A/N: So here we are with a small story. Might get few chapters long but I'm just cutting the whole idea into pieces to make you all feel the anticipation of what will come next :o) I have it all planned but I'm always open to your suggestions and wishes!
I have never tried to write something like this so I could really use all your reviews and messages, your tips and ideas. Feel free to tell me what you think!
It's not my usually what-could-have-happened-on-the-show and just-filling-the-missing-pieces story. Really guys, it isn't. I really want to face the challenge of writing something a bit different... :o) I had an exam on Saturday and decided to spend the weekend like a normal person – resting, reading, writing and NOT LEARNING :o)) So I managed to come up with this – much to my own surprise :o)
Timeline (so up to this point also spoilers warning): After Entity, maybe after Double Jeopardy (doesn't really matter) but before Exhodus I would say...
Disclaimer: As usually... just the idea is mine ;o)
Beta: nope, sorry guys. My dear friend is busy so I'm posting this just by myself. Feel free to point out my mistakes!
Note to all of you waiting for the Ladybug chapters – I'm sorry guys. They are written and my beta has them. I don't wanna spoil the story so I wanna wait for her to have time and read them through. I hope you can understand... I promise – it will be worth the waiting! Thanks for understanding – you are all amazing and I'm grateful for all those that stayed with me and my crazy Ladybug story! Thank you!
SENSUALITY IN THE CANDLELIGHT
Janet had a busy month. Really. Everything was a bit crazy on the base. Actually the last year was crazy! It was almost unbelievable what had happened during that time. But truth to be told, last month was one of the most difficult ones of her life. Okay okay, maybe two months. At first her best friend got connected to a computer. She could have died. She knew she'd be having nightmares about that incident for some time... She was supposed to be the one to turn off the life support! And all that while seeing Jack O'Neill by Sam's bedside through the whole time. It would break her heart, his heart and most probably destroy even more. She should be used to everything right now, after all those years, but she wasn't.
And then on a mission, that poor woman got hurt! It couldn't be truth. Why it always had to be SG-1, SG-3 or Siler? Why? That was just so not fair.
But yes, this mission... It was actually kind of funny. After everything those people had been through, something so silly like a slippery rock could throw them so badly off balance. At first Colonel O'Neill had slipped on that bloody rock and fell into a stream. They got him out and the only bruised thing was his ego. He changed into dry clothes and the only thing he had to mind was Daniel and his smirks. But then after few more meters...
Janet really couldn't believe them. Colonel O'Neill didn't want to talk about it much but she managed to get Sam into some girl's chat. Truth, painkillers had helped her a bit, but only a tiny little bit. And so Sam told her the whole story of P25-X87.
"Carter be careful..."
"Don't worry, Sir. It's perfectly safe. Daniel and Teal'c are on the other side. We just have to choose carefully on which rocks to step to get on the other side of this stream."
"Stream? Geeez this is a damn river!"
Sam knew she had to be careful but she just had to stop and turn around to see his face. He was nervous, paying attention to his own footing, sideways checking her feet and yet he managed to have that cute smirk on his face.
She knew that the path they'd been walking on for some time was dangerous. It had its boundaries, its rules and crossroads, yes, but it also had some advantages. It allowed them to be themselves and not to lose their jobs, reputation and admiration for each other. They could be honest and yet still keep on working together without breaking any rules or crossing some stupid lines.
Of course he noticed her looking at him. He just smiled at her. That much has always been allowed. They hadn't talked about it. All those unspoken and unwritten rules about that 'path' just somehow appeared. And they both were trying to be faithful to them.
"Come on Carter, move your feet, I really don't want to wait for the spring rain to turn this thing into Mississippi."
She giggled then and ... lost her footing. She could pinpoint the exact moment when her foot had slipped from the stone. She was thrown out of balance. She was desperately trying to hold onto something, to find something beneath her feet to steady herself but it was pointless. She feel onto her back into that wild stream.
"Carter!"
O'Neill yelled at her. She hit her head pretty hard. She didn't lose her consciousness but still, it hurt pretty damn much. She thought that it would be okay. Then Colonel O'Neill appeared, he wanted to help her. But after stepping onto one rock, the craziest thing happened. Another few rocks started to roll down the stream and some of those nasty big ones fell down onto Sam's leg. She screamed in pain.
"Carter!"
"Sir!"
He was beside her. The stream wasn't really deep so while sitting she could easily breath and there was no real danger there. But she had some stones on her leg and it hurt like hell. And it was bloody cold out there.
She knew that this was just a bad coincidence that had caused this but from the look her CO was giving her she could easily guess how guilty he had to feel. It was his step that caused those rocks to roll. She had to stop him from apologizing. The pain was almost unbearable and she knew she wouldn't stand a chance with him being even a bit emotional. She needed him to be her CO for that moment. No guilt involved.
"Sir."
She looked at him. And he got the message. He felt like a fool. But they would deal with that later.
"You okay?"
"No, I don't think so. My head hurts but I'm worried about my leg. I think it's broken, Sir."
"Ouch."
"Can you try to move those rocks away?"
"Yeah."
At first he used his radio to call back Daniel and Teal'c. They would need their help pretty soon. Then he slowly and cautiously moved away all the rocks and stones.
"Okay, I will try to lift you up, but don't try to use that leg, you hear me, Carter?"
"Yes, Sir."
"It's not even really swollen now but that might be just because of the cold water. Might get really bad once you're standing so try to lean on me as much as you can."
She was only half-surprised. She should have known that he would know exactly what to do, what to feel and what to expect. She was a bit scared. She really didn't want to faint.
Daniel already had her backpack. He had the medical kit ready. Teal'c was standing close-by on the shore. Jack didn't want him to step into the water unless it was really necessary. They didn't need more wet and cold people. It would take him two steps to get there along with Carter. Teal'c would take her then.
"Okay, you ready?"
"Think so..."
"Don't worry, it will be okay. I've got you..."
She nodded at him. She could trust him. She knew she could. He counted to three and then while having one of her arms around his neck, he tried to help her to stand up. That part was sort of easy. In few moments, however, Sam's world started to spin.
"Spinning... dizziness..."
She managed to say before seeing black and white dots in front of her eyes. O'Neill knew what would happen. And it was bad.
"Teal'c! I need help!"
It all happened during few seconds. The big jaffa jumped into the water and helped him to hold Sam. She fainted indeed. But thanks to their help she didn't get a chance to hurt her leg once again. Teal'c carried her to the shore. She was slowly coming back to her senses.
"I fainted..."
"That is correct."
"Thanks for helping..."
He just smiled at her. O'Neill appeared next to her and smiled.
"So... what do we have... swelling, bruise... possibly broken leg. You know what that means?"
"Payback?"
"Naaaah, wouldn't be fun without the snow..."
Daniel looked at Teal'c but the jaffa was equally confused. Payback? Snow? What the hell...? Sam, on the other hand, was trying to smile. Whatever that was supposed to mean, it had obviously taken her mind away from her injured leg, at least for a moment.
"I don't think I can walk back to the Gate, Sir."
She was still trying to sound brave and not let them know about her pain and feelings.
"I know, Carter, I know. We'll make a stretcher and carry you. It's not far, we should be there within what? One hour?"
She nodded. She was grateful once again for co-workers and friends like this. Few years back she would be given really hard time for a mistake like this one was. But not here, not with them. The feeling was almost overwhelming.
"You think you'll manage without painkillers?"
She knew he had to ask. They would get home soon and Janet would need her in full alert before deciding what to do with her.
"Yes."
"Okay. So we will make a splint and the stretcher and get you back."
He noticed her shivering. She was still wearing those wet clothes.
"Daniel, is anything in her bag dry?"
"Nope."
"Okay... mine is out of the game... yours?"
"Yeah."
Daniel gave her his t-shirt and trousers. At first she was feeling a bit embarrassed but guys helped her to change into dry clothes. The planet was rather warm so hopefully she wouldn't catch a cold or pneumonia from this. It felt good to be wearing something dry actually.
"Sir... you and Teal'c..."
"We're big guys, Carter, don't worry."
She decided not to argue. Their trousers were wet from the stream. She just was so dizzy and feeling so damn helpless that she couldn't care less. Besides while changing they had to move her leg a bit and that was something she really didn't want to experience again, like never.
Guys made the stretcher and found things for the splint.
Jack sat down next to her and gave her an encouraging smile.
"Now comes the difficult part..."
She closed her eyes. Then she felt him touching her cheek.
"No sleeping, Carter. You know that it's not really good after hitting your head. Gotta stay awake."
"Sorry, Sir."
Daniel settled down at her legs, ready to put her injured one into the splint. Without really thinking about it she reached for Jack's hand. She was feeling miserable because of that. She shouldn't be in any need of seeking comfort. But she was cold, her head hurt and her leg hurt as well. Her CO smiled at her.
"Okay, let's do it."
He kept on holding her hand while Daniel and Teal'c made the splint. She screamed few times but in the end it looked really good. They used her wet t-shirt to cool the leg down. That felt nice. They moved her onto the stretcher. They decided to send Daniel ahead. He was supposed to inform Fraiser and others. Jack and Teal'c took the stretcher. Jack made Sam talk through the whole journey. She was explaining something absolutely not-understandable to him but it was keeping her awake and that was the important thing.
She had her leg broken at three places. But because she hadn't stepped on it there was no need for operation. She would need a cast for approximately six weeks and then some rehab but she should be good as new.
Janet knew all this. She also remembered how Colonel O'Neill had sneaked into the infirmary to visit Carter. He sat down next to her and they talked for about twenty minutes. Janet could practically see the tension leaving the room. She didn't know what was going on exactly but it was the first time she was glad that Colonel Jack O'Neill had gathered enough courage and energy to come and actually talk to Sam.
Sam was going to be okay. They took the cast off three days ago. She was supposed to stay at home for few more days and then she would be allowed back on the base. She wouldn't be in active duty because she would need lots of training and exercising due to her injury. However Janet was sure that in two or three weeks she would be all okay. She could be really stubborn. Besides something in her body made the whole healing process much quicker. They thought that maybe it was the protein in her blood but nobody could really be sure.
Janet switched off the lights in her office, talked to the personnel taking over the infirmary and left the base. She was supposed to pick up some take-out food on her way to her friend's house.
One of the good things about Sam being forced to stay at home was her willingness to talk. And not just about work and life in general, but also about some really personal things. And it was not just her. Janet found herself in a similar position. And it felt damn good to have friend to talk to about all the female stuff, about men and life in general. Besides it seemed to be really helping her patient. And yeah, it was helping her too.
She met Colonel O'Neill the other day. He looked so lost. He was walking through the corridors, talking to some soldier but there was something missing in his eyes. Janet would guess that he had been missing his 2IC the whole time. But she was just a doctor... right? O'Neill and guys had visited Sam, of course. But it looked like he was simply missing having her around on daily basis.
Janet found herself on a mission. She would go over to her friend's place and find out what exactly had been going on with her and Colonel Jack O'Neill. She just had to know because this was killing her! She didn't think those two had crossed the line and broken the rules but still... She would find it out. Sam would tell her, hopefully. She had to know! She was curious, yes... and she was hoping she'd be able to help somehow... those two deserved at least something!
A/N: So this is the intro... and now... chapter number two :o) Janet is on a mission... and the whole story is going to be moved into a completely new level :o))