"There!" Umbarri pointed and Jack saw the Stargate in the center of the green meadow. The horses slowed to a walk and the native reined them to a halt.

Jack frowned. "Why are you stopping?"

"It is forbidden to approach the Great Circle. I can go no closer."

Jack swore under his breath. He knew Daniel and Carter had both said something about the natives considering the gate taboo but...For a fleeting moment, Jack wished he had more knowledge of their customs. "Like Daniel?" his inner voice sniped. Jumping from the wagon, he motioned for Umbarri's help. Together, they lowered the unconscious scientist to the ground.

"I go back for your companions now." Bounding back up on the seat, Umbarri drove away, leaving Jack standing beside the injured linguist.

"Shit!" O'Neill swore, judging the distance between them and the gate. Having no other option, he shifted Daniel onto the emergency blanket and carefully dragged him across the soft grassy meadow to the DHD. Jack shook his head in amazement as he glanced around. Daniel's pack and gun still lay where he'd dropped them. Fumbling, not used to dialing himself, he quickly clicked down the symbols for home.

As the gate kawooshed and the wormhole stabalized, he keyed the remote to open the iris. Gathering his injured friend in his arms, Jack stepped through the gate.

"Medical team! NOW!!" He shouted as he cleared the watery flux.

"Colonel, what the hell is going on here?" Hammond approached him as he stepped from the ramp. "Where's the rest of SG-1?"

"Daniel's been badly hurt sir. I've gotta go back for Carter and Teal'c." His face haggard, his words cracked with emotion.

"Are they injured too?" Hammond's eyes widened as he took in the bloody body of the scientist, before looking back at the colonel, recognizing a man on the ragged edge of emotion.

"No sir. It's a long story sir." Jack carefully lowered Daniel to the floor, cradling him in his arms like a small child. Fraiser ran into the room, followed by her med team. Brushing past the general, she dropped to her knees beside Daniel, sparing a second's glance at O'Neill. "You can let him go now, Colonel."

Jack flushed, realizing he still clutched his friend. Gently, he released Daniel to the care and security of the medical team who quickly placed him on a stretcher and wheeled him toward the infirmary. Staring after them with haunted eyes, Jack finally pulled his gaze away and looking up at the control room, motioned for Graham to redial.

"I gotta go back sir. I'll explain as soon as the rest of my team is safe." With quick steps he re-entered the flux, leaving the general to stare after him, his mouth hanging open

Carter and Teal'c were waiting by the DHD, their gear piled beside them when Jack cleared the gate. He held up his hand to forestall Carter's question. "Doc's got him...that's all I know." Bending, he gathered up Daniel's gun and pack. "C'mon kids, let's go home." Pain shadowed his dark eyes, as he watched Carter dial home. They were indeed his kids, less one.

Making sure they entered ahead of him, he quickly followed them back through the gate.

Hammond was waiting as Jack wearily moved down the ramp. Carter and Teal'c stood nearby, waiting, watching him. "Sir, I'd like..."

The general cut off words with a wave of his hand. "Of course, Colonel. You want to check on Dr. Jackson."

Jack stared at him. "No sir." He heard Carter's sharp gasp of surprise and saw his commander's eyes widen as he corrected softly, "I want to check on Daniel, sir."

"I'll postpone your debriefing until you and your team have had a chance to rest and clean up," Hammond offered. Jack nodded in appreciation, not pausing to drop his equipment, as he moved for the door. Carter and Teal'c on his heels, they hurried down the corridor to the infirmary.