TITLE: I Just Need a Minute
RATING: PG
SEASON: Season 7
SPOILERS: 'Death Knell'
CATERGORY: Romance/HC
PAIRING: Sam/Jack
SUMMARY: Tag for 'Death Knell'
WARNINGS: None.
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing. If I did Sam and Jack would be married with a daughter named Grace by now and Pete would never have existed
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"Carter, you ready to go?"
"Just give me a minute, Sir."
Jack didn't need to be told in so many words what Carter had endured during the previous 48 hours; that sentence alone told him more than words ever could. Carter never needed a minute. Jack simply nodded and silently took a seat next to her on the ground. After a moment's deliberation he muttered a quiet "C'mere" and gently placed an arm around Sam's shoulders. Sam was too exhausted to even pretend that she didn't need the support. Instead she just leaned into his embrace, placed her head on Jack's shoulder and closed her eyes.
After several minutes Jack shifted and stood up. Carter groggily sat up, opening her eyes, and mentally braced herself to stand up. Instead she felt a strong pair of arms slide under her knees and around her back as O'Neill lifted her up and turned to Teal'c who was still stoically guarding the dead drone. Teal'c raised his head when he heard the crushing of gravel beneath Jack's boots and, without speaking, he walked to his team mates' position, gathered up their belongings and turned to O'Neill. Jack gave Teal'c an almost imperceptible smile but said nothing until Carter spoke up.
"Sir, you don't need-"
"No arguments, Major. You're injured and we're miles from the gate," he stated firmly, "Hell, I've had to carry T in a better condition than you are now!" he joked lightly but Sam's mouth barely twitched.
"Thank you, Sir."
He looked her in her half-closed eyes.
"For what, Carter? Sleep, that's an order!"
"Yes, Sir," she whispered before slipping into a deep sleep.
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