Chapter Two
"Coconut Parfait"

Daniel Jackson had nearly tripped over a stack of books in the doorway of his office as he’d rushed to the elevator at the end of the hall in order to get to the infirmary.

Hearing that SG-9 had come back early and that one of them was being treated for serious wounds, his thoughts had immediately gone to Captain McCoy. It had been two months since the isolated incident which neither of them could remember, and it still bothered him deep down. Forty-eight hours wasn’t something that he liked to lose, and knew for a fact McCoy felt the same way.

It was in fact, Autumn McCoy that lay on the gurney when Daniel arrived and it brought back the memory of watching her "die"--a memory that was rather unpleasant. Daniel had lain in the bed opposite hers, his breath held as he prayed for her to respond, for her heart monitor to start beeping rhythmically. Janet hadn’t stopped until it did, of course, but that didn’t stop him from fearing for the worst. He couldn’t explain it and hadn’t been able to since, but he had a feeling that something had happened in those missing forty-eight hours. Not just ‘something’ in the sense of ‘opposite of nothing’ either but something…well, he wasn’t quite sure about that either. But something.

"Doc?" Autumn’s voice was low and grumbly, and Daniel watched from afar as Janet smiled down at the young captain.

"You gave us a scare, Captain." Janet told her, "How do you feel?"

Autumn seemed confused, "What happened?"

"We don’t know. Apparently, you got sick and passed out. You hit your head on the way down. You need stitches."

It didn’t soothe the captain any. She was confused and frightened and couldn’t seem to remember anything that had happened. "What’s wrong with me?"

"Nothing that we can see," Janet said in a soothing voice, lying her gloved hand on McCoy’s shoulder, "I want you to relax, ok? And try to rest. If anything’s wrong with you, we’ll find it and fix it, ok?" She smiled, and Autumn finally succumbed, lying still as nurses drew blood and a young male doctor readied her head wound for stitches.

"Jackson?" A gruff voice said, and Daniel turned to see Thomas Erickson sitting on a gurney close by. He hadn’t even take notice of the colonel.

"Colonel," Daniel replied and stepped over beside him, "Are you ok?"

Erickson nodded, "Yeah, everyone’s fine except McCoy. Fraiser wanted us all in to a check up just in case, though."

"What exactly happened?" Daniel inquired.

"She just got sick and fell. Can’t explain it. I thought it might be the heat, but I know McCoy has withstood hotter." Erickson narrowed his icy blue eyes at Daniel, "You know, it was two months ago…" Erickson had, of course along with the rest of SG-9, been with SG-1 when Daniel and Autumn had disappeared, and had suffered in the worry and fear just like everyone else. "If it was related, she would’ve gotten sick long before now."

Daniel nodded, his hands stuffed in his pockets as he stared at the floor, "Yeah, I guess you’re right."

---

Several hours later, Autumn awoke to the sound of the infirmary. Soft voices, quiet footsteps, a monotonous beeping of the computer not far away. Her head ached slightly, and she still only had a vague recollection of what had happened, but other than that she felt fine. The potential results of Doc Fraisers tests had had her worried earlier, but now she figured there couldn't be anything wrong with her. It had been a mild heat stroke, more than likely, or something in the planets atmosphere that had agitated her immune system.

She tried to sit up, but failed, groaning as her head fell back on the pillow. She reached up and lightly touched the stitches on the side of her forehead, wondering if she'd have a scar.

"Easy, Bones," A male voice said softly, "Don't want you falling again."

Autumn smiled, "Colonel." She acknowledged happily as she turned to look up at her CO, who had been sitting on a stool beside her bed. She was glad to see a friendly and familiar face, "Or should I say ship Captain?"

Erickson smirked, "Don't worry, we're workin' on a better nickname. But it's 'Bones' for now, McCoy."

"Well, you know I love the reference." She snickered, then sighed softly, "Where's the doc? I'm ready to get out of here. I've been off my feet for way too long."

"Still running tests. It shouldn't be too much longer." He paused for a moment, then his face lit up as if a lightbulb had just gone off in his head, "That reminds me, Jackson was here earlier."

McCoy frowned, "Daniel?"

"Yep. He stayed here for a while waiting for your test results, but got called away. I promised I'd call him whenever you woke up."

"You don't have to," Autumn held up a hand, "I'll drop by his office when I get outta here. Which will hopefully be soon."

---

Though Fraiser had warned her there were still test results pending, Autumn couldn't stand being infirmary-ridden any longer and managed to sneak out for a walk around the base. It felt good to stretch her legs and get out of the infirmary bed.

Realizing she hadn't eaten since regaining consciousness, and was therefore starving, she made a beeline for the commisary, grabbing a sandwich, a water, and a coconut parfait before finding an unoccupied table. She dug into her parfait immediately, knowing she had to finish quickly, before Fraiser tracked her down.

"Do you always eat dessert first?"

The voice was a welcome comfort, and Autumn smiled sheepishly up at the archaeologist, "No, you just caught me at the wrong time...I swear!"

"Riiiight." Daniel snickered, "Mind if I sit?" He asked, and she nodded profusely. He took the seat across from her, lying the book he'd been carrying on the table, "So, I stopped by earlier to see how you were doing."

"Yeah--Colonel Erickson told me." She shook her head, tapping her spoon against the dessert glass, "Thank you, but it really wasn't a big deal. It was just the heat mixed with stress, I'm sure."

"You can never be too careful." He shrugged, "But I'm glad you're ok." He sighed deeply and then looked at her, frowning, "What are you eating?"

"A parfait."

"I know that, I meant what kind."

"Oh! Coconut." She scopped up and spoonful and shoved it toward him, "Want a bite?"

"No thanks. I thought you hated coconut?"

She stopped suddenly, spoon in mid-air. She did hate coconut. She always had. So why on Earth had it sounded so appealing to her earlier--and tasted so good just now? She shook her head and put the spoon back in the dish, pushing it away, "You're right...I...wow, that was weird." She laughed nervously, looking up at him, "How did you know I hated coconut?"

"You're always complaining about the vast array of coconut flavored desserts." He smirked, "Loudly, I might add."

She blushed and shook her head, "Huh...am I, now?"

Daniel opened his mouth to speak, but was interruped by a young nurse who had seemingly approached out of nowhere. "Captain, you need to return to the infirmary immediately."

Autumn sighed, "Oh, come on, just let me finish my..."

"Ma'am, this isn't a request. It's an order from Doctor Fraiser--she needs to go over the results of your tests with you. Now please, come with me."

Autumn felt the color drain from her face, and worry immediately set in as she slowly rose from the table, "Ok...ok, let's go."

"I'll come with you." Daniel stood, and the nurse waved a hand.

"I'm sorry sir, but you can't."

Frowning, Daniel started to question why, but the nurse was already leading Autumn away, fear evident in the young captains eyes.