Fading Memories

By Terri D. Thomas

Part 19-Conclusion

Janet Frasier walked into the main infirmary room, reading Teal'c's test results. She looked up from the file to find Jack sitting up in one bed, foot elevated and ice packed around the injured ankle. To his right, Daniel was propped up in the second bed, a nurse finishing the securing of a sling which was supporting his right shoulder. Carter sat in a chair between the two men watching the medical personnel finish their ministrations.

"How are we doing in here?" the Doctor asked, her voice chipper.

Dr. Warner entered the room from behind her. "Dr. Jackson appears to have had a dislocated shoulder, however at some point during his adventures it must have popped itself back into place. Besides that, he has a few bruises and a lot of cuts and scrapes."

Daniel smiled at the words and nodded to Jack. "See, told you I was okay. Can I go?"

Dr. Warner approached Daniel's bedside. "Sorry, Dr. Jackson, but you're also suffering from dehydration and exhaustion, so you'll be a guest for at least the next 24 hours."

O'Neill shot a smug look at his teammate. "Knew you wouldn't be able to stay out of the infirmary. He started to push his body from the bed.

"Stop!" Dr. Warner's voice held him in place. "You're not leaving, either, Colonel. You have reinjured the ankle. Despite explicit orders to stay off it, you decided to go traipsing around the mountainside. That earns you the honor of a hospital stay, as well."

Jack started to protest, but Warner's glare silenced him.

Sam covered her mouth, but not in time to prevent her quiet laugh from being heard. O'Neill's furrowed brow silenced her. "Sorry, Sir," she muttered and then turned away so that he could not see the returning smile.

"How's Teal'c?" Daniel asked, causing O'Neill to look from Sam to Dr. Frasier.

"He's going to be okay. X-rays indicate nothing is broken, however I think that has more to do with his Goa'uld symbiot. The mending and healing powers of that thing is just amazing."

Daniel collapsed back against the pillows supporting his back. "Thank God," he muttered, closing his eyes.

"He does have some gaps in his memory, though. Gaps that I'm hoping you can fill." Janet approached Daniel's bedside to stand next to Dr. Warner.

"Gaps?" Daniel frowned. "Like what?" The archeologist's words were hesitant.

"He has only a sketchy memory of what happened in the alley. He seems to remember nothing else other than waking up at the bottom of the cliff. That's an entire night that he's forgotten."

Sam whistled softly. "That's not a gap, that's a void. He must have really hurt himself when he fell."

"Ya think?" Jack responded, sarcasm dripping from the words.

Daniel sighed, an air relief in the sound. "But otherwise, he's okay?"

Dr. Frasier nodded. "He should be out of here in a couple of days."

Jack's voice broke in. "So what happened, Danny? Where were you during the night?" He pointed to Daniel's sling. "And how'd you end up with that?"

Daniel silently debated his answer. Jack tilted his head, waiting for the younger man's reply. Sam, Dr. Frasier and Dr. Warner were also patiently awaiting a response.

Daniel thought about all that had happened since the evening before. He remembered the first time he saw Teal'c in the woods, the large smear of blood staining the man's forehead, obstructing the golden tattoo. He remembered the lack of recognition reflected in the brown eyes and the anger in the man's words as he brandished the large tree branch as a weapon, threatening and ultimately hitting the younger man with it. Daniel remembered the pain and fear when he realized that Teal'c thought he was the enemy.

Then those memories were replaced by pictures of the moment when Daniel saw the look of recognition that entered the regal brown orbs, indicating that Teal'c finally knew the identity of his friend. Then the eyes showed their surprise and fear as the Jaffa slipped away from Daniel's hands and fell down the cliff. Then the remembered sense of overwhelming relief returned as Daniel realized that Teal'c had survived the fall.

In one night the two men had run the full course of every emotion possible. To realize that now both he and Teal'c were safe and that things were back to normal, or as normal as it could be at the SGC, was more than Daniel had ever expected.

He looked at the four pairs of eyes which were looking at him, waiting patiently for a response, and decided what his answer to Jack's question would be. He gently grasped the injured limb. "You know how clumsy I can be. I fell."

"How are you feeling?" Daniel asked quietly from the opening of the curtain that surrounded the bed.

Teal'c opened his eyes and turned his head to face the source of the sound. He gave a small hint of a smile to the newcomer. "I am. . .fine. . .Daniel Jackson."

Daniel grinned at the bedfast man. "Great. I was so worried. Do you mind?" he motioned to the chair beside the bed.

Teal'c nodded his response. "I would appreciate the company."

Daniel moved to the chair and sat, being careful to not jar his arm.

"You are not well," Teal'c commented, head tilted slightly, frowning as he looked at the sling.

"I'm fine. Frasier says I'm a free man."

Teal'c's frown didn't disappear, but he remained silent. Daniel, suddenly uncomfortable, shifted in the chair. "And she says you'll be out of here tomorrow."

"Yes," Teal'c answered, but the frown didn't go away, nor did the gaze. The larger man continued to stare at the sling.

"Uh. . .Teal'c. . .is something wrong?" Daniel finally asked, shifting in the chair again.

"How did you. . .," he paused for a moment, then continued, ". . .injure yourself?"

Daniel glanced at his own bandage and then back at the Jaffa. "I fell," he answered quickly.

Teal'c shook his head and closed his eyes. After a moment he opened them again. "O'Neill says that I was injured by an. . .automobile."

"Yes," Daniel agreed. "You apparently chased the two men who killed the guy in the alley. They made it to their vehicle and hit you when they escaped."

"What happened after that?"

"Oh. . .uh. . .well, I'm not exactly sure," Daniel stuttered. "I found you in the woods. You had suffered a head injury and were a little disoriented. I think. . .I think you were trying to make it back to the SGC to. . .get help." Daniel could feel the heat of the lie crawl up his face. He inwardly sighed. He had told this fabricated story so many times now that one would think that the lie would not affect him any more. However, telling the made-up story to the Jaffa was different. Now would be the real test as to whether Daniel's version of what had occurred two nights before would stand.

"I do not recall details of what happened that night," Teal'c admitted. "I have tried to, but even in Kal'noreen the memories escape me. My Goa'uld does not seem to be able to repair that damage."

Daniel shifted in the chair again. "Well, I think the fall off the cliff did that. You were. . .fine. . .before that." He was certain that his face would erupt into a burst of flames at any moment. Lying was not something that he practiced on a regular basis.

"I was fine before that?" Teal'c repeated, clearly not believing the archeologist.

"Yes."

"Then why were we at the cliff?"

"Oh. . .uh. . .well, we were on our way back to the SGC when you needed to get out of the car. You were kinda sick and wanted to get some fresh air." He leaned forward, whispering secretively. "I think you suffered from motion sickness. Or maybe it was because of the head wound. You were still pretty disoriented."

Teal'c's scowl never left his face. He was silent for a moment then he spoke again. "You do not tell the truth, Daniel Jackson."

Daniel's eyes widened and he sat up straight, but didn't respond.

"Why do you not tell the truth of what happened?"

"That's what my report says, Teal'c. I'm not changing it."

Teal'c was silent again, considering the words. "I do not believe you."

Daniel stood and turned his back on his friend. "Well, that's your choice. But my report stays as is. If you want to file your own statement with the General, then do it."

Teal'c's calm voice continued. "But I do not recall what happened so I can not file a report."

"Then that's your problem, isn't it." Daniel forced the words to be slightly harsh, regretting the hurt that they caused both men.

Silently, the young archeologist took a step to the curtain, pulling it aside so that he could leave. Before he could leave the enclosure, Teal'c's words stopped him again. "Did I injure you?"

Daniel didn't turn around. "No. *You* did not injure me."

There was silence once again. Daniel didn't dare turn around. Then the deep voice sounded again. "I have forgotten much of what happened, but I promise you, Daniel Jackson, I will not forget what you have done for me now. Thank you."

Daniel finally turned to the warrior, his blue eyes meeting the brown. "There's nothing to thank me for, Teal'c. I'm just glad you're okay. Get some rest?"

Teal'c nodded with a hint of hesitance. Then his face softened and the man settled into the pillow beneath him and closed his eyes.

Daniel, satisfied with the reaction, breathed a silent sigh of relief. He backed out of the small curtain-lined area and turned to leave the infirmary. He gasped in surprise at the figure standing in front of him. "Wha. . .How. . .?" Daniel stumbled over his words, then regained his composure. "How long?" he finally stated.

"How long was I here?" O'Neill completed.

"Uh. . .yeah."

"Long enough," the Colonel answered. "Why, Daniel?"

"Oh. . .yeah. . .well. . .what?" Daniel tried to maintain the best dumbfounded look possible.

"What are you protecting him from?"

Daniel gave a half-shrug, his right shoulder immobile. "Don't know what you're talking about, Jack," he answered as he tried to slide his way past the older man.

"You don't? Damn, I thought you smarter than that," Jack replied sarcastically.

Daniel stopped and turned to the Colonel. "As I've told Teal'c, I filed my report. It stands as is."

The two men stared at each other for a long moment. Finally, Daniel averted his gaze and turned away to move to the exit. "I've got work to do."

The appearance of Jack's hand on his left shoulder held Daniel in place. After a moment, Jack's quiet words met his ears. "Someday, he'll remember what happened and we'll all know the truth about how you were hurt."

Daniel said nothing. Silence filled the room again. The grip on Daniel's shoulder tightened affectionately. "You're a good man, Daniel Jackson." The hand then released its hold.

Daniel kept his back to his friend. He had to; otherwise, Jack would see the slight hint of a smile that had appeared on his lips. He nodded once and made his way to the infirmary's exit, never looking back.

-fin-