Title: Shattered

Author: Magicsunbeam

Email: magicsunbeam@ntlworld.com

Category: Angst/POV/Daniel

Pairing: Rating: G

Season/sequel: 2

Summary: After Jacks return from the Asgard.

Disclaimer: Stargate SG-1 and its characters are the property of Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, Gekko Productions; allthe powers that be, not me; This story is for entertainment purposes only and no money exchanged hands. No copyright infringement intended. The story is the property of the author and may not be posted without the author's consent.

Shattered

by Magicsunbeam

I can't ever remember seeing Jack so tired. Sure, I've seen him worn out, whacked out, and just plain weary. But tonight, he's completely and utterly exhausted. Who could blame the guy? He's just had the King of all encyclopaedia's run rampant through his head, has spent the last 2 days struggling with a language I could barely understand, built a machine that is beyond even Sam's capabilities and to cap it all, was whipped off to meet the galactic neighbours.

Watching him walk back down the ramp, I was both relieved and concerned. Relieved because we didn't really know if he'd ever get home - he was a sight for sore eyes, I can tell you. Concerned because he looked like an extra from Return Of The Living Dead. Yes okay, he  was talking English, as opposed to Asgardian - actually he was quite buoyant, all things considered - but the physical stress of the last couple of days was plain to see. He looked haggard, somehow thin and dark rings circled his eyes. However, a full medical revealed no problems and he claimed he was fine. No headaches, no dizziness, nothing.

He makes a bad liar sometimes. Just looking at those eyes, I could see the pain behind them. He is soooooo damned lucky Janet decided to let him go home tonight. She almost laughed aloud at the shocked look on his face. It only lasted about 3 seconds and then he was off that bed quicker than greyhound in an Atenik armband. However, he nearly blew his chance when his legs threatened to give way, as his feet touched the floor. Teal'c was on him like a flash, making sure he didn't go down and I think Jacks irritation at that, was the only reason Janet decided to let it slide. (If you'll pardon the pun)

No driving, no beer, no observation deck, as much rest as he could get and someone stays the night `incase`, were the only orders Janet gave. As we left the infirmary she stopped Jack and pushed a container into his hand.

"Should help with the headache you don't have, Colonel." She said dryly.

Tired as he was, Jack grinned as she walked away. Nope, no use trying to fool our CMO.

I tried to get some conversation out of Jack on the journey home, but in his exhausted state it was like pulling teeth. In the end I gave up and allowed the man some peace and quiet. The questions replaced with the purring of theengine, coupled with the rocking motion of the car was enough to send him over the edge and Jack was asleep long before we reached his place.

Glancing his way occasionally, I could't help but wonder if there *was* anything left of the ancients knowledge, floating about in that frond of his - after all there's enough space in there. <G>

Okay, I know. Not only is that not funny, but it's also not true. To the discerning eye, Jack O'Neill may come across as smart mouth, irritating, dumb ass. Smart mouthed and irritating - okay at times I agree, but a dumbass?

Nooooo. Nope. Nein. No way, Jose.

He is most certainly a lot smarter than he wants to take credit for. I think the guy actually enjoys playing the dumb blonde - or dumb grey, in his case. With his brand of humour, I can imagine he laughs his ass of at Sam and I on many occasions.

Anyway, I eventually got Jack home.

I shouldn't have really done, given his state, but I had to laugh when he actually fell up the steps to the porch. On another day, I've no doubt he'd have had some huge comeback for me, but today he just sat there blinking and held out an arm for me to assist him back to his feet. That gesture alone was enough to remind me of his physical state. I hauled him back up and stayed close by him till he finally dropped, boneless into his chair.

Jack dropped his head back and closed his eyes. For whatever reason the chair seemed to swamp him, he looked smaller somehow. I had no idea of when he had last eaten, so I went into the kitchen and made him a sandwich. When I placed it down in front of him, Jack opened one eye and looked at it for a second. He then closed his eye again and oh so quietly said:

"Rather have a beer."

"Not a chance, Jack. Janet would kill me." I told him.

He didn't challenge, but instead let out a heavy sigh. At this point I knew the sandwich was still going to be on the plate 50 years from now. So I stood over him, making him take the painkillers Janet gave him and then tried to get him upstairs to his bed.

It took some persuading, a few threats and a good measure of assistance, but he's there now. Not surprisingly, he is practically asleep before his head touches the pillow, leaving me to take off his boots and cover him with the duvet. The bone-tired lines are all but smoothed out and his breathing slows, as he drops deeper into a sound sleep.

Watching him, I can't help but be a little disappointed. Don't get me wrong, I got my friend back and that's *so* the most important thing, but all that knowledge seems to have been lost. It could have made such a difference to our world and maybe countless others.

That said, when he stepped off the ramp back at the SGC, Jack stated that he thought we were going to be alright, so maybe there is something left in there after all. Maybe he just doesn't know how to access it. Okay, okay, maybe I'm clutching at straws here, but you have to have *some* hope don't you? I think maybe I'll hang onto mine for a while longer.

Finally, I leave Jack to his slumber. I've decided to hit the sack too, as I 'm already worn out, whacked out and plain weary myself. I head off to the spare room - my room - leaving the door ajar so I can hear there is any movement during the night. Not that I'm expecting it, I think Jack will still be there this time tomorrow.

Give him a couple of days and he'll be okay - we'll all be okay.