Summary: Jack isn't quite done learning about his canine side and brings Sam into the pack for good.
Timeframe: Six months after 'Dog Heaven: Pack Mates.'
Characters/Pairing: Established Sam/Jack, Team, Janet
Genre: Drama, Romance, Hurt/Comfort, Friendship, Whump
Rating: T
Dog Heaven: Dog Days
Part One
Jack paced back and forth in front of the infirmary doors, feeling anxious and fighting himself about whether or not to actually go in. This was a sensitive topic that required bringing up, and if Sam knew he'd been hiding this from her, she'd probably make him go see the doc. He knew that eventually he had to at least come clean to Sam, and she was probably going to kick his ass for waiting as long as he had.
Cursing, Jack furiously ran his hands back and forth over his head, completely mussing up his hair. It was six months ago that he'd been turned into a wolf off-world after getting mixed up in a tribe's Coming of Age ceremony, where he'd only returned to normal after finding his soul mate in Sam. The two had gotten together since then, and after weeks of no after-effects from the transformation, Jack had felt pretty confident that he was completely normal again. Until recently, that is.
Stopping his frantic pacing in fear that someone would see him, Jack leaned up against the wall in the corridor instead. The first time it happened was a week ago.
It was the middle of the night, and feeling strange, he'd gotten out of bed quietly and gone out to the kitchen so he wouldn't wake Sam. He'd splashed some water on his face and leaned against the counter, but the feeling still remained. Before he knew it he was doubled over, then on his knees, and within moments, he found himself staring down at a pair of large paws instead of hands. His sight changed, and he could no longer see in color. His clothes hung off him, and with a shake, they were left in a pile on the floor. In a panic, he'd scrambled to the back door and caught his reflection in the glass. He was the wolf again.
Less than a minute after he'd transformed, Jack had felt strangely again. He reared up on his hind legs, his vision changed back, and then before he knew it he was human once more. Suddenly feeling extremely wiped out, and breathing hard as though he'd just been out running, Jack had pulled his clothes back on and weakly staggered back to bed before returning to sleep. In the morning he hadn't been entirely sure if what he remembered was real or a dream. Then it happened again, a few days later. Both times the transformation had taken place during the night, and both times the change had lasted but a minute, and then it was over. Jack was scared and confused, and still didn't know quite how to react other than to freak out.
Glancing back toward the infirmary doors, Jack pushed away from the wall and made his move. He put his hand to the door, ready to push it open and then…he chickened out. He spun on his heel and bolted with his tail between his legs (figuratively this time). Jack grimaced at that cliché and shook his head, disappearing around the corner without being seen.
Fighting to regain his composure, Jack found himself heading for Sam's lab. Being with her in any capacity usually calmed him, and he just hoped it would work without him having to reveal what was bothering him.
Jack almost turned around when he noticed Daniel was in Sam's lab with her, but instead leaned into the doorway and worked up a lopsided grin as he watched them geeking out together over a microscope. "Hey, brain twins, what's up?" he called casually when they didn't even realize he was there.
Sam's head came up first and she turned to him, a smile spreading across her face. "Hey, Jack."
Daniel diverted his attention from the microscope much slower. "Oh, hi Jack." He waved, then picked up another slide and swapped with the first one before jotting something down on a notebook.
"We're studying the plant secretions from the samples collected on P6Y-782," Sam explained animatedly. "The properties are really amazing, and I think Janet might benefit from the use of this plant medically."
"Really." Jack took a few steps into the lab, resisting the urge to pull Sam into his arms and kiss her. She really was adorable when she talked science. Restraining himself, because even though they were allowed to be together officially, it was kind of frowned upon to display their affection so openly on base, Jack settled with standing closer until his arm brushed hers. He poked at the potted plant on the table. "What's it do?"
"Don't you remember, Jack? The town's doctor was explaining it's use when we were on the planet." Daniel stared pointedly at him. "You were there."
Jack shrugged dismissively and rolled his eyes. "Do you think I was actually paying attention to all that mumbo-jumbo?" He smirked and nudged Sam with his elbow, winking over at her. "That's what Carter's for."
"Did you come here for a reason Jack, or were you just bored?" Daniel said snippily.
"Ooh, I think you're cranky Danny-boy," Jack teased. "Not have enough coffee today?"
The archaeologist narrowed his eyes at him. "I just want to help Sam finish this evaluation because the General's only given us 'till the end of the day before we have to turn the plant over to the scientists for testing."
Sam shrugged helplessly at him and Jack shrugged, raising his hands in surrender. "Fine, fine. I'll leave you two eggheads alone." He left the lab with a wave, failing to find the comfort he needed from Sam, and still feeling anxious over the whole wolf thing.
Jack wound up dragging Teal'c off to the gym with him for a little sparring to help him clear his head and relax a bit. By the end of the day he left work without telling anyone what had been going on with him, and started dinner while he waited for Sam to come home.
.
Quietly entering the house after midnight, Sam crept to the bedroom and changed in the dark, finding Jack already fast asleep. She'd felt bad for coming in so late, but she and Daniel and been so concentrated on their work that they'd lost track of time. She barely remembered Jack poking his head in her lab to tell her he was leaving.
Crawling beneath the covers, Sam heard Jack's breathing change as she curled up behind him. "It's just me, go back to sleep," she whispered into his ear.
"You missed dinner," he murmured sleepily.
Sam sighed softly. "I know, I'm sorry. We lost track of time."
"M'gonna hafta have words with Daniel," he grumbled, reaching back to pull her arm over him and holding her hand to his chest.
She giggled softly into his shoulder. "I'll make it up to you. Tomorrow should be quiet. We'll get take-out after work and cuddle on the couch. Sound good?"
"Mm."
Sam kissed his neck and then settled in closer, getting comfortable and then closing her eyes. "Goodnight, Jack."
"'Night."
.
Waking up thirsty at three in the morning, Sam dragged herself out of bed and shuffled into the bathroom to get some water from the sink. Sleepy and bleary-eyed, she didn't even realize Jack was gone until she went to climb back in bed. Rubbing at her tired eyes, Sam went out into the hall in search of him. "Jack?" she called out softly, noticing a light on in the kitchen. Instead of Jack, she found herself staring at a massive grey wolf pacing back and forth in front of the counter. She and the wolf both froze as they made eye contact. "Jack?" came out as a wavering croak.
She was answered by a single bark, and as she approached the wolf, noticed the abandoned pile of clothing on the floor. Sam knelt in front of him and he sat, staring at her with those big brown eyes. As he hung his head and let out a sigh, Sam hesitantly reached forward to place her hand atop his head, wanting to know if the connection they'd been able to establish the first time he'd changed was still there.
Sam?
The voice was quiet, tentative. She smiled irresolutely and nodded. "I can hear you." She felt her eyes moisten heartbreakingly. "What happened?"
I don't know. This…this isn't the first time since…" He lifted his head slightly, eyes shameful.
Sam gulped, feeling a knot of anxiety in her gut. "How—how many times?"
Twice…not including now. In her mental image of his human face, Jack was grimacing. But before…it was fast. I'd change back in under a minute. I dunno how or why it keeps happening. He sounded worried.
"Can you—can you turn back now?" Her hand moved to his shoulder.
I never had to do anything before. It just…happened. Jack got up and started pacing before seeming to realize that she couldn't communicate with him while he did that. He moved back over to her and sat again so she could put her hand on him. It never lasted this long before.
Feeling his incertitude, Sam absently began stroking down his back in an attempt to calm him. "Try and concentrate Jack," she urged, feeling a little desperate herself. "Just…image yourself changing back."
He nodded. I'll try. Jack moved away from her again, and she gave him space, not really sure how this was all going to go down.
Sam watched him for about a minute, and became disheartened when nothing happened. Making a decision, she softly said, "Just come back to bed for now. Maybe it'll happen once you're more relaxed, sleeping like the first time?"
Jack heaved a breath and then nodded, trotting toward her.
They made it into the bedroom before Sam heard a strange noise from Jack. Turning around, she watched, mesmerized, as he suddenly reared up on his hind legs, the wolf body twisting unnaturally. His limbs stretched out to turn human again, the fur disappearing as Jack returned to normal, falling back to his hands and knees and breathing hard.
"Ohmygod," she breathed out in astonishment, dropping to her knees beside him and placing a hand on his naked back. The first time this happened she hadn't witnessed it. He'd just changed in his sleep and hadn't even noticed it himself. "Jack?" She could feel him shaking."Are you okay?"
"Tired."
Sam helped him to his feet and got him to their bed, not bothering to retrieve the clothes that had been abandoned on the kitchen floor. He was out as soon as his head hit the pillow, and Sam crawled in bed beside him, covering them both with the blanket. She clung to him, as if doing so would keep him in human form.
.
