In the infirmary, Jack had changed back into the large silver wolf, lying in the corner.
Anytime Dr. Lam or her staff would get near him, he would bare his teeth, growling. Sam had been called to a meeting shortly after bringing him in, and had not returned yet.
"General, we need to clean you up. You're losing too much blood." Carolyn said.
His ears shot back, and he glared at her, hunching protectively over the wounds. A nurse had come closer to him with a syringe, stepping slowly.
"Just…don't let him bite you." Lam said. He growled at the man, snapping at his feet as he tried to inch nearer.
The man jumped back, hands in the air, and he left the area.
Jack lay dozing in the corner minutes later, and his ears perked up as he heard the same familiar footfall.
Sam was coming back, but there were five sets of footsteps, which could only mean more help for the good doctor.
"How long has he been there?" Sam asked.
"He changed just after you were called away. He's been there ever since. He hasn't hurt anyone, which is always a good sign, but other than that I can't say much. He won't let me look at him, let alone get near him." Carolyn said.
Sam nodded. "Dad?" Cassie asked as she walked in behind Sam.
"What happened to him?" She asked.
"We're not sure." Sam said.
Vala had walked over to where Jack lay, attempting to get closer. "Vala, no don't!" Daniel said, running to step in front of her.
Jack was on all fours, hackles on end again and top lip twitching as he growled loudly. He was eye level with Daniel, glaring coldly.
"Jack, she's not trying to hurt you, nobody is, but you need to let us help you." He said. Jack's attention was lost when Sam came toward him.
He lowered his head, his ears down as if he were in trouble.
She stroked the right side of his face, resting her forehead against his.
"We need to clean you up, to see how much damage has been done. Please, let these people help you."
She said.
His eyebrows came together in worry, and he nudged her in the stomach.
"No, I'm not going anywhere." She said, shaking her head.
Jack was still in his animalistic form sprawled out on the infirmary floor.
His chest had nearly healed, the cuts closing themselves, but his face was another matter.
Carolyn had cleaned out the cuts, attempting to ignore the pained whimpering from the large beautiful animal.
As soon as she finished he was asleep, willingly this time.
Sam got up from her place on the floor, and stretched.
"How long will he be out?" She asked.
"It shouldn't be more than a few more hours. He'll need to change back so I can speak with him." She said.
Sam nodded. She knew Jack was torn on changing.
He liked being human, liked talking to people… sometimes.
But he enjoyed being the large graceful animal. Acting before he thought was his strong point and always had been. Running on instinct like the animal he had been transformed into.
"The good news is he didn't need stitches, as soon as I cleaned the scratches they started closing up themselves. The bad news is he'll still have the scars. I don't know how to get rid of them."
Teal'c, Daniel and Vala sat in the commissary.
"How do you think he's doing?" She asked.
"I believe O'Neill is recuperating well. It is a matter of strength, and he does not lack in that area."
Teal'c said, taking a bite of his pie. Daniel took a swig of his coffee.
"Daniel, have you noticed anything different on team night?" Vala asked.
Daniel nodded.
"O'Neill seems to allow himself to be preoccupied with Colonel Carter's well-being, however, it is no more than usual." Teal'c said.
"He seemed more affectionate last time too, less self-conscious." Daniel added.
"Daniel, he touches Sam's abdomen all the time." Vala said.
Daniel looked around, shaking his head and shrugging his shoulders.
"I touch your stomach all the time." He said. Vala rolled her eyes.
"You two are more dense than a block of weapons grade Naquada. What if Sam is pregnant?" She asked.
Daniel looked at his tray for a moment.
"I believe you may be correct, Vala Mal Doran." He said. She raised her eyebrows, gesturing to Teal'c. "Thanks, Muscles." She said, grinning.
"Vala, you're assuming they've…slept together." Daniel said, wincing at his choice of words.
"Daniel, they're engaged. Of course they're going to-" He cut her off there.
"Don't go repeating this to anyone okay? We want to keep this to ourselves." He said.
"Keep what to ourselves?" Sam asked.
"Nothing, nothing." Daniel said.
"Actually it's something. We were wondering if you and Jack had…uh…" Vala said, thinking of a better way to put it.
"Had sex?" Sam asked. Daniel winced once again.
"Could you guys keep it down?" He asked. Sam looked at him incredulously.
"Daniel, are you afraid of talking about sex publicly?" Vala asked.
"Well, it's embarrassing, and it should only be discussed in the privacy of one's home." He said.
"What about the act itself?" Sam asked.
Daniel nodded. "That also should be done in the privacy of one's own home." He replied. Vala looked over at Sam.
"Break that rule?" She asked. Sam grinned.
"I'll never kiss and tell." She replied.
Vala's eyes widened. "You have to tell me!" She said. Sam shook her head.
"I'll talk to you tonight. We can discuss team sleeping arrangements." Sam said.
Jack had decided that he was going to lay off the transformations for a little while.
He stood in the locker room, looking at his chest in the mirror.
Four pale silver scars made their way down the left side of his chest, matching the ones on his face.
He grabbed his blue pullover, putting it on, sat down and pulled his boots on, cuffing his pants.
He went to his locker, grabbed his coat, and headed out of the locker room. Sam and Vala were standing by the door.
"Waiting for me?" He asked quietly. Sam smiled, nodding.
She reached out, grabbing his hand, and linked arms with Vala.
"Are we still on for team night?" He asked, looking over at her.
"Only if you're up to it." She replied.
He nodded. "I'm up to it." He said, heading to the elevator.
Cassie sat at the table, doing her homework when Sam walked in the door.
"I have a surprise for you." Sam said, stepping out of the way.
Jack walked in the door, looking in the kitchen.
"Dad!" She said, a grin on her face.
"Hey, didn't think you'd be here." He said.
"Well, duh." She replied.
He looked over at Sam, raising his eyebrows. 'Later.' She mouthed.
Jack sat on the couch, dozing next to Sam.
Vala looked over at him, smiling at the way his mouth was hanging open.
Sam was leaning on his shoulder, laughing at something Daniel had said. Teal'c offered a comment once in a while, but was content to listen.
"Daniel, Muscles, I think we'd better go." She said, pointing at Jack.
Teal'c nodded stoically, a faint smile gracing his lips.
Daniel had a full-blown grin on his face, laughing as he helped Vala stand. She walked over to the couch, leaning toward Jack.
She kissed his forehead. "Good night, mongrel." She said.
They stood in the doorway, talking for a few more minutes.
Sam and Vala exchanged hugs and 'thank you's' followed by a one armed hug by Daniel, and finally a loose hug from Teal'c.
"Colonel Carter, if you wish, I could remain here." He said.
She smiled. "Thank you for offering, but there isn't much you can do." She said, apologetically.
He nodded. "Very well, if you acquire assistance, do not hesitate to summon me." He said.
Sam smiled. "I won't." She said, kissing him on the cheek.
"Remind me to thank Vala for the nickname." Jack said tiredly as he stripped down to his boxers.
Sam smiled. "You heard that?" She asked.
He turned, looking down at her expectantly. She grinned, nodding her head. "That's right, you hear everything." She said.
He smiled. "Well, then you won't be surprised to hear that she wants to know if we've had sex." She said. "Think she's onto us?" He asked.
Sam shrugged. "She's very smart."
"Maybe he was just playing it up last time." Daniel said.
"Well, with the week he's been through, I don't blame him for sleeping through our conversation." Vala replied.
"Well, either way it was a waste of time." Daniel said, looking out the window.
"If you are so eager to know, Daniel Jackson, then why did you not ask when the opportunity presented itself?" Teal'c asked.
"That's Vala's job. Girl talk." He said. Vala looked at him expectantly.
"Daniel, you were the one stressing over it while we were there." She said.
Daniel shook his head, exasperated.
Sam woke up alone, looking at the clock. 2:30 a.m.
There was a note on the pillow next to her.
'Sorry I'm not there right now, go back to sleep and I'll be there in a while, just had to eat. Love, Jack.' She smiled.
Apparently having normal human food wasn't filling to him anymore, not appetizing either.
She laid her head down and went back to sleep.
He opened his eyes to find himself in the bedroom.
He was on the floor, and there was a warm body next to him.
He hadn't wanted to wake her up, so he figured the floor would be okay. Apparently that hadn't been enough for her.
She had taken a blanket from the bed and snuggled into him in her sleep.
He nudged her, breathing in her scent.
She stirred and rolled to face him, burying her face in his fur.
He smiled, a large yawn covering his face.
She smiled. "Good morning mongrel." She said.
Vala rolled over, looking at her alarm clock, 8:30.
She had an entire day to relax, thanks to General Landry.
He had cleared SG1's schedule after what happened to Jack, and now she was trying to decide what to do.
She leaned over a still sleeping Daniel to pick up the phone.
"What are you doing?" He asked startled, his voice heavy with sleep.
"Nothing, I'm checking up on Sam." She replied.
He nodded. "Are you going to ask?" He asked her.
She smiled. "You know me too well darling." She replied and began dialing Sam's number.
"What if they're in the middle of something?" He asked.
She hesitated in hitting the call button. "But what if they're not?" She replied.
"But what if they are?" Daniel questioned, raising his eyebrows.
"Fine, I'll give them an hour." She said.
"We should go see a movie later." She said.
"Like what?" He asked.
"I don't know. I heard Sam say something about going to the X-Files movie." She said.
He got out of bed, and hopped in the shower.
Sam stretched out on the couch with her book, Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer.
She sat up, grabbing the Pepto Bismol, and took a swig, cringing at the chalky taste. She hadn't felt very good, a side effect of her earlier dealings with Jack.
She continued reading, curling up on the couch.
"Sam." Cassie said. Sam looked up from her book. "What?" She asked.
"Vala's here." She said. She nodded, grabbing her bookmark, saving her place and hiding the Pepto behind the plant on the side table.
She sat up, pulling her hair into a pony tail.
Vala came in.
"Hey." She said.
"Hi, what's up?" Sam asked.
"I think we should go see a movie." She said.
Sam thought for a moment. It was better than a theme park; the roller coaster would make her more nauseous.
"That's a great idea, Vala." She replied.
"So, why are you sitting on the couch looking all pale and glum? You look like you've been sick." Vala said lightly.
Sam nodded slowly. "Yeah, I haven't felt very good." She said.
Vala narrowed her eyes. "Sam, you're holding out on me. What is it?" She asked. Her friend smiled slowly.
"I'm going to have a baby." She said, smiling wider. Vala's eyes widened.
"Oh, Sam, I'm so happy for you! Oh, we have to go shopping." She said.
"Nope." Jack said. "We're going to the movie, remember?" He said.
Vala frowned. "Fine, the movie and then we'll go shopping…mongrel." She said with a grin.
"By the way, thanks for that. Pretty clever." He said, sitting down by Sam.
"Well, I'll get Daniel ready to go, okay?" She asked. Sam nodded.
"Oh, and don't say anything yet. We're trying to come up with something creative, for after the wedding." Sam said.
"Well, that was pretty good." Jack said.
"When he began weeping blood I was reminded of Casino Royale, O'Neill."
Teal'c said.
Jack nodded, taking Sam's hand. "Yeah, me too." He said, looking over at Sam.
"You okay?" He asked quietly.
She nodded. "Yeah, just a little dizzy." She said.
He smiled. "Come on, I'll give you a piggy back." He said.
"Jack, I don't want to hurt you." She said.
"Given the fact that I'm unbreakable, I think I'll be fine." He said. She rolled her eyes.
Sam sat in the truck, the cool air blowing on her face.
"We're gonna go get something to eat, okay?" He asked.
She nodded. He got in the other side.
"I hope I feel better before the wedding." She said.
He nodded, smiling. "Ya gotta admit it's a pretty great surprise." He said with a grin.
He leaned over, kissing her forehead, and placed a hand on her stomach.
"You're makin mommy sick." He whispered, kissing her abdomen. She smiled. "Just think, in a few months, he'll be kicking you out of bed." She said.
"I don't think so." He said, pulling out of the parking stall.
"Ya know, we should tell them now. So they're not worried 'bout you." Jack said.
"I know it's just so weird. We've known them for years, and its odd letting them know we've been…fooling around. Like telling your parents when you're not old enough. And I'm worried." She said.
"Why?" He asked, looking over at her.
"Well, I look at how my parents were, never home, always fighting. And Mark told me they never fought before I came along. I'm just scared that I won't be good enough." She said.
"Oh Sam, baby, it's hard, it never is really easy, but you'll be perfect. I watch you with Cassie, Sam, it comes naturally to you. You're going to hold this baby and its going to come so easy to you." He said; strong emotions in obsidian eyes.
He seemed to bolster her faith in herself.
She nodded, smiling. "Thank you." She said.
He nodded, taking her hand.
"Now, should we wait and tell them after the wedding?" He asked.
She shook her head. "No, let's tell them tonight." She replied.
"You sure, it's all up to you, if you want to." He said.
She smiled, nodding. "Yes."