I'd like to thank you all for the very kind reviews you all have sent me. It is so encouraging to a new author!
A colossal thank you to the wonderful Mara and her editing skills. Mara-you're the best!
I don't own them-what else is new?
Migraine
Chapter 4
His strong arms picked her up and drew her in tightly. Almost immediately she was gently laid upon another soft surface. She curled up onto her side and clutched at the sheet beneath her, wishing it was his hand she was grasping. The bed began to roll, and the resulting vibration clattered in her head. She tucked her chin into her chest and tried to pull her head into her shoulders in an effort to protect it from the noise around her. She didn't want the pain to escalate.
Hands reached out and unrolled her body. She squinted, trying to determine what they were doing to her. The lights above her flashed, resulting in tiny explosions behind her eyes. Straps wrapped around her body and head and she felt her heart begin to speed. What was happening? She heard the startup of a machine. The sounds encircled her! She pried her eyes open and saw a metal ring moving up and over her. The whirring and clicking sounds of the machine triggered pictures of strange symbols in her mind. Her breath came out in little gasps as she struggled to make sense of this strange information. An image of a blue pool of water shooting out of a metal ring flashed in her mind. Panic set in. She had to get out of here-the event horizon would form right on top of her!
"Colonel! The Stargate is activating! I can't move!"
Agony exploded in her mind! The pain she had before was nothing compared to this moment. She screamed. She couldn't help it. The symbols flashed through her mind, each one pummeling her brain into mush. These bizarre signs were connected to the screaming headache that now threatened what was left of her sanity.
When the sounds stopped, so did the flashing of the symbols. She felt herself yanked backwards and the straps released. She was sobbing in anguish, and somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew this made her look weak. She didn't want him to see her this way and tried to hold in the sobs, but she couldn't do it. The blinding pain was overwhelming her soul.
She floundered, trying to fight against the stabbing pain. It was too much!
"Sam!"
"Carter!"
Two voices called to her as one. She felt something pinch her right arm and something cool enter the top of her left hand. She was pushed over onto her left side. The pain retreated slowly as the fog rolled in. This time she welcomed the cool misty relief when it came. Two dark figures hovered over her, talking in low soothing tones. She floated in a mental stupor as she felt herself moving along the corridors. Nothing was in focus.
"Carter, we're gonna find out what's causing this, but you've gotta hang on. You've gotta fight this!"
She turned towards the voice and focused on it. It was ferociously determined. His eyes glinted fiercely in the dim lighting. Yes, she would hang on. How could she not, with those eyes ordering her to? Unconsciously she stretched out her hand toward them. She felt the warmth of his skin and hesitantly trailed her fingers over his brow. A large hand covered her own and held her fingers in place.
"I'm here, Sam, and I'm not leaving."
For the first time in a long time, she was sure she was home.