Author: Crash

Email: the.yllek@gmail.com

Status: Complete

Category: H/C, Angst, vignette

Pairings: none

Spoilers: a minor indirect spoiler for Season Seven episode Fallen. It doesn't give the episode away. Heroes Spoiler as well for the opening quote. But again not give away the episode.

Season: before 7

Sequel/Series Info: none

Rating: G

Content Warnings: ummm don't think anything

File Size (kb): 29.0

Archive: Incoming Wormhole Summary: Just a missing scene that I thought of while in Tejas in July and watched Fallen again.

Disclaimer: Stargate Sg-1 and its characters are the property of Stargate (II) Productions, Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. This story is for entertainment purposes only and no money exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author. This story may not be posted elsewhere without the consent of the author.

Author's Note: all mistakes holes not making of any sense is completely my own damn fault. Wrote it n about an hour in a half actual writing time this morning while talking to T and trying to figure out what to write for my creative writing assignment. Shanks to T for the once over.

Unspoken

by crash

"You try to tell yourself that every man and woman under your command means the same to you. Each has to be equally valuable if you're gonna make the kind of decisions that affect their lives the way I have to. But you can't help it you get closer to some people. You never want to lose anyone."

~ Major General George Hammond, Season 7, Heroes Part II.

~~~~~

General Hammond shifted, wincing as his joints popped loudly. He'd been sitting in the hard molded plastic infirmary chair for the last couple of hours hoping that his second in command would wake up and tell him what had happen. SG1 had returned earlier then expected, stumbling through the even horizon to collapse in a bloodied and broken heap half way down the ramp.

A small whimper brought Hammond's attention back to the present and to the man he was sitting beside. The colonel was twitching, moving around testing to see what hurt and what could be moved. He watched as Jack moved his fingers then trying to raise his casted right arm. A small frown formed at the pain the action had caused and the limb fell heavily back to the bed accompanied by a groan.

Hammond leaned forward, catching the Colonel's IV tethered left hand before it could reach the bandages that covered part of his face and head.

"Jack come on now, no need to keep an old General waiting." He pulled lightly on the still captured hand a small smile graced his lips as Jack muttered something in response.

"Say what Colonel?"

"You always say it" Jack spoke again a little clearer this time, words still slurred.

Hammond hit the call button, "What are you talking about Jack?"

"Godspeed." Groggy bloodshot eyes opened, focusing on Hammond briefly before searching the room.

"Godspeed?"

"You didn't say it." The Colonel's eyes came back, staring into Hammond's blue ones.

"You always say it." Jack reiterated becoming agitated, moving around struggling to do something. "You didn't say it this time. You didn't say it"

"General, sir what happened?" Dr. Frasier asked arriving on scene immediately pushing the General out of the way.

"Colonel O'Neill woke up a few minutes go. Not quite sure what set him off though he seemed a little confused"

Janet nodded turning her attention back to the still struggling man "Colonel, I need you to look at me." She grabbed his chin in one hand and placed another on his chest, feeling the near frantic heart beat. "Jack you need to calm down. Your team's okay you can see them soon. But right now I need you to just calm down."

"Doc?" Jack asked, starting to calm down.

"Yeah Colonel, I'm here." Janet stopped his left hand as it made its way to his head, holding on to it. "That's it. You're doing much better."

Hammond had moved over to the corner when Dr. Frasier had arrived. He felt like an outsider now as he watched Dr. Frasier interacting with the Colonel. As she lowered the upper portion of the bedrail, she leaned over and was and was talking softly into the Colonel's ear. It wasn't long before he noticed that the Colonel's eyes had closed, and the monitors settled back down into a more normal rhythm. Dr. Frasier straightened putting the rail back up before she moved on sorting out the wires and lines that had gotten tangled and smoothing the covers.

"Sir?"

Hammond startled, not hearing the petite doctor come up beside him. He'd been distracted playing the conversation with Jack over in his head. Hiding his surprise he looked over towards Frasier

"How is he?"

"Colonel O'Neill's doing okay. I don't see any reason he won't make a full recovery."

"And the others?"

"Well, I think they will be okay as well. It will be very tough but nothing has ever been easy for SG1. Dr. Jackson and Major Carter will be in ICU for a little while." Janet sighed "Teal'c has his symbiote to thank and will be good as new after he finishes kel-no-reem."

"It was bad sir. But with time, they will be okay General." Janet looked up at him briefly before leaving to check on the others.

Hammond heard her leave, her shoes clicking against the concrete floor. Moving out of the corner and next to Jack's bed he mulled over it some more. What was he supposed to have said? GodspŠ

Hammond felt his heart sink

Godspeed.

He hadn't said it. He was on the phone with the President when they left. Š He always said that to them. Either when they left, or at the end of a mission-briefing if he was unable to see them off. The Colonel wasn't overly superstitious but there were certain things. Hammond let his chin drop and eyes fall shut remembering a particular conversation.

"Colonel is there something I can do for you?" General Hammond asked noticing Colonel O'Neill standing in his doorway

"You have to say it sir."

"Say what Colonel?"

"Godspeed." The Colonel whispered looking slightly unsure of himself.

"Godspeed?"

"Yes sir. It meansŠsir itŠ keeps us safe" Their eyes met briefly and Hammond immediately understood.

"I'm sorry Jack." Reaching out, he patted Jack's blanket covered ankle.

~fins