A/N: This is another set up chapter. It gives some information that you need to know in later chapters! There is more of the down time coming and it does get a lot lighter – for those of you out there that like a happy ending :)

Thank you for all your reviews – I love you all.

Disclaimer: MGM as always.

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Chapter 8 – Down Time.

It had been a week since Sam's injury and she was allowed to go home. Jack was taking her back to his place and had swung by hers to collect some things. He wheeled her out to his truck at the front of the mountain in a wheel chair. Sam had protested bitterly but Janet had insisted. Sam looked at Jack's truck.

"When did you get that back?" she asked.

"I got Mitch to bring it down for me. He's taken your bike back up in one of his firm's recovery vans. He's a bit of a whiz with bike repairs and he will have it up and running in no time. They send their love by the way," Jack filled her in.

Helping Sam into the truck, Jack smiled at her and they headed off. Jack's place was not that far away and Sam enjoyed the journey. Just being above ground was lifting her sprits.

They were officially on leave now for the next fortnight and Sam was going to spend her first couple of days out of hospital at Jack's. When she walked in through the front door, she was surprised how nice the place looked; Jack had worked hard.

"Jack everywhere looks great. You've been busy!" she smiled at him.

"Well there's only a certain amount of Simpson's you can watch in a day!" he joked.

"What would you like to do first? Have something to eat? Get out and about?" he asked her.

"Actually what I would really love to do is have a bath," she told him. Jack smiled down at her.

"I think that can be arranged; under supervision of course," he said suggestively. "Someone has to make sure you don't get that dressing wet!"

"Okay you're on," she laughed.

Sam went to turn away but Jack grabbed her hand.

"First there is something I want to do," he told her, holding her eyes in his. Then he swept her into his arms and kissed her hard. Sam felt her knees go and her head swim. Something's never change then she thought.

Jack broke the kiss and smiled down at her.

"You don't know how long I've wanted to do that!" he exclaimed.

Sam smiled back; it was good to be home, because home was where ever Jack's arms were.

Sam had a bath under Jack's supervision as he had promised and when she got out and he gently wrapped her in a towel. They went into his bedroom where he put some of her clothes. Finding everything she needed, she got dressed and Jack checked his watch.

"Time for lunch I think," he stated and headed out to his kitchen.

Making a salad with fresh bread, he was pleased to see she ate it all. Maybe everything was going to get back to normal now.

"I spoke to General Hammond earlier and he said things were progressing. The president is happy to grant us a special dispensation as long as we agree to some terms. They are still working out the details," he told her, between bites of the salad.

"What kind of terms?" Sam asked.

Jack looked a little shifty for a moment and replied.

"I don't know all the details yet. I'll tell you as soon as I do." Sam had the distinct impression that she wasn't being told the whole story but decided to let the matter drop.

Jack took her out in the afternoon as Sam wanted to stock up on a few luxuries. If she was going to have some enforced down time she wanted some new reading matter and compact discs to listen to.

When they got back Jack noticed she was looking pale.

"Sam I think it's time you had a rest. You don't look too good," he told her firmly. Sam smiled wanly.

"I may not be quite as ready to get back to normal as I thought I was." The shopping trip had taken it out of her.

Jack led her through to his bedroom and settled her into his bed. Sam fell asleep pretty much straight away and he settled down to do some paper work. About an hour in he was interrupted by a knock at the door. Opening it grinned when he saw the rest of SG1 on the doorstep.

"Hello Jack," Daniel greeted him, Teal'c bowed in his direction.

"Hi, come in boys," he replied and stepped back and let them through.

"How's Sam?" Daniel asked, following Jack though to his lounge area.

"Okay. We went out for a while this afternoon but it took it out of her and she's been asleep since," he told him.

A worried look passed across Daniel's face. "Do you think it was a good idea to let her come home so soon?"

"She would have done more damage in the infirmary trying to prove she was well enough to get out of there. At least this way she doesn't have to prove anything. I will just have to be tougher getting her to slow down," he explained.

Teal'c raised an eyebrow. "Indeed." Jack laughed; it was Teal'c speak for 'I don't like your chances.'

"Fancy a beer boys?" The both nodded in agreement and Jack went through to the kitchen.

As he handed them out he noticed the time.

"I'd better go wake Sam. She's due some pain meds. She would probably want to see you anyway," he said and disappeared to wake Sam, leaving Daniel grinning in the background. He had noticed which room Jack had gone into to wake her and it was not the guest room.

Jack gently shook Sam.

"Sam, time to wake up," he gently told her.

Sam turned over, stretched and pulled Jack towards her and kissed him soundly. Having just woken out of a very erotic dream she was having about him, she pulled him closer. Jack responded immediately and Sam began running her hands down his chest, trying to get to his shirt buttons. Pulling back, he grinned at her.

"I like your thinking, but we have visitors!" he told her firmly.

Sam stopped immediately and sighed in disappointment.

"I don't think you're up to that anyway yet!" Jack stated.

"I wouldn't mind trying!" she grumbled.

"Sam! I can see I am going to have my work cut out with you. Come on the boys want to see you," he smiled at her.

Helping her out of bed, she went to freshen up whilst Jack returned to be encounter Daniel's knowing grin. Well of course had firsthand knowledge of Jack's guest room. He had stayed in it enough times.

"Sam okay, Jack?" Daniel asked, cocking his head to one side.

"Yes Sam is fine and will be out in a moment," Jack said firmly refusing to rise to the bait.

Sam joined them in the lounge and Jack went to get the pain meds and a glass of water. She took them gratefully.

The team spent the evening together laughing and talking. Jack made some steaks which they all enjoyed and Jack was glad to note Sam was eating well.

Around nine, Sam started yawning and after Jack caught her yawn for the second time he got up.

"Well boys it's been great but I think the Major here needs some rest. Time to go," he told them firmly; Jack never had any difficulty getting his point across.

Daniel kissed Sam goodbye and caught the flash in Jack's eyes as he did it. So Jack was getting possessive. He wondered how Sam would feel about that! No doubt she would tell him to pull his head in but he didn't want to be around to find out so he and Teal'c headed off.

Sam went to get ready for bed and Jack came through with her night time meds.

"Come on Sam, time for me to check that wound," he told her.

"It's fine Jack. They only changed the dressing before I left," she replied.

"Never the less I promised Janet I would check it twice a day. They are still worried about that infection coming back," he assured her.

Sam moved out of his reach, she hated anyone checking her over and Jack was no different. It had started when she was a little girl and never went to the doctors unless she was unable to avoid it.

Jack watched her frowning. What was that about? Lord knows he had seen for more intimate parts of her body than her shoulder!

"Sam come here, I need to check it!" He put some command in his voice and Sam looked defiantly back at him.

"Honestly Jack its fine. You can check it in the morning. It will need cleaning then anyway." Yea and I don't like your chances of doing that either.

Jack was looking at her in amazement. Why was she creating such a fuss? Come to think of it he always had to order her to do anything to do with medical issues.

"I am checking that wound, Sam. Come here." He walked over to where she was standing and she moved out of his reach again.

"Sam!" Jack was getting annoyed now. This was not something he had expected.

"Jack just leave it for tonight, I am tired. I'm sure it's not got infected since this morning." Sam made her way around a stunned Jack and headed for the bathroom.

Jack was at a loss; this was stupid. Surely she didn't want to end up back in the infirmary, which was where she was headed if she didn't let him treat her? He left her to it for a moment and went to phone Janet at home.

"Janet Fraiser," she answered.

"Janet its Jack," he told her.

"Hi Jack. Everything ok with Sam?" she asked.

"No not really. She won't let me near her to check the wound. She said it would be okay for tonight but I just wanted to check with you," he explained.

Janet sighed down the other end of the phone.

"She's a right pain when it comes to aftercare. I did wonder if you would be able to do it. I normally threaten her with you if she doesn't co-operate. I think it might be an idea to be her commanding officer for this and order her. If not tell her I will have her back in the infirmary before she can wink," Janet suggested.

Jack smiled down the phone at the thought of Janet threatening Sam with him.

"Okay Janet I will give it a try. Do I need to push the point tonight or can I leave it until tomorrow?" Jack asked.

"Yes you do. It just needs checking tonight. Tomorrow you will have to clean it as well as changing the dressing," she advised him.

"Do you always have to threaten her then?" he asked. Although he knew she was bad with anything medical he had not realised it was that serious.

"Well it's either that or she would be on a permanent charge. I did put her on a charge once. All that happened was she got into trouble. So now I just tell her I am getting you and she behaves. She is my friend after all and I don't really want her to get into trouble," Janet said softly at the end. After all Jack was Sam's CO and she did not want to get her into too much trouble.

"Thanks Janet. I'll let you know how I get on," Jack said and hung up the phone.

Sam was still in the bathroom when Jack came back in.

"Sam I've just checked with Doc Fraiser and I do need to check it tonight. So come out of there and let me do it," he called through the door.

Sam was shaking and standing with her back to the door trying to get her head straight. Although she knew she was being silly, she had a fear of anything medical and she was not thinking rationally.

"Sam if you don't come out and let me do it you will have to go back to the base. Do you want that?" Jack shouted, changing tactics but there was still no reply.

Jack was getting fed-up with this.

"Major come out of there this instant. That's an order," he yelled.

Sam hesitated, she did not usually disregard an order. However the fear of what awaited her if she opened the door stopped her.

Jack was amazed she was defying a direct order. It was the first time.

"Major! Come out of there or I am putting you on a charge!" he tried again.

Even her training was unable to get her to open the door and she was in a cold sweat.

Jack stood directly outside the door.

"Screw this," he said under his breath and kicked the door in.

Sam jumped a mile and looked at Jack not really seeing him.

"I would come out now Major if I was you," he told her calmly and Sam looked at him. It was not Jack standing there; it was her CO but Sam still did not move.

Jack came right over to her and grabbed the hand of her good arm.

"Are we going to do this the easy way?" he asked and Sam looked at him, her eyes glazed with the anxiety she was feeling.

"I guess not." Jack stated.

Grabbing the dressing kit from the bed, he pulled her along with him. After getting her to sit down he removed the dressing and checked the wound. It was okay as it turned out and he replaced the dressing.

"Okay it's done," he told her, relieved. "Ok Major time for bed," he suggested and Sam climbed into bed and lay back. After taking her meds, she was asleep almost immediately.

Jack went through to the lounge and phoned Janet back.

"Doctor Fraiser," she answered.

"Hi Janet, it's Jack again," he replied.

"Hi Jack. How did you get on?" she asked.

"Well I had to kick a door in to get to her but I got there in the end. The wound is fine. I don't like my chances of cleaning it tomorrow though," he told her wearily.

"Just order her to do it and threaten her with General Hammond if she doesn't co-operate. If not I will have her back in," she advised him.

"Okay Janet. Hopefully it will be alright. Any idea why she's doing this? I had to put her on a charge myself. Now that's going to take some explaining!" he said ruefully.

"I know what you mean. I would carry through the threat if I were you. It will force her to have some more down time if nothing else. Maybe if she realises that each time she's difficult she's going to be off for longer she will pack it in. She should only need the dressing for another few days anyway. Tell General Hammond. He knows what she's like and if she still keeps on he will deal with her. He's knows your situation now I'm guessing?" she asked gently.

"Yes. He's trying to work something out. I don't want to take it that far though," Jack answered.

"I hate to say it but you may have too. Try and find out why she's like it. I've never managed to get to the bottom of it," Janet told him.

"You're her best friend Janet. Why do you think I would stand a chance?" Jack shook his head.

"I've never slept with her, it's makes a difference you know," she teased him.

"Didn't help much tonight!" Jack pointed out.

"She's tied and the meds she's on may make her behave irrationally. Give her some TLC and you never know what you may find out. But I would still carry through on that charge for tonight. Keep me in the picture. If you can't get the wound cleaned in the morning give me a ring and I'll come over and march her back. The threat of it might work on its own. Otherwise I will have to take her in," Janet suggested.

"Okay, thanks Janet. Goodnight," Jack replied.

"Night Colonel." Jack smiled at the use of his title. It was Janet's gentle reminder to him that he did have the power to force the issue here.

Deciding to spend the night on the couch Jack was worried about hurting Sam's shoulder and if he was going to charge her tomorrow he could not really sleep in her bed tonight. Sam was certainly going to get a shock in the morning; but as Janet had gently hinted, if their relationship was going to work out, he still needed to be her CO from time to time.

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Sam woke the next morning and instantly remembered the events from the night before. Oh God, she knew she was in trouble. Jack was going to have a fit this morning. She also needed the dressing changed. She was in a cold sweat just thinking about it.

Getting up she got washed and dressed and noticed that Jack's stuff was not in the bathroom and he had not slept with her; clear indications that she was going to be in trouble. She sighed; it was time to face the music. Leaving the safety of the bedroom she found Jack, looking every bit her CO, waiting for her in the lounge.

"Major, sit down," he said frowning slightly. "I need you to sign this." He handed her a piece of paper. Sam's eyes grew wide as she read it.

"Jack, I'm sorry, we don't need to take it this far do we?" she pleaded with him.

"It's too late now Major. You deliberately defied my orders last night despite me giving you a fair warning. You are going to have to sign it," he told her firmly.

Sam signed the paper and handed it back to Jack. She could see that the boundaries of their relationship where going to take some getting used to. Jack walked away from her and headed to his study. That had been unpleasant; he did not like upsetting her but as Janet had pointed out he needed to take the upper hand if it was work related.

Sam left the lounge and went through to the kitchen to get some breakfast. Jack joined her a little while later and gratefully accepted the coffee she handed him.

"I'm sorry Sam I had to do that you know that don't you?" he asked her, his eye's pleading with her to understand.

Sam nodded her head in agreement, although she did not like it, she could see his point of view.

"You can't always use your rank to get me to do things I don't want to do Jack. That's not fair," she stuck up for herself.

"I know that. But if it has anything to do with work which this does as you were hurt in the line of duty, I am still your CO and you can't use our relationship to get around it. It works both ways," he told her firmly.

"I guess this is going to take some getting used to," Sam said resigned to the fact that she was in the wrong this time.

Jack took her in his arms.

"Of course it is but I am sure we'll get there in the end," he reassured her and kissed her thoroughly.

After they ate breakfast together and then washed up, Jack watched Sam nervously.

"Okay Sam. I hate to say this. But it's time for that wound to be cleaned. As I don't really want a repeat of last night should I just take you to Janet?" he asked.

As Sam really did not want to go back, she looked at Jack in panic.

"We'll leave it for a while. Give you time to get used to the idea." Jack, in fact, had no intention of leaving it and discreetly went to get the medical kit. When he had grabbed what he needed he went to find her. As luck would have it he found her reading a book in the lounge.

"What you doing?" Jack asked as he sat down next to her. Turning she smiled at him.

"Reading a book," she pointed out the obvious and grinned at him. Smiling, he held her gaze and slowly moved in to kiss her. He kissed her deeply and could feel her relaxing in his arms. Moving gently he let his hands travel up her back, still keeping her occupied with his mouth. Running his hands under her t-shirt he felt the dressing and gave it a quick tug. It came away immediately and Sam jumped in surprise. Jack held her gaze, not giving her time to react and kissed her deeply again. Running his hands back down her back he pulled at the edge of her t-shirt and had it off over her head. Sam looked quizzically at him and Jack grinned.

"I thought if I distracted you enough you wouldn't notice what I was doing," he told her. Sam grinned.

"Okay get it over and done with but you had better make good on what you have started!" she told him. Jack grabbed the dressing, and after cleaning the wound he got it changed. The wound looked fine so hopefully it would be okay and it was definitely beginning to heal. Jack kissed his way down Sam's back, causing little shivers to run through her. Jack growled in frustration when the phone interrupted them and he went to answer it.

"O'Neill," he barked, rather sharper than he intended.

"Hi Jack it's Janet. How did you get on?" she asked, momentarily surprised by his sharp tone.

Jack looked directly at Sam, holding her gaze.

"Fine Janet thank you, it's all done. The wounds clean and not showing any signs of infection," he informed her.

Sam looked mutinous for a moment and then grinned. There were worst ways of getting her dressing changed!

"Impressive Jack, how did you get her to co-operate?" Jack turned his attention back to the phone.

"I didn't I just distracted her for a moment. It worked and she looks like she's going to forgive me so hopefully everything will be okay now," Jack filled her in.

"Well done. Try to get to the bottom of it still won't you? As I said you may be the one who can," Janet gently reminded him.

"Will do, thanks for calling Janet," Jack smiled at Sam.

"Let me know if you need anything Jack," Janet offered then they said their goodbyes and Jack turned to see Sam's amused eyes watching him.

"I will never trust you again!" she said jokingly.

Jack grinned. "Come on you've got to admit it was a nice way to be distracted!"

"Yes I will give you that!" she agreed.

Sam was relieved now it was over and done with. Not sure she approved of his methods, she was glad it was done and she would not have to worry about it until the check-up that night. Sam put her t-shirt back on, although she really wanted to go back to what they were doing, she knew she was in no fit state for it just now.

"Sam, do you think we could talk about why you are like this?" Jack asked her gently.

"Honestly Jack I have no idea. I guess I must have had a bad experience when I was young. All I remember is Mom taking me for some shots and I kicked the doctor and they had to hold me down. I've avoided it ever since," she told him truthfully.

"How the hell did you get on during training?" Jack asked. Medicals and shots were a routine part of their lives.

"I've always had understanding CO's and if anything major happened I was usually too out of it to care," she explained.

"Well it's something you're going to have to face at some time," he stated. Sam smiled at him and he dropped the subject for the time being.

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A/N: Thanks for reading! For those of you that like to see Jack and Sam happy you will like the next chapter! Chapter 9 – Back at the Cabin.