I do not own anything. If you recognize it, it is not mine.
Have to do a lot of stuff for Uni, so sorry for the sporadic posting. I am really trying here.
Thank you for the reviews. They really keep me going.
Hearing the water filling the tub was a nice change from the mostly silent sterile environment of the infirmary. The warm temperature was also incredibly soothing. During the journey over there Laura and Sam talked about the medical procedure planned for afterwards. Then it came to the awkward part of getting Sam undressed and putting her in the bath.
While Laura prepared some handles and a panic button near the tub to make it easier and safer for Sam, it could still be uncomfortable for her to need help with the basics. As a soldier and a brilliant astrophysicist she must have preferred solving the problems and rely on herself than helplessly sit around, being so dependent on others.
"Everything alright?" Sam's voice sounded, making Laura flinch.
"Yeah, sorry. Just wondering how we're going to do this." Laura softly put her hands on Sam's shoulders and took off Sam's jacket. "I specially picked bath salts and bubbles that help with muscle tension. It might feel a little chilly at first, but that is just the peppermint essence. The water is warm."
"Good. Thanks." Sam seemed deep in thought, as if she was miles away.
Laura hesitated, then took Sam's hand and put it on the edge on the tub. "Here's the tub. It's very big and comfortable. I installed an anti-slid mat, few handles and panic buttons around here, just to be safe."
Sam murmured in acknowledgement.
"Sam, what is it? You okay?"
"Yes, I just have memories that don't fit together, I think." She seemed very unsure of herself, hesitant to mention it.
"Alright. What are the memories about?"
"The General." Sam confessed like it was a crime, frowning. Laura took her hand and squeezed it, encouraging her to continue. She noticed the weird tension between Sam and O'Neill long time ago, but still she wasn't able to figure out what it meant. "I remember him telling me he's not in touch with his ex-wife, but I have a distinct memory of him hugging her. And it was during a mission. I also remember his son in the gate room. That's not possible, is it? I really must be going crazy…" Sam's voice trailed off as the sad look on her face got even sadder.
Laura noticed a shudder rocking Sam's frame. She should probably get Sam into the warm bath soon rather than later.
"No, I think I know what happened there, but let's get you ready for the bath as I tell you."
Sam nodded, hooking her hands behind the hem of her shirt and taking it off with a painful gasp that had Laura worried. "Do you want help?"
"No, it's fine. I'd rather do it myself."
"Okay, but there's no point of playing brave. Pain is your body's way of saying it needs assistance."
"I'll keep that in mind. So… What about my memories?"
"There's been an instance when a crystal life form took on then Colonel O'Neill's identity. As the duplicate tried to behave like O'Neill, it visited his ex-wife and asked to see Charlie."
"Oh." Sam stopped unzipping her pants and inhaled deeply.
For a moment Laura thought it was still hard for her to breathe, but then she became aware of how misty-eyed Sam was. Laura let her regain some composure, not wanting to intervene since Sam refused help.
"Yes. Then you found out the entity loses energy away from its home planet and it poses a threat to its surroundings. The duplicate was tracked to a hospital where it took on the appearance of O'Neill's son."
"So that was who I saw in the gate room. And it was the duplicate that sought out Sara." Sam was now again in the process of removing her trousers, slowly, trying not to fall down from the chair.
"Yes." When she looked how shaky Sam's movements were, Laura quietly stepped closer to the chair.
"That's so horrible." Sam whispered as her hand searched the edge of the tub.
"Yeah. Ready?" Laura asked, knowing Sam would definitely need help to get in.
Instead of replying, Sam threw her legs over the edge of the tub and steadied herself, planning to brace against the chair to get the momentum needed. At that point Laura took Sam under her arms and lifted her up and then into the bathtub.
"There's no point in exhausting yourself even before the procedures." Laura reprehended Sam, putting her hands gently on the handles and then on the panic button. "If there's anything you need, press that."
"I know. Go shower, I'll be fine." Sam answered, leaning backward against the tub.
"You are really looking forward to me leaving. Should I take it personally?"
"No. But you deserve some time for yourself. You have to be sick and tired of taking care of me."
"No, actually. I really enjoy being with you." Laura said, hanging her jacket on the hook next to the round shower stall in the middle of the room. "You know, Sam, I've been on my own for quite some time."
"I forgot about that. That's sad." Sam's hands were sliding along the edges of the tub, clearly looking for something. "Laura, where is the soap or something?"
"Let me show you, so to speak." Laura took Sam's hand and led it to the shampoo and shower gel bottles. "The tall one is the shampoo. And I am going to put another bottle at the end. The smallest is the conditioner now, okay?"
"Thank you."
"And I'll stay near you all the time."
"I know. I trust you." Sam smiled, freezing in motion for a few seconds. Reluctantly, she spoke again. "Laura, have you heard anything about me getting married?"
"No." Laura's voice raised in surprise. "Why do you ask?"
"I remember looking intently at a diamond ring. I just can't place the memory or picture the man who gave it to me."