Author: Jackie W.
Email: jackiesfic@aol.com
Summary: Pete and Mark arrive to help Sam and she let's them have it… literally.
The two men showed up one Saturday with no warning and with a very definite agenda. Sam's lack of progress speaking had convinced them that she wasn't getting the proper care, and they were determined to whisk her away to a clinic in Denver where she could get help.
Mark had been shocked when he'd made a quick weekend trip to see his sister immediately after she'd been released from the base. Pete had only been allowed to see her the one time and the sketchy details he'd passed along hadn't prepared the man for the reality that Sam Carter presented. Thin, silent and in a wheelchair every fear he had ever had for his sister's safety seemed have come true. It was a relief to him that she was to be medically discharged from the Air Force. At least she would be safe from now on. He hadn't been too happy with the care arrangement, but had been unable to convince Sam to come back to San Diego to recuperate with him. Several frustrating phone conversations since then had led him to call Pete and ask him to call in a few favors.
Now Pete Shanahan and Mark Carter stood rigidly on the front porch waiting for someone to answer the door. There was a truck in the driveway and they heard voices, so they were getting a bit frustrated at being ignored when they realized that the sounds were actually coming from outside of the house and they walked around to the back.
There they found Sam stretched out on a lounger, sunglasses on, one leg still in a cast, watching with a grin as Jack and Cassie argued over whether the burgers on the grill were ready or not. She looked up in surprise as the two newcomers appeared and then scowled a bit as she tried to get the chefs' attention by knocking her knuckles against the table next to her. Pete took pity and spoke up.
"Sorry to interrupt," he called out.
Cassie turned with a bit of a startled yelp, but Jack O'Neill glanced over his shoulder as if he wasn't at all surprised to see them. After silently looking back to the grill and removing the burgers from the flame, he finally turned to the guests.
"Detective Shanahan, this is a surprise. To what do we owe the honor?" he quizzed sarcastically.
"Colonel O'Neill, you remember Sam's brother, Mark Carter," Pete introduced the man standing next to him who had only briefly met Jack during his last visit.
Reluctantly, Jack politely shook hands with Mark. The last thing he wanted was to give the man a reason to dislike him right, he was Carter's brother after all. Then he walked over and gave Sam a hand up out of the chair.
Handing her the crutches he quietly suggested, "Sam why don't you take your guests inside. Cassie, get them something to drink and I'll bring in the food in a minute."
Sam hesitated. She really didn't want to be alone with the two, but then she shrugged and led the way in. She settled them in the living room, casting Cassandra a grateful smile as she took drink orders and returned swiftly with the two glasses. She signed to Cass that she wanted her to translate.
"Sam would like to know what you are doing here. She's glad to see you Mark, but you should have called," the teen conveyed.
"But then I couldn't have actually talked to you could I?" Mark pointed out causing Cassie to take an instant dislike to the man.
"Wow, that was rude," she responded, then bowed to Sam's request to let her handle it.
Sam started signing furiously and Cassie translated as she went. "If you wanted to have a rational conversation I think you just pretty much blew it brother dear. I may not be back to full strength but I probably could still toss you out on your ass. Now, my lunch is getting cold, and we have plans for the afternoon. Why don't you say what you came here to say and then you can both leave," Sam finished looking pointedly at Pete.
"As your only family member that seems to be around at the moment… where is Dad by the way? Never mind, I'm sure it's classified. Anyway, I've made arrangements for you to be checked into a clinic in Denver that specializes in trauma related disorders. They can help you there, Sam and I won't take no for an answer," Mark told her.
Jack had made it into the kitchen with the burgers at this point and winced at that last statement. Sam had made great progress over the last few weeks, mostly because they had all followed Jack's suggestion, (backed up by Dr, McKenzie of all people) to let her control as many decisions as possible. Now Mark was trying to ride roughshod over her and the results couldn't possibly be anything but disastrous. He saw Sam's body stiffen in determination.
"Well I'm sorry to disappoint you, but there are a few problems with your plan. First, I have no desire to go with you to some clinic where I won't know a soul. Second, I sincerely doubt that there is anyone there with a high enough security clearance to even treat me, and third, you may be my brother but you have no say in what I do," Sam argued via Cassie.
"Well, the state of Colorado disagrees with my having say. They granted me power of attorney to allow me to make some decisions for you. Pete is here as an officer of the law to make sure that I'm allowed to take you with me with no interference," Mark informed them all with a smirk.
Jack was torn between going for the phone to call in reinforcements and getting to Carter before something bad could happen. In the second that he hesitated Sam took matters into her own hands. Suddenly everything she could get her hands on was being hurled at the two men that she regarded as a threat. Lamps, books, and pictures became weapons and the women hadn't lost her aim. Within seconds both men were bleeding from direct hits and were diving behind furniture for protection.
Cassie was screaming at Sam to stop and backing out of the room. Jack yelled at her to call Hammond and get backup. Then he stepped into the fray.
"Carter, stop! That's an order," he yelled in his best Colonel voice even as he prepared to tackle her if his voice alone didn't snap her out of it.
To his relief she froze at his command. Then she looked around at the mess she had made and collapsed in a heap. Once again O'Neill had to make a quick decision. He walked over to the two men and checked them over quickly. Neither was seriously hurt, so he told them to stay down while he went over to Sam. He paused for a second to put one hand carefully on her shoulder so he didn't startle her, and when she didn't protest he wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly.
"You can come out now," he told the two men.
Pete was prepared for Sam's silent sobs, but they tore her brother's heart out. She was wrapped firmly in Jack's arm and he was rocking her in manner Mark knew he himself had used on his children when they were scared and upset. Her body was shaking violently and tears were running down her face, and yet not a single sound escaped her lips. The silence was eerie.
"There's a first aid kit in the kitchen Cass. Please get it and clean up that cut on the Detective's head. Hopefully it won't need stitches. Mark, it looks like you just got winged in the arm but you had better clean up that scratch and put a Band-Aid on it," Jack suggested. "There will be several officers here shortly to clear up the issue of your power of Attorney. Sam will not be going anywhere with you," he informed them in a voice that brooked no arguments.
At his words Sam calmed down. Despite her brave front when Mark first issued his ultimatum she had been terrified that she was going to be put away in that clinic. She wasn't really sorry she had fought back, but she was sorry about the things she had broken. She hoped she hadn't grabbed any family heirlooms in the process. She could hear Cassie and her brother talking in the kitchen. It sounded like Cass was giving him a hard time and she struggled to overhear what was being said, but they were suddenly interrupted by a knock on the door.
Jack moved her over to the couch and went to let the group standing on the front porch in. To his surprise this included General Hammond, Dr. McKenzie and Dr. Miller along with Daniel and all of SG2. Then he smiled.
"Sam, your rescue team is here. Hey did you guys leave anyone on base?" Jack commented.
"We heard someone was threatening Sam. Is she ok?" Daniel demanded.
"She's upset. Why don't you all come in and let's get this sorted. Docs, why don't you and Cassie take Sam out on the deck and talk to her. Daniel maybe you should go too. Sam could use another friendly face. General, I'm going to need your help to explain to Carter's brother that he can't just waltz in here and take her," he explained, then turning to SG2 he sighed. "I'm hoping a show of force isn't necessary, but maybe you guys should stick around," Jack suggested, all the while picking up the remnants of the items Sam had thrown so that they had a place to sit.
All in all it wasn't too bad. One of the lamps was broken, but the other he just placed back on the table. The books he just stacked in a chair along with the three pictures she had managed to grab, noticing that one had cracked glass that would need to be replaced. No serious damage there. He looked at Mark Carter and Pete Shanahan as they entered the room. They both looked ok, but he'd make sure Doc Miller checked over the cut on Shanahan's head before he left.
He let Hammond take over. Frankly the whole encounter had left him shaken and exhausted. Mark Carter at least was polite and respectful in the General's presence and Jack remembered that he would remember the man from his childhood as George had been a friend of Jacob's for years. He let most of the conversation flow over him just making sure that the two men were coming to the understanding that they didn't have a legal leg to stand on. Meanwhile, Jack's thoughts were on the woman outside. She'd been doing so well. He couldn't help but worry about what this little drama would mean to her recovery.
Surprisingly, Dr. McKenzie pulled Jack aside before he left and told him he thought that this had been a good thing for Sam.
"She was able to fight back, Colonel. That's something she couldn't do during her time with Ptah," he explained. "I think it was a positive step forward. I frankly was getting a bit concerned that she hadn't expressed any anger yet."
Jack nodded in understanding. He remembered his anger stage after Iraq. He had held it in for months and then had taken his rage out on anyone and everyone, including Sara and Charlie. Sam at least had let it out at an appropriate time, which was probably healthier. He figured this was McKenzie's way of warning him that there were more outbursts ahead.
"I understand Doc, thanks," he said.
McKenzie departed assured that he was leaving his patient in good hands. O'Neill had surprised him over the course of the last six weeks. He'd listened to the advice of the experts, often making suggestions based on his own experiences. Good suggestions. And he'd been open to coming in with Carter for a couple of joint sessions. Sam Carter was lucky. The man loved her and would move heaven and earth to make sure she had everything she needed to get through this.
Jack wasn't really surprised when he was awoken by the sound of shuffling footsteps entering his room in the wee hours of the morning. When they had first come home Sam would often show up at the foot of his bed trembling from a nightmare. Those occurrences had been dwindling though and he found that he missed having her in his bed even if it was only for a few hours. Tonight he simply threw back the covers to let her in and drew her in close. He murmured comforting words even as his traitorous body reveled in the feel of her. She had gained some weight and the curves were beginning to reappear. It was getting harder and harder to ignore the fact that he was holding an attractive woman that he loved with all of his heart in his arms.
Maybe when Cassie left for college he would ask Sam to go fishing with him.
Email: jackiesfic@aol.com
Summary: Pete and Mark arrive to help Sam and she let's them have it… literally.
The two men showed up one Saturday with no warning and with a very definite agenda. Sam's lack of progress speaking had convinced them that she wasn't getting the proper care, and they were determined to whisk her away to a clinic in Denver where she could get help.
Mark had been shocked when he'd made a quick weekend trip to see his sister immediately after she'd been released from the base. Pete had only been allowed to see her the one time and the sketchy details he'd passed along hadn't prepared the man for the reality that Sam Carter presented. Thin, silent and in a wheelchair every fear he had ever had for his sister's safety seemed have come true. It was a relief to him that she was to be medically discharged from the Air Force. At least she would be safe from now on. He hadn't been too happy with the care arrangement, but had been unable to convince Sam to come back to San Diego to recuperate with him. Several frustrating phone conversations since then had led him to call Pete and ask him to call in a few favors.
Now Pete Shanahan and Mark Carter stood rigidly on the front porch waiting for someone to answer the door. There was a truck in the driveway and they heard voices, so they were getting a bit frustrated at being ignored when they realized that the sounds were actually coming from outside of the house and they walked around to the back.
There they found Sam stretched out on a lounger, sunglasses on, one leg still in a cast, watching with a grin as Jack and Cassie argued over whether the burgers on the grill were ready or not. She looked up in surprise as the two newcomers appeared and then scowled a bit as she tried to get the chefs' attention by knocking her knuckles against the table next to her. Pete took pity and spoke up.
"Sorry to interrupt," he called out.
Cassie turned with a bit of a startled yelp, but Jack O'Neill glanced over his shoulder as if he wasn't at all surprised to see them. After silently looking back to the grill and removing the burgers from the flame, he finally turned to the guests.
"Detective Shanahan, this is a surprise. To what do we owe the honor?" he quizzed sarcastically.
"Colonel O'Neill, you remember Sam's brother, Mark Carter," Pete introduced the man standing next to him who had only briefly met Jack during his last visit.
Reluctantly, Jack politely shook hands with Mark. The last thing he wanted was to give the man a reason to dislike him right, he was Carter's brother after all. Then he walked over and gave Sam a hand up out of the chair.
Handing her the crutches he quietly suggested, "Sam why don't you take your guests inside. Cassie, get them something to drink and I'll bring in the food in a minute."
Sam hesitated. She really didn't want to be alone with the two, but then she shrugged and led the way in. She settled them in the living room, casting Cassandra a grateful smile as she took drink orders and returned swiftly with the two glasses. She signed to Cass that she wanted her to translate.
"Sam would like to know what you are doing here. She's glad to see you Mark, but you should have called," the teen conveyed.
"But then I couldn't have actually talked to you could I?" Mark pointed out causing Cassie to take an instant dislike to the man.
"Wow, that was rude," she responded, then bowed to Sam's request to let her handle it.
Sam started signing furiously and Cassie translated as she went. "If you wanted to have a rational conversation I think you just pretty much blew it brother dear. I may not be back to full strength but I probably could still toss you out on your ass. Now, my lunch is getting cold, and we have plans for the afternoon. Why don't you say what you came here to say and then you can both leave," Sam finished looking pointedly at Pete.
"As your only family member that seems to be around at the moment… where is Dad by the way? Never mind, I'm sure it's classified. Anyway, I've made arrangements for you to be checked into a clinic in Denver that specializes in trauma related disorders. They can help you there, Sam and I won't take no for an answer," Mark told her.
Jack had made it into the kitchen with the burgers at this point and winced at that last statement. Sam had made great progress over the last few weeks, mostly because they had all followed Jack's suggestion, (backed up by Dr, McKenzie of all people) to let her control as many decisions as possible. Now Mark was trying to ride roughshod over her and the results couldn't possibly be anything but disastrous. He saw Sam's body stiffen in determination.
"Well I'm sorry to disappoint you, but there are a few problems with your plan. First, I have no desire to go with you to some clinic where I won't know a soul. Second, I sincerely doubt that there is anyone there with a high enough security clearance to even treat me, and third, you may be my brother but you have no say in what I do," Sam argued via Cassie.
"Well, the state of Colorado disagrees with my having say. They granted me power of attorney to allow me to make some decisions for you. Pete is here as an officer of the law to make sure that I'm allowed to take you with me with no interference," Mark informed them all with a smirk.
Jack was torn between going for the phone to call in reinforcements and getting to Carter before something bad could happen. In the second that he hesitated Sam took matters into her own hands. Suddenly everything she could get her hands on was being hurled at the two men that she regarded as a threat. Lamps, books, and pictures became weapons and the women hadn't lost her aim. Within seconds both men were bleeding from direct hits and were diving behind furniture for protection.
Cassie was screaming at Sam to stop and backing out of the room. Jack yelled at her to call Hammond and get backup. Then he stepped into the fray.
"Carter, stop! That's an order," he yelled in his best Colonel voice even as he prepared to tackle her if his voice alone didn't snap her out of it.
To his relief she froze at his command. Then she looked around at the mess she had made and collapsed in a heap. Once again O'Neill had to make a quick decision. He walked over to the two men and checked them over quickly. Neither was seriously hurt, so he told them to stay down while he went over to Sam. He paused for a second to put one hand carefully on her shoulder so he didn't startle her, and when she didn't protest he wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly.
"You can come out now," he told the two men.
Pete was prepared for Sam's silent sobs, but they tore her brother's heart out. She was wrapped firmly in Jack's arm and he was rocking her in manner Mark knew he himself had used on his children when they were scared and upset. Her body was shaking violently and tears were running down her face, and yet not a single sound escaped her lips. The silence was eerie.
"There's a first aid kit in the kitchen Cass. Please get it and clean up that cut on the Detective's head. Hopefully it won't need stitches. Mark, it looks like you just got winged in the arm but you had better clean up that scratch and put a Band-Aid on it," Jack suggested. "There will be several officers here shortly to clear up the issue of your power of Attorney. Sam will not be going anywhere with you," he informed them in a voice that brooked no arguments.
At his words Sam calmed down. Despite her brave front when Mark first issued his ultimatum she had been terrified that she was going to be put away in that clinic. She wasn't really sorry she had fought back, but she was sorry about the things she had broken. She hoped she hadn't grabbed any family heirlooms in the process. She could hear Cassie and her brother talking in the kitchen. It sounded like Cass was giving him a hard time and she struggled to overhear what was being said, but they were suddenly interrupted by a knock on the door.
Jack moved her over to the couch and went to let the group standing on the front porch in. To his surprise this included General Hammond, Dr. McKenzie and Dr. Miller along with Daniel and all of SG2. Then he smiled.
"Sam, your rescue team is here. Hey did you guys leave anyone on base?" Jack commented.
"We heard someone was threatening Sam. Is she ok?" Daniel demanded.
"She's upset. Why don't you all come in and let's get this sorted. Docs, why don't you and Cassie take Sam out on the deck and talk to her. Daniel maybe you should go too. Sam could use another friendly face. General, I'm going to need your help to explain to Carter's brother that he can't just waltz in here and take her," he explained, then turning to SG2 he sighed. "I'm hoping a show of force isn't necessary, but maybe you guys should stick around," Jack suggested, all the while picking up the remnants of the items Sam had thrown so that they had a place to sit.
All in all it wasn't too bad. One of the lamps was broken, but the other he just placed back on the table. The books he just stacked in a chair along with the three pictures she had managed to grab, noticing that one had cracked glass that would need to be replaced. No serious damage there. He looked at Mark Carter and Pete Shanahan as they entered the room. They both looked ok, but he'd make sure Doc Miller checked over the cut on Shanahan's head before he left.
He let Hammond take over. Frankly the whole encounter had left him shaken and exhausted. Mark Carter at least was polite and respectful in the General's presence and Jack remembered that he would remember the man from his childhood as George had been a friend of Jacob's for years. He let most of the conversation flow over him just making sure that the two men were coming to the understanding that they didn't have a legal leg to stand on. Meanwhile, Jack's thoughts were on the woman outside. She'd been doing so well. He couldn't help but worry about what this little drama would mean to her recovery.
Surprisingly, Dr. McKenzie pulled Jack aside before he left and told him he thought that this had been a good thing for Sam.
"She was able to fight back, Colonel. That's something she couldn't do during her time with Ptah," he explained. "I think it was a positive step forward. I frankly was getting a bit concerned that she hadn't expressed any anger yet."
Jack nodded in understanding. He remembered his anger stage after Iraq. He had held it in for months and then had taken his rage out on anyone and everyone, including Sara and Charlie. Sam at least had let it out at an appropriate time, which was probably healthier. He figured this was McKenzie's way of warning him that there were more outbursts ahead.
"I understand Doc, thanks," he said.
McKenzie departed assured that he was leaving his patient in good hands. O'Neill had surprised him over the course of the last six weeks. He'd listened to the advice of the experts, often making suggestions based on his own experiences. Good suggestions. And he'd been open to coming in with Carter for a couple of joint sessions. Sam Carter was lucky. The man loved her and would move heaven and earth to make sure she had everything she needed to get through this.
Jack wasn't really surprised when he was awoken by the sound of shuffling footsteps entering his room in the wee hours of the morning. When they had first come home Sam would often show up at the foot of his bed trembling from a nightmare. Those occurrences had been dwindling though and he found that he missed having her in his bed even if it was only for a few hours. Tonight he simply threw back the covers to let her in and drew her in close. He murmured comforting words even as his traitorous body reveled in the feel of her. She had gained some weight and the curves were beginning to reappear. It was getting harder and harder to ignore the fact that he was holding an attractive woman that he loved with all of his heart in his arms.
Maybe when Cassie left for college he would ask Sam to go fishing with him.