What Fate Decrees
What Fate Decrees
by Jackie ONeill Nut
Summary: Jack survives a potentially lethal injury, was it the fates lending a hand?
Category: Angst, Hurt/Comfort
Season: Season 3
Pairing: Jack/Sam
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: violence
Disclaimer: Stargate SG-1 and its characters are the property of Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. I have written this story for entertainment purposes only and no money whatsoever has exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author(s).
Archived on: 09/28/03
Title: What Fate Decrees
Author: Jackie O'Neill Nut
Email: oneillnut@yahoo.co.uk
Status: Complete
Category: hurt/comfort angst
Pairings: Strong Sam and Jack/mild Janet and Daniel Spoilers: none really
Season: Not specific but early, perhaps up to 3 ish? Sequel/Series Info: None
Rating: PG13
Content Warnings: whump, hurt/comfort angst, descriptions of violence
Summary: Jack survives a potentially lethal injury, was it the fates lending a hand?
Disclaimer: Stargate SG-1, its characters and all related entities are property of Stargate SG-1 Productions (II) Inc., MGM Worldwide Television Productions Inc., Double Secret Productions, Gekko Film Corp and Showtime Networks Inc / The SciFi Channel. No copyright infringement is intended.
Archive: If you want it please ask.
This was the very first fic I actually scribbled down a very, very long time ago, so a big thank you to Linz, without whose help and encouragement it would never have seen the light of day. Thank you so much for the help with the betaring and the advice. To everyone out there who listened to me grumbling and to Steph for her endless patience with me, advice, her medical help, thank you. Hello to my little Hungarian Devil too and to Sam.
No flames please, construction criticism would be appreciated; it's amazing how much you can learn from others this way.
PART ONE
The vortex whooshed out from the stone ring lighting up the darkness, casting the shadows out from the immediate area. Four people stepped from the light and walked down the steps, the vortex folded into itself and darkness reigned once more.
Lights shone across the darkness and eerie flashes of statues and armour and cobwebs became lit. A particularly hideous face loomed out beneath one of the beams making the torch holder jump and exclaim "Ack, the welcoming committee!" The beams of light cast along the huge stonewalls, large lanterns hung here and there. "Seeing as we're here we might as well make it more homely." A lighter flickered and the lantern actually burst into life. "They don't make `em like they used to," commented Jack O'Neill as he moved along to light two more.
The light showed up at both sides of the room and the group spread out as the light spread to show other exits in a very large room. On the opposite wall from the Stargate several stone steps about ten feet across that appeared to lead nowhere except up to a wall and at the bottom of the steps to the right, a low wall ran across.
Teal'c stepped forward and leaned over to see behind the wall. "O'Neill," he called.
Jack walked over to stand besides Teal'c, the pit appeared to go down about ten or twelve feet and contained the skeletal remains of humanoids.
"They appear to have suffered the same fate," offered Teal'c.
"Ya think!" commented O'Neill as he leaned over to view what seemed to a large number of dusty remains, all of which seemed to have a large shaft of metal partially buried into their chest cavities or thereabouts.
"Way to go! I don't think," added O'Neill and looked to the walls front and sides to see if a projectile could be launched through any apertures. Relaxing slightly as he found nothing to warrant further investigation around the pit, he turned to his team and upon seeing Daniel already involved in blowing dust from a plinth to read what appeared to be heavy engraving, he gave his orders.
"Major, you and Teal'c take a look through one of those," he nodded at the exits "don't split up and don't touch - I'll stay with Daniel while he looks at his rocks."
"Artefacts," called a dusty Daniel.
Jack waved at hand his way whatever," he dismissed.
"Right Colonel, we'll stay in touch," responded Carter and she and Teal'c left.
Carter kept her MP5 at the ready whilst training her flashlight as far forward as possible down the dark musty cobweb riddled passageway. As several layers of cobwebs amassed on her head and shoulders she had a sudden thought "Teal'c, do you reckon the webs are normal spiders' sized?"
Teal'c raised an eyebrow at her "Normal? MajorCarter by what do you consider normal size?"
"Oh, not to worry Teal'c," replied Carter, not too sure if the Jaffa was trying to wind her up or not and she quickly moved forward scanning above as well as in front.
Back in the gate room Daniel started to mutter to himself, obviously getting excited as he moved on to another plinth to continue reading.
"Anything yet Daniel?" asked O'Neill, now bored with the room, he leaned over the pit once again, the remains still seemed to be giving him some trouble, his neck prickled warning him.
"Oh Jack, yes it seems once a very large kingdom reigned here until, well as yet I'm not too sure, and visitors were welcomed here by the king himself, err, here in the throne room."
"Throne room?" echoed Jack "They could sure use an interior designer or something, maybe it was a poor kingdom."
"Actually," began Daniel "it tells of great riches that the kingdom had and of the struggles to maintain their wealth against invaders from the ring."
"Yeah, I think there's some invader remains in that pit," snorted Jack.
Daniel moved further down to yet another plinth and began to dust it off.
"Oh, I think the magic word is abracadabra," exclaimed Daniel and with a flourish he pressed a raised bar on the plinth "and behold!"
Jack swung round with alarm; gun at the ready to face the wall along the top of the steps amidst a shuddering rumble and the wall began to rise up slowly.
"Daniel, what the!" exclaimed Jack.
Dust and cobwebs welled up in the room and a larger gap appeared at the top of the steps where they could see bright objects shining.
"Gold," coughed Daniel as he saw a large altar appearing, shields and swords and huge platters glinted brilliantly.
"Whoa!" gasped Jack from his vantage point at the bottom of the steps.
Daniel bounded forward, passed Jack and up the steps, his eyes gleaming like a child at Christmas.
"Daniel! Don't touch!" Jack warned out of habit as he started to slowly climb the steps.
"Jack, this is incredible! This must have been untouched for hundreds of years!"
"Still, don't touch!" reminded Jack.
Daniel turned to face a huge glittering throne, the cloth still resplendent in glorious vivid colours, and although the archaeologist took it in, his attention was firmly upon some symbols that had become visible with the light source. Totally unable to control his feet, he began walking towards the newest find.
Jack's internal danger alarm rang out loudly, and without taking the time to think he launched himself at Daniel calling a warning even as he moved. A whoosh of air signalled the launch of something from behind the throne as Jack barely managed to fling his own body between the throne and Daniel's.
He felt the something hit with a thump, the force strong enough to propel both men backwards and down into the pit.
When Daniel came around, he was disorientated, his glasses were gone and he realised with a sigh that a cut was bleeding profusely from his forehead. Trying to move, or at least to signal the others for help, he soon realised that he was pinned down by a heavy weight. It was a testament to his injury that it took him as long as it did to realise that the weight holding him down, was in fact his friend.
"Jack," he called and tried to shake him.
"Jaaack, wake up!" he huffed, trying to ease himself from beneath the large frame. The light was dim in the pit and having lost his glasses somewhere on his journey down, it was only the sound of crunching glass mingling with the crunching of old bones that told him the location of his now useless glasses. Feeling slightly sick he continued to ease himself away from Jack.
Suddenly, a low groan emitted from the prone Colonel as Daniel tried again to free himself. "Sorry, Jack."
Knowing that he had to at least free an arm to reach his com, Daniel attempted to move again.
"Come on Jack, I could do with a little help here!" He complained, grunting with the effort. Eventually, he got himself free and struggled to sit upright as a wave of dizziness flooded through him. 'Radio?' he thought and reached for it, thankfully it seemed intact.
"Sam, Teal'c, come in!" Letting go of the button he waited for a response, and was rewarded as a crackle of static accompanied Sam's voice.
"Daniel? Is everything ok? We heard rumbling, there's a lot of rising dust."
"Sam... I... um, we need your help." Another wave of dizziness stopped him and he put his head down for a moment.
"Stay where you are, we'll be right with you," called Sam, obviously having heard enough.
Daniel grimaced at her words, he certainly wasn't going anywhere, he moved forwards leaning over to touch Jack, who still hadn't moved he realised, "Jack," he called as he moved his hands down his jacket front to brush at himself and he suddenly realised how wet his hand had become - wet and sticky!
A wave of nausea hit him at the realisation that it was blood - a lot of blood, taking a deep breath he let go suddenly with a cough as he realised it couldn't be his blood. He scrambled forward on his knees to lean over Jack and started to feel his way gently along the inert figure. His vision blurred, not just from the loss of his glasses, but with the blood from his head injury he had to rely on touch. His hand suddenly hit metal, a metal shaft, about two feet of which, was sticking out from Jack's back. At the movement a groan came from his friend.
"Take it easy Jack, I'm sorry, don't move please," he begged as he swallowed quickly the bile that was rising in his throat at his discovery and the realisation that the lance, or spear must have gone right through the man's backpack and body to produce the blood on himself as he'd lay under him.
As gently as he could he put a hand under Jack's chest and felt around on the right side of him, just at the beginning of Jack's rib cage he felt what he had dreaded - metal and blood - a lot of blood!
At the intrusion Jack moaned softly, his breathing gasping, he started to move.
"Jack, don't move, you've got to stay still," called Daniel urgently alarmed in case the movement made the injuries worse.
Daniel felt around his own shoulders to remove his backpack before he realised that he'd already removed it. "Shit!" he called as a picture of it, sat near the first plinth he'd examined, came to him. Jack was always complaining of how Daniel dumped his pack just anywhere, and Daniel would have of course done it again.
He looked around the pit in the dim light, the walls smooth and too high for him to climb alone.
"Sam, Teal'c, where are you?" he called into the radio.
"Right here, above you," called Sam as a beam of light from a torch hit him in the face.
"Where's the Colonel?" she called down.
"Here, he's hurt Sam, bad!"
Sam shone the light around and the beam hit the prone figure, the light ghoulishly falling on the lance extruding from the Colonel's backpack.
"It's bad Sam, it's gone right through, my pack is up there somewhere, near the first plinth."
Teal'c moved to retrieve the pack quickly as Sam lowered herself down the walls by her arms length before dropping lightly to the ground. Teal'c threw the pack down.
"Teal'c wait there," called Sam as she knelt down, Teal'c's torchlight joining hers on the Colonel.
"Colonel, can you hear me?" called Sam, as she gently felt underneath where Daniel indicated. A low moan was her only response. Sam could feel blood seeping through from where the metal protruded.
"God, this must have hit hard if it went through his pack first as well!" she exclaimed.
"The force of it took us both over the edge into the pit, we were.... he wasn't.... he must have known... he must have seen this coming, he wouldn't have been able to get here in time if he hadn't ... oh God, oh shit." He looked down suddenly realising what had happened. "He shouted a warning just before, oh ...no I must have triggered something when I got too close to the throne."
Sam took a handful of dressings "Daniel, I'm gonna need help turning him, we've got to stop this bleeding."
"Do not move him," shouted Teal'c urgently.
"We've got to stop this bleeding," responded Sam, already aghast at how much blood was pooling from the Colonel.
"Look around MajorCarter, look at the spears," urged Teal'c and he panned his flashlight around the pit to stop near them at a heap of bones.
At first Sam only saw the shaft of metal and then her eyes widened in horror "Shit!" she gasped as she realised what Teal'c had seen.
She scrabbled through the bones and picked up a spear. It was only about three feet in length, the metal still sound and free from rust, stained only with old dull blood marks, but about a foot from the point a large collar of blade like spikes rose outwards.
"Oh God," she choked at the same time as Daniel.
"We do not know if these blades are inside O'Neill and if you move him..." His words remained unfinished as Daniel stumbled to his feet away from Jack, retching suddenly.
Heaving, he clasped his aching head and leaned against the pit walls to steady himself.
"Teal'c," called Sam "you need to get back, get Janet, take this." She passed the spear up to him carefully. "Tell her what you can, get help back fast."
Without a word the Jaffa took the spear and disappeared from sight, seconds later they heard the gate activate as Teal'c returned to the SGC.
Sam stirred into action and bundled together the field dressings and as gently as she could she inserted them between the wound and the floor to try and stem the flow.
Daniel straightened himself, wiping at his mouth feeling very ashamed of his behaviour, "I'm sorry Sam," he whispered.
"Are you ok?" She stood up and moved closer reaching out towards his head "Daniel, you're bleeding!" As she reached out, she saw how bloody her hands were from the Colonel and Daniel flinched, she grimaced at him and turned to her pack to use the wet scrubs to clean off what she could.
"I'm fine Sam, it's nothing, you know it should be me lying there, he told me not to touch - again!" he spat, his distress clear.
Voices. Voices in the blackness, faint but there. He tried to open his eyes but they didn't want to respond, everything felt heavy, pains seeped in, burning and agonising pain. To just draw breath hurt, hurt so badly. He tried to speak "Daanl" was the hoarse whisper that came from his parched throat. He wanted to move, to get off his chest, away from the pressure on his lungs, the will to try to escape from the pain forced life into his limbs and a sudden motion from his arms as he fought to right himself threw Sam and Daniel into action.
"Jack! No! Don't ..."
"Colonel, don't move."
The sudden pressure exerted on his tired limbs held him still and once again he tried to open his eyes. A blurred image of his 2IC wavered.
"Can't breathe, need... need" was his cracked cry, the words breathless and needing great effort.
Sam leaned in closer to his face "Colonel, you're hurt, you took a spear through the back, and it's gone right through, you need to hold still, we can't move you. Teal'c's gone for help, to get Janet, he won't be long." Gently she started to touch his face as she spoke, trying to reassure him.
"Hurts" his voice was low, barely above a whisper.
His admission, without any sarcastic remark, frightened her badly. "Please, Sir, just don't move," she begged him softly and taking her canteen she moistened a clean dressing and tried to gently wet his lips and then dabbed the cloth over his face.
"I can't give you anything Sir, but it won't be long before Janet arrives now."
Although it wasn't warm, beads of perspiration bathed his face and started to trickle down the planes of his face, along the strong line of his jaw. His eyelids were fighting to remain open, but it was a fight he was destined to lose as another wave of pain hit hard, slamming his eyelids down.
"God, come on .... Please," whispered Sam, almost to herself.
Taking a fresh handful of dressings she added them to the blood soaked ones already there. She almost sobbed when she saw how much blood was pooling, and another moan of pain escaped from the Colonel.
The sound of the gate being activated brought Daniel to attention again.
"Thank God," he uttered and stood up. A bustle of activity above them and then moments later the diminutive Doctor Fraiser appeared being gently lowered by Teal'c. She was closely followed by her staff carrying the cacophony of medical supplies she thought she might need.
"We need more light," she called and her people began to set up lights with the aid of the portable generators being passed down.
Sam moved back to let the Doctor in closer, telling her quickly what she knew, even as she spoke Janet was down and checking the Colonel.
"Colonel, can you hear me?" His eyes flickered open and struggled to focus on her face. "Let's get an IV in, get some blood and fluids going," she called to one of her staff.
"Sir, do you know where you are?" His eyes looked to her, but didn't answer. "Colonel, I'm going to give you something for the pain, but I need you to stay awake, stay with me Sir," she called urgently to him. His pallor and his erratic, rattled breathing gave an indication of how bad he was, the low blood pressure and unsteady pulse told her the story well enough to know he was in bad trouble. Janet quickly inserted the IV needles into his hand and set up a fluids and blood transfusion before injecting him with the promised painkiller.
"This'll help Colonel, stay with me. We need to turn him to his side; I can't do anything like this."
Sam and Daniel exchange glances. "You saw the spear Teal'c had? How it works?" began Sam.
"I had a quick look Sam, but if I don't stop this bleeding it won't matter, I can't pump blood into him fast enough to replace what he's losing now, never mind what he's lost already."
Turning back to O'Neill, she touched him gently on his cheek and his eyes opened, she knew he was aware of what was going on but said it anyway. "Sir, we're going to turn you onto your side, we'll go easy but it's going to hurt."
Janet and her staff began to sort out the IV lines and equipment and positioned themselves around O'Neill.
"We'll put a body board under now, it'll save time when we come to move him" and the staff worked to follow her orders.
Quickly and efficiently they got ready to lift. "On three, one two three, lift," ordered Janet and together they lifted and rolled the Colonel into a recovery position. Janet couldn't help the sharp intake of breath she gave at the Colonel's cry of pain at the movement. "Sorry Sir, hold on."
"T's ok," he slurred; "breathe better" his words came low and gasping.
"We can't remove his pack, but I need to get in at the front, try and support the pack from underneath so it can't move so much" and again her staff work quickly to follow her instructions. As soon as the staff at his back gave her the ok, she began to cut the lace fastening on the side of the vest to pull it forward and away from the Colonel, giving her access to cut his jacket and shirt open. Her eyes kept monitoring the Colonel's face noticing with an internal smile that, as usual, he was watching everything she did, he was having trouble focussing, but he was trying.
Most people look away or focus elsewhere, but the Colonel always watched. Knowing he was watching, she tried to school her features so as to not reveal how bad the wound was, but as she revealed the wound in all its glory, she couldn't help the distress that shook her and it must have showed on her face. `God he must be in terrible pain' kept running through her mind as she worked to try and stem the flow of blood from the raw wound.
"We need to get him back to the SGC; I've no way of knowing how much internal damage has been done. I've stopped the bleeding for the moment but ..."
It was Teal'c who spoke, his normal calm features frowning mightily, "If the blades have opened it would be dangerous, but if the blades are inactive inside O'Neill and are activated when he is moved he will surely die."
"The collar may not be that far in."
"Indeed, DanielJackson that may be so."
"Hey!" a low voice intruded, weak but clear "Can you guys argue later?" those few words left him badly out of breath and his chest heaved to draw oxygen in.
Janet bent to him and put an oxygen mask in place "Keep it on Sir, you need it."
Sam's face paled and she looked down, blinking rapidly trying to keep away the tears that threatened, but this was no time to lose her composure. Later, later she would let herself.
Daniel tried to keep it light. "Hey Jack, do you mind butting out while we make a decision." He injected as much humour into his tone as he could manage and putting a smile on his face, he moved around to kneel down in front of him. "After all it's only your body."
Jack tried to return the smile but failed, his features distorted into tight lines of pain.
Looking down to the Colonel's prone form, the doctor knew that she had to find out just how much of a threat the collar of the weapon posed.
"Sir, I'm going to have to get into the pack to see if I can feel that collar."
"Negative, Doc," he growled through the painkillers, "too dangerous... you need those fingers..."
Janet looked at Sam and Daniel "I need to know," she stated simply.
"I'll do it," offered Daniel; "like Jack said you need your fingers, you can always sew mine back on," he joked and moved around to start to undo the pack, moving very slowly and gently. "Jack now is the time to tell if there's any mice traps, dirty washing, or anything incriminating in your pack, cause I'm going to have to empty it down, its packed so god-damn tight."
A noise came from Jack beneath the mask and Daniel took that as the go ahead and slowly started to remove the first layer from the pack, handing them to Sam who knelt beside him.
Janet moved closer to Jack's head and began to gently mop at his face with a cold dressing, "how's the pain?" she asked.
"Bad," he admitted, which frightened her, for O'Neill to admit to anything `bad' would be in anybody else's books `excruciating' so she quickly gave him another injection into the IV line.
"Hold on Colonel, won't be too long now." She continued to mop his face, trying to not let her eyes stray to Daniel.
"Jesus, Jack, you know how to pack it tight," exclaimed Daniel "I wondered why your pack is always so heavy" he reached in again to withdraw yet more items, the concentration on his face gave no indication of how nervous and sick he really felt. `Please let the blades be here, please God,' he prayed inside his head.
There was utter silence in the pit, except for the noise of Daniel's movements and the coarse breathing of the injured man.
Daniel was almost to where the spear pierced through the pack when he felt something he couldn't recognise and it didn't want to move. As his fingers tugged gently he felt the shudder of pain from Jack and he realised whatever it was, was pinned by the spear. Janet saw the clenching of Jack's hands and jaw, she continued to mop his face and monitor the readings.
The pain seemed to be a constant pressure, granted there were bouts of severe waves, just to break up the monotony of general hell. It was getting harder to stay conscious and his vision blurred constantly. Another wave of nausea hit and he tried to swallow it back. It'll pass, it'll pass, focus, gotta focus, come on you can do it, box it down' he told himself. He pushed past the pain holding on once more. More pressure on the spear and the pain increased, he reached out blindly with his hand and made contact with Janet's hands and he held on tightly.
Both of Janet's small hands were enveloped in one of Jack's and she had to bite down a retort of pain as his grip increased its pressure.
"Come on Jack, hold on," she urged in the voice of a friend now, more than a doctor.
Daniel froze for a moment sensing how he'd hurt Jack. Resuming his `feeling' after taking a breath, he proceeded to feel at the object and as his fingers moved up he found what he'd been searching for. "The blades are open in here," he sighed with relief. "They're pinned into something, I ..." puzzlement formed in a frown on his features and he continued to feel around the object. "Jack, what on earth have you got in here? Its hard, padded I guess."
Jack's eyes closed for a moment and as Janet watched him she saw a flicker of emotion on his features, as he opened his eyes it was gone.
"It's a glove" he managed to whisper.
"A glove?" echoed Daniel; he thought for a second or two, "a glove - a baseball glove?" he asked and Jack just managed a nod. `A baseball glove, what on earth does Jack have a baseball glove in his pack for?' he thought to himself, and then the light dawned, he'd seen Jack with a glove recently, Charlie's glove?
No one else asked and Daniel didn't explain further, he knew how much Jack valued his privacy and he'd rather people assume he was nuts than explain anything to anyone.
"Right, can we now get that thing outta me?" whispered Jack.
"I don't think it's a good idea to move you with this in you just yet, especially through the Stargate," responded Janet.
"Sweet, pull it, plug it, let's go," he answered weakly.
"I wish it were that simple," said Janet, shaking her head.
"I can remove it DoctorFraiser," said Teal'c.
"Thanks T, you pull, Doc plugs, we go" the words came out quickly before he lost his breath.
"We need a way to keep you level getting you out of this pit," said Janet, side stepping the issue of removal.
"We can sort that Janet," said Sam. "Daniel, you wait here, Teal'c and I will go get some help and report to the General." With one last look at her Colonel, she almost ran to the gate, eager to leave for more than one reason.
Janet turned her attention back to Jack. "Any other instructions Dr. O'Neill?" she asked lightly.
"Yeah, hurry, hockey finals tomorrow" his voice was barely a whisper now, his breathing getting much worse.
"One more complaint Colonel, and I'll have all the TV's removed" she moved closer to his face, his colour seemed to drain even whiter and around his mouth and nose a feint blue tinge seemed to spread.
She instantly became more alert and put her stethoscope to his chest "Jack, take a breath for me, as best you can."
He did his best to comply, but a shudder of pain racked through his body and a sharp metallic coppery taste filled his mouth making him heave and gasp. A slow trickle of blood appeared from his mouth and nose and what Janet had been dreading, happened.
Janet galvanised her staff into action and a large needle and tubing where passed to her ready. "Colonel, I need to get a drain in, just hold on, I know it's gonna hurt, just hold on."
Working quickly she found her target and inserted the long needle through his ribs and into the punctured lung, his body shuddered and a low cry of pain was forced from his lips. The needle was finally in position and Janet removed the air and finally his lung began to drain of blood.
Daniel paled even further whilst this was going on; not sure how much more Jack could take. `Come on Sam, hurry up' he wondered what she was bringing back that could take so long.
The staff meanwhile began to cut the pack off the Colonel's back, revealing the glove embedded tightly against his back.
After filling Teal'c in on what they needed, Sam reported to the General.
"How long before you bring him home Major?" he asked in a quiet voice.
"I'm not sure Sir, but Dr Fraiser seems anxious to get him back, he's just about holding on" her voice went quieter as she spoke and the General put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"He's a fighter Major, he'll make it."
She nodded at the General unable to form a reply and when she saw Teal'c in the gate room with two volunteers all carrying assorted poles, bags and planks she stiffened slightly.
Seeing her need to be gone the General dismissed her, "go bring him home Major."
"Yes Sir" being the only response she trusted herself to say as she entered the gate room just as the gate activated.
PART TWO
Leaving the wormhole, they stepped once more into the room. The two volunteers looked shaky and a little green, but there was no time to offer advice and Teal'c straight away set to work alongside them to erect a platform and steps so as to get the injured man up with the least fuss.
Sam was over and down; she touched Daniel lightly on the arm as she took in what had been going on. Daniel's recount served to diminish any colour that was left on her face, leaving her emotions plain for all to see.
Janet looked up to Sam. "He lost consciousness a few minutes ago, we need to act now."
"Teal'c," Daniel called over to the Jaffa who gave the men their last instructions before standing besides Daniel.
"Are you going to move him like this?" asked Daniel.
Janet nodded. "It's his only chance, we can't cut it, if we tried to use a `torch' it would cook his insides, there's no other way, it's too risky to attempt to remove it here, even though the spikes aren't inside him. Teal'c I need you to support the spear, hold it steady."
Teal'c immediately stepped forward "I will do my best for O'Neill, whatever it takes DoctorFraiser."
"I know you will Teal'c, but it won't be pleasant, especially for the Colonel, try and find a comfortable position, what you think best," replied Janet.
Teal'c knelt down facing the Colonel's back ready to take a hold on the spear.
Janet and her staff hustled and got ready the dressings they would need and renewed the blood and fluids ready for a go.
"Sam, you come up top here where he can see you if he comes around, Daniel too" she nodded at her staff who took up position around the Colonel.
Janet checked the Colonel's vitals once more, but it only confirmed that it wasn't safe to give him a full anaesthetic.
The large Jaffa gently grasped the spear firmly to hold it steady, whilst Janet worked to pack the wound more.
Daniels attention switched between Jack's face and Teal'c, who was stood looking quite calm.
Sam's attention was on the Colonel's face, and as Teal'c began to support the spear on the Doctor's instruction, she saw his eyes flicker open, his face a mask of agony.
"He's awake," she frantically called to Janet.
"I know, I can't give him anything more yet, he's way past the safe levels already," answered the Doctor. "Talk to him, anything, keep him going."
Sam couldn't help the sob that escaped her as she looked down to his face, his eyes wide open and distressed.
The pain was excruciating and no blackness welcomed him. Eyes, bright blue eyes captured his and he held onto them, grasping them with his vision like a drowning man would grasp a lifeline. `Beautiful eyes' he realised yet again for what must be the thousand time `she has such beautiful eyes.'
"Not long now Colonel, hold on, not long now, we'll get you back and get you in a nice warm infirmary," she called to him, still keeping eye contact with him.
"So blue," he murmured.
"What?" mouthed Sam.
`Must have spoken out loud?' The buzzing in his head increased and a wave of blinding pain coursed through him, and the blackness claimed him once more.
Janet checked the Colonel's vitals. "He's in v-fib!"
A nurse handed her a prepared syringe of epinephrine, which she injected into the heart, and the Colonel was rolled as far as was possible with the spear still there, onto his back and the immediate area cleared.
Janet stripped the Colonel's remaining clothing free from his chest and was handed the paddles from the portable defibrillator. "Give me 200," she called "Clear" and with a whine and then a thump the electric zapped the Colonel. His body convulsed briefly and Janet listened for a beat. "No response give me 300 - Clear" and once more the Colonel's body convulsed. This time as Janet listened she found what she needed. "Erratic pulse, poor respiration; we need to move now people."
Teal'c immediately positioned himself to support the spear again while the medical team moved with precision and the Colonel was quickly lifted and within a few minutes they were up the scaffolding and over the wall, Janet practically hung on to Jack's arm feeling his wrist as they moved.
Sam and Daniel weren't far behind and Sam rushed over to the DHD, dialled and sent the signal by the time the stretcher was there.
They hung back slightly so that the route for the medical team wouldn't be hindered and he would be taken to the infirmary as quickly as possible.
By the time their feet hit the ramp in the gate room the medical staff had gone.
Tears streamed down Sam's face and Daniel's eyes were misty, the blurring not just from the lack of glasses.
"I hope the Doc remembers that it's not just a glove to Jack," whispered Daniel.
"Was it Charlie's glove? Oh, god, do you think we can get it fixed?" moaned Sam, she sniffed and scrubbed at her eyes angrily with her sleeve.
Teal'c regarded his friends gravely "I will try. I will give it my best endeavour, the glove has indeed saved O'Neill's life."
Daniel just nodded at Teal'c, too emotional to respond at the moment.
They made their way down to the infirmary, already there, the General stood waiting, he was pacing, but stopped when he saw them.
"Everyone else ok?" he asked "Dr Jackson, you need to see the nurse," he pointed to the cut on Daniel's forehead.
"I'm fine" he replied.
"Now Dr Jackson, if you don't mind... Jack isn't going anywhere yet a while," he added speaking softly.
Daniel nodded and entered the infirmary where a waiting nurse led him to a curtained cubicle to tend to his head. Voices drifted around and he strained hard to listen for anything to indicate how Jack was.
"Is he ok?" he asked the nurse when he couldn't help himself any longer.
"Dr Fraiser will see you when she is able, but he was alive when they took him into the OR," she added softly, seeing how openly distressed he was.
Not content, but unable to do anything, he sat on the bed and allowed the nurse to tend to his injury.
Fifteen minutes and a few stitches later, Daniel rejoined his friends outside the infirmary where three faces turned expectantly to him. Teal'c was holding his spare set of glasses out to him.
"Thanks Teal'c. No news?" he asked.
"No, we were hoping you ...." tailed off Sam.
"He's still alive, that much I do know," offered Daniel.
A long set of hours later a tired looking Dr Fraiser emerged from the OR.
"We've got him stabilised and we've successfully removed the spear. There doesn't appear to be any major organ damage, but he's got four very badly broken ribs, one of which had punctured a lung, but he's had major blood loss, he's very weak."
"Can we see him?" asked Sam.
"Not yet, he's still well out of it for now, and we're constantly monitoring him. I suggest you all get showered, a meal and some sleep, I promise you if there's any change I'll let you know" and she turned back into the infirmary.
"You heard the Doctor, SG1 clean up, eat and sleep, that's an order we'll debrief tomorrow," said the General before taking his leave of them.
"I will perform kel-no-reem and return," said Teal'c.
"Shower, food and sleep it is then or at least try," said Sam.
Yeah, me too" sighed Daniel.
Sam took herself off to the showers almost in a trance. Her body's autopilot kicked in and took her mindlessly through the motions of undressing and showering.
As she sat down with the towel wrapped around herself, the sight of her bloodied bdu's snapped her out of the fog and the tears she'd been fighting to hold inside, finally made their bid for freedom.
She wasn't sure how long she'd sat there clutching her towel around herself, shivering lightly as the chill from the air and inside of her seeped throughout her body. She wiped her eyes with the towel in a bid to stem the flow, but it didn't help much.
She'd seen casualties before, but the image of her CO lying there, hurt so badly and in so much pain, cut to her core.
Still shivering, she forced herself to dress and made her way to her quarters where she reluctantly lay down; biding her time until she thought Janet might let her in the infirmary.
Less than four hours later however, Sam and Daniel had had all the rest they could take and joined Teal'c outside the infirmary.
Unsurprisingly for the doctor, a nurse informed her that the rest of SG1 had returned way sooner than she would have liked, but just about as soon as she had expected them. Leaving the Colonel for a moment, she joined them in the corridor.
"Guess you need to see him," she uttered to no one in particular and with a sweep of her hand she admitted them in.
Several monitors surrounded the bed, beeps intermittently punched the air and an assortment of tubes and wires joined them to the unconscious Colonel. Jack's white face almost rivalled the whiteness of the hospital linen. It was the stillness of the man that was the most shocking. He was utterly and completely still.
"We had to intubate to stabilise him, it'll be some hours before we know much more."
Daniel swallowed hard. "Can we stay a little while?"
"Sure, you can even talk to him if you want, it can only help to know where you are" and with that Janet left them to go to her office to carry on with the never-ending paperwork.
Teal'c handed a chair to Sam and then one to Daniel, absently they nodded their thanks and sat side by side, Teal'c took up `guard' position at the foot of the bed.
"Hey Jack, we're all here, just waiting for you to get your butt out of bed," called Daniel softly, he leaned over and grasped one of Jack's hands, he gave it a light squeeze willing for some response.
The day passed, Teal'c became the coffee boy, not understanding the Tauri's love of coffee, but if it gave his friends some comfort, then he would provide it.
Janet entered on yet another check. "You all need to rest, he'll be unconscious for a long while, he'll need you when he's awake you know."
Teal'c inclined his head to Sam and Daniel "I have no need to rest for a long while yet, I will wait for O'Neill to waken then come for you" his voice gentle and assuring.
"We can take it in turns," said Sam.
"Fine, does anyone mind if I go first?" asked Daniel.
Teal'c and Sam both shook their heads and Sam reluctantly rose, really wanting to be the one to remain.
Left alone with Jack, Daniel once more leaned in closer and grasped his friend's hand as though a lifeline.
"Well Jack, I didn't listen to you again," he began softly; all the guilt and anxiety came to the surface once more.
"I'm so sorry, you've taken another fall for me. This time will be the last Jack, I promise, what I need is for you to wake up and yell at me or something and then I know you're going to be alright, I won't leave I promise till I know you're going to be ok." His eyesight became distinctly misty; his vision blurred with unshed tears. "I won't leave 'til ... but I won't put you through this again, too many times you've laid your life on the line for me." Not knowing what else to add to someone who couldn't possibly hear him, his voice subsided.
"Hey Daniel, you ok?" a soft voice startled him.
"Uh Janet, sorry" he quickly rubbed at his eyes beneath his glasses, "sorry just lost in thought."
Janet bustled in checking drips, tubes and changing some of the fluids.
"Respiration is picking up, pulse a lot stronger," she commented out loud for Daniel's benefit.
He looked at her hopefully. "Janet, will he be ok, really I mean?"
Thoughtfully Janet looked at him sitting down in the spare chair besides him. "It's hard to be precise Daniel, with injuries like this, but the Colonel has pulled through much worse, we've not yet lost a battle, he's strong and plenty of will, stubborn as hell! A lot of people wouldn't have made it out of that pit, let alone been conscious through it, so don't count him out yet."
"I won't, it's just, it's, I mean, I hope I haven't killed him this time."
"Daniel, it was an accident, it could have been any one of you."
"No, Jack told me not to touch, he's told me a thousand times! That spear would have hit me if he hadn't put himself between me and it, I didn't listen, yet again" by this time Daniel had stood up, all his fears and guilt stood written on his face, his arms went up and around himself, hugging himself. "Jack almost died, could die, because of me, he's going through this because of me."
Janet stood up reaching out to guide him away from the bed. "Daniel, the Colonel did what he had to do, it's what he's paid to do, serve and protect, don't belittle his life Daniel, Jack always puts his team first, or anyone, he'd never think, he'd just act."
"Well maybe he should think, no that's wrong, he shouldn't have to wonder around after idiots like me, picking me up, shielding me like he's a bodyguard or something."
"Daniel, that's his job, he doesn't want it any other way, believe me, he's one of life's protectors and he gets the job done."
"No matter what the price?"
"Not where one of his team are concerned."
"Perhaps the price is too high this time."
"Not for Jack, no matter the pain, he'd do it again believe me."
"I know he'd do it again, that's the problem... I'm going to hand in my resignation," he sniffed, removing his glasses, he rubbed at his eyes, he could almost hear Jack saying, "don't rub Daniel, blink."
"Don't do anything yet Daniel, please let's get him on the mend then talk it over," pleaded Janet.
"I won't do anything yet. I do need to speak to him, I owe him that."
"Good, now, first things first, the Colonel" and she lead him back to sit down where Daniel once more sat and took Jack's hand.
A few hours later Sam resumed her vigil. "Teal'c got the glove free from the blades, he's trying to find someone to repair it."
"Does he need help?" offered Daniel.
"Nope, I did offer, but he said he was ok and knows a saddler or words to that effect."
Daniel nodded "A saddler?" his eyebrows went up.
"Apparently," said Sam nodding "our Colonel introduced him to horses and a ranch owner not too far away."
"Oh, sometimes I do wonder what he's learning from Jack."
"Apart from hockey and God knows what?" Sam grimaced.
Daniel nodded, returning her grin. "They do spend a lot of downtime together, I should check it out someday" `yeah after I've left,' he added mentally kicking himself.
"Get some rest Daniel." Sam gave him a quick hug before he left and then settled down in the newly vacated chair closer to the bed.
Voices again, God why couldn't he open his eyes? He tried to form words but nothing came, just blackness and pain, extreme pain and once more the blackness claimed his thoughts.
Sam stared at the pale still form of her CO. She felt her eyes treacherously prickling and she tried to divert herself by looking around the infirmary.
The diversion didn't last long though, and the moisture from her eyes escaped anyway. Her gaze was dragged back to the bed, and though the image was blurred and shimmering through her tears, the sight made her insides ache and a fine tremble ran through her.
She longed to reach out and take his hand, to offer some comfort, whether or not it was for him or herself, she wasn't sure.
The last few years had been fraught with dangers, not just from aliens though.
Her emotions had run high towards her CO right from the first contact, that first meeting, fresh from the Pentagon.
At first she'd put it down to her female instincts just being naturally attracted to a rather attractive male, but as time past, her feelings hadn't altered, if anything the better she'd come to know him, the more intense her feelings had become.
Highly inappropriate thoughts chased around her head, mixing with the trauma of the accident.
Much later Sam leant with her head over one arm on the bed, her other hand had somehow found Jack's. Sam snatched her head up as Janet unwittingly disturbed her as she checked on the Colonel.
"Hey, Janet." Sam stretched slightly to get the kink from her neck and yawned, "Any change?"
"Slight improvement all round, he's definitely beginning to hold his own and then some."
Voices again, the blackness drew away slightly, the pain unfortunately didn't. It clawed at him, gnawing away inside. `Focus, Jack, got to try and take a look around.'
His eyes opened slowly and then he struggled to breathe through a choking sensation.
"Janet!" exclaimed Sam seeing the flicker of brown.
The Doctor responded quickly, leaning over her charge. She saw how he was starting to fight the ventilator and made the decision to remove it. "Ok, Colonel, take it easy, I've got you intubated, you know the drill, steady now, blow on the count of three." A whole lot easier than it went in, the endotracheal tube was removed from his throat and a cannula was swiftly placed on his nose.
His grip on Sam's hand tightened and his gaze fixed on her.
His deep velvet eyes seem to burn into Sam's. She held his gaze, blue eyes suspiciously moist once again.
Janet gave Jack a few sips of water to help to moisten his dry throat.
"Hey, Colonel," said Sam softly.
His eyes held puzzlement. "What happened?" he whispered hoarsely.
"How much do you remember?" asked Janet. "Do you know where you are?"
A blank look crossed his features for a moment, as he unwillingly altered the direction of his gaze, his eyes narrowed slightly. "Yeah infirmary, everything's hazy, PX whatever .... Eyes" he murmured at the image in his mind.
"In short, you were on PX3403-7 and you and Daniel ended up in a pit full of bones with a spear through you," provided the good Doctor.
"Daniel ok?"
Sam nodded. "He's fine."
"Good," whispered Jack as Sam noticed the battle to keep his eyes from closing was one he was going to lose.
"I've upped the pain meds for now, he'll probably sleep a while," offered Janet, once more monitoring his vitals.
Feeling slightly better now that she'd spoken to him and that he was off the ventilator, Sam allowed a small smile to touch her lips as she lowered her head back to its previous resting position.
Slightly disoriented, Sam woke up from a restless doze, and immediately raised her head only to meet a gaze of chocolate brown, which seemed quite used to a steady perusal of her features.
"Hey," she murmured, suddenly nervous for a reason she couldn't quite pinpoint, but unable to bring herself to look away. She licked at her dry lips.
`I wish you wouldn't do that Sam, it does things to me, those eyes. Damn, they're so...' startling himself with his thoughts he began to cough, slightly at first, but which quickly became a choking cough as he tried to bite back the cry of pain that came from him.
Janet appeared quickly at his side and adjusted the IV, once more injecting more painkillers into him. "Easy Colonel, take it easy." She braced his shoulders in the hope of preventing further damage to his wounds.
"...Amazing..." he slurred and he held his focus on his 2IC for as long as he could.
"Pain med talk?" Sam blushed, well aware of her Colonel's implication.
"Yeah, probably," agreed Janet, whilst her face was giving Sam an `I don't think so' look.
Luckily, Sam was saved from further interrogation as Teal'c and Daniel both entered, "Hey guys, you just missed the Colonel, he came around a little." `Thank goodness,' she said to herself.
"But he's ok?" asked Daniel.
"He's certainly showing improvement, but he's in a lot of pain," replied Janet.
Teal'c inclined his head towards the Doctor as he acknowledged her words. "I have found someone to undertake the repair of the glove, it will not be exactly as before, but I believe it will be acceptable."
"Good. That glove saved his life, whatever it meant to him before, it's so much more than that to us all now," replied Sam, knowingly.
PART THREE
The days passed slowly, always one of the team remained at Jack's side; he was only awake for very short periods, his energies used up with healing, rather than talking.
Daniel was taking his turn when Janet appeared and she checked the Colonel was indeed out of it before she spoke.
"You ok, Daniel? Have you thought on more of what you were saying about quitting?"
"Thought of nothing else."
"And?"
"And till Jack's on his feet I'm going to be here for him."
"Good."
"Nothing good about it, it's the least I owe him."
"You don't owe the Colonel anything but your continued friendship! Have you spoken to Sam about this?"
"No, she's been too upset about Jack. I don't want to add anything else onto her just yet, and you're wrong I do owe him an awful lot."
"Not like that and he'd been angry if he thought you thought that."
"I owe Jack a lot," he said troubled "I owe him my life countless times and one day the price will be his life, hopefully not this time, but the law of averages are bound to catch up, he's not invincible. It's funny you know, sometimes I think he is, so when he gets hurts it's a shock, I suppose, it really hits hard, but I don't want him throwing his life away on me."
Janet eyed him steadily, she could see the guilt within him and there was only one person who could lift it, but that wasn't going to happen soon, the Colonel was a good healer, but not that good.
"I don't think the Colonel, no in fact, I know, he doesn't think of you like that, a burden to risk his life on, you still won't do anything till you talk to him will you?"
"No I won't I promise."
Satisfied, but only for the moment Janet left Daniel to his vigil.
Much later as Jack started to stir once more trying to focus his bleary eyes, Daniel leaned forward "Hey Jack," he called softly.
`Voices again, no a voice,' he corrected himself as he struggled, fighting to control his eyes he at last looked out to a pair of blue eyes, not Sam's though.
"Daniel," he uttered wearily.
"In the flesh," responded Daniel trying to keep his voice light and quiet.
Jack tried movement, though only slight, the movement released a wave of burning pain. The heart rate monitor beeped faster and faster until a low alarm sounded. Janet was besides him in seconds.
"Lie still Sir, I've got you" she held his shoulder and one of his hands while she continued to monitor the readings.
Jack's face became whiter still if that was possible, his eyes closed, face contorted with pain.
"Take it slowly Colonel, nice and easy." Janet comforted him best she could, knowing she couldn't give him anything stronger for the pain. Watching the readings and his face she realised the pain wasn't letting up, his blood pressure was dropping quickly as well.
Daniel sat watching helplessly, his friend barely moving, but the pain he was suffering was clear.
A sudden spasm tore through Jack's body; the monitors began to shrill alarms.
"He's crashing," called Janet pressing the emergency button. "Code Blue," she called over the system.
Jack's body convulsed and then stilled, the heart monitor flat lined emitting an obscene tone.
The staff entered the room quickly; someone pulled Daniel away from the bed. Clenching his fists tightly he backed away to near the door against the wall, muttering prayers.
"Prepare to shock, we're losing him," ordered Janet, the epinephrine and then the lidocaine had failed. "Clear," she called and applied the paddles to the Colonel's chest. The shock hit and his body jerked in response. The nurse checked his stats and then shook her head. "Clear," called Janet again and shocked the body with a higher charge.
"Come on Colonel, damn you," shouted Janet as she once more hit the paddles.
"Sinus tachycardia," called one of the staff.
A blip appeared on the monitor, followed slowly by more blips.
Janet let go of the breath she'd been holding. "Thank God there are some orders you do follow Colonel."
Sam suddenly appeared beside Daniel, who grabbed her into a hug. "Oh Sam, we nearly lost him again."
"What?" stuttered Sam looking over to where the staff where gathered. "Is he...?"
Janet broke away from the bed. "Back in the land of the living, at the moment. You need to wait outside for now."
Sam and Daniel anxiously waited in the corridor joined by Teal'c.
Sam wasn't sure how much more she could take in right now. She cast a tearful look to Daniel, whose shocked pale face must surely have reflected her own. Teal'c stood with them, his face drawn to a frown, unusual for the Jaffa.
Sam couldn't stop the sob that tore from her throat and Daniel turned to her quickly. He grabbed her to him in a fierce hug and wept on her shoulder as she did the same to him.
"God Sam, we can't .... We just can't lose him, please God," he moaned.
"Hush Daniel, it'll be ok, he'll be ...." a sob choked her words off. Not able to speak further, they just held on to each other. Eventually they calmed enough to mop at their faces, but stood close, holding hands.
After what seemed like an eternity Janet appeared in the corridor looking tired and her features grim. Taking in Janet's face, Sam clasped Daniel's hand harder, waiting for bad news.
"He's still alive," she stated quickly seeing their expressions "but he's very weak and at the moment critical."
"Can we ...?" and Sam motioned with her hand.
Janet nodded "only for a moment" and led them in, the curtains closed around the bed and it looked like Jack was wired up to half the mountain, even more machines than before.
Sam flinched visibly at the sight and Daniel grabbed her hand to comfort her.
"He's having trouble breathing at the moment so we've had to intubate him again," said Janet softly. "Five minutes, then you all go and rest" she tapped her watch leaving them.
"Oh God Daniel," uttered Sam sounding so desolate that Daniel grasped her hand tighter.
"He'll pull through," he said trying to comfort her `he's got to,' he added to himself.
Sam moved forward and gently picked up Jack's hand in both of hers, cradling it as though she could give him life from her strength.
Janet true to her word ejected them after five minutes.
Once outside in the corridor, the tears she'd been holding in came thick and fast and Daniel held her tightly, his own eyes blurred with tears. Teal'c stood to one side, his expression blank.
"O'Neill will recover," he said softly, and to their surprise, walked away quickly.
As the crying subsided Daniel let her go. He handed her one of his ever-present tissues and she tried to repair her wet and red face.
"Thanks Daniel, I'm sorry I ..."
"Sssh it's ok really, I know Sam, I know. Do you want to talk?"
"No, not yet, are you ok?"
"Yeah, let's get some rest, we need to be here when he wakes."
They made their way to their separate quarters. Sam threw herself onto her bed and the tears flowed once more, eventually she cried herself into a restless sleep.
Daniel layback on his bed, but the only images that came to him were of Jack lying there suffering, in the pit, the blood, blood everywhere, his clothes, his hands. Unable to stand it anymore he sat up with a jerk, he knew he'd find no rest yet, not sure what else to do he went in search of Teal'c.
Teal'c was sat on the floor, the candles lit, feeling once more at peace having just performed the meditation of kel-no-reem. A soft tapping at the door broke into his thoughts.
"Come in DanielJackson," he called without hesitation. Only DanielJackson would knock in such a manner and not enter. MajorCarter always gave three short raps before calling out to him.
"Err hi Teal'c, sorry am I disturbing you?"
"You are not."
"Oh" Daniel paused not sure what he wanted to say.
"Do you wish to talk?" enquired Teal'c inviting him to sit down on the floor with him.
As Daniel sat down mirroring Teal'c position with his own unconsciously, he stuttered slightly "I'm not sure actually."
"You are troubled? O'Neill will mend, he is strong."
"Oh God Teal'c I wish I had your confidence," moaned Daniel.
"Do you not believe in O'Neill?" questioned the Jaffa with the raise of an eyebrow.
The question threw Daniel "Believe in him?" he echoed.
"Yes believe. O'Neill's hold to life is very strong DanielJackson he will not give up."
"I believe that Jack doesn't want to die, hey who does? Oh - that was a Jack remark wasn't it?"
"No DanielJackson, I did not say that he does not want to die - I said that his hold to life is strong, there is a difference."
"Yes I suppose there is, when I first met Jack, he was suicidal, he couldn't kill himself outright though, he needed an excuse to die and the military tried to use that to their advantage, so perhaps Jack is destined for a long life, all I know is I don't want him dying for me."
"O'Neill has a purpose for his life."
"Yeah," Daniel laughed bitterly "get shot full of holes instead of idiots like me."
"DanielJackson you are not an idiot, O'Neill would gladly lay down his life for you, also for MajorCarter and even myself. That is O'Neill, but mostly he chooses to protect by fighting which is better."
"I don't want Jack to die for me."
"O'Neill is not dead, but you mourn him as though he is, he will continue to fight for you and others like you."
"Others like me," uttered Daniel "that's what I mean Teal'c, others like me who put people like Jack in danger."
"Forgive me, I did not mean that. I meant the people he cares for. It may be his task in life but it is done willingly it is also his life. Who are you to take that away from him?"
Daniel digested this for a moment. "I don't like seeing people hurt on my account."
"If the situation was reversed would you have behaved differently?"
"No," stated Daniel firmly.
"Then why do you expect differently of O'Neill?"
"Put like that Teal'c, yes why? I don't know!" he shook his head sadly and then seemed to reach a decision. He sat up straighter and gave Teal'c a small smile. "Thanks, you've been a great help, I'll leave you in peace." Daniel got up stiffly and made his way back to his quarters, where he lay down and had the first proper sleep since the accident.
Sometime later a voice and an insistent shake on his shoulder awoke him.
"Hey Daniel."
"Uh Sam, what? Jack?" he mumbled sleepily grabbing for his glasses.
"No change yet, but Janet says providing we eat first we can visit, come on lets go."
They made their way to the commissary with Daniel protesting along the way he wasn't hungry.
"We have to have something or else Janet won't let us in."
Several people stopped them and asked after the Colonel, which Daniel left to Sam to answer. In the queue for food Daniel just seemed to keep going, not picking anything up but coffee and Sam mindful of Janet's orders, placed a sandwich on his tray adding similar to her own.
Janet appeared at their table "Glad to see your taking my advice."
"Thought they were orders actually," grimaced Sam.
Janet sat down with her coffee and a sandwich and answered the question she could see on the faces.
"There's some improvement, he's steadier and maintaining his own. Teal'c's with him so don't rush." Tiredly she rubbed at her brow.
"When did you last sleep?" asked Daniel.
"Don't worry about me, I'll grab some shut eye whenever, and just as soon as I've eaten this and checked him once more, I'm going to get some sleep."
They ate and finished their coffees and walked to the infirmary together.
"He's definitely improving," she confirmed as she finished checking his vitals. "Now I'm going to crash, buzz if you need me" and with that she left them giving the last minute instructions to the nurse who was sat across the infirmary before going to her office to crash out on the sofa there.
They chatted quietly together trying to include Jack in the general conversation, sure that he could hear them.
`Voices again, more than one for sure this time.' The voices were pulling at him from the inky blackness. `Oh crap! Pain! Perhaps the darkness was better?' So once more he returned to the inky darkness.
The rest of SG1 once more took turns to sit besides him so he was never left alone.
Several hours later, Sam was finally left alone with her Commanding Officer and her thoughts.
"Hey Colonel, you got to get well you know, I don't know what I'd do without you."
Her voice was soft, but it carried to the only other person who could hear - Janet, who didn't mean to listen, but the anguish in Sam's voice made her ears prick up, she came quietly around the curtain and placed a hand on Sam's shoulder. Janet was well aware of her friend's feelings for her CO, perhaps better than Sam herself.
"Hey Sam, you feel like a chat?" she asked softly.
Sam shook her head, blinking back the tears threatening to fall. "I keep thinking what if...what if he doesn't make it... what will... Oh Janet" she couldn't finish for the tears and Janet quickly hugged her friend.
`Voices again, God-damn voices.' He tried desperately to open his eyes, a dim blurred vision appeared, still voices, couldn't make out the words though, blinking, trying to clear his vision, 'Crap, can't move, can't speak, choking' - something in his throat!
Janet caught the slight movement and Sam noticed his eyes. Janet leaned over. "Colonel, can you hear me?" she took his hand, his vision wavered, gradually the blurriness subsided. "Colonel, do you know where you are?" He squeezed her hand slightly to let her know he understood. "Colonel, I'm going to remove the tube, on three Sir, blow."
He felt a little breathless, throat very dry and Janet raised his head to give him sips of water.
Sam stood looking at him. His eyes drifted to her face and once again her eyes mesmerized him. Gradually his eyes closed and sleep overtook him.
"He's sleeping now," said Janet after checking his vitals again.
Sam let go a breath she wasn't even aware she was holding and sat down quickly.
Janet disappeared for a minute or two and came back bearing two mugs of steaming coffee and handed one over to Sam before sitting next to her.
Sam sipped her coffee looking down at the sleeping Colonel.
"Oh Sam you've got it bad," said Janet.
"Huh?" asked Sam lifting her face to Janet in surprise.
"Don't come innocent with me Samantha Carter," chuckled Janet.
"Oh Janet Sssh," said Sam looking around quickly, but seeing no one she relaxed slightly. "Am I that obvious?"
"No not really, just to someone who knows you well, goodness you're as bad as each other."
"Each other? I don't think the Colonel feels the same as I do."
"You kidding?" grinned Janet "Is love blind or what?"
Sam blushed slightly. "Really Janet I don't think he thinks of me other than a friend and his 2IC."
Janet looked closely at her and realised what she'd said, she thought of as true. "Oh Sam, you watch each other constantly, you even seem to pick up each others thoughts without speaking sometimes. I've seen the way you look at him, and I've seen the way he looks at you, neither of you do it obviously, only when you think its safe. Honey I think you've both got it bad." `Just that I think Jack isn't fully aware of it yet,' she added to herself.
Sam's face changed as she looked down at her Commanding Officer. Janet sighed at the `dippy' expression her friend wore.
Sam became lost in her thoughts, and sat free to gaze down at Jack without censure for once. She was dimly aware of Janet taking her empty mug and leaving, but her thoughts were with the Colonel, ... with Jack. Seeing him lying there, pale and vulnerable tugged at her heart. She leaned over gently stroking her fingers through his greying hair. It was much softer than she imagined and her fingers strayed to his face. Asleep his face was erased of the stress lines that he normally wore and he looked so much younger.
He stirred slightly beneath her touch, a frown appeared and the slight movement his body made showed him to be in pain. Unsure whether to call for Janet or not, she stilled her movement, just keeping one hand clasped in hers. His eyes opened and Sam found herself yet again fastened to his dark chocolate eyes, eyes that appeared to lead to his soul.
`Beautiful eyes,' he thought `I could drown in those eyes. But she's your 2IC,' his conscience dictated, `what a 2IC though, ok not proper thoughts Jack, don't go there, be quiet,' he told his conscience `way past it now Jack.'
He sighed deeply and gave Sam's hand a gently squeeze. "So Carter how's things?" the words sounded hoarse and over forced to his ears, but it pulled them both back.
Sam's gaze flickered at the words, breaking the trance. "Oh just fine Sir, you've given us all quite a scare though you know."
Still holding hands, neither of them seemed to want to break the contact, the warmth and good feelings that it generated.
"Scare myself at times," he admitted hoarsely.
"Know the feeling well, Sir," said Sam looking down as she spoke and then up again and their eyes locked once more.
"Good to see you're awake Colonel," called a voice from the foot of the bed.
Sam gave a start; she pulled her hand away from Jack's and stuffed them both in her trousers pockets. Turning to the voice she stood straighter "General," she acknowledged.
"At ease Major" he moved around the bed and Sam stepped back to accommodate him. "Glad to see you're looking better than you were."
"You mean I've looked worse than this?" said Jack with a slight smile, his voice still low and throaty.
"Yes son, I can say you've looked worse."
"I'll let Daniel and Teal'c know you're awake. Sir?" she asked the General's pardon.
"Carry on Major," he acknowledged as he sat down in the chair.
"Well son, another fine mess you've got yourself into. I've had the reports, yours can wait a while." He held up his hand to discourage Jack from speaking. "I know you've saved Dr Jackson's life in all probability, again I might add, but could you just not do it for once without getting yourself practically killed in the process?" his words were said softly, letting him know he wasn't censuring Jack's actions.
"I'll give it a go next time," said Jack quietly, his eyes started to close once more, the effort of talking too much.
The General stood up clasping Jack's shoulder gently. "Get some rest, you did well son" and he left the Colonel sleeping.
Mumbling as he walked, the General moved down the corridors to his office. "One of these days son, you're not going to survive," he muttered to himself, shaking his head, as he climbed the stairs to his office. Once there he settled himself down in his chair. "The Doc's going to need more file space than me if SG1 carry one like this," he said sadly trying to deal with his paperwork.
Jack awoke some hours later to find a tousled brown haired head lay down on the bed near him. Daniel was fast asleep; his head over his arm on the bed, his body just about perched on the chair. Jack didn't have the heart to wake him so he lay quietly watching him. The pain was uncomfortable, but bearable, his head relatively clear.
Daniel stirred and mumbled turning his head to give Jack a clear look at his bruised forehead and the butterfly stitches. Daniel opened his eyes to see a pair of brown ones watching him. Stretching and yawning he sat up. "Oh God Jack, I'm sorry I must have dozed off."
"Sok," whispered Jack "You ok?" he made a sign to his forehead.
Daniel put up a hand forgetting about the stitches and then realising what Jack meant he spoke "Oh yes, goodness that's nothing, thanks to you."
"I did that?" asked Jack puzzled a guilty expression forming.
"No, err yes, what I mean is you saved my life, I came off light with this."
Jack looked uncomfortable with Daniel's words "I probably had nothing better to do at the time," he said trying to dismiss Daniel's thanks.
"Oh Jack, no really, I mean thank you. So, how are you feeling? Want me to get Janet?"
Jack gave a slight shake of his head, which he instantly regretted as the room swam sickeningly. "Nah, not too bad, felt worse."
`Yes Jack, you probably have,' thought Daniel to himself; out loud he offered Jack some water, which he readily accepted.
"Ah better, thanks, but if you're feeling guilty a beer would go down better."
"I'll never be able to smuggle that past Janet," grinned Daniel.
"Smuggle what?" asked a voice from the doorway.
"Damn ears like a bat," murmured Jack.
"Colonel, I heard that too!" said Janet, frowning as she approached the bed.
"Damn," groaned Jack looking at her, his eyes giving her a silent apology.
Janet gazed down getting the full `puppy dog eyes look' `Oh Sam,' she thought to herself `I know how you feel about those eyes, they could just melt you down, or worse, damn you to hell if he wished.' Breaking her gaze she cast a look at Daniel. "Smuggling isn't allowed and if I catch anyone bringing a certain Colonel anything not cleared by me, there'll be trouble."
Daniel blushed at Janet's words. Jack looked from one to the other smiling.
"Might be worth the punishment Danny boy" `she more than likes him,' he added to himself. Out loud he put his best pleading voice on "Trying to spoil our fun Doc? Have a heart."
"You're not here to have fun Colonel, in case you've forgotten," but Janet laughed as she spoke, she could never be angry at him for long, especially if it was a contrite O'Neill fixing her with his eyes.
"No ma'am," said Jack with a grin and tried to give a salute, which couldn't quite reach, but got the message across.
"Now then how's the pain?"
"Not too bad."
"Right" she adjusted the IV, knowing a `not too bad' from Jack was way beyond comfortable. If he ever admitted past 5 or 6 on a scale she was worried - very.
The extra meds began to take effect and once more Jack succumbed to sleep.
Janet invited Daniel into her office. "How are you feeling? You're looking much better," she asked.
"Um, I feel a lot better actually. I'm still deciding about leaving, but I accept that Jack doesn't, isn't, well you know what I mean."
Janet nodded.
"Teal'c actually helped me, he doesn't say a lot but what he does say does make sense. I can understand Jack hanging out with him a lot. Teal'c is a very reassuring person to have around - not that I think Jack needs reassuring," he added, frowning to see if his words made sense.
"Why wouldn't the Colonel need reassuring at sometime?"
Daniel gave her a look "Jack? He's the most confident person I know, why would he want reassurance from anyone? He's one of the most self-contained people I know."
"Daniel, as much as he appears that way, it doesn't mean he is. Anything that he is unsure of or makes him unsure he files it away, deals with it the `O'Neill' way. He boxes everything down, hides all his emotions and it isn't always healthy that way. He's done that a lot, he's had to in his line of work, the things he's not only done, but also survived over the years, but to keep doing it that way isn't living, you need feelings to live. His only feelings come from you guys, all his past is in shutdown - so's to speak."
"Yeah, I guess, that's Jack alright."
"You and Sam and Teal'c are his family and he relies on you and he lives for you all, though he'd never admit it."
Daniel shifted uncomfortably. "He's my family too," he said quietly. "The thing is I've never been really sure how Jack feels about me, sometimes I feel I'm a nuisance to him holding him back, him getting hurt to protect me, in the way with two left feet, almost dressing me at times, reminding me to eat, he's there to pick me up when I fall...." his voice broke.
Janet placed a hand on his shoulder looking him in the face. "Then Daniel, my guess is you're describing a big brother and that is what big brothers do and probably how little brothers feel."
"But.."
"Daniel, you know the Colonel well enough, does he do this for others? How does he react to strangers? Or let me put it another way, can you honestly say the Colonel suffers fools gladly?"
Daniel shook his head with a rueful grin. "God forbid, I've seen Jack flay someone with his tongue, or that look he gives ... it's enough to stop a runaway ...." he stopped, smiling sheepishly "and I'm an idiot," he stated "too busy feeling guilty for having a big brother to enjoy it!"
Janet laughed at his expression of enlightenment.
"Thank Janet, from now on I'll try enjoying his help and friendship instead of questioning it" and with that he scooped her into his arms and gave her a huge kiss.
Taken by surprise Janet didn't know what to say.
"Oops sorry," he grinned at her.
She couldn't be angry with him, but she blushed slightly.
"That doesn't mean I'm happy for him to get beaten about for me though," he added.
"I didn't think that for an instant, now scoot back, I've got work to do."
Daniel took himself back to the Colonel's bedside once more, feeling so much better.
Janet could see the difference in him as he left, head up not hunching or hugging himself. `Thank goodness,' she thought to herself, not only for Daniel but also for Jack - they both needed each other.
The days passed slowly for Jack, it was several days since the operation and he was sat up in bed complaining. Janet again wondered at how well the Colonel healed.
"You are not - I repeat not yet fit to go home," she told him yet again.
"You're still not eating properly," she added as she eyed the tray barely touched in front of him.
"They call this food? The MRE's are better," spouted the irate Colonel, he was bored out of his mind and had been spoiling for a fight, not finding anyone willing to fight with amongst the medical staff, all of whom cast their eyes down and scurried away from his temper.
But, old Doc Fraiser, not so much of the old though, thank you, wasn't afraid of the grumpy Colonel. "Colonel O'Neill, if you persist in harassing my staff it will not get you out any quicker, it will get you on report with the General. When you are able to walk unaided and I'm satisfied you can help yourself and are eating properly, I'll think about letting you go home." She paused for breath and saw he was about to open his mouth put a hand up. "Tomorrow we'll get you up for a while and you can sit in a chair."
"A chair?" he echoed incredulously.
Janet didn't bother to respond to that, she raised her eyes to heaven and did an about turn to leave.
Sam and Daniel both entered. "Oh the cavalry," said Janet smiling at them. "Will you please distract him before I personally murder him."
They both grinned at her, not even bothering to ask what the matter was. They both knew well what their CO, a bored CO, was capable of.
"Hey Colonel, you upsetting the nice Doctor?" quipped Sam as they approached his bed.
"Getting my own back for all those damn needles," groused O'Neill.
"I heard that," called Janet from the doorway.
"Damn bat ears," he retorted.
"I heard that too!" she called and left the infirmary.
"Damn, `pect more needles later."
"Pretty big ones, I'd say," snickered Daniel. "You done with that?" he motioned the food tray.
"Ack, even MRE's taste better," groused Jack pushing the tray towards Daniel, who began to dig in hungrily.
"You forget to eat today or what?" queried Jack. Daniel just grinned making himself more comfortable on the bed as he ate. Sam sat down in the chair.
"Take it you're bored Sir?" asked Sam grinning at him.
"Completely," stated O'Neill "even the nurses won't put up a fight."
At Sam and Daniel's sudden amused expression he realised the innuendo. "Uh uh, I mean..."
"We know what you mean Jack, I think," grinned Daniel.
"Can't even have paperwork yet," said Jack pulling a face.
"Good grief Sir, you must be bored," added Sam, the entire base was fully aware of the Colonel's views on paperwork.
"Take it easy Jack, I mean you haven't been out of bed yet."
"Officially, no," said Jack.
"You'd better not let Janet catch you," said Sam.
"God forbid," responded Jack with feeling.
He tried sitting up more, but his movements betrayed how weak and sore he really was, and in not just a little pain, from the way his arm clasped across his ribs protectively. His friends, who both dived to rearrange his pillows, didn't miss the action. Daniel gave into Sam with a wave of his hand and he sat back down on the bed none too gently, causing Jack to wince with the unexpected pain from the jarring to his body the sudden movement caused.
"Oh Jack, I'm sorry, I forgot myself," apologised Daniel quickly.
"Sok, Daniel, I'll get you back," Jack ground out trying to calm his breathing. It took a few minutes for Jack to relax and his breathing to return to normal.
Sam sat down, suddenly aware that she was hovering uselessly, she desperately wanted to comfort him, and she felt so useless.
"Well kids, anything exciting to report?" asked Jack eventually.
"Mineral survey with SG3," said Daniel.
"Well that's so not exciting," responded Jack dryly. "Glad to hear I'm not missing out on anything."
Daniel shook his head.
"You're very too quiet Carter," commented Jack.
Sam shot him a look "Oh, you know me Sir, just thinking about something."
"What? Your latest do-hickey, build a thing-a-me?" he smiled at her.
"Something like that, I won't bore you with the details, Sir," she replied somewhat more sharply than she intended.
The smile left Jack's face "Something I said?" he asked frowning.
Sam shook her head, aware that she'd hurt his feelings, immediately she felt contrite, but she wasn't able to say what was on her mind. "Sir, if you don't mind, I'll go to my lab, leave you and Daniel to talk." She stood and left quickly, giving neither man chance to change her mind.
Jack's face showed the sadness he felt as he watched Sam's retreating figure, then a flicker of longing crossed his features before being rearranged into blankness.
Daniel watched his friend's face sadly. `God Jack you've got it bad, why on earth can't you just admit it,' he thought.
"Do you need to work as well?" asked Jack, his disappointment at Sam's departure still carried in his voice.
"No I'm pretty much up to date, yes believe it or not, things have been so quiet here with us pretty much on stand down, I'm actually looking at old stuff again."
"Daniel, it's always old stuff," quipped Jack.
Daniel smiled "Fancy chess?" he asked.
Jack accepted and the rest of the afternoon wore on in a pleasant manner. Daniel noticed how tired Jack looked, how he struggled to keep going. He gave a loud yawn, "Gosh I'm whacked, let's save the chess for later."
"Bored with winning?" said Jack dryly. He leaned his head back heavily, his eyes battling to remain open, just like a child not wanting to sleep. "I'm too old for this," he murmured.
Daniel looked at Jack whose eyes were now closed. Jack coming out with that had surprised him. The seriousness of his friend's injuries once again shot a dart of fear through Daniel. "Get some sleep Jack," he murmured moving the chessboard, "I'll see you later."
Jack didn't acknowledge Daniel; he had succumbed to a restless sleep.
Daniel spotted Janet in her office and making his mind up he gave a tap on her door.
"Hi Daniel come in," she called to him as he waved her hand to open the door.
Daniel entered closing the door softly behind him and leaned against it.
"Hope I'm not disturbing you?"
She shook her head. "For the man who can distract a bored Colonel for the afternoon - anything!"
"Actually, it was Jack I wanted to see you about. How's he doing? Really I mean."
"Well," began Janet "You know it's been a serious injury, quite a bit of damage, including his lung and ribs, but he's doing quite well, all things considered, it's a marvel he's alive actually."
Daniel looked straight at her. "Will he recover fully, I mean fit for duty?"
Janet hesitated slightly. "Well certainly for light duty, I mean if it was anyone else, especially at the Colonel's age, but as you know, he won't settle for anything less than fully active. Putting it bluntly though Daniel, he's going to have a battle on his hands. Hell, not many would have survived this far, never mind out of bed so soon."
She saw Daniel's expression at this admission. "Yes, I know all about his little excursions, I keep a close eye on him, don't you worry, I know most of his tricks by now, and then some. You should have seen the effort it cost him just to stand, but he made it. I know he thinks he's pulling the wool over my eyes, but I don't mind, if I think he'll get hurt I'll put a stop on it. The biggest problem is boredom, and then depression; they're his worst enemies if I don't get him out of here quick enough. The Colonel doesn't like time on his hands to think."
Daniel nodded in agreement.
"It'll be a few days yet and then he still won't be able to manage on his own, he'll need an awful lot of help."
"As long as SG1 is on stand down he'll not be short of help," said Daniel confidently.
"Thanks Daniel, he'll need you, that's for sure He doesn't like the infirmary and the sooner I can get him home the better for him, as well as for my sanity and nursing staff."
"Thanks Janet, just let us know when you want us, I can stay with Jack no problem."
He left Janet to get on with her work seeking out Sam and Teal'c letting them know some of what Janet had said, especially about the help he would need.
"I shall be there for O'Neill when required," responded Teal'c. "I have taken steps to get the glove repaired."
"Great work, say do you think Jack will want that spear thing as a souvenir? It would make a good talking piece wouldn't it?" joked Daniel.
Sam shuddered, "Oh God I couldn't look at that thing again," she said with feeling.
"I have not disposed of it, I have cleaned it up in case O'Neill should require it, but should he not then you may have it DanielJackson." The Jaffa's face was perfectly straight as he said the words, both Sam and Daniel gave him a look - was he joking?????
"Okaaaay," said Daniel slowly, trying to refocus, "Uh, Teal'c that was a joke? Wasn't it ....?"
The Jaffa gave the archaeologist a deadpanned expression and Daniel began to look to Sam for help.
Sam shrugged helplessly at him, offering no support whatsoever.
A sudden silence fell over them; each in their own memories, remembering what Jack had gone through.
PART FOUR
It was four more days before Jack built up to a level where Janet finally felt able to give into his demands. "Right Colonel, yes you can go home but, I will be over regularly to check you for the first week, you can come in after that if you are fit enough. Rest is the key word Colonel, and take your medication and you can't stay on your own." Janet paused for breath.
"Ok, ok!" cried Jack raising his hands in submission "I'll be a good boy."
Janet laughed at his panicked expression. "You make damn sure you are - Sir!" she added as an after thought. "Now who's sitting you?"
"Sitting?" he cried "Sitting? I'm not a child I don't need a sitter."
"Sir, I told you, you could not stay alone."
"I'll baby-sit," said a voice from the door.
"Daniel, I'll forgive you that wisecrack if you take me home," begged Jack. "Save me from this woman," he continued.
Janet gave him a glare.
"Yikes, see Daniel I need your help, a deadly look from the enemy is enough to strike fear in the stoutest of hearts."
Daniel laughed, "What on earth have you been reading Jack, or did you hit your head?"
"No but if he carries on I'll put him out," threatened Janet "I'll just get your meds."
Jack was sat on the side of the bed dressed.
"Been waiting long?" enquired Daniel.
"Yeah Doc's been giving out her do's and don'ts." Jack's posture slumped slightly and his arm cradled across his ribs.
"You ok?" asked Daniel.
"Yeah just peachy, as soon as I get the hell outta here," he said with feeling.
As Janet returned Daniel noticed Jack sitting up straighter taking a breath.
"Here are your meds, keep taking the painkillers as well, you need them, in fact don't miss any or you'll be straight back in here."
"Yes ma'am, can I go now?"
Janet laughed at his expression "Just as soon as the nurse gets here with your chariot - ahh speak of the devil" as a nurse entered with a wheelchair.
"I'll push," volunteered Daniel.
"Oh come on Doc!" protested the Colonel.
"You get, 1) wheeled out or, 2) you stay in," said Janet, her expression fierce with determination.
"What's 3 Doc?"
"No 3 Colonel."
"Sure there is, comes after 2!"
Janet folded her arms and started tapping the toe of her left foot.
"Ok," conceded the Colonel.
`Too easy,' thought Janet "I'll come up with you to make sure."
Jack's face was a picture.
`Yep he was going to skip the chair out of sight of the infirmary,' thought Janet.
"In fact Colonel, I'll come with you to your truck, I could do with some air and I can help carry your things and bring the chair back."
Jack glowered at the smiling Doctor. "Ok, round to you Doc" he acknowledged as he got off the bed slowly, he shook his head disbelieving how she'd conned him. He saw Daniel trying to conceal a smirk and shot him an - `I'll get you later look'. Grumbling to himself he got into the chair.
Daniel noticed his awkward movements, `not as good as you let on Jack,' he thought as he removed the brakes and swung the chair around to go.
The journey up to the surface took longer than they thought as people passing stopped to acknowledge the Colonel, wishing him well, which Jack hated every moment. By the time they reached his truck he was already feeling very tired.
Janet noticed his pallor. "You doing ok Sir?" she asked quietly as she grabbed his wrist and checked his pulse, finding it a little fast, but considering it was his first day up properly, not too bad.
Jack just nodded to her query. The fact that not a sarcastic remark or look came her way spoke volumes to Janet and Daniel. Daniel helped Jack to the truck and put the things he'd amassed in the infirmary in the back.
"Don't worry Janet, I'm staying with him, Teal'c and Sam are coming over later tonight."
"Straight to bed I think, don't let him move around too much for a few days, I'll be over tonight as well."
Daniel carefully manoeuvred Jack's truck out of the car park and passed through security and down the winding mountain road. He expected Jack to make some comment on his driving, but the 40-minute drive passed in silence, with Jack falling asleep less than halfway down the mountain.
As they pulled up on the drive Jack woke from his doze, "Home sweet home," he murmured.
Daniel decided to get Jack in first and then come back to empty the truck, knowing full well Jack wouldn't wait to be helped.
Jack made a slow entrance to the house and gave a cursory glance around before going to the couch and lowering himself down.
Seeing that Jack was ok, Daniel headed back and unloaded the truck and then went to the kitchen to put the coffee on. By the time he returned the man was fast asleep, so Daniel grabbed a light blanket from the cloak cupboard and covered him.
Jack awoke later to the aroma of coffee and eggs as Daniel presented him with a tray.
"Wakey wakey, lunchtime," called Daniel cheerfully to him.
Groggily, Jack took the tray after a small battle to get more up right, he sipped at the coffee, then pulled a face as he realised it was decaff.
Daniel returned from the kitchen with his own tray and began tucking in hungrily. Between mouthfuls Daniel mumbled to him "Eat up, Janet said you don't eat you go back in."
Jack gave him a black look and picked up his fork and began moving the food around on the plate, picking at the odd mouthful.
Never much spare flesh to start, with Daniel noticed how much weight the older man had lost since the accident. Finishing his own meal, he took his tray through and came back.
"Ok, so my cooking isn't up to your usual standard," he joked seeing how little Jack had eaten as he picked up the tray.
"Sorry, not hungry, think I'll go to bed, you don't have to stay you know."
"Well, if you're going to bed, I'll use the time to pick up some more things from my apartment, providing you don't get out of bed while I'm gone. I am staying," he said firmly.
Jack was way too weary to press the point and just nodded. He got up with some difficulty, slowly seeking out support from the furniture. Daniel was unsure whether to give him a hand; he knew Jack hated fuss and attention, so he decided just to stay close in case he needed assistance.
Slowly they made their way up to Jack's bedroom. He sank down on the bed with a thankful sigh. Daniel bent down and slipped Jack's shoes off and pulled the sheet over him and within moments he was fast asleep.
Daniel got a tumbler from the en-suite bathroom and filled it with water and after he popped downstairs to abstract the necessary medication, he placed them on the nightstand with the water in case Jack awoke. He closed the blinds and crept from the room.
Daniel picked up his keys and headed over to his apartment to pack a few things. He guessed he'd be at Jack's a while. Before he left he made a call.
"Hi Sam, just letting you know I've got Jack home in one piece."
"How's he doing?"
"Well so far he's slept, woke up and sleeping again I've just popped home to get a few things while he's in bed."
"He's not complaining?"
"Nope, I guess it'll be a while before he's up to that, anyway what time should I expect you and Teal'c?"
"Bout 8 'ish ok?"
"Great, see you then, I'll order pizza, might tempt Jack into eating."
Daniel hung up and arrived back at Jack's to find him still sleeping. He busied himself in the kitchen making some salads and snacks for later. Seeing the house warranted no further tidying, he made fresh coffee and took some up to see if he could tempt Jack awake and get him to take his medication.
Jack was restless trying to turn in his sleep, a light sweat covered his face, twisting and murmuring against something in his dreams. Daniel opened the blinds letting in some of the late afternoon light and he sat down on the bed, placing a reassuring hand on his friend's shoulder.
"Hey Jack," he said softly, he wasn't sure if Jack was reliving the accident or from something further back. God knew there were enough bad events in this man's life to give anyone nightmares. Jack responded slowly, his eyes blinking open, trying to focus on Daniel, it seemed to take a moment or two before recognition lit on his face.
"Oh, hi Daniel, sorry, seem to sleep a lot lately. What time is it?"
"Fivish, I think, do you know you don't have any clocks anywhere? Where's your alarm clock?"
Jack tapped the side of his head. "Here, and have of course my watch for backup. When I'm at home I go by my time."
"Oh eat when hungry etc," said Daniel as he offered the mug of coffee he'd brought him, which was accepted gratefully.
"I need a shower," said Jack pulling a face as he realised how much he was sweating.
"Need a hand?"
"Nope, I'll manage fine."
Daniel passed the tablets over to Jack, which he surprisingly took without complaint. Taking the empty mugs Daniel decided to wait downstairs.
"Call if you need me or bang. Sam and Teal'c will be over later."
"Great."
"I'll order some pizza if you let me have the number."
"Speed dial 3," called Jack as Daniel went downstairs.
He slowly got up to sit on the side of the bed. He managed to get his shirt unbuttoned and with a little difficulty, off, his right arm was still painful to move much as it seemed to pull on the wounds painfully. He sat in just his sweat pants, suddenly realising how much he was still bandaged.
"Oh crap," he muttered "looks like just a good wash then."
He'd been dying for a shower. He got up slowly and painfully and made the short journey to his bathroom. Eventually, still very wet, but much refreshed he made his way back to his room to get some fresh clothes. Absolutely worn out, and in even worse pain than before from just the effort of washing, he sat down on the bed in just his boxers and looked at the mess he'd created in his search for loose fitting clothing and shook his head dejectedly.
Daniel was worried about the time Jack was taking, and he stuck his head in the room.
"Hey you ok?" he came into the room fully when he saw Jack just sitting there looking to be in pain.
"Yeah, just takin it easy," breathed Jack. He was trying hard not to show the pain his exertions had caused.
Daniel noticed how heavily Jack was bandaged. "Um, you didn't shower with all those on did you?"
"Nope, had to settle for a wash," he puffed.
Daniel took the towel from him and began to dry his shoulders. "You're a bit soggy, Janet will be over later, better let her change them." Seeing Jack hadn't resisted his help so far he helped him to dress. "Socks?" he enquired.
Jack shook his head "Nah, too much trouble, can't reach my feet at all, forget shoes as well, much easier barefoot."
Daniel nodded in agreement and began to straighten up the room putting the worn clothing in a heap for the laundry he began shutting the drawers and tidying the other clothing Jack had pulled out in his search.
"Daniel, I'm sorry, but do you think you could mop the bathroom floor, it got a bit wet."
"Sure no problem," he called going in. "A bit wet! How about a swimming pool?" laughed Daniel as he set to work.
Jack gradually recovered his breath and the pain subsided to a more comfortable level.
Coming back into the room Daniel was struck by his friend's appearance. Dressed in baggy bottoms and an oversized hockey shirt he looked thinner than ever, his face was pale with dark circles underneath his eyes, it showed what he'd been through the last couple of weeks and what he was still suffering. Following behind, Daniel watched him as he made his way slowly down the stairs and sank down on the couch.
"I've cleaned the swimming pool out, it's a good job I'm here you know otherwise you'd have drowned in a week," said Daniel cheerfully. Jack gave him a grin, the first one all day Daniel realised. He brought two tumblers of fresh juice from the kitchen handing one to Jack.
"No beer yet?" quipped Jack as he accepted it.
"What with those meds? You'd be floating high!" laughed Daniel.
Jack nodded sheepishly. "Done that a few times," he admitted.
"Not on my watch," he responded firmly.
"Ok, I'll go with that for now."
"Sam and Teal'c said about 8, I ordered the pizza for 8.30 ish."
"Yeah, that's good."
Jack reclined further down and started to doze once more, the medication taking effect.
Daniel covered him up and sat down to flick the TV on. Catching sight of a historical battle on a channel Daniel settled to watch. A huge battle was fought and the commentary droned on explaining the scene. Some of the gory content made Daniel wince. Even knowing it was an enactment didn't make the violence any less real to him.
Jack stirred in his sleep and a moan escaped him. A film of perspiration covered his face as he began to twist and fight.
Daniel quickly moved to his side. He was worried that the movements would aggravate the injuries further. As he reached out to hold Jack still, Jack's arm suddenly flew out connecting viciously with Daniel across the chest.
"Nooo, you bastards," Jack began screaming and then cried out more. Daniel suddenly realised Jack was shouting out in Arabic and as he moved closer, Jack's arm suddenly connected with even more force than before, sending the surprised archaeologist flying over the coffee table to land in a heap on the floor.
"Idiot!" he cursed himself for approaching Jack that way. Realising the battle scene was blaring away, he reached out and turned it off, and Jack seemed to settle down a little. Daniel moved closer to him, but stayed out of range, calling to him softly.
"Jack, Jack, it's me Daniel."
Jack's eyes flickered slowly as Daniel's face wavered in and out of focus.
`No instant recognition,' thought Daniel as he moved a little closer. He could see Jack struggling to surface. "Hey Jack, you're home, you're safe," he called.
"Daniel?" Jack's eyes seemed to focus on him at long last and give him recognition.
"Yeah Jack it's me," he grinned, relieved that Jack was back in the present.
Still sweating, Jack closed his eyes again trying to calm his breathing down; sucking a breath in he let go quickly as the pain hit hard, his hand shooting protectively to his ribs.
Daniel watched in alarm as Jack's face paled dramatically. A knocking at the door brought Daniel out of a slight trance and he shot to answer the door. Upon seeing Janet stood there he practically dragged her in.
She had her doctor's bag with her; Daniel was relieved to see.
"Oh boy, am I glad you're here, Jack's in an awful lot of pain, quick!" he almost ran over to the couch, Janet close behind him.
She took in Jack's appearance. "What on earth have you been up to Colonel?" she asked as she opened her bag getting her stethoscope out. She didn't wait for an answer as she lifted his shirt and began to listen to his chest. She spotted the blood seeping through the bandages, but continued to listen to his breathing, then checked his BP and pulse.
"What happened?" she asked Daniel grimly.
Jack picked up on Janet's tone to his friend. "Not Daniel's fault," he panted.
Janet looked at Daniel waiting for an explanation.
Daniel tried to make light of it "Um, Jack had a bit of a nightmare."
"Oh!" Janet didn't need any further explanation. That told her all she needed to know, she had first hand knowledge of the Colonel's `nightmares'. She'd witnessed a flashback in the infirmary and knew that it could be quite distressing to say the least.
"Take it easy Colonel, this'll help with the pain" she gave him an injection. "I need to check the wound, it's bleeding." Janet gently removed the bandages with scissors and then the dressings.
Daniel stood quietly watching, not having seen the wound since the pit, and then not very clearly. It seemed huge and livid, very raw looking, his stomach and chest still looked very badly bruised. Daniel felt slightly sick, God alone knew how much pain he'd been in.
"Bleeding's almost stopped, doesn't seem to be much, you've tore a stitch, did you fall?" said Janet as she applied a little pressure to the area making Jack wince and grey a little.
Daniel's hand moved across his chest to rub it where Jack had hit him, Janet caught the motion.
"You two weren't fighting?" she began with a little anger.
"It was an accident Janet, I forgot the first rule of O'Neill waking up - staying beyond arms length," said Daniel sheepishly.
"I hit you?" groaned Jack "Crap, I'm sorry Daniel."
"It's ok, like I said it was an accident you were still um, dreaming."
"Your stats are still a little high," said Janet after monitoring him.
"No I'm not going back in," stated Jack firmly.
"I wasn't going to suggest it, you're better off here, if you can stop beating Daniel up that is," quipped Janet smiling at him.
Jack grinned back at her. "I'll try, but that's gonna be the hardest part Doc."
"Good, now let's get you sat up while I check the back wound and then we'll get you bandaged again." She helped him to sit up and whipped off his shirt without fuss.
"Hey you're getting better at undressing me without scissors," quipped Jack "can't you pass it on to your staff, soon as I get fatigues comfy your staff cut em up."
Daniel laughed at Janet's indignant face.
"Perhaps if you avoided getting shot up etc we wouldn't have to Colonel."
"Touch" said Jack with a grin.
Deftly Janet checked the injury on his back and then replaced the moist saline soaked gauze to the wounds, before applying dry dressings, front and back. She worked quickly aware that the pressure on his ribs was making itself felt. She started the pressure bandages for his ribs, only to pause when Jack uttered a choked cough.
"Humph, Doc a guy gotta breathe," he moaned through clenched teeth.
Janet continued to bandage when he'd got his breath. "Those ribs need the support Jack, they were pretty bad breaks, and they'll take a long while to just begin to knit."
She finished and helped him re-dress and then eased him back down supporting him with more cushions until she was satisfied he was as comfortable as he was going to get.
"Are you in a rush to get home? Sam and Teal'c are coming over and I've got plenty of pizza on the way," asked Daniel, feeling highly relieved now that Jack was settled down.
"That'd be great, Cassie's at a sleepover, that's if you're not sick of the sight of me?" she asked looking directly at Jack.
"You're very welcome, honestly, provided there are no more needles tonight," he replied giving her a charming grin, his eyes dark and welcoming.
`Wonder how Sam stands it,' she thought as she sat down with a grin `day after day looking at those chocolate windows to his soul.' She gave herself a mental shake and began to re-pack her bag putting it neatly to one side.
Daniel had been busy tidying up the coffee table, picking up the things that had been knocked to the floor.
"Good job it wasn't glass," said Daniel as he finished.
Jack looked at him with a guilty expression. "Did I hit you that hard?"
"Well, I barely touched it as I sailed over it," laughed Daniel trying to keep it light, he didn't want Jack feeling guilty over that as well.
"Are you hurt?" said Janet realising she hadn't checked him.
"Bit of a bruise I expect, and my ego shattered."
"Ego?" asked Janet "never heard of that part of a body," she joked, seeing what Daniel was trying to do.
"Yeah an injured man with one hand - or should I say one arm, who I might add was asleep at the time, sends me flying, would you advertise it?"
Jack nodded with a grin. "Sure Daniel, just don't go admitting it to a jar-head."
"What is it with you and the marines?" asked Janet "I'm quite partial to them," she said with a twinkle in her eyes.
"Janet Fraiser, you can't admit that," said Jack "they should give you time with Mackenzie and throw away the key!"
"Sorry I spoke!" she laughed.
Daniel looked up laughing and then heard knocking at the door. He got up to answer it and found Sam and Teal'c on the doorstep and he invited them in.
Sam stopped short when she saw Janet. "Is everything ok?" she asked concerned. Her gaze moved to the Colonel as she spoke.
"Fine Carter, the Doc's on a social visit at the moment," replied Jack before anyone else could say anything.
"Yeah, I get a share of the pizza tonight," quipped Janet.
"You can have the anchovies then," said Sam. She realised there was something not being said, but she held her tongue for now.
"Yuk, no chance," responded Janet.
"Now then ladies, no fighting over the wee fishies," said Jack.
"O'Neill, is that what anchovies are?" asked Teal'c as he sat down.
Jack nodded and accepted the drink Daniel handed him from the tray he carried in.
Daniel finished handing out the drinks and flopped down with a tired sigh.
"Is he wearing you out?" asked Sam with a sympathetic smile, as she sat down on the floor cross-legged, her back against the armchair facing Jack.
"Nope, not yet," quipped Jack before Daniel could reply.
Everyone laughed except Teal'c who raised just one brow. Daniel was so glad to see Jack in such good spirits after what had happened, he wouldn't argue the statement.
Sam sat studying Jack as they chatted; she thought he still looked very ill, not yet looking remotely like himself.
Jack sat nursing his drink; he let the chatter just flow around him, seemingly lost in thought.
Janet and Daniel both caught on to Sam watching Jack and gave each other a look.
"Well it is so nice to see you all together and not in the infirmary for once," said Janet cheerfully.
A knock sounded at the door and with a shout of "Pizza!" Sam bounded up.
"Some bills in the drawer in the hall," called Jack.
Sam grabbed the door open and handed the delivery boy the necessary cash, along with a generous tip, seeing as how Jack was paying. She balanced the boxes and shut the door with a foot and made her way to the lounge. Daniel had meanwhile brought the salad and snacks he'd done and some plates through ready for the pizza.
Sam spread the boxes out on the table and opened one grabbing a slice of her favourite quickly; she flopped down again to her previous seat on the floor and took a huge bite. The cheese pulled off in strings and stuck to her chin as she chewed, eating with great relish.
Jack's gaze lowered to her, watching her enjoyment. He watched as between mouthfuls, she licked at her lips and fingers, relishing every morsel. `What I wouldn't give to be that pizza at the moment,' he groaned inwardly, mesmerised seeing her eat.
Janet reached for a plate and some salad and caught the looks Jack was sending Sam's way.
"That'll get his blood pressure up," she mused out loud.
"What?" asked Daniel as he picked up a slice.
Janet nudged him gently and nodded towards Jack with a smirk.
"Oh, jeez," he managed seeing his friend's face.
Janet's giggle roused Jack from his thoughts and Daniel offered a slice to him.
Sam finished her first slice and reached for another. Jack tore his gaze away from her resolutely and concentrated on his own slice, which he picked at half-heartedly.
The others ate with a good appetite, but Daniel noticed Jack's attempt at eating was poor, especially in light of one of his favourite foods.
"I enjoyed my fish pizza O'Neill," stated Teal'c who had demolished a full one plus a half.
Daniel laughed and he and Janet both blurted out together "Anchovy pizza."
"But you said earlier that anchovies are fish," said a puzzled Jaffa.
Daniel laughed again and tried to explain it.
"Just like we say steak instead of, well cow," said Sam also laughing.
Slightly more enlightened, but failing to see why the Tauri did not say what they meant, he nodded. "I see."
The evening wore on pleasantly, chattering and laughter filled the room. Jack was however, very quiet and slowly he found his eyes closing, despite his best efforts to remain awake.
Sam who had been watching him fight the drowsiness spoke up. "I guess we need to call it a night" she nodded to indicate the sleeping Colonel.
"Yeah it's been a long day really," yawned Daniel.
"I spoke to the man who has the glove today. He is confident he will be able to match the leather, but it will take time," said Teal'c.
"Glove?" asked Janet.
Daniel explained how Teal'c had taken the baseball glove to be repaired.
"Oh right, Jack mentioned it once when he first stirred and I sought of evaded it. I assumed it was pretty much beyond repair, I'm afraid."
"I was wondering about the glove, I mean I've never known the Colonel to break regulations like that, not to mention the risk of losing it, seeing how often we've had to abandon our equipment in the past," said Sam quietly.
Daniel seemed to hesitate before speaking. "I err, I think he only got it recently."
The others looked at him expectantly.
"Just before we left on that mission, he ... well, he got a package from Sara."
"So you think maybe that was the first time he took it off world with him?" asked Sam with a strange look on her face.
Daniel nodded. "I only really made the connection a couple of days ago when I fetched some things from his locker. I found the box and a letter. I remember just before we left I must have disturbed him going into the locker room, I think he had hold of it then, but I didn't really think about it properly, he was a bit distant, sort of annoyed."
"Wow!" exclaimed Janet, shaking her head in amazement. "Do you realise how many coincidences added up that literally saved his life?"
"Talk about fated," mused Daniel.
Sam shivered, as she felt as though a ghost had walked through her. `For the package to be sent in the first place, the timing of the delivery, whatever caused the Colonel to put it in his pack ... Someone up there was surely looking after the Colonel ... they must be!'
Sam felt her eyes getting moist and she gave herself a mental shake. She ran a hand through her hair trying to dispel the prickles from her scalp.
The silence that had fallen was broken by a huge sigh from Daniel as he rose to start clearing up.
The noise from Daniel gathering the plates up disturbed Jack from his sleep. He stirred restlessly and tried to sit up still half asleep. The movement caused him pain and he clutched at his chest sinking back down with a moan.
Janet was over in a shot "Take it slow Colonel," she murmured to him kneeling down.
Blearily he opened his eyes "Doc?" she nodded at him. "Thought I'd escaped the infirmary," he muttered.
Laughing Janet gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "You did Sir, you're home, but you can't escape your doctor."
Janet waited as he struggled to come around more. "That injection I gave you earlier was quite strong, I'm surprised you stayed awake as long as you did," she admitted. "Come on, I'll give you a hand to get upstairs while Daniel sees everyone off."
Sam was hovering to one side. "I'll just give Daniel a hand to clear before we go, goodnight Sir."
Jack seemed to suddenly remember the others were there. "'Uh sorry, I fell asleep, `night," he murmured. Janet helped him to his feet and walked besides him holding one arm to steady him as he made a slow journey to his bed.
It took a little while to get Jack to his room, but eventually Janet got him to his bed. She quickly stripped him down to just his boxers and gently lowered him down; he was asleep as soon as his head touched the pillow. She covered him with the blankets and turned off the light but left the door ajar and made her way back down.
The others had got everywhere ship-shape when she joined them. "I think he'll sleep the night out," she advised them.
"I'll drop Teal'c off," said Sam as she grabbed her things together.
Daniel walked everyone to the door. Janet turned around to have a word as Sam and Teal'c got into Sam's' car.
"Keep him quiet, little as possible for now, I'll be back tomorrow."
Daniel gave her a smile "I'll do my best," `but you know Jack' his look said.
Daylight filtered into Jack's room waking him. His body clock had been set for years to wake early and today was no different. Lying stiff from sleeping in the same position all night, he gently stretched himself as he listened to the birds' chorus outside his window. Hearing nothing else stirring, he realised Daniel must still be sleeping so he quietly and very carefully dressed himself in the same bottoms Janet had discarded the previous evening. Not bothering to wear anything else, he slowly made his way downstairs. He grabbed some juice from the kitchen and made his way to his decking overlooking the garden and woods behind his house. He sat quietly sipping the juice as the morning sun rose higher, piercing through the early morning chill and promising a nice day. He gave a contented sigh, he never lost the wonder of seeing the sun rise and set.
A yawn announced the presence of Daniel as he poked his head out of the house doors. "God Jack, it's still the middle of the night." He rubbed his hands over his arms and realised how little Jack was wearing. His quick `double-take' at Jack's apparel, almost made the man laugh.
"What are you doing? Janet'll kill me!"
"Relax Daniel, it's a beautiful morning, couldn't stay in bed any longer."
"You could have called me," groused Daniel "I'll put the coffee on" he disappeared for a few minutes then reappeared handing Jack a jacket to put on and disappeared again.
Jack left the jacket hanging loosely around his shoulders as he sat contemplating the morning.
A little while later Daniel came out dressed, bearing two mugs of coffee.
The two men sat quietly each lost in their own thoughts as the sun climbed higher. Eventually Daniel stirred himself, "hungry?" he asked.
Jack shook his head.
"You've gotta eat, you barely touched anything yesterday."
"Don't fuss, I'll let you know when I'm hungry."
"Ok, I'll let you off breakfast, but you will eat lunch or I'll let on to Janet," threatened Daniel as he went into the house. He returned a little while later with a tray bearing water and Jack's tablets along with fresh coffees and a toasted sandwich for himself.
"Mmm good," murmured Daniel between mouthfuls.
Jack sat lost in thought, gazing into the woods and mountains.
Finally replete, Daniel sat back to enjoy the sun. "Penny for them?" he asked.
Jack looked at him slowly, his eyes questioning Daniel.
"I said penny for them?" repeated Daniel.
"Not worth that much," said Jack quietly.
Daniel gave him a sharp look remembering Janet's warning about depression.
"Sure I'd give you a penny - if you've got change," he quipped.
Jack gave a small grin, but it was only a reflex for Daniel.
"It's a funny world or worlds," began Jack softly.
"Sure is," agreed Daniel.
"I'm thinking of retiring," blurted Jack suddenly.
"What? Come on, you've been there and done that, more than once I might add."
"Yeah, I know, but this time I don't think I've much choice. Daniel, I don't think they'll pass me for active duty this time."
"And you don't know that they won't!"
"Look, putting it bluntly, I'm already on borrowed time, my files are marked for 6 monthly medical assessments while I'm on active duty, I've screwed with the regs for a long time and they were bound to catch me up sooner or later. I don't want to fly a desk and gather dust."
Daniel gave Jack a look; it was quite a speech for the man. "What, you don't fancy a nice cosy job - promotion perhaps? A pay rise?" he joked.
"Promotion!" scorned Jack. "Do me a favour! I've upset too many people, pissed-off the top brass once too often, I'll go to my grave a Colonel, if they don't court martial me first that is, I just don't want to die of boredom doing it."
"But if you retire, you'd die of boredom."
"Daniel, there's a lot of call out there if you know where to look; I just wouldn't be on the Air Force payroll, that's all."
Daniel's mind started to boggle, fleeting thoughts of jungle warfare, black ops and God alone knew what else. "Jack, you've just got to give it time yet. It's a bad injury, but it'll heal, you'll get fit," he pleaded.
At Daniel's tone Jack gave him a look. "Ok," he said quietly "look I promise I won't do anything yet, I'll give it a bit longer."
Daniel knew that at the moment that was the best he could hope for, he hoped it was just the depression and pain talking, so he kept off the subject best he could.
The day past quietly, Jack even ate some lunch to please Daniel.
Evening soon arrived; Jack was having a sleep on the couch Sam and Janet arrived together. Daniel put his finger to his lips to keep them quiet and he led them outside past the sleeping Colonel.
"Is he ok?" asked Janet puzzled by Daniel's action.
"Erm fine, I think, I just wanted a quiet word really," he hesitated a little.
"Do you want me to go?" asked Sam.
"No, no, its erm, look have a seat," he waved them down and sat himself. "Jack's thinking of retiring," he blurted, not knowing how else to start.
"What?" cried Sam caught by surprise.
"Well, thinking is the key word here. He's agreed to lay off doing anything about it yet, but you know Jack."
"If he makes his mind up we'll never budge him," responded Sam.
"Janet, I'm pretty sure it's because he thinks they won't pass him for active duty and he wants to beat them to the punch, so's to speak."
Janet looked down, suddenly not able to meet his gaze.
"Janet?" asked Sam seeing her friend's discomfort.
Janet wasn't sure how to answer; she licked her lips and pushed her hands deeper into her pockets. "You know I can't say much, but there is a strong possibility that he is right you know." She looked up to face them both and found them staring at her in alarm. Sam's face a picture of horror; she clearly hadn't expected anything like this.
"You know men of the Colonel's age are usually behind a desk, well even younger than that really, he's only escaped it so far because of the SGC's position and of course because he's been passing the medicals, which I hasten to add, the powers that be have asked for more frequently and making them tougher."
"But that's not fair!" cried Daniel.
"Daniel, you know how tough it is out there, how many people we lose, it's not a case of being fair, how long do you think Jack would last, or his team, if he were unfit?"
Daniel had the grace to look ashamed. "I'm sorry Janet, but Jack's no slouch in fitness."
"Daniel you don't have to tell me that, he could still run rings around men 10 years younger, but the powers that be won't take another serious injury lightly. He's already been flagged for a complete medical assessment before returning to light duty."
"Before you pass him fit for light duty?" asked Sam incredulously, "why?"
Janet flinched slightly realising she'd already said too much, but it was too late to back out now.
"They're questioning the injury being so severe and his putting a civilian at risk, they're questioning his reactions."
"They're what?" exploded Daniel "for God's sake haven't they read the report ..."
"Sssh, keep it down," hushed Janet looking towards the house.
Daniel took a deep breath to calm him. "Jack got injured because I didn't listen, I broke a direct order, in fact I don't know how he got to me so quick, I don't call his reflexes slow, they've saved my life too many times."
"Janet, Jack's quick, you know he's beaten me to things time and time again, he doesn't hesitate or think if there's danger - he goes for it," added Sam.
"Look, I'm not the one needing convincing, I know how capable an officer he is, but the point is they'll decide on his fitness at the time of the medical."
"Have they set a date?" asked Sam with a sinking feeling.
Janet nodded "Eight weeks."
"Eight? Just eight weeks?" Daniel gasped, "How the hell do they expect him to be fit in .... Oh." Daniel tailed off as the penny dropped. "Does Jack know?"
Janet nodded not trusting herself to words.
"But won't they do a reassessment later?" asked Sam.
Janet shrugged "I think that the system is being worked to someone's advantage other than the SGC's or Jack's."
"They don't want the Colonel to resume active duty do they?" said Sam in a whisper.
Daniel let the words sink in miserably. "There's no way he'll pass a medical in eight weeks is there?"
Janet shook her head sadly. "Hell, someone half his age would need longer."
"Does the General know?" asked Sam.
"Yes, in fact I spoke to him today, he's still making enquiries and pulling markers in to try and get it delayed."
"Is there anything we can do?" offered Daniel.
"Keep the Colonel going, if he gives up and retires we can't even make an appeal can we?" said Janet as brightly as she could. "Now if you don't mind I'll go wake sleeping beauty and check him out."
Janet entered the house, picking her bag up on the way from the doorway.
"Sam, we can't let them do this."
Sam looked at Daniel trying hard not to show how effected she was. "You heard Janet - we've got to keep him from retiring."
"For what though? So they throw him a desk? He won't do that Sam, you know that!"
"We could start him on a mile run in the morning," Sam choked out trying to smile through the tears that began to fall.
Daniel didn't answer her; he just gathered her into his arms and hugged her tightly, sniffing back his own tears.
Well you're definitely looking better today," Janet said as she put her equipment away. "Pain ok?"
Jack nodded.
"Good, keep taking the painkillers regularly."
Jack nodded again.
"You going to talk to me today or not?" demanded Janet.
Startled, Jack looked straight into her face. "Sorry, brain's busy, can't do too many things at once you know," he said softly.
"Oh, Colonel, don't you go giving up on me now."
"Not giving up on you Doc, looks like you'll have to give up on me you know," he said his words so quiet Janet had to lean closer to hear.
"Look I know what you're thinking, but give us a chance and yourself."
"Us?" echoed Jack "Us? Who else knows?" Daniel, Carter?"
Janet just nodded.
"Oh great, that's just great!"
"I'm sorry Colonel, but Daniel was really upset when you spoke of retirement and it just sort of came out. I know I shouldn't have but, as your friend, I couldn't ...."
"Sok, I understand, I guess I shouldn't have said anything to Daniel," sighed Jack.
"I'll give them a shout," said Janet and moved to the door calling out to them.
Sam was scrubbing at her face trying to repair the damage with the hanky Daniel had given her.
"Ok?" he asked and Sam gave him a nod.
"Parade ready!" joked Daniel and gestured Sam to go in first.
"Age before beauty," he smirked.
"The dirt behind the picture," she responded smiling and skipped into the house quickly before he could retaliate.
"The what?" puzzled Daniel coming into the house. "Where on earth did you get that? Oh, don't tell me, Jack!" he groaned.
"Sam, give me a hand with some drinks," called Janet from the kitchen and Sam just shrugged at Daniel before going to help Janet.
"Hey, have a good sleep?" Daniel asked Jack as he flopped down on the chair opposite Jack who was propped up on the sofa, a mass of cushions behind him provided by Janet.
"Not bad," replied Jack looking down to the light blanket covering his lower half, he looked down at his thumbs which were twiddling around each other uneasily, his chest still bare except for the extensive bandages newly replaced by Janet.
Janet came in with two drinks, she handed one to Daniel and sat in the other chair, leaving Sam to hand Jack his drink, as she sat down on the settee near Jack's feet. Silence reigned as they sipped their drinks, each deep in thought.
As the silence drew out Janet took a breath. "Right you lot," she stated and almost dried as three people gazed at her intently waiting.
She self-consciously straightened herself and took the plunge. "Right no tip-toeing here, Jack knows we all know the score."
Jack found the blanket once more to be fascinating as Daniel and Sam both turned to look at him. "Great," he murmured, "Now we can plan a retirement celebration." He grimaced as he spoke. He looked up to see their faces silently berating him. "Well, what's the point in dragging it out? Hell in special ops, you don't usually even live this long."
"Jack, since when did you give up so easily?" asked Daniel.
"Hell Daniel, just what do you expect from me? There's no way I'll get through a medical so soon, those bastards have it cut and dried this time; I can't win this one!"
"Bull-shit - Sir!" fired Sam. "You tell us never give up out there, never leave anyone behind you say - well it's time you took your own medicine."
Janet and Daniel looked at each other, but kept quiet.
"Out there Carter, I can win, the Goa'uld's don't have rules and books - you survive best you can, you can buck the system, or a half-assed plan can win - sometimes just a lucky break or you're dead, you know that." Jack's voice was raised, his body tense, his breathing starting to struggle with the effort.
"It's not luck that's kept us alive, ok I'll admit luck helps, but it's you who's been keeping us alive Jack, you've kept us together," interrupted Daniel.
"Yeah, tell that to some nameless bastards I can't fight!" Jack's voice cracked and he started to cough, he turned slightly trying to get up and failed, he hunched over cradling his chest as the coughing racked his body.
Janet was by him in a trice. "Take it easy we're not the enemy," she murmured to him.
Daniel got a glass of water from the kitchen and gave it to Janet. Jack's breathing was rasping nosily and what little colour he'd had, drained from his face.
"Shallow breaths, slow and easy," comforted Janet.
Sam had scooted up the sofa closer watching in alarm `God why did I start him arguing,' she thought as she saw him fighting to control his breathing, every breath agony with his ribs.
Gradually his breathing calmed down and some colour came back into his face and he managed to sip some of the water.
"I'm sorry Colonel," apologised Sam.
"For what? Shouting at an idiot? Anyway don't be sorry ... Christ! ... See I can't even have a shouting match ... I'd be no good shouting orders out there would I?" said Jack, his voice a little hoarse, the long sentence causing him to pant slightly.
"Another couple of weeks or so and you'll be at your usual volume," said Janet dryly.
"Are you implying that I'm loud Doctor?" Jack gave her his best haughty stare.
"Sam's right you know, you can't give up," said Daniel before Janet could respond to Jack's heckling, knowing full well it was the man's way of changing the subject.
"I know," said Jack with a deep sigh, well as deep as he could, given the injury to his ribs. "But I think I've fucked with the system once too often, but hey, what the hell - retire now - retire later, I'll give the sons of bitches a fight!"
Sam clasped at Jack's arm, much to his surprise. "We're with you all the way Sir."
Jack looked at her face and deep into her eyes. "I've no doubt of that Major," he said softly "thanks."
Sam broke the contact feeling a little awkward, what with sitting so close to him, touching him; she felt a little foolish at having lost herself in his dark eyes.
Jack cleared his throat, a little embarrassed himself. "Janet, when can I start physical therapy?"
Janet pulled a face "Wish I knew that was coming," she moaned stalling. "Really Sir, you know you shouldn't be ..."
Jack cut in "Janet, come on you know I've only got one shot at this, I need to give it my best," he pleaded.
"Well, unofficially of course, I could start you off slow and I mean slow" she gave him a pointed look "oh, for goodness sake Colonel, you shouldn't even thinking about that for at least another month."
"Doc, as a friend you can show me what I need to do, the ribs won't be a problem in eight weeks, well much of one anyway," he pleaded with his best puppy dog look.
Janet was hopping from one foot to the other in her mind. As his doctor it was screaming too soon! As his friend it was saying, help him go for it! "Well ..." she began, trying to ignore his pleading eyes.
"Thanks Doc," he jumped in "Now I'll be a good boy, take my meds and go to bed," he yawned. Daniel got up to help him, but Jack waved him back. "I'm going alone, it'll take longer that's all; you entertain our guests here." He managed to get up, slow and stiff, but he made it. He steadied himself for a moment, before he made his way towards the stairs, using the furniture as a prop as he moved slowly.
"Goodnight kids, see you tomorrow," he called over his shoulder before he reached the stairs. They called their goodnights to him as they watched him moving. He was thankful when he rounded the corner to the stairs and he grabbed the handrail pausing for a moment, thankfully out of sight from his team. He gave an inward groan `now why did I buy something with stairs?' he chided himself `come on suck it up O'Neill and get going or they'll find you here when they're going home.' He made a slow but steady climb and once in his bedroom he lay down gratefully, feeling slightly sick and giddy. `What the hell am I doing?' he asked himself `You're going down fighting - that's what - no not down,' he corrected himself `fighting!' no-one could say Jack O'Neill didn't have guts - but boy was he going to need them!
PART FIVE
The next few days passed slowly with Jack moving around more and more, doing simple exercises, but no one who saw him missed the pain and stress he was putting himself through.
Towards the end of the second week he'd begun to make his way out of the house, taking Daniel or Teal'c with him, on the start of many long walks.
It was the middle of the third week when Janet arrived earlier than usual; Sam and Teal'c were already there, Jack was taking a break from a slow jog around the garden and was perched on the support of the decking taking deep breaths, although he was sweating lightly, he wasn't showing great discomfort.
"Hey guys," called Janet letting herself in through the side gates coming around through the garden to them, which was looking even better than usual, `Jack using gardening as an exercise,' she supposed, hoping he wasn't overdoing it.
"Got some good news for a change," she called to them and flopped down on a garden chair.
Four pairs of eyes looked to her waiting for her to speak. "Iced tea would be good," she smirked.
"Quit stalling," growled Jack.
"Yes Sir," she laughed as Sam poured her drink.
"Ok mmm this is good" she sipped at the drink and then surrendered to the pained looks she was getting. "Oh right, well, General Hammond called me in and advised me that the medical has been postponed."
Jack gave her a sharp look, but waited for the rest.
"He's managed to call in some favours, you've got three months Colonel, and I'll have clearance to give you light duties before then as well" Janet beamed at him.
Jack didn't say anything for a moment. Sam and Daniel were smiling happily, even Teal'c looked pleased.
"Uh you ok Sir?" asked Janet alarmed at his lack of response.
"Sure, yeah, sorry - I was just thinking about the cost of those markers to the General," he said quietly.
"Put like that I know it was a fight he had, but," and she waited till Jack looked at her "he obviously thinks you're worth it. You can do this," she added.
Nodding he got up. "I'll go see Hammond tomorrow, just going to wash up, won't be long" and he went inside.
"Well, that went down like a lead balloon, I really thought he'd be pleased."
"I think he is Janet, but I think it came as a shock as well. You know Jack, he's so used to fighting his own battles and battles for everyone else, I think he finds it strange that people want to fight for him."
Sam agreed with Daniel. "But at least now he's got a fair chance, he stands a chance of passing this one doesn't he?"
Janet laughed, "At the rate he's going I would have given some decent odds at the first one, but yes, I really can't see him failing this one."
"Then it is indeed good news you bring DoctorFraiser," said Teal'c.
"I'll go see if Jack's ok," said Sam getting up.
"Jack?" mouthed Janet to Daniel who shrugged.
"Slips out now and then," he whispered back as Sam left them.
Sam climbed the stairs and tapped lightly at Jack's bedroom door "You decent Colonel?" she called.
"Sort of," came the response.
A puzzled Sam opened the door and peered in cautiously to find Jack sat on his bed half dressed trying to dry off his bandages, mopping at them with a towel, or at least trying.
"Got a little carried away there Sir?"
Jack looked up at her with a forlorn expression. "Doc'll get mad; I still haven't mastered washing around them yet."
Taking pity on him, Sam crossed over to him and took the towel from him to mop at his back.
Swallowing hard Jack opened his mouth to stop her, but as she patted gently, he gave in to the sensations she was arousing in him and closed his mouth.
Sam knelt on the bed behind him and began to gently dry his shoulders. She wasn't aware of the effect she was having on Jack, she was too busy battling with the effect on herself.
`Way to go Sam, you idiot!' she cursed herself `you've probably embarrassed him good style, but, oh its sooo good to touch him, even through a towel.'
Jack began to relax under her gentle touch. As Sam placed her free hand on his bare shoulder he felt the heat on his skin from her searing him. He knew he should have stopped her, but the touch was sooo good! `Crap, call a halt - she's your 2IC for heavens' sake.'
Sam moved on the bed to his side and brought the towel round to his chest, to continue to pat the bandages dry. As she moved around, Jack turned his head to her and their eyes met, their faces only inches apart. Sam couldn't move, couldn't breathe, her eyes locked into his. They moved closer, both drawn helplessly together, as their lips touched, the longing and the heat enveloped them.
The towel fell from Sam's hands as she grasped his shoulders to deepen the kiss. Jack turned his body to her, his hands moving to run along her back, they fell together onto the bed. Sam wound her fingers through the hair at the back of his head, clutching him in an effort to get even closer. No sensible thought entered their heads, and the blinding haze of passion that erupted between them bonded them together. Sam could feel the heat as bare flesh touched, she could feel his arousal against her thighs and only the need for oxygen made her pull her mouth away from his.
"God Sam," he moaned hoarsely, his breath gasping as the pain from his ribs penetrated the fog in his mind. His heart was pounding like never before, but the pain from his ribs made his mind take a step back and the realisation of what he'd done hit. "God Sam, I'm so sorry," he uttered wretchedly as he broke all bodily contact from her with extreme effort on his part.
Sam felt bereft at the lack of his body on hers and then as realisation hit, she felt the heat suffusing her face. She lowered her head not speaking, so embarrassed by her actions.
`Way to go Sam, jump your CO the first chance you get, dreams not enough?' she taunted herself.
Feeling mortified she berated herself. `You idiot, you've just pulled your CO down on the bed and clutched him like some sex starved floozy.' She jumped up quickly.
Mistaking her acute embarrassment to be a result of his actions, Jack berated himself `Christ, Jack, grabbing your 2IC and rolling on the bed, yeah good move Jack, she'll think you're a sex starved sad old pervert.'
He groaned outwardly, his misery etched on his face, but Sam wasn't looking, she was sort of creeping to the door to get out.
"Sir, I'm really sorry ..." she began.
His head snapped up at the formality, `Gee, rub it in why don't ya!' he thought. He noticed how red she was and how she was backing away from him with a wary expression on her face. He felt an absolute heel. "Sam, I really am sorry."
Sam gave him a strange look, wondering why he was apologising.
"I err ... oh crap!" he threw his hands up angrily trying to right himself from the bed, but flinched hard at the sudden pain the movement inflicted. Sam flew back to the bed trying to help him.
"Take it easy Sir .... That better?" She helped him into a sitting position noticing how wet his bandages still were.
"Fine Carter," he said shortly, still angry with himself.
"Look I'll get Janet, she can change those bandages, they're soaking" and before he could stop her she scooted out and stood at the top of the stairs trying to compose herself before going down.
Janet stood at the foot of the stairs staring up at her "I was just coming up to see if everything's ok?"
"He's fine but the bandages have taken a drowning." Sam managed to sound normal as she came down.
Janet noticed Sam's flushed face and troubled look and reached out to touch her friend on the shoulder. "Sam are you ok? You two haven't been fighting again have you?"
Sam looked at Janet awkwardly not knowing what to say. `How can I say to her,' although a friend Janet was still an air force officer `I flung my CO on his bed and snogged him and now he's angry' so she opted for a quick shake of her head and averted her eyes, "I'll go get some drinks while you sort him out."
Janet sighed and got her medical bag to take upstairs. She couldn't help but wonder what had upset Sam so much, and promised herself that if the Colonel had had a go at her she'd make sure those bandages were tight!
Janet didn't stop to knock and went straight into the bedroom to see the Colonel sat on the edge of the bed looking flushed and tousled, but also in discomfort, his hands splayed around his ribs breathing shallowly through gritted teeth. Janet walked straight up to him and almost threw her bag onto the bed besides him, which jerked him out of his thoughts.
Jack wouldn't look her in the face. `They have been fighting' thought Janet as she watched him flush more at her glare. `Fighting or - no don't go there' she stopped herself and checked his bandages.
"Honestly Sir, I think you'd get them less wet in a shower," she complained as she fished in her bag for her scissors and cut the bandages from him.
"Lie down while I check," she ordered and Jack slowly complied, wincing as he went flat. Janet felt around his ribs, noticing how bad the bruising still was considering the length of time, though in parts it was a distinct yellow. Stripping the dressing from the exit wound she checked that as well. "Seems to be healing normally, still painful?" she asked.
"Uh a little" confessed Jack.
Janet sighed knowing full well what a little was from Jack's point of view.
"Don't go overdoing it, those ribs are only just starting to knit, that spear did a lot of damage, it took chunks out of your bones you know."
"Put like that how can I resist!" he said dryly, recovering some of his humour.
Janet laughed and then thinking now or never "Sam didn't look too happy just now."
"Sam?" he looked up quickly a slight flush rose on his face. "What did Carter say?"
"She didn't say much really, did you two have a fight or something?"
"Not exactly," he hedged.
Janet was now intrigued and didn't want to let it drop. "Not exactly what?" she asked.
"Sorry, not exactly ma'am," he mocked, purposely twisted her words.
"Sorry Colonel," she gave him a glare. "Sit up while I do your back, Sir" she carried on the formality, a little annoyed, but he was still a senior officer.
Jack managed to get up and sat on the edge of the bed while Janet checked the wound where the spear had gone in from the back. She placed a fresh dressing front and back. "Another couple of weeks and I think we can leave the heavy bandages off" and she began to re-bandage him.
Jack sucked in a sharp breath as Janet pulled on the bandages. "I didn't hit her," he protested, "I think you're bending my ribs the wrong way!"
"Oh sorry," squeaked Janet a little alarmed at how she'd got carried away. "I didn't mean to get them so tight, there is that better?" she adjusted the bandages.
Jack nodded trying to catch his breath.
"I know you didn't hit her, there's more than one way to hurt someone you know," said Janet as she finished off the bandages.
"Oh yeah, I know, look I'm sorry, you'll just have to talk to Carter, maybe she'll tell you, but you have to know I really didn't mean to upset her, I didn't mean for ..." he tailed off looking down to his hands.
"Sorry... I.." and Janet tailed off herself seeing he was hurting just as much as Sam was. "Anyway," she said more brightly changing tact "What about the good news? Have you taken it in yet?"
"Yeah, sorry Doc, and thanks" his eyes met hers, he was smiling, but it didn't reach his eyes, they were dark with hurt.
"What say we all go out and celebrate? A meal perhaps?" she suggested.
"Do me a favour and ask Carter first before you announce it, she may not feel like ... she may not be comfortable with me ... it."
"Ok, I'll do that, see you downstairs" Janet finished putting the last of her stuff away and binned the old bandages before going downstairs.
Jack sat still for a few minutes trying to get his head around what had happened, but none the wiser really, he forced himself up and slowly found an outsized football shirt, which he managed to get into it before heading down.
Janet found Sam in the kitchen.
"Hey I didn't pour till you were done," said Sam grabbing the coffee jug and a mug.
"I suggested we should go out and celebrate the good news, a meal perhaps tonight," said Janet casually watching Sam's face.
"Oh" Sam carefully kept her face neutral "Does the Colonel feel up to it?" and she grabbed the cloth and wiped the clean counter yet again.
"He said to ask you first" Janet took a sip of her drink, still watching her friend closely. "Any reason we shouldn't go?"
"No ...." she hesitated slightly "that would be nice; we haven't been out since before, well since way before the accident," Sam replied, knowing if she said no, then Janet would be at her until she found out what the problem was.
"Great, I'll go tell the guys."
By the time Sam joined them in the lounge, Jack was dressed and sat down in his usual position on the sofa and Janet was arranging time and place.
"Right settled then, O'Malley's for eight," finalised Janet "you bring the Colonel," she nodded at Daniel "and I'll pick up Sam and Teal'c. Lord!" she exclaimed catching sight of her watch "I gotta run and pick Cassie up."
Sam stood too. "I'd better get going as well, need to clean up and change - Can I drop you off Teal'c?" she offered.
Teal'c acknowledged her with an incline of his head. "That would be most agreeable MajorCarter."
After everyone had left Jack began to get restless "Fancy a walk Daniel?"
"Oh," groaned Daniel "not far please, I've had more exercise this week than on any mission - I'll be fitter than you soon!"
"In your dreams Danny-boy," laughed Jack.
"Pleeease don't call me that!"
"Does it annoy you?" asked Jack trying to look innocent.
"Yes!"
"Right! Sorry Danny-boy - oops!"
Laughing Daniel shook his head, glad to see some humour return to his friend.
They left the house and took a track through the woods at the back.
"Did you ever try getting Teal'c to go for names?"
"What?" puzzled Daniel.
"I mean trying to get Teal'c call me Jack and you just Daniel."
"Err once," confessed Daniel.
"And?"
"He asked when did I become a `just' and that he couldn't call you Jack because of respect to you as a warrior, so I gave up."
"Me too."
"You tried?"
"Several times."
"Oh."
"Well it's not a problem out in the field or on base, but you should see the funny looks you get out and about," grinned Jack at some of the memories.
"Yeah I can imagine, I'm ashamed to say though, I don't go out an awful lot with Teal'c, I know you guys hang out a lot."
Jack smiled at Daniel "Well maybe you'd be a better influence," and the smile turned to a smirk "mind you Teal'c himself isn't a good influence."
Daniel caught the smirk "like?"
"Well have you ever been to a jello wrestling match?"
"No Jack, I can honestly say I haven't had that erm, experience, please, don't tell me you dragged Teal'c there?"
"No Daniel, hand on heart, Teal'c dragged me, but I can't say I didn't enjoy it, till we got thrown out that was." Jack's face lit with a leer.
Daniel raised both his eyebrows to a height that Teal'c would have been proud of.
"Yeah, Teal'c decided he'd like a go and we got bounced out, it took ages to get him out of the ring and then trying to get rid of that stuff, it got everywhere." Jack was laughing at the memory.
Daniel laughed with him "I guess I should start seeing to the formal education side then?"
"Yeah, but leave out funfairs, zoo's local theme parks and the local museums."
"Museums?" echoed Daniel "You took Teal'c to a museum?" his eyebrows went up again in disbelief.
"Don't look so surprised, I do try and give him an all round earth tour you know." Jack looked slightly offended.
"Sorry," apologised Daniel "Just never figured you a museum person."
"I am most definitely not, but I thought I'd give it a go for Teal'c."
"What happened?"
"I only left him a few minutes, I swear, and when I found him he was surrounded by school children and he was kind of telling stories of Chulak and Goauld's."
"You're kidding!"
Jack shook his head, frowning at the memory. "Nope, then the teachers tried breaking it up, said we had no right filling their heads with science fiction and such rubbish and the kids wanted more, so an almighty row broke out and we got chucked out."
Daniel laughed.
"You can laugh, but I tell you, I've never been bounced out of so many places before. It's getting less frequent though, I think Teal'c's learning."
Daniel was still laughing heartily; he had to wipe his eyes behind his glasses for the tears that were threatening to run. "Oh God, that's funny, the great Colonel O'Neill, saviour of the planet getting bounced out of shops and museums!"
"Bounced out and barred!" he growled, which made Daniel laugh more. "So if you take Teal'c out, make sure he's not been there before and be prepared to die a few deaths."
It was almost unnoticed how far they'd walked till they hit the rise beyond the woods. They stood on the ridge looking out to behold a beautiful view, the valleys and mountains stretched majestically before them.
"It's so nice here," said Daniel taking a deep breath of the clean air.
"Yeah, it's that what sold the house to me." Jack was panting slightly, his chest becoming painful, but he was trying to keep it hidden.
Daniel picked up on the strain in his voice and turned to regard his friend closely. Jack's face was still pale, his eyes etched with dark circles, his face drawn, still too thin, even though his appetite was improving, he still had a lot of weight to regain. But, and it was a big but, his eyes had the spark of life Daniel was used to; they showed that Jack O'Neill was still fighting!
"Come on, we'd better get back or the women will beat us there," said Daniel and as they turned he gave Jack's shoulder a quick squeeze. The gesture wasn't shrugged off and they both turned to make their way back to the house.
A couple of hours later, Jack and Daniel were seated in a booth at the restaurant waiting for the others to arrive. Both men were casually dressed but looked smart.
Daniel had taken an age to get ready, which left Jack waiting impatiently. "Gee Daniel, you take longer than a woman, I swear."
Daniel pulled a face at him "I thought I was being quite quick, anyway you cheated you've not got socks on."
"No way yet," Jack grimaced; he found bending a very awkward task still.
They were now sipping their drinks, Daniel driving, opted for orange and Jack, despite a frown from Daniel, ordered beer.
Jack was quite convinced that Sam would chicken out, but just in case he needed a drink and it was half relief and half trepidation that crossed his face when he saw them coming into the restaurant.
He watched the three familiar figures moving over to them as they spotted them. Janet was leading, wearing a short dress that emphasised her tiny figure nicely; she greeted them with a smile and dived onto the seat next to Daniel leaving Sam no choice but to get in next to Jack.
Jack's breath caught as he saw Sam hesitate slightly before sliding around on the seat near him. She looked very nice, a casual blue dress, showing a little leg, which he got a good look at as she moved closer. She had to move closer still as Teal'c fitted his bulk onto the remaining seat and Jack had to stop himself inching closer to Daniel.
"Cosy here," commented Janet, snuggling a little closer to Daniel who blushed slightly. "Sir, is that a beer?"
"First one," said Jack taking a long swig and moving the bottle away from Janet's reach and at the same time he caught the waitress's eye. She took their drinks order and left them some menus to browse.
"What's everyone having? I'm starving," said Janet eagerly perusing the menu.
"Steak," everyone chorused.
"You can't eat here and not have steak, they're the best," said Sam laughing as she started to settle down a little.
"Will they not permit us to eat anything else?" asked Teal'c raising a brow in Sam's direction.
Sam laughed with the others as she explained the figure of speech to him. Jack took the opportunity to study her profile as she spoke to Teal'c; her laughter music in his ears, wishing the smile she gave to Teal'c was his. A smile from Sam made his day; it was the reason behind his corny jokes, anything that would draw a smile from her. Without meaning to, he let go a sigh as his thoughts turned to how he'd blown her trust and her friendship today. He supposed he'd get off light if she didn't report him.
Sam heard his sigh. She turned her face to him with a frown thinking that his sigh was one of displeasure at her joking with Teal'c.
Teal'c broke the moment up. "Then MajorCarter, I will have steak," he announced, not immune to her reaction to O'Neill.
Sam turned back to Teal'c with a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. `I shouldn't have come,' she thought.
Daniel and Janet were both watching them and Janet's thoughts were to lighten the atmosphere before Sam made a run for it.
Daniel had the same thoughts. "Hey, Jack actually beat me getting dressed tonight."
"Daniel, a woman would have beaten you getting ready," said Jack dryly turning his attention from Sam.
That set off cries of `male chauvinism' from Sam and Janet.
"That's not fair, you didn't put socks on," whined Daniel not realising how funny it sounded.
"Considering I can't get near my feet yet, if I'd had to or even had laces, you'd still be waiting on me," laughed Jack. He forgot his ribs for a moment, till the laughter gave them a spasm of pain and his hand quickly caught across his chest. "Ouch, no more funnies please Daniel" and heard Sam's giggle. "No giggling Major please," he retorted, bringing up the old joke between them.
Sam smirked, trying to stifle her giggling; she began to feel a little better, more at ease.
Janet gave them a questioning look.
"What?" asked Sam catching her gaze.
"Explain - that went over my head!" demanded Janet.
"Private joke," growled Jack swigging his beer, no way was he going to explain about the `side-arm' incident!
Janet looked to Daniel who shrugged his shoulders, "Don't ask me, I don't know either."
Sam was openly smiling now, feeling quite relaxed and Jack lapped up her smile. "Now be careful Sir, you're leaving yourself open to friendly black-mail," she joked with him, her smile becoming wider, reaching her eyes.
Drawing a breath, he took a lazy swig from the second bottle and smiled at her, a lopsided smile that split his face and lit his eyes. Sam took a breath and couldn't help but gaze into the dark depths that seem to smoulder and then burn, which made her shudder delightedly inside. A delicious shiver ran through her, and trying to cover her emotions, she grabbed for her drink and gulped almost all of it down.
"Earth to O'Neill," called Daniel for not the first time. "Are we ready to order?" he just stopped himself in time from nudging Jack in the ribs.
Jack turned slightly, tuning in with great difficulty to the others. "Yeah, sorry," he realised the waitress was standing patiently at the table. "Steak, medium with the works, baked potato."
The waitress took a note of his order with a beaming smile and then turned to Sam.
"Same, but with fries," she grinned to cover her embarrassment.
After the waitress left Sam excused herself to the ladies, followed by Janet. "You ok Sam?" she asked, "You look kinda flushed."
"Just a little warm, that's all," replied Sam as she checked her make-up and applied fresh lipstick.
"Yeah kinda cosy snuggled up with Daniel," grinned Janet.
"You two get on so well, I think you should go for it." Sam grabbed at the chance to turn the spotlight from herself.
"I wish," sighed Janet.
"You kidding? Daniel more than likes you."
"No kidding?"
"No kidding, scout's honour," smiled Sam.
"You were never a scout," snorted Janet.
"Ok, so they wouldn't let me in, guide's honour then."
"He's kinda cute."
"Sure is, he's like a brother to me, but I see why women like him."
"Women?" Janet commented her eyes narrowing.
"Not like that," said Sam nudging her friend. "I don't mean he's a womaniser, just the opposite, but he does seem to attract attention, if you know what I mean."
"Sure do, half my nurses fight over him, the other half, over the Colonel - and I can see what they fight about there," sighed Janet.
"Colonel O'Neill?"
"Yes, Colonel Jack O'Neill, you lucky girl! It's not fair you get to be side by side with the best two hunks on the base."
Sam shrugged trying to remain casual. "Don't see what they get worked up about."
Janet snorted "Ha! Don't give me that, Jack's eyes are to die for, they've curled me up a time or two, I'll tell you, and a mean body with it, nice butt and all," she nudged Sam with a smirk.
Sam gaped at her friend "You're a doctor!"
"Uh yeah, and I get to see the best bits as well as the injuries you know, a girl can dream!"
Sam's mouth gaped open and Janet doubled with laughter at the sight.
"For goodness sake Janet get a grip," hissed Sam going red again.
"Oh my - your face!" Janet pealed with laughter "You should hear the base gossip, the female staff wish you ill so the great O'Neill would be a free man."
Sam looked at her friend incredulously. "He is free!" she insisted indignantly.
"He's like a lovesick puppy," said Janet sobering slightly "I've seen him freeze people with a look, made me a time or two I can tell you, but when he thinks no-ones looking he watches you, and I can tell you it ain't pure thoughts he's thinking honey, he goes all goofy on you."
"Janet hush up, you'll get us both into trouble and you're so wrong, all we do is fight if we get close."
Janet stilled "Oh Sam, honestly I'm not going to say anything, but it's a short life and to live without loving, well I know it's a clich, but what we're doing isn't living life to the full is it?"
"Janet I like the Colonel a lot, but I respect him as my CO a whole lot more."
"Get away girl, I know you like and respect him, so do we all, well mostly all anyway, you know he's got enemies, some big ones, but you must admit your feelings."
Sam shook her head "I love being on SG1, they're my family and I won't screw that up."
Janet grabbed her purse. "Nobody's asking you to do that, but," and she lowered her voice as they left the ladies room "you're not telling me you wouldn't like to screw him."
Sam gaped at Janet blushing wildly "Janet, really! I don't know where you'd get such a crude notion from, I'm shocked!"
"Yeah honey and I'm Santa Claus," grinned Janet and broke away walking quickly to their table leaving Sam stood there gawping like an idiot.
A passing young man gave her a look and a wink "Fancy a drink babe?"
Catching herself together she gave a brisk, but polite refusal and hurried to their table.
Thankfully, she wasn't seated long before the food arrived and Sam determinedly dug in trying to ignore any looks from Janet.
The evening wore on pleasantly, but Sam noticed Jack hadn't managed to eat with his usual good appetite, still too thin, she noted. An echo of her conversation with Janet came forward and she pushed it firmly to the back of her mind and concentrated on the others instead.
The party broke up and called it a night. Janet, Sam and Teal'c bade Daniel and Jack goodbye outside the restaurant as they split up to walk to their vehicles.
Jack stood a little while longer just watching Sam as she made her way down the block with the others, the slight sway of her hips reeking havoc on him. It was bad enough when she was in fatigues, but in a dress it was devastating.
"We going home or what?" asked Daniel watching him, clicking his fingers in front of Jack's face for attention. He hadn't missed where the man's gaze was directed.
"Uh sorry Daniel was miles away," Jack wrenched himself away from Sam's disappearing back and turned his attention to Daniel.
"Come, let's get home I'm bushed," yawned Daniel.
"Sure," agreed Jack stuffing his hands into his trouser pockets, he turned and walked with Daniel to his car.
"You're quiet," commented Daniel after around 30 minutes driving.
"Thought you were tired?"
"Thought I'd gone deaf," joked Daniel.
"Ho, now a comedian!" retorted Jack "I was just thinking."
"Thought I'd heard a strange noise!"
"Ha, you're so not funny Daniel."
"Never said I was."
"Good, you'd better believe it."
"Sam?" said Daniel changing tact suddenly.
Jack almost jumped, "Sam what?"
"You said you were thinking, was it about Sam?"
"Should it be?"
"Well, you do enough looking at her; I thought you might be thinking of her as well."
Jack gave him a glare "Do not!"
"Do!"
"Do not!"
"Do so!"
"No way, your sooo wrong Danny-boy."
"Now I know I'm right!"
"How so?"
"When you say that, I know you're lying to me."
"Am not!"
"Are so! Shuttup Jack, don't be an idiot, you can admit your feelings to me. I am your friend."
"Ok, I didn't want to tell you this, I like you."
"ASS!" glared Daniel "not to me, Sam, you know feelings?"
"Feelings?"
"Yes, f-e-e-l-i-n-g-s!" cried Daniel spelling it out.
"You don't know anything about my feelings," said Jack quietly.
Daniel snorted; he was having a hard time concentrating on the road.
"God Jack, you get that dippy goofy grin on your face when you look at Sam and you're always watching her."
"Christ Daniel, you make me sound like a dirty old man!"
"No Jack, that's not what I mean, I mean it's obvious you have feelings for her."
"I like Carter a lot, she's a good 2IC, in fact one of the best," defended Jack, thankful they were pulling on to his drive.
"If you say so, but I don't believe you."
Jack turned to face Daniel, glaring at the younger man in the dim light. "You believe what you like Daniel, but don't go adding up and getting 5 instead of 4, people could get hurt!"
"The regs you mean!"
"Yeah the regs, and that would be if there's any truth in it. Carter and I are not having a relationship."
"I didn't say you were."
"Did."
"Didn't."
"Did."
"Jack I didn't, but I do say you should be."
Jack gave Daniel a funny look and then got out slamming the car door hard.
Daniel scrambled out and locked up, catching Jack as he entered the house.
"Just leave it Daniel."
"Why?"
"Cause I said so."
"Come on Jack, that isn't a reason."
"It is unless you want to make you shut up," growled Jack "See you in the morning" and he made his way upstairs leaving Daniel to lock up.
Daniel went round shutting off the lamps shaking his head. "You haven't won Jack, there's always tomorrow," he murmured as he made his way upstairs.
PART SIX
Jack woke early, in fact as soon as the first rays of light hit his window and quietly he dressed and went downstairs. He completed his warm-up exercises on his deck, watching the early mist still clinging to the garden.
Warm up complete, he headed out, alone for the first time in weeks, he savoured the feeling. He began a slow jog through the woods, keeping to the most even trails. The further he ventured, the quicker his pace seemed to go, until he was striding out at a leisurely run.
He made it to the ridge before he had to stop. "Slob!" he berated himself between gasps of breath, holding his ribs to support them as they twanged unmercifully. A grin flashed across his features as he remembered his first run as an enlisted man, a four mile run that left him feeling like he was dying and determined never again to be bawled out for being so unfit. He'd only packed smoking in though after Charlie's death, but he'd always kept himself as fit as he could, which helped him to survive in special forces; maintaining a level of fitness that belied his age, until now that was.
Feeling old and sorry for himself he stumbled to sit down, memories of the early years, his marriage to Sara, which despite many the problem that his job enforced, was good, good that was, until the death of their son! The death of his son seemed to be the spiral down in his life and it ended his marriage as well.
It had seemed to be the end of his life too, until a call from General West of the SGC had altered that, and from his first meeting with the geeky Doctor Jackson, to the adventure on Abydos, life seemed to take an upbeat. High hopes of saving his marriage were dashed after he returned to earth, but a recall under Hammond's command gave him another go at life, so he was pulled out of retirement again. Dragged from a flat morose existence - he'd hardly looked back since.
His mind went to the first meeting with Carter. Another scientist fostered on him, but he could feel the spark, the attraction was there even then. Love had crept up on him slowly, growing from sexual attraction to something special and deep. Over time he'd learned to respect her for her mind and the fine officer she was, but he still yearned for her as a woman.
Standing stiffly trying to stretch his aching body carefully, he watched the sun climbing higher and as the sun's rays warmed him, he felt a little better inside, not quite as old, but still weary and still yearning for something he couldn't have, he turned sadly and made his way back home, steadily, but at a much slower pace than before.
When eventually Daniel emerged from bed yawning and stumbling downstairs, he found a wide-awake Colonel preparing breakfast.
"I'm supposed to be looking after you," he mumbled apologetically.
"You can clear up if it makes you feel any better," grinned Jack.
"Uh thanks," groaned Daniel and sat down to fresh coffee sipping at it gratefully, while Jack cooked.
After a good breakfast and two more coffees, Daniel felt ready to face the day. He noticed Jack had managed to eat almost everything on his plate as well.
"Will you run me into the SGC? I want to have a talk with Hammond," asked Jack. He'd groused about still not being allowed to drive yet, but Janet had insisted.
"Yeah no sweat," agreed Daniel watching as Jack got up to go make himself presentable.
Once inside the SGC they split up, Daniel went to his lab and Jack to Hammond's office. Jack stood outside and straightened himself mentally as well as physically before tapping on the door.
"Enter," called Hammond and looked up from the paperwork on his desk. His face lit with a genuine smile as he got up to greet his 2IC.
"Jack," he greeted him warmly with a shake of the hand "sit down; I'm glad you've dropped in."
"Thanks." Jack sat down, his stiffness not un-noticed by the General.
"You're certainly looking a lot better," said the General, ignoring the lines and dark circles and how thin he looked.
"Hard not to from what I was," joked Jack, "even corpses look better away from the infirmary."
The General laughed. "The Doctor has kept me well up-to-date, I take it you've heard the good news?"
"That's why I'm here." Jack looked down at his hands, the General waited patiently.
"I'd like to say thank you General."
Hammond winced; he sensed a `but' was coming.
"Well I know it couldn't have been easy what you did, are you sure it's worth the cost?" Jack had looked back up to face the General as he spoke.
"Son, I know you know the score, I'm not going to play around, it wasn't easy but, you are worth it."
Jack held still, his eyes centred on the General's face.
"I'm glad you think so General, I know I've given you a rough ride at times," said Jack awkwardly.
Hammond laughed. "However, there is a condition."
Jack sobered up wondering what was coming. "You don't want the gate cleaning with a toothbrush do you?" he asked quickly making the General smile again.
"No not yet son, the condition is that you'd better damn well pass."
Jack laughed, "Well I just hope they haven't changed the test too drastically, but I can assure you, I have every intention of passing."
"I've been assured that it won't deviate from standard, but you will be assessed for the fitness level of a younger man." apologised the General.
"Just so long as they don't put me in my twenties, no problem then," quipped Jack lightly, it was no more than he'd expected, and field officers were usually put behind a desk earlier than he'd got away with.
"I'm not expecting one," stated Hammond firmly.
The two men passed the morning sociably, Hammond tried keeping firmly away from involving Jack in work, but it helped to bounce ideas off his 2IC, another view point was certainly handy at times, and Jack's ideas were frequently unorthodox, but usually worked out ok.
Jack glanced at his watch and pulled a face. "Sorry General, no idea time could fly so quick, I've held you up for long enough, I'll pop in to see Doc before I leave." He got up stiffly, the General noticing his discomfort but wisely kept quiet.
"Thanks General, and I mean that." Jack shook the older man's hand.
"Anytime Jack, don't go overdoing it, keep in touch, we need you back, but in one piece."
Jack opened the door and turned "You're a good man General," he said quietly and left closing the door.
"As are you Jack," replied the General to the closed door as he sat down to return to his paperwork.
Janet greeted Jack with enthusiasm "Nice to see you Sir, a quick visit though I hope?"
"Yeah just came in to see Hammond."
"Good, everything ok?" Jack nodded in reply "Well now you're here I'm going to take advantage of you" she glared at his smirk "you're going to get a good going over" and smiled as the smirk left his face.
"Be gentle," he begged resigning himself to her thorough care.
The morning passed over to afternoon and as Janet finished up her examinations with re-bandaging his ribs she commented on his weight.
"You'll need to step up your eating; you need more carbohydrates, a lot more if you're going to regain your weight. You're under target by 10 lbs and with the increase in exercise you'll burn more off."
"I'm trying ya know," complained Jack "hell, I was even thinking of eating lunch till you kidnapped me to torture me."
Glancing at her watch she saw how late it was. "Wow, I'm sorry."
"No worries, what say we collect Daniel and Carter and head down to the commissary?"
"Good idea, I bet they've not eaten yet. I'm just going to finish up on your x-rays and I'll meet you there."
Jack finished dressing and made his way to Carter's lab. Standing in the open doorway he paused. She was stood with her back to him, bent over something on the bench, totally immersed in whatever it was. He stood hesitating whether to disturb her or not, but some sixth sense must have prickled her and she half turned to him, surprise evident in her face when she saw who it was.
"Hey good to see you," he began lamely.
"You too Sir," she said softly rubbing her neck.
"Have you eaten yet?" he asked and saw her hesitate "The Doc's going to meet us there, I'm just going to get Daniel."
Sam looked at her watch "Sure, I'd no idea it was that late, thanks."
They made their way to get Daniel who was immersed in a book.
"Feeding time!" called Jack.
"About time, I'm starving!" he looked at his watch "Where have you been?"
"Doc got me," explained Jack.
"How did it go with the General?"
"Fine, hunky-dory, no problemo," quipped Jack.
Daniel shrugged knowing Jack wasn't going to expand on anything. They joined the small queue for food. Jack got a plate heaped high with pasta and sauce, a glass of milk and a slice of pecan pie as well.
Sam looked askance at Jack's tray "Hungry?" she quipped, glancing at her own salad and jello.
"Following Doctor's orders, I'm not saying I'll eat it all but I've got to get at least 10lbs on by the medical," he said as they made their way to a table.
"Lucky you, I wish I could get to eat like that, just looking at your tray's put an inch on my hips," sighed Sam.
Before he could stop himself, Jack's eyes had lowered to study Sam's shapely hips.
With a quick twist Sam noticed where his gaze was "hey," she called.
"Sorry" he overtook her quickly and set his tray down on the table. "An inch or two wouldn't hurt," he whispered to her, and Daniel sat down besides Jack, leaving Sam to take the seat opposite him, saving her from answering.
Janet joined them a few minutes later with a coffee and a sandwich.
"Glad to see you following orders for a change Colonel," commented Janet sitting next to Sam.
"For a change?" echoed Jack trying to look insulted. "I'm hurt Doc."
Janet laughed. The others had no trouble finishing their food, but Jack was beginning to flag half way through the pasta.
"Your x-rays are fine by the way, ribs are knitting nicely, just don't overdo it, and keep the pressure off them," ordered Janet.
"What can I put them through that your bandaging doesn't?" quipped Jack.
He gave up on the pasta pushing his plate away. Even the pie had lost its appeal and he sipped at the milk instead.
"Can I bring Cassie over at the weekend? She's dying to see you."
"Sure, that'd be great, I've missed her."
"What about a BBQ?" asked Daniel.
"Good idea, you volunteering?" asked Jack.
"Err, no, I think your place is better for that, my balcony is a little on the small side," grinned Daniel, "but I can help," he said hopefully.
"Great, we can all pitch in," said Sam.
"Ok, I surrender, BBQ Saturday it is then."
Saturday afternoon came quickly, Daniel and Jack had done what they could and were now waiting for the others to arrive. They were both sat in the warm sunshine quietly basking with a beer, just bird song and a low background of classical music. Jack's eyes were almost closing.
`Hope we've not overdone it,' thought Daniel watching Jack. `Still can't get over him liking classical music,' he mused.
The side gate swung open to admit Sam and Teal'c carrying bags. "Need the freezer, brought dessert," she called.
"Knock yourself out," grinned Jack sitting up.
Daniel got up as he heard the gate bang a second time, this time Janet and her adopted daughter entered.
"Jack!" squealed Cassie and launched at him, a mass of hair, lanky legs and freckles. Jack had just managed to put his beer down as he stood, when Cassie careered into him, leaping up for her usual bear hug from him. Jack didn't give anything away to her when her legs contracted on his ribs, but Daniel saw the pain flash across Jack's face before he could stop it.
"Cassie!" shouted Janet quickly, alarmed at how Cassie had flung herself on Jack.
Frowning Cassie let herself slide down him. "Gosh I'm sorry Jack, really I forgot, did I hurt you?"
Not for the world would he admit to anything to upset Cassie. "No honey," he lied "you've not half grown though." He backed up, holding her hand and sat down inviting her to sit on his knee, which she sedately climbed on and then, hugged his neck lovingly.
Daniel grinned at the sight of the lanky gray haired Colonel happily sitting the `not so little' girl on his knee, `if only those recruits he terrified could see him now,' he mused, Jack never had a problem with kids, just grown-ups.
"I'll get drinks," volunteered Daniel.
Janet sat down soaking up the sun "Oh this is nice," she sighed.
"Mom's tired," complained Cassie.
"She works too hard," said Jack.
"Mom's always tired!"
"Then I guess she always works too much, can't take her own prescriptions."
Janet opened one eye and glared at him. "I didn't prescribe myself anything."
"You should, you're always on at us for working too hard; have a go at yourself for a change."
"Well if SG1 behaved themselves more I might have more time," snorted Janet.
"Touch," Jack laughed lightly, "but you've no excuse at the moment, SG1 are on stand down."
"Might I remind you that you still need me Colonel," she pouted jokingly at him.
"I can get my checks done by you, I don't need to see you everyday, you could still take leave," he informed her, choosing to ignore her pout.
Sam came out at the tail end of the conversation. Jack sat with a smiling Cassie on his knee, looking relaxed and happy and smiling at Janet who was smiling back at him.
`Whoa, happy families? Surely Janet wasn't making a play for Jack? Was she? Was she!!'
She cast her mind back to Janet's teasing words about how good looking the Colonel was and how often in the past she'd commented on what a good catch he was.
`Huh! Am I jealous? Damn right I am! Janet has no right making eyes at my ...him.'
Janet had confessed once she'd love to get married again, to the right man of course, was Colonel O'Neill the right man? He certainly was a good catch.
Sam's eyes narrowed slightly with her thoughts as she put down the tray of drinks she'd helped Daniel to prepare.
"You ok Sam?"
"Yeah fine Janet" she helped herself to her drink and sat down.
`Jack isn't mine, he never will be, why shouldn't Janet be happy?' She felt ashamed of her earlier uncharitable thoughts. `If Jack doesn't want me, then he should find happiness with someone else.'
Daniel and Teal'c joined them and Jack managed to pry Cassie away for long enough to light the grill.
"Hope you lot are hungry, Daniel shops like a woman," he commented dryly, waiting for the grill to heat.
The bait thrown to the women started the expected argument, Daniel looked so indignant that Jack had to laugh.
Cassie looked from one female adult to the other. "Why are you arguing, you do shop like women - you are women."
Jack laughed again at Cassie's comment. "Not disputing that," he said dryly "Just that Daniel shops like that as well."
"Jack's idea of shopping," threw in an indignant Daniel, "is to throw in the meat and the beer."
"Well what else do you need?" grinned Jack.
Jack announced the grill ready to cook and went in to fetch the steaks he'd had marinating. Daniel fetched the salad and various other side dishes with Sam. Cassie helped to get the table ready with the plates and cutlery, but she soon tired of helping and dragged Teal'c off to shoot hoops at the side of the house.
Janet got up to join the Colonel at the grill; she'd been watching him closely. "Hope Cassie didn't do any more damage to those ribs," she commented
"Nah, just sore that's all. She's not half growing fast."
"Tell me," laughed Janet "She's learned to be a typical earth girl way too fast."
"Won't be long before she'll be fighting off the boys, she's gonna break some hearts," he broke off to concentrate on turning the steaks.
`Just like the heart you're breaking Jack,' thought Janet `only you don't even know it.'
"I've got my bag in the car so I'll give you a check up today" she kept her voice low and leaned closer to speak, looking up at him.
"Sure, later," he responded looking down at her.
Sam came out at just that moment to see them stood close; she heard the `later' part and jealousy rose in her.
"Sam!" called out Cassie "Come help beat Teal'c."
"Coming," she called and placed what she'd been carrying down and went to Cassie, glad of the excuse to escape as she joined in their game.
It wasn't too long before Jack was calling out `time to eat' and was already putting some burgers and dogs on the grill while they ate the steaks.
Sam and Cassie dashed around together followed by a more sedate Teal'c. Sam caught hold of Cassie and began tickling her. Cassie pulled forward trying to escape Sam's grip giggling and Jack turned to watch. He stood almost transfixed watching Sam.
Cassie looked up to his gaze "Jack, are you hungry?" she asked innocently, not knowing how to read the expression on his face.
Daniel and Janet had seen Jack's face and they cracked up with laughter at the innocent remark. "Yeah, but not for food!" smirked Daniel.
Their laughter roused Jack and he gave them an annoyed look. He brought the plate of cooked steaks to the table for everyone to help themselves.
Daniel and Janet kept bursting into giggles as they caught each other's eyes, which earned them odd looks from the others.
"Mom, you're not drunk are you?" asked Cassie worried by the silly giggling when she couldn't see a reason for it.
Janet almost choked on her food and Daniel gave her a bang on the back trying to be helpful.
Janet's expression caused Sam to start giggling as well, at which Cassie sighed with disgust.
Jack stretched and leaned back in his chair, food forgotten as he watched Sam giggling, strangely feeling jealous the laughter wasn't for him. He closed his eyes and tried to think of other things and soon, along with the help of the beer he'd drunk and the warm sun, he drifted off.
Sam stopped giggling as she saw him lean back with his eyes closed, a feeling of longing to touch him rose strongly, his face was smooth, free from the lines of stress, and his boyish looks gave her a warm tingling inside. She found her breathing getting harder, `whoa, stop girl, he's not interested, at least with me,' she chided herself. Frowning she thought about what she was missing. `I could make him interested - why should Janet get all the fun?'
Call it the devil in her, but she ignored the others, Cassie was teaching Teal'c how to build a huge burger and Sam homed in on the dish of salted nuts on the table. Sure that Jack was asleep, she grabbed a handful from the dish and mischievously began to throw them one at a time at the sleeping Colonel.
The first one missed altogether, the second bounced off his shoulder, the third found its target inside the collar of his shirt, a few more rolled into his shirt down his chest. He stirred restlessly, batting with one arm a little as though to scare off an insect.
Sam stifled a giggle and managed to get several more down his shirt before he woke up with a start rubbing at his chest. Puzzled he found some of the nuts at the top of his chest and he stood up shaking at his shirt. The rest of the nuts had found their target; they'd rolled down inside to gather at his waist. Frowning now, he pulled his shirt from his trousers and the nuts fell out to scatter on the floor.
Sam couldn't contain herself any longer and burst into laughter. Jack realised what she'd done, and pounced on the dish of nuts grabbing a large handful. Sam squealed in mock horror and shot to her feet, running onto the lawn. Undaunted Jack followed her with a speed that belied his injuries and cornered Sam to where she'd run at the bottom of the garden. He caught her by surprise and laughing, she tried a different tact and darted to go around him. Jack followed and dove at her.
The others were watching, laughing at their antics, until Jack dove down and Janet winced. She had to bite her tongue to stop herself shouting `mind those ribs!'
But Jack wasn't going to risk injury, he came down on Sam's legs with a half roll, shielding his chest as he went, before she knew what had happened, she was flat on her back held down by him sat across her hips. Her hands were pinned at her head with just one of his. He held her gently, but firmly. Her eyes widened when he showed her the handful of nuts he still held.
"You wouldn't dare," she teased laughing.
"Never dare me Sam," he grinned and started to trickle some nuts down her shirt, his hand almost touching her. She started to struggle and almost went to twist to use her legs, then she remembered his injury.
"Not fair," she pouted.
"I don't care," he grinned making the most of his advantage, knowing full well that if he weren't injured he'd be struggling with a wild cat, giving him a run for his money. Still holding a few nuts he straightened up and flipped one into his mouth lazily grinning at her, dropping the odd one on her.
Cassie made a move as if to join them, but Janet drew her onto her knee. "Grownups playtime honey," she drawled.
Sam, if truth were told, was enjoying the experience, the close contact playing havoc with her senses. `Good job he doesn't know what this is doing to me,' she thought, completely unaware of Jack thinking the same thing.
The nuts ran out, much to Sam's disappointment.
"You surrender?" he drawled and when she didn't respond he let go of her wrists. He wasn't sure he could keep sitting like this before she noticed what it was doing to him.
Seeing her chance, Sam twisted throwing him off balance enough for her to wriggle out from under him, but only managed to get to her knees before she was grabbed and tickled. Giggling and wriggling up against him she tried half-heartedly to get away, but he ended up kneeling behind her, both his arms wrapped around her, holding her close. She could feel his breath on her neck and still giggling, she twisted around. The scent of her and her softness stilled him, filling his senses with the desperate urge to kiss her...
Janet saw where this was leading and didn't want Cassie's active mind filled with it; she reluctantly decided to call a halt.
"Hey, are you two going to finish up? We're waiting for dessert!"
Cursing softly Jack pulled himself away; he thought Sam's neck was more inviting than any dessert he could think of.
Sam lost the giggling urge as she felt him pull away, `damn Janet,' she moaned to herself. She got up slowly but the giggling returned as nuts fell from her shirt onto the grass.
"I'm all salty now," she complained pulling at her shirt giving Jack an eyeful, which he obviously noticed.
`I'll get you interested Jack O'Neill, you're not so tough,' she promised herself.
Jack tore his eyes away from the swell of her breasts and seemed to hurry his pace back to the decking. Sam followed and flopped down.
`She's actually flirting with him,' thought Janet wondering what on earth brought about the change of heart.
"Want dessert yet?" asked Cassie hopefully.
"Didn't manage my main course," grinned Jack waving a hand at his plate still half full.
"I'll fix dessert," offered Sam getting up.
"I'll help," Jack grinned wolfishly and made to rise but Janet pushed him down again.
"You stay put, we want it today," laughed Janet going in after Sam.
Jack mouthed `spoil-sport' at her, but settled back.
Daniel stretched lazily; even Teal'c seemed to be very relaxed in the warm sunshine. A few minutes later produced a pair of giggling women carrying huge bowls piled high with meringues and ice cream topped with fruit and lashings of cream.
Jack laughed at the sight of the bowl held out to him. "You trying to bump me off Doc?"
"A little bit of what you fancy," quoted Janet as she sat down beginning to dig into her own bowl.
"How many inches is this Carter?" he asked remembering their conversation in the commissary.
"Oh not too many, I can work this dessert off," she grinned and lovingly took a large spoonful of ice cream into her mouth.
Jack watched her under his lashes, his eyes not leaving her face as she savoured every spoonful with a wicked smile, licking at her spoon, in what seemed to him, to be a very suggestive manner. He quickly began to pay attention to his own bowl, before a certain part of his body could begin to embarrass him.
Janet and Daniel seemed to be leaning closer together as they ate and sighed contentedly together. Teal'c was enjoying the dessert as well, it wasn't something he was familiar with on his home world, but he enjoyed this concoction.
Cassie decided she wanted more cream and quietly went to the kitchen to fetch it. She sprayed her bowl with a mountain of the cream much to Janet's dismay.
"Goodness Cassie, you'll be sick," she groaned.
Daniel grinned and reached for the cream, he shook it casually, "Anyone for more cream?" he asked smiling.
Janet started to shake her head when she noticed the mischievous expression on his face. "No Daniel," she warned waving her hand at him just as he let fly with a jet of cream.
Sam laughed hysterically at the picture before her, which turned into a shriek as Daniel aimed and fired at her too. Cassie wanting to get in on it let fly with a spoonful of her ice cream, which hit Sam on the neck and slid down her shirt. She wasn't sure where that came from but when she saw Jack laughing she parted with some of her own precious ice cream and the blob hit him on the arm.
Cassie, enjoying herself hugely, launched several more rounds at everyone. When she ran out of ammo, she scampered into the kitchen and grabbed a tub of ice cream along with another can of cream.
Teal'c watched the free for all with something akin to dismay and had backed off the deck out of the way.
Seeing Cassie had fresh ammo, Jack grabbed the can of cream off her and began to launch a fresh attack. Sam grabbed the ice cream off Cassie and began to launch handfuls at Jack. He was helpless as blobs began to slide off his neck down his shirt.
The adults had moved over to the lawn while carrying on with the food fight. Cassie had had all her ammo snatched and looked around for what else she could use. She spied the garden hose and grabbing it she turned the nozzle on aiming at the others on the lawn.
The cold water hit them, making the adults scream and shout.
"Cassie!" screamed a soaked Janet as she advanced on her daughter angrily.
Cassie saw her position was about to be overrun, dropped the hose and dived off to hide behind a bemused Teal'c.
Daniel reached out as he found his legs sliding from beneath him and caught hold of Janet. She shrieked loudly and started to fall as well.
Janet reached out with her other hand and grabbed a handful of Jack's shirt, trying to stop herself from falling, but the three of them went down like a stack of cards.
Sam was trying to get to the hose to turn it off and she got tangled up with their legs, she went down hard! Trouble was she landed on Jack, who was already winded and flat on his back, where Janet had pulled him down.
Sam heard the crack as she landed and the cry of pain from him made her feel sick. She rolled quickly to get to her knees freeing her weight from him. "Oh god Jack I'm sorry," she cried.
Daniel and Janet were still heaped together laughing unaware of the accident until they saw Sam's face as she knelt beside Jack.
The doctor in Janet acted immediately and she was on the other side in seconds. Teal'c had turned the hose off at the tap and came forward to help.
Jack was lay flat on his back with his eyes squeezed tight shut, his arm across his chest as he struggled to catch his breath. He bit hard on his lower lip to stop himself from crying out and to keep the nausea he felt down.
"I fell on him," whispered Sam really upset. "I heard something crack," she added.
"Cassie fetch my bag out of the car," ordered Janet as she started to undo Jack's shirt. Cassie was back in a moment with the Doctor's bag. Janet grabbed the scissors out and deftly began to cut the bandages.
"Take it easy, shallow breaths, Sam support his head," she ordered and Sam moved around to put his head onto her knees, where she soothed at his hair with her hands.
Sam frowned as she saw the injuries for the first time, there was still a mass of yellow bruising on his chest. The wound where the spear had come through, still looked raw and very vivid. She tried not thinking of how bad it was and how much agony it had caused him.
Cassie who was still kneeling beside her mom gasped out loud when she saw the injury and tears sprang to her eyes.
Janet realised Cassie was still there and tried to get her away. "Cassie go help tidy up, she urged, but Cassie just shook her head crying until Daniel came over to her and scooped her up into his arms and went a little way away, before he sat down with her.
"This is going to hurt Sir, announced Janet as she began to feel his ribs.
"No shit," he groaned and then bit back a cry as Janet found the troubled area.
"Breath as deep as you can for me," she asked supporting the area with her hand as he did his best. "I think you've cracked two, but I'll need to x-ray you to make sure" she filled a syringe "just a little, it'll help," she added.
Sam looked aghast at the news. "God I'm so sorry Colonel, I didn't mean to ..." she stalled, her voice wobbling slightly.
Jack gave her a sickly grin. "It's funny really, but we can't report how it happened you know, wouldn't look good jumped by my 2IC," he joked.
Janet laughed but Sam only looked more miserable.
Cassie had stopped crying and was hiccoughing trying to speak. "I'm sorry; I really didn't mean to hurt Jack."
"Sssh, its ok," soothed Daniel "it was an accident."
"Mm.. mmmy fault" the sobs began again "hic, I didn't mean to."
Teal'c got Jack up carefully, where he stood swaying slightly, still breathless. "I need to get you to the infirmary," said Janet watching him carefully.
"Looking like this?" said Jack drawing attention to the state of them. He was trying hard to keep the pain from showing and Janet knew that.
"Good point, there's enough gossip about," said Janet.
"Look Daniel's got clothes here, Teal'c's ok, what say you and Carter and Cassie go clean up at home, then Cassie can wait here while I go with you to the SGC."
Janet looked doubtful, she knew Jack was in a lot of pain and she wanted to make sure there was no other damage.
"Colonel's orders," added Jack for good measure.
"I suppose ..." she gave in "but I'm going to tape those ribs first."
"No way, I'm going to have a shower, I'll be careful I promise."
Despite Janet's protest, Jack was adamant, so they helped him back to the house and while Daniel helped Jack to the shower, Teal'c began to tidy up. Janet, Sam and Cassie went to Janet's to do the same.
Jack finally stripped and stepped carefully into the shower, "God that is sooo good, just to get those dam bandages off," he said.
"You're supposed to heal first though, not break more," shouted Daniel back as he threw all the soiled clothes into the linen bin.
"I know, how unlucky can a guy get? I was enjoying it till the ribs broke."
"Enjoyed the fight?" queried Daniel.
"Nope, getting jumped by Carter," said Jack quietly.
"What?" shouted Daniel not quite catching the words over the noise from the water.
Jack chose not to repeat his words and turning the shower off he asked for a towel. "Your turn," he announced and made his way slowly into his bedroom.
Daniel stripped down and enjoyed a shower as well. He hurried getting ready so as to assist Jack.
The women were back surprisingly quickly. "Hey, must be a record," quipped Jack who was starting to feel a little better, the medication was in full swing now.
"Be thankful you're injured Colonel," said Janet in a mock threatening tone and she began to delve into her medical bag.
Cassie came forward to Jack "I'm really sorry," she mumbled tearfully.
Jack looked down to her face "Aw honey, it wasn't your fault" and he gathered her in a hug.
Cassie threw her arms around his neck crying. Jack looked uncomfortable with the tears, but held her gently.
"No Cassie, honestly, it wasn't your fault, it's that dessert."
She looked up at him in surprise. "Yeah, if Carter hadn't eaten it and then fell on me weighing so much, I'd have been ok."
Cassie laughed, "But Sam's not fat!"
"She certainly isn't, but that dessert tipped the balance," said Jack with a smile, not even risking a look at his 2IC.
"Well, I'll just have to make sure she doesn't land on you again," said Cassie making Jack smile even more. "At least not straight after eating," she added.
Jack laughed forgetting his ribs and clutched a hand to his chest with the pain.
"Oh yes, she'll have to wait till you're better" which made Jack laugh harder and his shoulders were shaking with the effort to hold still.
"Cassie, I think you should let me tape his ribs before he does any further damage," smirked Janet.
Daniel was helpless with laughter on the sofa.
Cassie gave Jack another hug and Jack risked a look to his 2IC, to see her stood, arms folded and casting daggers.
"Oops," he laughed again, but it was cut off as Janet began to tape his ribs. "Jeez, go easy Doc, you'll break more," he groaned.
"That'll hold you till later. Teal'c do you want to ride back with us now?" she asked.
"That would be most agreeable," said Teal'c inclining his head.
Janet helped Jack put a shirt on and they left in Janet's car to get to the base. Teal'c decided to accompany them to the infirmary in case any further assistance was necessary.
"Was this afternoon a food fight?" he asked Jack as they sat waiting for the x-rays.
"Food fight? Yeah, guess it was," grinned Jack.
"The Major said she would explain it sometime, but she did say that it was fun O'Neill, not that anyone would get hurt."
"Well Teal'c, normally they are fun, I was just unlucky."
"Indeed."
Janet brought the x-rays through and put them up to check them. Teal'c stared at them fascinated and made a note to ask more at a later date.
"Well Colonel, two ribs broken, same spot unfortunately where they were knitting."
Jack sighed and then grimaced as the pain hit him. Janet filled a syringe and before he could object she'd done the deed.
"That'll help. They'll be ok for the medical, but you're going to have to take it easy, it'll need rest."
"Yeah, figured, have to quit running for a while," he let slip.
"Running!" shouted Janet down his ears making him jump and then wince with the pain "Colonel O'Neill, are you telling me that you've been running?"
Jack looked down for something to fiddle with "erm, well," he hedged hearing her heel tapping with impatience.
"I'm waiting Colonel" her carefully controlled voice made him look up.
"Well ... not running exactly," he stalled.
"What exactly?"
"Err a paced jog?" his face begged her to believe the lie, giving her his best little boy lost face.
Janet almost smiled, but caught it just in time. "Colonel, you shouldn't be even doing half of what you're doing, what I know about that is" she paused for a second wondering if that made sense. "You know the extended deadline, is there a need to push so hard?"
"Look, I've got to push, you know as well as I do they're gonna make me sweat, even without the accident they're tough enough to please lately, and I won't give them the satisfaction of getting rid of me that way. If I buy it out there doing my job that's ok, but I won't let them fail me Janet, I'm not going to give in to them." Jack heaved for breath, the long speech taking its toll.
Janet thought it was the longest personal speech she'd ever heard from him in all the time she'd known him, and what a speech, she'd always known that Jack O'Neill drove himself hard, but now circumstances were making it such that he needed to drive harder still.
"You won't fail, I promise you, I know what your capable of, you need to rest these breaks for a week or so and then start again slowly, you'll get there - no jogging for sure," smiled Janet.
"I wish I had your faith Doc," he said.
"You need to show yourself the same faith you have in your team O'Neill," said Teal'c quietly.
"Amen to that," sighed Janet.
Jack gave the Jaffa a `look' but didn't speak. Janet finished up bandaging him and Teal'c bid them goodnight.
Jack settled back in the car and Janet concentrated on her driving and soon they were pulling up at his house.
As soon as they opened the door Cassie flew over and stopped short of throwing herself at him.
"Are you ok now?" she asked.
"Yep your mom sorted me out."
"I wish," said Janet under her breath, which Jack heard and gave her an indignant glare.
Sam and Daniel came in from the kitchen with a tray of sandwiches and fresh coffee.
Jack sank down onto the sofa with a groan and managed to get his legs up. "Ah, glad to be back," he sighed.
Daniel handed him a coffee which he accepted gratefully but declined anything to eat.
Janet sat down and kicked her shoes off sipping the coffee thankfully. "I need this," she sighed.
Sam and Daniel sat and waited expectantly.
Eventually Daniel cleared his throat. "Well is anyone going to tell us?"
Jack raised an eyebrow as he sipped his coffee.
"Well?" demanded Daniel as Sam found something interesting to gaze at in her coffee.
"Two ribs gone," sighed Janet.
"Ouch," said Daniel with feeling.
"Where've they gone?" asked Cassie suddenly.
"Yeah mom, where've they gone?" echoed Jack.
Janet's look told him `where I'll send you in a minute' and Sam giggled at her expression.
As Janet explained to Cassie about the expression, the girl's face began clouding over again. "Oh Sam, now you mustn't go jumping on Jack yet till he's better," she informed her solemnly.
Jack almost choked on his coffee making him wince and clutch his ribs; Sam's face turned a lovely shade of pink.
"I'll remember that Cassie," she said as evenly as she could.
Janet and Daniel were both smirking like crazy.
"Remember Sam, just until I'm better," Jack couldn't resist adding with a chuckle.
Sam turned a darker shade of pink but had the urge to giggle, which she stifled, but she couldn't hide the grin. Her grin widened into a smile and as Jack watched her face it made his stomach flip and his heart soar.
The evening settled in as they spent the time chatting, with a suitable video put on for Cassie. Jack was half watching as Cassie flicked through her favourite scenes on the old Laurel and Hardy comedies that he collected. He smiled as Cassie giggled, bringing back memories of sitting with Charlie doing the same with him. The pain of Charlie's death stayed at bay for a while, while he searched his memory for the good times.
Sam was lay back on the other end of the sofa casting glances his way and she watched him smiling. `Looking tired,' she thought wondering whether to call it a day, but loath to break up the happy evening and loath to part from his company.
Eventually Janet called a halt when Cassie was unable to conceal her tiredness any longer and fell asleep on the floor.
Jack automatically got up and went unthinking to pick her up. Janet noticed his actions and stopped him with a gentle hand. "No lifting," she said softly.
Realising what he'd been going to do he grinned at her apologetically and Daniel realising the situation got up "I'll help," he said and scooped Cassie up gently as he could, but given the lack of parental practice he was somewhat clumsy, and Cassie woke up demanding to be set down.
"Oh sorry," said Daniel.
"Don't worry, I'd have to have woken her at the other end," said Janet.
Cassie yawned and stretched still half asleep "Say your goodnights honey," said Janet.
Cassie gave Daniel a hug and went over to Sam while Janet gathered her belongings up. Cassie climbed onto Sam's knee hugging her tightly "It was fun though today wasn't it except for Jack getting hurt?" she whispered to her.
"Yeah it was," Sam whispered back conspiratorially.
"Jack likes you, a lot," whispered Cassie and Sam blushed, but before she could respond, Cassie carried on "he gets unhappy, but I know you could make him happy all the time. He wants children you know," she said seriously.
Sam was taken aback at Cassie's statement, she wasn't sure how on earth to answer her, but Cassie didn't expect an answer, and she turned away to her mom.
"Mom can I sleep over?" she pleaded.
"Not tonight dear," said Janet from the doorway where she was waiting, whilst trying to stifle a yawn.
"Aw please!!" she whined looking at Jack with large eyes. He looked at Janet questioningly; he could never refuse a child, but had learned over the years not to cross the mother.
Janet looked at Cassie and then at Jack, she couldn't decide who looked the most appealing at that moment.
"I give in," she sighed.
"Goody, thank you," said Cassie gleefully. She dived back on Sam "Sam you can sleep with me," she announced hugging her again.
"Oh I'm not staying," put in Sam quickly.
"Aw please, we could go out tomorrow for breakfast before we go to the park," pleaded Cassie.
"Looks like tomorrow's planned," said Jack dryly.
Janet laughed, "Do you mind?"
He shook his head "glad to," he added sincerely.
"Well that gives me space to get some overdue things tackled tomorrow then, just don't go over doing it."
"Actually, if Cassie and Sam are going to baby-sit, I could do with playing catch up myself," put in Daniel. "Janet, you could you drop me off at home?" He snatched up his coat from the hall.
"What?" began Jack suddenly looking awkward. Janet and Daniel exchanged looks and silently a plan had formed.
"Good idea Daniel, no problem," said Janet cheerfully ignoring the daggers Sam was sending them.
"Sam, Cassie, make sure he's a good boy," she said and cheekily patted the lanky Colonel on his shoulder and opened the door. Daniel and Janet almost flew out the door in their hurry to depart and before Jack could object, they'd gone.
"Whew," breathed Daniel in the car. "Did you see the look on Jacks face?"
"Yeah, like a rabbit caught in the trap," laughed Janet.
"Oh I don't think murdering him is what Sam's got in mind," smirked Daniel.
"Nope, but she'd better keep off them ribs," snickered Janet.
PART SEVEN
Back at Jack's, Cassie announced she was still tired and would like to go to bed. She dragged Sam off to help her, after saying a `huggy' goodnight to Jack.
Jack sank down on the sofa and dry swallowed a couple of the painkillers that Janet had left him, he lay his head down for a moment. He must have fallen into a light doze, because it seemed no time at all before Sam was sitting besides him.
"She had no night things, so I got one of your t-shirts for her, she said she's done that before."
Jack nodded, "No problem."
"I've pinched one for myself," added Sam "Fancy a beer?" she asked getting up.
"That'd be great," answered Jack forgetting the injections and the couple of tablets he'd taken a little while ago.
Sam was soon back with a couple of bottles and handed one to Jack.
Jack picked up the TV remote and started to flick.
"God, is that a `man' thing," complained Sam.
Jack looked puzzled for a moment. "Oh sorry, I err forgot you were here."
Sam pretended to be hurt, "Gee thanks."
"Sorry, I meant it's a habit."
"Ok, so where are we going for breakfast?"
"You that hungry?" asked Jack with a smile.
Sam laughed, like music to his ears. "Nope I just wondered that's all."
"Oh Cassie will pick, she's usually pretty good."
"She makes a few sleepovers then? I wondered how she knew where everything was."
"Yeah a few, she's learning to be a real earth woman you know."
Sam threw him a questioning look while taking a swallow of her beer.
"Real nosy," explained Jack. "Ooff," he complained as Sam threw a cushion at his head ... she didn't want to hurt his ribs!
"I'll tell Cassie," threatened Jack giving her a real boyish smile, which made her stomach flip over and her heart race. Trying to cover her feelings she made as if to throw another cushion at him, but then hugged it instead, laughing.
A few more beers were downed and Sam, not a heavy drinker, was quite merry and relaxed. Normally so few beers wouldn't have effected Jack, but on top of the injections, tablets and very little food, the alcohol was creeping up on him fast.
Sam was layback, totally relaxed, her feet on the coffee table. She still hugged the cushion with one arm, beer in the other hand. The evening wore on pleasantly with a lazy, slightly drunken conversation, Jack making her laugh with a few stories she gladly listened to. It was often he would open up like that.
Where Jack lay he was facing her side, if he'd had stretched out fully he could have put his legs over Sam's, but he kept them drawn up. He stretched out to place the empty bottle on to the coffee table, but misjudged the distance and it rolled across the carpet.
"Whoops," he called and making an ungraceful grab at it, he lurched sideways, starting to fall.
Sam seeing Jack falling, shot to assist him, she tried her best to stop him falling, but it ended with Jack on his back and Sam on him.
"Your ribs!" she cried pushing herself up quickly and taking her weight off of him, but her face was only inches from his.
"I'm ok," he whispered, his voice sounded hoarse, the difficulty he was having breathing had nothing to do with his ribs; it was the close proximity of Sam that was the trouble.
Sam stayed still, her eyes locked onto his, her heart hammering away painfully, she shifted closer to him until their lips were touching, hesitantly at first, then they were kissing with a fierce hunger.
Deftly Jack rolled Sam so she was by his side without breaking the kiss; instead he deepened it, tasting her thoroughly, his hands stroking her flesh, leaving a burning sensuous trail over her body, lighting the flames of desire within her.
Her hands were doing the same to Jack, winding her fingers through his hair, and holding him to her greedily. It was almost the point of no return and Jack pulled away looking deep into her eyes.
"Are you sure Sam?" he asked giving her the chance to stop this.
"Yes Jack, yes," said Sam sincerely never surer of anything in her life till now.
They lay together afterwards, cuddling closely. Sam sighed, a contented sigh. Jack looked down into her face; a face still flushed with love, the colour of her eyes had darkened with the intensity of her feelings.
She looked up at him, and once more became lost in the dark loving gaze. The love she saw caught her by surprise and raised the longing for him again. Drunk with each other, they made their way upstairs to Jack's room where they made love again.
The morning light filtered through the blinds to where Jack lay. He'd awoken early, as was his custom, to find Sam entwined with him and he lay still not wanting to break the spell. How he'd longed for this, never daring to believe that she'd return his love, never until now. Contented to just lie holding her, he smiled as she sighed in her sleep and snuggled in closer to him.
Her body stirred his yet again, and very gently, he started a trail of tender kisses from her face to her neck. Her eyes flickered open. She wondered briefly was she dreaming, a wonderful dream, but the body she was holding was real and the previous night came to her, no dream, thank God it was real. She couldn't have born the disappointment of waking up to find herself alone.
The sensations he was arousing in her lit the candle again, it burned brightly inside her, until at last they lay together satisfied, savouring the moment.
Eventually he caught sight of his watch and made a face "Loath as I am to move, Cassie will be clamouring for breakfast shortly."
Sam snuggled in yawning "Mm I could eat something good."
Jack looked down at her, the urge to do something else was strong, but he was also very aware of Cassie. Untangling himself with great reluctance, he eased himself out of bed stretching cautiously.
Sam watched him from beneath her lashes, feeling rather like the cat that had had the cream, she felt like purring as she gazed over his body. The bandages hid most of his chest and back, but what she could see she appreciated greatly.
Jack pulled on a pair of bottoms his movements slow, a little awkward.
"You ok?" she asked with concern.
"Yeah fine, just a little sore," he admitted.
"I hope we didn't do any more damage to them last night."
Jack gave her a smouldering smile "Nope I was real careful, I couldn't have explained away any damage to Doc."
Sam laughed and sat up holding the sheet modestly and running a hand absently over the damaged area. "Are you sure you're ok? I forgot about them."
"Really I'm fine, just wait till I'm better and then I'll show you the difference," he grinned.
Sam blushed slightly "Can't wait."
"Well you'll have to, and if you don't get your pretty little butt into the main bathroom Cassie will find you here."
Sam pulled a face "Ok, ok I'm going," and as Jack went to wash in the en-suite she gathered up her clothes, what she could find anyway, and used the main bathroom. When she finished showering she went downstairs to grab the rest of her clothes and finished dressing.
Jack was sat on the deck sipping coffee and another mug was waiting for Sam. Stretching out she sipped her coffee. The sun was peering at them over the ridge and the promise of another beautiful day beamed down at them.
It wasn't long before Cassie joined them, chattering away to quite happily making the plans for the day.
"Breakfast first," reminded Jack.
"Yep, you need feeding up, mom said," said Cassie.
"Right, so lets head out and eat," said Jack. He grabbed the empty mugs and they locked up and left.
The morning passed happily, and after a good breakfast, they headed out of town in Jack's truck to Cassie's favourite park. Sam had the pleasure of driving and found she like the huge truck.
Jack was happy to grab a nearby bench to rest, while Cassie and Sam clambered around on the `assault course' style equipment. Being free to watch Sam without having to guard himself was so good.
Sam and Cassie were laughing and trying to race each other across the monkey bars. Feeling thirsty he walked across to the vendor selling ice cream and got a couple of sodas.
Cassie broke off the bars and raced across to him, giving him a quick hug, she grabbed a quick drink before racing back to Sam.
"It's so nice to see a father out with his daughter," said a voice next to him.
Half turning, Jack acknowledged the woman in the process of sitting down next to him, whose son was racing over to play. Jack didn't bother to correct her; he was quite used to the assumption and kind of liked it.
"Cathy," said the woman holding out her hand.
Feeling churlish to refuse Jack shook it, "Jack," he said gruffly and turned his attention back to watching Sam.
The woman noticed the lack of wedding ring and tried to engage him in conversation.
Sam was sat at the top of the frame catching her breath when she saw the woman with Jack.
"Uh Cassie, who's that?" she flicked her head towards Jack.
Cassie just shrugged, "no idea," she said casually. "The single moms always make a move on him," and she smiled "but he doesn't bother with them," she added quickly seeing Sam frown. "He's usually on here with me anyway."
"Oh," replied Sam feeling a little self-conscious about quizzing Cassie. She began to climb down.
"Race you to Jack," called Cassie, and they both jumped down and ran over laughing.
Having fun?" enquired Jack smiling at them as he handed Sam the unopened soda. Sam nodded and took a drink eyeing the woman up, who returned Sam's gaze with a polite smile.
`Hands off he's mine,' thought Sam giving the woman a glare and chalked an imaginary point up.
They ended up at a mall and a late lunch so Cassie could browse through the toyshops. Sam thought she would be hard put to tell who enjoyed it the most between Cassie and Jack.
Jack had treated Cassie to the latest game with a promise to thrash her as Cassie hugged Jack happily; their laughter brought a lump to Sam's throat. She thought about what a marvellous father he must have been with Charlie, how good he was with children.
They went to Janet's together to drop Cassie off, who pleaded that Jack start the game off with her. Sam collapsed laughing on Janet's sofa with a coffee. As soon as Jack was out of sight with Cassie, Janet pounced.
"So how's things?" she asked trying to be casual.
"Fine, Cassie's really enjoyed herself. "
"I wasn't asking about Cassie, she always has a good time when she's with the Colonel, she adores him and he spoils her rotten."
"I'm fine," said Sam casually trying to keep the smile off her face.
Changing tact slightly Janet announced, "Ask me how my evening went?"
Sam looked at her quickly "Evening?" she queried, "You err, left with Daniel and - oh did you ... and?"
"We had a lovely evening actually, but nothing happened," she announced smiling.
Sam blushed slightly, thinking how she'd thought Janet was after Jack, she was mentally kicking herself for the uncharitable thoughts she'd had about her friend.
"Sorry Janet, only yesterday I was thinking you were after someone else."
Janet gave her a shrewd look "Jack," she stated.
Sam nodded.
"Well it goaded you into a being a jealous woman and doing something about it at last," said Janet.
A quick angry thought flashed through Sam's head and Janet picked up on her expression. "No, before you even go there, he didn't know a thing. If I draped myself on him he'd run a mile, not that I wouldn't mind draping on him," said Janet wistfully fluttering her lashes. "You know he's only got eyes for you."
Sam blushed and her eyes dropped to the mug she was nursing.
Janet watched her carefully. "Did you two have a nice evening?" she emphasised the `nice'.
Sam blushed more "Very nice," she said looking up "Extremely nice," she amended.
Janet sat up straighter "Did you two erm...?"
"Make love?" finished Sam for her and smiled lazily and stretched.
Janet jumped up punching the air. "Yes!!" she cried "About time."
Then a thought occurred to her. "I hope you watched those ribs!"
"I was real nice to his ribs," smirked Sam.
Janet leaned in conspiratorially "Was it good?"
Sam didn't answer; she just gave her a beaming, cat got the cream, smile.
Janet took that to be an affirmative and then parted with her own news. "I'm out tonight, well not so much as out, but I've invited Daniel over for dinner."
Jack came in then and as she spoke his ears pricked up at the mention of Daniel. "Daniel coming over for dinner?" he asked.
Janet nodded smiling.
"Well seeing as you've pinched my sitter, it looks like you're it again Sam," he grinned wickedly, sending a shiver down her back.
He leaned over to Janet with a smirk "You can keep him till tomorrow no problem."
Janet went quite pink much to Jack's delight.
Sam laughed, it wasn't often Janet blushed and Jack was made up to get one over on the Doctor.
"In fact Doc, I'll order him to stay" then he thought about it "on second thoughts, Daniel never does what he's told so I'd better tell him to be in by eleven, that'll fix it," he laughed.
"Well if I'm out for another night I need some clothes, we'll have to stop by mine," said Sam and they left to go to her apartment.
Jack followed Sam into her apartment and while she put some things together, he had a quick look around, but he lost interest quickly and went to find Sam, who was in the middle of changing her clothes. Clasping his arms around her, he began to nuzzle her neck inhaling the scent of her as he began to undress her.
"Hey I've just put those on," complained Sam softly without much conviction.
Jack continued to kiss her neck, his lips moving lower gradually and Sam gave herself up to his administrations. It was much later when they eventually left the apartment and they stopped off for groceries on the way home to appease the appetite they'd worked up.
Daniel called to let Jack know where he would be, `umming and arring' throughout the conversation.
"No problem Daniel, I've got my sitter and she's much better looking than you."
Daniel pretended to be hurt. "Gee thanks."
"You're welcome Danny-boy, were you planning on returning here tonight?"
"Err, umm," spluttered Daniel.
"Sok, you don't need to come back, in fact, I bet Janet would just love the company, Cassie's at her friend's tonight."
"Oh," said Daniel wondering how on earth Jack knew his plans, and then he brightened at the thought that Jack obviously didn't want him to come back later. "About time," he blurted out.
"Excuse me?"
"About time you and Sam, I mean erm."
"Thanks Daniel, I get your drift, see you tomorrow - late."
Sam came through with drinks and handed a bottle to Jack as he was hanging up. She sat next to him on the sofa.
"Just Daniel letting me know, or rather trying to not let me know where he's going tonight."
"Trust Daniel, it's not as if he's got to worry about the regulations ..." Sam began and her face clouded just saying the word.
Jack sighed and pulled her closer in a loving hug.
Daniel and Janet had finished eating and were sat with coffee, quite close together. "I'm glad Sam and Jack have stopped dancing around," sighed Daniel. "Sorry, I mean..."
"I know what you mean Daniel, it's a shame it's taken so long, but..." and she let out a sigh.
"Yeah, I know."
"Do you think it's just been the regulations keeping them apart?"
Daniel laughed. "With Jack I would have said no, he doesn't really give a damn for himself, but when it comes to Sam he's very protective of her and her career."
Janet raised a brow.
"Don't get me wrong, he's protective of us all, I know he'd lay his life down for any of us, but with Sam, he values her career as well, she's worked so hard to get where she is."
"So what do you think has changed things?"
"I'm not sure, I know Sam thought we'd lost him for good, hell we all did, perhaps the accident, the threatened retirement? I know and you know they've had feelings for each other for quite a while, but I don't think that they each believed it was returned till now. I've seen Jack make grown men quake in their boots with a look or a word, hell he's had me a time or two, but with Sam he's different, he's soft on kids, but with Sam he's mush!"
Janet laughed "Yeah, I've born the brunt of his Colonel mode, he used to put the fear of God in me, till I got to know him better, but I've seen him when he's needed, I've seen him with Cassie."
"Oh he can still quake people, I've seen that temper of his, but I've never seen him lose it with a child, no matter what, or with Sam. They've had their share of sparks flying though."
"Sam won't be walked on, but I hope this relationship doesn't become an issue in the field."
"Not in our team, never has been, no matter what, Sam always backs his orders up, she may not always like them, but she follows them, but I think that comes from respect as well."
"Well we women know when to toe the line," joked Janet. "Anyway, are we going to spend all night discussing them? Or can we find something else to do?" she smiled at him and leaned closer.
Daniel looked down at her "Well ... actually" and leaned down and kissed her.
Sam and Jack retired to bed and lay holding each other closely as they recovered from their lovemaking. Sam snuggled in more deeply and felt him flinch, making her sit up quickly.
"Oh I'm sorry, I forgot your ribs again," she said apologetically.
Jack gave her a cheeky smile. "Well you'd better make it up to them then," he invited.
Sam needed no other excuse, and began to rain gentle kisses over him, kisses that got longer and more searching and then the nibbling began, moving up around his throat and neck. When he could stand no more he sat up and gently turned Sam to lie down.
"You're a witch," he growled into her neck as he bit gently.
"You're insatiable," she breathed as her head spun with the sensations he was arousing.
"Only for you," he murmured, "only for you."
It was much later in the night when Jack awoke to find Sam curled against him, her head on his shoulder. Every so often she murmured in her sleep and nuzzled closer. He lay savouring the moment, the closeness, but his ribs were clamouring for attention painfully. He reached out to the nightstand and then realised his medication was still downstairs. He sighed and reluctantly peeled himself carefully from Sam, not wanting to wake her and put on a pair of bottoms before he made his way stiffly down the stairs.
Slightly breathless with the pain, he made his way to the kitchen and grabbed his meds and a glass of water before sinking into the sofa with a sigh. He swallowed his tablets and lay back to rest a little and let the meds kick in before he began his journey back up the stairs.
Thoughts he didn't really didn't want to think, came to him, especially the turn of events in his relationship with Sam. He felt sad in a way, not sure how things could ever go their way given the regulations.
`I can't give her up now, no way do I want to go back to that,' was the priority in his head, but then the doubts began to fool around with him.
`What if this is what Sam wanted - a fling to get me out of her system? Maybe she wouldn't want to continue!' the thought made him feel slightly sick and he tried to banish the doubts, sending them to the box he kept deep in his mind. Eventually, the meds did their job and he fell asleep.
The gray light of dawn woke Sam, and she found him missing. She checked the bathroom first and then crept downstairs to find him asleep on the couch. She spotted the water and the tablets and realised why he'd come down. Mentally she kicked herself; she thought she should be looking after him better.
"Damn, Daniel wouldn't have forgotten the meds," she swore softly.
"Daniel wouldn't have had the distraction," said a soft voice and she turned to find a pair of brown eyes watching her.
"No excuse, I'm just no good as a nurse," she grinned at him.
"Oh I don't know, you're pretty good with the hands."
"Should I go for it with a nurse's uniform?" she teased laughing and sat besides him stroking his hair.
"Nah, don't do a thing for me, seen too many hospitals - big turn off," he replied stretching cautiously.
Sam sat looking down at him and her fingers moved of their own accord to stroke his face.
"God, Sam you're beautiful," he uttered thickly and put a hand up to her chin gently and gazed deeply into her eyes, he held her gaze for a few minutes before he seemed to pull himself together.
"Sam, I think we need to talk," he said reluctantly.
A look flashed across her face he wasn't sure of, was it hurt?
"What?" he asked concerned.
"Is this where you say, "it's been nice major but..." she asked quietly.
"Oh no Sam, I just want to get an idea of what you want, where do we go from here?"
Sam's face clouded and her eyes seemed to shimmer brightly.
"Sam, I don't want you to get hurt, I know I can't give you up, I don't want to turn the clock back, I couldn't, but we both know the regulations." He fought not to touch her, he was determined to let her decide what she wanted and he would stand by it, if it killed him.
"Jack, I don't regret this, not one bit, but I do know I can't give my career up."
"I would never ask that of you Sam, never!" he said firmly and meant it.
"Nor would I of you," she said.
"Do you want to go back to how we were?" he asked fearing the answer.
She shook her head fiercely, unshed tears shimmered in her eyes and she lowered her lashes.
"Sam, look at me, please," he begged "I love you and I want to be with you, I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
His words made the tears run; she knew he meant what he said.
"I may not be passed fit for active duty, or if I am it won't be for too long."
"Please don't go there Jack, you will pass and we'll still have a team, I don't want to lose SG1" the tears were falling freely now as she wept.
"SG1 can exist without me, you could get command."
"No, I want us to be together, without you it wouldn't be a team, you keep us together Jack, with you I feel safe, I know we can make it back with you."
Jack lifted her face gently wiping the tears away "And us? What about us?"
"Why can't we have both? It won't be forever will it? It would drive me crazy not to touch you again, not to sleep with you, feel you," she sobbed.
"Me too," he whispered "but there will be a time when you'll be out there without me as well."
"Then it will happen, but for now why can't we have both? Don't we deserve it? We give so much up for this planet, why can't we keep our love going?" she demanded fixing him with her eyes.
"Carry on as we are now? Sneak around, keep it secret?" he asked.
Sam laughed a little "We keep so many secrets, why not another one!"
"Can we do that?"
"We've got to and I want you badly enough to try, we can have a private life."
Jack could never agree more with the wanting part and he gathered her up into his arms holding her as though he would never let go.
The weeks past all too quickly for Sam. She worked on her projects during the day at her lab and came home to Jack each evening. It was only the odd mission she went on and they were short, a day or two at most, but she found she missed him so badly when they were apart.
Sam had thought about the glove frequently. They'd discussed several times about presenting it back to Jack, but deep at heart Sam was worried about the heartache that it would surely cause him.
It had taken a long time for the repairer to get a suitable match for the leather, but it was finally ready and it sat in her lab drawer, waiting ....
Sam had taken the glove out of its wrapping a few times and gazed at it as though looking for answers. The events that had put the glove in the position to save Jack's life that day still astounded her. Sometimes she made herself dizzy with the variables her scientific mind conjured up.
The glove had become important to her as well, for the way it had saved his life and she knew that is deserved to be with Jack, just how to do it without too much upset was the problem, and she knew at heart there was no answer to that question, the longer she left it, she knew the worse it would be.
Teal'c used the opportunity to visit his family and Daniel was kept busy bringing his department up-to-date and with the new objects brought back by the other SG teams.
The relationship between Daniel and Janet blossomed slowly and they came over to spend time with Sam and Jack often. None of them felt shy any longer about showing their feelings in front of the other couple and the regulations were kept strictly from being mentioned.
Jack had stepped up his training and was officially doing physiotherapy at the hospital, he was doing well, but he was bored and it showed.
One evening they were sat around chatting and Daniel made a remark about how he wished sometimes the artefacts would come to him, instead of him having to traipse across the galaxy at times.
Jack took a long pull at the beer he was drinking frowning. Sam caught his expression and wondered would he blow, he'd been tetchy for a few days, impatient and very, very bored. Jack seemed to let Daniel's comment go, but after a few minutes he got up and left without a word.
Daniel stopped in mid conversation "Was it something I said?" he enquired puzzled.
"Probably about you not being keen to go off world," admitted Sam.
"Oh, I wasn't thinking," apologised Daniel.
"It's ok, really, he's been a bit well a bit tetchy, he's bored stiff, he hates not being there and it's driving him nuts."
"I could pull forward for light duties to be resumed," offered Janet.
"Will he pass?" said Daniel worried.
"If he doesn't then I'm so unfit myself, because he's wearing me out," grinned Sam
Daniel and Janet collapsed laughing. "Shame the medical doesn't hinge on sex!" shrieked Janet and Sam blushed bright red.
Sam started to laugh with them "Janet, you're awful, seriously, he's outpacing me when we're out running."
Janet sobered up "He still shouldn't be running yet," she scolded.
"Oops, don't let on, it's keeping him occupied a little, please don't tell him off."
"Ok, I'll reserve judgment till I see him as a doctor, will be tomorrow be soon enough?"
"That would be great, thanks, help yourself to drinks while I go coax Jack down.
Sam left them and went to where she knew he'd be, up on his deck with his telescope.
"Hey," she called softly coming up behind him and hugging him. "You coming down?"
Jack turned his face to hers "Sorry, I just .... Sorry I ran out," he whispered nuzzling her neck. Sam brought her head around more and silenced him with a kiss, which deepened until they were both breathing hard and aroused.
"We'd better go down," she gasped remembering their company.
"You go, I won't be a moment."
Sam looked at him questioningly.
"I can't go down like this," he glanced down at his obvious arousal.
Sam laughed wickedly and started to go down the ladder. "We can sort that out later," she smirked and disappeared.
Sam was still giggling to herself when she rejoined the others. "He'll be down in a minute," she said and then giggled with her choice of words.
Daniel and Janet just looked at each other "Care to share what's funny?" asked Daniel.
Sam laughed more, "Sorry," she gasped trying to stop laughing and she wiped her eyes.
By the time Jack came down she had calmed down a little, but was still giggly.
Jack sat down in the chair behind where Sam was sat on the floor and leaning forward he placed his hands on her shoulders, giving her a gentle massage with his fingers. That seemed to promote another fit of giggles and Jack gave her a mock glare.
"No giggling Major," he chastised, which set Sam off laughing more.
Daniel recognised the phrase "What is it with that?" he demanded.
Jack flushed slightly and laughed, Sam was helpless with laughter.
"There's something with that, every time you say it, it starts Sam off," said Daniel exasperated.
Sam managed to sit up straighter "Well Daniel, you remember when we were...." she started to speak, but Jack put his hand over her mouth quickly to prevent her from spilling the beans.
"You dare Samantha Carter," he laughed as she squirmed. Suddenly he jumped up holding his hand. "Ouch! You witch!" he frowned shaking his hand.
Sam leapt up away from him, dancing and laughing.
Janet and Daniel were laughing at their antics and Daniel couldn't resist tickling Janet.
"Bet Sam's told you," he shouted laughing, but Janet could only shake her head in denial.
Jack stood still waiting to see which way Sam would run to escape, and with a sudden movement she jumped across the sofa and ran around the other chair, Jack neatly moved in cutting off her chance of escape.
Sam saw her escape being cut off, so she launched herself up and over the chair, only to be grabbed in a bear hug by Jack, when she was in mid air. Shrieking, she struggled and was plonked unceremoniously on the carpet on her rear end with a thump and Jack dived down sitting astride her with his knees holding her shoulders down.
"Give up!" he demanded.
Still giggling Sam shook her head. She saw Daniel and Janet coming up behind Jack, to take an arm each and dragged him off Sam.
"Cheat," he cried as Sam dived on him, but very mindful of his chest, she straddled him on his hips.
A wicked gleam lit his eyes, "Sam, I think you'd better shift," he warned.
Sam laughed and with a wicked smile she ground herself against him.
"Below the belt Major," he growled, but she leaned over to shut him up with a kiss.
They were both breathing hard now and barely aware of Daniel and Janet who had stopped fighting to watch. Janet gave a sigh and a gulp as she saw the expressions on their faces.
"Oh Daniel," she whispered, "Let's go, they'll never notice" and quietly they grabbed their coats and left.
The banging of the door brought them back to the real world.
"Thank God," groaned Jack.
"We'll have to apologise tomorrow," giggled Sam.
"Maybe, but if they hadn't gone I would have had to have you sit there all night."
Sam frowned then cracked up laughing as she realised his predicament.
"You're a witch Samantha," he grinned and pulled her down to roll expertly to be on top "now it's your turn to suffer," he smirked and began to make love to her slowly, very slowly, driving her wild with desire.
PART EIGHT
At first light Jack was up and dressed. He was free from bandages and the bruising had almost gone completely, only the scars really stood out from the numerous old injuries he had.
The spear wound was still quite vivid and seemed very large still to Sam, each time she caught sight of it, it reminded her of how close he'd come to dying.
Quietly he made his way out of the house and began to warm up before leaving his garden to run. He started with a gentle pace gradually stretching more and building up speed as the trail progressed.
He felt good, the early morning light and the bird songs soothed him, he felt so glad to be alive, and he let himself go further. Eventually he topped the second ridge and took deep breaths, which he admitted ruefully he needed. He was sweating and breathing heavily, but he'd made it. Before the accident he could have run much further without stopping, but he was getting there, all be it a little more slowly than he would have liked.
He carried on stretching and shaking his long limbs to keep them warm, whilst he admired the view. A low growl from his stomach broke the spell Mother Nature had cast, and he made his way back home.
He found it harder going back obviously, and by the time he reached home he was panting hard and dripping with sweat. He dived into the shower quickly before Sam woke and got cleaned up.
He had breakfast on the go and was quite recovered by the time Sam appeared yawning sleepily.
"Hey," she hugged him "What time did you get up?"
"Oh a while ago," he shrugged "coffee's ready" he poured her a mug, which she sipped gratefully.
"Breakfast is ready when you are."
Sam always appreciated when Jack cooked, she had trouble not to burn toast, but Jack could actually cook, much to her surprise.
"What time you going in for?" he asked dishing up and sitting down with her.
"Around nine, nothing special on, in fact I could easily have some leave if you fancy doing something?" she said suddenly.
"Good grief woman is there no pleasing you?" he joked.
Sam slapped his arm playfully "Not sex you idiot."
"Oh" Jack managed to look quite disappointed and Sam laughed at his face. She gave him a hug and he was just getting to grips, breakfast forgotten when the phone rang.
"Damn," growled Jack "don't move" he strode to answer the phone "O'Neill," he almost shouted, "Oh Doc, hi, everything ok?" he waited for her response. "Good, sorry about last night," he turned and stuck his tongue out at Sam while Janet spoke. "Yeah fine, well, about 9 then?"
Sam smiled, `Good old Janet keeping her word.'
Jack replaced the phone and resumed his previous position with Sam.
"Now where were we?" he ran his hands over her.
"Well?" demanded Sam.
"Mmm," said Jack forgetting the phone call.
"What did Janet want?"
"Oh, yeah, need to go in, she's going to assess me for light duties."
"Oh Jack, that's great."
"Mmm, but did you put her up to it?" he murmured nuzzling her neck.
"No, I just said how well you were doing and I said you were bored. You know Janet if you're not fit, she won't pass you."
"`Expect so," he murmured thoroughly distracted by her neck.
"Shall we ride in together, we could do lunch?" she invited and then as she remembered "oh don't let on about running."
Jack stopped nuzzling her "What? What've you said?"
I err, kinda said that I had a time keeping up with you" she watched his expression changing.
"Did you now?" he frowned "Well it seems that you're definitely out of condition Major, so we'll have to do something about that, you can keep me company every morning run," he smiled.
"Oh, you shouldn't really be running Jack, I'll tell Janet."
"Too late remember?" he grabbed her and turned her to face the window. "See that second ridge?" he asked.
Sam squinted "I see the one where we've run to," she said hopefully.
"Nah, further up and left," he pointed.
Sam squinted harder "You gotta be kidding," she balked.
"Nope, that's a date tomorrow bright and early."
Sam groaned and flopped against him lazily rubbing her back against him.
"That's not fair," she moaned, "You can no way go that far anyway."
"Went there this morning and back, had to stop at the ridge for a while, but I made it, so it should be a breeze for you."
"What? God you shouldn't be doing that Janet will be mad."
"Janet will never know unless you tell." He pushed his groin against her enjoying the feel of her.
"Jack, please don't go so hard, - running I mean," she reiterated, as he withdrew his body from hers slightly.
"Janet will be mad if you bust something again."
"Janet doesn't have to face that board in a few weeks," he replied sombrely.
"Surely it's not going to be that bad?" she asked turning to face him.
"Put it this way, you wouldn't want to do it, trust me, it makes some of our missions look like cake walks, and that damned MO they've got, makes Doc look sweet when she's having a bad day. I've got to face the COS board after as well."
"Oh," responded Sam "That's why you're pushing it so hard."
Jack nodded. "They intend to make me sweat and fail me, they made me sweat last time and I wasn't carrying any injuries then, except this darned knee."
Sam hugged him tightly "Just give it your best Jack, we'll train together, can't have my old man outrunning me can I?" she grinned and kissed him. He returned the kiss deeply, she pulled back smirking. "Pity sex isn't on the agenda you'd pass with flying colours even with broken ribs."
"Flatterer," he groaned.
Sam twined her fingers through his hair kissing him again. "Yep, definitely a pass" she murmured, his stamina never ceased to amaze her still, and their lovemaking had surpassed her wildest dreams.
They barely made it to the base for 9.30 and after a hurried `good luck' they parted, Jack to the infirmary, Sam to her lab.
Janet gave Jack a thorough medical and asked endless questions, performed endless tests and took blood and x-rays. The morning flew for Janet, but it drove Jack to distraction.
Janet could see how much he was wound up. "Look I'm sorry Colonel, but I am no way going to give anyone on that board any doubts about your health, the tougher and more thorough I am now, the less they can find fault with."
Jack looked at her; his brown eyes seemed huge and dark. "I know Doc, I'm sorry; you know me and sick bays."
"Yes, I know, and I understand the pressure you're under." She grasped his shoulder lightly "I'm on your side Colonel."
Jack nodded feeling awkward and a little embarrassed by her words, he twiddled his long fingers together, then he looked up giving her a lopsided grin. "Does that mean you can pass me then?" he asked hopefully.
Janet laughed "Yes I can pass you officially for light duty, unofficially I would probably class you fit for active in another couple of weeks or so but that's out of my hands."
Jack gave her a huge grin and jumped off the bed. He grabbed Janet by the waist and swung her around.
"Colonel O'Neill," she shouted, trying her best not to laugh
"Sorry" he put her down grinning from ear to ear "You've made my day Doc."
"Jack, I did say light duties," she reiterated.
"I know, I know, but if they had their way I wouldn't even be that" he paused as if unsure whether to continue. "Janet, seriously, do you realise before you put your signature on that paper for me, that it blots your copy book with them?"
Janet looked him straight in the face and pulled the pen from her top pocket with a flourish, signed the certificate "I know, General Hammond warned me when we first started the protest. I can honestly say, I don't give a damn Colonel."
Jack looked straight to her eyes and read her determined expression and knew she meant every word. Gently he pulled her to him and gave her a hug. "Thanks Janet, it means a lot" then he stepped back quickly, feeling embarrassed again.
"Seriously Colonel, I know you're pushing the training and I can tell how much you've come along, so if you keep going you'll beat them. Lets go see General Hammond, I know he's waiting."
Together they saw the General, who was delighted with the news and as he was leaving he shook Jack's hand. "Report for duty tomorrow then Jack at 1100 hours, I'm sure there'll be plenty of paperwork to keep you busy."
Jack grimaced at his words "Yes Sir, paperwork, can't wait Sir."
Hammond laughed knowing how much Jack hated all the necessary paperwork the SGC generated. "I know son, believe me, I know."
Jack made his way down to the lab to find Sam and found Daniel waiting as well. Sam had been so nervous for him she couldn't concentrate on her work at all and when Daniel had called in, she'd kept him there for someone to talk to.
Daniel was amazed at how nervous Sam was "Jack'll be fine," he kept saying confidently, but part of him was nervous as well, he knew what this meant to Jack, and God help them if he failed.
Jack's face as he walked in told them all they needed to know and it took all of Sam's will power to stop her from flinging herself on him.
"Good news I take it?" grinned Daniel seeing the smile on his friend's face. He grabbed Jack's hand and was pulled into a quick hug.
"Hey space-monkey," he said and tapped Daniel lightly on the face with affection.
Releasing Daniel he turned to Sam, "Major," he drawled.
"Colonel, congratulations," she beamed at him.
`Boy was this hard!' they were both thinking as they gazed at each other.
"Daniel, how about you and Janet joining us for a celebration tonight - meal out, my treat?" asked Jack trying to drag his gaze away from Sam.
Daniel nodded enthusiastically. "Great, I'll go tell Janet now," he smiled and left them alone.
"How about playing hooky with me snookums?" drawled Jack to Sam.
"Youbetcha," returned Sam with a wide smile and stopping for a moment, she grabbed her purse and jacket and made her way to the door. She turned around to find Jack standing there, hands deep into his pockets grinning like a mad man. "You coming fly-boy?" she teased and gave him a wiggle of her hips and continued out the door.
"Yesureyoubetcha" he drawled and followed her quickly.
Jack stopped the truck and made a dash into a local deli coming back with a brown carry bag, which he dumped, on the back seat.
"Where are we going?" she asked eventually seeing the city disappear behind them.
"Surprise," he said and refused to say more.
They headed out through the hills and up through the winding roads. Sam kept trying to guess, but drew constant blanks.
Jack pulled the truck off the road onto a dirt track and eventually, after a rough ride, they came to a halt in a clearing.
He got out stretching himself, and grabbed the grocery bag and a rug from the truck. He reached out to take Sam by the hand and they walked through the clearing.
"Are we there yet?" asked Sam wondering where on earth he was leading her.
"Youbetcha, well almost," he promised smiling. After a little while Sam could hear the sound of water and suddenly the trees gave way to a hillside with rolling grass and a large stream tumbling its way down, the view was breathtaking.
"Oh Jack, this is absolutely beautiful," she breathed the clean air deeply. Looking around, she could see nothing but hills and trees for miles. "We're not trespassing are we?" she asked suspiciously as he flung the rug down on a flat spot and motioned Sam to sit.
"Nope," he answered shortly and sat besides her holding her as she snuggled into his shoulder.
"I can't believe this is free land, so close as well," she murmured looking out at the view.
"Oh, it's got an owner alright."
"And the owner doesn't mind visitors? Someone's not going to pop out with a shot gun are they?" she grinned.
"Now why would I point a shot gun at you?" he grinned back.
Sam digested his words "You own this?" she asked incredulously.
"Yeah, quite a long time ago I had the idea of a cabin here, nearer than Minnesota, but I never got around to it once I became involved with the SGC, but I like to come out and just sit here sometimes."
"I'm not surprised; it's breathtaking," she hugged him "thanks for bringing me."
"My pleasure." Jack pulled the brown bag closer "Hungry?" he asked.
"Starving," said Sam and dived into the bag to see what goodies he'd bought.
After a leisurely lunch they lay back together soaking up the warm sunshine, both of them savouring the moment.
"This is what makes it worthwhile Sam."
Sam glanced over at him, but found he had his eyes closed.
"All that fighting, the hell we go through, it's all for this, home, our lump of dirt" he rose looking at her "and for you," he added softly.
His words brought a lump to her throat and tenderly she reached out to stroke his face. "Do you think the owner would mind being ravished on this land?" she grinned wickedly at him.
"Not at all, it's actually the forfeit," he said and leaned down to kiss her. Once their lips met they were oblivious of the world around them.
Sam was curled up leaning into Jack as he drove home. She'd fell asleep not long after the start of their journey and Jack couldn't resist looking down to her and thinking for what must be the millionth time how lucky he was to have her.
Jack paced the living room looking at his watch yet again wondering how long it took a woman to get ready. Jack had dressed already, black silk shirt with black trousers and jacket and he was impatiently waiting for Sam. "For cryin' out loud women!" he went to the bottom of the stairs "I did say we're going out tonight Sam," he called up to her.
"Yes you did," was the reply as she stepped into view on the landing.
Jack stood still looking up at her, his eyes wide and his mouth slightly open at the sight before him.
Feeling nervous Sam stood there hesitantly waiting his approval.
"Wow," he gasped eventually.
She smiled "Wow as in good?" she asked.
"Wow as in great!" he declared as he went up towards her, holding out his hand to bring her down. "God Sam, you are so beautiful," he whispered hoarsely.
Sam, never good with compliments, blushed at his open admiration.
"Have you never seen a woman dressed up before?" she teased trying to make light of it.
"Women yes, Sam no!" he declared.
"Do you mind not ogling me?" she giggled as they reached the hall.
She turned to him and thought how good he looked. God could she have eaten him! "Have I told you you're pretty good yourself?" she teased stroking his face.
"Nope, I still wonder what you see in an old soldier like me," he said hugging her to him. He inhaled her scent and began a slow assault on her neck with his lips.
Sam groaned softly "Jack, don't or we'll never meet them."
"Don't tempt me," he groaned.
It took all of his will power to stop and let go of her. Sam gave her make up a final check in the hall mirror and then turned to wipe her lipstick off his face before they left.
They found a parking space for the truck just a little way from the restaurant they'd chosen to meet at, and once inside they were shown to the table he had booked. It was a discreet little booth at the back of the room and candles shone from the table. Jack settled Sam down and then seated himself. Sam fumed silently when the waitress eyed Jack up while taking their drinks order and watched her giving him a beaming smile before leaving.
Sam had a look around "Cosy, nice," she remarked.
"Yep, and the foods great too," said Jack "never thought we'd beat them here, oh, here they are now."
Daniel and Janet came in and the waitress brought them over and took their drinks order as well. Janet slid into the seat opposite Sam, Daniel sat opposite Jack. The drinks came quickly and the waitress left them some menus, once more beaming at Jack before she left.
Daniel noticed Sam giving the waitress a `look' and he laughed. He pointed with the breadstick he'd begun to munch, waving at Sam gleefully, "Gosh Sam, you're eyes are green tonight," he smirked.
"They're blue," commented Jack puzzled and Janet almost choked on her drink as she caught on Daniel's meaning.
Sam glared at Daniel.
"I don't think Sam likes our favourite waitress Jack," commented Daniel.
"Oh do you come here often?" asked Janet.
Daniel waggled his brows at her.
"You've just pinched Danny-boys best chat up line," grinned Jack.
"Thanks, I'll remember that when you want to borrow it," laughed Daniel still waving his breadstick.
"You going to eat that or shoot someone with it?" asked Jack dryly watching the bread stick's movement.
"Should I shoot the waitress for you Sam? Erm, what's her name?"
"Lindsay," supplied Jack helpfully giving Daniel a `where's this going?' look.
As Jack mentioned the name Sam flashed Jack a `so you remember her name' look and Janet burst out laughing, Sam glared at her but it just made Janet laugh even more.
"Can't be the alcohol" muttered Jack making Daniel laugh at Jack's puzzled expression and even Sam had to laugh then.
`Stop being jealous,' Sam told herself, `he's not even aware she fancies him, don't spoil the night' she gave Jack's thigh a squeeze and was rewarded with a smile that made her heart jump and then beat faster.
The rest of the evening passed without mishap and the food was good. The drink flowed and the company was great. Jack was driving and had only a couple, but he wasn't shy on plying the others with drink. Daniel and Janet were both quite drunk.
"I hope neither of you were thinking of driving," he commented.
Daniel looked at him through a drunken haze "We came in Janet's car."
"She's worse than you," said Jack watching Janet giggling with Sam. "I'll drive you both home, do you want to go on somewhere else or head off home?" he asked.
Janet and Daniel both giggled at his words and he raised his brows at them. "I give up, fancy an early night Sam?" he asked. Sam was a little drunk, but feeling good and she almost purred at his words.
Jack settled up the check and they headed out to Jack's truck.
"Ok kids, whose house?" he asked.
Daniel gaped at him drunkenly "Eh?" he slurred.
"23 languages and I get an `eh'," said Jack dryly. "Where's your car?"
"At Janet's," slurred Daniel.
"Right to Janet's then, and in the morning you can take Janet to pick up hers," decided Jack.
While they were en-route to Janet's Sam was snuggled into Jack closely, she was stroking his thigh, her hands tormenting him while he drove.
"Sam," he groaned.
"Yes?" she asked wickedly smiling, as she tilted her head up to him.
"You wait," he groaned. "Payback is a bitch," he promised.
Daniel and Janet stumbled out of the truck together "You coming in for coffee?" asked Janet.
"No thanks, there's something I need to do," said Jack.
He couldn't drive home quickly enough. As soon as he pulled up at his house, Sam raced off to the door laughing. He caught up with her and grabbed her up swinging her by the waist with one arm and opened the door. Shutting the door behind them with his foot he swung Sam up into his arms and went straight up the stairs.
He leaned over her face kissing her deeply. Reaching the bedroom he broke off the kiss and flung her to the bed. He leaned down and began to undress her slowly, touching and teasing, using his mouth and his hands tormenting her until she was begging for him to make love.
"Pay back's a bitch," he groaned.
"You just wait Jack O'Neill," she moaned.
"Oh I have Sam, I've waited so long for you" and he buried his head kissing her neck and moved down her body slowly, and lovingly, "so long, so long," he groaned and began to make love to her.
Sam work to feel the bed covers being pulled away and groaning she squinted at the light flooding into the room.
"Morning sunshine" Jack's gleeful voice reverberated through her skull.
"Oh God, need sleep," she muttered and rolled over to pull the pillow over her head.
"Not a hope in hell Sam, up, coffee's on, painkillers are awaiting you."
"Coffee?" she gasped hopefully, and sat up groggily, her eyes more closed than open.
Jack threw some clothes at her "See you downstairs."
Sam squinted down to find her jogging sweats and groaned loudly, half tempted to just snuggle back down she groaned again, knowing full well that Jack wouldn't let her.
She appeared in the kitchen and sank down at the table with a groan. Coffee, water and 2 aspirin appeared in a trice.
"Oh my head," she moaned and swallowed the painkillers.
"Nothing a run won't cure," said Jack cheerfully.
"Nothing that a good sleep won't cure," she growled.
Jack laughed and sat down with his coffee "Drink the water as well, it'll help."
"Ugh," she shuddered, but downed the water and grabbed her coffee to sip at it.
Jack finished his coffee and stood behind Sam kneading her neck and shoulders. The sensations he was creating within her body were making her forget her hangover. Her senses began to make music beneath his touch, she stood and turned into him, rubbing herself against him and linking her hands behind his neck, she pulled him down in a passionate kiss.
Lifting his head he broke the kiss. "Nice try Sam, are you ready for our run now?" he asked.
"God, you're a hard man Jack O'Neill," she complained.
He pushed himself against her thighs; "Youbetcha, but that will have to wait" and he spun her playfully and slapped her bottom. He then chivvied her into a few warm up exercises before they headed out.
They took it slow at first, but gradually built up their speed to a good pace and soon were passing the first ridge. Jack felt good, he couldn't help keep casting glances to Sam and he let her take the lead slightly so he could watch her from behind. "Ok?" he asked her.
"Yeah, not too bad considering," she acknowledged, realising how good it felt in the early morning sunshine with Jack besides her - besides? Make that behind - she realised. "Hey, I hope you're watching the track," she called.
"Amongst other things," he responded.
By the time they were drawing close to the second ridge Sam had fallen slightly behind and it took all her will to keep going. She stumbled up the last of the incline to where Jack was waiting. She sat down heavily on a rock, gasping trying to even out her breathing.
Jack was breathing heavily too and sweating furiously, but still had the breath to talk. "You ok?" he asked with concern.
Sam nodded "Wiped," she admitted.
"We'll take five before we head back."
"God, Jack," she groaned and hauled herself up to stand besides him leaning into his shoulder. She rubbed her sweating face on his vest and looked out at the view.
Within a few minutes their breathing had returned to normal and were stood quietly admiring the view. Jack shivered slightly, "We'd better get back before we cool off too much," he said reluctantly.
Sam nodded "I hope this doesn't count as over doing it," she said turning to him "or Janet will shout."
"Doc knows the score; if I pass it'll be worth it."
"When, Jack when," she stated firmly. "Come on race you back," she called and darted off quickly. As he started to overtake her, she grabbed his vest to stall him and his clothing barely made it back to the house. They stumbled in laughing and showered together. It was much, much later before they managed to get breakfast and they both ate ravenously.
Jack put in an appearance to the SGC and settled down in his office to start on the mass of paperwork that had accumulated in his absence.
He set to with a will and, despite numerous interruptions from colleagues who were delighted to see him back, he began to make headway.
It was early evening before Sam gently tapped on his door, puzzled as to why she'd not seen him before now and it was far too late to be working for so long on his first day back. Getting no response she opened the door and she caught sight of a tousled head fast asleep over his arms on the desk in the midst of a mass of papers, his pen still in his hand. A noise behind her made her turn to see Daniel stood there. She quickly put her fingers to her lips to ssh him and she pulled him in quickly, closing the door behind them.
Daniel smothered a laugh at the sight before him. "Sleeping beauty," he whispered.
Grinning Sam moved behind the desk "Shame to wake him," she whispered back.
Daniel's eyes lit up behind his glasses. "Good time to pay him back for all of the early morning wake up calls he gives me."
Sam giggled and tried to smother it.
Daniel went right up to the desk, he bent down close to Jack's ear and let fly in his best parade ground imitation. "AH-TEN-SHUN!" he shouted.
Jack's eyes didn't open, his body went into autopilot and he shot upright, his chair shooting away and falling over. His hand was halfway to a salute, still holding the pen, when his eyes opened and focussed on a hysterically laughing Daniel. The papers on the desk had gone into a shuffle and several had floated off the desk.
Sam collapsed with laughter against the wall, tears streaming, she was bent double trying to hide her face, but her shoulders and her body gave no doubt as to her amusement.
Daniel wished he'd had a camera at that moment; Jack's face was an absolute picture.
"Good reactions Jack," snickered Daniel in delight as he noticed Jack didn't finish the salute.
"Jeez... you nearly gave me a heart attack!" exclaimed Jack taking a deep breath and he threw down the pen. "You just wait Dr. Jackson, and don't think your part in this hasn't been noticed Major Carter," he growled looking over his shoulder at the still helpless Sam.
He sat down and tried to sort the papers into some kind of order. "Damn paperwork," he grumbled, "been breeding."
Daniel still grinning from ear to ear bent down to retrieve the ones that had fallen to the floor. "Does seem a lot," he remarked eyeing the pile on the desk and the in-tray."
Sam was making a valiant effort to straighten her face. "We wondered where you'd got to, it's after seven you know. Didn't think paperwork could hold your attention for that long. Say ... you haven't slept all day have you?" she asked as the thought occurred to her.
"Gimme a break wouldya," complained Jack feeling insulted. "I didn't realise it was that late, I did get through all that" he indicated the huge pile stacked neatly on the far cabinet.
"Did you get a crack on the head?" asked Daniel looking at the neat pile.
Sam giggled as Daniel continued. "Nobody will believe that Jack O'Neill did all that in one day."
"Me neither," said Jack with a frown, as he stood "Let's head home."
As they reached his truck, Jack tossed Sam the keys "I think you'd better drive, I'm still seeing pages of typeface," he quipped.
Sam caught the keys eagerly and opened the truck. Jack didn't relinquish his keys lightly and Sam loved driving the machine. She gunned the powerful engine and at the roar her face lit up, grinning she swung the large vehicle around and off through the base gates. Jack fell back relaxed and was lulled into a light sleep. Sam looked across at him and revelled in how she felt about him.
She left him to sleep till they pulled onto the drive. She leaned over to stroke his face tenderly as she turned off the ignition. "Honey," she called softly to wake him and they went into the house together.
Sam let Jack go on into the lounge. She put their jackets into the cloak cupboard and picked up the package she'd stowed there the day before.
`Now or never,' she chided herself. She'd put it off for too long and she'd realised that no time was a good time and she'd vowed she'd do it today, no matter what.
Jack had collapsed on the sofa, his head back, almost asleep again.
Sam sat down besides him with such a heartfelt sigh he opened his eyes and turned to look at her questioningly.
He took in her troubled expression and the way she was chewing at her bottom lip.
"Sam?" he asked, sitting up in concern.
Sam took a deep breath and held out the package to him before she could change her mind.
His eyes dropped to inspect what she was holding out and his expression grew puzzled.
"I know you probably thought you'd never see this again, but we all felt that it was important you should get it back. We had it fixed, well Teal'c did and..." she became aware she was rambling nervously and her eyes showed her distress.
Without further words she put the package onto his lap.
Jack's eyes dropped to the package. He realised what it was and flicked a nervous glance to Sam.
"Char..." his voice cracked and he cleared his throat nervously and tried again. "Charlie's glove" his voice was a husky whisper.
Sam tried to swallow the huge lump that was forming in her throat, but couldn't. She could already feel the prickle of moisture building up in her eyes.
Jack picked up the package and with shaking hands, he began to unwrap it slowly.
The wrapping fell to the floor unheeded, and Jack sat holding the glove. He took a few deep breaths, trying to calm himself down as the memories surged through him.
He'd never thought he'd see the glove again.
PART NINE
When he'd first read Sara's letter he was angry that she was giving it to him, as though she was trying to push the memories of their son's death at him, but as he'd calmed down, he realised that wasn't her intention. He'd always purposely avoided anything in his life to remind him of his son and Sara had repeatedly chided him, telling him he needed to remember the good times and not just his death. He needed good memories and to let his guilt go, but Jack had stubbornly refused to do that. He'd never felt he should let go of the guilt, never felt he deserved to.
That day in the locker room, he'd only just opened the glove and was staring at it. He was trying not to think, trying to blank out the hurt, when Daniel had come in rambling on about the mission. Jack couldn't face the many questions that he knew Daniel would press, and he'd hurriedly stuffed the glove in his pack to hide it. He'd resumed packing and let Daniel ramble on as he forced his mind to focus on the here and now, to the upcoming mission.
Turning the glove around, he fingered the leather gently, his mind lost deep in thought.
Sam stood nervously and gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze before leaving the room.
She'd intended to give him a few moments alone while she splashed her face and calmed herself down, but once she reached the bathroom, her emotions burst and she sobbed helplessly as she frantically tried to wash the tears from her face.
She could only guess at the memories the glove would dredge up, she knew the death of his son was never far from his heart.
It took her much longer than she anticipated hiding the evidence of her tears; she wanted so badly to be strong for his sake.
Coming back down to the lounge, she found him hunched over still on the sofa cradling the glove. The light was fading quickly, but Sam didn't want to put a lamp on.
Jack must have heard her return. He wiped at his eyes, keeping his head down.
Sam moved over and sat down close to him.
She put a hesitant hand out to his shoulder. "Jack?" she said softly.
Jack drew a shaky breath before sitting up straighter and he turned to face her.
Sam's determination to be strong broke at the sight of the absolute desolation in his eyes and the damn burst ...
She drew a huge sobbing breath and found herself drawn into a tight bear hug. Despite her own tears, she became aware of the shaking from Jack's body as the barricade he'd erected many years ago finally broke. He clasped her fiercely to him.
Sam wasn't sure how long they'd sat there just holding each other. She felt herself becoming calmer and realised Jack's shaking had stilled too.
She lifted her head and pulled back her face to try and look at him.
Her heart contracted painfully as she looked deep into his dark eyes.
"I'm so sorry," she whispered "I know it must hurt so much."
Jack stared intensely into her eyes and brought a hand up to trace the side of her face gently. Wordlessly he pulled her to her feet and together they made their way upstairs where Jack buried himself in the comfort of her body.
It was the early hours of the morning when Sam awoke to find Jack was restless. He felt hot and was muttering in his sleep. She tried hugging and stroking him, but the nightmare seemed to be getting worse and he started to cry out. He sat up suddenly and flung her away from him. Startled, she lost her balance and fell from the bed, hitting the floor in an undignified heap.
Sam quickly put the bedside lamp on and its soft light bathed the room. Jack was sat up, his knees drawn up tight to his chest, his arms wrapped around them, hugging them tightly. His eyes were open, but he wasn't seeing anything, at least anything in the here and now. His face and body were covered in a film of perspiration, his eyes looked almost black, unblinking in the soft light. Sam's heart went out to him, not frightened of him, but what terrified her was the look on his face. She'd never seen Jack look as helpless and vulnerable as he did at that moment, and scared, she'd never seen him look frightened in all the years she'd known him and it shook her to the very core.
She felt very nervous and unsure of how to help. She called his name and tried talking to him softly. She knew better than to touch him at this stage, but it seemed an age before he began to calm down. Gradually his breathing began to even out and his eyes began to focus on the here and now and he saw Sam's white concerned face. Shakily he rubbed his face with his hands and gave a groan.
"Sam, you ok?" he asked raggedly "I didn't hurt you did I?" he asked looking very worn out.
"No I'm fine, was it a dream?" she asked moving closer to him, touching him gently.
He nodded and scrubbed at his face tiredly, trying to cut himself off from the bad memories.
"Want to talk?" offered Sam hopefully.
He shook his head and lay down and Sam turned off the light and moved close to be enveloped in his arms. She lay wide-awake for a long time listening to his breathing realising he was awake too. Slowly she drifted off to sleep and suddenly her watch was beeping for them to get up.
After a run they ate a hurried breakfast before reporting for duty. Jack was quiet, certainly not his usual self. He made excuses that he'd be away for lunch due to a meeting, so Sam took the opportunity to grab Janet.
"Hey, how are you?" called Janet brightly.
"Fine, fancy lunch?"
"Great, give me five and we're out of here," she replied and they presently made their way to the commissary.
"You're awfully quiet Sam," said Janet when they'd nearly finished eating. "You look tired."
"A bit," admitted Sam.
"I'd have thought that all that paperwork would have tired Jack out too much!" smirked Janet.
Sam smiled and shook her head and told her about him falling asleep.
"I wondered why he hadn't been in for aspirin, paperwork usually gives him a headache," laughed Janet. "In fact, he's usually prowling about, anything for a distraction from paperwork."
"Yeah, don't I know, he usually takes turns in annoying me and Daniel till he breaks something I'm working on, then he grabs Teal'c," smiled Sam.
Sam was thinking of how to broach the subject of nightmares and she wasn't aware of the distress that showed on her face.
Janet put a hand on her shoulder concerned. "Honey is something the matter?" she asked.
Feeling tired and a bit emotional Sam could only nod.
"Let's go to my office, we can have a coffee."
Janet poured two coffees from the never empty pot and sat Sam down on the chair gently. She perched on the desk near her. "Come on, what's troubling you?"
"Oh, Janet, you'll probably think this is really stupid."
Janet looked at her friend with concern. "If it's upset you like this, it can't be stupid," she said evenly.
"Well, last night," Sam took a breath "I gave Jack the glove."
"Guess he was pretty upset?"
Sam nodded. "He was ... well, very ... anyway we eventually went to bed ... and Jack woke up, he ... oh," she sighed.
"He had a nightmare," finished Janet for her.
Sam looked at her in surprise.
"I know all about his ... well you could call them nightmares," said Janet and saw Sam frowning. "I should have warned you, it can be a bit alarming."
"I've seen him have bad dreams before, off world, you know, but this was ... I don't think it was about Charlie ..."
"It's not always nightmares you know, he has suffered from bad flash-backs."
"So he's actually reliving something from his past?"
Janet nodded "I know you don't know an awful lot of his history, I can't fill you in, heck even General Hammond doesn't know all of it, it's so classified, but I can tell you that occasionally something will kick him and it flares up. Usually if he's out of it, hurt or drugged he will react quite violently, but you know that, you know not to touch him when he's out of it, don't you?"
Sam nodded "So ... last night .... you think the glove could have sparked it ...."
"Possibly, and his first day back, paperwork, mission reports, probably had to get the last mission written up, who can say. You are ok aren't you, you didn't get hurt?"
"Jack wouldn't hurt me."
"Not intentionally he wouldn't, but when he's out of it, you've got to be careful around him, he doesn't react to the here and now, it's the past playing out again."
Janet saw how quiet and pale her friend had become.
"I'm sorry; I hope I've not frightened you."
"I was frightened Janet, but not for myself, for him, to see him suffering in that state, that frightened me, God you should have seen his face." A tear trickled down and she wiped at it angrily. "I couldn't help but wonder what those bastards did to him to put that fear there, there's so much I don't know about him" the tears fell more freely as she spoke.
"I have a fair idea from his medical files, but I can't tell you much, you know that, but he went through four months of hell imprisoned in Iraq, he's been captured and tortured more than once, you know about some, God, even just SG-1 missions are enough to give anyone nightmares."
"How do I help him?"
"By being there for him as you are. There are no guarantees in this life, but if you love him you'll accept the rest."
"I do, so much at times it's frightening, but I do know I want him no matter what."
"Maybe he'll talk about it to you."
Sam smiled at that "He never opens up to anyone. Daniel said that he was the same with Sara."
"Yeah his way of dealing with things is to shut it away, but trouble is it comes out to bite you on the ass now and again." Janet returned Sam's smile.
Sam grabbed some tissues off the desk and blew her nose. She felt much better just talking about it.
"Thanks, I feel a lot better, I know he probably won't talk to me, but at least I can understand when it happens, and be there for him."
Janet laughed "And don't forget the no touch rule."
"Spoil sport," teased Sam.
"Atta girl Sam, take good care of him, he's worth it."
"Oh yes, very worth it."
Sam went back to her lab and put in a couple more hours of work before she went in search of Jack. She found him back in his office, paperwork scattered across the desk.
He looked up at the soft knocking and as Sam entered he gave her a welcoming smile. "Thank goodness, I was going stir crazy."
"You anywhere near ready for home, I feel like an early night," she asked softly.
His face lit up "Well that's an offer I can't refuse," he said, needing no second bidding as he gathered up his jacket and locked the door behind them.
"How did today go?" she asked as they made their way up top.
"Except for boring meetings and yet more paperwork, just peachy," he grumbled. "How was yours?"
"Fine, guess I'm a bit tired though."
Jack went quiet; the memories of the night had come back to him during the day. He knew he'd had a dozy of a flash back and knew they were not a pretty sight. He wondered how Sam was taking it really.
The crossed the compound to Jack's truck and the journey home was made in relative silence. All his thoughts kept criss-crossing wondering how Sam felt about him, his past. His past was ugly for the most part; most of it still turned his stomach if he thought about it. He knew that his way of dealing with things was hard on others. It was what had driven him and Sara apart after the death of Charlie, those tears he couldn't shed with her, the feelings he couldn't express. He didn't want to push Sam away like that, but he was also frightened that if she knew everything, she wouldn't want him. It was so hard to even think of the terrors in his life; to talk about them was something even worse.
Sam kept flashing looks to Jack. She wondered what was going through his mind. Wisely she kept quiet, but couldn't resist giving his arm a loving squeeze as he drove. Jack gave her `absent' smile before returning his gaze to the road.
They reached home and by mutual consent collapsed onto the sofa just cuddling, not speaking. They lay down full length, Jack spooned into Sam holding her close, and he'd relished the comfort the contact gave him and the thought of losing her drove him to speak.
"I'm sorry about last night," he whispered.
"You've nothing to be sorry about. We all get bad dreams Jack, you've seen me through enough of them," answered Sam.
"I wish it were only a bad dream, I know what I put you through last night," he said quietly holding her tightly. "I should have warned you before we ... well they've happened before, and they'll keep on Sam."
"Sssh its ok," said Sam turning to him putting a hand to his face.
"No it's not, I thumped poor Daniel the first week I got out of the infirmary, knocked him over the coffee table," he paused to watch the effect his words had on her.
"Good job it's not a glass table," smiled Sam.
"Point is, it can get erm, violent, the nursing staff ...."
"It's ok, I understand really, you can't help what you dream, what you see, it doesn't make me love you any less," she ran her fingers over his face. "I know you'd never hurt me on purpose."
"Sam, I'd sooner kill myself than hurt you, but I can't control the flashbacks, they're so real, it's like I never left there. Sara went through hell for months and months after Iraq, it got so bad I was frightened of going to bed for days on end, I'd stay downstairs away from her."
Sam listened quietly just holding and stroking him.
As he spoke his eyes seemed to be distant from her, remembering, fresh pain seemed to be gathering inside him.
"I went for the doc once in the infirmary when I was drugged up, I could so easily have killed her."
"She's never spoken of it."
"She said not to worry, she understood, but I still feel like hell about that, I could so easily have ..." he broke off.
"But you didn't."
"Only by sheer luck. That I didn't know what I was doing, wouldn't help bring someone back to life would it?" his voice was ragged now, almost a whisper. "Those bastards put me through hell, gave me scars, but it's up here" he tapped his forehead "that won't heal, sometimes just a word or an action brings it flooding back, when I'm awake I can deal with it, push it back where it belongs, but sometime I can't, and its happens all over again. I've never really told anyone all of what they did, even the shrinks never got the full story, I gave them enough to clear me, get me back to active, that's all."
"Sometimes what we imagine can be way worse than the truth."
Jack shook his head "I doubt it, even before it happened I'd heard stories about what they did, hell I'd even got POW's out and saw some of what they did, but to live that hell day after day, you can never imagine the horrors, never ....." He moved till his face was almost buried into her neck.
"Sam what I went through is beyond me to describe to anyone" he shuddered and Sam hugged him tighter.
"The physical hurt stopped, but what they did to my head never went away. It's always there Sam, waiting" he stopped speaking, his breath coming in distraught gasps.
Sam still said nothing, she just held him tightly, stroking his hair, praying that he'd let it out.
"It wasn't just the physical stuff, they ways they tortured us, the beatings, burnings, electric shocks, it's what they did with their mind games."
Jack's voice was low and hoarse, but he carried on "I watched so many die, they enjoyed it, they watched for anything they could torment you with, frighten you with. Even children weren't safe, they put.." his voice broke and he took a breath to steady himself "they put a boy, no more than 14, 15 in front of me, every question I didn't answer they hit him. In the end I gave them stuff to stop it, old information, anything to try and put a stop to it ...."
Jack stopped speaking and raised his head to look at Sam "You know what they did ... they blew his head off, laughing they blew him away."
Sam's eyes widened in horror and before she could stop herself a sob came from her throat.
Jack was watching her reaction closely. "They laughed, Sam, I screamed, Christ, I didn't think I had a scream left in me, but they made me scream when they did that" tears began to stream from his eyes.
"They untied me to clean up, I had to put his body into a bag and clean up the blood" he took a deep breath, the tears still ran down his face as he looked at Sam. "Christ, there was so much blood, then they took me out to bury him, no grave, just whatever I could dig with my hands, no name Sam, I never knew his name, I couldn't even say a prayer for him. I wanted to kill them for it, I was so angry, what they did to me ... and all the others ... I still see his face Sam, I can still see the terror in his face as they beat him, I still see the blood, it's all over me and then it mingles with Charlie's blood and I seen Charlie like that" his voice broke completely and his head went down, burying into her neck, the tears flowing, his body shaking violently.
Sam was crying now too, wondering how on earth he'd survived all this and be sane.
"Oh Jack, I'm so sorry, you didn't kill that boy, you didn't, they did it, you're not responsible for their evil." Sam was sobbing loudly and holding him tightly.
Jack lifted his face "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have said anything, I don't want to hurt you," he cried distraught at Sam's reaction.
"Don't be sorry for me Jack, I'm crying for you, what they did to you, not for me, I'm ok, it's ok to hurt for someone you love isn't it?" she demanded tearfully.
Jack's hand lifted to wipe at Sam's wet face, he was searching her eyes, for what? Reassurance? Love? He must have found what he was looking for, because Sam's eyes gave him the comfort he craved and he found the blood in his memories fading more than it had ever done in the past.
They lay together, holding each other tightly for a long time, each giving and receiving comfort from the other and with it the strength to find peace.
Eventually they went to bed and Jack knew that for that night at least, he wouldn't be seeing that boy's face. Distant memories of Charlie, good memories he'd stowed away, but had never allowed himself to dwell on, came to him as he lay with Sam and for the first time in many, many years, he was looking to the future with a lighter heart.
They woke together in the first light of dawn, Sam was cautiously inspecting him, unsure as to how he felt, but as he moved above her to kiss her, his eyes were clear and untroubled, his face seemed less worn, fewer lines, and he began to make love to her slowly and she revelled in his touch. Together they reached a new height in their love.
The day came for Jack to report to Washington for his medical and the board interviews. Sam had wanted to go with him and was beside herself at his refusal.
She spent the day trying to work, but eventually gave up and went in search of Daniel. Janet joined them before long and soon after Teal'c entered.
"Is there any news?" asked Teal'c.
Sam shook her head. "Still too early," she acknowledged looking at her watch for what must be the hundredth time in the last few minutes.
"He'll not be halfway through the medical yet," said Janet "then there'll be the assessment and then the ..." and broke off when she saw the others faces.
"I wish he'd let me go with him," sighed Sam, yet again.
"Yeah, I'd love to have seen their faces if he took his 2IC with him," grinned Daniel.
"I could have waited somewhere for him" defended Sam.
"And you'd still be worrying yourself sick, but on your own," pointed out Daniel.
They'd all spent the previous evening together, and wished Jack luck, but Sam was the only one who'd seen him the since. She'd waved him off on his flight early that morning.
"How was he this morning?" asked Janet.
"Nervous as a new recruit," grinned Sam.
"I've never seen Jack nervous like that, wish I'd been there with a camera," smirked Daniel.
"He'd have eaten you alive Daniel, a full bird Colonel who's seen more action than half the SGC put together, gets nervous you watch out," said Janet quite seriously.
"He was getting a little tetchy," said Sam.
Janet's eyebrows went up questioningly.
"Well a lot then," admitted Sam "Well I'm certainly a lot fitter than I was, I'm almost ashamed to say Jack could outrun me when he was recovering from all that."
Daniel smiled "Thanks for getting me off the hook with that by the way."
"O'Neill has spent much time in the gymnasium and on the assault course, I can see no reason why they should fail him, he is as usual," said Teal'c.
"They're doing it to get back at him, and the SGC, using his age as the excuse as well as the injury," explained Daniel.
"Age is of no concern on Chulak. It is the warrior's ability to perform his duties that are of concern. I see no reason to show such concern of O'Neill." Teal'c folded his arms across his massive chest. "The Tauri can be foolish in such affairs I find," he finished.
"You'll get no disagreement from anyone here with that," said a voice from the doorway.
"General Hammond," said Janet and she and Sam started to rise.
The General waved them down "at ease," he said coming into the room. "I wondered where you'd all be, didn't take long to track you down though."
The General sat down on the chair nearest to him. "I'm through staring at my paperwork, I thought I'd come down and see how the worry club was doing."
The others smiled at his words; they knew how much he valued Jack as not only his 2IC but as a friend.
"Bet he's been real crunchy this week," smirked the General "I could barely get two words off him yesterday," he seemed to direct his comment at Sam.
Sam nodded to him unthinking.
"I'm expecting good news though. Jack's been looking the picture of health lately, in real good humour too, you'd never have guessed the last few months would you?"
The General stood up "Well I'm off to a meeting, but I'll be back by 3 at the latest." He gave them a smile and directed a special one at Sam and departed.
"Janet, I'll swear he knows," said Sam anxiously.
"How can he?" asked Daniel.
"He kept looking at me when he spoke."
"Guilty conscience!" scoffed Daniel.
"Gee thanks."
"Well," put in Janet "You'd have to be blind not to have noticed the difference in him since, well since you and he.."
"And in you too Sam," chimed Daniel.
"I don't see that much of the General," said Sam thoughtfully.
"No, but he knows the Colonel well and he sees him daily, he can't failed to have noticed how happy he looks and he's been nice to people as well," said Daniel.
"Jack's not nasty," defended Sam.
"Oh he can be, as you well know, but I didn't mean that, I meant he's ... Well, he acts like he's in love openly," defined Daniel.
"Yep, I know a few hearts that have been broken on base cause of that," said Janet.
"Now you're being silly," said Sam.
"Nope, I've had confessions from two of my nurses and they are convinced he's found his true love and they don't stand a chance now," said Janet with a smirk.
"Oh he's definitely spoken for," grinned Sam.
"Don't we know," said Daniel and Janet together.
They eventually picked at some lunch and afterwards tried getting some work done. Sam made a big effort to immerse herself in her work and partially succeeded. It was quite a surprise when the phone rang and her watch told her it was almost five. It was the General's aide asking her to call on the General in his office.
She tidied herself up and made her way to his office, somewhat nervous and waited for his permission to enter as she knocked.
She came to attention before him and he smiled and put her `at ease'.
"I thought I'd let you know the news first Major and then you can fill the others in."
The General paused at her impatient look. "My 2IC is fully reinstated for active duty and as we speak is boarding his plane for home."
Sam beamed at the General as the news sank in. "Thank God" she breathed greatly relieved.
The General's eyes seem to twinkle at her "Jack only had time for one quick call so he could make the plane, so he sends his apologies for not calling direct, he said to be sure and tell Sam."
Sam's jaw dropped slightly, failing to look innocent.
"I'm not blind Sam, I have seen the changes in Jack, and they're good changes, it's about time he got some happiness and I'll say the same to you as I said to him. Keep it quiet, keep it off base and if I see any trouble in SG1 as a result then I will kick his ass to Washington myself," he paused for effect, "now go and put the others out of their misery."
Sam was quite stunned, and failed to show the proper decorum as she left the General's office. She got as far as the door and turned "Thank you Sir," she said sincerely and left.
Sam concentrated on the news of Jack's return to active duty and got the others together to tell them the good news.
"First of all, as you've probably gathered by my face, Jack, I mean the Colonel has been fully reinstated for active duty."
"Secondly," she began, her voice cut across the cries of congratulations.
"The General is unofficially aware of our unofficial relationship and providing it is kept quiet and kept off base and," she looked to Daniel and Teal'c "it doesn't effect SG1, it looks like no more will be said. So we need you guys to help us with this, keep us sane."
None of the others had a problem with this; in fact they were all delighted to be of any help to them.
"Are we celebrating tonight?" asked Daniel.
"I think Sam and Jack will want to be on their own tonight," said Janet nudging him.
"Jack'll be worn out with everything that's gone on and the flights of course," grinned Sam "we can celebrate tomorrow."
Sam left after checking what time Jack's plane would be landing and as she stood waiting, searching the crowds for him, she suddenly felt very nervous of seeing him. The nagging doubt that it was Jack's inactiveness, that had allowed him to turn to her for comfort, loomed large.
Suddenly she saw him coming towards her, tall and handsome in full dress uniform, causing her heart to flutter and her stomach to churn.
She pushed down her doubts and flew towards him to be swung up in his arms, his pack flung to the floor without a care. He hugged her tightly, inhaling deeply of her scent.
"Congratulations," her voice wobbled as she spoke, she was unsuccessful in holding back the tears and she buried her head into his shoulder.
Jack reluctantly set her down, puzzled. "You ok Sam? Why the tears?"
"Cause I'm happy," she sniffed embarrassed.
He hugged her to him tightly and then pulled back searching her face anxiously. "Come on let's get out of here, home!"
It was a quiet journey, nothing much was said and Jack made his way to the sofa tossing his bag carelessly to the floor as he dragged his jacket off and loosened his tie. He unbuttoned the collar of his shirt and sank down with a heartfelt sigh.
Sam made two coffees and brought them. As she handed him one, she thought how exhausted he looked. "Tired?" she asked out loud.
"Beat," he admitted nursing his coffee. "It's been one hell of a day."
Sam heard the weariness in his voice. "You ok?" she asked with concern.
"Yeah, but I'll tell you Sam, I'd sooner have taken on some Goa'uld's today, at least they're open in wanting to destroy you" his comment and tone worried her.
"That bad?" she asked concerned.
Nodding he put down his coffee and moved closer to her. He'd missed her terribly all day and only the thought of holding her in his arms had kept him going.
"Those bastards, you should have seen the MO, jumped up Hitler, Christ, what I'd give to see that lot face half a dozen Jaffa," he ground out.
Sam smiled "You beat them though, you're reinstated as active."
"Yep, Jack O'Neill lives to fight another day. The board had their heads so far up their asses, they couldn't see the light of day. They were still trying to knock me down till a certain person intervened."
Sam looked at him expectantly.
"Thor was apparently monitoring the proceedings and he butted in at just the right moment, I can tell you. They'd brought me back in to stuff me and I was getting ready to say what I thought of them when he spoke up."
"So they weren't going to play fair?"
"Nope, they had me on the fitness course twice, straight after the cardio stuff, Christ, I was wiped. I can still see their faces when they read the MO's report, they couldn't believe I'd passed, so they brought up everything from eons ago, and my refusal with the shrinks, I tell ya, I thought it was all over till Thor spoke, good job he butted in when he did I was getting ready to tell them exactly what they could do with their frigging court, would have been court-martialled so fast ...."
Sam frowned "I'm real glad he butted in then" she leaned closer and kissed him "Still tired?"
Jack nodded.
"Oh, I suppose I can wait" she pretended to be sad.
"Wait for what?" he asked.
Sam kissed him again running her hand across his thigh.
"Oh, I'm not too tired for that," he said as she broke off the kiss and he returned it with an urgency to which they both surrendered.
It was much later as they lay together savouring the feel of each other; basking in the aftermath of love that Sam remembered what she had been going to say.
"Oh by the way, General Hammond gave me a little lecture today."
"Oh," said Jack.
"Is that all you can say? Oh?"
"I'm sorry, I was going to warn you, he caught me on the hop, so's to speak and to be honest, what with everything else, it sort of slipped my mind."
"Ok I'll believe you," she nuzzled closer. "Was he mad with you?"
"No, not mad, it was strictly off the record, but he made it clear it was my ass on the line at the first sign of trouble."
"So we'd better behave then."
"Yep. Are you ok with everything Sam?" he asked sitting up a little, turning to her.
Sam looked him in the face regarding him gravely.
"What do you want me to say? Of course I'm not happy sneaking around like this."
"Neither am I," sighed Jack "but given the alternative ..."
Sam continued to look him in the eyes, wondering if this was his opening to break it off. "Would you rather ..." she said.
"Oh no Sam...." said Jack earnestly gazing at her. "I want you in my life day and night, I want you with me for eternity."
Sam lay still not knowing what to say to that admission.
"Please say something," begged Jack concerned with her silence, not knowing what she was thinking.
"Oh Jack, I feel the same, I can't give you up, I want you and I need you."
"But is it enough?"
"For now, yes, yes is it, I want to be a part of your life too."
"Even knowing that this is all I can offer for now?"
"It's enough, having your love is enough, we both need each other and we need to be out there doing what we're doing."
"So you're willing to go on, take what we can for now?"
"Yes Jack, I am, I love you." Sam's eyes never left his while they spoke.
"I love you," he spoke quietly from deep within his heart and Sam knew the words were meant as much as her own.
Within days SG-1 were back together and ready for their first mission. As the gate's vortex opened, Jack stood there watching, the sight never failed to stir him. He gave his team the final once over and made eye contact with Sam smiling.
"SG-1 you have a go," called the General.
Jack acknowledged the order with a wave and a quick salute.
"Ok kids, let's go see the wizard," he called cheerfully.
He proudly led his team up the ramp and into the Stargate with a smile playing across his handsome features.
The rest of his unit smiled at each other, Sam shook her head grinning, and they followed him into the wormhole.
THE END
Whew - you made it this far???? Thank you for reading, please let me know if you enjoyed it ... or whatever you think is helpful.
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