As much as he wanted sleep to come, Jack O’Neill found that it wouldn’t. His mind and body, while exhausted, were supercharged, reality settling over him like a warm blanket.

He’d been rescued. He was in the infirmary. He was safe.
I
n the privacy of his own thoughts, he began rebuilding his defenses, thickening the wall surrounding his emotions, his soul. The only way he was going to get through this was if he were able to push everything to the back of his mind, locking it down, and throwing away the key.

The familiar sounds of the infirmary washed over him, providing a strange comfort. Here within these walls, he could find a certain degree of healing—if only he could withstand the knowing glances from his team and others. He’d seen the pity in Hammond’s eyes. He didn’t want that from him and, in some ways, Jack felt as if he had failed the General. He felt as if he had somehow disappointed a very good friend when he’d given up, when he’d broken.

He could only begin to imagine what kind of rumors were circling through the SGC right now, rumors that no doubt revolved around him and his current condition.

He shifted a little, trying to make himself more comfortable, but winced instead as a sharp pain flashed through his side reminding him to take it easy.

He didn’t even want to know what he looked like, Jack thought, glancing down at his chest. He couldn’t see the bandages, but he knew they were there.

His attention shifted to the door as it swung open silently and Teal’c stepped through. Without a word, Teal’c respectfully inclined his head toward O’Neill before closing the door.

Jack offered him a grateful smile. Out of everyone, Teal’c understood what he needed. Jack didn’t need someone to talk to, or someone to hover over him like a mother hen.

Teal’c settled himself on the tall stool adjacent to the bed and regarded Jack evenly, his dark eyes expressive. Jack was certain that the words they spoke could never be contained in all the volumes of books in the universe. Teal’c understood. He knew that Jack had done what he’d had to do to survive, to live another day. His gaze offered silent support, never pity. Strength, not weakness, was ever present, a deep well of untapped serenity.

As Jack’s eyes slowly closed in slumber, he knew the smile remained on his face. With time, things would be fine. He’d be just fine.

Major Sam Carter was having problems sleeping.

Even though she was exhausted, nearly asleep on her feet when they returned to the SGC, by the time she had made her way down to her on-base quarters, she’d discovered that sleep evaded her.

Lying awake staring at the ceiling hadn’t induced sleep to find her. Instead, her mind continued to work, turning over thoughts and problems. Sheriff Lane’s assumption regarding that metal room—and it’s other victims—had to be true. She knew it was true in her gut, but she had been unable to find any evidence when they were in Montana.

She’d requested that Wayne’s equipment be housed in her lab for the time being, while she worked on the project, and she tried to find out as much about Wayne Nichols as she could.

But, even though her mind continued to dwell on the problem at hand, her thoughts kept returning to the digital recording equipment. On those devices were hours and hours worth of recordings. She had to know what the Colonel had been put through. Although part of her needed to know, another part couldn’t bear to find out.

His reaction to the needle and his uncharacteristic actions in attacking Daniel were so unusual, so different from what she’d come to know of the Colonel.

Something had happened, something deeply personal.

Carter swung her bare feet to the floor, sitting up on the bunk. Reaching for her socks and boots, she quickly pulled them on before rising to walk to the door. Going to bed in her uniform certainly had its advantages, she thought wryly as she swung the door open and headed to her office.

She always loved the corridors of the SGC in the middle of the night. It was nearly 0300 and most of the base staff worked on a day schedule, with just a skeleton staff on during the night. The lights were even dimmed to give the impression of night.

She’d discovered that this was the best time of the day to work out tough problems. Sliding into the chair behind her desk, she flipped on the switch and booted up Wayne’s computer. There had to be something on this machine that would help Sheriff Lane. There just had to be.

She hadn’t been sitting there for long when a shadow fell over her screen and she looked up into Teal’c’s unemotional face. His tone was curious. "Major Carter, did not Doctor Fraiser order you to sleep?"

"Yeah, she did, Teal’c," Sam said, turning back to the screen. "But I had an idea and I wanted to see if it panned out."

"What did you uncover, Major Carter?" he asked, leaning forward to gaze over her shoulder at the screen.

"I was positive that Wayne would have kept records on his computer about his other victims but when we were in Montana, I couldn’t concentrate. I wasn’t able to find anything, but now I think I know where to look." She could feel her forehead creasing as she concentrated, her fingers flying over the computer keyboard. The only sound in the room was of the soft clicks of the keys.

After a few minutes, Sam stumbled across a directory of files hid deeply inside Wayne’s computer. This looked promising, she thought, calling up the first folder. Inside was a list of reports—documents nearly similar in size to that which they’d seen on Selig’s computer about the Colonel—and image files.

She’d found it.

Sam glanced up at Teal’c, her expression triumphant. "I have to talk to General Hammond," she said, starting to rise to her feet, but Teal’c’s voice stopped her.

"I believe it would be prudent if you waited. I left General Hammond speaking with Colonel O’Neill."

Sam could feel her eyes widen. "The Colonel’s awake?"

Teal’c nodded once. "Yes. He awoke several minutes ago. He seemed to be himself."

"That’s good, Teal’c," Sam said, her voice taking a faraway tone as her mind started to spin.

"Are you not going to take your turn and sit with O’Neill?" Teal’c’s voice held more than a note of curiosity.

"Later, Teal’c. The Colonel needs his rest."

Teal’c raised an eyebrow. "I agree that he requires rest, but he also requires the support of his friends and companions. Is this delay for his benefit, or for yours?"

Sam turned her head sharply, her eyes narrowing at the Jaffa. "What are you trying to say, Teal’c?"

"I am merely pointing out what I see, Major Carter, nothing more. I have observed your actions since we discovered O’Neill and you have not been yourself. These events have affected you deeply, as well as O’Neill. Why has that occurred?"

Unable to meet his gaze, she turned her head, her eyes coming to rest on the information still displayed on the computer screen. "I’ve seen a lot over the years, Teal’c. Why would you think this is any different?"

He was silent for a minute and she could feel his gaze on her. A feeling of shame rolled through her when he finally spoke, his voice patient and kind. "Very well, Major Carter, I must have been mistaken in my assessment of the situation. Please forgive me."

Without another word, Teal’c turned and walked out of the door, leaving Carter alone in her lab, with only her thoughts to accuse—or excuse—her.

The soft knock on his door woke Daniel from his light doze. Rolling onto the side to lean on his elbow, Daniel called out. "Come in, I’m awake."

The door silently swung open, the lights from the hallway silhouetting the figure in the doorway. Daniel smiled, recognizing the Jaffa even before he spoke. "Am I disturbing you, Daniel Jackson?"

"Come on in, Teal’c. I was kind of awake anyway. I think I slept a few hours, but it might have been enough for now," Daniel said, smiling as he sat up on the bed, leaning back against the wall.

Teal’c stepped in and instead of turning on the bright overhead lights, moved immediately to the smaller desk lamp Daniel kept in the room in an effort to make his on base quarters a little less military. Daniel had to admit that it didn’t help much, but it was a slight improvement.

He squinted a little from the brightness of the lamp and saw Teal’c’s gaze come to rest on the livid bruises on his neck. Raising his hand to absently finger the darkening marks, he offered a weak smile. "Remind me never to sleep next to Jack when he has nightmares, okay?"

"I shall endeavor to do that, Daniel Jackson," a glint of humor in his dark eyes. "I merely came to see how you were doing in light of everything that has occurred."

Daniel thought seriously for a moment. "It’s going to take some time before any of us will be able to move past this," Daniel said, his words coming slowly, his voice quiet, "especially Jack."

Teal’c nodded, but allowed Daniel to continue. "I don’t know if I should admit this to you or not, but Jack’s scared me more in the past few days than he has over the past three years. Even during the first mission to Abydos, when he was ready to give it all up, he didn’t frighten me as much as he did when he was lying beside me in that metal dungeon." Daniel took a deep breath, his voice cracking a little as the emotions started to well up. "He’d given up. I saw it in his eyes, Teal’c. If we hadn’t gotten to him when we did…oh, God, Teal’c, I…we almost lost him and it was my fault. I know it was. If I hadn’t pushed him away…"

"Daniel Jackson," Teal’c started to say, but Daniel cut him off.

"No, Teal’c, please let me finish," Daniel said, rising to his feet a nervous ball of energy. "We have to make sure we help him get through this experience. Whatever it takes, whatever we have to do, we have to bring Jack back. I know we have his body, but I want to make sure his mind is fully intact."

When Daniel didn’t continue, Teal’c took the opportunity to speak. "I concur with your assessment, Daniel Jackson, but I must also emphasize one further point. What has transpired is not your fault." When Daniel opened his mouth, Teal’c raised his hand and leveled his gaze at Daniel, effectively forestalling his comment. "If fault is indeed to be laid upon any one individual, would it not be the wiser course to place the blame on Wayne Nichols or Stephan Selig? If it were not for these individuals, O’Neill would never have been placed in danger." Teal’c paused for a moment before continuing. "There is sufficient anxiety each day, Daniel Jackson. Do not bring more upon yourself out of a misplaced sense of responsibility. O’Neill does not desire this. Honor his wishes on this occasion. If you do not believe me, then speak with him personally. Perhaps he will be able to alter your interpretation of the events that have occurred."

Daniel gazed across the room at the Jaffa only to discover that he had nothing to say.

Teal’c turned and walked silently to the door. Pausing in the doorway he turned, his expression thoughtful. "Sleep on this matter, Daniel Jackson. Perhaps a new day will provide you with additional insight. Good night."

Several minutes passed before Daniel moved back to his bunk, sinking down onto the mattress, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.

But as he slowly faded off to sleep, he had made up his mind about one thing. He would speak to Jack first thing in the morning.

Janet Fraiser was pleasantly surprised that she had been able to sleep until 0700 without any interruptions. She’d sacked out on the couch in her office figuring that she would probably not be getting a lot of sleep tonight—if her past experiences with the Colonel were any indication.

Making her way to the Colonel’s room, she was surprised to find him both awake and alone.

"Good morning, Colonel. How are you doing this morning?" Janet asked, her voice cheerful as she checked the various monitors. His vitals looked good and his color was coming back up nicely. "And where is everyone?"

O’Neill turned his head, his brown eyes resting on her face. "I’m okay. I have a few aches and pains, but nothing too bad. How about removing some of the tubing?"

Janet smiled hearing his request for the removal of the catheter loud and clear. "It looks like I can probably take you off the monitors but that stays in, Colonel, at least for the time being."

"Doc…" O’Neill complained, sounding a great deal like his old self.

"It’s either that or the bed pan. You’re not going to be getting out of bed for a day or two yet, until your feet heel. Besides," she said, pulling his shirt up to carefully remove the leads for the heart monitor, "you have a broken rib and extensive bruising to two others. "

"Come on, Doc," O’Neill said a few minutes later, his voice serious. "I’ve had broken and bruised ribs before. I know what to do. I can rest up just as well at home as I can here—better probably. I’ll be fine."

"I’m sure you can," she said with a smile, patting his hand as she removed the pulse oximeter from his index finger. "But, I’m not convinced that you’re ready to be on your own just yet."

"I don’t need someone to babysit me, Doctor," O’Neill said, his eyes hardening along with his tone.

"I’m not suggesting that you do, Colonel," Janet shot back, her back stiffening. Apparently, O’Neill was not in the mood to play nice this morning. "You are going to stay under observation for two days at the very least and then, if I feel that you are healing the way you should be, I will consider letting you go home. Am I understood, Colonel?"

His lips were set in a thin line, anger blazing in his eyes, but when he responded his voice was calm. "Yes, Doctor. I understand."

"Good. Now I expect you to obey all of my staff and I don’t want you badgering my nurses," Janet said, stepping back. "On another subject, where’s the rest of your team? I expected them to be in here keeping you company."

O’Neill shrugged slightly, his face still set in a severe expression. "I haven’t seen any of them yet this morning, except Teal’c. He just went to get something to eat. Anything else you’d like to know, Doctor?"

"Nothing, Colonel, although I would make one suggestion," Janet said, pausing in the doorway. She couldn’t believe the man. He hadn’t been home for more than twelve hours and she was already prepared to strangle him on the spot. "I’d lose the attitude when Doctor McKenzie stops in to see you later. It won’t improve your chances in getting home any sooner if you’re uncooperative and belligerent to the medical staff. Just keep that in mind."

With her parting words, she stalked out of the room, closing the door loudly behind her. She did not have any time to waste arguing with him. Besides, she had work to do.