A Brief Charter of Regard

Author's notes: this is set around the middle of Season 9. There are some episode spoilers (of varying degrees) for 4.05 'Divide and Conquer', 5.21 'Meridian', 6.22 'Full Circle', 7.01 'Fallen', 8.07 'Affinity' and 9.15 'Ethon'.

Rating: T (just to be safe)

Thanks: to my writing partner, quinceasmince.

Feedback: all reviews are extremely welcome, and I encourage you to be as constructively critical as you wish. I am always looking for advice on how to improve my writing.

Disclaimer: all Stargate SG-1 characters belong to MGM. I have merely respectfully borrowed these characters for the purposes of exercising creativity. No profit was made in the process.

Chapter One

On Monday afternoon, Samantha Carter exited an SGC lift with two heat packs pressed firmly against each side of her neck. She had spent her entire weekend in Washington, where she had developed a very sore, stiff neck. She had been hoping to sleep the ailment off the night before, but the soreness had advanced overnight to the point where the whole left side of her neck, down to her shoulder, was painfully stiff. Driving to work in the morning had not only been agonising, but also dangerous when she couldn't turn her head to watch for incoming traffic. Following a few frustrating hours of attempted lab work, Sam had conceded her pride and visited Dr Lam, whose homely advice was to get some rest and to keep the affected areas warm.

As Sam shuffled slowly down the corridor, with her neck locked at an obtuse angle that inclined her head to her right side, creating an awkward gait as she moved, Cameron Mitchell veered past the corner.

"Sam! – hey, I'm gonna round the guys up for a gym session…whoa" – (noticing her situation) – "are you alright? – what happened to you?"

Sam sighed. "My neck's just been a little sore since I flew back from Washington."

"A little sore? No offense, Sam, but it's throwing out your posture completely – you're barely walking in a straight line."

"Don't worry, Cam," she hid a wince. She had been injured by enemy fire many times; she'd never admit to being slowed down by something as simple as an aching neck. "I'll be back to my old self in no time."

"Hey, maybe we could help you out – you know, maybe help you feel a bit better," Cameron suggested as they reached her laboratory.

"It's alright, Cam – Dr Lam said I just needed rest." she used her right hand to open the door, still holding onto the heat pack. Once inside she reached for the light switch, grimacing as she tilted her head. She shifted stiffly to her desk, turning on her laptop and sliding uncomfortably onto the chair, avoiding turning her neck at all costs. Her arms were starting to fall asleep from having to hold the packs in place, and her whole left side felt like it was tied up in excruciating knots.

"I know you're right-handed, but you can't keep using one hand forever," Cameron sighed, hopping to the phone on the wall.

"Who are you calling?"

His next words, spoken into the phone, answered her question. "Yeah, Teal'c; can you find Jackson and then come on over to Carter's lab? Thanks."

Sam groaned, frowning at him. "It's no big deal, Cam – you didn't have to go and drag everybody into this."

"Not buyin' it," he quipped, coming up beside her. "I said we'd help you out, and now I'm going to."

"By what: watching me trying to type single-handedly?"

"No, by letting me work on your neck."

Sam immediately shook her head. She stifled a gasp as sharp pain shot through her neck. "No thanks…I don't need that kind of help. I'm sure I'll manage."

"Oh, come on, am I really that repulsive?" he saw her brows wrinkle. "Don't answer that – just for a few minutes, max, until the others get here?"

Sam rolled her eyes, looking between him and the laptop screen, considering his offer. She had known the moment Dr Lam handed her the packs that she wouldn't be completing any work today. She had been planning on keeping to herself so that people wouldn't consider her a martyr. Cameron's presence had brought out the stubbornness in her, which, she now realised, was the very thing preventing him from leaving. She understood that he was only trying to assist, but she couldn't help feeling smothered. Maybe this neck pain is taking its toll on me,she thought. She supposed that his offer was worth a shot.

"Okay, Cam, do your thing," she resignedly closed her laptop.

Cameron scooted until he stood behind her, rubbing his hands together to warm them. "Let me know if anything's the matter, alright?" he shook his fingers to loosen them.

The next moment, Sam felt his hands on her: one at the top of her neck and the other at the base, both touching her lightly. She breathed, telling herself to relax. His fingers moved upon her skin in a disorganised pattern. The higher hand – which Sam guessed to be his left – pressed and rubbed horizontally, never pausing long enough to apply any meaningful pressure against her burning muscles. His right hand worked mostly on her shoulders, kneading into each of them over her shirt and switching sides every couple of seconds. To Sam, his hands felt clammy, leaving her skin damp. She wondered where his thumbs were. His unsynchronised rubbing seemed strange and uncultured, as if neither hand knew of the other's existence. Sam concluded that his hands weren't connected all that well to his wrists; nor were his wrists in alignment with his arms.

At that point she gratefully acknowledged the arrival of Teal'c and Daniel Jackson.

"Good afternoon, Colonel Carter. What appears to be the issue, Colonel Mitchell?" Teal'c politely enquired.

"Hey, guys," Cameron ushered them inside, taking his hands off Sam as previously arranged. "Carter's neck is stiff as hell."

"It's not, really…Cam's just hovering." she was already reapplying the packs.

"I thought I saw you entering the infirmary earlier, Sam," Daniel spoke up in concern. "Is it very bad?"

"Worse than yesterday," she admitted; he always managed to bring out the truth in her.

"Damn; guess I was no help," Cameron mumbled, appearing deflated. "Looks like you overdid it in Washington." here Sam thought she saw Daniel's expression harden.

"Could I be of assistance, Colonel Carter?" Teal'c asked.

Still studying Daniel, Sam acquiesced, privately reasoning that anyone else would be a great improvement on Cameron. Teal'c bowed and approached her. Cameron and Daniel sank into a corner, the former helping himself to a chair and swivelling restlessly in it, the latter leaning against the wall with his hands deep in his pockets.

On first contact, Sam felt her whole neck and shoulder tops being covered. Teal'c's large hands were warm, without being sweaty. He started on her shoulders, kneading the knotted muscles carefully and letting his wrists guide his fingers with conviction. Sam's confidence grew as he focussed his movements upon her neck. His hands felt as flexible as they were large, and on first impression their touch was smooth and comforting. After some minutes, however, Sam noticed a numbness creeping over that area of her skin. Soon she couldn't deduce what was hurting more: whether it was her aching muscles, or the heavy numbness of her skin caused by the strength of Teal'c's firm hands.

Suddenly Teal'c stopped his ministrations. "Colonel Carter, I must apologise. Your skin has become red. I regret that my hands have applied too much pressure on you, and your delicate neck is suffering for it. I am sorry." he stepped aside to join the men.

"It's alright, Teal'c. Thanks anyway," Sam answered. Their aid was well intended, but she was beginning to feel too exposed, and coveted some peace and quiet. Pressing the packs back to her neck, she continued, "look, I'm grateful for your time, guys – I'm sure I'll be able to sleep this off, so you can all go."

Daniel came near her. "Sam, I'm no masseur – you know that –, but at least let me try and earn the thanks that you've just bestowed?"

Sam softened. "I don't want to trouble you,"

"You're no trouble at all," he kindly assured her, and, after receiving from her an awkward, barely discernable nod, positioned himself behind her chair.

Sam waited as he rolled up his sleeves, tuning out the hushed conversation occurring in the background. She wondered if she should risk driving home tonight; she wouldn't have much luck trying to sleep off her condition if she bunked at the SGC. I could ask one of the guys for a lift, she speculated, before Daniel's hands touched her.

Sam felt nothing at first, as her skin was still numb from Teal'c's treatment. Once the heaviness lifted, her senses came alive: Daniel's actions, although not as self-assured as the Jaffa's had been, felt steady and reliable. Her eyes fell closed; his fingers, thumbs and wrists combined to work in a fashion that left her breathless. He applied just the correct amount of pressure on her aching muscles, making her forget about the two who had come before. As the knots in her neck began loosening, Sam finally found the relief she had been craving – as well as something more. With the diminishing pain came composure of mind, and the more relaxed she became, the more she noticed the emotions rousing inside of her. Emotions that felt familiar, only she couldn't quite categorise them. They felt fettered and old, entrenched and untested. Sam believed they had something to do with those hands; hands that seemed to read her skin and muscles surprisingly well. Hands that were connected to Daniel: her friend, team-mate, and confidant, who was now attending to her neck and shoulders with such controlled concentration. Sam's emotions swelled along with his unhurried ministrations. Her ailment was expunged from her thoughts as her mind followed his every comforting touch.

God, Daniel, can I keep you?

The hands stopped instantly. Sam's eyes flew open. She sprang to her feet just as Daniel retreated from her chair, refusing to look at her.

Sam panicked, realising that she had spoken her thoughts out loud. "– Your hands. I meant, can I keep your hands," she stuttered.

"Jackson?" Cameron pressed. "Sam, are you hurt?"

"No…" she reacted sharply. She slowly rotated her neck, feeling agitated and confused. "I'm – I'm actually much better."

Just for a moment, her eyes locked with Daniel's. He was unreadable, yet his gaze scorched her.

"Excellent – Jackson, you should have gone first," Cameron exclaimed obliviously, and Daniel broke away from her. "Glad you're better, Sam – now, us boys are due for the gym."

Teal'c voiced to her his farewell while Cameron hustled them out the door. Sam watched them go with much consternation. She gingerly touched her neck – remarkably, however Daniel had done it, he had dramatically reduced her pain. Even her shoulders had improved; there was only minimal discomfort when she rolled them. Her head was full with questions. What had happened? What had just passed between her and Daniel? I didn't even get a chance to thank him, she realised wistfully.

Lost deep in her thoughts, she was startled when the door suddenly opened; it was Daniel. He begged her pardon, avoiding any eye contact, but he had forgotten his coffee cup, and instantly crossed the lab to her desk, hastily grabbed the cup, was again out of the lab, almost before Sam was aware of his being in it.

The door closed once more, leaving Sam to reflect on her distress; or to distress over her reflections. Daniel's demeanour had appeared a mixture of discomfort, embarrassment, and agitation. Sam couldn't ignore the fact that she had done this to him. What had she been feeling when Daniel was massaging her? What did those feelings mean? Why had she felt them? She didn't understand how they had burst forth. The look they had exchanged – had his look meant that he had felt something, too?

Sam despaired; she would never find out the meaning behind his heated gaze. She could never relive that moment. It had been unsustainable; and now it was lost, perhaps forever.

To be continued…