Daniel quietly swung the door to the bedroom open, stepping into the dimly lit room. Teal’c had just entered the room from the basement stairway, some items clasped tightly in his hands. He flashed Teal’c a weak smile, as he closed the door behind him, walking up to the bed, his feet barely making a sound.

Teal’c closed the closet doors, blocking out the sight of the stairs leading to the dungeon below. Apparently, Teal’c was going for the out-of-sight, out-of-mind line of reasoning. Daniel couldn’t agree with him more.

Daniel shifted his gaze to the figure lying in the bed before him. Jack looked small, the white of the bandages just emphasizing his ashen complexion. The covers had been pulled up to his waist and were perfectly smooth. His chest rose and fell steadily, his face finally relaxed in slumber.

Daniel eyed the items in Teal’c’s hand. "What’s that?" he whispered, pausing next to the bed.

"Doctor Fraiser wished to have these items," Teal’c said, opening his hand to reveal an unmarked drug ampule and a used syringe.

Daniel could feel his eyes widen in surprise. That must have been what was used on Jack, he realized. "Oh."

"I will return once I have given these to Doctor Fraiser," Teal’c said.

"It’s okay, Teal’c. I’ll stay with him for a while. Why don’t you give Sam a hand?" Daniel said, his voice a whisper. Teal’c bowed his head regally and stepped around the bed, pausing by Daniel and resting a large hand on his shoulder.

"Do not grieve, Daniel Jackson. O’Neill is a strong warrior and he will fight this and he will prevail." Teal’c paused, his eyes boring into Daniel’s. When he finally continued, Daniel could have sworn that Teal’c could read his mind. "O’Neill would not hold you to blame for any of this. It is not his nature, or mine. We must be strong for him, remember that."

Daniel nodded silently, not certain his voice would work.

Once, Teal’c left, closing the door quietly behind him, Daniel sighed deeply, expelling a long breath, trying to hold the tears back. His arms crossed over his chest, Daniel paced a few steps away from the bed, calming his mind and controlling his thoughts. Grabbing a chair, he pulled it to the far side of the room, nearest the closet. If Janet had to check on Jack, it would be easier for her to do it on the other side of the bed.

Slumping down in the chair, Daniel’s hand automatically reached out to grab Jack’s, but he stopped himself just in time, remembering what happened when they touched Jack.

He stifled a cry remembering what they’d had to do to free Jack from his restraints, how painful it had to have been with every touch of their fingers upon his skin.

How he’d hurt Jack in more ways than one. First, emotionally and now physically.

It was as if someone had punched Daniel in the stomach.

He felt weak. He felt sick. He could feel his eyes starting to fill with tears. He took of his glasses, pressing the heel of his hands into his eyes, trying to wipe away the tears before they fell. He couldn’t fall apart now. He needed to be strong—for Jack.

He pushed his feelings down and began to do what he did best: communicate.

"Jack…" Daniel started, his voice whisper quiet. "I…wanted to say that I was sorry…for everything. If only we hadn’t fought, if only I hadn’t pushed you away, maybe things would have been different. Maybe we wouldn’t be sitting here right now.

"I feel responsible for what’s happened. I know Teal’c says that you don’t blame me, but, I just wanted to say that if you did, it’s okay. I understand. If it helps you get through this experience, then that’s what I want. If you’ll let me, I’ll be with you every step of the way."

Daniel paused, pulling off his glasses and wiping a hand across his weary face. Pocketing the glasses, he composed his thoughts again before he continued. "Jack, I just want you to know…this really scared me. You’re family to me. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you. I don’t think I could bear it…" His voice trailed off. What else could he say?

Daniel leaned back in the chair by Jack’s bedside, determined to be there when Jack woke.

Out of the corner of her eye, Sam saw Janet and Teal’c speaking quietly in the corner. Sam was speaking with Sheriff Lane, trying to keep her attention focused on what he was saying. She knew that it was important, but it was just that she was split. She wanted to be in that room making sure the Colonel was okay, but there were other things that had to be done.

Wayne had vanished. They had to find his stash of camera recordings. They had to check in with General Hammond and arrange transport back to the SGC.

Thankfully, Sheriff Lane had already put out an all-points bulletin for Wayne Nichols. With the help of General Hammond, they’d made sure it got out to all law enforcement officers.

Lane had also established a round-the-clock guard for as long as they were at the house—just in case Wayne returned. While Lane didn’t think it was likely, there was always a possibility.

As Janet stepped closer, Lane stopped talking and turned to face the Doctor.

"How is he, Janet?" Sam asked.

"He’s sleeping, which is a good thing. It’ll help him heal. Daniel’s going to sit with him," Janet replied, her expression thoughtful.

"I don’t think you could drag him out of there now that you’ve let him in," Sam said lightly, a genuine smile coming to her face for the first time in hours.

Janet returned it warmly. "No, no one could, although, Daniel needs to sleep, as do you," Janet added pointedly.

"I’m fine, Janet," Sam said, shrugging off the hint. "Right now Sheriff Lane and I are trying to figure out where Wayne would have kept the recorders for the cameras." Sam paused, looking around again. "Janet, where’d Murray go?"

"He stepped outside on the porch. He needed some quiet time," Janet said simply. Sam got the hint that Teal’c had gone to kel’no’reem.

"So where should we look?" Janet continued. Sam knew that until Jack’s body was clear of the drugs, there wasn’t much for Janet to do but wait. It looked like Sam had acquired another partner.

"I thought that Wayne would keep them somewhere close, somewhere easy to access," Sam answered and she could feel her forehead furrowing as she concentrated. Her back and neck muscles were sore and tense. Right now, she’d pay real money for a massage.

"That would make sense," Janet said, eyeing the living room, her body turning in a circle.

"We’ve been through this house already and we didn’t find anything like you’re describing, Major," Lane argued.

"Well, if we’d given up earlier, Jack would still be downstairs," Sam stated harshly, all of her pent up frustrations coming out in that one sentence. At the Sheriff’s sheepish expression, Sam realized what she’d done. She sighed. "I’m sorry," she started to say, but Lane cut her off before she could continue.

"That’s okay, Major," Lane said, putting up his hands. "I should have realized how that sounded. Where do you want to start looking?"

Sam hesitated, glancing around the room. "What if they’re in the fireplace?" she asked, one eyebrow raised in thought. "Unless there’s a false wall or a hidden shelf or something either in here or in the spare room," Sam continued, thinking out loud. "The computer’s in the spare room and the televisions were stored in the closet there." Sam paused, a dark thought coming to her mind. At first she tossed it out, but then, remembering what she’d seen already, reconsidered. There’s no other televisions in any of the other rooms…what if that was his entertainment?"

"Oh God," Janet said, paling.

Lane’s face was set in a grim mask. "Where do you want to start?"

Teal’c heard a sharp cry and immediately jumped up, running into the house—followed quickly by two of the deputies.

In the living room floor, Sheriff Lane, Doctor Fraiser, and Major Carter were seated around a large hole in the floor near the fireplace, triumphant expressions on their faces.

"What has occurred?" Teal’c asked, stepping closer, his eyebrow climbing on his forehead.

Major Carter looked up, a broad smile on her face. "We’ve found the recorders," she said, pointing into the hole at her feet. "Now we just have to figure out how to get them out."

"I do not understand why you would be so triumphant," Teal’c said, trying not to allow his disgust show in his voice. "Why are you rejoicing? We should destroy those devices immediately."

"What?" Major Carter asked, her expression falling, confusion in her voice. "We needed to find them. They’re evidence—"

"Yes," Teal’c nodded. "They are evidence of what Wayne Nichols has done to O’Neill. We have seen the result of his torture and mistreatment. Is not that enough?"

"But, Teal’c," Major Carter began to say, rising to her feet and walking the few steps to his side.

Teal’c stiffened his back, bringing his full posture to bear. "Witnessing O’Neill’s torture will not make him well and serves no purpose other than to prolong the experience for all involved. O’Neill would not desire this and I will be no part of it."

Leaving them speechless, he left them where they were, and walked back out onto the porch and into the afternoon light.