Note: Thank you all for the wonderful reviews! Here's the next chapter. Hope you enjoy. :) -naz
Part Four
Sam woke in the morning, somewhat disconcerted that she was still a wolf. She'd been hoping that at some point during the night she would return to human form, but apparently it wasn't to be. Still feeling Jack's own warm fur against her muzzle, she was pleased to still find herself curled up with him at least.
She took a moment to really appreciate all her enhanced senses. Her ears twitched, the sounds of Jack's steady breathing along with the rhythmic thumping of his heartbeat was soothing, and his scent; there was just something about it, something that was different from his human scent, but also the same. It was a strange feeling, but she felt like his scent somehow clearly marked him as her mate. Sam realized it had to have been the wolf mind that created these thoughts, because as a human she doubted she would be going along with that line of thinking.
Remembering that she could project thoughts and feelings to Jack in this form, she lifted her chin from the back of his neck where it rested and tried to wake him. Jack?
Mm? he thought back at her. And Sam could tell by the sleepy mental murmur that he was probably still groggy enough not to remember what had happened last night.
Jack, it's morning and we're both still wolves, she reminded him. You need to try and turn back so we can get in contact with the SGC and let Janet and the General know it's happening to me, now, too.
Crap. Jack jerked and sat up, cocking his head and looking down at her. Oh. He suddenly stood up on all fours on the bed, his tail swishing and his ears flattening against his head.
Sam watched him curiously as he hopped down to the floor. Where are you going?
Jack had already trotted to the bathroom doorway by the time she got the thought out. He paused and glanced back at her over his shoulder. Gotta pee first.
She laughed in her head and got up, jumping off the bed. Jack. Sam jerked her head and gave him a look, waiting for him to realize his mistake. When he did, he hung his head comically in shame, and Sam could actually feel his flash of embarrassment.
Right. He sighed, then grunted audibly and changed direction, jogging out into the hall.
Realizing she had to go, too, Sam quickly followed after him, wondering if he'd thought about how they were going to open the back door yet.
.
Having been lucky to have left the back door unlocked last night, and managing to paw at the handle until the door opened enough for them to nudge it with their muzzles, Sam and Jack were finally able to get outside. They'd designated the left side of the yard as 'His' bathroom, and the right as 'Hers,' then met back inside the kitchen.
You ready to try and change back now? Sam asked him.
I guess.
Sam could sense he was a little apprehensive about it, knowing the strain it would continue to be until they got the hang of this transforming thing. Cause if one of us doesn't turn human again I think we're going to go hungry this morning. She heard his mental chuckle and sent an image of herself smiling in response.
I still think that's so weird, he muttered.
She cocked her head at him. What?
The whole 'telepathic' aspect of this. Jack shrugged awkwardly and then started to leave the kitchen. Let's do this in the bedroom.
Okay. Sam trotted after him. She moved over by the dresser and sat down, watching him, unsure what she could do.
Jack huffed out a breath and gave his body a full shake, his dog tags clinking together as he did so. Here goes nuthin'.
Sam could tell he was attempting the transformation by the way his wolf body stretched out before her very eyes, contorting almost before he reared up on his hind legs. She was pleased to see it seemed to be working as she began to see human limbs stretching and replacing animal ones. Then suddenly the transformation halted, and Jack dropped to all fours again, his breath heaving and growls escaping as he turned back into a full wolf like an elastic band snapping back into place. Sam was alarmed at the strained sounds coming from him as he attempted again, reverting to wolf twice more before he was successful.
Jack, she thought with concern when he was human again, dropping to his knees beside the bed. Remembering that he probably couldn't hear her now unless she was touching him, Sam let out a worried whine when Jack hunched forward, collapsing unconscious on the floor.
Barking with alarm, Sam leapt toward him, nuzzling at his neck with her head. Jack! Jack, wake up! She stilled herself frantically, leaning her head against his bare chest until she had calmed down enough so her sharp ears could detect the sound of his heartbeat. It was worryingly fast and erratic. Without really thinking about what she was doing, simply knowing that her mate was in distress, Sam began licking at his face, trying to rouse him. C'mon Jack, please wake up! She barked a few times, but it did nothing to cause him to stir from his unconscious state.
Feeling helpless in her current form, Sam concentrated on transforming with no success. When the phone rang several times before the answer machine came on, she sprung up with relief at the sound of Daniel's voice on the recording.
"Hey Sam, Jack, it's Daniel. I know it's early but Teal'c wants to go out for breakfast and we figured—"
Sam interrupted the message by knocking the phone off the night table and managing to hit the call button with her nose. She began barking frantically, hoping Daniel would get the clue and come over.
"Jack? Is that you?" Daniel's voice guessed from the sound of barking.
At the moment Sam didn't even care that her friend didn't know that she'd turned as well; all she cared about was Daniel getting his butt over here, pronto! She barked a few more times into the receiver and waited for his voice.
"Crap, are you stuck as a wolf again? Where's Sam?"
Dumb question, I am Sam, but I can't answer you! Sam thought, mentally rolling her eyes and just barking several more times in frustration.
"Okay, okay, we're on our way!"
Sam heard Daniel hang up, but couldn't do the same. No matter. She trotted back over to Jack, worried about his still-too fast heartbeat and shallow breathing. She whined softly and pressed her cold nose against his neck.
Still unable to wake him, Sam used her teeth to tug at the comforter on the bed, dragging it to the floor and managing to cover Jack. Knowing there was nothing she could do now but wait, Sam curled up close to Jack and laid down, hoping that even unconscious he might be able to sense she was near.
.
"What is the matter, Daniel Jackson?" Teal'c asked from behind him while he stood at Jack and Sam's front door.
Daniel sighed and turned around. "The door's locked."
Without hesitation, Teal'c regally spun on his heel and headed down the walk.
"Teal'c!" Daniel called after him. "Where are you going?"
"To try the back door, Daniel Jackson."
"Oh. Right." Jogging after the swiftly-moving Jaffa as he was opening the gate to the backyard, Daniel rounded the corner and followed Teal'c up to the back deck.
Teal'c turned the handle and opened the door successfully, stepping inside. "O'Neill," he called out, "Major Carter."
The sound of a deep bark greeted them moments before a large wolf came from down the hall and entered the kitchen.
"O'Neill."
The wolf barked, and Daniel looked at it closely. The fur was more of a golden-brown than the grey he remembered from the last time he'd seen Jack as a wolf. He reached out and lightly nudged Teal'c's arm. "Ah, Teal'c? I don't think that's Jack."
The wolf barked twice and shook it's big furry head. Daniel suddenly noticed that the eyes were not brown, but a stunning blue. His own eyes widened in revelation. "Sam?"
Ruff. The wolf nodded, then hopped frantically and raced back down the hall.
"I believe she wants us to follow her, Daniel Jackson," Teal'c intoned, already moving after the wolf.
Daniel kept up with him, his breathing nearly stopping altogether when Sam led them into the bedroom where Jack was sprawled on the floor, unconscious, and mostly-covered by the comforter from the bed. "Jesus," he swore under his breath, jerking toward his friend automatically, but suddenly taking a step back when Sam got between him and Jack and growled.
.
Sam didn't know why she'd leapt in front of Jack when Teal'c and Daniel got close. She instinctively got between them and her mate, growling threateningly with the sudden urge to protect him from them. She realized that her wolf instincts were starting to take over and made a conscious effort to keep them back. Sam had to remind herself that Teal'c and Daniel were here to help. She needed them to help Jack.
"Easy, Sam." Daniel held his hands out in a non-threatening gesture. "We're not going to hurt him."
"Indeed," Teal'c added calmly, his voice low and deep, soothing. "We are here to assist you with O'Neill."
Sam forced herself to calm down and nodded apologetically, moving aside so they could check on Jack, but staying close to him, her ears twitching at the sound of his breathing.
Daniel bent to check Jack's pulse, then made a face, looking at Teal'c over his shoulder. "His pulse is racing." He put his hand on Jack's shoulder and shook him slightly. "Jack. Jack, wake up." Pulling a worried hand through his hair, he asked, "Sam, what happened?"
She glared at him and the archaeologist blushed, grimacing and shaking his head.
"Ah, never mind. Sorry." Daniel looked over at Teal'c again. "We need to get Jack to base. Can you carry him out to the car?"
Teal'c gave his head a regal bow. "I can, Daniel Jackson."
Realizing what they were about to do, and knowing Jack wouldn't be very happy if they carried him onto base in nothing but a blanket, Sam ran over to the night table on her side of the bed and put her front paws up, grabbing at Jack's boxers with her teeth. She carried them over to Jack and dropped them on top of the blanket before looking to Daniel expectantly.
"What?" He stared at her blankly.
Sam sighed loudly and barked, lightly pawing at the shorts, then slowly tugging at the blanket around Jack with her teeth until his entire upper half was bared.
Daniel made an uncomfortable face. "He's naked under there, isn't he?"
Ruff! Sam barked once, inside her head screaming, Yes! Now make him decent before we go to the mountain, will you? She pawed at Jack's shorts again and looked intently at Daniel.
The archaeologist raggedly pulled a hand across his face. "You want me to dress him?"
RUFF! All Sam could think was, Duh! And you're supposed to be smart, Daniel! She inwardly smirked with amusement at how her annoyed internal voice sounded just like Jack.
"Teal'c," Daniel whined, looking to the Jaffa helplessly. He took Jack's shorts and held them out, a pathetically pleading look on his face. "Will you—uh…"
Sam rolled her eyes. If she'd been able to she would have just done it herself, for crying out loud!
Teal'c took the boxers from Daniel and knelt on the floor while the archaeologist moved to the doorway and turned his back to them. The big Jaffa began to pull the comforter off Jack while looking at her. "I do not understand human males discomfort with the nudity of other human males."
Sam barked loudly in agreement, her tail swishing back and forth; inside she was laughing.
Once Jack at least had his boxers on, Teal'c wrapped him back up in the blanket and took great care in lifting him into his arms as he stood. Sam hurriedly moved in front, nudging Daniel's leg with her head to get him moving toward the front door.
.