Te Amare

Disclaimer: Nope, not mine. And there's no infringment intended. I only write for my own amusement and those of the readers, I make no money off it.

A/N: Same chapter, just made better by Pup's betaing.

Chapter 20: Steak and Cake

Last time on Te Amare:

"Janet worked on you," Sam told him.

"Really?" Jack asked once again surprised. He knew the doc was one of the best but after having been missing for three years he was really surprised Hank had let her operate on him before making sure she was who she said she was.

"Yeah," Sam nodded her head, knowing what he was thinking. "Hammond is here and he backed me up when I said she knows you better than any other doctor. You were really hurt and needed someone that . . ." Sam's voice had been breaking until it broke off all together. Talking about this was not easy on her; relieving those moments where she didn't know whether he'd live or die was going to give her nightmares for years to come.

"Hey, I'm fine," Jack said as he tried to sit up but the pain was too much and he fell back down . "I'm fine, don't cry." He pleaded as he pulled her down and hugged her on his good side.

Sam went down willingly and finally allowed herself the release of crying. She had shed a few tears here and there but hadn't been able to really cry. Only now with Jack's arms around her could she finally let go of all the pain and fear by crying.

Jack hugged her as tight as he could and closed his eyes, sorry that he'd put her through this and knowing that it might not be the last time. But as long as they were together, they'd be fine.

And now:

"Hey, how's he doing?" Janet asked as she walked up to Jack's bed.

Sam looked up from where she was working on her laptop. "He's better. He's woken up a few times in the last two days, but has spent most of them sleeping."

"Good," Janet said as she picked up Jack's chart. "That's for the best."

Sam just nodded and put the laptop to one side.

Janet looked up from studying the chart and asked, "And how are you doing?"

"Me?" Sam asked, surprised. "I'm fine. Why do you ask?"

"Because I know SG1 and I know about your penchant for staying glued to each other's bedside whenever one is injured. And, please don't," she added, without even looking up from her review of Jack's chart, just as Sam opened her mouth. "tell me he's no longer in SG1, because like Daniel said a few days ago, 'once SG1, you're always SG1'. Besides which, now that you're engaged to him, I really doubt that you have left his side for anything but going to the bathroom."

Sam thought about arguing but decided that Janet knew her too well for any argument to have any effect. "Ok, maybe you're right but I'm fine, really. I've been able to use that bed," she pointed to the bed next to Jack's. "And, surprisingly, I was able to rest. And I haven't missed any meals either," Sam went on when she saw Janet open her mouth. "Vala and the boys have been very good in bringing me dinner. In fact, they've had all of their meals right here with me."

Janet just said "Hmph," and after making final notations on the chart, she put it down and leaning a hip against the bed turned to look at Sam and finally asked, "How are you really doing?"

"I'm fine, Janet, really." Sam assured her friend. "Jack's doing pretty well and I've had a chance to catch up on some paperwork." She paused and then asked, "How are you doing? I haven't really seen you around the last couple of days?"

Janet grimaced as she shifted so that she was leaning on the bed. "Yeah, I was debriefing from sun rise to sun down. By the time I was done, the only thing I wanted to do was have dinner and go to bed, so I did. I'm sorry I didn't come by and check on you guys, but I was sure that you were being taken care of."

Sam waved away the apology, "Don't worry about it. I knew you were busy. How did it go? Are you finally done?"

"For the time being," Janet answered with another grimace. "I have to be available for further clarification and I'm in for an extensive evaluation with Mackenzie; but for right now, yeah, I'm done."

Sam winced when she heard Mackenzie's name, no one really liked to have to go see him. "I'm sorry. Those are never fun," she commiserated. "What did they say about your commission? Will you able to come back to work?"

Janet sighed as she raked her fingers through her hair, thinking about how much she was looking forward to her first salon appointment in over three years. "Not until the evaluation is done and Mackenzie clears me for duty. Of course, they also have to come up with a really good cover story. I think it'll be another couple of months before I'm allowed to come back."

"I'm sorry," Sam said, she couldn't think of anything else to say; she knew how much Janet liked her job and if it had been her in that situation and she didn't have her job to distract her – she'd probably go bonkers.

"No, Sam. I'm fine with it. I actually think it's good that I'll have some time to acclimate to being back before I'm thrust back into the craziness of the SGC."

Janet had to laugh at Sam's disbelieving face. "No, I'm serious. I know that you guys see having to go talk to him a fate worse than death but I think that it's something that I have to do. I was held prisoner for over three years, Sam, there are some things that I'm going to have to work through."

Sam nodded her head and gripped Janet's hand as she fell silent for a second. With a shake of her head, Janet pulled herself together and continued, "Anyway, as glad as I am to be back, there's no denying that things have changed and a few months to get up to speed isn't a bad idea. I mean I really don't like the idea of having to learn about new technology or procedures in the middle of a crisis. Besides, I'm looking forward to spending some uninterrupted time with Cassie."

Sam smiled and nodded, "I'm sure she'll like that. But, if you want to get up to date on the changes in the medical field, don't you need to be here and learn about them?"

"Yes, that's why General Landry has approved a few half-shifts and a couple of night shifts until I get the all clear."

"That sounds like a good idea. And, hey, if you're not that busy, you can help me with all the wedding plans."

Janet laughed and agreed just as a somewhat weak voice said, "Careful there, doc. Carter is a known slave driver and she's worse than ever when it comes to the wedding plans. She'll run you ragged trying to get everything just the way she wants them."

Janet laughed again as she got up and went to examine Jack. "Don't worry, General, I'm sure I'll be up to the task."

They were silent for a while as Janet conducted the examination and when she was done, Sam asked, "So, how's he doing?"

"Fine," Janet answered as she put the chart down. "Better than I was expecting, actually." She shook her head, crossed her arms and commented as she leaned a hip on the edge of the bed, "You must have a guardian angel, sir, to be in such good health after all the close calls you've had."

Sam grinned and agreed saying, "Yeah and his name is Thor."

Janet chuckled and Jack grinned at the comment, though he had to agree that the little fellow might well be classified as his guardian angel after all the times he'd saved his behind.

"So, Janet," Jack said. "You're on extended leave, huh?"

"Yeah, a sort of working leave, I guess." Janet answered.

"Janet," Sam started tentatively, "You are coming back to the SGC, aren't you?"

Janet sighed once more and answered, "I don't know, Sam. They didn't say one way or the other – apart from allowing me to have a few shifts." She added after a pause, "I don't think it's even up to General Landry and I don't really want to put anyone out of a job, but this base is not big enough for two CMO's. And after everything that's happened, I'm not sure that I want to start at another base. I might have to retire if I'm transferred."

"Oh, Janet. I . . ." Sam began but didn't really know what to say.

Jack, however, did. "It won't get to that, doc. Landry might not have the final say on where you're posted, but I do and if you want your old post, it's yours." He said firmly.

"Oh, sir. I appreciate that, but I really don't feel comfortable about displacing someone . . ."

"You're not, Janet." Jack assured her but she didn't look convinced. "Sam, tell her." He ordered.

"It's true, Janet. You wouldn't be taking anyone's place from them." Sam said sincerely and something in her voice and eyes convinced Janet.

It ought to since it was, after all, the truth. Dr. Lam's contract was up in a few weeks and Jack had all but decided not to renew it; he had, in fact, had misgivings about her placement in the SGC since almost from the beginning but he had decided to give her a chance and let her finish her contract.

Nothing that's happened since had convinced Jack otherwise. Oh, she was a great Doctor and had performed admirably in all the crises of the past two years but there was more to being a doctor than just curing a person's illness, especially in a place like the SGC, which was more than just a military base. It might be because of the nature of the things those serving at the SGC faced on an everyday basis, but they'd all bonded as a family and every new recruit joined the family almost as soon as they arrived. Those that for some reason didn't, didn't last long there – they were transferred quite soon, either by their own request or their superiors'. Everyone, that is, except Caroline Lam. She'd somehow managed to keep herself at the margin of the SGC family.

From what Sam and the guys had told him, they'd done everything they could to include her but all to no avail and they'd finally given up. Even Cam who, being the hot-blooded young man he was, had tried to get her to go out with him but after numerous bloodless shot downs had finally given in and left her alone. Jack knew that he had to do something when even Teal'c commented on how aloof and stand-offish Dr. Lam was. After getting over the shock of hearing Teal'c use the word 'stand-offish', Jack had decided not to renew her contract.

No, Janet's return hadn't changed anything; it has just solved Jack's problem as to whom to appoint as new CMO. Jack was only sorry for Hank; having known the pain of losing a child, Jack had hoped that with Caroline on the same base, father and daughter might mend some fences. Hank had been all for it but Caroline couldn't have been more disinterested if she'd tried. Well, to be accurate, she had gone out of her way . . . to maintain a completely professional, cold relationship. So far out of her way in fact, that though he had lasted longer than anyone else, Hank had also given up and now treated her as just another person under his command. Actually, he had a better, warmer relationship with most of the people under his command than with his own daughter.

While Jack understood Hank's position, Sam had at the beginning identified with Caroline. She too had grown up with a father in the service and knew firsthand what it meant and how they never seemed to be there when you needed them. The difference between them was that when Sam had been presented with the opportunity to achieve a better, closer relationship with her dad she had jumped at it while Caroline had disdained hers. Knowing how rewarding her efforts to have a better relationship with her dad had been and having seen how hurt General Landry was every time Caroline rejected an overture, Sam found herself distancing from the doctor more and more. By now, she was just a colleague that worked in the same place but not someone she would be particularly sad to see leave.

"If you guys are sure," Janet gave in.

"We're sure," Sam asserted. "So, are you ready to see Cassie again?" Sam asked, changing the subject.

Janet smiled but it was a bit tremulous. "Am I ever. But, I am also a bit apprehensive."

"Why?" Sam wanted to know.

"I don't know. I guess because I've looked forward to it for so long. And are you sure she won't have a problem with not having been told about my return until now?" Janet was really apprehensive about Cassie feeling excluded and betrayed because she was not told of her mom's return as soon as possible.

"I'm sure," Sam reassured the worried doctor. "Oh, I'm sure she'll be a bit upset at first but she's been around the military for a long time and she knows the need for security protocols and debriefs. She may not like it but she'll understand it. Don't worry. She's not a little girl anymore."

"I know," Janet agreed with a sad smile. "And of all the things I blame Ba'al for, losing three years of my daughter's life is the worst."

"Well," Jack intervened with a twisted smile. "Look at it this way: you at least have the chance to get to see your child finish growing up."

Janet and Sam shared a stricken glance at how insensitive they were being. Janet turned to look down at him and started to say, "Sir," but whatever else she might have said was lost as Daniel, Vala, Teal'c, Cam and Jonas came into the room - carrying dinner by the smell of things.

"Janet!" Daniel exclaimed as soon as he saw her standing by Jack's bed. "They finally let you out." He commented as he walked up to the bed followed by Vala, both carrying bags. "You done with the debriefing?"

"For the time being," Janet answered as she saw Cam, Teal'c and Jonas come up behind the couple, each also carrying bags.

"You have to see Mackenzie, don't you?" Daniel said knowingly and grimaced in sympathy when Janet nodded. "I'm sorry."

"No," Janet said with a small laugh even as she thought that Daniel had been a member of SG1 for a long time and had adopted the military views of psychologists. "I actually think it's a good idea. I've been gone a long time and a lot of things have happened. I need to talk to an uninterested party about it. I need to work through all my feelings." Janet explained but could tell by everyone's faces that they didn't understand, not that she had expected anything different: these were after all SG1, a more self-sufficient group of people she'd never met.

Daniel nodded his head and said, "If you are sure." But his face clearly said better you than me.

Janet nodded her head to show she was sure but was distracted by Jack taking a container out of the bag. "General, what have you got there?"

"Here?" Jack asked with an innocent face as he tried to shield what he was doing from her all seeing eyes. "Nothing, nothing. Continue with your chat." He said and waved his hand between her and Daniel.

"Sir," she said in a warning tone as she stepped closer to him and took the bag out of the way to see the food container. "What's this?"

"Oh, this," Jack said as he looked at the plate. "This is dinner. The guys were kind enough to bring me a real dinner so I wouldn't have to eat the drivel they serve in this place." He figured he might as well act as if there was nothing wrong with it; he might get away with it.

Janet straightened to her full height and put her hands on her hips – ok, maybe not.

"Steak and shrimp!" She said rather loudly and scowled at Jack. She then turned the scowl to Daniel and the others, "The General has just had major surgery, not two days ago. And you thought it a good idea to bring him a steak and shrimp dinner?" She paused to take another look at the plate and continue with the dressing down. "With chili fries?" She threw her hands up and then turned to look at each one in the eye as she asked, "Whose bright idea was this!"

No one there answered and after a few seconds she added, "The only thing missing is beer." And something in the eyes of the guys made her turn her fiercest glare as she very slowly demanded, "Oh, no you didn't. You did not bring beer into my infirmary." And no one noticed her slip of the tongue.

"No, no." Daniel denied as he shook his head. "Of course we didn't." Of course, Jack had begged for them to bring some and both Cam and Daniel had been tempted to try and smuggle some in, they, after all, knew what it was to be stuck with the infirmary diet.

Janet looked at Daniel searchingly and then nodded. "Ok, but," she added looking back at Jack, who, taking advantage of Janet's distraction, had started on the steak. "You are not eating that." And with that declaration, she took away his utensils and plate. She had spied the orderly coming in with the General's tray and with a nod of her head, she motioned him over.

"Oh, doc, come on," Jack whined as he saw the orderly bring over his dinner. "The food they serve here tastes like wet paper."

"It does not," Janet asserted as she supervised the orderly set down the tray. "And even if it did, that would still be what you'd eat because that's what's good for you. And you," Janet said as she suddenly turned to look at Vala. "What are you hiding behind your back?"

"Nothing," Vala started to deny anything but the doctor's glare was enough to deter even the former space pirate and she fell silent.

"Give it up," Janet demanded with a 'give me' gesture.

Vala gave it up with a shrug in Jack's direction. Jack tried to direct Vala with his eyes to not turn it over but he was too late and he followed the bag with yearning eyes.

Janet took the bag and was not surprised to find a piece of chocolate cake inside. "Cake? Really, sir, you should know better!"

"Come on, doc. Have a heart." Jack pleaded.

Janet glared a few moments longer and then relented a little, "If you finish all your dinner like a good little patient and give me no more trouble, you can have half a piece."

"Half a piece!" Jack protested.

"It could be nothing and you just get the pudding," Janet warmed.

"Ok, half a piece it is," Jack sighed and pouted as he turned his attention to dinner; the sight was enough to spur him to keep complaining but the thought of losing the half piece of cake he was allowed was deterrent enough to shut him up.

"Well, Janet," Sam said with a grin as she and the rest of the group settled down with their dinner. "You might as well join us or the steak will go to waste."

Janet grinned and sat down and enjoyed a very good dinner with some excellent company, even if the General glowered from time to time when he saw her eat his steak.