Disclaimer: The characters portrayed within this story belong to the guys that own the Rights to Stargate SG1 so MGM, Gekko and unfortunately obvioues SciFi too...but I have a friend making beautiful SG1-clones and sometimes I let them out to explore our universe! Those aformentioned characters inspire a lot of people watching and adoring Stargate SG1 so be indulgent. Many thanks to Gekko and MGM, Daniel Jackson, Jack O'Neill, Sam Carter and Teal'c plus their respective actors doing such a great performance!!
But I am tempted to cast an evil spell on SciFi.

Warnings: My English has it's limits! It's a team tale well kinda-> sorry Dr J!!
Jack and Daniel as best friends, just like we love them to be!

Summary: SG1 menaged to seal a treaty with a new planet, but back home some trouble is waiting..

Timeline: season 3

Rating: For every age! No bad language this time just a nice team tale. Some Danny-whumping is involved

Size: 133kb - so a short one

Author's Notes: SHANK you very much Delta666 for beta reading the script!! I know it must have been torture!!

# Mission Report: Children's Games #

“Welcome home SG1! I am glad that your negotiations with the Shmorkanians were successful.“ General Hammond greeted his Premier Team.

“Yeah, Daniel did a great job talking the Shmorks to submission while the three of us had some fun with the town folks, sir.” Colonel Jack O'Neill answered his CO with a wide grin on his face.

“Indeed.” deadpanned Teal’c, causing everybody in the’ gate room to smile.

The archaeologist in question enjoyed the overwhelming good mood in the ‘gate room, and Sam just chuckled. Good! Maybe now, Daniel thought whilst having to stifle a yawn, Jack wouldn’t tease him to death any longer because of his overly talkative habits.

But, he had to admit; the last three days had been almost too much even for his voice. How could they have so many regulations, laws and manners regarding speech, being such a simple village society? He still could not point his finger at a similar society here on Earth. Nothing had reminded him of a folk here. He would have to do some proper research. Their language was simple Yoruban, but the people who spoke it were no Africans! Most of them had green eyes, fair hair and skin. And he couldn’t place the rituals. However, he was hell-bent on finding out more about these people. He smiled to himself. It had been so nice there, so friendly, and for once, no bad surprises, and, the Shmorkanians even accepted that they could not possibly know all of their laws. They’d been patient with all of their accidental mistakes. No battles, no digging up of old forgotten clans, and no all-nighters!

But, he would have to do them now, in helping develop a long-term alliance. But, first, he would take a nap, a very long nap. He was just so tired, no idea why. After all, all he’d done was the talking, and, that was something he could do. He was almost legendary for it, and Jack was convinced he could talk people to death without even blinking. Yet. He was so tired, he could have fallen asleep where he was standing!

“Hey Daniel! Ya going to stay here all day or what? You know the procedure. Infirmary, showers, briefing and then writing those lovely reports. All those nice things that come along with our ‘gate travelling and exploring the universe.“

The Colonel was waiting for Daniel's pointed remark but all he got was a nod from his friend and a walk out of the ‘gate room - which was rather odd. General Hammond looked questioningly at his second in command but, noting too, that Major Carter and Teal'c also seemed to be a little puzzled.

“Colonel, is there something going on between you and Dr Jackson I ought to know about?“

Jack held up his hands in a defensive position.

“Not that I know, General. Maybe he's just a little knocked out from his hours of talking.“

The General nodded and dismissed them all to the infirmary.

---------------

There was a light touch on his forearm and a “Hey Daniel“ which seemed to come from a world far, far away. He groaned inwardly, but forced his eyes open.

„Huh..?“ Concerned doe eyes looked at him, but the lips curled into a smile.

„I think I've never experienced someone falling asleep while I examined them. Though it was a lot easier to get the blood samples from you.“ Janet Fraiser said in a gentle tone.

Daniel blinked at her still trying to clear his head, luckily the fog thinned very fast and he smiled back at her.

“Sorry Janet. I actually have no idea why I was so tired.“

„Was?“

„Yeah. I feel… pretty…. fine now.“ Daniel found he was surprised about his statement himself, but had to admit that he was telling the truth. He felt ‘wide-awake’ in fact. Janet smiled at him while he hopped off the bed.

“You should call it a day though.“

“Ah, I don’t think that’ll be possible. There is still a briefing for me to attend and a report to write as Jack has pointed out.”

-----------------

Daniel was very much looking forward to the briefing. All the good news he could tell and to show the General regarding their contact with the Shmorkanians would be pure joy, so, for once he was actually on time for the post-debrief.

“So Doctor Jackson what about the conditions of our supposed-to-be contract with the Shmorkanians? Are they willing to share the naquadah with us?”

“Yes General, they are. The Shmorkanians don’t use the naquadah. But what the leader pointed out to me very clearly, is that they want us to ensure that we will handle the nature of the planet very carefully when we start to mine for what we want.”

Hammond looked at him sceptically.

“But they do want something for the naquadah?” The General ask further.

“Yes they were very interested in our medicine and ...” Daniel pointed towards his glasses “.. the leader was fascinated by the ‘magic’ of my glasses so I assured him that we could provide the knowledge and technology for them, if the negotiations would be successful.”

Hammond continued to question his ‘Flagship’ team about the planet.

All of a sudden Daniel felt a change in his condition. Sitting in the briefing room next to Jack, listening to Sam’s explanations and all the things she was anxious to try, explaining the contract and all the wonderful opportunities and riddles about their new allies, he was suddenly very aware that his exhaustion was returning, and even more powerfully than before, which puzzled him. He had to fight to keep his concentration on the General, to answer all his questions without stumbling over his own words.

When Hammond dismissed them he was barley awake and wondered how he was going to be able to write his report – not to mention the planned hockey-night with Jack. First thing to do was clear: Brewing a large amount of strong black coffee! That thought brought a smile on his face.

He realised that someone was clicking fingers in front of his face and pulled back from his inner world to see who it was. Sam stood in front of him shaking her head.

“Where have you been the last 5 minutes, Dr Jackson?” She asked with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

“Oops!” Was Daniel's not so very brilliant linguistic reply.

“Ah, I've been thinking about a big-big pot of hot black coffee.” He replied honestly and grinning from ear to ear.

At this Sam laughed out loud “Only you, Daniel!” she patted his shoulder affectionately.

“So maybe you'll join us in the comm. later and eat something, too?”

At Sam's mention of food something seemed to twitch within him and he felt suddenly sick to his stomach. It must have been written all over his face because Sam looked at him very concerned now.

“Daniel, you okay?”

He managed to swallow the bile and plaster a light smile on his face.

“Yeah.“ Well, that hadn’t sounded very convincing – not even to him. So he tried again after clearing his throat.

“I mean, ya. I am fine. I'm just don’t feel like eating, Sam. But I'll join you for a cup of coffee so we can talk about our next steps with the Shmorkanians, if you like.” He spoke with a smile in the hopes of reassuring her that all was indeed fine.

Now her eyes were sparkling with joy - so his tactics had paid off.

“Well, that would be great, Daniel. Though the Colonel will not be very happy.”

She grinned at that thought and the things that would ensue if the two scientists started to talk about their new exciting tasks during supper. But, she enjoyed the ‘geek-talk’ with Daniel a lot. So she nodded and patted him again.

“I'd love that. So we'll see you around 1700, okay?”

With this she left the briefing room.

Daniel gathered his papers, put them into a file and left too.

------------

“Carter, didn't you claim Daniel would join us for supper?“ The Colonel asked her after three members of SG1 were seated in a quieter corner of the comm.

She nodded at him. Yet it was 1730 and there was no sign of Daniel. He'd also not called to her lab and cancelled the supper with them.

“Maybe he found out about the roots of our new allies and forgot the time. He was very anxious to solve the riddle about their culture.“ She shrugged.

“Ack! As if this couldn't wait till later or even tomorrow. Our Danny has to learn that even he can't know everything.” O'Neill stated and started to eat his pie giving up to wait for Daniel to arrive. Teal'c looked at him very seriously.

“I do not think, O'Neill, that DanielJackson would think of himself as one who knows everything. However, he is very tempted to learn as much as he can.“ The jaffa stated back.

“But even his hunger to learn must sometimes be ignored to take care of his inherent necessities. I have not seen him eat since the last but one day of our negotiations. Therefore I will go and remind him to join us.”

“What?!” Carter and Jack asked at the same time.

Sam was the first to go on speaking. “But he didn't want to eat.”

“And what exactly was his justification for that?” O’Neill asked his 2IC.

“Well, Daniel said he didn't felt like eating and, frankly, sir, he didn’t look very happy at the mention of it. I thought that he'd maybe over-did it with the chocolate during the negotiations on the planet. It seems his candy bar tactic is working on every planet in the universe.”

“And, Janet gave him clearance so he must be fine.“ The colonel pointed out.

At this point, Teal'c stood.

“I will go and retrieve DanielJackson while you will continue to eat your supper.”

Jack nodded his approval and took another plate with pie from his tray. He really couldn't understand how one could abandon blueberry pie for studies.

Teal'c left.

------------

The door to DanielJackson's office was closed but the light showing at the bottom told Teal'c that the scientist had to be in his laboratory, indeed. He knocked politely on the door before he opened it. What he saw was very unexpected.

DanielJackson was not buried in his studies. He was resting on his desk, head on his crossed arms and fast asleep. His glasses were still on his nose, though not in the correct position, and he still held a pencil in his hand. The monitor of his computer was showing dancing hieroglyphics so the young man must have been asleep for some time. Teal'c went over to him and placed his hand very gently on the sleeping form so as to wake, but not to startle him.

At his touch DanielJackson started to move so Teal'c decided to speak to him in a low tone.

“DanielJackson I think sleep would be a lot better for you if you reclined in a suitable position in your bed.”

After some long seconds and even more blinking the archaeologist reacted.

“Teal'c?”

Daniel started rubbing his eyes while trying to wake up a little more and taking in his surroundings. Hadn't there been a similar situation not long ago, just with another person? What was it with him to fall asleep in broad daylight anyway?

“DanielJackson?”

There was some concern to be heard in this normally so stoic voice so it occurred to Daniel that it would better to start talking in whole sentences. And than it hit him.

“Oh my god, Teal'c! I missed the supper with the team! I'm sorry. I didn't mean to mess it up.” He rattled while jumping up and gathering his stuff.

“There is no particular reason to apologise, DanielJackson. I came here to retrieve you for supper because O'Neill and MajorCarter thought you forgot the time whilst being immersed in your research. And I thought you were merely attempting to miss another meal. However this was not the reason for you being absent.”

“No, no, obviously not, huh? ..” Daniel pointed his index finger in the air.

“I don't understand it myself.. wha.. what do you mean with I try to miss another meal..?”

The young man looked at him puzzled and Teal'c's concern grew.

“As far as I have been able to follow your actions you have not eaten since the second day of our arrival at the planet of the Shmorkanians and I have also not been able to observe such action while we were back at the Stargate Command.”

With this the jaffa looked at him like a father looking at his erring child.

“Oh.“ Was all Daniel managed to answer.

“I didn't recognize that. I was not feeling.. hungry.”

“Would it not be wise to consult DoctorFraiser about this? I do not think it is good for a human to eat nothing in two days and not to experience hunger.“ Teal’c stated.

“Well, this is odd, Teal'c. But Janet said nothing about me being starving. She just told me to get some rest after I fell asleep during the post-mission examination today.”

Teal’c's left brow shot up at this without Daniel even noticing it.

“This information is not making me feel any less concerned about your condition, DanielJackson. We shall go and let DoctorFraiser examine you again. I'll inform O'Neill and MajorCarter in the meantime.”

Daniel was not very happy about it but on the other hand it was really odd that he had not noticed that he was not eating properly - not even properly for him!

------------

“I am sorry, Daniel, but there is nothing wrong with you.” Janet looked mystified at the chart in her hands suppressing an uncertain sigh.

“At least all the tests have not given any hints that there is something wrong. So far you have just lost a pound. So I advise you to make a sign writing on it in big letters to eat and set a timer to not forget it. And I would like to keep you here on base. You don’t need to stay in the infirmary, but I think it would be to risky to let you go home.”

She looked at him with her no nonsense face, but Daniel tried it anyway.

“But Janet, I really feel fine and I promise to eat. I've got an alarm at home, too. So why keep me here?” He whined.

“No, Daniel. The base quarters or the infirmary - it's your choice. I'll not let you go out of my hands without knowing why this is happening. And if you are doing fine and eat properly like I told you, I'll even allow you to rejoin SG1 for their next scheduled mission.”

With this she dismissed him.



“Morning, Daniel.” Sam poked her head in his office. “ How are you doing?“

“Sam! Come in. I am fine, thank you. I am sure I will be allowed to join the mission tomorrow. I am sorry that I let you down yesterday.“ He added in a shy apologetic voice.

“Hey, that's no big thing. We can make it up during the breakfast. I've got the mission to escort you to the mess.“

She grinned and Daniel rolled his eyes, but followed her to meet his teammates.

“Ah! Danny, you doing better? How is it to have your own servant to remind you to eat?“

Jack teased him the moment he entered the mess with Sam who’d ‘escorted’ him.

“Jack don't be an ass so early in the morning “ Was the not so polite answer coming from Daniel, because the light tone was missing.

A rather surprised look crossed Jack’s face but he decided that it was maybe indeed to early for bantering.

“You’re looking a lot better than yesterday, Daniel.” Sam tried to ease the conversation.

“Thank you I am doing better. Teal’c came over to my office and dragged me to the mess. THREE TIMES. And I ate what Janet told me to eat.”

Jack motioned to Daniel to go and fetch some food.


He was wandering through the lines of food. It was so odd yesterday and during the night he'd enjoyed eating but now the smell alone made him feel sick again. So he decided for some toast and the third cup of coffee for this day.

Bad thing was that when he came back to their table, Janet had joined them for the breakfast.

She glared at him. “You don't consider this as proper meal, do you, Daniel?”

“Morning Janet. Ah, I didn't felt like scrambled eggs or cereals this morning. But I ate everything you wrote on the list! Teal'c will vouch for me.”

The jaffa gave a small bow to confirm Daniel's statement. That seemed to satisfy Janet, as she made no further inquiry on the subject.

Yet during the whole breakfast Daniel had to fight the urge to jump up and find the closest restroom.

He concentrated on breathing to calm his rebelling stomach. And also tried to focus on his own plate and not to look at his friends' one’s because he feared his stomach could not bear it. He was ridiculously proud of himself when he'd finished his toast and told it to stay were it was. Just to be sure.

After staying a while longer to engage in some polite conversation with his friends he excused himself with the alibi to have a lot work to do, research and the like. Walking out of the mess and closing the doors behind him Daniel felt free to follow the call for a restroom - and nearly ran for it.

He’d barely made clear that no one was in there and closed the door of the first stall behind him when he dropped to his knees and emptied the contents of his stomach into the toilet. His body ached from spasm, sweat ran down his spine and face and he felt cold and hot at the same time. He sat back, his head leant against the door behind him and calmed down to prepare himself for the rest of the day. How could it be that he was fine – and he was, he was not lying, he really felt fine when he said it – one moment and then a second later something within his body or brain decided that he had to feel like crap. That was so - weird!!

He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly to calm his body. He left the stall and went to the sink and ran cold water, first over his hands and then splashed it into his face. It felt damn good. Than he smelt his breath and decided the first thing he had to do back in his office was to brush his teeth the third time this day – and it was just 0800.

When he left the restroom he nearly freaked out, when someone started talking to him.

“DanielJackson, why have you not said that you felt not well?” Daniel jumped in circles

“Oh God Teal’c!! Don’t you sneak up on me like that if you want me to live another day, okay!”

“I do not think me being here will cause your death, but rather will your non-cooperation. I was present in the restroom but left to wait outside to gave you some privacy.”

“Oh, .. sorry Teal’c .. I..”

“You will have to come to the infirmary with me.”

Daniel held his hands up “No, no I don’t think that’s necessary Teal’c I really feel much better now. It was just the air in the comm.”

“The air was no different from our former visits DanielJackson.”

“Please Teal’c. I really feel fine now. And I promise you, if my stomach is rebelling again I will go and see Janet.” Though she was obvious at a loss herself he thought.

“But now I really just want to try to do my work, okay.”

“If you insist on this compromise I will leave you to your work for now. “ Tea’l gave Daniel a not very happy bow of his head and a somehow - warning look, if Daniel would not do as promised.

The archaeologist smiled a ‘thank you’ at him, happy to be spared from another series of never-ending tests, and left for his office.

Teal’c stood silently in the corridor watching his young team mate leaving. He would go and talk to DoctorFraiser again, and after that, to O’Neill and MajorCarter. They had to find out what was wrong with DanielJackson.

-------------

“Teal’c, I understand your concern and believe me, it’s driving me crazy that I can’t find out what’s wrong with Daniel.” The Doctor was pacing up and down in her small office. “But the tests showing no discrepancies. Frankly I don’t understand it. Obviously there is something wrong but I can’t tie Daniel to the bed without a reason and you know that.”

She waved her hands around to underline every one of her words. Teal’c stood silently watching her.

“I can’t even find a valid reason to stop him going with SG1 to the next planet scheduled tomorrow.” She added sounding frustrated.

“But we cannot stand by and watch while DanielJackson is hurting and feeling so unwell.” Teal’c stated.

“No. we can’t. Look maybe we’ll just keep observing him even more closely.” She looked at him rather uncertain of her own suggestion.

Teal’c’s brow arched. To spy on his team mate and more important - his friend was not what he wanted to do.

“I just mean we have to find out when Daniel is getting sick – there must be something causing this.” Her expression changed as if an idea was forming.

“You said that he ate last night and was not unwell. While this morning we all could see that he barely ate his toast and tried not to look around, leaving the mess in a hurry. So what was the difference this morning? I know, the food here is not delicious but it is not that bad either.” She made a face thinking about some variations of the food offered by the mess.

“Daniel was very tired yesterday returning from the mission, but when I woke him 30 minutes later he was awake and felt good. His tests gave me no cause for concern. When he entered the briefing room he was full of spirits and whirling around while answering General Hammond’s questions.” Teal’c gave her a questioning look.

“I’ve seen the security tape I wanted to be sure we haven’t missed something.”

The jaffa nodded.

“Anyway 20 minutes later when he had to sit while the discussion continued, he sank down more and more into his seat. I don’t think that is usual not even if he was exhaused.” Janet shook her head again.

“When Daniel is excited about something, his brain is working on such a high level that it has no time to tell him that he is tired. He would never fall asleep until I sedated him or the Colonel talked him into it or bored him to sleep with a hockey game. So this here is different. I don’t think we can blame Daniel this time for not caring for himself because he is too absorbed in his work.

Janet draw in a breath. My she had spent to much time with Sam and Daniel she could now talk as much as they could without a break.

But the more she thought about her own words the more she was convinced that she was right. They had to observe Daniel more carefully to find out what the cause was. She looked at Teal’c waiting for his affirmation.

“It occures to me that the observation would be much more easier if you would keep DanielJackson within the infirmary, DoctorFraiser.”

She shook her head.

“No, Teal’c. Every time Daniel was here after such a bout he felt fine, was not sleepy and certainly not sick. So I don’t think that would help us a lot.”

“Then I’ll do what you asked me to do to help DanielJackson.”

Janet smiled her thanks at him.

“And I will give Daniel a call and drag him here again just to have a talk with him about the situation. After that I’ll inform the General, Colonel O’Neill and Sam.”

Teal’c gave her a little bow and left her office.

-----------

Teal’c stood in front of Daniel’s office again. He could see the flickering of the monitor so his friend must be inside and working on his research about their new allies.

General Hammond had requested a compendium about their new allies for the government of the Ta’uri and the SGC personnel so that everyone would be able to learn about them. He’d seen the excitement in the young man’s eyes and knew that the linguist would love to provide such a compendium.

Teal’c opened the door to enter the office, but was a little taken aback again.
DanielJackson was not sitting at his desk.

There were a lot of papers and books on the desk and even on the floor. Piles of small memos and notes on concepts. But the chair was empty.

Teal’c entered the office fully to take a look around. Maybe DanielJackson was just searching for another book on his shelves. His raised both of his brows when he spotted the archeologist. He was curled up and resting on the small cot in his office. There was no sign that Teal’c had disturbed his sleep. The jaffa walked over to the cot taking a blanket from a stool next to it and tucked Daniel in. He noticed the sweat on his forehead but felt no sign of a raised temperature when he gently laid his hand on it.

He was tempted to fetch DoctorFraiser but she had already explained that tests would not help them, but that they had to find out the reason. So he decided to keep a keen eye on the man.

------------

Daniel was in high spirits for this day’s mission. He’d been able to nearly finish the concept of the compendium after his little morning nap. No more sleepiness and more important no nausea. He had even managed to chat with Sam about their new allies as promised. Of course, there were still the questions about their culture and how it had transpired that they’d obviously adopted Yoruban, but for this he would have time after today’s mission to P7-84X.

The data the UAV had sent back was fascinating. There was something like a large temple construction and further analysis had shown that there was no civilization. At least not for 20 klicks around the Stargate.

Teal’c had checked on him and brought him some light food. He’d asked what Jack was doing – because he thought it odd that his friend was not trying to drive him nuts the whole day – and Teal’c had explained that Jack was being stressed out by some new inductees.

This morning he’d had to undergo another examination and Janet had declared him fit and ready for action. So here he was standing next to his teammates and waiting for the go from the general. Jack moved to stand next to him as he always did.

“Hey! Ya okay, Daniel?”, he smiled at him.

Daniel felt some kind of wave going through his body but chalked it up to his excitement.

“Yup. I’m fine. Can’t wait to get there and take a closer look at this temple!”

He grinned at Jack though his mood was sinking a little. The colonel rolled his eyes.

“Awh, that is going to be so boring”, he whined. “Ya gonna play with the rocks and we will be forced to watch you and will be bored to death.”

“Not me, Sir.”, Carter quipped in.“There were some very interesting ratings around those temple I want to check out.”

“Carter, that doesn’t make me feel any better about the prospect of excitement on this mission”, Jack replied.

As the gate kawhooshed into action and General Hammond started to bid them farewell Daniel’s world suddenly started to spin.

In his ears he could hear nothing but the rush of his own blood. His knees buckled and the nausea had returned as if from nowhere. He gasped to will the bile down but now he couldn’t even differentiate up from down. His eyes were drifting shut and he was barley aware that he was falling. Strong hands grabbed him but he was still - falling.

The coldness on his back told him that he must have reached the floor. He could hear voices but they seem to come from another universe at least. Daniel forced his eyes open and tried to focus on something to pull away from the darkness closing in on him. When he managed to open his eyes fully, his vision was blurry. Somehow he must have lost his glasses on his way down.

Jack reached for him asking him what was wrong with some kind of panic in his voice. He could see Sam’s concerned face and Janet entering the ‘gate room in the corner of his eye. Then Jack touched his cheek and all hell broke loose in his body.

The touch was like an electric shock, about 120 voltage at least! And his body started to jerk wildly. His sickness simply overpowered him. Somehow Daniel managed to turn sideways and away from all those people around him before he started to throw up on the ‘gate room floor.

When he’d finished his nasty business and the spasms in his body started to settle down someone was pulling him into his arms and lifting him up.

Than Daniel was grateful to sink in the world of sleep. Or was this unconsciousness?

--------------

He could hear whispering voices coming far away from his current level of existence. The voices grew louder and Daniel realized that whispering was the opposite of the truth.

Jack was shouting at someone.

“Colonel O’Neill if you don’t calm down right now I will have to ban you to your office, is that understood.”

That was the General’s voice booming.

What in hell was going on? Why would they fight among each other? And why was he here resting on a bed and not exploring the temple on P7-84X?

Oh no he’d done it again! Collapsed and messed their mission up. Daniel whimpered at this thought.

He must have been louder than he’d thought, because suddenly all eyes were on him.

Well not all because Teal’c was dragging Jack out of the room.

“Why.. were is Jack going? Why was he shouting.. did I.. did I hurt someone?”

Janet came in his view and flashed her nasty tiny light in his eyes.

“Hey Daniel it’s great to have you back with us. How are you feeling?” She even managed to smile at him but her eyes remained filled with concern.

“I know you wont believe me.., but actually I feel good. Still a little tired but far away from a while little ago.”

At this Janet laughed out, shaking her head. He looked at her with questioning eyes.

“A little while ago? Daniel you slept nearly 15 hours and I didn’t have to sedate you either.”

His eyes widened at this information.

“15 hours?” he squeaked.

Janet nodded her head.

“But why.. I .. I don’t understand I was feeling good, great even, you gave me clearance for the ‘mission..?”

“I know what I did Daniel.” Janet answered in a very tight voice.

“The colonel had already pointed out that I’ve obviously lost my medical skills..”

That statement shocked Daniel even more.

“No, no.. Janet that was not what I meant to say..” Daniel took her hand and gave her a smile full of assurance.

“..I just don’t understand what is wrong with me, that I have those bouts out of the blue.”

What if it would have happened during the mission..” Now his arms waved though the air.

“Shhh Daniel..” she put her index finger on his mouth to shut him up gently.

“Teal’c and I think we know what is the cause for the sleeping attacks and the nausea we just don’t understand why..”

“Teal’c and you..? So, what is it?” Daniel’s brows arched up and his big blue eyes were focused on the doctor.

She bit her lip.

“We think that Colonel O’Neill is the cause of your sudden indispositions” Teal’c answered in his stoic voice.


“What?!“ Daniel set up straight on his bed. Eyes widened impossibly, even more with shock.

Janet laid her hands on his shoulders and pushed him back down.

“Shh, Daniel listen first. We are all not happy about this but it seems to be the only answer so far. The Colonel was angry not being allowed near to you that was why he was shouting when you woke up.”

“Teal’c, Sam, Jack and I had enough time to discuss this while you were asleep. Yesterday morning there was nothing wrong with you. I may have lost my instinct, but I still can read test results. We watched the tape of this event again and again. You started to shiver lightly when the colonel moved to stand next to you, as he always does.” Janet’s voice was sad and very small, but she continued.

“Even a little more when he patted your shoulder a few seconds. Then he was talking to Sam but still standing next to you for about two other minutes. This closeness seemed to be enough for your body to react in a similar manner to a very severe allergic shock.” The Doc was staring at a point on his light blanket or glancing towards his friends, but clearly avoiding looking directly at him.

“We still don’t know why, but it is clear to be seen, in the moment the Colonel asked you what was going on and touched your cheek slightly.. you looked like something electrical had hit you.”

Daniel nodded absently at her

“It felt like it..” he whispered unhappily.

“Daniel we will find out why this is happening” Sam offered. “It must have something to do with our new allies or their planet at least we will…..”

At that precise moment, red lights went off and the SGC alarm started to sound.


Everyone started to run off to the gateroom, while a synthesised voice announced “Unauthorized Stargate Activation”. Daniel had never seen a room being deserted that fast.

Janet turned to him.

“Daniel you’ll stay here I’ve to go and see whether I am needed.” With this she motioned her staff to follow her.


Daniel barely waited till she was gone before muttering “Yeahsurebetcha. And Joulupukki is visiting me every Christmas.” And off the bed he was.

It had been so much easier this time. He hadn’t even worn this ridiculous infirmary shimmy, and now he was dressed in some fresh BDUs which had been handily placed on a stool next to his bed. There had been no needles in his arm or tubes in other awkward parts of his body. So he started to make his way to the embarcation room.

The lights were still off, but the alarm had been silenced. Maybe it was all over yet – NAH.

When he entered the ‘gate room there were no weapons drawn. The marines stood at attention but their weapons were dangling beside their bodies. Some kind of screen was hanging freely in the air in front of the stargate. Everyone was staring at it. Apart from the General, Janet and three members of SG1.

So far no one seem to have noticed him. They were absorbed in a very fierce discussion. Janet nearly shouted at her CO then was silenced by Jack.“..but we don’t understand them and SG-7 are tied up there on the walls as if they are going to be sacrificed ..”, he replied.

- What!! – SG7 tied up on a wall.. what the hell was going on here.. and why SG7? They hadn’t been scheduled for any missions this week..”

“Daniel is our best chance to understand what we will have to do to get them free..”

“No Colonel I can’t put that kind of pressure on him. You yourself demanded this very morning that I should take more care of my patient’s health and now you are telling me to drag him into the ‘gate room so that he will have to undergo another bout..”

“But I am already here, Janet.” He said in a calm, steady but in a dominating voice while stepping closer to them.

All eyes were suddenly turned towards him - again.

“DanielJackson you need to go back to the infirmary immediately.” Teal’c said to him in a voice that brooked no argument and stepped towards the archaeologist whilst, at the same time, between him and Jack, acting like a living shield.

Daniel tried it anyway.

“No, no not before you told me what in hell is going on here and why you’re both fighting again. I am here and I am fine.” He turned toward the petite woman looking like she was willing to tear him a new one. Daniel swallowed.

“As far as I understood you Janet I’ll be fine as long as I keep my distance from .. Jack.”

The words were spoken very low and they felt so wrong. He looked at his best friend and saw the hurt flashing across his face. Daniel turned his eyes to the ground and whispered “Sorry Jack”

Then his head went up again concentrating on the task at hand and looking at General Hammond he asked again “So what is this all about?”

The General sighed audibly.

“SG7 went to the planet which was scheduled for you yesterday. I decided that they could record the markings for you on the temple and do the tests Major Carter had in mind.”

George Hammond looked at him, continuing in a softer voice: “I thought it would be good for you to have something to work on while Doctor Fraiser could work on the cause of your bouts, son.”

He looked at Daniel with concern. It was not ideal to tell the young man that SG7 was in this awkward position because SG1 couldn’t go there as planned. No question Dr Jackson would blame himself for it should this not turn out okay.

“Unfortunately the continent was not as uninhabitant as the UAV and readings had promised, and they ran into some native people who were obviously not very happy about them intruding in their temple. They tied all 5 members up and pinned them to a wall inside the temple. They have been talking to us but we don’t understand what they are saying.”

Daniel nodded to the General. Then took off to get closer to the screen noting that Jack was turning in the opposite direction. How long could they do this. It was just not right! Jack was his very best friend he could never bear to have to continue to keep this safety margin.

Daniel swayed a little and was steadied by the hand of General Hammond on his back – he also saw the automatic reaction coming from Jack, who was on his way to help him in the one moment, before remembering that he was not allowed to in the next.

Janet opened her mouth to protest but Daniel silenced her raising his arm.

The woman on the screen watched them closely and when she saw that their attention was back with her she motioned her people to stand at attention too.

Daniel’s eyes widened as he could look more attentively at her. She was actually wearing some kind of ancient oriental clothes. So these were definitely not the people who’d built this temple. The markings he’d seen had nothing to do with Mesopotamia or the area around it. He was not sure if he could help here.

He could feel all eyes staring at him even as the woman started to speak. Very fast and in a surprisingly deep, rasping voice. When she finally took a break and looked at him expectantly, he closed his eyes to concentrate again on the spoken words.

Two or three words had been familiar from an arabic language but he was sure the rest of it he’d never heard spoken aloud before.

“Daniel..?”, despite of the situation he smiled, but it vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

“Jack.. I am not sure about this.” he replied, but silenced his friend before he could utter a remark.

“I know the words, but just from old prayers.. at least that’s what I am thinking..”

“So where is the prob Danny..?”

“Well I never actually heard them.. I once went on a dig in today's Syria and there were some artefacts with this language on them.. but it’s not related to former Mesopotamia, it is another dead language which belongs neither to ancient oriental nor Semitic or Indo-European..”

“ACHT! Stop rambling Daniel, I don’t care about the details I ask you again, if you know it, where is the problem here..”

Daniel’s thoughts were spinning around in his head so he closed his eyes to sort them.. of course Jack didn’t care.. but he had to remember.. there had been a lot of discussions about the roots of it .. and of course..!!


Daniel was no longer aware that he hadn’t answered Jack’s question and that every single person in the ‘gate room and on the screen in front of him were staring at him and waiting for any kind of response. But he came back from his world when he heard a very concerned “Daniel?” from the far end of the room.

It was Jack. Daniel opened his eyes, but again refrianed from answering Jack, he had to concentrate.

“I think this is kind of Elamanic. As I explained it’s a dead language and I have never heard it spoken, but I think with a certain book form my office and a bit time I might be able to answer all their questions.”

“Questions?” came the echo from nearly everyone standing around him.

Daniel looked at them puzzled but than it occurred him that he’d not explained what the people on the planet had in their minds. He shook his head again to clear his thoughts.

“I’m sorry I didn’t actually translate it for you did I, huh.” “No Doctor Jackson. But feel free to fill us in.” General Hammond answered, while Janet’s frown she was aiming at him became darker and darker.

Daniel turned to the woman on the screen because he thought it would be better to tell her first that he’d understood and would try to arrange everything. It was really odd that a woman was the leader, but he would have enough time to think about this later. Right now it was just important to free SG7. The woman nodded her approval with a wide grin and sat down.

“Wow! That sounded really strange Daniel.”Sam stated.

Daniel turned and swayed again a little before starting to explain.

“Look I know for us this is a really serious situation, but for them it is actually some kind of.. game.”

“A game Doctor Jackson?!” The General said in a loud slightly impatient voice.

“They’ve tied up my people and pinned them on a wall I don’t think ‘game’ is a adequate description for this situation, Doctor”

Daniel blinked, stunned at the General’s reaction, then placed his hands in a defensive position.

“But General, this is exactly what this is all about. Look let me explain. Ahh.. actually this was an old kind of cognition game. Mostly played by kids. Somehow on this planet it became more something like a ritual. You tie someone up and pin him where ever you know that he or she can’t free themselves. And then you sit down in a circle with the friends or family of the person you’ve caught and tied up and start to ask questions, riddles.. or whatever. “

Daniel was pacing around the room waving his hands to underline his words. His eyes shooting from one to another and than back to the General.

“The only point is that you learn new things, and with every answer you give them, one of the fetters will be removed, eventually freeing the captive.”

Everyone was looking at him in awe. He could see Jack shaking his head and Teal’c arching his brow.

“But what if they don’t like our responses. Will they punish our people then?” Hammond asked further. Daniel’s face fall.

Oh.. he hadn’t thought about this possibility - something was really wrong with him. So he turned to speak again to the Elamic people. The answer put a smile on his face.

“No General. Sayce - the leader of this clan - promised me that there are no rules for punishment. But our people will not be able to eat, drink or respond to other calls of nature until he or she is freed by us.”

“Acht Daniel wouldn’t it be easier to just go through the ‘gate and cut SG7 down instead of playing this - game?” Jack spoke to him and automatically moved a little closer.

Daniel was shocked how he could really feel how his body was reacting to his friend’s proximity. Again he could hear the blood rushing in his ears and before he could do anything he was sitting on the floor to avoid another sudden downfall.

“DanielJackson?” Teal’c was next to him in no time, as was Janet.

Jack immediately stepped two paces back. It made Daniel’s heart hurt, to just witness this chain reaction.

“It’s okay I’m fine. Just let me sit here, okay?”

He looked at his friend and shook his head in answer to his earlier, impulsive suggestion.

“No Jack that won’t work. As simple as those people look – despite of their screen here - they have got some kind of security mechanism at their stargate. So we can’t go through it without their permission. Sayce said we could try it and proove their system.”

The General nodded to Sam and she started the UAV and sent it through the gate. Just some seconds after it’s arrival the Sergeant sitting in the control room above announced that the UAV had disappeared from their monitor.

That convinced the General. The SGC staff looked very concerned now, while the strangers had rather amused faces.

“Okay, what do we need Doctor Jackson?” Hammond asked.

“Well considering the time this will take we shall move to the briefing room, sir.” Daniel spoke up from his spot on the floor.

“The room is ideal because we will be able to sit there in a kind of circle around the table as demanded. Sayce will choose which of us has to take part. Judging by the people surrounding her, she’ll choose every officer of a higher rank in this room. So that would actually not include myself, but, on the other hand, I can’t be excluded because I will have to translate the conversation. I am sure she will name Jack too and there is no way that we are able to deny her request so ..”

“No Daniel. You know that you will be not able to keep awake and focused for long if the Colonel and you remain in close proximity.” Janet interrupted in her doctor’s orders voice. Daniel winced, as did Jack.

“And I need some books from my office.” Daniel continued as if she hadn’t spoken, but then turned to her and gave her one of his best tactical smiles.

“I’ll be fine Janet. The sooner we start and get SG7 free the sooner we will be able to solve this... issue. We can’t let them hang there pinned on a wall, just because of me and my strange new sleeping habits.” He assured her in a calm voice.

She shook her head. “It’s not just the sleep and you know it!” Janet sighed audibly.

“But I’ll be in the briefing room with you, no matter what the rules are, and if I notice that you’re showing any indications of feeling ill, I’ll stop this outright!”

Oh gods, none of his smiles from his repertoire could help him here, Janet was definitely in Napoleonic-mode.

--------------

Half an hour later SG1, General Hammond, Janet Fraiser, Colonel Makepeace and Sergeant Ferretti were sitting in the briefing room. The screen was now placed in the center of the table and the game could begin.

Daniel translated the questions and answers which had to be given on rotation. They had questions about nearly everything: family, languages, their planet, their people, their customs, laws, food, religion and a hundred other topics. Daniel was fascinated by those people and started to made some notes. He was aware too, that Jack kept a very close eye on him, but tried to ignore him and the sombre mood that came with the thoughts of his friend – he decided it would be best for him to concentrate 120 percent on those people and his task, and to sort other thing out later.

“They are really interested in our replies”, he muttered, getting no reply, just the curious eyes that were turned on him. Daniel smiled an ‘Oops-I-said-that-out-loud-smile’ and closed his mouth with a snap, turning his gaze back to the screen.

These were people who gave him more riddles than he had ever dared to ask for. Unfortunately they had no ‘captive’ of those people – if they did, he could ask them a lot of questions and learn so much. Maybe they could do this later. Well not the ‘capturing’ of course, maybe some kind of cultural exchange, but hopefully, learning about them might be possible.

At the moment the General was clearing his throat and preparing himself to answer the question about their way of reproduction. Daniel couldn’t keep the smile from his face. But while doing so, he noticed a slight throbbing in his head and his smile faded. That was so not good.

2 hours later the first 2 members of SG7 were free and sitting next to the Elamic people, eating and drinking what was offered. Daniel was anxious to avoid thinking about eating. He was not sure whether it would be constructive if he suddenly leapt up and ran for the nearby restroom. So he focused very hard on his translating, but the dizzy feeling was not very helpful.

Luckily for him, Sayce declared that they would take a short break before they continued with their inquiries. All present in the briefing room were more than happy too oblige, and Jack called the comm to have them deliver them some food. Daniel used the time when everyone was deciding what to order, to slip out of the room. Making his way to aforementioned restroom.

On his way back he felt much more better. The dizziness was gone and he was not too sleepy any more. And there were just 3 other people left to free. So maybe another 2 hours and everything would be over and he could take a nap. He had to smile at this thought and re-entered the briefing room.

Most of his friends had already finished half of their very late lunch and the mood seemed to be lighter now. He felt a little spasm in his stomach so he decided against trying to eat. Janet got up and came over to him. She laid her hand on his forearm and watched him closely.

“You okay?”

He nodded “Better now, thank you. Let’s get going with getting this finished.”

That Janet was not convinced by his words was written all over her face, yet she nodded her agreement and led him back to his seat next to her. Teal’c also did not look like a happy camper when he’d finished looking Daniel up and down. Jack cast a questioning look toward him so Daniel decided to send him another one of his best smiles – it wasn’t really Jack’s fault, so the least thing he could do was to try and cheer him up a little. It felt so strange to sit so far away from him. When this was over Daniel would volunteer for fishing trips and hockey nights and even abandon his work on time in an effort to make it up to him.

The session continued 5 minutes later. Though the answers were shorter, and the bonds cut faster, for Daniel it felt like eternity, or at least an aeon. Just 30 minutes had passed and the CO of SG7 was almost free but he was feeling much worse than before his little trip to the restroom.

All of his concentration was now on the translation and to find the most concise answers to the questions which were aimed at him. He’d stopped to analyse and catalogue the questions of the strangers, he didn’t think he could keep this effort up for much longer. Janet had glared at him very pointedly, so he tried not to sink any lower in his chair, trying to keep his current position. Teal’c on the other side of him had started to pinch him occasioanlly so that he would not fall asleep on the briefing room table.

After the Major was cut free, seated next to the others of SG7 and started to eat, Daniel had to grasp the nettle and request a short break. Sayce gave him permission and he was nearly running for the restroom this time. No longer caring if the others saw or not. He reached the toilet in time and because of the lack of food emptied his gastric juices into it. He was shaking all over like the morning after the breakfast with Jack and cold sweat was running down his face and back.

Life really sucks sometimes he thought. How could they ever put an end to this. Maybe Jack would have to go back to their new allies and ask them for the reasons. It must have been an accident it could not be that they’d done this on purpose.. and he was sure that the answers would come from that planet..

“DanielJackson are you in here?” Teal’c’s deep voice brought him back into the here and now, and the current task he had to complete. He nearly jumped to his feet, regretting it in the same moment because he had to grab for the door to steady himself.

“Yeah Teal’c, I am in here” he remembered to answer, and opened the door. He must’ve looked like crap, because the jaffa was at his side in one short motion and slung his arm helpfully around his waist.

“It’s okay I think I am ready for the next round” He said, but started to stumble because of another wave of dizziness.

“I do not believe you are speaking truth DanielJackson. But my orders are to escort you back to finish this game as soon as possible.”

Daniel now splashed some cold water in his face and turned to leave his new second home.

Actually it would be Jack who’d support him and help him to get through this – not that he minded Teal’c, he was also very close to him - but ironically Jack was the cause for this. No, no not the cause, that was not right, but, something must have changed within Jack to provoke this reaction. But why, and why was he the only one who reacted to it??

They halted and Daniel noticed that they were standing in front of the briefing room. He took a deep breath opened the door and entered walking straight to his chair. Jack looked at him in concern, and so apologetically that Daniel could feel his heart sinking. How bad must Jack feel just because of him? That was so not right! Daniel could not help but send him another reassuring smile.

“General please Daniel is too weak for that, we have to stop this now! I am not willing to just sit here anymore and not be able to do anything!”

Daniel could see that the General himself was torn, so before the man from Texas could say anything which would cause another debacle Daniel jumped in.

“Janet please it is okay..” She turned toward him furious, but her exprssion changed when she saw him.

“No Daniel nothing is okay and you damn well know it! You need a break, you need rest and you need to get farther away from the Colonel as long as we don’t know..” Daniel was standing to attention now.

“Stop it Janet you can’t blame Jack for this! He’s not doing it on purpose! And as you can see I am the only one who is reacting to whatever it is. No one else! It is just my damn body which can’t cope with a change within or around Jack. I can’t just walk out because of this adverse fate, go to sleep and leave SG7 behind on this planet, don’t you understand this!” He swayed again from the effort he’d tried to put behind his words. Seemed to have become his most favorite status he thought.

Everyone was utterly silent in the room. Even the Elamic people had stopped whatever they’d done during the break and were looking at him. To ease the awkward situation the General nodded him his permission to continue.

Daniel dropped heavily back onto his chair. Janet walked over to the table with the refreshments and did something Daniel never would have dare to request from her. When she came back to sit next to him she’d put a big pot of hot black coffee in front of his nose. As serious as the situation was, he couldn’t help but grin at this.

“Don’t you ever expect or ask me to do this again.” She snarled, but in a voice that asked him for understanding. Daniel squeezed her hand and took a large sip from the coffee before telling Sayce that they were ready to continue.

---------

Thanks to the coffee, his spirits were better than he’d expected. Or it had been just the rush of adrenaline after his little fight with Janet, but fact was that he could do his job for nearly 45 minutes before the symptoms grew to an unpleasant level, again.

So far SG7 member number four was still tied from waist to feet so he would have to translate another 30 questions and replies. But it wouldn’t help him a lot to count down remaining issues, so he searched for another distraction. And found it on the far end of the table.

Jack.

He was sitting there, trying to play every thing down, but Daniel could see the worry and hurt in the Colonel’s eyes. He was so sorry about their current situation. They had to find out why this could have happened. Maybe Jack had brought something with him from the planet .. or maybe it was not Jack but Him!

“Doctor Jackson?”

Hammonds voice brought him out of his reverie and back to the briefing room. He could feel Janet’s hand on his own. ‘Oops’ obviously he’d found a very good distraction, making his thoughts wander too far away from the game.

“Huh.., I am sorry General what was the question?”

“DanielJackson it was your turn to interpret the answer from Major Carter.” Teal’c told him and Sam sent him a worrying – well was that actually a smile – kind of.

“Oh. I’m sorry Sam could you please re-state it for me?”

“You sure Daniel?”

He nodded. Which had been a bad idea because his head started pounding, instead of the light throbbing and the world spinning. But just lightly.

“Yeah.. ahem.. go on.” He said, kicking himself mentally for his shaking voice.

Janet’s hand squeezed his a little tighter. Daniel listened this time and started to translate Sam’s reply, choosing to pick up his pencil by means of a distraction. He also decided that it would be good to look at the person who was speaking to him. So he shifted his gaze to the screen and from the screen to the answering person, and then back to the screen for interpretation. That worked out well for another 10 minutes.. or so.

The down side was that the time he needed for the translation became longer and longer. He’d tried to concentrate on too much. On the voices talking to him, on breathing, on making his hands stop trembling, on not closing his eyes an instant too long so that he would fall asleep, on reminding his stomach that there was nothing inside it he could offer to the toilet, on clearing the cobwebs in his mind, and on stopping his world spinning.

The last one was actually not the most important thing to do, as long as he could sit he had no problem with the spinning, but his blurred vision was another problem. He’d played with the notion of putting his glasses away because they were actually useless, but on the other hand this act would make the others even more cynical about him, so he left them where they where.

When Daniel felt that stopping trembling of his hands was too much effort he put the pencil down again and let his free hand slip on his knee to lay and tremble there. Teal’c saw it - of course - and started to open his mouth. Daniel used his now free hand to lay it on the jaffa’s forearm and shook his head very slightly.

He’d love to look up and send Jack yet another assuring smile, but he just couldn’t do it any longer. Staring straight was much more easy for his brain to comprehend. And hey! Just five more questions and Malaczyncy was free to go.

Teal’c pinched him and Daniel shot back to attention.

He was so glad when he saw the last bond been cut, he even wasted some energy on a smile. Then Daniel knew he would have to beg for another break, so he did. But this time Sayce denied his request.

“What? But why..” he asked in English instead of Elamic.

“Doctor Jackson is there something going wrong with the progress of the game?“

Daniel had to draw a deep breath before answering.

”No.. no General I ahh just had to request another short break but Sayce denied it unfortunately so I..”

He continued no further. He jumped up and took off. His body forgetting all the nasty symptoms for some moments, adrenaline working it’s magic on him.

But he didn’t get far. Just out of the briefing room and then he puked again. Leaning up against the wall behind him but sinking slowly down to the ground blushing at the same time he apologized to the sergeant on duty coming from the control room. Teal’c was by his side and dragged him back to his feet. A look on his face Daniel couldn’t interpret.

“DanielJackson there is something going on within the temple on P7-84X.”

The archeologist was shocked. Maybe all the last hours had been for nothing just because he’d left the room without permission. Oh god how much worse could this day become! He mentally kicked himself again, but there was no time for self-pity. Pulling himself together again he went back into the room starting to apologize with all good manners he could muster.

Sayce waved him to stop, and Daniel followed her order promptly. Looking at her he steeled himself for whatever would come, and took another deep breath. The room was so silent he could hear the blood rushing through his veins. Teal’c stepped behind him laying his hand on his back to steady his body.

When Sayce had told him her verse, he was so perplexed that he sat down forgetting that there had been no chair behind him, so he found himself sitting right back on the floor. The whole room was throwing questions at him. Jack was the one who silenced them. General Hammond the man who spoke to him.

“Doctor Jackson what did the leader say?”

Daniel rubbed his eyes and started to look up at his CO, but found it rather difficult, so he choose a spot on the floor. He was aware that Janet was now sitting next to him and started to check him over, muttering something about rather worrying about Daniel.

“No General we have not lost the game.” Every one was breathing in relief.

“But?”Jack interjected.

Daniel smiled. “There is no but, Jack. Sayce denied the break I requested because she agreed with her clan to end the game because I was obviously feeling not very.. well. So the sergeant will be freed and the Elamic will prepare the stargate for SG7 to return within the next hour.” This time he looked up a smile of pure relief on his face while the darkness was pulling at him so intensely that he gave in at least.

------

Jack was sitting on a bench in the locker room staring at his empty hands. He was so furious, yet instead of punching something he was just sitting there. He couldn’t bring himself to get up and do anything. He felt too depressed. And besides he might not be able to stop his rage in time and hurt himself or someone. And way more important was that he certainly would not help Daniel with such an act.

The man had fought so hard today and tried to support Jack. Making sure Jack would not blame himself or let the hurt take over. Daniel had put all his trust in Jack in little gestures, like a smile or a slight nod. He’d even written a note for him during the long session in the briefing room and passed it to him under the table like kids in a boring school lesson – though Jack couldn’t imagine Daniel being bored at school.

Jack had to fight hard to not lough out loud when he’d read the bad joke and Daniel’s words to him. So the last thing he could do was avoiding to make Daniel feel even worse when he woke up. Though Janet had said to Teal’c that the young man would sleep during the next 10 hours at least, considering the former bouts. She’d put an IV in his arm because of the whole puking but not eating stuff. And dehydration.

Jack had not talked to her. He could feel that she was still angry at him and at the General too. Actually, the General had always listen to her authority as CMO of the base, but this time neither medical facts nor her pleading had been successful in stopping Daniel’s suffering. She was so wrathful she’d just sent the official medical report to the General.

Sam had been torn between her friends and her commanding officers. And as all the other officers had not dare to interfere. She was now sitting next to Daniel waiting for him to wake up - actually that would have been his damn place. Though that Daniel was sound asleep. She’d declined the offer to go to the planet and do her studies and asking about their ‘gate protection.

Teal’c was still with Janet doing tests with Daniel’s blood and other things.

While Jack could do nothing usefull.

Oh but the jaffa had spoken to him whether he wanted to hear it or not. He’d even spoken out loud, which he did on very rare occasions. Teal’c was a warrior who understood that sometimes one has to be ‘sacrificed’ for the good of many others – he himself was the best example - but he’d pointed out very clearly that in this case they had too easily accepted Daniel’s help, caring not enough about consequences for the young man. And Jack couldn’t deny it. He’d seen Daniel himself during the game, but Teal’c had been the one this time who had been standing with Daniel and helping him through some very of the worse moments.

Jack sighed and absently put his hands in his pocket fingering at a small mojo he’d won during a..

He jumped up running towards the infirmary to find Janet and Teal’c.

-------

“Hey Janet, T you have some time?” Jack entered the lab without waiting for permission.

The doc was glaring at him but nodded. Teal’c arched his brow.

“O’Neill ?”

Jack pulled out the mojo from his pocket.

“I was sitting in the locker room thinking about the day, when I became aware of this.” He gave the mojo to Janet. It smelt very strange, and not much bigger than a table tennis ball in size and, It’s gauze covering felt strange too.

“And what exactly is this?” Janet interjected.

“It’s something I won!” Jack answered proudly. At this declaration, both were looking at him like he’d grown a second head.

“Look while we were with the Shmorkanians, Daniel did his work with the negotiations. Sam did her science thingy, Teal’c observed and I decided after two days to have some fun with the kids there. We played some kind of memory game with strange symbols and I lost often so one of the midgets gave me this mojo. Promised me it would bring me.. luck.” By his last very low spoken words Jack’s face turned to one of the most teariest Janet had ever seen. His gaze was turned to the direction were Daniel was sleeping.

“It’s the only thing I can think of that could possibly be the cause of what’s going on with Daniel…and me….”

Janet patted his arm and took he mojo from him.

“Okay Jack we will run some tests and see what it is and then..”

“DoctorFraiser would it not be simpler if one of us would take this mojo and go over to DanielJackson’s bed. We should be able to detect a change in his current status of sleep if this object is indeed responsible for his bouts.”

Janet shook her head but when she saw Jack’s pleading face and Tealc’s eyes full of expectation she changed her mind and motioned Teal’c to go on.

She followed him but Jack had to stand back - again. He hated this so much. Heaven help him this just must be the cause of it all! He knew of no other solution.

When Teal’c moved over to the bad Sam jumped up suddenly.

“Janet come here! There is something wrong with Daniel. His pulse has quickened for no apparent reason, and he’s sweating, but also icy cold.” She fussed about him.

Janet was by Sam’s side in one smooth movement and checked on Daniel herself.

“Teal’c step back to the far end.”

The jaffa bowed and did as he was told.

“Okay Daniel’s pulse is returning to a normal rate. Now come back and give Sam the mojo.”

He did as requested and now Sam moved to the far end and Teal’c kept standing next to Daniel’s side. The effect was similar to their first round.

Sam left, placing the mojo on a lab-desk.

“I think you can go inside, sir.” She smiled at him, knowing how important this development was.

The colonel was uncertain but moved closer to his friend. Janet concentrated on checking Daniel’s reactions but there was no quickening of his pulse or any other signs, it also appeared that he was starting to wake up.

When Daniel opened his eyes, very slowly he actually did not feel like waking up. But something had woken him. A sudden up and down feeling within his body. Then his vision cleared a little and through the fog he could see the face of his closest friend.

“J’ck?” he managed to squeak out. The colonel just grinned at him and nodded.

“Daniel, Jack I think we have found the wrongdoer.” He could hear Janets voice from the left of him and turned to her.

“Huh?”

“Shhh.. we’ll explain later go back to sleep.” Daniel returned his gaze toward Jack, but for once Daniel intended to follow an direct order and closed his eyes yet mumbling “’S good to have ya back J’ck”

The colonel grinned even wider at this and sat down on an oh so familiar uncomfortable plastic chair.

But he didn’t care this time, just because he could, he would sit here and watch Daniel sleep.



LOPETA

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