Daniel unlocked the door to his apartment and wandered into his front room, a bag of groceries in his hand. He stared for a moment at the clothing on the floor and the books on the desk. He was supposed to be going out to some bookstore with Sam today, but he was feeling tired again."That's what comes of staying out til all hours" he told himself
He smiled as he remembered last night. The girl had tasted so sweet, it had been a shame to let her go. He moved through the room and glanced through the open door of his bedroom. She was still there on the bed, sleeping. As he watched her, his stomach growled. He was still hungry. A glance at his watch told him it was still early. He had a while before Sam was likely to get here. Perhaps he could find some steak in the fridge to keep him going, before he absolutely had to feed again.
Sam awoke early that Friday morning and went into the lounge to watch the news while she had breakfast. So far she had spent most of the week catching up on her reading. A romance novel sat on the coffe table beside the sofa. Jack would have laughed if he could have seen what she was reading, Sam knew. But it made a change to not have to read about saving the world or alien races. She got more than enough of that kind of thing at work. A light romance made a nice change. Sam thought about the day ahead. Perhaps she should phone Daniel to confirm that it was still alright to pick him up. Reaching over, she dialled his number. The phone rang and rang. He was probably still asleep, she thought. Just as she was about to hang up, Daniel answered.
"Hello?" His voice was muffled.
"Hi, Daniel, Its Sam. I'm not disturbing you am I?"
"No, just grabbing some breakfast. What's up?"
"Just checking we're still on for toady."
"Fine. Just pop around and I'll be ready."
"Okay. I'll be there in about half an hour. See you then, Daniel"
"Yeah, bye Sam."
The receiver went dead. Sam replaced the hand set and glanced at her watch. If she was going to make it to Daniel's in half an hour she'd better get a move on. She ran upstairs to get changed.
Daniel stared at the phone. Half an hour. He looked down at the half eaten piece of raw steak that lay on the plate. Taking it in both hands, he bit down and began to eat.
Doctor Janet Fraiser sat in her office and sighed. For once the only people in the infirmary were the staff on duty and herself. It certainly made a change. It also meant that she had time to catch up on her work. As part of the screening process of the gate traveller's, it was the medical team's job to make sure that all samples from the teams were within normal parameters. She hadn't had time to check SG-1's yet since they got back. As it was quiet now would be a good a time as any.
Ten minutes later and Janet was glad she had checked. She stared in disbelief at the vials in front of her. Three were normal. The fourth held a transparent yellow liquid with a slightly red pellet lying on the bottom. Janet checked the name again. Daniel Jackson. This wasn't right. Perhaps it had been stored incorrectly. Or there was something seriously wrong with Daniel. Either way, she had to get him in here to give another sample.
Janet picked up the phone and dialled the linguist's home number. After two minutes of incessant ringing, she replaced the reciever. Perhaps he was on site, she thought. Alerting her senior nurse, Janet went to look for Daniel.
Having failed to find Daniel, Janet was at her wits end. Why had the doctor decided, of all the days he could pick, to go missing today. She was wondering what to do, and walking back towards the infirmary when she heard noises coming from Jack's room. Tentatively she knocked on the door.
"Go away. I'm not here," came the gruff voice of Colonel Jack O'Neill as he tried to pretend that he wasn't there. The doctor entered the room. Jack heard the tentative knock on the door and cursed. He'd come here to get away from people and still they found him. Then he heard the door open. Swinging around in the chair he began to yell.
"I said I'm not...Oh Doc. Sorry I didn't realise it was you." he apologised. Then he saw the disturbed look on the Doctor's face.
"What's up Doc," he quipped.
She frowned.
"I'm sure its nothing. We probably just stored it at the wrong temp, although I don't see how. It doesn't matter really. I need to get hold of Daniel for another blood sample, but..."
"...you can't find him. Tried phoning him?" Jack asked.
"No reply. I tried looking for him in his room but he's not there either."
"So you thought you'd try in here? Well, sorry Doc, but unless he's hiding under the bed I have no idea where he could be."
"Damn. Well I suppose I should run some tests on the sample we do have. Then if there is anything seriously wrong...!"
Now Jack was worried. He followed the petite brunette as she headed back for her lab.
Sam practically ran down the stairs of her house. She only had a few minutes before she had to leave for Daniel's. She rushed into the front room. Now were where her keys? She remembered throwing them onto the desk last night, so...
As she hunted for the elusive keyring, the TV played behind her.
Newscaster: And last night police were still hunting for the attacker of three young women in the Cheyenne area. The first attack occurred three nights ago at an apartment near Macy's nightclub. The young woman, a twenty four year old school teacher, was found in an alley behind some shops and is believed to have been badly beaten and assaulated. Two other attacks have since occurred in the same area. Police believe they are related and have...
Sam: Ah-ha. Found them.
She grabbed the errant keys, flicked off the TV and headed out the door.
Teal'c sat in his room in the SGC and flicked idly through the channels of the TV. He had thought that this would be an effective way of learning more about his friends but so far he was having no luck. Prehaps he should ask Jack to take him fishing. Even after all this time it still puzzled him what Jack found in hauling finned creatures from the water. Teal'c flicked some more. Perhaps he could find something more on this topic. Then something caught his attention on one of the local news channels. It was the end of a news report and it disturbed him.
Newscaster: ...other attacks have since occurred in the same area. Police believe they are related and have issued this photofit of a man they would like to speak to.
Teal'c froze. He could barely believe what he was seeing. Daniel Jackson stared back impassively, but without his glasses. The eyes looked cold and hard in the harsh lines of the drawing. As he stared Teal'c was aware of the newscaster still talking.
Newscaster: The man was seen with two of the victims hours before the attacks. If you have any information, please contact the police on 555 4535.
The number flashed up on the screen followed again by the picture of Daniel. Teal'c sat for a moment then headed for the armoury
Jack sat on the edge of the infirmary bed swinging his legs, waiting for the doctor to finish her tests. He still didn't quite understand what was going on, other than Daniel's blood sample from the last planet had somehow become conspicuously unblood-like when his, Teal'c's and Sam's were all perfectly normal. Something about this didn't feel right. Then, hearing a sound, he turned and found himself staring at a very grim-faced medic.
"Well?" Jack demanded inpatiently. He hated waiting. Especially for obviously bad news.
"It's not good Jack. I've run just about every test I can think of but without the man himself, they're rather useless." Janet ran her hand through her hair. Jack waited for the rest of the explanation.
"It seems that Daniel's immune system has begun attacking his blood supply. Most of his red blood cells in this sample have been totally destroyed. Those that remain..." her voice trailed away.
"Those that remain what, doctor?" Jack could feel his fear rising and that made him angry.
"Those cells of Daniel's that remain are altered. His blood group has changed from O to one I have never seen before. I can't even begin to speculate how. But I do know this Jack. If we don't find him soon, Daniel will die."
She added silently, if he hasn't already."So we find him, right?" Jack asked. Before she could even reply, he had disappered out of the infirmary and away.
Jack strode down the corridor towards the way out. Why did Daniel always have to do this? he wondered.
How come it was always Daniel in trouble, and he, Jack racing to the rescue? Why never the other way around? Did the fates have something against the man?
And how had this happened in the first place? When had Daniel managed to do something on that planet to alter his blood chemistry? He hadn't touched anything that Jack had noticed and usually the man was like a child. Touching and poking everything in sight to see what it was and never wondering if he should. The only time he'd been out of sight the whole trip he'd been outside. Surely nothing happened then? And why now? One of their few vacations, and here he was chasing after Daniel, again.
Jack was so lost in his mental rantings that he almost didn't see the Jaffa coming the other way and nearly walked straight into him.
"Oh sorry Teal'c. I almost didn't see you." Jack said. The Jaffa said nothing which in itself was not unusual but then Jack noticed the zat gun in Teal'c's hand.
"Uh, Teal'c. Why have you got that zat gun?"
"I must find Daniel Jackson. This is for protection."
Jack looked stunned. "Protection against what? Against Daniel?"
"Yes."
When the Jaffa failed to elaborate, Jack exploded.
"Dammit, Teal'c. What the hell has Daniel ever done to make you, ex-first prime to Apophis, fear him, a lowly archaeologist. Have you gone mad? Its bad enough that Danny boy appears to have gone AWOL, without you going nuts on me as well. Now will you please explain to me what is going on here."
Teal'c reiterated what he had seen on the news report. "I felt it prudent to see if the report was correct. It is possible Daniel has been infected with a Goa'uld and poses a threat to us. I am merely taking precautions."
Jack stared wide eyed at the Jaffa. Could he be right and it was Daniel on the TV? Had he been infected by a Goa'uld? Another reason to go and find the errant linguist.
"Right then, lets go and see if you're right. I'll take the zat and you'd better bring your staff weapon as well. We may need to restrain him if your hypothesis is correct and Daniel is becoming violent."
The Jaffa inclined his head in assent and the two men set off for Daniel's apartment.
The girl awoke slowly. Her head was aching and her throat was dry. She opened her eyes and looked about her. Then she sat up quickly. Where the hell was she? This wasn't her room. She racked her brains to try and remember how she had got here. A man. Yes, from the night club. She was about to get out of bed when she heard movements outside. Turning to face to door, she saw him.
Daniel's eyes glittered when he saw the girl was awake. His skin was clammy and his stomach was crapping again. Even though Carter could be here any minute he needed to feed. He slowly approached the bed, trying not to frighten the girl.
"Oh, you're awake. I thought I should let you lie in. You seemed really tired. Can I get you anything to drink?" he asked her.
"Um, no I'm fine thanks. In fact I should probably be going now. My flat mates will be wondering where I am. Where did I put my things?" She moved to get up. Daniel growled. She was going to leave him. He couldn't allow that. He lunged for her, pinning her to the bed. She looked up at him, fear evident in her big brown eyes.
"P..P..Please don't hurt me," she begged. Daniel laughed, holding her hair and tugging her head back so he could get better access to her throat. His teeth rested on the soft white flesh. He was about to close down when he heard a sound from the front room. Abruptly, he released the girl and went to investigate.
Sam drove her car up the driveway and parked in a space near the front of Daniel's building. She grabbed her bag from the passenger seat, locked the car door and headed for the main door. She looked at her watch. She was bang on time. Traffic had been light and she had made better time than she thought. She let herself in the main door and headed up the stairs to Daniel's apartment. Finally after climbing three flights of stairs Sam found herself on Daniel's floor. She went to the door and was about to knock when she realsied the door was already ajar. Sam knocked once then pushed the door open and entered Daniel's domain.
"Daniel, are you here?" she called. Then she took in the room which greeted her. Usually immaculately tidy, the front living room was a mess. Books sat stacked on the desk and thrown over the floor. Clothes draped over the furniture and half eaten steaks sat on plates dotted over the floor. She took a closer look at one and then wished she hadn't. Dried blood stained the ceramic pottery and the meat looked like an animal had been tearing at it for several days. Sam supressed a shudder and moved to the pile of books. She was busy picking them up and didn't notice Daniel was in the room until she felt him breathing down her neck. She jumped up and turned in one fluid motion so that she was facing him.
"Morning Sam,"
"Er morning, Daniel. I didn't hear you come in. The door was open so I... I hope you don't mind." She peered closer at him. "Are you alright, Daniel?" she asked. He looked like hell. His hair, long but usually neatly brushed, was dishevelled looking. There were dried blood stains on his shirt and he hadn't shaved in several days so that the stubble was beginning to grow. He looked like a wild man, Sam thought. His skin was pale and shiny with a sheen of sweat and dark bruises made his blue eyes look darker than normal.
"I'm fine Sam. How about yourself?" He advanced slowly. Unconciously Sam backed away. Daniel continued talking.
"You are looking well to day Sam. Did I ever tell you that? I should have done." He reached out and stroked his hand down her face then onto her neck. Sam froze. This couldn't be happening. She tried to move but she felt paralyzed with fear. This was ridiculous, she told herself. This was Daniel. He'd never hurt her. But in that moment she wasn't sure. Still Daniel advanced.
Jack's jeep squealed to a halt outside Daniel's apartment building. They'd made the journey across town in record time. Jack wouldn't be surprised if he got back to base to find that he'd been caught on camera, speeding. Still it had been necessary. The Doc had radioed through that the sample was showing signs of some kind of infection that seemed to be causing the strange effects. She'd also remembered the scratches on Daniel's throat and postualted he could have been bitten by some native creature. Jack had thumped the wheel at that and nearly crashed the jeep. Whatever the reason, it was imperative that they found Daniel.
As Jack pulled up he noticed Daniel's car was still in the lot. Good, he thought, he probably hadn't gone anywhere. Then Teal'c had drawn his attention to a dark blue saloon. Sam's car. What the hell was she doing here? If Daniel was dangerous then she could be in serioius trouble even with her training. The two men lept from the jeep and ran for the stairs.
Daniel smiled slowly. He could almost taste Sam's fear, could hear her heart beating as she tried to edge away. He dropped his hand and watched her for a minute. Savoured the moment. Then, he lunged for her.
The movement was so swift it took Sam by surprise and it carried the two of them to the floor. Sam struggled against Daniel but he held her with ease on the ground. She couldn't move or breathe. He sat squarely on her chest and pulling on her hair, arching her neck towards him. He could see her blood pumping below the skin. He leant forward to bite through the soft flesh.
Carter squeezed her eyes closed. This couldn't be Daniel, she kept telling herself. She tried to move but he had her pinned to the floor, her arms above her head, her back arcing towards him. She prayed for it to be over quickly. Then, the weight was gone. She heard a crash and a snarl, then Jack's voice. She opened her eyes and took the hand held out to her.
"Are you okay?" Jack asked her as she dusted herself off.
Sam nodded.
"What the hell are you guys doing here?" she asked.
"Long story. And besides we could ask you the same thing. Care to tell us what happened?"
Sam looked at Daniel. He'd obviously hit the wall hard when Teal'c had intervened. His arm hung at a strange angle and blood ran from a cut on his forehead. He was hissing and spitting at Teal'c who was holding him off with the staff weapon. Daniel seemed unphased and was making attempts at getting past the Jaffa guard.
"Not much to tell really, Sir. I came in and he attacked me. I tried to fight him off but he caught me by surprise. Then you two came in.
Jack nodded. He looked at Daniel again. He was wide eyed and sweating profusely even though it was almost winter and the heating wasn't on. They had to get him back to base but he was obviously highly agitated. Jack felt the zat gun in his pocket. No, he'd only use that if the situation really warranted it. Perhaps they should see if they could find anything to help.
Leaving Teal'c to hold off Daniel, Sam and Jack went to look around the linguist's apartment to see if they could find any clues to his behaviour. Jack took the bedroom and Sam looked in the kitchen.
"Er Sam. I think you should come in here." He turned back to face the girl. "It's okay, I won't hurt ya." The girl just withdrew further into the corner she was in.
Sam entered the room, spent a few minutes with the girl then went to talk to her C.O.
"Apparently she met him at a nightclub. They came back here and she fell asleep. When she woke up, Daniel tried to attack her.
"But you got here first," Jack surmised. "Fine, sit with her, then get her down to County. Stay with her and then get back to base. Teal'c and I will take the space monkey."
Sam nodded. Jack was trying to be flippant but she could see how upset he was. Trying to understand how Daniel could have attacked two women, including one of his friends. It didn't make sense. Moving back into Daniel's room, Sam helped the girl get dressed than led her out past Daniel leaving the three men alone in the room.
Jack and Teal'c watched Daniel as Sam led the girl away. He watched them. his eyes following their movements across the room. Then' as they disappered out of the door, he turned to face Jack. He lunged suddenly. Jack reacted without thinking.
The zat blast caught the younger man full in the chest, in mid flight. He seemed to freeze then collapsed to the ground. Jack lowered the weapon. He watched as Daniel twitched with the electricity, then stopped moving. Jack approached carefully and sank on his knees beside him.
"What have you done Danny?" Jack asked.
Daniel's eyes opened briefly. A trickle of blood ran down the side of his mouth.
"I'm sorry Jack." he whispered. Then his face screwed up in pain. His eyes opened wide and Jack could see the fear in them.
"Help me," Daniel gasped. His body became rigid and still, then began to tremble and jerk as the seziure took hold.