Chapter Three: *** “Hush a bye Don't you cry Go to sleep my little baby When you wake You shall have All the pretty little ponies”
***
Pressure builds and screams where motion once was.
Your limbs refuse to work.
Your eyes blur and your body sways.
It is indeed an unforgettable feeling when your heart stops in your chest.
Jack stood panting in the rain; leaving white puffs to carry into the fall night, his helpless anxiety. Knowing what he saw, his body trembled with what he might find...
…because what he saw were his best friend’s legs peaking out from behind the underbrush…unmoving.
He was too afraid to call his name, for fear he would not answer. He was too afraid to breathe, for fear his friend was not.
And he was too afraid to move…for fear that it would only be…to carry his best friend’s body home.
The rain, heavy on his shoulders, the possibilities, drowning his heart, Jack urged his feet forward, even as he begged his eyes not to see.
Swallowing the bile that had suddenly risen to the back of his throat and gripping his back- up 9mm tighter, he cautiously stepped closer to where the bastard last stood.
Three rounds were enough to bring the man down. But was it enough to kill him?
Jack usually didn’t carry a gun on him off duty, but with the recent robberies in Daniel’s backyard he felt better having it…just incase.
…and when he came upon a masked man poised over his best friend with a knife…he thanked his lucky stars and stripes for his overprotective tendencies towards the archaeologist and prayed that he was in time…
Prayed that he hadn’t already lost him.
Please Daniel…
Steadying his hands and stepping over a fallen tree with his gun at the ready, Jack saw that the bastard had landed on and pinned Daniel to the ground next to a woman, he knew, he was too late for…
…and as the chills ripped through his spine, he forced his eyes closed against the horrific possibilities they carried.
Please…
/“Please what?” Daniel asked amused.
“Please stop looking at me like that.” he replied, annoyed.
Daniel crossed his arms and blinked, perplexed. “Like what, Jack?”
“Like a little kid that just lost his puppy. That’s what.”
“Well, you would know.” Uncrossing his arms, Daniel looked down and started rubbing the edge of his desk. “You took it.”
“Oh, for cryin out loud!” Jack threw his arms in the air. “I’m getting you a new one, Daniel.”
Sighing, the archaeologist looked longingly where it used to faithfully wait for him everyday. “Yeah, but it just won’t be the same.”
“Daniel. It was dangerous. The sounds it made were not in the least bit natural. Everyone, including Teal’c, were afraid to get anywhere near it and Siler deemed it a fire hazard!”
“Yeah. But it still made the best coffee.”
Shaking his head, Jack grinned despite his best efforts not to. It was just so damn good having his best friend back home and in one solid, corporeal caffeine junky piece.
“Tell you what,” Draping an arm across his favorite archaeologist’s shoulders, Jack started to guide him out of his office.
“We’ll head over to the 'kennel' now and you can pick out any one you want.”
“Really?” Daniel looked up at his C.O. hopefully. Apparently not even realizing that he was being led away from the pile of translations he’d been working on feverishly for two days straight.
“Sure.”
“Well, then maybe we should get two. Then one won’t have to work so hard.”
“Don’t push it.”
Chuckling, Daniel regarded his friend. “I know what you’re doing.” he stated matter-of-factly.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, I guess it’s a good thing it’s ‘Get a new coffee maker while humoring your overbearing Colonel by taking a break’ week, here at the SGC.
“Guess so.”
Surprised by the quick agreement, Jack raised his eyebrows and studied his friend. Stopping at the elevator he watched as Daniel wordlessly pressed the ‘up’ button and stepped out from under his arm and into the car.
After selecting the floor number, Daniel finally spoke as Jack hastily jumped in, not to be left behind.
“Guess it’s also a good thing that the day we’re schedule to go look at those ruins it’s ‘Learn something while remaining quiet and letting your archaeologist explore for as long as he wants to’ week.” Daniel replied with a smirk as the elevator doors closed and Jack stumbled for a come back. /
Stealing himself, Jack took a deep breath and stepped towards what could very well be the end of their banter…
…the end of a friendship he hardly survived without before and would surely not be able to now.
…and the end of a new beginning that barely had the time to begin.
I just got you back, damn it.
Not even aware of the protests from his knees, Jack crouched down and quickly made sure the perp was dead, before pushing him off of his friend. He’d worry about finding out who it was later. Right now the only thing that mattered was Daniel.
Right now, the only thing that mattered was making sure he’d have someone to tease every morning in front of the two coffee machines he ended up buying…even after he was told it wasn’t necessary.
/ “Hey, I’m buying you two, because you’re gonna promise me that you’ll stick around long enough this time to wear them both out.”
Turning beat red, Daniel ducked his head and smiled. “Okay, Jack. I promise.” /
You promised…
Jack’s breath caught in his throat and his world suddenly turned grey, as one hand went to balance him and the other went to cover his mouth.
“Oh god…”
Daniel…
He was so pale…
He was so still…
He was so…lifeless as the rain pounded mercilessly against his flesh.
God…
Fear urged Jack to reach out and shake the younger man until he woke.
Fear urged him to scream and holler his name until he answered.
But fear also had a U.S. Air Force Colonel stopped in his tracks for the second time in one night.
This can’t be it…
This can’t…
Unsuccessfully trying to ignore the overwhelming dread settling in his chest, Jack tentatively reached out and carefully eased his limp friend out of the puddle and onto his back, cradling the archaeologist’s head with one hand as he did so.
“Daniel?” his voice broke with barely contained emotion, just as his heart did, when there was no response.
The only blood Jack could see was the little that ran down the archaeologist’s face in the wake of raindrops. But this did nothing to ease the explosive flow that pumped through his own veins by the pressure of his terrified heart.
Come on…
With one arm still supporting his head, Jack leaned over him and gently shook his shoulder.
“Daniel.” he tried a little more forcefully. “Daniel!”
Still no answer.
Damn it!
This can’t be it!
Grabbing his friend’s jacket with both hands and shaking him, Jack begged whoever had the mercy to listen. “Come oooonn!”
“Daniel!” Bringing a hand up to the archaeologist’s cheek, he nearly cried out when he felt how cold it was.
Jesus…
Suddenly breathless and dizzy with panic, Jack eyed Daniel’s neck as he slowly started to ease his hand towards it- but it trembled and stopped.
Only one question ran through his mind, but his fingertips were too afraid to seek out the answer.
…because that one touch could bring his whole world crashing down.
One touch could sever the tie between hope and hard truth.
One touch could steal his best friend away…again.
God…
One touch…
Swallowing hard, Jack finally summoned the courage and reached out.
…and the reaction was immediate.
Daniel’s back arched with beautiful breath as his chest reached up to greet the rain.
“Jesus, Daniel!” Pulling him up and cradling him in his lap, relief had his friend in his arms before the coughing even began.
“I got ya. I’ve got ya.”
Looking on the scene before him and frantically wondering what the hell was going on, Jack held the younger man protectively against him, as he automatically started to sway back and forth. “Ssshhh, I’ve got ya.”
…and he sure as hell wasn’t planning on letting go again.
/ “Daniel?” “Yeah.” “Did you want something?” “Yeah. Tell Jacob to stop.” /
God…
Jack’s had to do a lot of horrible things in his days.
He’s had to make a lot of decisions that left him questioning the very weight of his soul.
But nothing in his entire life has haunted him so much…as two little words. “Jacob. Stop.”
Absorbing his tremors like a sponge in the rain, Jack couldn't help but wonder 'why', while the violent coughs racked his archaeologist's limp body.
Why Daniel?
Why was it that every time he turned around, it seemed like his friend was knocking on heaven’s door? er…The Higher Plans’ …door?
Damn it…
Why couldn’t the universe just leave him alone?
Why couldn’t everybody just leave him alone?
Still unconscious, but breathing easier, Daniel now lay listlessly against Jack’s chest- his arm extended behind him, as his hand bobbed in and out of the puddle while tenderly being rocked.
“That-a-boy. Keep breathing.” Jack cajoled, gently wiping mud from his friend’s now fevered brow. Wincing from the heat, he couldn’t believe how quickly and drastically Daniel’s temperature had changed.
Well, there’s another ‘Damn it’, if anyone is keeping track.
Sighing and not giving a rat’s ass if the whole SGC found him rocking a grown man in the middle of the forest, Jack kept on the soothing motion…if not for his friend, then for himself.
They’d probably half expect it anyway, he absently thought. They knew when it came to Daniel…when it came to his team, he’d do anything.
For there is no such thing as pride when you have a man down.
“Just keep breathing. Carter and Teal’c will be here soon.” he reassured both himself, and the man he held silently trembling in his arms.
It was the only thing he was sure of. He didn’t know what was happening to his friend. He didn’t know why he was unconscious, or what had brought him out into the middle of the forest and into the grips of a madman.
But, he did know that help was on its way- that the rest of the family was in search of them now and with Carter’s brains and Teal’c’s tracking ability, the whole SGC would probably be bearing down on them any second.
…and then together, they would figure out and fix it.
Tightening his arms around the younger man, this is what Jack held onto as the rain started to slow and the night laid down its last blanket.
“They’ll be here soon, Danny.” he whispered again, closing his eyes and gently rocking his friend to the beat of his worried heart. “They’ll be here soon.”
And so he waited. His only company— the sporadic drops of rain that broke free from the forest’s grip…and his best friend’s heart, which pounded its soft reassurance against his own chest.
They’ll be here soon…
~~~~~~~~~ ~// “Daaaannnyyy. Danny, it’s time to get uuupp, honey.” Claire Jackson cooed, as she tickled her stubborn son from slumber.
“Mooooommm,” he giggled, trying his best to resist. “the sun’s not even awake yet. Why do *I* have to be?” was his best defense. “Besides,” he added, between now nearly painful stabs of laughter, as his small hands grabbed hers and tried to pry the evil fingers away. “it’s not even Saturday. No Cartoons.”
“I know Danny. I’m sorry,” she whispered, ending her assault and gently smoothing his unruly hair back. “but your father and I have to get to the museum early this morning. The cover stones are being shipped in today.”
Daniel lay still for a moment and relished in the feel of his mother’s tender stroke. “Oookaay.” He gave in halfheartedly…right before he jumped up and launched his own attack. “Tickle Tickle Tickle Tickle Tickle!” //~
~~~~~~~~~~ The room was dark. Save a small, unobtrusive light that watched over its only two occupants. The odor…pleasantly familiar and haunting at the same time.
How many lives were lost and saved in this room? …she couldn’t count.
But she also couldn’t forget the memory of one loss that had branded itself in her heart and continuously replayed over and over again in her mind. Especially since that loss now laid breathing again in the very same room in which he had perished.
Taking a deep breath to try and quell the nausea brought on by the memory of those days, Carter walked into the observation room.
“Sir?” Wow, she thought. When did my voice start sounding so small?
Slouching in his designated hospital chair, with his cheek resting on his index finger, Jack’s eyes never left the unconscious figure in the bed. “I need you to go back to that planet, Carter. I need you to go back and find out what they did to Daniel.”
Like he even had to ask. “Yes sir.”
“I’m not waiting this time. Every time we wait, blame things on the plausible and end up royally screwing things up even more. This time I’m saying screw the plausible...it’s not likely it’s likely anyway.”
Carter nodded and swallowed hard at the memories of their mistakes. “How is he, sir?”
“He doesn’t have the flu.” he said matter-of-factly, as he sat up in his chair and scrubbed his face with his hands.
She didn’t have to ask if Janet had gotten the test results back yet…because she knew she hadn’t.
This was her Commanding Officer doing his thing. This was Jack worrying over Daniel.
Walking up to the bed, Carter winced at the bruises and cuts that marred her friend’s face and gently lifted his hand into hers.
So much cooler now, she thought. So different from when they first found them…
// “Sir!” After what seemed like an eternity, Carter’s flashlight finally rested upon their lost teammates. “…sir?”
Jack lifted his head up from where it rested against Daniel’s. “Carter! We need a…”
“Already on their way, sir.” she assured, as Teal’c secured the perimeter and she knelt beside the two soaking wet men. The young archaeologist lay protectively cradled against their Commanding Officer’s chest.
…oblivious to the rocking.
…oblivious to the heart wrenching concern.
“What happened?” she asked, reaching for her unconscious teammate and wincing at the heat radiating off of him.
“I have no idea, Carter.” Jack replied, shaking his head. “One minute he was sleeping, the next he was thrashing around and before I knew it, he ran off into the woods and under that bastard’s knife.” he finished, gesturing to the man lying across from them, whom Teal’c had unmasked.
Carter’s hands froze with her heart as she stopped her ministrations and looked her C.O. in the eyes. “Knife, sir?”
“He didn’t get him.” he whispered dejectedly, looking down at his charge. “I was in time to stop at least that.”
She could see the anger and helplessness contorting her C.O.’s features, just as easily as she could feel his worry radiating off of him like Daniel’s fever.
What would they do if they lost this man again?
She wouldn’t dare let herself think about it.
…because if she did…she might open up like the storm clouds that already drenched the land…and there’s no telling when she’d be able to stop.
There’s no telling if she’d even be strong enough to.
“The woman has perished and the identity of the one responsible is unknown to me.” Teal’c announced matter-of-factly, as he knelt beside them, concern instantly covering the Jaffa’s face. “What of DanielJackson?”
Slowly shaking his head, Jack rested his weary eyes on the bundle in his arms. “I don’t know,T.” he whispered hoarsely. “I don’t know.” //
“Carter? Carter?!”
“Sir?” Snapping out of her reverie, Sam blushed when she noticed her C.O. was staring at her with concern.
“You did a good job out there tonight.” He finally said, sitting back in his chair.
“Thank you, sir.” she whispered, barely meeting his eyes. She wouldn’t admit how absolutely horrified she had been when they stumbled upon the truck and found the doors hanging wide open with nobody in sight.
She wouldn’t admit… that she had to clench the steering wheel to keep her hands from shaking.
She wouldn’t admit… that the Major in her had her thinking up at least a dozen different ways to handle the situation before they even pulled along side the vehicle, but the friend in her had her so weak in the knees with worry, that she feared she wouldn’t even be able to make it out of the car.
As she called it in and had the SGC trace her cell phone for their exact location, Teal’c set to work. And although his tracking abilities were quick and efficient, they were painstakingly slow as well…at least to Carter. It was tearing her up inside to be examining mud and branches every few feet, while their teammates could have been in pain…could have been dying miles away.
Gently brushing aside a stray hair from Daniel’s forehead, Sam’s eyes welled up with tears.
It just wasn’t fair.
She had never known a soul as resilient as this one.
…a soul, who has been pushed to the brink and beyond, again and again…
…a soul, whose life has been plagued by constant, unimaginable pain and overwhelming darkness…
…a soul who, through it all, still burned brightly.
She couldn’t even fathom how much strength… how much will-power it would take to build up the flame in one’s soul again, after having it repeatedly stomped out.
But that was Daniel, she realized, as she bent down and kissed his forehead.
And Daniel never gave up.
Knowing this, is what allowed her to let go of his hand, so she could travel across the galaxy and try to save him.
Though her heart still wondered…
How much more could one possibly take, before the flame was extinguished for good?
“I’ll keep you informed, sir.” she whispered, as she pried herself from her friend’s side.
A vacant stare, however, in the direction of a certain archaeologist, was the only reply she got. Not that she could complain. She knew how important Daniel was to their C.O. She knew they shared a bond that words couldn’t even begin to describe. And she knew how honored he felt to be able to call Daniel, ‘friend’.
She felt the same way.
So did Teal’c.
…but she also knew, though it would never be admitted…how proud their commanding officer would have been…to be able to call Daniel, ‘son’.
Looking back from the hall, Carter watched as the stoic light continued to shine down on two of the most important men in her life.
…and she admired it.
…for if its light should ever burn out or be broken…it was simply granted a new one with a twist of the wrist.
~~~~~~~~~~
Deja*view*.
Jack had sat by his friend’s bedside more times than he cared to count.
…and although it got old…it never got easier.
It had been five hours since the forest, and Daniel was still unconscious.
Janet had shown up in the forest not long after Carter and Teal’c had, and informed them that Daniel was in shock again. However, after carting him back to the infirmary and running a gazillion tests, she only managed to find some bruising and lacerations, low blood sugar and of course, a fever.
No signs of any viral or bacteria infection…so no flu.
…and nothing came up that would warrant reason for respiratory arrest.
…or for that matter, explain how, why, Daniel ended up…where he ended up. There was only one man that could answer that…and it didn’t look like he’d be answering questions any time soon.
This has to stop. Jack thought.
It was one thing after another. A never ending cycle of pain and drama, drama and pain. He couldn’t even tell the days apart anymore. The minutes blurred into hours. The hours blurred into days…the days, into weeks and so on.
…and each moment ached. Some more than others maybe. But they all ached.
…especially when they slowly passed through a dark forest on the back, of what could very well be, your best friend’s last breath.
It was definitely time for a change.
“Nooooo!” Daniel cried, as he bolted awake.
The sudden cry caused Jack’s heart to painfully leap within his chest and his legs mimicked the action, as he reached for his friend to prevent him from tumbling out of the bed.
“Easy, I got ya.”
Breathing rapidly, Daniel stared off into his nightmare. “I couldn’t save her!” he cried.
Jack winced and looked helplessly at Janet, who was rushing towards their side.
He didn’t know what to do.
“Just help me calm him down, sir.” She read his mind, as she efficiently injected something into their friend’s IV.
“Sssh, it’s alright. You’re alright.” Jack soothed, gently, awkwardly pulling his now sobbing friend against him.
“There’s nothing there, Jack. And it hurts, it hurts.” Daniel whimpered, wrapping his fingers around Jack’s shirt collar and trembling against his neck.
Jack’s frown deepened. “What hurts, Daniel?”
“Nothing, Jack….” he whined, tightening his grip and burying his head even further into Jack’s neck. “…it hurts so bad.”
Absently, worriedly stroking his friend’s hair, Jack was at a loss. And when he looked to Janet again for help…all she could offer was a painful shake of her head as Daniel finally became heavy in his arms.
Tightening his grip and supporting his head, Jack kept him held against his chest as he eased him back down into the bed and dared Janet to say a word about his mother henning.
When he went to pry the younger man’s fingers off of him, he noticed that two eyes- full of pain and sorrow were staring back at him. “Daniel, go to sleep.” he soothed, gently cupping his friend’s bruised cheek. “The Doc and I will be here when you wake up.”
“It hurts, Jack.” The unusually emotional man’s voice cracked, as the sobs threatened release again.
“I know, buddy.”
Not knowing what else to say or how to comfort, Jack tried to resist the tears that formed in his own eyes. “I know.”
~~~~~~~~~~
~//Bubbling with laughter, Claire grabbed her little monster’s hands and threw him onto his back as she covered him with kisses. Yelping, he bucked and ducked as best he could to escape.
“Moooomm!” He managed to cry out over his giggling.
Ending her assault, Claire eased back and gently wiped the wispy brown hair from her son’s eyes. “Do you know how much I love you, Danny Jackson?” she asked, as she affectionately stroked his brow.
Settling a second before he grinned, Daniel held up his forefinger an inch over his thumb. “This much?” he asked mischievously.
This earned him another round of the tickles. “Okay, Okay, Okay!” he squealed. “More than all the stars in the skies, all the sand in the deserts and…”
“And?” she encouraged.
“…and more than all the diamonds in a snowflake.” Which, he could only assume was a lot. He’d never actually seen snow before.
“And?”
“And?” he repeated, confused, cocking his head slightly to one side.
“And nothing will ever change that…even coming home looking like something Bastet would have drug in.”
“Oh! Right!” he giggled, just as she started tickling him again. //~
~~~~~~~~~~
Even after succumbing to the drug’s pull, Daniel still wore a frown upon his face, and it weighed heavily on Jack’s heart.
Swallowing hard, the colonel wiped away the tears that were making their way down his archaeologist’s face- only a whisper of what was truly going on inside the younger man.
He felt so helpless…so inadequate right now. How could he even begin to ease his friend’s pain?
“Sir?” In one word, Jack could hear the breathtaking amount of concern in Janet’s usually ever stoic voice.
His own voice was barely above a whisper, but choked full of emotion. “Yeah?” His eyes never wavered from his friend.
“Forgive my frankness, sir…but what the hell is going on?”
Wiping away another errant tear that broke free from his archaeologist’s soul, Jack’s voice somehow managed to gain some strength. “That’s exactly what we’re going to find out, Janet. That’s exactly what we’re going to find out.”
DISCLAIMER: All characters and property of Stargate SG-1 belong to MGM/UA, World Gekko Corp. and Double Secret Productions. This fan fiction was created solely for entertainment and no money was made from it. Also, no copyright or trademark infringement was intended. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author. Any other characters, the storyline and the actual story are the property of the author.