Daniel's harsh cough and subsequent moan pulled Sam from her book and she looked up and smiled tenderly as he sighed and shifted in bed. She placed her book on the table and moved to sit on the edge of the bed.
"Thought you were sleeping," she said as she picked up his hand.
"Can't," Daniel complained and started to fiddle with his nasal canualar with a shaking hand—a hand Sam quickly intercepted.
"Leave that," she scolded playfully. "Janet said you need it."
"It hurts," Daniel whinged.
"Baby," Sam teased, but when Daniel's complaining returned to harsh coughing, she reached for a glass of water and straw on the bedside table. "Small sips," she urged when Daniel got his breathing under control and latched onto the straw. His throat was sore and his chest tight from his now continual coughing.
When his thirst was sated, he leaned his head back with a sigh. "What time is it?" he asked, noting how dark it had suddenly become.
"Gone eight," Sam replied as she placed the now empty glass back on the table.
"Oh. I must have slept," Daniel muttered.
"Yup, you have," Sam nodded and smiled. "In fact, you nodded off in the middle of eating your broth."
"I did?"
"Yup. Mid O'Neill aeroplane."
"He didn't?"
"He did!"
"Oh." Daniel smiled at the hazy memory of Jack's teasing while he tried to eat. "Talking about Jack—where is he?" he asked as he turned his head expecting to see his teammate.
"He's gone with Janet to the local hospital to see if we can help a young patient there."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. Lilly took Ben there today and they hurried back for some medical advice. They should be back soon."
"How is Lilly?" Daniel asked, closing his eyes when another wave of exhaustion washed over him.
"She's fine," Sam smiled. "The Colonel is going to suggest to her that she comes back with us and learn under Janet for a while."
"She'd jump at that," Daniel mumbled sleepily.
"Yes, she will." Sam tenderly traced the outline of her friend's still too hot face with her finger. "You tired?"
"Uh, huh," Daniel nodded wearily.
"Then sleep," Sam urged gently.
"'kay." Daniel sighed and closed his eyes.
Sam sat at his side and stroked her friend's forehead as he finally gave into his exhaustion once again.
Xxxx
"Okay. We'll leave this running now." Janet double-checked the drip that was feeding young Niall life saving antibiotics.
"You are saying that this liquid actually goes into his blood stream?" Conrad watched in amazement as Janet finished her work.
Janet nodded in agreement. "It's the best route to attack the infection. The antibiotics will be pumped round his body and, hopefully in a day or two, his fever will be under control and he'll be feeling much better."
"How do you know these things?" Conrad stood over Janet's shoulder as she added her actions on Niall's chart.
"The people on my world have spent many, many centuries learning about the human body and how to heal it's many ailments," she said, clutching the completed file to her chest, looking at a clearly bewildered Conrad. "It takes time, Platon."
"They are going to show us," Lilly interjected.
"Then we will be always in their dept." Conrad bowed.
Janet pulled the covers up to Niall's shoulders, double checked his temperature with a touch to his forehead, and smiled over her shoulder at the collected staff. "Much better," she announced, and chuckled slightly when the nurses all turned and chatted between themselves, excitingly. From the corner of her eye, she noticed that her own nurse was looking a bit ragged round the edges though. Ben was leaning heavily against the wall with his eyes closed and one hand massaging his temples. He looked dead on his feet and, after a knowing glance at Lilly; Janet crossed to his side and placed a comforting hand on his arm.
"You okay, Ben?" she asked gently, pulling her hand back when Ben immediately jumped at her touch.
"What? Yes, sorry. I'm fine," Ben mumbled as he pushed away from the wall.
"I think you need to get some rest." Janet steadied his elbow when he swayed slightly.
"No. I'm fine," Ben tried to reassure her, but his bravado disappeared when his face paled.
Janet sighed and turned to Lilly. "Take him home, Lilly, and make sure he takes something for the headache he's trying to hide. Some bed rest would probably help."
"Yes, Doctor Fraiser," Lilly smiled.
"What? No, I'm fine!" Ben, protested. "I'll stay here with Niall—"
"No. I'll stay with Niall for a while," Janet promised. "You're going to get some sleep. You're no good to me if you're exhausted." She hated playing dirty, but knew well enough that Ben Ashton would not go willingly if there were others to care for.
"What about Daniel?"
"He's in good hands. Major Carter is with him and the colonel will be returning with you, too. Daniel's condition has improved and it's time for you to take five and rest."
"But—"
"No, Ben. Two patients are enough for me at the moment and I don't want to add another to my mix, okay?"
Ben took a deep breath and let it out slowly, finally admitting defeat. "Yes, Doc," he mumbled as he bowed his head.
"Good, man," Janet, grinned. "Teal'c will round the colonel up and you can make for home. I'll be along after I've instructed the staff on further treatment and borrow a cart." She turned to Conrad. "Is there another cart I can use?" she asked.
"Of course," Conrad confirmed. "I will make the arrangements." He bowed and hurried out of the room.
Janet smiled at Lilly who took Ben by the arm. "Get him home and make sure you rest too."
Xxx
"You should have told me you were so tired, Ben," Lilly chided as they walked slowly down the corridor that led to the exit of the hospital.
"Didn't realise I was. It just hit me out of nowhere," Ben admitted, his concentration focused on putting one foot in front of the other, as the walls of the corridor appeared to close in on him the further they went.
"We're nearly there," Lilly soothed when she noticed his discomfort. "Quinn's feather bed is calling."
Xxx
"But I need to check on Daniel," Ben protested as Lilly gently pushed him down onto the bed.
"I have spoken with Greta. He is sleeping, and Samantha is watching over him," she sighed as she knelt and started to undo her friend's boots.
"But, what if—"
"No buts," Lilly tutted and pulled off a boot. "He is fine."
Ben sat on the edge of the bed, swaying slightly with exhaustion and watched, almost detachedly, as Lilly removed the other boot, before standing over him with her hands on her hips in mock annoyance.
"Do you require me to remove your pants as well, Ben Ashton?" She tapped her foot and cocked her head.
"What? No. I can do it," he mumbled, fumbling for his belt, pausing only when he realised Lilly was still staring at him with a slight smile on her face. "And you can turn around, Lilly Tanger," he huffed before pulling the belt through his pant loops.
"I've seen it all before," Lilly shrugged.
"Yes. Well. I'd rather some privacy… if you don't mind," Ben grouched.
"Fine," Lilly conceded with another shrug. "I'll go fetch you some medication for your headache," she stated as she turned her back on him. "Where will I find that?"
Ben stood shakily and stepped out of his pants. "Go and ask Major Carter for some headache tablets," he said as he flopped back down on the bed and removed his shirt.
"I will not be long." Lilly strode toward the door. "I expect you to be in bed on my return."
"Check on Daniel for me?"
"I will," Lilly promised, closing the door behind her as she left the room.
Ben sighed and rested his aching head in his hands. He could kick himself for hitting the wall. Janet needed him, Daniel needed him, and he felt as if he'd left both of them down.
Xxx
"Here, you go." Sam passed Lilly a strip of Tylenol. "He can take two now and two more in four hours. Ben will know that."
Lilly smiled back and popped the blister pack into her pocket, before turning and walking to Daniel's bedside. She stood and watched the linguist stir slightly in his sleep before settling once more.
"Why does he have that thing on his nose?" She asked, noticing the nasal cannula.
Sam crossed to her side and picked up Daniel's hand. "Doctor Fraiser thought his breathing was a bit laboured tonight so has popped him back on some oxygen."
"Oh? I thought he was improving," Lilly said. She was shocked to see Daniel looking as ill as he did.
"He is," Sam reassured her. "This is just giving him a hand for a while as he fights the remaining infection."
"Oh… okay," Lilly sighed in reply.
"Are the others back?" Sam asked as she returned to her bedside seat once more.
"Colonel Jack is, but Teal'c and Doctor Fraiser have remained for a while to assess the young farmer. They said they would not be long."
"Okay," Sam smiled. She sat and watched as Lilly then fiddled with Daniel's IV. "Do you want me to take Ben the tablets?" she offered when she saw how torn the young girl was—it was obvious to her that Lilly had suddenly put her platon hat on and was mentally reviewing the patient's condition.
"No," Lilly mumbled as she placed her hand on Daniel's forehead. "I'll take them."
She stood for a while just stroking Daniel's brow before she turned to Sam once more.
"Would you mind if I returned and did Daniel's obs?" she asked.
"Absolutely! I'd like the company."
Lilly patted her pockets to make sure she still had Ben's medication. "I will return after I sort Ben out," she chuckled softly.
"Bring a cup of coffee with you?"
"Of course. I shall bring cake as well." Lilly grinned before departing and Sam picked her book up once more.
Xxx
"How's Daniel?" Ben scooted up in bed and accepted the tablets and glass of water Lilly was offering him.
"He is sleeping."
Ben popped the painkillers in his mouth and washed them down with the remaining water. "But did he look alright? What did Major Carter say?" He passed Lilly the now empty glass.
Lilly placed the glass on the nightstand and sat on the edge of the bed. "He looked fine and the major said he'd been sleeping well most of the evening." She allowed a slight bend of the truth for Ben's sake, knowing if she told him Daniel Jackson was on oxygen, Ben would be up and rushing to his side.
"Oh, okay," Ben nodded in acceptance, rearranging his pillows and laying back down. "What time is it?"
Lilly folded the quilt down round his waist and smiled. "It is gone midnight," she said, slowly and gently stroking Ben's flat abdomen, lost in the realisation of how just how attractive he was.
Ben smiled softly as he watched her lick her lips and run her fingers through his chest hairs. "Are you okay, Lilly?"
"I am fine," Lilly sighed and continued to examine Ben's toned and slightly tanned body. "How are you?"
"Well, apart from this headache, I'm fine too,"
"You are indeed, very fine," Lilly whispered.
Ben reached over and stroked Lilly's arm tenderly. "Lilly?" he said softly, trying to get her attention.
"Ben?" Lilly replied breathlessly, her fingers skimming over his nipples.
Ben hesitated for a while and then tipped her chin, stroked her cheek, and pulled her in for a passionate kiss, which Lily returned willingly.
The kissed deeply, lost in the moment, before the need for oxygen eventually forced them a part.
Ben stared Lilly in the eyes and ran his fingers through her curls. "You are so beautiful, Lilly," he sighed.
Lilly smiled broadly and nipped in for another quick kiss. "And you are so tired, Ben," she replied, pulling out of his embrace. "Time for sleep."
Ben flopped back down on the bed with a huff, which turned into a groan when the action caused his aching head to pound.
Lilly pulled the quilt up again, leant down and kissed Ben's forehead. "Sleep," she urged. "I'm going to keep Daniel company." She smiled again before turning and dimming one of the bedside oil lights.
"'night, my Lilly," Ben whispered when Lilly stood.
"Night, my Ben," Lilly replied, and stood and watch Ben as he turned onto his side. She reached and tucked him in once more and kissed the top of his head.
Xxx
Janet plucked the empty breakfast tray off Daniel's lap, placed it on the table by the window, and pulled up a chair next to Jack's chair. "Right. This is what's happening." She smiled at Daniel who was picking at his quilt.
"Oh, this sounds like fun," Jack quipped and mirrored Janet's pose.
Daniel glanced up at his friends and frowned –he didn't like the look or sound of his two friends double tagging him one bit.
"Go on." He swirled his fingers in the air, giving Janet permission to continue.
Janet smiled at the Daniel Jackson trademark gesture and noted that he was being to look and sound like his old self, at last. "What's happening, "she repeated. "Is this –"
"Sounds good so far, Doc." Jack grinned and nodded vigorously.
Janet turned and pinned him with an exasperated stare. "Colonel, do you mind?"
"Not at all. Please continue." Jack bowed his head and gestured towards his friend in the bed with his hand. "Daniel's on tender hooks, aren't you Daniel?"
"Oh, yeah," Daniel mumbled.
"Okay. Enough!" Janet held her hands up in defeat, knowing this little teasing would soon turn into a full-blown Daniel/Jack scenario if she didn't take command. "Daniel, I want you up and out of bed today—"
"But—"
Janet held her hand up in protest again. "Moving around is going to help your lungs and is necessary to prevent blood clots," she stated adamantly. "There's no argument on this one, Daniel. Once you're up and moving, I'll be able to disconnect some more medication, which means we could be returning home tomorrow… all being well."
Daniel's head snapped up at the news. "Really?" he asked cautiously, knowing he was still running a high fever and in considerable pain.
"Yes. If things work out. Absolutely," Janet smiled. "I know you're still feeling unwell, but I'm sure you're out of danger now and fit enough to travel to the Stargate in Greta's buggy. We'll make sure there are plenty of quilts and blankets."
Jack smiled and slapped his thighs. "That sounds just great, doesn't it, Daniel?" he beamed.
"I'm not so sure," Daniel muttered.
"It'll be fine," Janet tried to reassure him. "We'll be guided by you and your pain levels."
"Piece of cake." Jack shrugged.
Janet stood and approached Daniel's bed. "Let's get you up and moving then, Daniel," she smiled reassuringly. "I'm going to disconnect your antibiotic and pain relief IV—you can have both orally now you're eating and drinking. I'll leave your catheter, though, as it'll make things easier for you. Just some more small steps, okay?"
Daniel looked up and smiled slightly. "Okay."
Janet turned Jack. "Right, sir I could do with some help here..."
