front of his face, wiggling his fingers. I can move! His excitement
stopped when he realised his legs were still paralysed. His next thought was of
Sam.
“Sam? You still here?”
“I’m not…going anywhere…Daniel.”
The pain was evident in her voice
and he was determined to get to her. Slowly, but surely, he dragged his
battered body towards her voice, trying to make her out in the pitch blackness
of the room.
“Keep talking to me, Sam. I need
to hear you.”
There was no answer and Daniel
began to panic. He grinded himself forward, pushing himself to his every limit.
He saw a humped shape ahead of him and stopped short.
”Sam?”
There was a faint wheezing sound
and Daniel was sure. He slithered towards her head, directly in her line of
sight. Her blue eyes widened in surprise.
“How…did you…end up here?”
She was fading fast and
Daniel knew she wouldn’t survive for very long if he didn’t get her back to
Cheyenne. He stroked her hair gently, taking in her many injuries and cursing
Hathor silently to Hell. Then, a plan formulated in his mind.
“Sam, I’m just going for
a while. I’ll be back real soon, okay?”
She didn’t react, and he
slapped her face gently. Still no response. He felt desperately for a pulse and
was rewarded by a faint throbbing in her neck.
“Stay with me here, Sam.
I’m going to get you back. I promise you that.”
Daniel turned away from
her and slowly pulled himself back towards the chair, or where he thought it
was. It took him an hour to reach the wheelchair; only the thought of Sam
keeping him going. When he finally found it, he had to work out how to get in
it.
“Damn chairs! How the
hell am I gonna get in it?”
But Daniel wasn’t
deterred; Sam’s image firmly focused in his mind, the woman he had to protect
at all costs. Because Daniel had realised how much she meant him and he wasn’t
going to lose that now.
Daniel placed his hands
on the seat of the chair, trying to reach up. When that failed, he wrapped his
arms around the back, putting all his effort into the attempt. Gradually, he
got some leverage and inch by inch, he pulled his languid body up, and against
the chair back. Exhausted, he rested for a few seconds, before using the back
and sides to turn himself in the chair. He pushed himself against the back,
puffing and panting with the effort. But he didn’t stop.
He took the chair
wheels, and made for Sam’s position. Oh my arms wreck! Janet’s gonna have a
field day! Daniel’s back stung, as it grated against the hard chair back.
His goal was in sight now, and he swung the chair beside Sam.
“Sam! Hang in there,
okay?”
A low moan escaped her
lips and Daniel was satisfied. He braced one arm against the side, and leaned
almost out of the chair to grab hold of Sam. His arm screeched in agony but
Daniel wasn’t concerned for himself. Somehow, he lifted Sam across him, but not
without waking her.
“Daniel?
What’s…happening?”
Her voice was no more
than a whisper but Daniel heard it.
“I’m getting us home,
Sam.”
Daniel wheeled the chair
with one hand, the other firmly holding onto Sam. They made good time to the
Stargate, and Daniel began to dial. It was probably then he realised he had no
GDO.
“Well, let’s hope they
keep it open.”
Sam stirred slightly
when he spoke, but didn’t waken. Daniel smiled down at her and punched in the
final chevron.
“Stop!”
Daniel turned slowly, to
see Ar’nac and his Jaffa staring straight at them.
“You will not leave,
Human. Our Goddess wishes your presence, and she shall have it.”
Daniel stared longingly
at the open Stargate and then down at Sam, who stared pleadingly into his eyes.
“At least let me send
Sam through. I don’t want her involved in this.”
Ar’nac considered the
request carefully. Sam tugged at Daniel’s sleeve, clinging at the material.
“No, Daniel. You…can’t
do this…for me…”
Daniel looked down at
her and she saw something in his eyes, that silenced her.
Love
“No Daniel. Not…now…”
He stroked her cheek
gently, and that decided it for Ar’nac.
“She may go through.”
Daniel nodded and
wheeled slowly towards the Gate, calculating something in his head. He slipped
an arm beneath her, as if to lift her through.
“Goodbye Sam,” he said
loudly, “I’ll miss you.”
He leaned forward and
pushed away from the chair. There was an angry yell behind him, as Sam and him
glided through the event horizon.
~
General Hammond waited
in anticipation, as the blue wormhole remained frustratingly clear. Jack and
Teal’c were hovering behind him, completely on edge as it was possible to be.
There was an entire armed guard surrounding the Gate, in case it was Hathor or
another System Lord.
George had left the iris
open, in a desperate hope that Sam and Daniel would make it back. But with
Daniel paralysed and Sam resolute to helping him, there had seemed little or no
chance of the SGC’s premiere team ever returning to normal, Hathor or no.
Even worse was the
possibility was that they would get one, while the other had perished. But
George didn’t allow himself to think that.
“Persons in transit!”
All the rifles went up
in the Gate Room, while Jack’s nerves were drawn taught. If you don’t pull
this off, Danny, I don’t know what I’ll do. That goes for you too, Carter. And
somehow he hoped his message would reach them, wherever they were.
The horizon rippled
once, before two human missiles were thrown out. Daniel instinctively pulled
Sam to him, and they rolled down the ramp, straight into the waiting gunmen.
Daniel stopped on his back, Sam nestled into his chest.
When they stopped, the
entire base seemed to sigh, before it charged into action.
“Medical team to the
infirmary!”
Jack and Teal’c charged
down the stairs, no one noticing Daniel’s arms moving freely of their own
accord.
“Sam? Can you hear me?
Sam!”
“I’m…here, Daniel.
Stop…shouting.”
Daniel gasped and began
to cry, as he pulled Sam to him. He cradled her gently before ‘help’ careered
through the door.
“Well, it’s about time,”
mumbled Sam, and Daniel had to smile.
Janet crashed beside them,
worry etched across her features.
“What the hell
happened?”
Jack and Teal’c were
close behind and crashed on the other side, as Sam leaned against Daniel.
“Nice to know we were
missed,” said Daniel, softly.
“Oh yeah,” replied Sam.
“Where have you guys
been? We’ve been worried sick.”
“Are you uncomfortable,
Daniel Jackson? You appear to have lost your chair.”
The room was silent, as the truth of what
Teal’c had said sunk in. Daniel smiled, and lifted his arms up, as if to prove
a point.
“Oh my God; it’s a
miracle.”
Sam looked deep into
Daniel’s eyes, new strength filling her.
“Well, miracles are his
speciality.”
The room was silent for
a second, before realising that there were two people who needed their
attention.
Jack and Teal’c lifted Sam
onto a gurney, careful not to aggravate her brutally obvious injuries. Daniel
heaved himself unto his hands, waiting for someone to realise that he wasn’t
going anywhere. Janet sat down beside him, aware of his discomfort.
“What happened, Daniel?”
“To me? Well, Ar’nac
shot me with a Zat and now I can move my body, above my waist. But the
legs…still stuck, I’m afraid.”
Janet nodded, as Teal’c
returned.
“Teal’c; lift Daniel
onto a gurney please. We need to get him to the infirmary.”
~
Sam woke up to the sound
of beeping monitors and hushed whispers.
“I think she’s awake.”
No shit, Sherlock, thought Sam tiredly, wondering where Daniel was. I
could use some chocolate cake around
now…
“Sam!
How are you feeling?”
“Um…whole.”
Sam pushed herself
upward, suddenly aware of all the old injuries. But an adrenaline-like strength
was roaring through her veins, quietening the pain. Don’t you remember, Sam.
It’s called love.
Sam smiled to herself,
even as Janet chastised her.
“Sam, you really
shouldn’t be up yet. Your injuries…”
“Where’s Daniel?”
Janet sighed. Sam was
not to be deterred. It must be love, she thought, happily.
“In the other room.
We’re trying to work out…”
“Thanks Janet!”
Sam jumped of the bed,
wincing slightly. She ran into the next room where Jack and Daniel were having
a heated discussion. Teal’c just stood there, clutching a Zat gun.
“Daniel; Teal’c is not
going to shoot you.”
“But it worked before.”
“Daniel; your back is a
mess because of what happened last time.”
“So, I just stay like
this? Paralysed because of a problem we can easily solve.”
“Easily solve? Daniel,
it exploded in your back.”
Sam caught the drift of
the conversation and the truth hit her.
“Exploded? Daniel, what
happened?”
Sam ran over to him, and
wrapped her arms around him. He grimaced slightly, but just hugged her back.
Jack sighed and waited it out. Sam finally pulled away but Daniel spoke first.
“Sam; will you do it?”
Sam’s mind reeled at the
thought. Me shoot Daniel?
“No, she won’t. Daniel,
you are not going to get shot. Teal’c, give me the Zat.”
But Teal’c had other
ideas.
“Step aside, Major
Carter.”
“Teal’c, NO!”
Teal’c fired at Daniel’s
legs, and the shot jerked up his body. Daniel screamed, as the other bullet
exploded. He was thrown across the room and thudded onto the floor. Sam dashed
over and cradled his head, feeling at his neck. She looked up, eyes wide.
“I can’t find a pulse!”
Jack went as white as a
sheet, and Teal’c just stood there. Janet had heard Sam’s scream and came
running through, taking the scene in at a glance.
“Get him on the bed!
Nurse! NURSE!”
A couple of nurses
charged in, shocked by what they saw.
“Power up the de-fib!”
One ran out, as Janet
started CPR. The rest of SG1 stood back in shock, Jack wrapping his arms around
Sam but carefully avoiding all the injuries. Teal’c was just frozen in place,
not quite believing what he had done.
“He’s back! Pulse steady
and constant.”
A soft moan escaped
Daniel’s lips and his eyelids fluttered open. Sam was immediately beside him,
ignoring the protests from her aching limbs.
“Sam! What the hell are
you doing? You should be resting!”
Jack rolled his eyes and
Janet smiled.
“Y’know, Sam; he’s
right.”
Daniel’s concerned blue
eyes met hers, and she smiled.
“Yes, doctors.”
“But first, can this
IDIOT explain to me what he was thinking?”
“Well, it worked,”
mumbled Daniel.
“WORKED? You bloody
DIED!”
Jack was in a major
temper, hours of worry, stress and lack of sleep building up to one hell of a
tantrum.
“Well, that wasn’t
supposed to happen,”
Daniel was trying to
keep a low profile, knowing if he kept down the whole ‘black thundercloud’ deal
would just blow over.
“Too right it wasn’t!
You don’t seem to realise how valuable you are!”
“V…valuable?”
Daniel was genuinely
shocked. Jack sighed and shook his head in disbelief.
“Daniel, you’re just too
modest for your own good.”
Happy that Jack’s temper
had dispersed, Janet moved in.
“Anyway, I would be much
happier if you didn’t try a stunt like that again, Daniel.”
Teal’c, who had remained
silent during the whole tirade, moved slowly to the door. But Daniel saw him.
“Teal’c! don’t listen to
them, okay? You just did what I wanted, right? Don’t blame yourself.”
The Jaffa looked up, his
eyes seeming to shimmer and then left the room, head held high. Jack and Janet
followed, the latter mumbling about lost wheelchairs and getting Sam into one.
Sam leaned heavily onto
Daniel’s bed, sighing to herself. It had been a topsy-turvy week, full of
heartache, danger and pain, but Sam had found something else: love.
“So, Daniel…”
He raised his hand and
brushed her dirty hair out of her eyes. She smiled down at him and he smiled
back. Janet came in at that moment, and stopped short. Well, I never…
Unassumingly, she
wheeled the chair beside the bed, amazed when neither of them noticed her
approach. She cleared her throat.
“Um…Sam? I brought you a
chair.”
Sam turned and nodded to
Janet. She took Daniel’s hand away, as she sat down in the chair. Bringing the
hand to her cheek, she brushed his fingers against her cheek. Janet quickly
backed out of the room, bumping straight into Jack.
“So, how are…”
Janet brought a finger
to her lips and he shut up. She took his hand and dragged him into the office,
shutting the door behind her.
“Did you know?”
Jack looked at her,
feeling very confused.
“Know what?”
Janet sat in her chair,
waving her hands around.
“That they were…y’know…”
“Spit it out, Janet!”
“Together!”
Jack was speechless. Carter
and Daniel…I teased them, but it was true! Bloody hell!
~
Sam let herself relax
against Daniel’s palm and she closed her eyes. This is nice…wonder when the
next shower will be?
Daniel studied Sam’s
still form, admiring the serenity of her angelic looks. The smell of her
perfume, perfect tint of her cheeks, the warm pressure of her face… Daniel
frowned suddenly. He could see his hand pressed against her face but there was
no heat…
“Sam…”
Abruptly, his hand fell
away and slumped on the bed. Sam’s eyes flew open and she stared at him in
concern. Daniel looked down at his hand, then back up at Sam, shock in his
eyes.
“Sam…I’m freezing up!”
Sam stood bolt upright
panic fleeting through her. No,! It can’t be…
“Janet! Come here
quick!”
Janet ran in, followed
closely by Jack. Daniel grimaced slightly, biting down on his lip. Sam tried to
stop tears rising into her eyes but failed.
“The paralysis is coming
back! Why…why is it doing that?”
Sam began to shout and
Jack quickly shepherded her into the next room, hugging her tight. Janet ran to
Daniel’s side, as his back gave way and he collapsed backwards. Janet called
for her nurses again, and one returned.
“Hold him up for me.”
The nurse frowned but
did it anyway. Janet gasped, as she saw how the explosion had torn his shirt.
She carefully removed the bloodied material and probed the wound.
“Can you feel this,
Daniel?”
Daniel started to shake
his head but the muscles began to freeze.
“Uh…no. And my neck’s
just gone.”
Janet frowned, trying
not to scream. She cautiously lifted a flap of skin and shuddered. A nerve
connection glowed green before dissolving away. Oh god…at this rate, he’ll
be dead in an hour. I have to do something!
“Daniel, does Hathor
have a sarcophagus?”
“My…jaw, Ja…net…”
Janet looked at his face
and saw the firmly set jaw. She needed more help.
“Jack! Sam! Get in here
now!”
They ran in quickly, and
Janet wasted no time.
“Hathor has a
sarcophagus, right?”
Jack nodded quickly but
Sam was gripped with Daniel’s condition. She was shaking again and looked ready
to crumble at any moment. Jack caught her arm and waist, trying to steady her.
“Cool it, Sam; Daniel
doesn’t need this.”
Sam nodded glumly, as
Janet continued her thread.
“Something is literally
dissolving his nerves. He doesn’t have long, Jack. We need to get that
sarcophagus.”
~
Sam was handed a sample
of the acid and she slaved at it.
One minute…what have
we got here…two minutes…what’s taking the bloody analyser so long…five minutes…why is the damn thing so stubborn…ten
minutes…we haven’t got time for this…fifteen minutes…Daniel’s dying here…twenty
minutes…he needs this now…done!
Sam sprinted from the
lab to the infirmary, where Janet was waiting. Daniel was lying face-down on
the bed now, with his back slowly crumbling away. After all that’s
happened…destroyed from within…Sam blinked back the tears and handed Janet
the bottle, transfixed by Daniel’s prone form. Janet nodded and took a swab
quickly.
“Help me here, Sam.”
Sam didn’t waste a
second, grabbing another swab. She hoped and prayed that the mixture would
destroy the acid, doubt still evident even though she had tested it thoroughly.
As she spread the mixture on, Janet at her side, she thought over Daniel; what
he meant to her, how he was always there and how she would miss him…Stop it!
You’re acting as if he’s already dead!
“I’m finished, Janet.”
“Me too. Let’s tell…”
A distinct, dreaded
sound cut through the infirmary, slashing Sam’s heart in two.
A monitor hit deadline.
Janet and Sam whirled
round, but instantly relaxed. The nurse who was disconnecting the equipment
looked up at them in confusion.
“What?”
Janet shook her head
slowly.
“Don’t worry, Lyn. We
just…panicked.”
The nurse smiled, years
of service keeping her face steadily cheerful. She flicked off the monitor and
the dreadful noise stopped. Sam lay the back of her hand gently across Daniel’s
cheek, as Janet left to make preparations for the journey.
“So, we’re back here
again, huh?”
Sam knelt down beside,
gently turning his head to face her. His wide, scared eyes cut through her
sharply, but she held her ground.
“We’re gonna get through
this, okay?”
Daniel blinked his eyes,
letting tears escape. Sam brushed them away with her finger and smiled at him,
tearfully.
“We’ll get through this
together.”
~
“We have no choice,
sir!”
“Without this, he will
die.”
“I am in agreement,
General Hammond. You must authorise this mission.”
The General stared at
the pleading faces surrounding him, knowing what was at stake. Daniel had
become like a son, they all had. The SGC was his second family, and he couldn’t
let someone die if he could help it.
“What’s the plan?”
At that moment, a
battered and exhausted Sam Carter stumbled in and almost collapsed in a chair.
Everyone stared at her, as she looked up. Her eyes were slightly shiny, tears
filling her dull eyes. Pain was just floating beneath the surface, of heartache
and of reality.
“The sarcophagus is in
the room beside the Stargate. Most of the Jaffa will be sleeping, except for
Ar’nac who will be in Hathor’s chambers. We should have a clear run.”
No one asked how she
knew so much, but just quietly accepted it. The General nodded slowly and
everyone got up to leave. But Sam looked up at him, fear in her eyes.
“He is gonna make it,
right?”
“Yes, Sam. He is.”
~
SG2 were already in the
Gate room, waiting in anticipation. Sam and Janet arrived next, both looking
tired and haunted. Finally, Jack and Teal’c came in, a stretcher between them.
Sam and Janet sided it in unison, and Sam trailed her fingers down Daniel’s
face.
The Stargate opened and
they prepared to go through. The blue light tempted them in and the armed
procession headed into the azure abyss.
The other side was dark
and cold. There was no one around and they quickly moved into the Sarcophagus
Room, SG2 guarding them all the way. The golden sarcophagus stood out in the
middle, shining with radiance. Doubts flickered into Jack’s mind, Sam’s words
echoing in his mind:
The sarcophagus is
dangerous for him. There is…alien technology at work, not physical ailment.
You’ll just make it worse, possibly to the point of death.
In a split second, he
decided to go through with it. Teal’c and him surged forward, and Sam flicked
the serpent to open the sarcophagus. It ground open and Jack and Teal’c lowered
Daniel into it. Sam bent over, and kissed him fully on the lips.
“Love you, Daniel.”
She backed out, and it
closed shut in seconds. She leaned against the side, not bothering to remove
the steady trickle of tears spilling down he cheeks. She hadn’t cried in years:
now tears were becoming a regular occurrence.
“So, how long?”
Jack kept glancing
between the door and the sarcophagus, worry and dread filling him. It would
only take one well-placed staff shot to finish the lump of gold, and trap
Daniel inside it forever.
“Approximately five
minutes, O’Neill. I believe…”
An angry shout cut him
off. Soon, the corridor echoed with yelling and everyone jumped to their feet.
Ten Jaffa suddenly filled the doorway, staff weapons primed. But, before
anything could be said or shot, an unearthly sound filled the room, screeching
like a banshee.
The sarcophagus grated
open.
All eyes were fixed on
it, and the Jaffa raised their staff weapons towards the machine. Jack took
advantage of the confusion, to motion his team to cover. Everyone ducked for
the sarcophagus, just as a very dazed Daniel sat up. One of the Jaffa fired.
“No!”
Sam leapt through the
air, knocking Daniel clean out of the sarcophagus and onto the floor. The bolt
sailed over her and into the wall, showering them in plaster. Daniel pulled Sam
to him, aware that neither of them had weapons. Staff blasts started to echo
around them, followed by steady gunfire.
“You okay, Sam?”
“Yes. You?”
“Fine.”
They kept low, as a
staff blast hit the sarcophagus. The thing slid towards them, and Daniel pushed
Sam to him, as they were slammed into the wall.
“Surrender, Tau’ri!”
Jack had seen the
sarcophagus slide, but had to keep his attention on the fight. If they could
get out, they would. And if they couldn’t…it didn’t bear thinking about. Jack
knocked at least two Jaffa into the wall. That made seven down and three still
standing.
“Move out!”
The soldiers all headed
for the door, pinning the Jaffa down. The last one fell to Teal’c’s Zat but
booted feet were already echoing down the corridor. They ran for the door,
knowing they couldn’t save Sam and Daniel now.
“Dial it up!”
Sam and Daniel had heard
them leave, and knew if they were to get out, it would be on their own. Daniel
forced the sarcophagus back, so Sam and him could crawl out. Suddenly they heard
a wall grate across, the one opposite the wide doorway. Wide.
Struck by genius, Daniel
pulled Sam into a tight embrace and pushed away from the sarcophagus. Propelled
by the motion, they rolled towards the door. The Jaffa frantically shot at them
but kept missing. As they sailed through the doorway, a blast caught Daniel’s
jacket. They quickly jumped to their feet and Sam threw the burning jacket onto
the floor. She took Daniel’s hand and they ran for the Stargate.
Jack was waiting on the
steps, praying for them to appear. They had ten seconds…nine…eight…seven…six…
“Don’t leave!”
Jack smiled as they
careered round the corner. Heading for the wormhole, they leapt straight
through. Jack stepped through, enjoying the shock on Hathor’s face as she walked
in.
~
Daniel and Sam exited
the wormhole with their usual grace, tumbling all the way down to the bottom of
the ramp. Again, they upset all the guard, toppling them like dominoes. Jack
stepped through behind them, laughing at the mayhem they were causing.
“Sorry, Airman.”
“Didn’t mean too.”
Janet and Teal’c were
standing there too, and the doctor quickly shepherded them both to the
infirmary.
~
“Can you two stay out of
trouble for ten seconds? Sam, you’ve aggravated all your old injured and broken
all your stitches. Daniel, you’re bruised all over and have a nice burn on your
back. And, this was, what, two minutes out of the sarcophagus?”
Daniel grinned
sheepishly at her, and Sam laughed, stopping when it hurt.
“You’re both staying in
here for at least three weeks.”
“Janet!”
“Three weeks!”
“Yes, THREE. Or…”
“Or?”
They replied in unison,
eager for another option.
“You go on the Colonel’s
camping trip.”
Sam and Daniel looked at
each other glumly, obviously weighing the odds.
“The infirmary or
camping with the Colonel? That’s a toughie…”
“Can’t we just go home?”
“Will you promise to be
good?”
They gave her identical
grins and nods, trying to look angelic and innocent. It worked.
“Okay, you can go.”
“Yes!”
They practically leapt
out of the beds, Sam running into Janet’s office to get changed. Daniel drew
the curtains around his bed, and got changed as well. Janet shook her head and
sat down to wait. It had been hectic all week, disaster after disaster plaguing
SG1. And now they were a team again and the troublemaker’s had found something
very special…
“Let’s go, Daniel!”
“Coming, Sam.”
Daniel put his arm
around Sam’s shoulder and they both waved at Janet. They left the infirmary and
walked through the SGC, past caring who saw them together. They got many
strange looks from airman and marines alike. They finally reached the surface,
and went towards Daniel’s car. He opened the passenger door and Sam hesitantly
got in. Daniel got in the other side and they drove towards his house.
~
“No, the best mission
ever was with the Argosians.”
“Sam! You would say
that.”
“It was funny.”
“I wasn’t! It was deadly
serious.”
“I hope that was a pun.”
The dissolved into
giggles, partly from the alcohol and partly because of the ease in the room. Sam
had never felt at home anywhere, but this was restoring her faith. After
all, home is where the heart is…
Daniel watched Sam’s
eyes dancing in the firelight and wondered how he could be so lucky. Here was a
woman who had stuck with him in the best and worst of times, who had seen him
through living nightmares and hellish trials.
“So, are you tired yet?”
A slow smile spread over
Sam’s features, as she studied Daniel’s handsome features in the half-light of
the fire. She was truly the luckiest woman on the planet.
“Was that an offer,
Daniel Jackson?”
“I think that’s up to
you, Miss Carter.”
Daniel leaned back on
the sofa, and Sam curled up on top of him. He absently began to stroke her
hair, when he stopped. He looked carefully at Sam’s hair and then smiled.
“Sam, are you blonde?”
Sam’s eyes flew open and
she slapped him hard.
“If you tell anyone…”
“Was that an admission?
Boy, Jack is gonna love…ouch!”
“That’s it, Daniel.
You’re in trouble now.”
Sam got up and swatted
him with a pillow.
“Hey! Careful of the
artefacts!”
Sam started throwing
oranges at him, and he carefully ducked as the flying fruit splashed into his
fish tank and started knocking books off the shelves. Daniel picked up the
oranges and threw them right back. And one hit Sam squarely on the forehead.
“Ow!”
Daniel was instantly
beside her, examining her head.
“Oh hell, Sam. Are you
alright? Oh, if I’ve hurt you…”
“Stop fussing, Daniel.
You only whacked me with an orange.”
“But I feel so guilty.
Oh Sam…”
Sam looked up at his sincere
and guilt-ridden eyes, then saw an opportunity.
“Well, if you feel that
bad, do something about it.”
Daniel’s eyes widened,
as Sam guided his hand to her head, tracing imaginary lines. He smiled slowly,
kissing her lightly on her forehead, before trailing butterfly kisses down her
neck. Sam pressed her lips to his soft skin, savouring the sensation. She took
his hand and led him slowly to the bedroom…
EPILOGUE
Sunlight played on
Daniel’s face, as he slowly woke up.
Hey, Sleepy-Head. Am I
quite that boring?”
Daniel looked at Sam,
smiling at her.
“Not in the slightest.”
He kissed her deeply, as
she moulded her form to his. They broke away and Daniel groaned when he saw the
time.
“Didn’t Jack say he was
dragging up camping about this time?”
As if responding, the
doorbell rung and they both groaned.
“Don’t worry, we just
won’t open the door.”
There was the sound of
metal grating on metal and they looked at each other in shock.
“Oh shit!”
Sam shot out of bed and
pulled a red dress from the small bag she had brought. Daniel pulled on some
trousers and a shirt, as Jack finally managed to pick the lock.
“Hey campers! Ready for
the weekend?”
Daniel shut the bedroom
door quickly and smiled at Jack.
“All set.”
And as they were driving
through the beautiful Canadian countryside, Daniel could only think beautiful
thoughts about the woman beside him.
After all this week
has thrown at us, how nice it is to be in the free wilderness. No military,
well almost; no rules; no barriers; no restrictions.
No longer trapped.
THE END