6.19 "Changeling" Transcript

6.19 "Changeling"

Episode Guide

• 6.19 "Changeling" Episode Guide

Précis

Teal'c mysteriously begins to lose his sense of reality, haunted by visions of an alternate existence where he is a normal human being. As his paranoia deepens, Teal'c must rely on the help and comfort of his old friend Daniel Jackson to determine where his dreams end…and his reality begins.

Guide | Transcript

Transcript

TEASER

INT—HOSPITAL

[A doctor is hurrying through the corridors of the hospital and enters an operating theatre. A patient is lying on a table, his face obscured by a green sheet.]

DOCTOR
Let us proceed.

[The viewpoint continues until it is shown to be Teal'c on the operating table, an oxygen mask being placed over his face. Teal'c opens his eyes and sees that the doctor is Apophis. The Goa'uld's eyes glow.]

APOPHIS
Scalpel.

INT—COMMUNAL SLEEPING QUARTERS

[T wakes up, breathing heavily. He gets up and splashes water on his face at a basin.]

PROBIE
You all right?

T
What?

PROBIE
Another nightmare?

T
Yeah.

PROBIE
What about?

T
Nothin'! Look, I'm fine. Go on back to sleep, Probie, you got a big day tomorrow.

PROBIE
Hey, you know, if I was doing what you're doing for my stepfather, I'd, well…

T
I'm fine with it.

PROBIE
I know you are. I'm just saying that I'd be having nightmares too. Listen T, you made me feel like one of the team. If there's anything I can do, just…

T
Probie, forget about it. Now, go on back to sleep, man.

PROBIE
You sure you're okay?

T
Yeah. Yeah, man, now go on, get out of here.

[Probie leaves. T looks down at his stomach.]

INT—TEAL'C'S QUARTERS—SGC

[Teal'c is kel'no'reeming in his quarters at the SGC. He touches his stomach gingerly. His pouch has gone.]

END TEASER

INT—SGC COMMISSARY

[Carter is choosing a dessert from the display. Teal'c enters.]

TEAL'C
Major Carter.

CARTER
Teal'c. I thought you were going to get in a few hours of kel'no'reem.

TEAL'C
I was unable to do so.

CARTER
Does that happen often?

TEAL'C
It is rare, but it does happen. Most often when recovering from an injury.

CARTER
You look okay to me. Why don't you try a glass of warm milk?

TEAL'C
I would prefer not to consume bovine lactose at any temperature.

CARTER
Cup of herbal tea then? Can't hurt.

[She pours a mug of tea.]

TEAL'C
Very well.

CARTER
You know you might just be preoccupied with the upcoming mission. I mean, there's a lot at stake, this could be the rebel Jaffas' last chance.

[As Teal'c lifts the mug to his lips, the scene transitions to]

INT—FIRE STATION

CAPTAIN CARTER
Don't deny you're worried about it. It's all over your face.

T
What's on my face?

CHIEF O'NEILL

(entering)

You know, T, maybe Carter's right. You should think about this a little more.

T
What?

CHIEF O'NEILL
The whole kidney thing.

T
You're talking about the transplant.

CAPTAIN CARTER
Yeah, T man, we're talking about the transplant.

T
Hey, what do I need with two, right?

PROBIE
Yeah, one'll do you right. Well, isn't it true that you can lead a perfectly healthy life with just one kidney?

[O'NEILL and T look at him.]

PROBIE
I'll go check on breakfast.

O'NEILL
T, this is major surgery.

T
I know that. Look, we've gotten second and third opinions and second and third opinions on those opinions and they all come back the same. They're not going to find a better match than I am. Either I do this or Bray dies. And frankly, after all Bray's done for me, I owe him.

CAPTAIN CARTER
All we're saying is if there was another option…

T
It's already arranged and booked. I go in day after tomorrow.

[Probie enters, banging a triangle.]

PROBIE
Gentlemen and lady, breakfast is served.

CAPTAIN CARTER
That's Captain to you, Probie and it had better be good.

[The alarms sound. All the firefighters get up and start to gear up. Chief O'Neill gets into a van, the others board fire trucks, which then pull out of the station, sirens sounding.]

EXT—The cabin of Engine 7

DESPATCH

(over radio)

Rescue to Engine seven, we have a two-car head-on collision with possible multiple injuries. Be advised one of the vehicles is leaking gas.

CAPTAIN CARTER

(into radio)

Roger that, Despatch. Confirm location at Taylorway Overpass.

DESPATCH
Roger that.

CAPTAIN CARTER
ETA five minutes.

DESPATCH
Ten-four.

CAPTAIN CARTER
Ten-four, over and out.

T
Okay, Probie, great way to get your feet wet.

PROBIE
Ready.

CAPTAIN CARTER
Yes, you are.

EXT—TAYLORWAY OVERPASS

[As the fire engines pull up, a man and a boy, both clearly badly injured, are trapped in a car. Another man is lying in the road, with a woman kneeling beside him.]

CAPTAIN CARTER
Probie, air up. Ray, stretch out a pre-connect. Terry, I want foam on that line.

T

(talking to the man lying in the road)

Can you hear me?

FIRE FIGHTER 1

(to Chief O'Neill)

Chief, we got one adult male and a kid trapped in side the northbound vehicle, other driver's outside and the red vehicle's leaking gas pretty bad.

FIREFIGHTER 2

(to Captain Carter)

I got the gas leak.

CAPTAIN CARTER

Great.
(Then, to the child in the car)

Hi there, can you hear me?

[The child nods weakly.]

CAPTAIN CARTER

Good boy. I need you to stay still, we're gonna get you out of here soon.
(To someone off-scene)

He's alert and responsive. What have you got?

[Probie shakes his head, indicating that the man in the car is dead.]

CAPTAIN CARTER

Okay, give me a hand here.
(To officers off-scene)
Let's pop the door!
(To the boy)

Okay, stay still, we're gonna get you out. Come on, Probie.

T

(Still with the man in the road)
Hurry up with that clamp!
(To the injured man)
It's all right. You're gonna be all right.
(To the other firefighters)

Easy now, on my count—three, two, one.

[The firefighters turn the man over, to reveal Apophis. T jumps back, shocked. By the red car, the firefighters are cutting the door open. The car is suddenly on fire.]

CAPTAIN CARTER
Car's on fire! Let's get this fire out!

FIREFIGHTER
Can't change the line. There's no pressure!

[As they try to get the driver out of the car, the flames blaze up. T looks over at the car and sees Bray reaching out towards him.]

CHIEF O'NEILL

(Into radio.)

Everybody out of there!

[The firefighters all pull back, except T.]

CAPTAIN CARTER
T, get you ass out of there, that's an order!

[T leaps over the burning car and talks to the driver.]

BRAY
Save yourself!

T
I'm getting you out, old man.

BRAY
Save yourself!

T
No!

[T tries to smash the windscreen with his elbow, but the car explodes and he is thrown across the road.]

INT—SGC COMMISSARY

[Teal'c collapses to the floor.]

CARTER
Teal'c! Get a medical team down here now!

SF
Yes, Ma'am.

INT—SGC INFIRMARY

[Fraiser is examining Teal'c.]

FRAISER
Well, whatever happened, you seem fine now. Still, I've never heard of any Jaffa fainting before, let alone you.

TEAL'C
I did not faint, Dr. Fraiser.

CARTER
Sorry, Teal'c, but you did. One minute I was talking about the upcoming mission, the next minute you were lying flat on your back. Could this have anything to do with his inability to kel'no'reem earlier?

FRAISER
Well, kel'no'reem meditation is like sleep in the sense that it's necessary in order for a Jaffa to rejuvenate his body but not being able to reach a state of kel'no'reem on just one occasion wouldn't cause you to faint like that, would it?

TEAL'C
No, it would not.

FRAISER
And you're not in any pain?

TEAL'C
None.

CARTER
Maybe you were just with what I was saying?

[Teal'c looks at Carter.]

CARTER
No, fine. On that note, I'll say goodnight.

FRAISER
Night, Sam.

CARTER
Prescribe him some warm milk.

TEAL'C
I have no intention of remaining here, Doctor Fraiser.

FRAISER
Teal'c, this has never happened to you before, so I do want to run a few tests.

TEAL'C
That would be completely…

FRAISER
Ah! Doctor's orders! And close your eyes and try to relax, okay?

[Teal'c lies down.]

TEAL'C
Very well.

INT—HOSPITAL ROOM

[T is in bed. Chief O'Neill is sitting on a bed opposite.]

T

(sitting up)

O'Neill. Bray. Bray, he was in that car!

CHIEF O'NEILL
What?

T
He was in the car.

CHIEF O'NEILL
Who was?

T
Bray. Did you get him out?

CHIEF O'NEILL
T, he's two floors up. Waiting for his new kidney. We're trying to arrange for him to come down for a little visit.

T
The guy in the car, what happened to him?

CHIEF O'NEILL
Ah, there's no way—he was dead before we got there.

T
I could have sworn…

CHIEF O'NEILL
Well, listen, um, they're thinking of postponing the surgery for a day or so.

T
I'm fine.

CHIEF O'NEILL
Sure you are. How's your head?

T
Pretty bad.

CHIEF O'NEILL
Why don't I go and see what Western medicine has for your, huh?

T
Chief, thanks for being here for me, man.

CHIEF O'NEILL
Any time.

[Chief O'Neill leaves.]

INT—HOSPITAL HALLWAY

[Chief O'Neill comes across Bray in a wheelchair, pushed by Shauna.]

CHIEF O'NEILL
Bray, you old fart, you still alive?

BRAY
Chief, you sorry excuse for a human being. When are you going to get the message and stop visiting me?

CHIEF O'NEILL

Like a moth to flame, I can't help myself.
(To Shauna)

Hi, honey.

SHAUNA
Hi, Jack. Is he awake?

CHIEF O'NEILL
Yeah. He's got a little bit of a headache.

BRAY
I'm not surprised he's in pain. He was sent flying, the way I hear it.

CHIEF O'NEILL
Yeah. Why don't you go on in?

SHAUNA

Uh, Jack?
(To Bray)

You go ahead without me.

[Bray goes into T's room.]

SHAUNA
Um, did T say anything about Bray?

CHIEF O'NEILL
About thinking he was the guy in the car?

SHAUNA
Yeah, I mean he's been mumbling in his sleep. Do you think he's okay? I mean, do you think this transplant thing is making him…

CHIEF O'NEILL
This is a big deal. I think it'd mess with anyone's head. Look, I know a resident psychologist here. I'll have a talk with him. He's good, you'll like him.

SHAUNA
Thanks, Jack.

CHIEF O'NEILL
Yeah.

INT—HOSPITAL ROOM

[T and Shauna are kissing. Bray is looking out of the window.]

SHAUNA
I don't know what I would do, my love.

T

You'll never have to know. BRAY

You want to tell me what the hell you were thinking? Hm?

T
I guess I wasn't.

BRAY
We're firemen. There's putting your life on the line and there's being stupid. Guess which one you picked?

T
I know, I know.

SHAUNA
His only fault is he wants to help people.

BRAY
By sacrificing himself?

SHAUNA
Doesn't matter now. It's over. He's all right.

BRAY
No, he's not.

T
Bray, what are you talking about man? You're starting to scare me.

BRAY
You should be scared.

SHAUNA
Bray.

BRAY
Why aren't you burned anywhere? The car exploded right in your face and you come away from it with a headache? Something's wrong. And he knows it.

INT—SGC INFIRMARY

TEAL'C
What's happening?

FRAISER
I'm sorry, Teal'c. I didn't mean to wake you.

TEAL'C
Wake me?

FRAISER
According to these readings, you've been fast asleep for most of the night.

TEAL'C
My mind was filled with images. Thoughts of me yet I was not entirely myself.

FRAISER
Happens to humans all the time.

O'NEILL
It's called dreaming, Teal'c.

FRAISER
You don't dream while in kel'no'reem meditation?

TEAL'C
Not in this manner. While in a state of kel'no'reem I am in complete control of my thoughts.

FRAISER
So how do you feel?

TEAL'C
It was so real.

O'NEILL
Oh, I love it when that happens.

FRAISER
It's not uncommon especially in the first moments after one wakes up to feel disoriented. Not uncommon for humans, very strange for Jaffa.

O'NEILL
So, Doc, this is Teal'c we're dealing with here, right. I mean, aside from the bad dreams and the odd fainting spell, he's still…what

FRAISER
He's still better off than ninety-nine percent of my patients. Tests show you're in otherwise perfect health.

O'NEILL
Good. So he can go back to work?

FRAISER
Yeah, so long as the dreams don't become debilitating or you faint again, I don't see why not.

O'NEILL
Excellent. Let's go.

FRAISER
Ah, just two more minutes, Colonel. I'd like to perform a routine examination of his symbiote and then you can go.

[Fraiser draws the curtain. It is drawn back with a swish.]

INT—HOSPITAL ROOM

DOCTOR JACKSON
Hi.

T
Hi.

DOCTOR JACKSON
I'm Doctor Daniel Jackson. I'm one of the resident psychologists here. I heard you might like to talk.

T
So, Daniel Jackson.

DOCTOR JACKSON
Ah, you can just call me Daniel if you like.

T
You think I'm crazy?

DOCTOR JACKSON
No, not yet. We just met.

T
We haven't met before?

DOCTOR JACKSON
No, no, I don't think so.

T
I'm sure we have.

DOCTOR JACKSON
Well, maybe in another life or something like that, you know if you believe in that sort of thing, some people do. I just came by to talk.

T
About what?

DOCTOR JACKSON
Whatever's on your mind. Possibly about this operation that's scheduled for what is it, tomorrow? Course it had to be postponed because apparently you were blown twenty feet across a street, so…

T
I'm going through with it.

DOCTOR JACKSON
I never said you shouldn't go through with it, but a couple of your friends just thought you might want to talk about it. So, just so you know. Could we get out of here, maybe go for a walk or something?

T
Sure. You're the doctor.

DOCTOR JACKSON
Right, let's go.

EXT—HOSPITAL GROUNDS

DOCTOR JACKSON
So, how did Bray become your stepfather?

T
Well, technically, I guess he isn't, I just think of him that way. He raised me after my father died.

DOCTOR JACKSON
Good. You got a good job, you help people out and from what your friends tell me, you're quite the hero.

T
Yeah, well that was just plain stupid.

DOCTOR JACKSON
What was?

T
What brought me here in the first place. We came on a crash site and one of the drivers was hurt pretty bad.

DOCTOR JACKSON
You thought he was Bray, your stepfather.

T
Who told you that?

DOCTOR JACKSON
Your friends care about you, that's why they've asked me to see you. It's a good thing. You're giving up a part of yourself, a vital part and you're doing it out of love.

T
So?

DOCTOR JACKSON
So, so, maybe you're afraid. Maybe subconsciously you're afraid that you won't be yourself any more.

T
The doctor told me I would lead a perfectly normal life after the transplant.

DOCTOR JACKSON
Self-preservation is a powerful instinct.

T
I'm not afraid, Doc. Not one bit.

DOCTOR JACKSON
That's quite a burden to carry, all that denial. And until you're willing to let it go, I can't let you go through with the operation.

T
No, you can't stop me.

DOCTOR JACKSON
Ah, yes, I can actually and I will.

T
Why?

DOCTOR JACKSON
In medicine we don't destroy one man's life to save another. That's not how it works.

T
Look at me, Doc. I'm the healthiest damn human being you've ever seen and you know it. I'm a hundred percent.

DOCTOR JACKSON
I'm not just talking about your body.

T
Then what?

DOCTOR JACKSON
You've been having nightmares, almost every night, from what I've been told.

T
Big deal.

DOCTOR JACKSON
And? And it's a big deal and, yesterday you had a full-blown hallucination. I'm sorry, but that is a big deal. Look, all I'm saying is that your life is every bit as important as Bray's, so if you're going to go through with this, you have to accept what it is going to do to you.

T
I want to save Bray.

DOCTOR JACKSON
I know you do. And I want to help you do that. That is a promise. Now, if you know your way back to your room, I have to go. I'm extremely late for another appointment. So, uh…

T
What is it Doc, is my hour up already?

[Doctor Jackson walks quickly away.]

DOCTOR JACKSON
No, actually, your twenty minutes are up. We'll work our way up to an hour.

[T walks back through the hospital grounds. As he passes through some bushes, he emerges in…]

INT—SGC CORRIDOR

[Teal'c walks into the Gate room. The Stargate is active. O'Neill, Carter and Jonas are waiting on the ramp.]

O'NEILL
Hey, let's go. You know how much it costs to keep that thing on?

TEAL'C
I'm ready.

O'NEILL
Good, let's move out. What's wrong with you?

TEAL'C
Nothing is wrong, O'Neill.

O'NEILL
I need you to focus.

TEAL'C
I am ready.

O'NEILL
All right then.

[Teal'c enters the wormhole. When he exits at the other end, he is in…]

INT—HOSPITAL HALLWAY

[Teal'c walks into a room. Apophis is standing there in all his finery.]

APOPHIS
You are afraid to die.

TEAL'C
No.

APOPHIS
Because you know I will be waiting for you in the afterlife.

TEAL'C
Who are you?

APOPHIS
You know who I am Teal'c. I am your god.

TEAL'C
No!

[A nurse comes up behind Teal'c.]

NURSE
Excuse me, Sir? Are you lost?

INT—HOSPITAL WARS

[The ward is full of male patients, looking up in surprise.]

T
No, I'm…

NURSE
Are you sure you're all right?

T
I'm fine. It's the wrong room. Sorry.

[He leaves. The nurse follows him.]

NURSE
Sir? Sir?

[T runs along a corridor until he reaches a door. He turns to see Apophis dressed as a surgeon.]

APOPHIS
You cannot escape your fate, Shol'va.

[Teal's opens the door and enters…]

INT—SGC GATE ROOM

O'NEILL
Hey, come on, let's go. You know how much it costs to keep that thing open? Bra'tac's waiting for you.

TEAL'C
Something is wrong.

CARTER
What is it?

TEAL'C
He must have taken it.

JONAS
Who must have taken what?

[Teal'c grabs at his clothes, trying to undo his jacket.]

O'NEILL

(gesturing at the Stargate)

Shut it down! Teal'c?

TEAL'C
My symbiote is gone.

O'NEILL
Fraiser just gave you a clean bill of health.

TEAL'C
My symbiote is gone! My symbiote is gone!

[He collapses to the floor.]

O'NEILL
Get a medical team down here right now!

TEAL'C
Help me, help me.

EXT—PLANET

[On a planet, a battlefield is seen, covered with dead Jaffa. Only Teal'c and Bra'tac appear to be alive. They are lying together at the shore of a large lake.]

TEAL'C
Hold on, old man.

[Teal'c takes the symbiote from Bra'tac's pouch and places it in his own.]

TEAL'C
Help me, help me.

INT—NIGHT—T's BEDROOM

[T and Shauna are in bed.]

SHAUNA
It's just a nightmare, you're safe.

T
I was in the hospital.

SHAUNA
That's right. They performed the transplant and you recovered. They sent you home.

T
I don't remember.

SHAUNA
You saved his life.

T
I don't remember coming home.

SHAUNA
But you are home. With me. And everything's all right.

[T sits up and touches the large scar on his side.]

T
O'Neill. O'Neill picked me up and he took me home.

SHAUNA
That's right. Bray's gonna be fine. And so are you. It's just a nightmare, my love.

T
I feel like, Shauna, I feel like I'm going insane.

SHAUNA
A few bad dreams.

T
You can't tell anybody about this, okay? Because I don't want people to start thinking I'm going crazy.

SHAUNA
I promise.

T
When I'm there, this is the dream.

SHAUNA
When you're there?

T
I'm part of something. Military or underground. A secret place.

SHAUNA
Sweetheart, I don't understand what you're saying.

T
I'm serious.

SHAUNA
It's a dream.

T
They say this is the dream. And when I'm there, I believe it. When I'm there, it makes sense that this can't be real. When I'm here…

SHAUNA
Honey, look at me. Look at me. Kiss me.

[They kiss.]

SHAUNA
How can that not be real?

[She rests her head on his shoulder.]

EXT—HOSPITAL

INT—HOSPITAL HALLWAY

[T walks along the corridor and enters Bray's room.]

BRAY
Hey. How're you feeling?

T
Better. And you?

BRAY
They haven't told you? They say my body's rejecting the new kidney.

T
What?

BRAY
They're pumping me fill of anti-rejection drugs. This and that and everything, but I got to say, if it doesn't take, I'm ready to go. I really am. How do you know this operation isn't keeping me from going to a better place?

T
Come on, Bray, don't even start talking like that!

BRAY
Why are we so afraid of dying? I'm not afraid.

T
I am, okay? I'd rather die myself than let you go. So you hang in there, old man. Because I did not go through this so you could give up on me.

EXT—HOSPITAL GROUNDS.

[T is sitting at a picnic table as Doctor Jackson approaches.]

DOCTOR JACKSON
Am I late? I thought it was supposed to be at eleven?

T
It is.

DOCTOR JACKSON
Oh, good. Been up to see Bray?

T
Just came from there.

DOCTOR JACKSON
How's he doing?

T
His body is rejecting the new kidney.

DOCTOR JACKSON

(Sitting down opposite T.)

Well, you knew that might happen.

T
There's got to be something we can do.

DOCTOR JACKSON
You've done everything humanly possible.

T
I didn't go through this so Bray could die.

DOCTOR JACKSON
Why are you going through this? I mean, why do you think this is happening? You know, Bray, the nightmares you've been having, all of it?

T
The nightmares are gone.

DANIEL
You're not dreaming you're part of some secret military operation underground?

T
Shauna told you.

DANIEL
No.

T
Then how the hell do you know?

DANIEL
Just, I know. It doesn't matter.

T
Fine. I'll ask her myself.

[T stands up. Daniel follows. They walk through the grounds.]

DANIEL
Because we've talked about this before. You just don't remember, just like you don't remember the operation or getting discharged from the hospital, right? Right? Well, tell me about it again.

T
I'm part of something, a team.

DANIEL
Who's on this team?

T
Same as the fire hall. Chief O'Neill, Captain Carter, hell even Probie's there.

DANIEL
Probie is who?

T
Probationary fireman. It's the same as calling someone a rookie.

DANIEL
Right.

T
His name's Jonas.

DANIEL
And what does this team do? The one in your dream?

T
Go places, you know, try to make a difference. Help people.

DANIEL
You're a fireman.

T
No, we um…

DANIEL
You're just going to have to trust me.

T
All right. We go to other planets through a big ring of shimmering blue water. I'm not even human.

DANIEL
So you're a…

T
A Jaffa. I carry this thing around in my gut, that's ah, is called a symbiote. Helps keep me alive.

DANIEL
Something like a kidney, something you might be hesitant to give up? Let me ask you this, does Bray fit anywhere into your dream?

T
Which one? Hell, I don't even know what's real any more.

DANIEL
Well, you're not alone in that. I mean, philosophers have been trying to figure out the answer to that question for a long time. So just let me get this straight.

[They sit on a bench.]

DANIEL
When you're there, this is the dream, and when you're here, that's the dream?

T
They're both so real, I…

DANIEL
And in both you're having nightmares?

T
Hell, I'm not even supposed to dream in the other one.

DANIEL
Because you're Jaffa?

T
Don't ask me. I…

DANIEL
Well, it's really neither here nor there. The point is, both can't be real.

T
No.

DANIEL
So you're trying to figure out which of the two lives you seem to be leading is the real one so that you can stay there or here or wherever it is you're supposed to be once and for all. But maybe the answer to that question is something you haven't even considered. Maybe neither one is real.

T
What?

DANIEL
Think about it. If you can't distinguish between them, if the one seems equally as real as the other, maybe you don't belong in either one.

T
Then what do I do?

DANIEL
Hang in there, just a little while longer.

[Daniel stands and walks away.]

T
You can't leave me here like this!

DANIEL
I haven't left your side, Teal'c. And I'm not going to. That's a promise.

[As O'Neill puts his hand on Teal'c shoulder, the scene shifts to…]

INT—SGC GATE ROOM

[Teal'c is lying wounded on the ramp.]

TEAL'C
O'Neill!

FRAISER
It's okay.

O'NEILL
Yeah, you're gonna be all right. Just hang in there.

FRAISER
Teal'c, listen to me okay. This is very important. How long have you gone without your symbiote?

TEAL'C
Bra'tac?

FRAISER
It's okay. It's okay. He's alive, thanks to you but I need to know how long…

TEAL'C
You must save Bra'tac!

FRAISER
We'll do our best, okay. Let's take them both directly to OR One. Let's move. Easy.

[Teal'c is lifted onto a gurney and the medical team wheel him out. Hammond enters.]

HAMMOND
What happened, Colonel?

O'NEILL
It was a set-up from the get-go, Sir.

HAMMOND
The meeting of the rebel leaders?

O'NEILL
There was no meeting. It was an ambush.

CARTER
We found over a hundred rebel Jaffa dead. Every single one of them had had their symbiotes removed, except one.

O'NEILL
Bra'tac.

JONAS
He and Teal'c were the only warriors left alive.

HAMMOND
Teal'c left for this meeting over three days ago. How did he manage to survive that long without a symbiote?

CARTER
Sir, it's possible Teal'c survived the ambush and used his own symbiote to keep both he and Bra'tac alive until we got there.

JONAS
He knew we'd show up as soon as he was late.

HAMMOND
Well how long can two Jaffa survive with only one symbiote between them?

CARTER
We've no idea, Sir. Up until a couple of hours ago, we didn't even think it was possible.

HAMMOND
Report to the briefing room in one hour.

O'NEILL
Yes, Sir.

EXT—CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN

INT—SGC CONTROL ROOM

[Fraiser and Hammond climb the spiral staircase to the briefing room.]

FRAISER
We've managed to stabilise them by using the same method Teal'c must have used to keep them both alive otherwise he would have been dead when they found him. You see, we're essentially transferring the symbiote from one to the other.

HAMMOND
How long can you keep them both alive that way?

FRAISER
I really don't know, Sir. It's a miracle they've survived this long. Don't ask me how Teal'c had the strength or the wherewithall to keep it up.

JONAS
Dr. Fraiser, forgive the obvious, but why can't we just get him another symbiote?

CARTER
We've looked into it. It's all but impossible right now to find a symbiote that isn't already being used.

JONAS
Right.

HAMMOND
We contacted the Tok'Ra as soon as we received your emergency radio transmission and apprised them of Teal'c and Bra'tac's condition. Jacob's on the way.

O'NEILL
Sir, if it comes down to a choice…

HAMMOND
Jack, we have to consider that Teal'c has already made a choice. Now, according to Dr. Fraiser, he's gone through hell in order to see it through.

O'NEILL
Well, let's hope it doesn't come down to that.

INT—SGC GATE ROOM

[Carter walks up the ramp towards the open event horizon as Jacob arrives.]

CARTER
Dad, thank god you're here.

JACOB
Hopefully I'm not too late.

INT—SGC INFIRMARY

[Teal'c and Bra'tac are lying on adjacent beds.]

JONAS
How are they?

TEAL'C
Shauna…

JONAS
Shauna?

FRAISER
Shau'nac. She was very important in Teal'c's life. You see, when a Jaffa goes without a symbiote for any protracted length of time, at least according to Jaffa legend, his life flashes before his eyes. You know, it might help if you talk to him.

JONAS
Yeah. Teal'c, you gotta hang in there. I need you. You made me feel like one of the team. If there's anything I can do…

TEAL'C
Don't worry about it, Probie. Go back to sleep.

JONAS
Probie?

[Jacob, Carter, O'Neill and Hammond enter the infirmary.]

JACOB
Dr. Fraiser, what's their condition?

FRAISER
They're critical. All three of them.

O'NEILL
Three?

FRAISER
Due to his advanced age and the fact that his body is showing signs of rejecting the symbiote, Bra'tac has had to have it longer than Teal'c. Now it seems that the strain of keeping them both alive is too much for the symbiote. I don't think it could restore either one of them at this point.

JONAS
Well, what about a hand device?

JACOB
I brought something better. Something that could work as effectively as a symbiote. At least for the short term.

[Jacob holds up a vial.]

O'NEILL
What's that?

CARTER
Tretonin, Sir.

[Jacob hands the vial to Fraiser.]

JONAS
The drug the Pangarans offered us?

O'NEILL
Whoa! That's ground Goa'uld, isn't it?

JACOB
It's a little more refined than that, Jack, but yes, it is derived from Goa'uld symbiotes.

CARTER
It supplanted the immune systems in the Pangarans, why couldn't it do the same for the Jaffa?

FRAISER
I've already considered it. It won't work. The sample I studied was designed to take the place of a human immune system.

JACOB
We've since refined it specifically for Jaffa physiology. The Tok'Ra have been looking forward to an end to the Jaffa dependence on symbiotes for centuries now. We've been working on this Tretonin variant ever since you introduced us to the Pangarans. But it hasn't been tested.

FRAISER
But even if it does work, I mean, Teal'c and Bra'tac will become just as dependent on the Tretonin as the Pangarans.

JACOB
Given time, we can solve that problem. But at least they'll be alive.

FRAISER
If I knew for a fact that this is what Teal'c wanted…

CARTER
Janet, this could ultimately lead to freedom from Goa'uld oppression for all Jaffa. That's something that Teal'c and Bra'tac want more than anything.

HAMMOND
Do it.

FRAISER
Yes, Sir.

O'NEILL
Teal'c without Junior. That's a concept.

INT—SGC INFIRMARY

[Teal'c is lying in bed. He awakes to see Daniel standing by the bed.]

DANIEL
Hey, Teal'c.

TEAL'C
Am I dreaming?

DANIEL
No, not this time. It's late, everyone's gone home for the night. I just wanted to make sure you're okay.

TEAL'C
What of Bra'tac?

DANIEL
Bra'tac's fine. Thanks to you.

TEAL'C
And to you as well, I believe.

DANIEL
No, no that was you. I don't know anyone that could have done what you did. You kept him alive for three days without ever thinking about yourself. Every time you gave up your symbiote, you know it might be for the last time.

TEAL'C
This experience has been very different for me. It seemed so real.

DANIEL
Your mind took you where it needed to go to get you through this. I promise you this is real. You're just going to have to trust me on that. You go to sleep. When you wake up, everything is going to be fine.

TEAL'C
Is that a promise, Daniel Jackson?

DANIEL
That's a promise.

[Teal'c nods, then closes his eyes. As the rest of the infirmary comes into view, Daniel is no longer there.]

Fade out.

END CREDITS

Transcript by Carole for Solutions, 16 Nov 03

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