On of Dr. Fraiser's assistants headed them off as they entered the medical bay. "I'm sorry sir.."

The color washed from his face and Jack gave her an anguished tight lipped look, fearing the worst. "About what?" he whispered finally finding his voice.

Her expression softened. "Oh,....No sir! Dr. Fraiser is doing the best she can with Dr. Jackson." She quickly assured him. "She left orders for you."

"Orders?" He repeated, glancing quickly from her to the others and back again.

"She said there is nothing you can do and suggested that rather than loiter in her office, you get cleaned up and then come back." The woman waved a hand at his uniform. "I'm sure you understand about germs sir."

Jack looked down at his dirty, blood covered fatigues. Glancing at his team, he realized they weren't in any cleaner shape. She did have a point, but still..."But.."

"She said she will let you know the minute she knows anything."

Exchanging looks with Carter and Teal'c, he finally shrugged and left the room, knowing better than to try and buck the petite doctor.

A short time later, buttoning his shirt, his hair still wet from the shower, Jack made his way back to the infirmary. No one was in the office, so he climbed the steps to the glass amphitheater, overlooking the operating room. Looking down, he could see the flurry of activity around the pale figure on the table, his breath catching at the sight of the slim body. In the short time he had taken to clean up, Jack had almost convinced himself Doc would work her wizardry and the archaeologist would be magically up and his normal lively self. Seeing him now, so pale, so still...

"Sir?" He looked up guiltily at the voice, his dark eyes bright.

Carter stood beside him, her own face pale. "Daniel's going to be okay...isn't he?"

Her tone reminded him of an older sister concerned for a younger brother and he forced a smile. "Hey Doc's the best there is."

"But...Daniel's going to be okay isn't he sir?" she repeated needing to hear his confirmation.

Jack hesitated before softly responding. "I sure hope so Sam. I sure hope so."

As if to belie his words, there as a heightened flurry of activity in the room below and Jack smacked the speaker switch in time to hear "...cardiac arrest!..."

The frantic orders which followed those two words were lost on him as he stared at the still face on the table, half hidden by tubes and wires. Jack clenched his fist in frustration at being so helpless. "C'mon Danny...FIGHT!"

It seemed to be a lifetime before they finally heard Doc's, "We've got a heart beat!"

Hearing Carter's soft cry beside him, Jack reached up to dash wetness from his own eyes. "Hang on Danny..." he pleaded, "just hang on."

Time passed as the doctors worked on the injured man while his teammates waited and watched. General Hammond stopped outside the amphitheater, but watching the three SG-1 members, he didn't enter the room, deciding to leave them undisturbed. He was well aware of the closeness of this, his best team, and the bonds which held them. Hammond knew, somehow, Daniel Jackson was the glue that bound them together. Jack O'Neill had the drive, Carter the intelligence and Teal'c the strength but it was Daniel who had the heart and soul that made them whole. The general refused to think what would happen to these three if the young civilian didn't pull through. Quietly, he made his way down the steps, retreating to his office to be alone. Hammond didn't have the medical knowledge to assist but he did know how to pray.

It was hours before Dr. Fraiser slowly straightened and looked up at the three. Pulling down her mask, she gave them a small weary smile. "I've done what I can. The rest is up to Daniel." Jack was already bolting down the steps to waylay her as she moved for the double doors, Carter and Teal'c right behind him.

Janet looked at them tiredly as she shrugged out of her blues. Before they could speak, she responded softy. "Yeah we lost him but we also got him back. He's breathing on his own. His heart rate is low but acceptable. I stitched the worst of the wounds and I'm pumping him full of antibiotics and blood....If he makes it through the next twelve hours..." she trailed then held up her hand, "and no, there isn't anything you can do." Janet stepped aside as they wheeled the stretcher from the OR

Cleansed of the blood stains, Daniel's face looked alabaster in the glare of the corridor's overhead lights. His expression was oddly peaceful, no longer pinched with distress now that they had him drugged against the pain.

Carter stepped closer, reaching out to stroke his hair. A long strand lay across his closed eyes and she gently pushed it aside, her hand lingering in the tangled softness. She looked at Janet. "Will he be all right?" There was a slightly pleading tone in her voice as if Janet could somehow work a miracle and make him okay.

Fraiser hesitated, seeing the hopeful expressions on their faces. God, how she hated this part of her job! Taking a deep breath, she spoke softly, attempting to keep her own emotions at bay. "Right now, Daniel's chances are fifty-fifty." Her gaze fell to the gentle, still face of the man she also considered a friend. "Maybe-fifty five-forty-five at best."

"DanielJackson is a fighter," Teal'c spoke up quietly, worry lining his normally somber eyes.

"Yes he is Teal'c and that's in his favor, but...."

"We got him here as quickly as we could," Sam whispered, looking anxiously at Jack, "didn't we sir?"

O'Neill nodded without speaking, his dark eyed gaze still locked on the pale face. Guilt weighed heavily on him. Daniel wouldn't be here if he'd done his job. If he had waited for the civilian to go through the gate ahead of him, he would never have been attacked in the first place. If he hadn't..."Damnit!" Jack swore aloud, then licked his lips and finally looked at Janet with guilt ridden eyes. "Can we stay with him?" he asked hopefully.

She hesitated, then slowly nodded. "Let us settle him in a room where I can monitor him. I'll send someone to get you." Janet hurried down the hallway beside the stretcher.

Sam turned to look at her superior officer. "Sir?...Sir?" He finally dragged his eyes away from the occupant of the disappearing gurney and looked at the young captain. "Janet won't let him die sir."

The colonel gave her a weak smile, but his heart wasn't in it. "I know Captain, I know."