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He awakened, his back aching from the position he was lying in. As loathe as he was to move away from her, he didn't think he could remain still much longer. And his bladder was beginning to complain about the three cups of coffee he'd drank earlier. When he shifted, he watched her face. Her eyes fluttered open. "Hi, there, Angel," he said softly.

She frowned. She understood 'Angel'. It was what he called her. His smile brought one to her own lips. With more courage than she'd felt in...days?...weeks?...it seemed like a very long time...she reached out, put her fingers against his lips. "Stud Muffin," she whispered.

Daniel kissed her fingers. "Angel, I have..." he broke off, shook his head. "I have to go...I'll be right back, I promise."

"I have displeased you?" she asked, a worried frown on her face.

"Noc! Oh, no, Angel! You've been so brave, and so strong, and you're so beautiful..." he brushed her hair over her shoulder. Caught sight of his hand, realized he hadn't put his wedding ring back on. He took her hand. Ran his finger over the lighter skin on her finger "Would you like your wedding rings?"

She frowned. Watched carefully when Dan-yel put his hand beside hers, traced a finger over the places on their fingers...marks...of some sort.

"How about I just bring them down here, and then you can decide if you want to wear them?" he asked softly.

"Whatever pleases you, Beloved," she intoned, desperately wanting to please him, to make him happy.

The words rang hollow, she was simply trying to avoid punishment. Jesus, what did she suffer to have broken her so completely? Even with the drug, it was obvious that Ba'al had brutalized her. The pain gnawing his gut made him want to scream. He forced a smile. "I'll be back soon. I promise." He watched her for a minute, wanted so badly to kiss her, to hold her. Instead, he slid from the bed, smiled at her one more time, and then quietly left the room.

The pain, the raw aching pain, the overwhelming grief...even the jealousy he'd felt towards Teal'c...was being pushed aside by all consuming rage. By the time he reached his office his body was shaking with that anger. Goddamn her! How could she have done it? Why had she let herself get caught...because by all the gods that were holy, that was exactly what had happened! What in the hell had she been trying to prove? Was she trying to see just how goddamned much he could take without totally falling apart? Because if she was, he had the fucking answer for her! He couldn't take any more!

He didn't even feel it when he slammed his hand into the side of the nearest filing cabinet, leaving an impression of his fist, and blood from the skin that split over his knuckles from the force of the blow. Why in the fuck hadn't Teal'c just picked her up? Why hadn't he protected her? He'd been right fucking there!

Right where you should have been, bucko, his brain informed him angrily. No fucking shit! he ranted silently. She's my Wife! The most important, precious thing in the world, in the universe to me, and I just kept right on running, never once checking to make sure she was still beside me! Goddamn it to hell, why the fuck had she stopped?

The other fist battered the defenseless filing cabinet, gained the same bruises that its twin had incurred. Still the anger seethed in him. If he ever got his hands on Ba'al...he'd reach into that host body and yank the symbiote out with his bare hands! How dare he touch the sweetest, most beautiful woman he'd ever laid eyes on? How dare that goddamned snake order his Wife raped!

Raped! Oh, Jesus! That beautiful, sexy body...battered, abused...if there was any justice, any justice in the universe at all, she wouldn't remember being taken. God, after all she'd suffered as a child, if she remembered just one second of being defiled by those sons-of-bitches...it would destroy her. He knew her well enough to know that she'd convince herself that she was to blame...that he wouldn't be able to love her, to touch her...that she was 'damaged goods'.

He was pacing the room, his breath coming in gasps, his chest heaving as the anger rolled off of him. Three small statuettes flew across the room to shatter against the far wall one after the other, the destruction of the ceramic pieces doing nothing to assuage his fury.

For seven days he'd been stuck on that damned Goa'uld ship...unable to do anything but try to stay alive, and worry about her. When he did finally get off the ship - and he could remember the sheer relief it had been to hear Jacob Carter's voice, the elation of being ringed to the Tok'ra ship, knowing that he'd be able to go for his Wife - he'd wound up dead...helping the Tok'ra...again! Why did it seem that anything involving the Tok'ra meant sure trouble for him? It hadn't always been that way...only since Casey had come into his life. Had the Tok'ra always been so...uncaring...so cold hearted? Then, then...when he should have been the one to go for her, to rescue her, to bring her home, General Hammond and Janet had conspired to keep him away from the base! When he and Jack and Sam had seen the number of guards on the back emergency exit, they'd known that there wasn't going to be a way in. So what happened? Teal'c went after her! And now...now she thought that the Jaffa was her new fucking Master!

Another statuette hit the wall. Goddamn it to fucking hell anyway! It should have been me! It should have been me carrying her back to the SGC!

He slammed his hands down on the work table, his shoulders shaking. Goddamn it! It hurt so fucking bad...and he wanted her back...and Janet had admitted that she didn't know if, or when, that would actually happen...and right now he wanted to kill something... someone! Someone was going to pay for what she'd gone through. For tearing apart his wonderful, beautiful, incredible life. "I'll find you, you motherfucker," he hissed. "I'll find you, and kill you with my bare hands!"

"Yeah, you will," a voice said softly from the doorway.

Daniel started; turned around to see Jack standing there, assessing the damage to the filing cabinets.

"I hope they don't take the value of those rocks outa your pay," the older man said, nodding toward the shards of glass on the floor.

For the first time since entering the room he realized just exactly what he'd done. "Oh, shit," he whispered.

"You needed to deal with it," Jack replied. "Probably would've been better if you'd gone to the gym and beat the shit out of the bag, but...whatever works." He walked into the room, dropped down on the stool beside the work table. "You all right now?"

He took a deep, ragged breath. The rage that had filled him seemed to have passed, leaving him weak and shaking. "Yeah, I think so." He glanced at his best friend. "I take it you followed me?"

"Just wanted to make sure you were okay," Jack replied quietly.

Daniel dropped onto the chair behind his desk, put his elbows on cluttered surface, buried his face in his hands. "I want her back."

"I know."

"I want it all the way it was."

"It will be."

He lifted his head, looked over at his best friend. "Got a guarantee?"

Jack smiled. "Yep. SG-1 magic. We've always beaten the odds. We always will."

The young archaeologist couldn't help but smile. "I hope so."

"What'd you come down here for? Besides attacking innocent office furniture and breaking up rocks?"

"Our rings."

Jack nodded. "Good idea. She'll want them when she wakes up."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Just am," he shrugged. He'd never admit it was ninety-nine percent hope, one percent certainty.

Daniel pulled a key ring from his pocket, unlocked the desk drawer, then unlocked the small metal box. He slid his wedding band onto his finger, put the velvet covered box in which her rings were nestled into his pocket.

Jack stood up, put his hand on Daniel's shoulder when he was close enough. "You'll probably feel like doing that again, a time or two. Spare the furniture next time. Go to the gym."

He smiled. "I will."

"Come on. Let's get back down there. If Radar makes a full come back and you aren't there, Doc will have our hides for making her listen to the ranting."

Daniel's smile widened slightly. "Big needles."

"Big honkin' needles." With a grin, Jack led the way to the elevator.

A  A  A  A  A  A

After a much needed side trip to the restroom, Daniel slipped back into the isolation room. His heart skipped a beat when Casey smiled shyly at him, and slid to one side of the bed. He smiled in return; slowly, carefully stretched out beside her.

She'd immediately noticed the object on his finger. She stared at it, taking in the fact that it covered the mark that had been on his skin. She looked at her own finger, than back at his.

Daniel had been watching her eyes, knew what she was looking at. He reached into his pocket, pulled out the velvet box. He took the rings from inside it, tossed the box to Jack. Again, moving slowly so that he didn't panic her, he reached for her hand. He couldn't help but grin when she immediately lifted it to his face, pressed her fingers against his lips. He kissed them. Dared to run his tongue over the sweet skin of her fingertips. Watched her eyes widen. "Here," he said softly, slipping her engagement and wedding rings onto her finger.

She gasped at how beautiful the...what had he called them?...she couldn't remember, but whatever they were, they were so beautiful! She cradled her left hand with the right, watching how the stones sparkled, light dancing from them when she moved her fingers. She could think of no words to describe the marvelous things that were now wrapped around her finger. When she noticed that his ring was similar, she shyly reached for his hand. Placed it next to hers. Ran her finger over each ring again and again.

"A woman never forgets her diamonds," Sam said softly, a smile on her face.

"Was that a hint, Major?" Jack asked, not looking at the blonde beside him.

Sam jerked. "No, sir!"

Daniel and Teal'c chuckled. Daniel shifted slightly. Casey was sitting up, still enthralled by the rings. When he slipped his arm around her hips, it had been a simple movement to make himself comfortable.

She froze when she felt his arm. Didn't dare look at him. When nothing else happened, when he didn't move his hand from where it lay on the bed beside hers, she relaxed. She took a deep breath. Was willing to risk punishment to move closer. So safe, she felt so safe when Dan-yel was near!

His heart jumped with joy when she subtly moved closer, shifted enough to press her thigh against his belly. The arm around her hip tightened slightly. The fingers of that hand began to gently move against the outside of her upper thigh.

The gentle caress from Dan-yel's fingers was enough to set her body on fire. Once again feelings that she didn't yet recognize raced through her; that place between her thighs began to ache. Not with the pain she'd always felt after being punished...raped by Jaffa at the whim of her Master...no, no...not Master...Ba'al. No this ache was much different. Pleasant...in a strange way; it elicited feelings of warmth, made her want...more. More touches.

He wanted to cry out with happiness when the thigh he so carefully caressed moved toward his hand. He could smell her. That sweet floral and vanilla scent was becoming stronger, she was becoming aroused. God knew that if he didn't stop now...she was in no way, shape or form ready for him to make love to her. Not yet. At the same time, he realized that if he stopped his movements, she'd interpret his actions as displeasure. Talk about being between a rock and a hard place! And speaking of being hard...there was very little room in his fatigues, and his quickly growing arousal wouldn't be easy to hide.

Teal'c watched the couple on the bed. Could see what was transpiring from where he sat on the floor. "I have need to stretch my legs," he said quietly.

Jack looked over at the Jaffa. He'd been sitting there for several hours. If Casey needed him, he'd stay there for days. A glance at the look at Daniel had him grinning to himself. "I could use another cup of coffee. C'mon, Major."

Sam looked from Teal'c to Jack. Then at Daniel. His blue eyes had darkened. And...Holy Hannah! It was apparent even through his heavy fatigues that he was hard as a rock! "Uh, yeah, coffee sounds good."

Daniel never took his eyes off of Casey. He was well aware of what was going on. He'd be eternally grateful for friends as...aware, and as considerate, as his teammates were.

Casey's attention had moved from the rings to his blue eyes. She could feel his erection pressing against her leg. Instead of fear, or dread, or shame, it...aroused her. Increased the heat that was filling her body. She never even noticed when Teal'c and the others left the room.

"Casey..." he stopped when she pressed her fingers against his lips. He grinned. Kissed them, nipped at them playfully.

She gasped as his teeth grazed her skin. Oh, the feelings that raced through her body! "I obey," she whispered.

Somehow, he didn't think she was begging for mercy. "Soon, Angel, we'll make love, just like we've done so many times. We'll fly among the stars, find that place that only we can find, together," he said softly.

Make love? Love? Oh, what a nice word that was! Just like Beloved. Another deep breath. No punishment had been forthcoming when she'd been bold enough to touch him. It gave her the courage to...ask...for more. She didn't know exactly where the thought, or the need...came from. Never had Ba'al or his Jaffa touched her gently, or with...with love. Nor had she ever wanted them to touch her. Certainly none of them had looked at her like Dan-yel looked at her, was looking at her. But she wanted...she needed his touch. Knew that it would be gentle...tender...pleasing. She took the strong, warm hand that had been still beside hers. Placed it on her breast. 

His breath caught in his throat. "Casey..." It was damned difficult to resist squeezing... massaging that perfect orb.

"I obey," she whispered again, pressing against him.

He moaned. She was determined to drive him out of his mind. He moved his hand from her breast, cupped her cheek. Smiled when she pressed her face against his palm. "As much as I want to make love to you right now, this isn't the place...or the time. When Doctor Fraiser...er...Janet, say's you're well enough to go home, we'll make love. In our bed," he whispered.

"Touch?"

Now he smiled. "Later, I promise. Touch. Lots of touches. And lots of kisses."

Without even realizing she was doing it, Casey began to pout, disappointment flooding through her. She understood that the touches that that she wanted...that she needed...wouldn't be forthcoming. At least not right now. Soon...Dan-yel promised that he'd touch her soon. If she didn't die of need before then!

"You're doing it on purpose," he complained.

She looked at him, shook her head.

"You're tormenting me. You're so beautiful, and you're doing that little pouting thing that always makes me crazy," he explained.

"Forgive!" she begged, afraid she'd angered him.

"Noc! Nothing to forgive, Angel," he whispered. "I love you, Casey. I love you so much it hurts."

She smiled. "Love. Much love," she whispered. She wasn't exactly certain what it meant. Only that it sounded so nice, and made her feel...warm. And...safe.

"Much love," he agreed. "Now, you need to sleep."

"Stay with me?"

"To quote a very good friend of mine, 'undomesticated equines would be unable to move me'," he smiled.

She frowned.

With a chuckle, he ran his knuckles gently over her cheek. "I'll be right here," he said.

She settled beside him. Dared to put her head on his shoulder. Snuggled closer when the arm that had encircled her hips went around her shoulders. "Safe," she whispered.

"Safe, Angel."

When their teammates returned, both Jacksons were sleeping soundly.

A  A  A  A  A  A

Janet slipped in an hour later. The newest test results showed that the drugs left in Casey's body were dissipating much quicker than she'd hoped. She assumed that it had to do with her Immortality. "It's breaking down as it disperses. At this rate, by this afternoon Casey should be back with us," she grinned.

Jack leaned back, ran a hand over his face. They always came back. Always. That SG-1 magic. He couldn't help but grin. "I don't know about you, but I need some sleep. There's a bed in my quarters calling to me."

"As do I," Teal'c said.

"There's a new gen-" Sam started.

"Carter, you will go to your quarters, and you will get some sleep. That's an order," Jack said firmly.

She smiled. "Yes, sir."

The petite doctor watched the three walk slowly to the elevator. Sam put her arms around both men. Who in turn wrapped their arms around her. Once again SG-1 had been granted a miracle.

A  A  A  A  A  A

General Hammond read the memo twice. Sat back in his chair and grinned. Reached for the red phone. The president himself had been concerned about Casey's safety, and upon being informed of her return, had called and inquired about her well being. It was with great relief that the general informed the CIC that the young woman was going to be fine.

 A  A  A  A  A  A

When SG-3 filed into the briefing room, tired but alive and well, the condition of the young seer was uppermost in their minds. Major Ferretti dropped into a chair. The men had arrived too late to stop on level twenty-one before meeting with General Hammond. The message they'd received informing them that she'd been returned had come through as she was being wheeled into the infirmary. The prognosis for her recovery had been cautious at best. He let his mind wander a bit as he waited for the general. Tried to figure out how one little slip of a woman could affect the whole damned base. He shook his head mentally. Same way that Dr. Jackson had.

Neither of the two would ever believe that they were as important to the facility as they were. Wasn't it interesting that it was two of the most modest people he'd ever met who were the literal backbone of the place? If either one left, the place would be crippled. If they left together, well, just lock the doors and turn off the lights. The SGC existed because of Dr. Daniel Jackson. He'd unlocked the secrets of the Stargate, had discovered what it was. Then he'd found the Abydonian Cartouche. Thousands of 'gate addresses. Which was what had started the whole damned program all over again. His drive to find peaceful solutions, to make friends and allies of those they met through the 'gate, his need to know...that was what kept the place going. Oh sure, each mission was undertaken with a hope of finding a weapon that would help them defend Earth, defeat the Goa'uld. But it wasn't the only reason teams walked up that ramp. Wasn't even the primary reason, not for the people who went on the missions. No, the need to know what was out there... instilled by the young archaeologist...that was the reason men and women continued to be hurled through a wormhole to alien planets on an almost daily basis.

Then there was Casey. God love her, she had the most wicked sense of humor he'd ever encountered in a woman as innocent as she was. She came with a gift he could never hope to understand. And what a temper! Hoo-boy! Everybody in the mountain had watched the security tape of her taking on the Goa'uld bitch who'd tried to take over the SGC. Spitfire, that's what Casey Jackson was, and any man or woman who dared to mess with Doc, well, they should just bend over and kiss their ass goodbye! He couldn't even describe the way it felt to be near her. And she always smelled so damned good! Then there was the gentleness that just rolled off of her; the sunshine of her smile...He could be happy just sitting in the briefing room if she was there.

He frowned slightly. Major Carter had the same sort of affect on the men of the base. She was brilliant, and that was a bit intimidating. But she had a warmth about her that just made a man want to be nearby. Neither woman was a Fainting Nelly. They were both tough as nails, could probably kick the ass of any man on the base. For years he'd believed that there were specific roles in the military for women. Nurses. Supply clerks. Public relations. Information management. But never as field officers. Never as combat pilots. As actual warriors. Then he met a feisty Air Force captain. He'd never forget the look on Jack O'Neill's face when she'd told him that 'just because her reproductive organs were on the inside didn't mean she couldn't do the job'. She was one hell of a soldier, Sam Carter.

Again he shook his head mentally, admitted that as much as Daniel Jackson, and now Casey Jackson as well, were the backbone of the SGC; Jack O'Neill, Sam Carter, and Teal'c were every bit as important. He'd heard Casey say that the SG-1 team members had...how had she put that? Oh yeah, their hearts were entwined. Yep, he'd seen that special...'something'...at work a time or two. It was awe-inspiring. They truly were like one entity, woven together of five very strong individuals. No wonder the snakes couldn't defeat them! His reverie was broken when the door to General Hammond's office opened.

"Good morning, gentlemen," the general said, hurrying into the room. The men stood to attention, his greeting wearily returned. "We'll try to make this briefing as short as possible. For the next forty-eight hours you'll be staying on the base. I want to make certain that you weren't followed.

Major Ferretti nodded. "We didn't see anyone, but Tem has been at this a long time. It's hard telling how many agents he has world wide."

"There hasn't been word of any persons of interest arriving in town," the general replied. "We'll hear the minute anyone does come through."

"We eyeballed Tem," the major reported. "We have several rolls of film."

"This guy is sick," Willy grumbled.

"Straight up," Richards nodded.

"He has Kinsey, saw him too," Ferretti said. He shuddered. "The boys are right, Tem is twisted."

"He pierced him!" Willy said, shaking his head.

"Excuse me?" General Hammond said, frowning. He held up a hand to forestall the answer. "I know you're tired. And, if you're willing to wait a few hours, SG-1 can sit in on the briefing."

Hope flickered over four faces. "Sir?" Ferretti asked

"I just received a message from Doctor Fraiser. According to her estimates, Casey Jackson should be, and I quote, 'right as rain' sometime early this afternoon. The drugs that Ba'al used on her have nearly run their course, and are being flushed from her system. She's already displayed signs of making a full recovery."

"Doc has to be damned happy about that," Ferretti grinned.

"I'm certain that he is," the general replied, smiling as well. "Get a hot meal, a shower, and some sleep. We'll do a full debrief at sixteen hundred hours. The lab will have the photos developed by then."

"Yes, sir."

"Dismissed." Hammond watched the men leave the room. From the expressions on their faces, he had no doubt that the briefing was not going to be easy. He wasn't certain that he wanted Casey Jackson exposed to what was certain to be horrific information. He also knew that once she was fully 'back', there'd be no stopping her from returning to duty. He smiled. She was just as determined as her husband. The SGC existed because of Dr. Jackson's determination, his tenacity. There was absolutely nothing that those two couldn't accomplish together. Or survive, together.

A  A  A  A  A  A

Ferretti got off on level twenty-one. Was somewhat taken aback to see the men from four other SG-teams leaning against the walls of the corridor.

"Welcome home, Lou," Major Mark Newsome said quietly.

"Thanks," Lou replied. "Mrs. J?"

The other man shrugged. "Her memory was shot to shit when Teal'c found her. Seems that snake loaded her up with some kind of drug, then started 'training' her to be his personal slave."

"Shit!" the older man hissed.

"Yeah. Right after we brought her back...well, she was scared to death. Started screaming, hid in the corner. Doc Fraiser says she's gonna be okay...but-" the major broke off.

"Kinda wanna see for yourself?" Ferretti smiled. Which was exactly the reason he'd decided to come to the infirmary.

Another shrug.

Janet Fraiser turned the corner, coming from the room where Casey and Daniel were both sleeping soundly. "What in the world?"

Every man in the corridor stood to attention. "Just checking on Mrs. Jackson, ma'am," Major Deke Anderson said softly.

Janet tried to hide her smile. If she'd ever needed proof that Casey had affected the entire SGC, and in a positive way, this was it. "She's sleeping right now. As far as I can tell, she's going to be fine. Now, get out of here. You're cluttering up my corridor."

"Yes, ma'am," Deke grinned.

Major Newsome rubbed a callused hand over the back of his neck. "She won't...she won't remember any of...that...will she?"

The smile that had been lurking in the diminutive doctor's eyes faded. "I certainly hope not," she said softly.

Uneasy glances were exchanged. Only one team of men had heard her screams of pain. Only a handful had any idea what the slender blonde had endured. Every one of the men in that corridor would send up a prayer that her memory returned to her, minus the knowledge of the horrors that she'd suffered.

She normally didn't divulge medical information about patients to anyone not a family member, or at least a teammate. But these men had been willing to die in order to bring Casey home. They needed to know. Deserved to know. "From all the tests I've run, the drug Ba'al used on her was similar to what Osiris used on Dr. Jackson. There have already been...indications...that her recovery will be similar, if not identical, to his." 

Smiles broke out on battle hardened faces. "Thanks, ma'am." Deke smiled.

"You're welcome. Now, for the last time, get out of here," Janet said, smiling in return. She walked back into her office. Checked the monitor. Her smile widened. Casey had shifted, her arm was around Daniel's waist. In spite of the drugs still working to keep her mind in a haze, and the 'conditioning' Ba'al had inflicted on her, the love that she felt for the archaeologist had risen to the surface. Even if she wasn't quite aware of it...just yet.

A  A  A  A  A  A

Daniel started, opened his eyes. Smiled when he felt her arm over his abdomen. Her head was still on his shoulder. A glance around the room told him that their teammates had determined that all was well. Probably getting some much needed rest themselves.

His stomach announced its displeasure at having been ignored for far too long. Well, he thought, running his hand gently over her shoulder, it would just wait a bit longer. He wasn't moving. Not until she was awake.

When Casey opened her eyes, she frowned. Where in the hell was she? Gray walls. Lovely pipes crisscrossing the ceiling. Oh, great! The frickin' infirmary! What the hell had happened? She tried to search her memory, but the headache that raged made it damned uncomfortable. When she turned her head, the pain began to pound against her temples. "Oh, god that hurts," she mumbled.

He jerked slightly. "Case?"

It was at that moment that she realized Daniel was lying beside her. "Tell me that this is just the mother of all hangovers, and that we had a wonderful time at the party," she muttered.

He closed his eyes, murmured a soft prayer of thanks. "Other than the headache, how do you feel?"

"My ass is numb. Means I've been in this stupid bed for awhile. And I'm hungry...really, really hungry. And I think I could kill for a cup of coffee."

He chuckled. Wanted to jump up and down and scream yes! Yes! YES! Janet had been right. She was back! His Angel, his Beloved, his Wife, was back! "I'm kind of hungry myself. What do you say we ring for room service?"

"Sounds like a plan. And something for this headache." She tried to sit up, dropped back down when the movement made her nauseous.

He carefully sat up, then slipped from the bed. "Try not to move too much. I'll go let Janet know you need something for the pain, and something to eat."

She reached out, caught his hand before he could move away from her. "What happened?"

The look that flashed through his eyes worried her.

"We'll talk about it...later," he said, brushing his fingers over her cheek. "There's plenty of time to talk about it later."

"It's bad," she said flatly.

His gaze dropped to the floor. Then back up to green eyes haunted with fear. "Yeah, it's bad, Angel. The good news is, you don't, or at least shouldn't, remember any of it."

"Daniel?"

"What?"

"Is it...is it anything that's going to...going to be a...be a problem? For us?"

He smiled. Cupped her cheek. "Nope. No problems at all."

Her gaze dropped to his groin. "Yeah? Tell that to the anaconda. I personally think you have a very big problem."

"You are so not helping!" he complained lovingly.

"I'm not doing anything!" she protested.

"You're laying there, fresh from sleep, looking sexy as hell," he replied.

"Not my fault."

He grinned. "I will so make you pay when we get home."

"I will so hold you to that. I'm...um...I'm feeling a bit...uncomfortable...myself," she confessed shyly, her cheeks flushed with pink.

He laughed. "Good. Glad to know I'm not the only one suffering!"

She tossed the sheet back. "If I don't get to a bathroom soon, somebody is going to have to change the sheets." When she swung around, put her feet on the floor, she swayed, the headache making her unsteady on her feet.

"Whoa! Easy babe. Come on, I'll help you."

"Thanks," she replied. She put one arm around his waist, reached up with the other and linked her fingers with the hand that hung over her shoulder.

The couple was nearly to the restrooms when Janet stopped in front of them, her fists on her hips. "Going somewhere?"

"Pee now, talk later," Casey intoned, not stopping.

The petite woman giggled. "I'll help her from here," she informed Daniel.

Daniel nodded and smiled, kissed Casey's fingers before relinquishing her completely to Janet's care. Then disappeared into the men's room.

As soon as she'd finished and washed her hands, Casey turned to the doctor, her best friend. "Something bad happened, didn't it?"

Janet's cheeks paled. "Honey, I don't think you're ready-"

"What happened?"

"Let's get the team together. They'll all want to be there when you...when Daniel tells you...Teal'c especially."

Teal'c? She frowned. She shivered. Something was seriously wrong, and the more those she trusted stalled, the more she was certain that it was something she really didn't want to know. What was it that Jack always said about sleeping dogs?

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