On solid ground, Teal'c extraordinarily tender for someone of his size, gently lowered the injured scientist down onto Carter's spread bedroll. Sam stood, staring down at Daniel, her eyes full of tears.

"He is alive, Captain Carter."

Realizing her bedroll would not be put to use as a body bag for their friend, Carter gave a silent prayer of thanks, scrambling for the first aid kit. Withdrawing a hypo of Morphine Sulfate, she quickly injected the young man to keep him from sinking further into shock.

Jack knelt down beside her.

"What can I do?" He questioned, his voice breaking as he reached out a hand to brush a blood soaked lock of hair from Daniel's closed eyes. The colonel clenched his hands into tight fists, hoping to stop the trembling that had started the minute Daniel's scream filled the air.

"We have to get him back, Colonel. There's little I can do with this medical kit. He needs Doc...Sir, what he needs to beyond my ability," she admitted guiltily.

"That hypo'll stablize him, right?" Carter nodded in answer to his question. "Do what you can Sam and we'll get him back."

"It's a good twenty miles! It took us two days to days to get here. I...I..." she faltered. "I don't think he has that long."

"He's not going to die Carter!...Do you hear me?! He isn't gonna die!" Gently cupping his hand to the pale, bruised cheek, he whispered. "Don't make me a liar Danny...Just don't!"

Climbing to his feet, he motioned to Teal'c and digging into his pocket, withdrew his survey map. Spreading it out, he pointed to one of the nearby grids. "There."

Teal'c studied it before nodding.

"As soon as Carter's finished, I want you two to go to that village. I don't care what it takes, beg, borrow or steal, just do whatever's necessary to get some means of transportation."

"What of you O'Neill."

"I'm gonna stay with Daniel. I figure you two would have a better shot at gettin' something. The natives didn't exactly take to me.." he grimaced, remembering how, in fact, they had downright disliked him. Daniel,...Jack blinked at the memory...Daniel had explained they didn't appreciate his rigid attitude and bossy manner. They had, however, taken to the friendly, easygoing, scientist making him welcome in their villages. "Make sure you tell them it's for Daniel."

Teal'c nodded his understanding.

Carter slowly gained her feet. "Colonel, I've done all I can. That...thing...mauled him pretty badly. He has severe lacerations and a dislocated right shoulder. There are bite marks on his leg and bad abrasions along his side, probably where he was dragged over the rocks. He's covered with claw marks and I think he has two cracked ribs..." she trailed off then softly added, "There's massive blood loss and infection is setting in...."

"Yeah, but other than that, he's fine right?" Jack's attempt to make light of the injuries, failed miserably.

"It doesn't look good sir." Worry made Carter's voice crack. "Are you sure you don't need me to..."

"No Captain, go with Teal'c." O'Neill cut her off. "Just hurry."

"Yes sir." Stripping off her excess gear, she dropped it beside his pack and motioned to Teal'c. Retaining his staff weapon, they set out at a fast jog for the village five miles away.

Jack watched them disappear into the trees before turning back to the man on the ground. Now that Carter was gone, he knelt down to get his first really good look at the scientist, his throat constricted with emotion.

"Awww, Danny..." Once again he gently touched the bruised face. Other than the irregular rise and fall of his chest there was no indication the young man was alive.

Carefully lifting the emergency blanket Carter had placed over their friend, his breath caught again. The kid's shoulder was a bloody mess of flesh, bits of green fabric mixed in with the blood and dirt. Jack closed his eyes and swallowed hard. He had seen all types of injuries in his line of work, but somehow, seeing these on the innocent, young civilian, shook him. O'Neill looked closer, perceiving the ragged remains of the fatigues were blood soaked and caked with dirt. Carter had bandaged the worst of the wounds but hadn't taken time to work on the lesser injuries.

Tenderly tucking the blanket about the young man, Jack reached over and retrieved his canteen, before digging in a pack for a clean cloth. Although he knew it wasn't helping and wasn't necessary, he wet it and gently washed the blood from the younger man's face. As he did, Jack blinked rapidly, but couldn't keep the moisture in his eyes from gathering and slowly rolling unchecked down his face. ___________________