DISCLAIMER: The characters mentioned in this story are the property of Showtime and Gekko Film Corp. The Stargate, SG-1, the goa'uld and all other characters who have appeared in the series STARGATE SG-1 together with the names, titles and backstory are the sole copyright property of the people who made them up. This fanfic is not intended as an infringement upon those rights and solely meant for entertainment. All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author.
A Snake In The Hand Is Worth Two In The Bush
Part nineteen
Sam was woken by someone crying out in their sleep. As she recalled where she was she realised that Clare was in the bed next to hers and it sounded like she was having a nightmare. Sam, hoping her familiar voice would help, went over to her but instead she found herself flat on her back with Clare trying to punch her. Sam grabbed the other woman's arms to keep her from doing any damage, but Sam was still not fully recovered from the alien poison and found herself unable to do anything other than prevent Clare's hands from connecting with her.
Sam was relieved when help arrived in the form of two SF's who charged into the room pulling Clare off her. Sam rolled herself into a sitting position but was feeling too light-headed and shaky to stand up just yet and watched as Clare struggled violently with the two men holding her.
'I killed you, why can't you stay dead…I won't let you try that again…you're dead…you're dead…' Clare's words told her that something must have happened that they knew nothing about.
Daniel and Teal'c arrived at that moment having been to visit Jack as soon as Dr Fraiser had allowed. They had found him fast asleep and stayed only for a few minutes to make sure he was going to be alright and were making their way through the infirmary to check up on their other team-mates, jumping into action as soon as they saw what was taking place.
Daniel knelt down beside Sam, helping her to her feet and back to her bed, sitting with her and talking to her until the shaking had passed. Teal'c, seeing the SF's struggling with Clare took over from them, holding her in a bear hug until Dr Fraiser was able to get to her with a sedative.
Teal'c could feel the struggling cease as the sedative began to take effect and got her back to bed, Dr Fraiser murmuring a thank you as she checked on Sam before turning back to Clare who was lying under the covers, calm now, but with a dazed look in her eyes.
'You want to talk about it?' Dr Fraiser asked gently, her eyes warning the others to keep away. Clare turned her face into the pillow then back to Dr Fraiser and nodded. Janet moved to close the curtains around the bed to give her some privacy but Clare stopped her.
'It's ok, I'd like them to stay.' She waited for a few moments, taking some deep breaths as she tried to fight the fuzziness caused by the sedative. 'I went to see if the way to the 'gate was clear and on my way back…one of the aliens found me…he…he held a knife to my throat and tried…tried to…anyway I remembered what Jack had taught me and I…I pretended to…to faint. I…I grabbed the knife I had and…and…turned around quickly and…then… then…I…' Unable to go on, she covered her face with her hands as she relived those terrifying moments.
'Did he hurt you at all?' Janet asked gently, needing to know the answer.
'No, except for the cut on my arm. Sam, I'm really sorry,' Clare turned tear-filled eyes to Sam, 'I didn't hurt you did I?'
'I'm fine, and it wasn't really your fault. It's ok, really.' Sam reassured her, her eyes shining with unspoken sympathy.
Dr Fraiser could see that getting Clare to talk had gone a long way to helping her get over the events of this mission and could see the tension going out of her face and body as the sedative took effect. She turned to Daniel and Teal'c.
'My patients need their rest, I don't want to see you back here until the morning.' Janet glared at them, before adding, 'Is that understood?' They both nodded and hastily retreated before she could dream up some reason to keep them in there.
Finally Dr Fraiser was able to breathe a sigh of relief as she was left with the quiet infirmary and, for the time being, only a handful of obedient patients.
'Sam, are you sure you're fine?' Janet asked her friend.
'I'm ok, really Janet. I'm not surprised she went off like that after all she'd been through.' Sam sighed, she was still pretty tired but her heart went out to the woman in the bed next door who had coped so well in such difficult circumstances.
'I know. What I don't know yet though is how she came by the rest of her injuries. She's explained a few, but there's still something she's not telling us. She needs friends around her now, Sam, she mustn't bottle things up.' Seeing the shadows under Sam's eyes she changed the subject. 'Now, I meant what I said, you need your rest too. You should all be off my hands in a couple of days hopefully. Good night.'
A week later they were all out of the infirmary. Since her return, Clare had been quiet and withdrawn and would jump at the slightest noise so General Hammond had agreed to SG1 having a few days off, allowing Clare to return home for those few days in the company of Major Carter.
Almost as soon as she walked in the door Clare took herself off in a cleaning frenzy. There really wasn't any need as far as Sam could see but she joined in, making Clare stop to rest and eat at regular intervals. As evening approached, Sam made her stop for the day and they sat in companionable silence on the couch, the television was on, some programme on the Discovery Channel, but neither was really paying attention.
After a while they started talking, beginning with Sam talking about her life, Clare joining in eagerly as they compared notes on their childhood, schools, boyfriends and careers. Soon they were laughing and joking together, Clare relaxing in the easy company which did not ask anything of her that she was not yet prepared to give.
They went to bed late and as far as Sam knew, Clare slept right through. Janet had told her of the nightmares that had been plaguing her while in the infirmary and she was glad that something had managed to put a stop to them.
'So - what's the plan of action for today?' Sam asked at breakfast the next morning.
'What time are they coming round?' Jack had somehow wangled an invitation for the rest of SG1 to come round for the evening.
'About seven, but don't be surprised if Colonel O'Neill arrives early - he's normally way before time and bugging whoever is trying to get ready.' Sam smiled, her eyes lighting up with mischief. 'Tell you what, we should prepare a nice surprise for him.'
They spent a few minutes discussing what they could do, then Sam brought them back to the present.
'Ok, let's do it then. What else?'
'We need to hit the store and I want to get the rest of the house cleaned up. Should I make up the spare beds?' Clare had heard about some of their team get-togethers, that after drinking too much it was generally accepted that spare beds, sofas and even floors were utilised for sleeping arrangements.
'That would probably be a good idea,' Sam grinned at her.
They returned from the store laden with bags full of food along with a supply of beer, wine and juice, although Sam had said the Colonel would probably bring along enough beer to last a year.
Clare busied herself in the kitchen, finding it soothing to keep her hands occupied until she saw smoke coming from the oven where a casserole had been cooking. She hastily pulled it out and dropped it in the sink, surveying the charred remains in despair.
'What on earth happened here?' Sam exclaimed as she came racing into the kitchen, dragged away from her bed-making duties by the smell reaching even the upper parts of the house.
'Supper,' Clare pointed dramatically at the casserole in the sink.
'Ah.' Sam took in the scene before her. 'Well, the soup and dessert all seem to be ok, why don't we just get some take out - it's what we usually end up doing anyhow.'
'I guess,' Clare sounded sorrowful. 'It'll probably taste better anyhow, I was never much good at cooking. And I was trying so hard too.'
'Don't worry, it'll all work out alright, you'll see. Anyway,' Sam changed the subject, 'Have you seen the time, we'd better get moving.'