Disclaimer: I don't own it.
Spoilers: Death Knell
Be Still
They'd come. Thank God they'd come. Had they not…
She was alive. A little roughed up, but there she was, breathing next to him.
Sam prided herself on being able to handle most situations on her own, on being a self-sufficient woman. She didn't want to exhibit weakness. She couldn't, not in her line of duty. But she was so tired and her whole body ached. She needed to rest, just for a moment.
The second she claimed she needed a moment, Jack knew the day had been far tougher than she would probably later let on. If she needed a breather, there was no shame in that. She should never be worried he would think less of her. Even battered and exhausted, she was the strongest person he knew.
She sensed him settle next to her, his eyes watching her. She concentrated on catching her breath, on not looking at him. She didn't want her carefully constructed walls to come crashing down.
His eyes studied her. She was trying to pull it all back together, put on her good solider face again. She shouldn't have to feel that way, especially in front of him. Whatever compassion he felt towards her did not translate into pity. She needed someone to lean on. Everyone did at some point. It was only human.
She looked up, almost startled, as his arm wrapped around her. Never in a million years would she admit how much she needed this contact. She couldn't play the impenetrable fortress part anymore. Resting her head on his shoulder, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
As she leaned into him, he could feel how weary she was. If he could offer her this reprieve, even only for a moment, he would.
She didn't want to need this, but to just let someone else take the load, if only for a while…
His heart finally stopped racing. He needed this as much as she did. There was no more searching, no more worry. And he was still, because she was there.
Her breathing evened out. His presence comforted her, surrounded her. There was no more running, no more fear. And she was still, because he was there.