Silence

SUMMARY: SG1 encounters a silent enemy

Janet

Once again they gather here. This infirmary has become their second home. Now that is sad! I have never met a closer team. The bonding they have done was never expected. Put together a cranky, world weary Colonel, a genius military scientist, an outcast linguist/archeologist and an alien warrior and what do you get - an unstoppable team with courage, heart and soul. What happened three days ago was just another in a string of miraculous escapes. The fact that they did not come out of this one unscathed is also not a surprise. They seldom do.

Three Days Prior

Janet

Here I wait with baited breath as I always do when SG-1 go off-world. My medical team is at the ready for them (just in case). They are now seven hours overdue which does not bode well for my favorite team. It was supposed to be a simple recon mission, but then, they always are. Oh, there goes the klaxons. There is an incoming team. Please let it be them. Sure enough, two minutes later came the call that I always dread "Medical team to the embarkation room"!

We arrived to find Teal'c sitting on the ramp, in obvious pain, with an unconscious Major Carter in his arms. I could see blood on his shirt and signs of healing wounds about his head , apparently his symbiot is helping him (way to go Junior as the Colonel is so fond of saying). Carter was pale, but I could see no obvious sign of injury. What I also could not see were Daniel and the Colonel. Teal'c must have guessed my coming question as he looked at the General and I. The General had just approached behind me and informed me that all the members had been wounded and he could only bring the Major through as she was the least wounded and the safest to move! Oh hell. I had Carted loaded up and shipped off to the infirmary as the General arranged to get the others back. The wormhole was opened and the Colonel and Daniel were retrieved within minutes. I ran escort with them to the infirmary.

Daniel appeared to have numerous bruises and lacerations, as well as a possible broken rib, a definite broken arm and ankle as well as a concussion. He was whisked into a curtain area, next to the one Sam was occupying, and Dr. Brooks' team got to work on him.

I got the pleasure of working on the Colonel!

I have seen a lot in my time with the SGC. Sometimes more than I know how to handle. But this! Oh Jack! I don't even know how to start. The problem with my job is that the sick and injured are my friends. Some more than others, and Jack and his team are among my best.

I want to go ask Teal'c what's been done to him to cause all this, but I know I don't have the time to ask. Get a grip girl and be a doctor. Your patient needs you.

Okay. We get him intubated and on a respirator, saline, glucose and transfusion IV's started, hook up a heart monitor, run an EKG and an MRI and then begin the process of x-raying all suspect areas. He seems to be stabilized for now so I take a moment to review his test results before going any further.

His EKG shows some abnormal readings. He has a fractured skull and most definite concussion, three ribs on the right side are gone, his right cheekbone and right clavicle broken, and both femurs. His belly is bruised and swollen (indicating internal bleeding). Cuts, bruises and burns cover him in strategic places indicating torture by someone who knew what they were doing.

Nine excruciating hours in surgery later and we have the spleen, liver and kidney damage repaired, the ribs set, the perforated lung re-inflated and both legs pinned and braced.

He has a long road ahead of him physically, but I think he will recover. Jack is one of the strongest men I have ever met. He needs to be in his line of work. Emotional recovery is another story. This is not the first time something like this has happened. Going to hell and back once is something no-one should ever have to endure, but twice?

Teal'c

Dr. Brooks has kept us all apart. This is worse than what happened to us on the planet. Physical torture I can withstand, but not letting me know about my friends! That is worse. What they went through back there makes me shudder, and yet it is also comforting. Not that we were injured of course, but that it reminds me once again that coming here with these people was the right thing to do. They have come to mean so much to me.

Major Carter- such a beautiful and kind person, with such intelligence yet possessing such courage.

Daniel Jackson-such a mix of naiveté, intelligence, and innocence. He has seen more in these last two years than most will see in a lifetime. Yet he still remains so hopeful about people. Colonel O'Neill once called him the conscience of our team and I believe he is right.

Colonel O'Neill - my friend. I never thought I would ever call a tau'ri that. His bravery and courage inspired me to join with him in overthrowing Apophis, but his friendship has kept me here. He is a mix that I can never fully figure out. A warrior's heart, a keen military mind and yet I have seen him bring joy to a young child's heart and bring hope back to a friend that has lost it. I do know that my respect for him has only grown since I first met him. Especially after this last mission. I hope he is well.

Sam

I woke up to a killer headache and a great sense of fear. I know I am safe, but what about the others? Dr. Brooks won't tell me anything. I wish Janet were here. She would tell me. I need to know.

I slip off my bed quietly and grab the nearest cover up I can find. Peeking cautiously through the curtains, I see the coast is clear. I'm going to find my friends, to Hell with Dr. Brooks.

Moving Quietly so I'm not heard, I make my way to the left. it isn't until the third cubicle that I spy a familiar face. Teal'c!

We greet each other and inquire about each others health. We both appear to be okay. Does worried sick count?

Together we decide to find the rest of our team. Moving with the stealth that only a Jaffa warrior and an air force Major can muster, we manage to find Daniel. He is pale and weak but seems pleased to see us. His arm and ankle are set and his chest is bound to support the rib, and the bruises that grace his face are pretty spectacular. Several IV's surround him. All in all we think he looks wonderful. After a careful group hug we start to talk. Has anyone heard anything about Jack. No. Damn. We all know what he went through for us. The pain in his face as they beat him was echoed only by the pain in our hearts. Why did you have to let them do it Jack? We all know why. He couldn't just stand there and watch his friends be hurt. Not our Colonel.

When they lined us up we knew what was coming. They wanted to send us a message. Actions speak louder than words I guess.

They grabbed me first. After the second hit that brought stars to my thoughts Jack could take no more and distracted our tormentor with his fists. The resistance did not last long and succeeded in nothing more than bringing more energy into the creatures hands. Daniel was next. The sound of his leg snapping brought tears to my eyes. He was led back to us barely conscious. After that went Teal'c. He suffered through blows that would have felled a bear in that stoic way of his, much to the frustration of our captor. Frustration that he vented on our Colonel. Jack didn't stand a chance. Their delight in their treatment of Jack was apparent to all of us, much to our sorrow. Jack never said anything more to them than name, rank and serial number, even thought he was never asked a thing. The beating went on and on and their techniques got worse and worse, but Jack just kept up his unending litany of name, rank and serial number. When their fists appeared to tire, the torches come out. I have never before been witness to such brutality. I have also never witnessed such bravery as I watched our Colonel. He never seemed to give them the satisfaction they were apparently looking for. What that was, we may never know as they never asked a thing.

After what seemed like hours, we were dragged to the gate and dropped there in the dirt like rubbish. They looked us over with what appeared to be an odd mix of contempt, and glee and then they left. Just like that. Teal'c and I looked at each other, and slowly the realization hit that we seemed to be free to leave. Daniel was barely concious, and the Colonel was barely alive. I tried to make it over to him, but the pain in my own head flared violently, and I passed out. Fortunately, Teal'c was able to dail us home, despite the pain he was in.

Daniel

Dr. Brooks must have given me some Morphine or something because the pain in my leg, chest and head in now bearable. He would not, however, answer my questions about my friends. I just want to know. I saw what happened to them through a fog of pain . My ears heard the sounds, but my eyes couldn't seem to focus enough to see. I heard Teal'c take blows without a sound of protest. The only noise in fact was coming from Jack who roared with anger beside me at what was being done to us. He yelled at the creature to stop and struggled to get to him. No matter the creature's size and strength, I still think an angry Jack O'Neill could have taken him. No-one messes with his team and gets away with it. They would have to kill him first. The only thing is, from what I heard, they damn near did.

My friends..... I just want to see them. I can't lose them. They need to be okay. Especially Jack. He has saved me from the enemy and from my own demons more times than I can count. I trust him with my life and my friendship. And he has never let me down. I just wish I could help him more than he let's me. I know he carries as much pain inside him as I do, in fact I'd be willing to bet there's even more. He won't talk about his past though, so I don't know what haunts him.

There's a sound at my door. Barely noticeable, but when you hang around with the same people as I do, you start to become aware of these things.

It's Sam and Teal'c. I can feel my body shake with relief. They look okay. We hug, then talk.

No, they haven't seen or heard anything about Jack. Damn.

We talk a little bit about what happened, but it is too fresh and painful to discuss much. At that moment a voice approaches my door. Janet. Thank God. She looks upset. Not good. Not surprised at seeing us together though.

Janet

I had words with Brooks a moment ago. He informed me that he had separated the team and kept them in the dark about each other so that they might heal in peace and quiet. Who did he think he was dealing with? That team is inseparable. That's what makes SG1 so good. I was furious when I left him. I decided to check on Daniel first as I knew the others were in pretty good shape. At least nothing a few days wouldn't make better. Notice my complete lack of surprise at finding Sam and Teal'c there. They looked at me with obvious questions in their eyes. How's Jack?

I wish I could give them good news, but I can't. He's been beaten within a inch of his life. They flinch when they hear this and I feel badly I can't give them better news. Obviously they hoped he was in better shape than he looked. They all ask to see him. I sigh, but know I will give in. They need to know. Certainly it can't hurt and maybe it will help. Stranger things have happened, especially where these four are concerned.

Teal'c gently places Daniel in a waiting wheelchair. Sam does the driving as I lead them to the ICU where the Colonel is. I hear Sam gasp and Daniel moan as they see him. Teal'c is his usual silent self, but we know that means little where Teal'c is concerned. They take seats around Jack and settle in for the long haul. I tell them his condition, and they just look at me and silently nod. My heart breaks at the pain so apparent in their eyes. I hear a throat clear behind me. Its Brooks. He signals for me to follow. Out in the hall he tries to berate me for letting the team get together. I start to argue with him but am saved by the General. It is his wish that the team be left where they are. Brooks blinks, clears his throat , mumbles something about some blood work then leaves. The General follows me into Jack's room. The shock in his face is obvious. "Not again" he lets slip without realizing it. "Sir" Sam asks. The General just shakes his head and leaves. I can see the team look at each other wondering what he meant by that.

Three Days Later

Janet

Jack has had some real setbacks over the past few days, leaving us all exhausted and scared. Nerves are frayed. The team sat through the General's debriefing. It seems that they don't really know what happened either. It appears that the world seemed peaceful and uninhabited when they got there. They walked for miles and found nothing of note except for an eerie silence. The decision had been made to head for the gate when they were grabbed by some creatures. They were lined up, beaten, then left at the gate. When the General asked why this was done, no-one could answer. It seems not one of these creatures spoke or verbalized in any way. The only sounds on this planet were the ones the team made. As they spoke, the team slowly came to the realization that it must have been their noise that upset the creatures. On a silent world, the noise they made must have seemed like some violent, audio intrusion. Apparently the Colonel was beginning to figure this out and tried to distract the creature from the rest of the team by making as much noise as possible. And no-one can bellow like the Colonel.

The Next Day

Janet

Jack seems to be picking up. His vitals were all stronger, and his color was better. The team was looking hopeful for the first time in awhile. They had been talking to him (hoping that he could hear) and amongst themselves about what had happened. Their theory was that they were being punished for making noise, and that the Colonel was beaten the worst for making the most noise. It took them a while, but they finally realized that the Colonel had come to that same conclusion much before they did.

The general is here with us for a quick check up on Jack's condition. He has let the team know over the past few days about Jack's history in Iraq. Apparently Jack had been tortured there as well. That's what the General meant by his comment. You could have knocked us over with a feather we were so stunned. Well, the others were. I actually had known, but chosen to forget. The images in his file were pretty gruesome. How Jack keeps hope in his life after all that has happened to him over the years is beyond me. I know the others felt the same.

Wait, is that Jack trying to move? Hold on Jack, let me slow your sedative drip down so you can wake up. I also remove his breathing tube so he won't fight it. I was almost ready to remove it anyhow, and now is as good a time as any.

His eyes slowly open and he tries to blink the sleep from them. He looks at each of us in turn and slowly smiles as he sees that the rest of his team is there and in one piece (apart from Daniel's broken bones that is). He tries to talk but no sound comes out which apparently is very disturbing to him because he promptly tries to sit up and fight something.

"Colonel" I soothe, "it's okay. Your throat is just recovering from the intubation tube. Give it a little while and your voice will return. Your vocal chords are just a little swollen. That's all."

He must have understood as he promptly stopped fighting and lay back on his pillows all the while holding his bound ribs. He is very pale and obviously hurting. I give him a shot of morphine and he slowly falls asleep. At least this time we are pretty confident that he will wake. When h e does wake, we are all there again. This time he is able to croak out a few words which cut through us all " they never said a word". The anger and hurt is plain to read on his face, despite the bruising.

Daniel

I can't imagine what Jack has been through in his life. I thought mine was tragic. You know, dead parents, foster care, friends dying, loosing my wife, but I can't even conceive of the violence and pain that is Jacks' life. I knew about his painful divorce from Sara, but I never knew about four months of imprisonment and torture, or the death of Charlie. They say you should walk a mile in a man's shoes before judging him. Well I for one do not want to walk a mile in Jack's shoes. I don' t think I would survive. I also know I can never look at him the same way again. I have such respect for the man, now more than ever. Never has anyone showed such patience with me, or such concern and caring before. I know I am important to him. I never knew why or how, just that it was so. He has taken such a huge burden off of my shoulders, and placed it on his own without even a word. I need now to help him with his.... and I will.

Jack

It has been two weeks since our last mission. I'm grounded for the next two months at least until my legs heal and I think I am going to go nuts. I hate being cooped up. It leaves to much time to think. At least this time I have my team to keep my thoughts from turning dark on me. Where would I be without them I wonder. Dead or in jail probably. Much as I hate what happened to us back there, I am kind of grateful for one thing. I have been shown once again the power of friendship, and how lucky I am to have these people in my life. The last time something similar to this happened, it was hard to learn to live again. This time they won't let me stop.

The General has declared the planet off limits, which suits me fine. What my team suffered through all because we made a little noise makes me want to go back and return the favour in spades. I know that's not possible so I guess keeping it from happening to anyone else is the next best option.

Here come my friends. They all look much better. Even Daniel. Even though I am not comfortable with the images I have left in their minds, images that resurface whenever they look at my bruises and bandages, there are no other people I would rather be with, either there or here.

My friends.... I like the sound of that, and I know that we are going to be okay.

The End *