Summary: Sam goes beyond the call of duty to save her Commanding Officer when he falls into a raging river. When Jack is nearly lost to her, she gives everything of herself to bring him back to her, but will Jack hear her plea? To make matters worse, a creature stalks the mountains, and it wants Sam.
Author's note: this was inspired by an X Files fic I had read a very long time ago and I really enjoyed (and the title is attribution). Of course, this is a ship. A big one. Feedback, always most welcome. Season? Hmm, maybe end of season eight? Post thread, though no established relationship. Lotsa Sam Whumping. Cause she's a tough cookie and I don't feel as quilty about the whump.
~ Then it takes what it will ~
"Are you sure?" Jack held up the small vial encased in metal to his torchlight. He gave the vial a shake to stir the contents around.
"I feel it would be best to err on the side of caution," Teal'c sat on the other side of the fire pit, his clasped hands firmly planted in his lap. He looked slightly uncomfortable, but only a trained eye would be able to discern that fact. Jack stood up and tossed the vial of Tritonin back to Teal'c.
"Daniel, go wake up Carter. Teal'c and I'll start packing up." Jack instructed with a flick of his wrist towards his tent.
"What? Why?" Daniel asked abruptly.
"Because if I wake her up, she'll bite my head off," Jack still bore the scar on his wrist from one of his past attempts to wake up his second in command. Looking back on the past week, she had certainly earned the downtime.
"No, I mean, why do we all have to go? I need to get another memory card for the camera. Teal'c and I can go back to the Gate. You and Sam can stay here." Daniel reasoned, looking to Teal'c for support. Teal'c simply tilted his head in agreement with the doctor.
"Daniel, it's pitch black out there!" Jack objected loudly, looking over his shoulder to Carter's tent to see if his outcry had disturbed her. Daniel lifted his torch and clicked it on and off, not even bothering to verbalise the obvious.
"It's four miles down the trail. Can't it wait until morning?" Jack argued.
The Gate was situated on the side of a mountain; they had come in search of the locals, who had disappeared since the team's last visit two years ago. The mountainous ranges were dotted with primitive wooden cabins that the previous inhabitants had abandoned. There was a fast flowing river running through the valley, which was the perfect excuse for Jack to join his flagship team on a mission. The gate was situated upstream, next to a spectacular waterfall.
When he had walked into the Gateroom that morning, fishing rod and tackle box in his hand, he received little objection from Carter or her team. He was the base commander after all. Jack wouldn't admit it to anyone, but he also wanted to give SG-1 some time away, especially Sam. However, yes, she was handling her father's death and recent breakup fairly well; it wouldn't hurt for her to have a nice, easy mission at this particular point in time.
"I would prefer not to wait," Teal'c grumbled, his discomfort evident. The Jaffa had noticed that his Tritonin was discoloured, and rather than inject himself with a bad batch, had requested to return to Earth to get a new supply. Jack didn't have a problem with this. However, he did have a problem with the fact that the Stargate was very far away and the terrain was rough at best.
Jack stood for a moment, contemplating his options.
"If it makes you feel better, we'll stay on earth till morning and come back in the daylight," Daniel compromised. That would have put Jack's concerns to rest, though he would rather not dwell on the fact that he would be left completely alone on the planet with Carter. Putting this personal consideration aside, he made his decision.
"Alright. Just be careful. Radio in when you get to the Gate." Jack ordered as he sat back down on the curled log he had claimed as his own. Daniel and Teal'c snatched up their packs, powered their torches and began the long trail along the mountain side to the Gate. Behind him, Jack heard Sam roll over in her tent.
"Crap. Thanks guys..." Jack muttered. He figured it would be a good idea to let Carter know what was going on, should she wake up to find her team gone and out of radio contact. In fact, Jack realised he should have checked with Sam in the first place, considering she was the team leader now. The least Daniel or Teal'c could have done was tell her themselves; no wonder they left so quickly! Traitors! Leave him to wake Carter during her first good night of solid sleep.
Still grumbling mild profanities under his breath, Jack rose up and made a beeline for Sam's tent. He crouched down and unzipped the door, placing one hand inside and leaning over his favourite Lieutenant Colonel. What he found was privately amusing. Sam was only halfway in her sleeping bag, her arms spread out as if she had collapsed in her tent and instantly fallen asleep, her mouth slightly open and every now and then, a tiny snore would escape her.
And her hair; it was kinked and un-brushed. It was classic bed hair and noticeably different to her usually nicely tended 'do'.
Jack smirked and shook his head at her. He poked her gently in the ribs to try and wake her.
"Carter?" he said quietly. Another snore and a turn of her head away from him. Jack frowned and poked her a little harder. "Carter!" He growled loudly.
Sam startled and snapped her head towards him. It took a moment to work out who was hovering over her, as she stared with unfocussed eyes.
"Sir? What's wrong?" her voice was croaky from sleep. She cleared her throat and her eyes darted across his shadowy figure.
"Nothing. Teal'c reckons he got a bad case of Tritonin, so he and Daniel are headed to Earth. They'll be back in the morning." Jack pointed a thumb over his shoulder. Sam seemed to sober up upon hearing this information. She sat up in her sleeping bag, revealing her khaki camisole; Jack to move out of her way and sat outside.
"Why didn't they tell me?" Sam rubbed her eyes and ran her fingers through her messy hair.
"That's what I'm doing now," Jack shrugged, carefully trying not to lower his eyes over her sleeping attire.
"Oh, right. Um, thanks for letting me know," She said absently, avoiding any eye contact with him.
"No problem. I was going to get up early tomorrow and head downstream to find some calmer water. Try my luck and see if I catch anything. Wanna come with?"
Secretly, Jack did want her company. He had yet to get Carter to come fishing with him, despite several offers and now it seemed like a personal challenge. Correction: he had managed to get her to agree to a trip to the cabin. With Daniel and Teal'c. Next weekend. Not good enough.
"I don't know, Sir. One of us should probably wait here for when Daniel and Teal'c get back. And I'm not sure it's wise to leave our gear just sitting here." She protested, rubbing a hand through her bed hair again, which was beginning to distract him.
"There's no-one around. We've got our radios. They'll give us a buzz when they get here. Come on... What if I got injure and out of contact? You'd never find me in these woodlands." His point was valid. Never travel alone, and if her CO wanted to go fishing, how could Sam really object?
"Alright Sir, I'll come with you. I wouldn't mind going for a walk anyway," Sam finally gave in.
"Great! Now, get back to sleep," Jack grinned at his success. He'd finally gotten Carter to come fishing with him! Sam puffed her pillow and lay back down.
"Night Sir," She mumbled as her eyes closed.
"Night Carter," Jack smiled warmly and closed the zip door to her tent. He retired to his own; pushing Daniel's sleeping bag against the far side and lay awake, waiting for the radio call from Daniel or Teal'c to advise them they had arrived at the Gate. An hour later he got it, and was able to fall asleep knowing all was well.
~ SJ ~
Reviews, very much appreciated. Yes, even you late readers. Don't think I won't notice.
