We Love as One – Chapter 5

Disclaimer in index

Sam and Daniel walked toward the elevator. “So, Daniel, have you seen the colonel lately?” Sam held back a snicker as she thought of her commanding officer lying, bored out of his mind, in the infirmary. He had broken his ankle and sustained a few injuries a few days back while off-world, covering the team’s escape as hostile natives pelted them with arrows. Ever since then, he was confined to the infirmary until Janet was sure he was going to be all right.

Daniel smiled and stuffed his hands into the pockets of his uniform. “He was irritable when I visited him last night. I brought him his yo-yo, though, so that should’ve kept him occupied if Janet didn’t take it away from him, that is. He should be getting out soon.”

Sam swiped her access card to call the elevator and stuffed it back into her back pocket. “I wonder what this briefing’s about. With the colonel out of commission for awhile, the general’s not likely to send us out on a mission.”

The elevator arrived and Sam and Daniel went in. Daniel pressed the button and watched the doors close, saying, “I don’t know, Sam. That’d mean you’d be in charge, cool huh?” Daniel grinned at his friend. “But honestly I have no idea what this briefing’s about.” The elevator door opened and Sam and Daniel made their way to the briefing room. “I guess we’re gonna find out.”

Entering the room, the pair was pleasantly surprised to see Colonel O’Neil sitting in one of the chairs, crutches beside him. Teal’c sat beside him.

“Colonel!” Sam exclaimed, walking over to him. “Did Janet release you from the infirmary already?”

The colonel scowled and looked around furtively. “No, I escaped. The woman was driving me nuts.”

“Since discovering Colonel O’Neil’s sudden departure, I have tried numerous times to convince him to return.” Teal’c stated.

“Never.” The colonel snapped. He turned to face Daniel and Sam. “She took my yo-yo away. Can you imagine?”

“With good reason, sir, you were moving around too much and weren’t allowing your wounds to heal properly.” Colonel O’Neil cringed and tried to sink deeper into his chair as they all heard Janet enter the room. “Where you got the darned thing, I can only imagine.” She stared sternly at Daniel, who flushed. She turned back to the colonel and placed her hands on her hips in a strict gesture. “Now colonel, I suggest that you return to the infirmary immediately. Don’t make it an order, colonel, I can just as easily do it, you know.” She added as the colonel’s mouth opened to protest.

“I’d obey the doctor, colonel.” General Hammond’s voice suggested as he entered the room and took a seat at his chair at the head of the table.

Colonel O’Neil grumbled before pushing his chair back and grabbing his crutches. “Power-mongers.” He muttered, hobbling away followed closely by Janet.

Sam and Daniel shook their heads in amusement as they saw their friend reluctantly leaving. Daniel took the colonel’s seat in between the general and Teal’c and Sam walked around the table to sit at the left of the general.

“Now, as all of you know, the Tok’ra paid us a visit earlier this week to tell us the news of the system lords.” General Hammond started the meeting. “Jacob also informed me that the Tok’ra would be paying us another visit today. Something about a research mission, they would like us to partake in. This is going to be a simple mission, people.” General Hammond turned to look at Sam. “As Colonel O’Neil is out of commission, Major Carter, you will be in charge of SG-1. Though this is a joint mission with the Tok’ra, if at any reason you feel the slightest hint of danger, leave, is that understood?”

Sam nodded briskly. “Yes, sir.”

“Incoming wormhole.” The announcement blared on the P.A.

“That must be them now. Let’s go greet out guests.” General Hammond got up and went down to the gate room, followed by three-quarters of SG-1.