The Price of Edora
"How was your trip, Colonel?" Jack used the microphone to address Sam as she led SG-1 back through the gate.
"We sorted out the problems with the reactors and Daniel got a chance to explore."
"Sounds like an interesting debrief. You know the routine, shower, get medical clearance, and meet me upstairs in an hour."
"Yeah."
"I have a theory."
"Gonna share?"
"I think it's because he doesn't think they survived the meteor shower that occurred three hundred years ago. I found some writings and tools from before that shower that indicated Ba'al used the planet to mine naquada."
"It wouldn't surprise me if he knew about the isotope and abandoned his mining efforts." Jack turned his head to register Sam's comment. He nodded and turned back to Daniel.
"It's possible. All I know is Ba'al hasn't returned in over 300 years."
"Well, let's hope taking over Anubis's territory keeps him occupied so he doesn't get any funny ideas about Edora. Did you tell them what you learned?"
"Not exactly." Jack's eyebrows rose.
"Not exactly?"
"It was my call, sir." Jack turned back towards Sam. "They don't really know what's happening out there and scaring them wouldn't have made them feel better, nor really prepare them for an invasion. It just seemed like scaring them without being able to tell them what they could do to protect themselves was counterproductive."
"I think that's a fair assessment, assuming they know to call us if anything unusual happens."
"I can assure you we emphasized that point, sir."
"I think since we were able to zoom in and restore their heat, they will be more than happy to call again if they need us." Jack turned back to watch Daniel.
"Good enough. Anything you want to add, Teal'c?" Teal'c shook his head. "Get me a complete report by the end of the week then take the weekend off. I'll be cooking out on Saturday. Be there around six if you want hot steaks."
"Can I bring anything, sir?"
"Nah, just yourself." They all nodded at Jack as they stood and filed out of the room.
The next morning Jack found Daniel, Sam and Teal'c enjoying breakfast in the commissary. He took his cup of coffee over and said good morning. While he waited for Daniel to swallow his French toast so he could respond, a nervous lieutenant crept up beside him.
"Ma'am?" Sam looked up at the lieutenant.
"Yes, Lieutenant?"
"Dr. Michaels has requested your presence in the infirmary when you finish your breakfast."
"Please tell him I'll be there shortly."
"Yes, ma'am." They exchanged salutes. The scared lieutenant looked briefly at the general and scurried off.
"I believe being in your presence scared him, O'Neill."
"Ah, the joys of being the man." He smirked as he walked off towards his office and a day of annoying bureaucracy. Sam made her way to the infirmary after wishing Daniel and Teal'c a good morning. They agreed to meet again for dinner before going home.
"Good morning, Dr. Michaels. I was told you wanted to see me this morning."
"Yes, Colonel. Thank you for coming so quickly. I needed to get another tube of blood."
"Sure, was there a problem with my blood work yesterday?" Sam sat on a gurney and pulled up her sleeve.
"I got some unusual results and I want to double check them with a fresh sample of blood."
"Is it anything I should worry about?" Sam held the gauze on her arm while Dr. Michaels got a bandage.
"Not yet. I should have these new results in a few hours. I'll call you if they look strange."
"Alright." Sam made her way out of the infirmary but a nugget of worry had settled in her stomach. Sam was wrapped up in writing her report and the hours flew by quickly. When her lab phone rang, she was surprised to see it was already the middle of the afternoon. Although it wasn't unusual for Sam to skip full meals, she usually needed to grab a snack or something. She hadn't eaten or gone to the bathroom since this morning. She smiled at the thought of getting so much done with so few interruptions as she picked up the phone.
"Colonel Carter."
"Hi, Colonel. This is Dr. Michaels. I have your blood work back and I'd like to speak with you. Do you have time now?"
"Sure. I'll come down."
"Thank you." Sam felt the other shoe drop as she hung up the phone. She closed down her computer and shut her door before she went to the infirmary. She bumped into Daniel in the elevator.
"Hey, Sam. I was just on my way to show Jack some of the parchments from Edora. Where are you headed?"
"The infirmary."
"Are you alright?" Sam's brow creased and she looked at Daniel. The seriousness on her face scared him.
"I don't know. Apparently my blood work has come back odd and Dr. Michaels wants to discuss it with me."
"Would you like me to come along?" Sam smiled as the door opened.
"I'll be fine, but thanks."
"Find me when you get done. I'll be worrying about you until you tell me otherwise."
"Yes, Mom. I'll see you for dinner, if not before."
"Before would be better." Daniel's words were cut off as the elevator door closed. Sam went straight to Dr. Michael's office. She was glad he wasn't in Janet's old office. It would have been more difficult to pay attention to him if memories of her friend had been surrounding her.
"You called?" Dr. Micheals stood as Sam entered his office.
"Please, have a seat Colonel." Sam sat in the chair across from his desk. There were numerous piles of folders but she could see him through a clear path he kept between the stacks. "I ran the blood tests again, and I'm afraid the results were even worse than last night."
"What’s wrong exactly?"
"Your bilirubin, BUN, and creatinin levels are all too high. What's worse is they noticeably increased between last night and this morning."
"What does that mean?"
"I suspect you may be in the early stages of liver and kidney failure. Based on how the values changed in only 14 hours, I also fear the situation is quickly progressing."
"What can you do?"
"First I'd like to schedule a liver and kidney biopsy. That would help me to determine the extent of the damage and hopefully even let me pinpoint what's causing the damage."
"When?"
"How long has it been since you last ate?"
"I had half a bagel with peanut butter and coffee at 0630."
"Nothing since then?"
"No."
"Then I suggest we schedule the procedure for tonight."
"So soon?"
"I wish I could honestly say you have time to get over the shock before proceeding, but the results changed more than I would have expected in a short amount of time. I also went back and looked at your pre-mission medical reports. There was no indication of a problem at that point. It's unusual for this to develop so quickly. The sooner I know why this is happening, the better chance I have of stopping it."
"Then tonight it is."
"Don't eat or drink anything until after the surgery. Meet me back here at 1800." Sam stood and nodded. Her head was buzzing. Dr. Michaels didn't give her any false hopes on which to hang her hat.
"Do you think it's something alien?"
"I don't want to dismiss anything at this point." Sam was smart enough to know she couldn't make it long without a functional liver, let alone kidneys. Sam went straight to Daniel's office. She walked in without knocking and sat down on a stool beside his desk.
"Sam?" Daniel was up and standing in front of her before she settled on the stool. "What's wrong?"
"I'm having a liver and kidney biopsy tonight."
"What?"
"Apparently my kidneys and liver aren't working properly and they're quickly failing. Dr. Michaels needs to do a biopsy to figure out what's happening." Daniel wrapped her in a hug.
"I'll come with you."
"Thank you." Her voice was muffled because her face was pressed against his chest. She wasn't crying but Daniel knew she was scared, something Sam Carter didn't like to feel.
"Do you want me to see if Jack can contact your Dad?"
"Let's wait for the test results before we get all excited. It could turn out to be nothing."
"Ok." Daniel rubbed her back and gently rocked her.
"I need to close up a few things in my lab and get everything settled before I can take a couple days off." Sam leaned up and let her arms drop from around Daniel.
"Is there anything I can do?"
"Meet me in the infirmary around 1800?"
"With bells on." Sam stood and gave Daniel a quick hug.
"Thanks." Daniel watched her leave before he picked up the phone. She might want to kill him later but he knew she needed everyone's support.
****
Sam wasn't surprised to see Jack and Teal'c waiting outside the infirmary with Daniel when she came down. They all looked so serious it made her more nervous.
"You guys look like you're at a funeral. It's not that bad ya know." Her attempt to be lighthearted didn't really lift their moods.
"Let me be in charge of the jokes, Carter."
"Yes, sir." Jack patted her shoulder, Teal'c squeezed her hand, and Daniel gave her a hug.
"We'll be here when you're done." Daniel smiled at her as she closed the door to the infirmary. Daniel and Jack paced while Teal'c stood absolutely still.
"How does he do that?"
"Do what, Jack?"
"Just stand there without moving."
"Young Jaffa must prove their fortitude by standing for hours in the sun without moving."
"We do that in basic training."
"But your world only has one sun."
"Ah." A little more than half an hour after Sam had entered the infirmary a nurse came out and told the guys she was ready for visitors. Daniel went to her right side and took a hold of her hand. Teal'c was to her left and Jack stood at the end of bed.
"That didn't take long. How bad was it?"
"I've been through worse, sir." Sam grinned. The doctor walked up beside Jack.
"She did well, sir. I've called in a pathologist to review the tissue samples. We should at least have preliminary results by morning."
"When can she leave?" Daniel faced the doctor as he spoke but he kept his hand around Sam's hand.
"There is some risk of internal bleeding or organ loss after these procedures. Normally we'd let a patient go home after a few hours of observation but since the colonel is single and her condition is rapidly changing, I'd feel better if she stayed the night in the infirmary."
"What does being single have to do with anything?" Sam could tell Daniel was hot as his voice increased in pitch and he squeezed her hand a little tighter. The doctor took a small step back and his eyes got wider.
"Daniel, he just means I shouldn't be on my own tonight. Don't worry, I don't mind staying." She smiled a tight smile for Daniel.
"You know we'd be happy to stay with you." Daniel swung his arm out to indicate Jack and Teal'c also.
"Indeed."
"Absolutely."
"Thanks guys, but I don't really feel like going through the trouble of leaving just to have to come back in the morning." They all nodded.
"You gentlemen may stay for a few more minutes, then Colonel Carter needs to rest." The doctor backed off, glad Sam had smoothed everything over with her team. He didn't want to be on their bad sides! The nurses had told him horror stories about the occasions when the whole team stayed in the infirmary.
"Is there anything we can get you Carter?"
"I think I'm good, sir. I'm usually nice to the staff when I'm in here so they're happy to bring me things."
"Don't rub it in." Jack smirked at her.
"I will return in the morning, Colonel Carter." Teal'c nodded.
"Me too." Daniel leaned down and gave her a kiss on her forehead. Sam shook her head and grinned.
"You're getting sentimental, Daniel."
"Sorry, I guess it bothers me to see you sick."
"I'll be back on duty and yelling at you in no time."
"You never yell, Sam. I guess that's why it's been so much quieter in the field lately." Daniel grinned, waiting for Jack's reaction.
"Hey, was that directed at any one I know?" Jack looked at Daniel's back as they walked out.
"I believe it was directed at you, O'Neill." Her back was killing her, but the comedic routine walking out the door still made her smile.
Sam didn't sleep well. Her back hurt and the mattress was thin and hard. She finally got comfortable on her side and the nurse came in to check her IV. She spent a restless night wondering about her test results. It was almost three in the morning before she realized she hadn't called Pete since her return from Edora. A couple extra days without contact wouldn't bother him, since he was use to her odd and unpredictable schedule.
The look on the doctor's face betrayed his lack of good news. His shuffle gave away the fact that he had gotten less sleep than Sam. He sat on the stool beside her bed as she sat up.
"I'm afraid the biopsies confirmed what I feared. Your kidneys and liver are beginning to fail. There are immune complexes in both."
"Do you know what caused this?"
"The immune complexes indicate your body is attacking something. When your immune cells attach to this something they create a complex so large they are trapped in your liver and kidney passages. The blockage of the passages means you can't filter your blood properly."
"Do you have any idea what is being attacked?"
"No, but we're working on it. I should have a better idea later today."
"Is there any treatment?" Daniel walked in and heard Sam's question.
"Not until I know why this is happening. If necessary you can begin dialysis."
"How long until that is necessary?"
"A week. Maybe ten days. This is progressing very quickly."
"I understand. Can I get back to work today?"
"I'm restricting you from gate travel and I encourage you to get some rest. I'll contact you as soon as I know more." Sam thanked the doctor again and went over to Daniel.
"That sounds bad, Sam"
"I agree, but we always find miracles around here. I bet he finds some alien cure before dinner." Sam smiled even though she didn't believe a word she'd just uttered. She could tell by Daniel's face that he wasn't buying her false enthusiasm. Daniel walked Sam to her lab and sat with her until Teal'c arrived with breakfast. Daniel met Jack as he got to his office
"It sounds serious, Jack"
"You mean Sam?"
"Of course I mean Sam!"
"Don't jump down my throat, Daniel. We happen to work at a top-secret front line defense post where we're expected to protect Earth on a daily basis. It is possible that there was some other serious issue."
"Touché." Daniel plopped down in the chair across from Jack's desk. "This sucks. She doesn't deserve this."
"Indeed." Daniel looked up, afraid he would see Jack was joking but instead he saw pain and anguish on Jack's face. Jack hadn't realized he was channeling Teal'c.
The doctor called a briefing for 1800. He and Sam had already discussed the data he had collected. She suggested he tell the General and SG-1 at the same time and give them a chance to ask questions. The time before the briefing gave her a chance to make some phone calls.
"Thank you for coming this afternoon. Colonel Carter suggested this was the best way to present our findings about her current medical condition." The general nodded and indicated the doctor should proceed. "Colonel Carter is in the initial stages of both liver and kidney failure." Although this wasn't new news for anyone at the table, all of the men turned and looked towards Sam.
"These conditions are progressing rapidly and I have a limited understanding about the factors causing this to happen." The doctor hit a switch and a picture appeared on the screen behind him. There were lots of colorful strings all wrapped together into a ball.
"We have identified several components that make up part of the complex being trapped by Colonel Carter's liver and kidneys. The red components are immune cells. The green pieces are naquada. The yellow string is a protein found only in Colonel Carter and others who have had a symbiote die within them. The white pieces are unknowns at this time. We think the white pieces are responsible for linking all these components together creating the organ blocking complex."
"How are you planning to identify them?" Jack didn't like the blank look he was getting from the doctor.
"We have several researchers working on it, sir. We're also trying to contact the Asgard and Tok'ra." Jack wanted more but as he glanced around the table, he could see they had given him everything they had at their disposal.
"Keep at it. Dismissed." Jack's tone of voice indicated the pent-up tension he was holding inside his chest. Sam followed him to his office.
"May I speak with you, sir?"
"Of course, Carter. Please have a seat." Jack motioned her to sit as he walked behind his desk and pulled his chair out. She sat uneasily on the edge of her chair as he leaned back in his comfortable leather chair.
"I would like to request a week off, sir."
"I thought you'd want to be working with the researchers on this thing that's infected you."
"I have a little over a week before I'll have to begin dialysis. Once that starts, I'll be tied to
"I've never been able to say no to you, Carter."
"That's not how I remember it sir." Her eyes twinkled and he smiled.
"Enjoy your break but be sure you keep your phone with you and charged, just in case one of our allies shows up with a cure." He tried to not let his smile falter. She nodded her head even as her eyes clouded.
"Yes, sir." She stood and moved towards the door. "Thank you, sir."
"You're welcome, Carter. Call me if you need anything. I mean it!" She smiled and waved as she left his office.
****
"Sir?" The sergeant dreaded interrupting General O'Neill as he walked by. The general had been in a lousy mood for days, and Walter didn't want to be at the end of another tirade.
"Yes, Sergeant?"
"A Mr. Shanahan has called several times today, sir. You've been in meetings all day, and I promised to give you the messages each time he called. He's on hold again on line three. He says it's about Colonel Carter, sir."
"I'll take it in my office." Jack sat down and breathed deeply before he picked up the phone.
"This is General O'Neill. May I help you?"
"I sure as hell hope so. What's happened to Sam?"
"I'm afraid you'll have to give me a bit more to work with Mr. Shanahan."
"She showed up this morning, gave back my ring, and said she never wanted to see me again. Has she been possessed by something from another..."
"You are not on a secure line Mr. Shanahan." Jack didn't feel bad about interrupting Pete. The whining was grating n his nerves. "I have not recently discussed your relationship with Colonel Carter, so I'm afraid I can not begin to speculate what has caused her to make this decision. There's only one person who can answer your questions."
"And she isn't answering. Give me something to work with here! How in the hell could you understand how it feels to have her rip out your heart?" There was a pause. "Unless...does this have something to do with you?"
"Of course not."
"You answered that fast enough. Sounds like you've been practicing that answer. I'll fight for her. I don't give up easily."
"The only person you'd have to fight would be Colonel Carter. She's an intelligent woman who makes good decisions when she puts her mind to it. Goodbye, Mr. Shanahan." Jack hung up the phone without waiting to hear Pete's response. Anger rose in his throat as he contemplated Pete's accusation. Sam was way to smart to pass up a sure thing for him! It was that dumb cop’s own fault if he let her slip through his fingers.
No one heard from Sam for the remainder of the week. Neither the Asgard nor the Tok'ra called. Jack, Daniel, and the entire medical research team were getting frustrated. Jack called down to the lab every day and every day he was told they hadn't made any progress at identifying the unknown substance binding the complex together. Teal'c was the only one who still seemed calm but Daniel and Jack knew he was just as worried.
****
"Colonel Carter reporting as ordered, sir." Jack looked up. His heart soared at the sound of her voice but it sank when he saw her. Her skin was yellowing and she had lost a great deal of weight in the week she had been gone. There were large patches of black under each eye, indicating her extreme fatigue.
"How was your time off, Colonel?"
"I accomplished what I needed, sir."
"Mr. Shanahan called several times while you were gone."
"I'm sorry if he bothered you, sir. He found me at my brothers and we spoke. I doubt he will be calling here again."
"I'm glad you worked things out."
"Things are settled, sir."
"The Tok'ra contacted us two days ago and the Asgard arrived yesterday. So far they haven't made much progress, but having you here might help."
"Because of my stupid ideas or because they need a guinea pig?" Jack heard the fear amid the sarcasm.
"Probably both. It's good to have you back. You should head down to the infirmary and let them begin poking and prodding right away."
"Yes, sir, and thank you, sir."
"Thanks for what?"
"For giving me the time I needed to visit Cassie and my brother as well as for handling Pete so well." Sam turned and left his office doorway before he had a chance to respond. His heart shrank and his hands trembled as he watched her leave.
After a long day of paper pushing and meetings galore, Jack headed down to the infirmary to see if progress had been made today. It was oddly quiet. Every other day during the week, the labs around the infirmary were bustling with activity. Today no one seemed to be around. There was a whirring coming from the far corner so Jack headed in that direction.
He passed several empty beds, a sign that the off world teams weren't running into many
"There isn't much to do while I sit here, and I got too tired to read." Jack looked into her eyes as they opened.
"What's this?"
"A dialysis machine." Jack's mouth opened and his eyes widened.
"So soon?"
"Apparently I was pretty bad off by the time I got down here this afternoon."
"I thought I told you come to come straight down here this morning?"
"I had a few things I needed to finish first." Jacks brow creased and he stared at her.
"That doesn't sound like you."
"Ok, I didn't want to know how bad off I was. I was trying to avoid the truth. Is that what you wanted to hear? Daniel found me and dragged me down here." Sam looked down at her hands. She began to fiddle with the tube coming out of her body and going to the whirring machine.
"I'll have to thank Danny later." He grinned but she didn't look up. "How about I take you home after this and get you some dinner."
"That would be just what the doctor ordered." They both looked up and saw the doctor walking towards them.
"I can take care of myself."
"I beg to differ. After your episode this afternoon you need someone to drive you home and it won't hurt to have someone make sure you eat a balanced dinner."
"I'm not hungry." The doctor bent down so he could look up at her face.
"I know but you still need to eat, at least a little. Go for meat and vegetables, nothing wrong with some protein and vitamins. Avoid salt, caffeine, alcohol, and fatty foods."
"Is that all?" No one missed the sarcasm dripping from Sam's tone.
"No, you need more sleep."
"I'll have plenty of time to sleep later." Jack and the doctor locked eyes. They both knew what she meant and neither liked it.
"What did you mean by her episode this afternoon?" Jack looked back and forth between the doctor and Sam.
"The Tok'ra attempted to use a healing device on Colonel Carter."
"And?"
"Her heart rate became erratic and she temporarily stopped breathing."
"I'm fine now." Sam wore a disturbed grimace on her face. She didn't like being discussed as if she wasn't present.
"I'm disconnecting you. It'll take us a few minutes to get you cleaned up and cleared to leave."
"I'll still be here when you're done." Jack nodded at the doctor. Sam closed her eyes and laid her head back on the headrest of the chair. Sam didn't move as they prepared her to leave. Jack watched and worried about the darkness he saw on her face.
Jack stopped on the way home and picked up Parmesan chicken with zucchini and salad on the side. He got diet caffeine free soda for her and regular caffeine free soda for him. He could be as good as she could as far as the caffeine was concerned but he couldn't stand the taste of that diet stuff. She didn't wait for his help when they got to her house. She left the door open so he could bring in the dinner.
She picked at her serving but she ate enough to satisfy him. After dinner, she sat on the sofa and flicked through the channels. He stood in the kitchen watching her. She was as far away as she'd ever been in the years they had known each other. Galaxies apart felt closer than being a few feet from her when he knew she was slipping away from him.
Sam came to work each day, but she wasn't able to stay as long as she had before she got sick. The Tokra and Asgard were working with the SGC science officers. Sam tried to help but she tired easily and wasn't able to keep up with the work being done by the other scientists.
Sam invited Jack, Daniel and Teal'c over for a Saturday night of movies and fried chicken. She also wanted help cleaning out her garage so the guys said they'd make a day of it. They were all looking forward to spending the day together.
Jack arrived early on Saturday surprised to find Sam already in the garage.
"Hi, sir."
"Carter, whatcha' doin'?"
"Cleaning, sir."
"How can I help?" By the time Daniel and Teal'c arrived, Sam and Jack had already made seven piles. None of the guys understood the piles so Sam soon became the manager, telling the guys into which pile each item belonged. It took them four hours to finish making the piles and putting back the things that were going to remain in Sam's garage. Daniel went out to pick up burgers for lunch while Jack and Teal'c packaged six of the seven piles into boxes and placed the seventh pile into the trash.
After lunch Sam laid down to take a nap. Not only had she worked hard all morning, but the pain pills also made her tired. The guys lounged and watched television for an hour, but they felt like they wanted to do more to help. Jack found cleaning supplies in the kitchen and Teal'c found more cleaning supplies in the bathroom. Daniel wasn't sure where to begin. He didn't want to do anything loud like vacuum, but he didn't want to get in Jack or Teal'c's way either. Daniel decided he could dust. He found rags and cleaning spray in the hall closet.
All three men were busy scrubbing and cleaning for over half an hour. Daniel finished the living room and Sam's office. He opened the door to her den. Inside he found more boxes. Unlike the boxes in the garage, these boxes were labeled. He walked between the boxes looking in them and reading the writing on the sides. There were boxes for him, Teal'c, Jack, Cassie, her brother and his family, and the Goodwill. Suddenly the six piles left in the garage made sense.
"Jack?" Daniel stood in the kitchen entrance and watched Jack wipe the counters.
"Yes, Daniel."
"Can you come look at something?" Jack turned around and looked at Daniel. He was about to make one of his usual sarcastic comments but the stressed look on Daniel's face stopped his retort.
"Ok." Jack followed Daniel to the den. Daniel didn't say anything. He opened the door and motioned Jack to go into the den. Jack stepped in and began walking between the boxes. Jack ran his hands over the names written on the sides of the boxes. He got to one of the boxes labeled with his name and looked inside. He saw a framed picture of her with the team and an envelope on top. The envelope had Jack written on it. Not General O'Neill but Jack. His heart clenched and he took his hand out of the box.
"Skip this room." Jack turned to look at Daniel.
"That's it. Just skip this room."
"Yes, Daniel. That's it." Jack walked past Daniel and closed the door behind him.
"Don't you understand, Jack? She's giving up. She's packing to die." Daniel reached out and grabbed Jack's arm, stopping Jack's hasty retreat.
"I understand what she's doing." Jack turned around and looked at Daniel. "We can't give up on her. Trust me when I tell you not to mention this. She needs to handle this her own way." Jack went back to the kitchen and put the cleaning supplies back under the sink. He poured himself a drink and leaned against the counter. Teal'c and Daniel both came in to the kitchen to get a glass of lemonade.
"Don't you two mess up my clean kitchen."
"O'Neill, I believe this kitchen still belongs to Colonel Carter."
"I know that Teal'c, I just meant..." Jack saw the slight smirk on Teal'c's face and stopped his needless explanation. All three men moved back to the living room as Sam opened her bedroom door.
"Wow it looks and smells great in here. Have you guys been busy while I was asleep?" Jack smiled. Daniel gave Sam a half smile half grimace and Teal'c nodded once.
"If it would please you Colonel Carter, I can now sanitize your master bath since you are awake."
"I don't want to put you out, Teal'c."
"I was not intending to leave until after dinner."
"I know you're teasing me. I'd appreciate having the bathroom cleaned up. I don't think I have any pantyhose hanging in the shower or anything." Sam smiled at Teal'c as he stood and made his way to get the cleaning supplies. Jack smirked and shook his head as Teal'c carried a bucket of solutions and rags towards Sam's bedroom.
"I'll be danged but I think he likes it. I never saw Teal'c as the domestic type."
"You seemed content enough cleaning the kitchen." Jack glared at Daniel and Sam giggled.
Daniel volunteered to go out and pick up the chicken and sides. If he hadn't volunteered, Jack would have forced him out. He'd been sulking since he found those damn boxes, and Jack was working hard to keep the evenings conversation light and upbeat. The three men were so hungry that they ate in near silence. Sam picked at her food and moved it around her plate, trying to make it look like she had eaten.
"The Tok'ra reported your father was due back soon. They expect him to come and visit in a few days."
"Yeah, I heard before I left yesterday." Sam smiled at Teal'c as it got quiet again.
"How about a game?" Everyone turned to Jack.
"A game, sir?"
"Sure. Something like pictionary or charades." Daniel snorted and stood up to take his empty plate to the kitchen.
"Daniel, what's wrong?" Sam's brow creased as she watching him slinking off towards her kitchen. He had been unusually quiet all evening.
"Daniel's just PMSing. Ignore him."
"Ignoring things is always your answer, isn't it Jack."
"Daniel, I told you to drop it." Teal'c looked confused and Sam sat up straighter.
"What's going on?" Sam looked back and forth between Jack and Daniel.
"Nothing." Jack made it sound like a command.
"That's not how it sounds, sir." Sam locked eyes with Daniel and was surprised to see his pain. He was angry with her. "Are you mad at me, Daniel?"
"Carter, we don't need to go into this!" Jack ran his hand through his hair.
"I think Daniel has something he needs to say and I want to hear it." Sam kept her eyes locked on Daniel. They'd always managed to be honest with each other, and she didn't want to lose that now.
"You've given up on getting better." Daniel put his plate in the sink and turned back towards Sam.
"No I haven't. Our best scientists, the Tok'ra, and the Asgard are all working on this. They'll get it."
"I went into your den." Sam's eyes widened. "You had us pack our own boxes this morning. You had us catalog what we would get from you when you die!" Sam looked down at her hands and slumped back against the arm of sofa.
"Preparing for the worst isn't the same as giving up. When I give up you'll know it." Sam's voice was firm but quiet. Daniel slammed his fists against the counter.
"You're lying to yourself. The Sam Carter I know would never give in to this disease. She's strong. She'd fight." Jack saw the tear fall off the end of Sam's nose.
"That's enough, Daniel!"
"You're right. I'll see ya on Monday." Daniel grabbed his coat and marched out the door.
"I will keep him company." Teal'c stood and bent low towards Sam's ear. "I know you are a great warrior and you must prepare for every big battle. You will still be victorious. I will explain this to Daniel Jackson." Teal'c bowed low and followed Daniel. Jack sat on the floor counting the tears that dripped off her nose. After he counted fifteen he grabbed a box of Kleenex and handed them to her.
"He doesn't understand, Sam."
"I know." Jack moved up onto the sofa and pulled her into his arms. They sat there holding each other for about ten minutes.
"Can I ask you a question now that we're alone?"
"Of course, sir."
"Why have you been hiding every other pain pill in your pocket?" Sam's head flew up and she pushed back.
"You saw that?"
"Yeah."
"I don't feel like I need the full dose I've been prescribed."
"Then you'd just be skipping the doses. You've been going through all the steps of taking your meds but purposefully pocketing them half of the time. Are they your insurance policy?"
"Do you really know me that well?" Sam leaned back against the sofa.
"It's the pot calling the kettle black."
"Sir?" She looked at him and he hung his head.
"I tried the same stunt a long time ago."
"Oh." Sam didn't ask whether it was after
"Is this a plan you're think about instigating soon?"
"No, sir." Jack scooted her closer and put his arm back around her. "I want a reserve in case."
"In case of what?"
"I refuse to die by withering away in a bed tucked in a far corner of the infirmary."
"I can understand that." Sam looked into his eyes and knew he really did understand. She rested her head against his shoulder.
"I'll only do it if I know there's no hope of recovery. I just don't want everyone to remember me as an invalid."
"That could never happen."
"Bull!" Sam raised her head again. Fresh tears filled her eyes. "Daniel already sees me as weak. If he had to visit me in the infirmary while I'm tied up to that damn machine everyday, he'd quickly forget the Sam Carter that led missions and kicked Goa'uld ass."
"Then we won't let him visit you there. Same thing goes for Cassie. Teal'c and I will always see you as the sun blowing up warrior you are, so we'll be the ones who help you out." Sam smiled a small bit and nodded.
"I can't force Daniel out. He's too important to me."
"I know. We'll just make sure he has plenty of time to visit you here or in your lab."
"He won't be put off like that. You know how stubborn he can be."
"Alright, fine. I'll talk to him and see if I can get him to see reason. We'll still make lots of opportunities for him and Cassie to see you outside the mountain, being yourself."
"Agreed." Sam relaxed back into his arms. "Thanks for understanding."
"It's what friends are for, right?" He felt Sam nod her head yes against his chest. He held her until she was drowsy. He convinced her to get ready for bed while he finished cleaning up. Once she was safely tucked in bed he let himself out and locked the door. His worry settled heavy in his gut as he drove home.
Jack came over late Sunday morning to take Sam to the base for her dialysis. He went to his office and tackled a stack of paperwork while the machine whizzed. After she was done, he took her out for a light dinner and returned her home. She was exhausted so he let himself out again.
On Monday, the Asgards requested a meeting. The briefing room was soon packed with four SGC scientists, a couple of doctors, two Tok'ra, three Asgards, SG-1, and Jack.
"I assume you've called us together because you have news?" The Asgard named Nomi stepped forward as Jack spoke.
"I have been selected to inform you that we have identified the protein causing the elements in Colonel Carter's body to clump and disrupt her normal organ functioning."
"So what is it?"
"The protein is created by a virus. We found viral particles in Colonel Carter's blood. I am sure if we checked her brain stem we would find the particles there are also."
"Why my brain stem?" Sam watched Nomi closely.
"Its presence in your brain stem would explain your reaction to the healing device. It is also where the virus is designed to reside."
"How do you know that?" Jack wasn't sure he could read Asgard body language, but he thought he saw Nomi and the two little “guys” behind her fidget.
"Because this virus was designed by the Asgard centuries ago." The room silenced as this news sunk in.
"You designed a virus to attack Carter centuries ago?" Jack's brow was creased and his eyes narrowed. He spoke slowly and quietly but there was an edge to his voice. He was both confused and on the edge of flying into a tirade.
"No. We designed a virus that was supposed to disable the Goa'uld. The virus failed to eliminate them and our research into this method of warfare ended. We are not sure how Colonel Carter came into contact with this virus nor have we determined how the virus has been changed."
"Changed?" Sam was pale but trying hard to remain part of the conversation. Her head was spinning as Nomi talked.
"The virus present in your blood is a descendent of the virus we created long ago. We are not sure if the changes in the virus are natural or if it was engineered. We will continue our research on this front."
"Did you have a cure?"
"No, General. We never felt there was a need to develop a cure or vaccine since this virus was only targeted at Goa'ulds and our intention was to eliminate the Goa'uld."
"Is there any way to determine how Sam was infected?" Daniel directed his question to Nomi.
"I can not yet tell you how she was infected but we have determined she was infected 19 Earth days ago." Sam and Daniel looked at each other and spoke at the same time.
"Edora."