Downtime
~~~~~~~~~~~
Jack shifted slightly in the driving seat and checked his mirrors. As his eyes rested for a second on the rear view he caught a glimpse of Sam and Jonas both asleep, Sam's head resting on Jonas' shoulder and Jonas' head resting on Sam's. He shifted his eyes back to the empty road ahead, he would be glad arrive at the cabin and rest himself. As it was there was another three hours drive ahead and because the only other person who could drive legally was Carter, he was stuck driving. He would have let Tealc drive but the highway patrols were notorious along the stretch of road they were on which reminded him to check his speed. Once they got within an hour of the cabin they were more on back roads and less patrol cars would be around and he mused on the point of swapping with Tealc then. He let out a long sigh and slowed his speed slightly; Tealc looked over to him as he raised his hand to shift his glasses slightly more out of habit than anything else. Tealc watched as his friend rested his hand back on the wheel his face wearing a worn weary expression. He held his gaze for a while thoughts running through his mind of how best to distil the tense atmosphere which for some reason had risen between all the occupants of the vehicle.
Usually they bantered and small talk evolved between them both but for some reason O'Neill had been quiet and resigned since the beginning of their journey. Jack glanced sideways and caught his gaze. Shifting uncomfortably in his seat, he moved his eyes back to the road. Teal'c raised his brow and returned his own gaze to the scenery passing by them. O'Neill would in due time let whatever was on his mind surface until then he would be supportive in whatever way he could for his friend.
Jonas was jerked awake by the shaking movements of the van as it rolled onto the dirt track. He was about to sit up and stretch when he glanced down and saw Sam still fast asleep on his shoulder which was starting to ache from being in the same position for the last few hours. He looked forward through the front window and a log cabin slowly loomed into view. Jack drew up by the side of the cabin and turned off the engine. Tealc glanced over to him and noticed a softening in his face as he looked out at the cabin. Jack stepped out of the van and stepped up the stairs to the front door unlocking it swiftly and throwing it open. Felt good to be back at the old place. It had been a while. Or it seemed a long time; he wracked his brain trying to remember when exactly the last time he had been at the cabin. He turned back to the van where Tealc was already pulling baggage; Jonas and Sam had not made a move. Jack walked back to the van and opened the back door stooping to glance inside he saw Sam still sleeping against an uncomfortable looking Jonas. Jack smiled and shook Sam's arm softly to wake her. She stirred and opened her eyes yawning. Jonas took a glance her way and yawned as well as she sat up rubbing her sleepy eyes.
"Come on sleepy heads, there's a few things to be done."
"Yes Sir" Sam mumbled softly sliding out of the van, Jonas exited the other side and grabbed some of the luggage Tealc had removed from the van. Sam picked up her own bags Jack, Tealc grabbed the remaining baggage, and they all headed inside.
"Make yourselves at home kids." Said Jack " bedroom's are through here"
He headed down a small passageway, the others followed.
"There's only two bedrooms but there's a sofa bed in the living room as well.
"Carter you can take this one"
He opened the door to his room and stepped inside Sam followed and placed her bags on the floor.
"You sure Sir?" she asked, as this was his usual room.
"Yea" Jack was already heading out back into the passage; he opened the door the opposite into the spare room a small space with two single beds.
"And you guys can take this one" he said to Tealc and Jonas.
"I will sleep in the living room O'Neill. I do not need as much sleep as you and you will be more comfortable in here"
"S'ok Tealc, I don't mind. Anyway I like to get up early for fishing and I won't disturb anyone if I'm through the front. Unless you want to do some early fishing"
"This room will be sufficient"
Jack grinned and stepped back out of the room; going to the airing cupboard he pulled out bed linen and threw some to Jonas for himself and Tealc. He walked back into 'Sam's room' and put the linen folded on the bed. Sam was leaning by the window looking out at the view. Jack stood opposite her and looked out himself.
"Great view ain't it. Should see this place in winter."
"It's beautiful Sir. Never changes."
Jack shook himself, he had plenty of time to take in the familiar views, he had more important things to attend too. He lay a hand gently on Sam's arm as he passed her heading back into the living room.
"Need any help Sir?"
Sam didn't want to spend too much time in her own thoughts. She followed him out.
"Sure Carter. First things first drop the Sir and secondly, think you can remember how to start the fire?"
"I'm sure I can Jack"
Sam headed for the fireplace, knelt by it pulling out a box standing by the side of the hearth, and busied herself starting a fire. Jack filled the kettle and flicked the switch setting out three mugs. He quickly packed away the groceries they had brought and prepared to make the coffees. Sam sat back on her haunches for a moment as the fire started to burn lightly, building logs over it slowly. Standing she walked to the kitchen and leaned over the counter watching her CO as he busied himself pouring hot steaming water into the three mugs. He placed his hands on the surface of the bench and leaned forward toward her, their eyes meeting and holding. A look between two friends still haunted by the past, neither of them wanting to break the look.
"How you feeling?"
Sam gave him a wan smile. He couldn't help but notice the dark circles under her eyes and weary expression the eyes betrayed even though she put on a brave face. She was a fighter but fighting your own demons was hard enough. Sam Carter wasn't someone to let anything they experienced through their line of work effect her outwardly if she could help it. Nevertheless, that didn't mean inside her head she was winning the battle.
"I'm ok"
She shrugged her shoulders and folded her arms as she leant on the counter.
"Just tired I guess. Except everytime I sleep I see images, mixed up memories."
She shuddered involuntarily.
Jack leaned further over the counter.
"You're not the only one"
Sam looked up at him a look of guilt crossing over her eyes. Jack caught it fleeting across her face.
"I'm just saying you're not alone in this Sam"
She looked into his eyes and saw a calm reassurance in them. He smiled and finished preparing the coffees. He placed a cup in front of Sam which she picked up and picked the remaining two from the counter, they walked back to the spare room where Tealc and Jonas were finishing making up the beds. Jack handed Jonas a cup of coffee and glanced round for Sam who had momentarily disappeared. Looking behind him out the door, he saw her in his bedroom making up the bed. He turned his attention back to Tealc and Jonas.
"So Jonas, ever gone fishing?"
"No I've asked Tealc about it but he wont comment much on the sport"
"Tealc how could you keep such precious information like your fishing experiences from him."
Tealc looked up at him with an empty expression.
"I assure you O'Neill I told him all that was necessary"
"Which wasn't much" added Jonas helpfully
Tealc turned his gaze to the younger man and raised a brow.
"Not much at all"
"I've got a spare rod if ya wanna give it a try Jonas"
"Sure thanks"
Jack frowned as he heard a stifled giggle coming from the room opposite. He turned and stepped through the hall to his bedroom. Sam looked up at him, and bent her head back to making the bed hiding a smile.
"Something funny Sam?"
"Not at all. I wonder how many fishing companies would benefit from your enthusiastic selling skills of the fishing sport or Tealc's for that matter!"
"At least I don't get passionate about doohickies and gadgets which could ultimately cause serious side effects if put in the wrong hands"
Sam stood and feigned a frowning expression
"Those doohickies and gadgets also can save your life as well Sir"
Jack feigned a look of importance.
"Any more insults about my interests will result in your taking part of them Major"
Sam rolled her eyes and raised a hand to her forehead
"Oh the horror"
Jack grinned and she returned the smile.
Jack shifted slightly in the driving seat and checked his mirrors. As his eyes rested for a second on the rear view he caught a glimpse of Sam and Jonas both asleep, Sam's head resting on Jonas' shoulder and Jonas' head resting on Sam's. He shifted his eyes back to the empty road ahead, he would be glad arrive at the cabin and rest himself. As it was there was another three hours drive ahead and because the only other person who could drive legally was Carter, he was stuck driving. He would have let Tealc drive but the highway patrols were notorious along the stretch of road they were on which reminded him to check his speed. Once they got within an hour of the cabin they were more on back roads and less patrol cars would be around and he mused on the point of swapping with Tealc then. He let out a long sigh and slowed his speed slightly; Tealc looked over to him as he raised his hand to shift his glasses slightly more out of habit than anything else. Tealc watched as his friend rested his hand back on the wheel his face wearing a worn weary expression. He held his gaze for a while thoughts running through his mind of how best to distil the tense atmosphere which for some reason had risen between all the occupants of the vehicle.
Usually they bantered and small talk evolved between them both but for some reason O'Neill had been quiet and resigned since the beginning of their journey. Jack glanced sideways and caught his gaze. Shifting uncomfortably in his seat, he moved his eyes back to the road. Teal'c raised his brow and returned his own gaze to the scenery passing by them. O'Neill would in due time let whatever was on his mind surface until then he would be supportive in whatever way he could for his friend.
Jonas was jerked awake by the shaking movements of the van as it rolled onto the dirt track. He was about to sit up and stretch when he glanced down and saw Sam still fast asleep on his shoulder which was starting to ache from being in the same position for the last few hours. He looked forward through the front window and a log cabin slowly loomed into view. Jack drew up by the side of the cabin and turned off the engine. Tealc glanced over to him and noticed a softening in his face as he looked out at the cabin. Jack stepped out of the van and stepped up the stairs to the front door unlocking it swiftly and throwing it open. Felt good to be back at the old place. It had been a while. Or it seemed a long time; he wracked his brain trying to remember when exactly the last time he had been at the cabin. He turned back to the van where Tealc was already pulling baggage; Jonas and Sam had not made a move. Jack walked back to the van and opened the back door stooping to glance inside he saw Sam still sleeping against an uncomfortable looking Jonas. Jack smiled and shook Sam's arm softly to wake her. She stirred and opened her eyes yawning. Jonas took a glance her way and yawned as well as she sat up rubbing her sleepy eyes.
"Come on sleepy heads, there's a few things to be done."
"Yes Sir" Sam mumbled softly sliding out of the van, Jonas exited the other side and grabbed some of the luggage Tealc had removed from the van. Sam picked up her own bags Jack, Tealc grabbed the remaining baggage, and they all headed inside.
"Make yourselves at home kids." Said Jack " bedroom's are through here"
He headed down a small passageway, the others followed.
"There's only two bedrooms but there's a sofa bed in the living room as well.
"Carter you can take this one"
He opened the door to his room and stepped inside Sam followed and placed her bags on the floor.
"You sure Sir?" she asked, as this was his usual room.
"Yea" Jack was already heading out back into the passage; he opened the door the opposite into the spare room a small space with two single beds.
"And you guys can take this one" he said to Tealc and Jonas.
"I will sleep in the living room O'Neill. I do not need as much sleep as you and you will be more comfortable in here"
"S'ok Tealc, I don't mind. Anyway I like to get up early for fishing and I won't disturb anyone if I'm through the front. Unless you want to do some early fishing"
"This room will be sufficient"
Jack grinned and stepped back out of the room; going to the airing cupboard he pulled out bed linen and threw some to Jonas for himself and Tealc. He walked back into 'Sam's room' and put the linen folded on the bed. Sam was leaning by the window looking out at the view. Jack stood opposite her and looked out himself.
"Great view ain't it. Should see this place in winter."
"It's beautiful Sir. Never changes."
Jack shook himself, he had plenty of time to take in the familiar views, he had more important things to attend too. He lay a hand gently on Sam's arm as he passed her heading back into the living room.
"Need any help Sir?"
Sam didn't want to spend too much time in her own thoughts. She followed him out.
"Sure Carter. First things first drop the Sir and secondly, think you can remember how to start the fire?"
"I'm sure I can Jack"
Sam headed for the fireplace, knelt by it pulling out a box standing by the side of the hearth, and busied herself starting a fire. Jack filled the kettle and flicked the switch setting out three mugs. He quickly packed away the groceries they had brought and prepared to make the coffees. Sam sat back on her haunches for a moment as the fire started to burn lightly, building logs over it slowly. Standing she walked to the kitchen and leaned over the counter watching her CO as he busied himself pouring hot steaming water into the three mugs. He placed his hands on the surface of the bench and leaned forward toward her, their eyes meeting and holding. A look between two friends still haunted by the past, neither of them wanting to break the look.
"How you feeling?"
Sam gave him a wan smile. He couldn't help but notice the dark circles under her eyes and weary expression the eyes betrayed even though she put on a brave face. She was a fighter but fighting your own demons was hard enough. Sam Carter wasn't someone to let anything they experienced through their line of work effect her outwardly if she could help it. Nevertheless, that didn't mean inside her head she was winning the battle.
"I'm ok"
She shrugged her shoulders and folded her arms as she leant on the counter.
"Just tired I guess. Except everytime I sleep I see images, mixed up memories."
She shuddered involuntarily.
Jack leaned further over the counter.
"You're not the only one"
Sam looked up at him a look of guilt crossing over her eyes. Jack caught it fleeting across her face.
"I'm just saying you're not alone in this Sam"
She looked into his eyes and saw a calm reassurance in them. He smiled and finished preparing the coffees. He placed a cup in front of Sam which she picked up and picked the remaining two from the counter, they walked back to the spare room where Tealc and Jonas were finishing making up the beds. Jack handed Jonas a cup of coffee and glanced round for Sam who had momentarily disappeared. Looking behind him out the door, he saw her in his bedroom making up the bed. He turned his attention back to Tealc and Jonas.
"So Jonas, ever gone fishing?"
"No I've asked Tealc about it but he wont comment much on the sport"
"Tealc how could you keep such precious information like your fishing experiences from him."
Tealc looked up at him with an empty expression.
"I assure you O'Neill I told him all that was necessary"
"Which wasn't much" added Jonas helpfully
Tealc turned his gaze to the younger man and raised a brow.
"Not much at all"
"I've got a spare rod if ya wanna give it a try Jonas"
"Sure thanks"
Jack frowned as he heard a stifled giggle coming from the room opposite. He turned and stepped through the hall to his bedroom. Sam looked up at him, and bent her head back to making the bed hiding a smile.
"Something funny Sam?"
"Not at all. I wonder how many fishing companies would benefit from your enthusiastic selling skills of the fishing sport or Tealc's for that matter!"
"At least I don't get passionate about doohickies and gadgets which could ultimately cause serious side effects if put in the wrong hands"
Sam stood and feigned a frowning expression
"Those doohickies and gadgets also can save your life as well Sir"
Jack feigned a look of importance.
"Any more insults about my interests will result in your taking part of them Major"
Sam rolled her eyes and raised a hand to her forehead
"Oh the horror"
Jack grinned and she returned the smile.
