Title: Times like These. Author: StarKate Summary: Sam meets someone who touches her, and changes her view on life, and death. Rating: PG-13 - Some pretty heavy themes. Pairings: A tiny bit of S/J, nothing big. Spoilers: None. Season: Around Season 4.

*********** Author's Note - This is dedicated to a grandmother, a son, and a mother, (from an episode in the show Scrubs which I think had a great message to all of us.) and also a great cousin of mine. Rest in peace guys, you're not forgotten.

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Times Like These

Carter slumped down into a chair, and dragged a hand through her hair halfheartedly.

What was with all the missions? General Hammond had had all teams off base for days on end, she'd gotten about four hours to herself in the last week. Why couldn't they be allocated just a little downtime? She sighed.

Was there anything wrong with wanting a little break from travelling halfway across the universe? She loved her job, and couldn't even think of doing anything else, but it had its downsides. No proper rest, on call and alert at all times, dealing with foriegn races, bloodshed and feuding on a daily basis.

She mentally shook herself. Lack of sleep can really turn a person reflective, she smiled, and picked herself up. Off to the infirmary for the post-mission checkup. She grimaced slightly as she rounded the corner. Hope Janet's not in a needle-happy mood....

Sam stopped in the infirmary door, and rapped lightly on the doorframe. Dr. Janet Fraisier looked up from a patient's temperature, and smiled at her friend. "Sam! Checkup? Ok, sit yourself down there, I'll be with you in a minute." She went back to bustling around a thin, tall brunette, who looked a little apprehensive at the mothering doctor. Dr. Fraisier went to rummage around in the base supply cupboard, and the young woman turned to Carter. "Is she always like that?" Sam smiled indulgently. "Ooh, she can be a lot worse, believe me." The girl wrinkled her nose. "That's hard to imagine!" She grinned, and stuck out a hand. "I'm Andrea, Andrea Graham." Sam smiled and shook it. "Sam, Samantha Carter. What're you in here for?" Andrea put her hands to her stomach. "I think I ate something that didn't really go down too well. The doc's keeping me in for observation, and packing the asprin into me." Her eyes crinkled as she smiled. "They're not helping much!" Dr Fraisier returned with a syringe in hand. "Now Lieutenant, I'm going to take some blood, and send it off to get checked for food poisoning or any other withstanding infection." Andrea shrank back in her bed. "Doc, do you really have to take blood? I mean I can get by a whole lot easier without having a needle stuck in my arm!" The doctor shook her finger at the reluctant patient. " Lt. Graham, do I have to pull rank? Now hold out your arm." She drew a vial of blood, and neatly labelled it, before setting it down on the table. "Was that really so hard? One little prick and its all over!" "Easy for you to say,"grumbled the young officer under her breath. "Your arm isn't being used for acupuncture practise by a needle-happy doctor!" Sam snorted, and tried to keep a straight face. Janet turned and smiled sweetly at her friend. "Your turn now Major." She led the way across the room. Andrea called after her. "Good luck Sam," She gestured at the doc, and grinned. "I think you might need it!" Carter smiled. "Good luck to you too Andrea. Hope you feel better soon. I'll come visit in a coupla days, if you're still stuck in here." Lt. Graham nodded and smiled. "I'm holding you to that!"





That was just a starter, but it holds a couple of important details. This is not going to be a very light fic I think, sorry people! : ) Please tell me what you think of it, I'd really appreciate it.