Daniel increased his speed as he walked through the corridors of the SGC. He didn't want to see Janet Fraiser, the SGC's Chief Medical Officer, but he'd been given an order to do so.
~So what? I'm not military; orders for me are more like suggestions,~ the young man rationalized, changing his direction and heading to his office.
Daniel closed the doors of his corner office, locking them. He didn't want anyone disturbing him. He just wanted to be left alone. Of course, he knew he couldn't stay hidden for long, not on this base and certainly not with all that was happening.
~Just a few minutes; please give me that,~ the angst-ridden man begged silently. ~Okay, I know something is wrong with Jack, but still, I ... I trusted him. I never thought he'd physically attack me.~
Daniel's anxiety and self-doubt had begun shortly after the debriefing of SG-1's latest mission. Of course, he'd been worried about other things earlier, such as the need for having SG-3 tag along on the mission in the first place, not to mention, he hadn't been thrilled about the Marine team going after SG-1 instead of ahead of them.
~If I were superstitious, I'd have taken that as a bad omen,~ Daniel thought as he leaned back against the door, looking up at his office ceiling. ~I still don't know how everything went so wrong,~ he sighed, sliding down the door and leaning his head on his knees as he continued to reflect on the recent past.
//Flashback//
“When we completed interviews of all the refugees you brought back from Chulak, ten of them identified the final four symbols the Goa'ulds used to escape through the Chulak Stargate. When we disregard the last one as point of origin that leaves three to work with,” General George Hammond stated as he led the latest briefing. He then displayed the glyphs on a computer screen so that everyone present could see them. “Captain Carter's computer model has thus far extrapolated only one set of symbols from the Abydos Cartouche that contains these three glyphs.”
“Let me guess,” Jack interjected, raising his right hand for a second. “That's where we're going.”
“Very good, Colonel.”
“Thank you, Sir. I pride myself on my deductive reasoning skills,” Jack quipped lightheartedly as he doodled on his clipboard.
The major general continued, “In one hour, you will go through the Gate to the planet represented by these symbols. It has been designated P3X-797.”
“Couldn't we call this planet something that's a little easier to remember?” Daniel asked.
“Ah, it's based on a binary code the computer uses for extrapolation,” Sam explained.
“Which makes it *much* easier to remember,” the colonel teased.
====
Because of the potential for unknown danger on the planet, SG-3, a Marine unit, was set to follow SG-1 through the Stargate, though they had been ordered to wait a full 'ten-count' before stepping through the event horizon.
Members of both teams wore thermal night vision goggles so they'd be able to see, since it was so dark on the planet, which was one of the reasons SG-3 had been assigned to go along.
Having gone just yards from the Stargate, SG-1 was attacked by a group of natives. Fortunately, SG-3's timing proved to be perfect. Upon arriving on the planet, they saw the ongoing attack and opened fire, scaring off the attackers before they could harm any of the SG-1 team.
~Well, that was fun,~ Jack thought as the teams pushed forward.
Not long thereafter, the units came across more natives. Observing from the bushes, they attempted to identify the people.
“Daniel, what are they?” Jack questioned quietly.
The anthropologist answered, “Well, they don't look completely Homo sapien. Ah, the larger brow ridge would imply Homo erectus, but then again, they'd have canine teeth. Ah, could be Australopithecus, but the brow ridge would be less prominent.”
“You don't know, do you?” Jack surmised.
“No,” Daniel admitted.
The natives were holding a woman, who appeared to be human, captive, and it looked as though she was about to be raped. As Sam argued for SG-1 to intervene, rocks began to be thrown, scaring off the would-be rapists. Cautiously, the SG teams approached the rock throwers, surrounding them. Soon, they discovered that they were another group of the planet's inhabitants, also human in appearance.
Headed by High Councilor Tuplo, the group invited their visitors to come with them to their meeting place.
====
“Welcome. Please, come, sit,” Tuplo invited graciously when the reached the designated place.
SG-1 and Tuplo's people sat down at a long, rectangular table while SG-3 stood guard.
“Is she all right?” Sam asked about the young woman that had been rescued and brought to the meeting place with them.
The woman was currently lying down on a platform at the head of the room, which the locals called the isolation circle.
“I do hope. She is my daughter,” Tuplo revealed.
“What's her name?” Sam asked.
“She is called Melosha. I can only hope we rescued her in time from the hands of the Touched. We must now wait to see if she has been cursed by them.”
“The creatures that took her, what were they exactly?” Jack questioned.
“They are the Touched. They were unfortunate enough to be cursed by the Heelksha,” Tuplo explained.
“Heelksha,” Daniel repeated thoughtfully. “There's a word like that on Abydos. Is that gods of the Earth?”
“Gods of the underworld; evil gods,” Teal'c stated.
Tuplo's fellow council member, Leedora, responded, “The Heelksha needed only to touch the unfortunate among us, and they would become possessed, pure evil, like wild animals.”
“So these ... Touched people used to live here, with you?” Jack inquired.
“They were us, until they changed. They became too dangerous, and we were forced to banish them to The Land of the Dark,” Tuplo answered.
“And where are these evil gods now?” Jack questioned.
“Oh, they do not show themselves. We know only of their presence because of their actions,” Leedora answered.
Though Daniel and Sam had wanted to stay longer on the planet, it was quickly ascertained that the Goa'uld had not been there in a long time. Thus, Jack ordered a quick return to the SGC.
//End of Flashback//
~It's intriguing -- the sharp contrast between the two lands,~ the archaeologist pondered in his office, remembering the team's surprise when they had stepped out of line of trees in dark and gloomy The Land of the Dark to find themselves suddenly in bright and sunny The Land of the Light.
~Who knows, Jack. Maybe if you'd let us stay and learn more about their culture, we would know what was going on with you,~ Daniel couldn't help thinking, although he knew his friend had just been doing his job. Still, a part of him ached, wanting to research the Minoan culture that was so prevalent on the planet. ~At least the President agreed with me, sort of,~ he sighed.
During the post-mission briefing, Daniel and Sam had argued a bit with Jack and Hammond about the merits of the mission, although Daniel had been pleasantly surprised to learn that the President of the United States shared his point of view. As such, all missions from now on would take into consideration the cultural impact or significance of the planet.
That's the moment when Daniel's current nightmare had begun. During the briefing, a member of SG-3 had become antagonistic towards Teal'c, attacking him without cause. A short time later, two other SGC workers had begun fighting violently, both of them crashing through the control room window and falling to their deaths on the gate room floor. Not long after that, Sam, wearing a tank top, had attacked Jack as he was changing in the locker room, aggressively kissing him. As a result, Janet had her hands full in the infirmary.
~Why, Jack? I never thought you'd so something like that to me. I thought you had more control over your actions than most people. That's what you're always talking about: Special Forces training, covert operations, mind control techniques. I know I shouldn't take this personally; it shouldn't hurt this much. Just ... go along, Daniel. Gawd, I hate going along. But why, Jack?~
The archaeologist removed his glasses, setting them on his desk. Then he leaned over the edge, resting his head on his arms. He closed his eyes and recalled the event that had just occurred a few minutes earlier in the control room.
//Flashback//
Entering the control room, Daniel put his coffee mug down and called out, “Jack!”
Jack was standing at the front of the control room, looking down at a computer, lost in his thoughts. Sergeant Walter Davis was standing nearby, attending to his duties.
~Danny, that you? I love the sound of your voice. Okay, you're a geek, but you're my geek, I mean, SG-1's geek. Where did that come from? Anyway, I suppose there are worst things on this planet than being a geek, like being attacked by your second,~ Jack opined as he remained focused on his private thoughts.
“There you are,” Daniel continued, as some papers he was carrying flopped in his hands. “Got on the internet to do a little research on Australopithecus and ... Wow!” Noticing the scratches on the colonel’s shoulder and mussed appearance, he questioned, “What happened to you?”
“Oh, I got in a little wrestling match with Carter,” Jack answered, finally looking up as he continued to rub his aching shoulder. ~Wish she hadn't done that. Hormones, maybe.~
“Why?” Daniel answered curiously, unable to imagine his two friends wrestling or fighting.
“I guess she's got whatever Johnson got. I had to drag her off to the infirmary,” the colonel theorized. ~That was not fun. Don't want you to end up like that, Danny.~
“What? Did she start a fight with you like Johnson did with Teal'c?” the stunned archaeologist inquired.
“No, she, uh, she ... tried to seduce me,” Jack explained. ~That was odd; she was almost violent.~
“Oh,” Daniel expressed with wide eyes and raised eyebrows; completely taken aback by his Jack’s story. Knowing how much the men on base hankered after the beautiful captain, Jack probably included, he wasn't sure whether his friend was pleased or upset by the attempted seduction. “You poor man,” he stated.
“No, it wasn't like that. She was like a wild animal, she was nuts,” Jack explained. ~Gotta make sure you understand. I didn't start it; didn't want it.~
“Well, is she all right? I should go see her,” Daniel stated, making a slight move to leave the area. ~Wonder if Sam really does like Jack? He is still married, though.~
“Why?” Jack questioned in a surprised tone. ~You stay right here, next to me, where you belong. We're teammates. Yeah, that's it.~
“What do you mean 'why'? Because I care about her,” Daniel responded emphatically. ~I don't get it. He wants us to be a team; keeps harping on that, so why is he so upset?~
Grabbing Daniel, Jack challenged angrily, “You care about her? What does that mean?” ~You're married, and you shouldn't care about anyone else, other than ... just, no.~
“It means I care about her; she's my friend.” Daniel let out a little snort, then demanded, “Now let ... go!”
As the younger man tried to pull away from his surprise attacker, Jack snapped him closer, his hands clenching Daniel's jacket, and argued, “She's not yours to care about.” ~I don't like you caring about her.~
“What are you talking about?” Daniel questioned.
“I'm talking about Samantha. You just stay away from her, okay?” Jack asked in a threatening tone. ~Stay away from her and everyone else.~
“Okay. Okay, Jack. I think you should come with me to the infirmary, okay? Just ... let go of me, and ... let go of my arm!” the archaeologist demanded, feeling the colonel's grip tighten. ~What's happening? Jack?~
As Daniel struggled to pull his arm free, Jack suddenly punched him. The younger man felt himself falling backwards into a shelf as he crashed to the floor. Seeing this, a startled technician called for security. It was too late, though, as Jack charged forward, jumping on top of the younger man, getting in three more solid blows before two security guards and Sergeant Walter Davis were able to pry him off and take him away.
A female technician helped Daniel up, asking him if he was okay. Daniel nodded to her in thanks after standing up, then put on his glasses that had been knocked off during the attack and stared off in the direction that his friend had been forcibly led away.
//End of Flashback//
“Ouch!” Daniel exclaimed when he accidentally touched his mouth. His head shot up as he pulled his hand away, staring at the drop of blood that was there. He felt silly, but he'd been scared for a while there. He couldn't help but wonder how far Jack would have gone if there hadn't been people there to stop him. ~I don't have a lot of friends here on Earth; maybe one less now,~ he lamented.
~I had plenty of friends on Abydos,~ Daniel thought as he let out a sneer and threw his head back against his chair. ~Who am I kidding? They thought I was a savior or something. It's only because I was from Earth that they were my friends. Otherwise, I would've just been some ... guy.~
The young man felt more alone than ever. For a brief moment, he had felt like someone cared. Now, with a few punches, that feeling had fled. Intellectually, he knew that Jack was probably affected by whatever it was that had caused Johnson, Sam, and the others to act in a violent manner.
~But, he hit me -- hard,~ Daniel cried inwardly. “Okay, you've been here before,” he said aloud. ~Just go along. Tighten the reins. I'm here to get Sha're back, not make friends, as if I could.~
At that moment, the phone in Daniel's office rang. He wasn't sure who it was, but he didn't care. He knew that he needed to get to the infirmary, as ordered, or someone would send orderlies to come and get him. He could imagine the gossip now: Doctor Jackson, wayward five-year-old who'd locked himself in his office en route to the nurse's room. Still, Daniel remained sitting. He felt lost. He'd let himself hope that he would be able to build a lasting friendship with Jack O’Neill.
~What was I thinking?~
The longer he sat without being disturbed, the more he felt like the proverbial nothing. No one was missing him.
~Maybe I'll just sit here like Rip Van Winkle. They can find me when I'm one-hundred-years old.~
Time passed as Daniel languished in his lonely world, replaying some of his most painful experiences in his life. He'd put his head back down, symbolically trying to bury himself. He just wanted to hide in a hole and never come up for air again.
~Why is this so hard?~ the archaeologist finally asked himself. ~Jack hitting me isn't the worst thing that's happened to me. Gawd, it's nothing in comparison,~ he convinced himself. ~It's just that ... it was Jack, and ... and I ... I ... stop,~ he ordered himself, closing his eyes as he focused on his breathing. ~Enough already. It's a freakin' illness or something; has to be. You know that.~
After several more minutes passed, Daniel raised his head, blinking as the light of the room began to penetrate his mind. Why was it so hard for his emotional side to accept the reality that his intellectual side knew was the truth. Jack wasn't responsible for his actions; yet, the pain was punching on Daniel's heart even as he sat in seclusion in his office.
“Okay.”
The archaeologist stood up and made a new resolution to survive on his own, as he had done from the moment his parents died when he was only eight.
~Just go along,~ Daniel told himself as he finally headed for the infirmary, almost an hour after the incident in the control room had occurred.
====
“Daniel, what happened to you?” Janet asked when the archaeologist arrived, his face still showing the evidence of his encounter with Jack.
“Colonel O'Neill confused me with a punching bag,” Daniel snarked as he crossed his arms over his chest. ~Should have cleaned up the worst of it in my office.~
“Oh,” Janet expressed, glancing over at the hospital bed where Jack had been earlier. He'd been too violent to examine, and they'd had to sedate him. Even then, he'd proved difficult to handle. It had taken three of her strongest orderlies to take the colonel to an isolation room. Not long thereafter, they'd been forced to give him more medication to try and knock him out. “I heard he'd attacked someone, but I didn't know it was you. What happened exactly?”
Janet motioned for the young man to hop up on the examination table. He did so before answering her question.
“I was telling him about my research concerning the natives on P3X-797, and he just hit me,” Daniel responded.
“For no reason?” Janet questioned, pulling back her pen light to look at Daniel for a moment.
“I ... I don't know. I noticed he'd been hurt, and he told me about Sam. Uh, how is she?” Daniel asked.
“She's the same as everyone else in the long line of people affected by this contagion, and it's growing by the minute, whatever it is. Answer my question,” Janet insisted as she continued her examination, cleaning the dried blood from his mouth.
“Uh, well, I ... said I should check on Sam, and he didn't want me to,” Daniel stated. “Then he grabbed me and ... started hitting me,” he said quietly, looking away from the doctor.
“Daniel, this is ...” Janet began.
“Doctor Fraiser, report,” Hammond ordered as he walked in, standing near the hospital cot that Daniel was sitting on.
Teal'c had accompanied the major general and walked over to stand near his teammate.
“Teal'c, I'm glad you're here. I want to take a sample of your blood,” Janet stated. Seeing Daniel about to jump off the cot, she held up her hand, saying, “Not so fast, Doctor Jackson. I need your blood, too.”
Janet motioned to her medical team to take the samples, just as Hammond again called out, “Doctor?”
“I'm sorry, Sir,” Janet apologized, as she crossed the floor to meet him.
“I understand your busy, Doctor. Status?”
Grateful for the general's understanding, Janet led him back towards the area where the two SG-1 teammates were and stated, “We've managed to isolate an organism in the victims' bloodsteams.”
“Organism? Like a parasite or something?” the general questioned.
“More like a, a parasitical virus,” Janet began. As they discussed the virus, she later noted, “The organism seems to release a hormone that stimulates the primitive regions of the brain that are normally dormant.”
Daniel eventually commented, “I think it's safe to say they aren't born primitive. They must have this very contagious disease, and we came in contact with them. Isn't that special?” ~I feel bad for them; I'd like to help them; but I *really* didn't need this in my life right now.~
While it was likely that Teal'c's symbiote probably protected him from the virus, no one had any idea why Daniel seemed unaffected. However, the archaeologist didn't particularly appreciate Janet asking him why he hadn't been affected.
~As if I know.~ Verbally, Daniel retorted, “Well, that beats me. You're the doctor, Doctor. Uh, maybe I have a natural immunity.”
“Perhaps you will develop symptoms later,” Teal'c stated.
“Thank you for the moral support,” Daniel replied sarcastically. ~Geez, just stand around coldly debating when I'm gonna get sick like it's a freakin' horse race or something. Do any of you even care? I thought you were becoming my friends. Was I really that wrong about everything, again?~
“I am checking both of your blood for the organism, and I would bet that you both have it. This appears to be highly contagious,” Janet noted.
~Remember, Jackson, just go along.~ Daniel thought. ~Sha're is the important thing here. You have to stay strong for her.~
Incensed at the possibility that one of his people could have brought back a plague to Earth, Hammond ordered the Mountain sealed off.
A sudden, strangled yell drew the group's attention.
~That's Jack,~ Daniel realized, a feeling of horror flooding through him as he turned in the direction of the shrieking noise.
Hurriedly, Daniel, Teal'c, and Janet ran down the corridor to Jack's room. He was screaming and slamming his body against the door.
“He is going to damage himself,” Teal'c observed.
“I've been pumping him with sedatives to control him, but they wear off fast. Help me give him some more. Let's go, go!” Janet ordered.
The two teammates, along with a Marine and a male medical technician, rushed into the room, holding Jack back while Janet injected him with yet another sedative. Slowly, he collapsed down onto the floor.
“That should keep him out for a little while,” Janet noted.
“Perhaps you should increase the amount of what you are giving him, DoctorFraiser,” Teal'c suggested.
“He's already getting twice that of everyone else, Teal'c,” the doctor responded. Looking down at her patient, she added, “I'm afraid to give him anymore so soon.”
“Do you need anymore assistance, Doctor Fraiser?” the Marine asked.
“No, thank you,” Janet responded. Looking around at the entire group, she stated, “Okay, let's go; everyone out.”
Janet, Teal'c, and the Marine quickly went on their way, while the medical attendant remained in the hallway, by the door, waiting to lock it again.
“Uh, just one moment,” Daniel told the attendant as he lagged behind. He walked over to his friend and pulled him up onto the bunk. ~Not sure why I did that, with you acting all animalistic and everything, you'll probably be back on the floor as soon as you wake up, but ... I just can't leave you on the floor like a bag of garbage, even if it has all been a lie.~ He continued to stare down at his unconscious friend. ~I believed in you, Jack. I guess I was wrong. My fault. It's always my fault.~
The young man blinked before turning around and leaving the isolation room.
====
Daniel looked up from the book he'd been reading and glanced at his watch. He needed to report back to the infirmary in a few minutes to find out the results of Janet's last batch of tests. He sighed.
~Jackson, listen. It wasn't Jack. It was the virus. Don't blame him for your miserable past. He didn't have control over himself. You heard Janet earlier. Listen to her.~ The young man sighed, unable to control his emotional response to having been beaten by his good friend. ~Come on, Jackson, get real. Jack's not some ... super hero, even if ... he's just not. Cut him some slack.~
Nodding to spur himself on, Daniel closed his book, took a last sip of his coffee, and then walked slowly to the infirmary.
====
A while later, Janet confirmed to Hammond that neither Daniel nor Teal'c had the organism in their system. What she needed now was a blood sample that she could analyze and potentially come up with something they could synthesize to help those afflicted. To Daniel's horror, the major general then ordered Janet to teach him and Teal'c how to draw blood. In thirty minutes, they would go through the Stargate to the Land of Light and attempt to obtain a sample of blood.
~Me and Teal'c? You’re sending me through the Gate without ... without Jack? Great. Okay, not so great. I don't like this,~ Daniel bemoaned as he headed for the gear-up room.
====
Entering the gate room thirty minutes later, Daniel sneezed.
“Do not worry, DanielJackson. The Touched are frightened by your loud, Earth weapons. We can easily subdue them,” Teal'c intoned.
“That's easy for you to say,” Daniel replied. ~I don't like those loud, Earth weapons, either, and let's just say we're not in the same boxing weight division.~
Together, the two teammates stepped through the Stargate. Soon thereafter, they found a body on the side of the path. It was Melosha, and she was now definitely affected by the virus. As he knelt down to check on her condition, Daniel was incredulous that her people had just dumped her on the dark side of the planet.
“We dump them in a small room,” Teal'c pointed out in response.
“To protect them,” Daniel explained.
“To protect everyone else. There is little difference,” Teal'c refuted.
“You know, you're right. They're like lepers. The dark side is a leper colony,” Daniel replied thoughtfully. He pulled out a blanket from his pack, intent on helping the young woman. Teal'c, however, walked onward, much to the archaeologist's chagrin. “We have to help her. Are you planning on helping me?” he asked. ~Gawd, you're stronger. A little help, Teal'c, would be nice.~
“It is a long journey. We should leave her,” the Jaffa opined, opting not to help his slender teammate.
“No,” Daniel responded as he picked up the woman. “Now, let's ... go.” Suddenly, he realized they were surrounded by the Touched. ~Not good.~ “Teal'c!”
Keeping his eyes on the Touched in front of him, Teal'c instructed, “Fire your weapon. It will frighten them off.”
~How can I fire my weapon if I'm holding Melosha? Come on, Teal'c. Where's your comp...~
Before Daniel could give voice to his thought, the Touched began to attack. As Teal'c fired his weapon, warding off those in front of him, Daniel was taken captive, his world going dark as he and Melosha were dragged away.
Turning around, the Jaffa was surprised to see no sign of his teammate. He called out for the archaeologist, not getting a response. Scanning the ground for any clues as to where Daniel may have been taken, Teal'c spotted Daniel's glasses that were lying on the ground. He bent down, picking up the glasses and putting them into his pocket.
~This was not my intention. I have allowed harm to come to O’Neill's archaeologist. He will not be pleased.~
====
Meanwhile, Jack was able to communicate with Janet, something which surprised her, considering the amount of sedatives he'd been given.
“... This is interesting. Enough sedative must knock back the primitive mind. Colonel, listen to me. I am not going to be able to keep you at this level for very long; it is too dangerous. It could cause permanent brain damage,” Janet stated.
Regardless of the potential harm, Jack convinced the doctor to experiment on him with the sedative, anyway.
--
On the planet, Teal'c attempted to get a blood sample from Tuplo and Leedora, after insisting to them that Melosha was alive. Believing that the Touched were as good as dead and angry at their visitor's insistence they were wrong, Tuplo ordered him to leave.
Having no choice, the Jaffa knocked out two natives who were guarding the entrance to the meeting hall and drew a vial of blood from one of them before returning to the Stargate.
--
Meanwhile, Daniel, his clothes torn from being dragged through the woods, was still aware of what was happening.
~Gawd, this is a freakin' nightmare. I have to get away from here.~ Daniel tried to crawl away, but was immediately jumped on by one of the Touched, who began to hit him repeatedly. ~Jack? JACK! STOP!~
====
In her lab, studying the results from the blood samples that Teal'c had returned with from the planet, Janet finally hit upon the answer and went to Jack to explain. Teal'c, who had been staying with his friend, listened in.
Sitting down on a chair in front of Jack, Janet began, “I was examining the blood sample that Mr. Teal'c brought me; then it hit me. There was very little histamine in it. If the people on that planet are human, as you say, they have to have a histamine in their blood.”
“How does this help us?” Teal'c questioned.
“Well, as I said before, this microbe is a histaminolytic; it feeds on histamine. The Untouched have no histamine in their bodies so the organism couldn't survive in them.”
“I do not understand,” Teal'c intoned. “It is the Untouched that become the Touched. If they have none of this substance of which you speak, why then do some of them change?”
Janet answered, “Because only some of them have this low histamine level which means there is probably a...a naturally occurring antihistamine in their diets. The ones who don't eat it eventually contract the organism. Which is what gave me an idea. I checked the files; both Doctor Jackson and I have acute rhinitis caused by severe allergies.”
“Explain,” Teal'c requested.
“I take strong antihistamines every day; so did Doctor Jackson. I have no histamine for the microbe to feed on. Just like the Untouched, the organism starves in my body.”
Janet then administered mega doses of chloropheniramine maleate to Jack. Teal’c gently lowered his friend down on the bed and waited outside the door to see if the doctor's theory was correct.
Not long thereafter, Jack awoke. Lying on his cot, he looked around the room, the memory of his primitive self coming back. He sat up, trying to get his bearings.
~Oh, gawd, Daniel, what did I do?~ Jack lamented, recalling his primitive self landing punch after punch on his friend, the one person he couldn't bear to see get hurt. ~Wait, Teal'c was here ... he said ... crap, he lost Daniel! I keep telling him not to let Danny go off on his own. We're going to have to have another chat.~ Quickly, he jumped up and banged on the door, getting Teal'c's attention. He went for a humorous return, calling out, “Lucy, I'm ho...ome!”
The Jaffa, however, was clueless about the classic television reference to Lucille Ball. Jack began to explain but then realized it was a pointless endeavor.
~I'm wasting time. Daniel is out there, and I have to find him.~ Finally, Jack more sternly told Teal'c to let him out. As the Jaffa unlocked the room, the fully-recovered colonel walked out, stating, “This stuff works. Let's find Doc.”
====
“Sir, maybe you should ...” Janet began, uncertain that SG-1 should be undertaking their current mission.
“Doc, Daniel is out there. I'm fine. Everyone is fine. Look around,” Jack instructed.
Once Janet had examined Jack and found him healthy, she had begun administering the mega dose to the others. Slowly, everyone was returning to their old selves.
“Besides,” Jack continued. “According to you, two-thirds of the base came down with this. So, if we don't go, who will? Daniel's out there, Doc. He's counting on us.”
“Go,” Janet said, nodding her head towards the door.
“I'm going, too,” Sam said, having walked over to her CO to join the very end of the conversation. “I'm feeling fine now, Sir.”
Nodding, Jack said, “Okay, let's go. Teal'c!”
====
In the gate room, SG-1 and SG-3 prepared to go through the Stargate once again, this time armed with tranquilizer darts that were filled with chloropheniramine.
“So, we're going to try and tranq all the Touched?” Sam asked.
“Just the ones that get in the way of us finding Daniel. Leave the rest for the Untouched,” Jack answered. ~The goal is Daniel.~
“You think he's still alive?” Sam asked.
Jack stared at his second-in-command, thinking, ~What kind of question is that? Of course, he's alive. I can't even think about him not being alive. Chill, O'Neill. You don't need an incident to get Hammond riled up and stop you from going on the rescue.~ He looked toward the Gate and replied, “Let's find out.”
====
“This is where I lost DanielJackson,” Teal'c stated.
“Yes, well, don't do that again, Teal'c,” Jack responded.
As the teams continued to push ahead, the Jaffa replied, “He did not act in a logical manner.”
“Teal'c, we're talking Daniel here. He thinks with his heart,” Jack acknowledged.
“I understand. I am sorry, O'Neill,” Teal'c stated.
“Just remember, Daniel doesn't act like a soldier, and you have to act accordingly.”
“With all due respect, Sir, don't you think talking about Daniel like he's a child is inappropriate?” Sam questioned.
“He's *not* a child, Captain. If we'd been out there, we'd have shot first and rescued the girl second. Daniel doesn't have the training to know that,” Jack refuted. ~He will, though.~
“Yes, Sir.”
“All I'm saying, Carter, is that until he's been out here long enough to know better, we just need to watch out for him a little, and, Teal'c, that means not turning your back on him when he's got a ... damsel in distress,” Jack quipped.
“Sir, I hear something,” Sam stated.
The group went silent as they approached a clearing. Hidden behind the bushes, they observed the Touched and Daniel, now acting in a primitive state, as he sat possessively by Melosha.
“Guess the antihistamine wore off,” Sam observed.
~He's alive; that's the important thing. Daniel, I'm here, buddy.~ Jack gestured to the teams, who opened fire, intentionally hitting everyone but Daniel and Melosha. SG-1 walked over to them. As he loaded another dart, the colonel quipped, “Daniel, you dog. Keep this up, you'll have a girl on every planet.”
“Just let me give him an injection,” Sam stated a bit agitatedly. ~There's a time and a place, Colonel. I don't like seeing him like that.~
Slowly, the captain moved forward. She was hoping Daniel would let her inject him with the substance peacefully, but it didn't happen that way. As she stood just a few feet away, Daniel lunged forward.
~Sorry, Danny,~ Jack thought as he fired a dart at his friend. Teal'c did the same, hitting Melosha. ~Had to do it the hard way,~ he sighed as he walked over to check on the archaeologist. He knelt down and, while putting his hand supportively against Daniel's shoulder, said quietly, “It'll be okay, Daniel. It won't be long now and you'll be prattling away, just like normal.”
“I will carry DanielJackson,” Teal'c intoned as he stood behind the leader of SG-1.
“Uh, okay,” Jack replied. He'd been planning to carry Daniel himself and felt somewhat possessive of the archaeologist. ~Maybe there's something left over from this virus. Yeah, that must be it.~ Shaking his head at his reluctance to move away from the younger man, he stood quickly and stated, “Let's head for The Land of Light; surprise Tuplo and his buddies.”
“What about Melosha?” Sam questioned.
“Carter, we tried that once. This time, we're taking care of Daniel first. Let's go,” the colonel ordered.
====
Though reluctant, Tuplo and Leedora finally agreed to listen to Jack and the others. Daniel was placed on the same isolation platform that Melosha had been placed on at the end of the room, and then the two cultures sat down to talk while they waited to see how Daniel responded.
“If you are not gods, then how did you destroy the curse?” Tuplo asked.
“As we've been saying, Tuplo, it's not a curse. It's a disease,” Jack clarified.
“A sickness,” Sam added.
Just then, Daniel roused and automatically called out, “Jack?”
~All right!~ Looking over towards the isolation circle, Jack smiled and said, “There's our boy.”
Jack and Sam stood and walked over to the platform where Daniel began to sit up.
“Where are we?” Daniel questioned. ~Everything is blurry.~
“The light side of P3X-797,” Teal'c answered as he pulled out Daniel's glasses from his vest pocket and handed them to him.
“I thought we were going to give it a better name,” the archaeologist stated. ~My head's all fuzzy. Oh, yeah, I ... I remember now.~
Smiling, Jack observed, “He's back. He's normal.”
“Explain,” Leedora requested.
“We know how to lift the curse,” Sam stated, using the natives' own terminology.
“How, if you are not gods?” Tuplo asked.
“Come out there with us. We'll show you,” the colonel said. As the others began to walk out of the meeting area, Jack reached out, extending his hand to help his friend up.
Daniel blinked, looking at the outstretched hand; then, with a tiny smile, he took it, allowing himself to be pulled up.
“Are you okay?” Jack inquired.
Daniel looked into his friend's eyes, seeing concern and caring. He had trusted that look just this morning. Could he trust it again?
~It wasn't Jack; it was the virus.~ Knowing he still needed time to process the events of the day, especially the beating in the control room, Daniel answered truthfully, “No, but, uh, I think I will be.”
Jack nodded, then patted Daniel on the shoulder a couple of times before heading out of the meeting room. He knew he needed to talk to his friend some more, but this wasn't the place.
~I'll tease him a little on the way back, assess his attitude, then get him blotto tonight. A few dozen apologies, some common sense, and lots of beer. Yep, after that, life will be good. Crap, I really need to apologize.~
====
Late that night, Jack and Daniel sat on the roof deck, their shoulders touching as they leaned back against the wall of the house. They had their jackets on to combat the crisp, cool air, but it was a clear night and, aside from the chill, was quite pleasant out.
The friends had eaten dinner, Chinese, much to Daniel's delight, since all the way back from the planet Jack had talked about nothing but pizza. They had watched a videotape of a hockey game, much to Daniel's regret, and had spent some time stargazing. They had only mentioned the Land of Light briefly, and neither had brought up the incident in the control room. Then Jack had brought out the beer, and now both men were well 'lubed' with alcohol.
“Dannyboy, I really didn't mean to lobber you,” Jack said, slurring his words slightly.
“Clubber,” Daniel corrected, frowning at the unword he'd just used. “No, that's wrong. It's, uh ... clobber; yeah, that's it.” Nodding his head, he said, “Clobber.”
“Whatever,” Jack replied. “I was af...affl... I was ...”
“... sick,” Daniel offered.
“Yeah, that,” the older man confirmed.
“I know.”
“You're my friend, Danny. I ...”
“It's okay,” Daniel interrupted quickly.
“No, it's not,” Jack stated, banging his head lightly against the wall. He sighed, “I didn't want you involved with Carter.”
“Jack, if you're interested in Sam ...”
“*What*?” Jack asked, dropping his bottle of beer from his jerky reaction to his friend's remark. “Daniel, Carter's okay, but I'm still in love with Sara.”
Daniel smiled, then scrunched his nose and asked, “Then, uh, why did you beat me up? I mean, you said you didn't want me with Sam.”
~I did say that. Why did I say that? Funny thing to say.~ Jack took a swig of his latest beer and answered, “Well, you're married, too.” ~Yeah, that's why.~
“Good pug,” Daniel replied, then burst out into laughter since he'd meant to say, 'good point'.
“Good pug?” Jack asked, giggling along with his friend. “Where's a pug?” Jack asked, standing and wobbling to the middle of the small wooden deck. “Here, Pug! Pug! Ooooooh Pug, where for art thou? Ooooink!” He turned in a complete circle, stumbled to regain his balance and made a strange sound that was a combination of a bark and an oink.
Daniel was holding his abdomen, his laughter loud and hearty. He was laughing so much that it hurt, partly because of Jack's humor and partly because the beer was making everything seem funny at this point.
“'Ack, stop before you fall out, I mean, down,” Daniel requested, concerned for his friend.
“Ack? Who's Ack?”
“Jack,” Daniel laughed.
The two stared at each other as their chuckles subsided. Jack returned to his spot, nudging the younger man's shoulder as he sat back down.
“I am sorry.”
“Me, too,” the younger man stated.
“What do you have to be sorry about?” Jack asked.
Daniel bowed his head, shaking it. He didn't want to answer.
Jack sighed, looking out into space at the host of stars that continued to fascinate him.
For five minutes, silence was all both men heard. When they spoke next, the seriousness of their words overtook the intoxication of their bodies.
“It takes a long time to grow an old friend,” Jack spoke as he gazed upward, his quote having come from John Leonard.
Daniel turned, staring at Jack, and, quoting Isabel Norton, replied, “In my friend, I find a second self.”
Jack nodded, waiting a moment before he responded with the Turkish proverb, “No road is long with good company.”
“Even if he's a scientist?” Daniel questioned.
“Not if he's the *right* scientist,” Jack answered, smiling. “Danny, we both have a lot of learn. You don't need to tell me what you were thinking, but I can guess. The important thing to remember is that we have a real, long, spacey road to travel, and I hope we can travel it together.”
Daniel smiled, saying, “I knew you didn't mean it, Jack, but sometimes ...” He trailed off, not wanting to think about his past that was difficult to forget. “I only want to think about now.”
“Now is here,” Jack responded. “Another beer?”
“Yes!” Daniel exclaimed eagerly. “Have I told you I hate beer?”
“Every time we get drunk, Danny,” Jack answered as he pulled out another beer from the cooler and handed it to his friend, while getting another one for himself. After opening them, he held out his bottle and said, “To friendship.”
“To friendship,” Daniel agreed, smiling as they clinked their bottles together. “Thanks, Jack.”
“For what?”
“For making a very Cro-Magnon day not so bad,” Daniel replied.
“That's what friends are for, Danny,” Jack responded.
“And, uh, for paybacks.”
Jack looked at Daniel, cocking his head slightly. As Daniel's smirk turned into a bright smile, Jack nodded, smiling himself.
“Do your best, Danny.”
“Is that a challenge, Colonel?” Daniel questioned.
“Bring it on!” the older man dared. ~Someday I'll get you to tell me what you were thinking; more importantly, you'll tell me the story behind it. Now, though, let's just drink and be merry. Geez, I hate clichés.~
“Deal!” Daniel agreed. ~I'm not on my own. I have a friend, and his name is Jack O'Neill. He's here, hopefully to stay.~ He smiled, looking over at Jack and thought again, ~I am *not* on my own.~
The two chuckled, then settled back into silence, both looking up at the night sky. It was good to have friends, especially ones who could laugh, cry, and talk revenge all in five minutes. For Jack and Daniel, that meant each other, and they looked forward to their long journey together on the road of friendship.
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