Daniel Jackson sat with his team colleague at breakfast in the commissary and wondered what was bothering the man today. He was even more silent than usual, did not seem to even be aware of what was going on around him, and pounded in thought at his breakfast. Daniel had hoped to meet the Jaffa and have an open ear for his worries. The whole last evening the linguist had tried to reach Jack O'Neill. The man had switched off his cell phone and even at his home, Daniel only reached the answering machine. Daniel left numerous messages for Jack and was aware that he was probably already annoyed and would certainly strangle him.
Jack hated such care when it concerned him. But as soon as someone else was injured or sick on his team, Colonel Jack O'Neill mutated into a worried mother. He did not let this person out of his sight, even if he had to deal with Janet, until she gave into him or threw him out of the infirmary. The latter was usually the case. Daniel had even seen her threatening Jack with physical consequences. That was so rare between the two, that when it did happen, Jack knew he had finally lost. Daniel often had the impression that both enjoyed this kind of power struggle also. Colonel Jack O'Neill had the higher rank, but Major Janet Frasier had the upper hand in medical matters and thus outranked him. And yet, as soon as the man himself was sick or injured, he never let anybody approach him more than necessary.
Daniel concluded, either Jack was not at home, or he did not want to talk to him. But he was worried about his friend, whether Jack liked it or not and just wanted to know how he was. He could not reach Sam, either, and Teal'c was acting strange. Daniel could not get rid of the feeling that the Jaffa knew more than he did. Teal'c could not speak to his team colleague, he had promised Doctor Frasier not to let out a word about the events of the night before. The Jaffa hated to lie to his friend. He saw how much the uncertainty was bothering Daniel but he would not break his word to the Doctor. Therefore, he decided to say nothing. He would keep his word at all costs. When Daniel looked up from his breakfast, his gaze fell upon the little figure who was just entering the room to get a coffee. He jumped up and steered purposefully toward the person.
"Janet, do you know where Jack is? I can't reach him? He's left with you yesterday" he said to the doctor.
Janet stood with her back to him. She rolled her eyes, sipped her fresh coffee, breathed a sigh of relief before she turned slowly and looked directly into Daniel's blue eyes. Endless conversations with the man she could not cope after last night. But she knew he would not rest until she spoke to him.
"Good morning Daniel, how are you doing this morning?"
"Oh…..good morning!" He stammered, playing nervously with his glasses.
Daniel had no patience for such phrases. Daniel loved to talk but just common phrases like "how do you do" and "good morning" seemed to always through him off balance. While standing there trying to think of what to say next, he could not help but notice how tired and exhausted Janet looked. Was there something wrong with her also?
"Wow, you somehow do not look so ... um rested, to put it kindly" he remarked.
"Charming as always, Doctor Jackson!"
Janet somehow felt sorry for him and she did not want to leave him alone. Daniel's concern for his best friend was palpable and she tried to find at least calming words for the man.
"Colonel O'Neill is in good hands, do not worry. I'm sure he'll report to you, Daniel. Just let him have some more time" she said quietly, kindly, and then turned abruptly, hoping Daniel would leave it at that.
"Time for what, Janet? I do not understand ... ..."
Janet Frasier was already on her way again, as Daniel grabbed her arm and pulled her back. The sudden jerk caused hot coffee to splatter all over Janet's white coat and her hands.
"Daniel, please ... ...I can't say anymore!" She whispered angrily to the archaeologist as she hurried away.
Daniel Jackson was confused. He did not know what to think about any of this. Annoyed, he sat back down at the table with his friend and begin voicing his anger, when the Jaffa suddenly got up and left the commissary without a word.
Loud bird chirping was the first thing he heard as he slowly opened his eyes and tried to remember where he was at. Gradually he became fully awake, rubbed his tired, dry eyes, and looked carefully. Beside his left arm was a blond curly head. Sam! She seemed to be sleeping peacefully. Jack tried not to move more than necessary because he did not want to wake her up. His throat, however was damn dry as if he were stuck in the desert, and he could not prevent the rough cough as it began. Sam jumped up and looked at him sleepily. She smiled.
"Hey, you're awake."
He wanted to say something, but there was no more than a croak from his rough throat, followed by a violent cough.
"Oh how stupid of me. You must be very thirsty" she said,
She reached over him, to get the glass of water on the night stand beside him. Handing it to him, Jack gratefully accepted the cool beverage and drank hastily. His throat felt as if he had eaten sandpaper. Sam looked at him worried.
"Slowly Jack, you must swallow slowly."
When he had moistened his throat enough, he gave her the glass back.
"I'm sorry I woke you up again" he whispered.
His voice was hoars.
"That does not matter. How are you? "She asked him lovingly.
"Much better."
He even smiled a little.
"Jack, would you like something to eat? Janet said if you feel like it, then you should try to eat something. But most important, you must drink a lot, you've lost a lot of fluid. You have to be dehydrated and that is not good."
"You sound like Frasier. Where is she?
He was amazed that Doc was not at his side to take another exam.
"She had an important appointment, but gave me exact instructions for your care, Sir"
"Oh, I bet, she did," he moaned.
Sam grinned as she saw his grimace.
"So? Do you want to eat?"
When she looked at him, she knew the answer. He still looked very pale, had little more color than the sheets.
"No thanks, I'm not hungry," he confessed to her.
"Then I'll make you a cup of tea. It's good for you. "
She was about to get up when Jack took her by the hand and pulled her back. She dropped back onto the edge of the bed and waited until he spoke. His voice was rough.
"Thanks Sam! For all you did for me last night. I can't thank you enough for it. "
"I did not do much; Janet did all the work. I was just helpless and overwhelmed with the whole situation. If Janet had not been ... " she admitted ashamed.
"You helped me more than you might believe, Sam. You were with me the whole time. That was what I needed during this situation."
Jack took a deep breath, another swallow of water and then continued – he needed to get this out.
"I know Janet has done a lot for me. More than I have earned and I can never pay back. I am grateful to her. Really grateful ... ... she kept her promise to me and did not take me to the hospital, even though it was certainly against her conviction. This is what makes real friends. I am more than grateful to have friends like Janet, Teal'c and Daniel. And you! But I would not call you a friend, you are more to me, much more, you have always been. I love you Sam."
Samantha stroked him lovingly over his cheek and kissed him on his lips.
"I love you Jack."
"You shouldn't kiss me. I have a terrible taste in my mouth and I do not smell very well."
Sam laughed loudly, his gaze so pitiful.
"And a shave, you need a shave." She joked, taking his chin in her hand and turned his head to her, looked with love into his brown eyes and kissed him again. Then she looked at him gravely, wanting to ask something but not sure how he would take it.
"May I ask you something?"
"Sure. Everything! You can ask me anything!"
"Jack why are you frightened so much by the idea of going to the hospital? I know you've spent a lot of time in hospitals and at the infirmary and you have always done everything possible to get away quickly. But, well, I've never seen you panic like last night. "
Jack looked embarrassed and hesitated with his answer. Sam was the woman he loved, it was time she heard some things about him that nobody else knew. He wanted to spend the time that remained with her, with no secrets or lies. So, he took a deep breath, summed up all the courage, and told her why he was so afraid. It was not easy for him to open himself completely. So far, Sam knew him only as her hard-hitting, fearless commanding officer. And who likes to admit to be afraid of something. A man like Jack O'Neill, certainly not!