Part 3
1730 Hours
Janet bit her lip slightly as she disconnected the IV. Sam's blood pressure was just
about normal and she seemed to be coherent and in good spirits, but Janet was
more than aware how quickly that could change. Head injuries were notoriously
fickle.
"Janet, I feel fine." Sam said as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed.
Instantly an extreme feeling of vertigo swept over her and Sam gripped the edges of
the bed to keep herself from falling off. The act did not go unnoticed by Dr. Janet
Fraiser.
"Sam, you have a Grade 3 concussion and I should be shot for agreeing to let you do
this." Sam rested her hand on her friend's arm.
"Janet, this is really important to me."
"I know Sam, it's just.."
"You're worried."
"Of course I'm worried!" Janet said handing Sam her jeans and a button down shirt.
"If SG-3 wasn't expected back in the next hour, I'd be going with you."
"I'm sure the Colonel and Daniel will take very good care of me." Sam said rolling
her eyes as she pulled her jeans on under the gown. A small hiss escaped her lips as
the jeans rubbed against her injured side.
"What I wouldn't give for a pair of hip-huggers right about now." Sam muttered.
"I don't suppose you have an elastic skirt anywhere on base?" Janet asked, knowing
full well what the answer would be.
"Janet, I don't think I OWN an elastic skirt!" Sam said wrinkling her nose in distaste.
"Lift up your gown a little more Sam." Janet said sounding suspiciously more like a
doctor than a friend. Sam did so and tried to look down to inspect the damage. The
excess material of the hospital gown prevented her from seeing much more than a
glimpse of purple and green.
Janet unbuttoned the top of Sam's jeans and slid the zipper down half way to get a
better view of Sam's injuries. Janet shook her head and sighed.
"Sam, jeans just aren't going to work. Although the damaged ribs themselves are
several centimeters above your waistline, there is extensive bruising across most of
your lower torso. I can't have you moving about in restrictive clothing." Sam
crinkled her eyebrows in annoyance as she tried to recall if there was anything
suitable in her office.
"It might look a little funny, but unless you can think of anything better, you're
walking out of here in hospital scrubs." Janet held up a hand to stop the objection.
"Just over the legs Sam. You can wear whatever you want on top." Janet could see
that Sam wasn't crazy about the idea. Thin blue cotton pants screamed 'hospital'
and Sam was going to be seen in public. Clearly not thrilled, Sam mumbled her
acquiescence.
Carefully Sam shed the hospital gown not at all surprised at the lack of bra
underneath. Idly she wondered if the sports bra had been salvaged or cut to ribbons
in order to remove it. Sam couldn't help but chuckle to herself as she imagined how
it might appear if she were to deduct the bra as a 'business expense' from her taxes.
Five minutes later she was completely dressed except for her boots. Sam had begun
feeling a little queasy as she struggled with the socks but was able to hold the
nausea at bay. With any luck, she'd make it to the house and back without any
mishaps.
"Sam I administered a mild pain reliever through the IV before it was disconnected.
It isn't much stronger than a couple extra-strength Tylenol, but I really don't want to
give you anything more at the moment. It's important that we don't do anything to
mask additional signs of a more serious head injury."
"I understand Janet." Sam said sighing as she absently rubbed her temples. She
knew this probably wasn't the best idea on the planet (any planet really) but didn't
want to keep putting her life on hold for the SGC. All she had to do was go in, take a
look around the house and perhaps make an initial offer. Piece of cake.
"Hey Sam." Daniel said warmly stepping into the infirmary. "I hear we're going on a
field trip." Sam gave her friend a small smile as she eyed her boots with disdain.
Daniel immediately noticed her problem and moved to help.
"I have SO been in this position before Sam." Daniel said with a small chuckle as he
bent down to help Sam put her boots on. "Remember last year when I sprained my
wrist?"
"The Colonel looked all over for Size 10 tennis shoes with Velcro strips!" Sam said
remembering.
"He should have looked longer!" Daniel groused. "The blue fluffy slippers he bought
me instead didn't do a lot for my image as the SGC's resident Geek." He finished
tying the boots and gave Sam's leg a light squeeze. "Ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be." Sam said carefully standing up. The room tilted jarringly
to the left before leveling off as Sam adjusted her equilibrium. Standing did NOT
help her headache. The pounding seemed to be increasing in its intensity. She took
a deep breath.
"You all right Sam?" Janet asked worriedly as she eyed her friend's pale face. Sam
had lost several shades of color as she rose.
"Fine Janet." Sam said tightly. "Where's the Colonel?"
"He's changing into his civvies and said he'd meet us up top." Daniel said. Sam
nodded.
Moving much slower than normal, the pair walked in companionable silence towards
the elevator. Daniel instinctively keeping close to Sam's side in case she felt faint.
Janet had given both himself and Jack explicit directions on the care of head injuries.
Under no circumstances were they to leave Sam alone. Another fall would be very,
very dangerous. Daniel prayed Sam wouldn't need to go to the bathroom before
they returned. They boarded the elevator and began the ascent up the mountain.
Daniel looked at the determination on his friend's face and marveled once again at
the sheer tenacity that made up Dr. Major Samantha Carter. Or was it Major
Doctor?
"Sam can I ask you a question?" Daniel asked a little awkwardly.
"Of course Daniel." Sam said sliding down the elevator's wall to the floor. The ride
up took well over a minute and there was no reason for Sam to stay vertical the
entire time. Daniel sat down next to her.
"Why'd you keep the whole house buying thing a secret? You know we'd be there if
you wanted us to be and leave you alone if you wanted to do it all on your own."
Sam nodded; she knew. Daniel's question was not unexpected and she had been
wondering herself if she'd be able to explain it.
"I honestly didn't plan on keeping it a secret Daniel." Sam said rubbing her
forehead. "After we made it back to OUR SGC, I realized that it was high time to set
some permanent roots on this planet. I wanted not only a home to call my own, but
a house as well. I began doing a little research and had just finished interviewing
realtors when dad arrived with news about Seth." Now it was Daniel's turn to nod,
that had been a rather, uh electrifying experience. "After we had straightened that
mess out, I stayed with dad and Mark for another couple of days."
"I really was going to talk to the Colonel and get some home-buying advice after the
awards ceremony last month. But.." Sam couldn't help but grin. "The Colonel was
a bit indisposed before the ceremony even ended." Daniel laughed. It wasn't
everyday a United States Colonel was 'beamed' up to an alien spaceship.
"That was the first time I cancelled on Evan. I couldn't very well tell him I needed to
cancel due to the fact that I was attending an intergalactic conference to determine
the fate of our planet!"
"No. I suppose you couldn't." Daniel said in a dry voice. "Although, it might have
been interesting to have seen his reaction." Sam laughed and then shut her eyes in
pain. Laughing was definitely out for the duration of her concussion.
"Sorry Sam." Daniel said mentally kicking himself for causing Sam discomfort.
"Don't worry about it Daniel." Sam said in a tight voice as she took a deep breath in
and then out. The pain faded and Sam continued with her story.
"The Colonel actually spent a lot of time behind closed doors after our 'summit' so I
pretty much decided to not bother him with my little house hunting adventure."
Sam looked sadly into Daniel's eyes. "I had planned to bring you in on the fun after
we came back from P3C-599." Daniel unconsciously shuddered.
"Not my finest hour." He says softly.
"Nor mine." Sam still felt a tremendous amount of guilt for allowing her friend to be
locked away. Daniel took Sam's hand and gave it a small squeeze. "It all worked
out in the end Sam."
"Thank God." The elevator continued its silent ascent towards the surface.
"The second aborted house hunting attempt was on the day…" Sam couldn't bare to
say 'on the day we had you committed' so instead said, "During that time."
"Which brings us to today." Daniel said as the elevator doors opened. He helped
Sam stand up.
"Which brings us to today." Sam said as she gingerly stepped out of the elevator
and into the stronger light. Daniel instantly realized that Sam didn't have any
sunglasses. They were still several meters from the mountain's entrance, but
already the unfiltered light was starting to affect Sam. She closed her eyes tightly
against the brightness.
"Sam, stay right here for a sec, ok?" Sam nodded through shielded eyes. God her
head hurt. Why couldn't she have just broken her leg or something?
Daniel quickly jogged around the corner until he found Jack leaning against a car.
"No truck?" Daniel asked a little confused at seeing his friend beside such an
ordinary little car. Well medium size car anyhow.
"More comfortable for Carter." Jack explained.
"Right. Listen Jack, Sam's over at the elevators and doesn't have any sunglasses. I
can't loan her mine because they're prescription…" Jack took a moment to scan
around the garage. Bingo!
Although he would gladly loan Sam his glasses, they would not only be quite large on
her smaller face, but Jack sort of needed the lenses to drive in the bright fall
sunshine.
"Corporal!" He called to the petite sentry near the front gates.
"Colonel O'Neill, Sir!" Corporal Gladstone said with a sharp salute.
"Corporal, I was wondering if you could do me a favor." Jack said giving the
intimidated young woman a dazzling smile.
"Anything Sir."
"I was hoping you'd say that." Jack said with a grin.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Looks like a nice neighborhood Carter." Jack said pulling up to the trim blue house.
The sun was just beginning to set but Sam wasn't taking the glasses off until she
was safely inside. Daniel exited the car and forgetting about Sam's head, slammed
the door loudly behind him. Sam moaned in pain as the sound reverberated through
her head.
"Dammit Daniel!" Jack hissed gently laying a hand on his Major's arm. He could feel
her shaking ever so slightly.
"God Sam, I'm so sorry!" Daniel said in a quiet voice as he walked around the car
towards her.
"Shit." Sam said softly as she yanked her door open and proceeded to get sick on
the nicely manicured yawn. Jack moved his hand to her back and kept it there until
she was finished. Wordlessly he handed her a Kleenex, glaring menacingly at Daniel
through the open door.
"Thanks Sir." Sam whispered wiping her mouth. Daniel handed her a nalgene
container filled with water. Sam nodded her thanks to Daniel as well.
"I would have gotten sick regardless Daniel." Sam said after taking a large swig.
"The ride over didn't sit too well."
"Sorry Carter." Jack said accepting full responsibility for the driving. He unfastened
his belt and began to open the door.
"Hold it!" Sam said sounding stronger than she felt. "Before we go in, let's get one
thing straight." She looked first at the Colonel and then at Daniel "None of this is
your fault, ok? I'm the one with a stupid headache and I'm the one who insisted on
coming out here. With luck that," Sam made a hand motion towards the curb, "will
be the last of the physical manifestations of this injury, but if it's not.." She looked
again at Jack and Daniel. "It won't be your fault. Understood?" Both nodded.
Daniel helped Sam out of the car while Jack exited his own side.
"Carter, only you can feel like crap and still use words like 'manifestations'." Jack
said with a chuckle.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I know, I know- I can't believe I don't even have them in the damn house yet.
Coming soon! Everyone have a good New Years.
1730 Hours
Janet bit her lip slightly as she disconnected the IV. Sam's blood pressure was just
about normal and she seemed to be coherent and in good spirits, but Janet was
more than aware how quickly that could change. Head injuries were notoriously
fickle.
"Janet, I feel fine." Sam said as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed.
Instantly an extreme feeling of vertigo swept over her and Sam gripped the edges of
the bed to keep herself from falling off. The act did not go unnoticed by Dr. Janet
Fraiser.
"Sam, you have a Grade 3 concussion and I should be shot for agreeing to let you do
this." Sam rested her hand on her friend's arm.
"Janet, this is really important to me."
"I know Sam, it's just.."
"You're worried."
"Of course I'm worried!" Janet said handing Sam her jeans and a button down shirt.
"If SG-3 wasn't expected back in the next hour, I'd be going with you."
"I'm sure the Colonel and Daniel will take very good care of me." Sam said rolling
her eyes as she pulled her jeans on under the gown. A small hiss escaped her lips as
the jeans rubbed against her injured side.
"What I wouldn't give for a pair of hip-huggers right about now." Sam muttered.
"I don't suppose you have an elastic skirt anywhere on base?" Janet asked, knowing
full well what the answer would be.
"Janet, I don't think I OWN an elastic skirt!" Sam said wrinkling her nose in distaste.
"Lift up your gown a little more Sam." Janet said sounding suspiciously more like a
doctor than a friend. Sam did so and tried to look down to inspect the damage. The
excess material of the hospital gown prevented her from seeing much more than a
glimpse of purple and green.
Janet unbuttoned the top of Sam's jeans and slid the zipper down half way to get a
better view of Sam's injuries. Janet shook her head and sighed.
"Sam, jeans just aren't going to work. Although the damaged ribs themselves are
several centimeters above your waistline, there is extensive bruising across most of
your lower torso. I can't have you moving about in restrictive clothing." Sam
crinkled her eyebrows in annoyance as she tried to recall if there was anything
suitable in her office.
"It might look a little funny, but unless you can think of anything better, you're
walking out of here in hospital scrubs." Janet held up a hand to stop the objection.
"Just over the legs Sam. You can wear whatever you want on top." Janet could see
that Sam wasn't crazy about the idea. Thin blue cotton pants screamed 'hospital'
and Sam was going to be seen in public. Clearly not thrilled, Sam mumbled her
acquiescence.
Carefully Sam shed the hospital gown not at all surprised at the lack of bra
underneath. Idly she wondered if the sports bra had been salvaged or cut to ribbons
in order to remove it. Sam couldn't help but chuckle to herself as she imagined how
it might appear if she were to deduct the bra as a 'business expense' from her taxes.
Five minutes later she was completely dressed except for her boots. Sam had begun
feeling a little queasy as she struggled with the socks but was able to hold the
nausea at bay. With any luck, she'd make it to the house and back without any
mishaps.
"Sam I administered a mild pain reliever through the IV before it was disconnected.
It isn't much stronger than a couple extra-strength Tylenol, but I really don't want to
give you anything more at the moment. It's important that we don't do anything to
mask additional signs of a more serious head injury."
"I understand Janet." Sam said sighing as she absently rubbed her temples. She
knew this probably wasn't the best idea on the planet (any planet really) but didn't
want to keep putting her life on hold for the SGC. All she had to do was go in, take a
look around the house and perhaps make an initial offer. Piece of cake.
"Hey Sam." Daniel said warmly stepping into the infirmary. "I hear we're going on a
field trip." Sam gave her friend a small smile as she eyed her boots with disdain.
Daniel immediately noticed her problem and moved to help.
"I have SO been in this position before Sam." Daniel said with a small chuckle as he
bent down to help Sam put her boots on. "Remember last year when I sprained my
wrist?"
"The Colonel looked all over for Size 10 tennis shoes with Velcro strips!" Sam said
remembering.
"He should have looked longer!" Daniel groused. "The blue fluffy slippers he bought
me instead didn't do a lot for my image as the SGC's resident Geek." He finished
tying the boots and gave Sam's leg a light squeeze. "Ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be." Sam said carefully standing up. The room tilted jarringly
to the left before leveling off as Sam adjusted her equilibrium. Standing did NOT
help her headache. The pounding seemed to be increasing in its intensity. She took
a deep breath.
"You all right Sam?" Janet asked worriedly as she eyed her friend's pale face. Sam
had lost several shades of color as she rose.
"Fine Janet." Sam said tightly. "Where's the Colonel?"
"He's changing into his civvies and said he'd meet us up top." Daniel said. Sam
nodded.
Moving much slower than normal, the pair walked in companionable silence towards
the elevator. Daniel instinctively keeping close to Sam's side in case she felt faint.
Janet had given both himself and Jack explicit directions on the care of head injuries.
Under no circumstances were they to leave Sam alone. Another fall would be very,
very dangerous. Daniel prayed Sam wouldn't need to go to the bathroom before
they returned. They boarded the elevator and began the ascent up the mountain.
Daniel looked at the determination on his friend's face and marveled once again at
the sheer tenacity that made up Dr. Major Samantha Carter. Or was it Major
Doctor?
"Sam can I ask you a question?" Daniel asked a little awkwardly.
"Of course Daniel." Sam said sliding down the elevator's wall to the floor. The ride
up took well over a minute and there was no reason for Sam to stay vertical the
entire time. Daniel sat down next to her.
"Why'd you keep the whole house buying thing a secret? You know we'd be there if
you wanted us to be and leave you alone if you wanted to do it all on your own."
Sam nodded; she knew. Daniel's question was not unexpected and she had been
wondering herself if she'd be able to explain it.
"I honestly didn't plan on keeping it a secret Daniel." Sam said rubbing her
forehead. "After we made it back to OUR SGC, I realized that it was high time to set
some permanent roots on this planet. I wanted not only a home to call my own, but
a house as well. I began doing a little research and had just finished interviewing
realtors when dad arrived with news about Seth." Now it was Daniel's turn to nod,
that had been a rather, uh electrifying experience. "After we had straightened that
mess out, I stayed with dad and Mark for another couple of days."
"I really was going to talk to the Colonel and get some home-buying advice after the
awards ceremony last month. But.." Sam couldn't help but grin. "The Colonel was
a bit indisposed before the ceremony even ended." Daniel laughed. It wasn't
everyday a United States Colonel was 'beamed' up to an alien spaceship.
"That was the first time I cancelled on Evan. I couldn't very well tell him I needed to
cancel due to the fact that I was attending an intergalactic conference to determine
the fate of our planet!"
"No. I suppose you couldn't." Daniel said in a dry voice. "Although, it might have
been interesting to have seen his reaction." Sam laughed and then shut her eyes in
pain. Laughing was definitely out for the duration of her concussion.
"Sorry Sam." Daniel said mentally kicking himself for causing Sam discomfort.
"Don't worry about it Daniel." Sam said in a tight voice as she took a deep breath in
and then out. The pain faded and Sam continued with her story.
"The Colonel actually spent a lot of time behind closed doors after our 'summit' so I
pretty much decided to not bother him with my little house hunting adventure."
Sam looked sadly into Daniel's eyes. "I had planned to bring you in on the fun after
we came back from P3C-599." Daniel unconsciously shuddered.
"Not my finest hour." He says softly.
"Nor mine." Sam still felt a tremendous amount of guilt for allowing her friend to be
locked away. Daniel took Sam's hand and gave it a small squeeze. "It all worked
out in the end Sam."
"Thank God." The elevator continued its silent ascent towards the surface.
"The second aborted house hunting attempt was on the day…" Sam couldn't bare to
say 'on the day we had you committed' so instead said, "During that time."
"Which brings us to today." Daniel said as the elevator doors opened. He helped
Sam stand up.
"Which brings us to today." Sam said as she gingerly stepped out of the elevator
and into the stronger light. Daniel instantly realized that Sam didn't have any
sunglasses. They were still several meters from the mountain's entrance, but
already the unfiltered light was starting to affect Sam. She closed her eyes tightly
against the brightness.
"Sam, stay right here for a sec, ok?" Sam nodded through shielded eyes. God her
head hurt. Why couldn't she have just broken her leg or something?
Daniel quickly jogged around the corner until he found Jack leaning against a car.
"No truck?" Daniel asked a little confused at seeing his friend beside such an
ordinary little car. Well medium size car anyhow.
"More comfortable for Carter." Jack explained.
"Right. Listen Jack, Sam's over at the elevators and doesn't have any sunglasses. I
can't loan her mine because they're prescription…" Jack took a moment to scan
around the garage. Bingo!
Although he would gladly loan Sam his glasses, they would not only be quite large on
her smaller face, but Jack sort of needed the lenses to drive in the bright fall
sunshine.
"Corporal!" He called to the petite sentry near the front gates.
"Colonel O'Neill, Sir!" Corporal Gladstone said with a sharp salute.
"Corporal, I was wondering if you could do me a favor." Jack said giving the
intimidated young woman a dazzling smile.
"Anything Sir."
"I was hoping you'd say that." Jack said with a grin.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Looks like a nice neighborhood Carter." Jack said pulling up to the trim blue house.
The sun was just beginning to set but Sam wasn't taking the glasses off until she
was safely inside. Daniel exited the car and forgetting about Sam's head, slammed
the door loudly behind him. Sam moaned in pain as the sound reverberated through
her head.
"Dammit Daniel!" Jack hissed gently laying a hand on his Major's arm. He could feel
her shaking ever so slightly.
"God Sam, I'm so sorry!" Daniel said in a quiet voice as he walked around the car
towards her.
"Shit." Sam said softly as she yanked her door open and proceeded to get sick on
the nicely manicured yawn. Jack moved his hand to her back and kept it there until
she was finished. Wordlessly he handed her a Kleenex, glaring menacingly at Daniel
through the open door.
"Thanks Sir." Sam whispered wiping her mouth. Daniel handed her a nalgene
container filled with water. Sam nodded her thanks to Daniel as well.
"I would have gotten sick regardless Daniel." Sam said after taking a large swig.
"The ride over didn't sit too well."
"Sorry Carter." Jack said accepting full responsibility for the driving. He unfastened
his belt and began to open the door.
"Hold it!" Sam said sounding stronger than she felt. "Before we go in, let's get one
thing straight." She looked first at the Colonel and then at Daniel "None of this is
your fault, ok? I'm the one with a stupid headache and I'm the one who insisted on
coming out here. With luck that," Sam made a hand motion towards the curb, "will
be the last of the physical manifestations of this injury, but if it's not.." She looked
again at Jack and Daniel. "It won't be your fault. Understood?" Both nodded.
Daniel helped Sam out of the car while Jack exited his own side.
"Carter, only you can feel like crap and still use words like 'manifestations'." Jack
said with a chuckle.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I know, I know- I can't believe I don't even have them in the damn house yet.
Coming soon! Everyone have a good New Years.