Doctor Frasier: Medicine Woman
1.2: Falling Up (Part 2)
By Jolinar Carter
Doctor Janet Frasier took a deep breath, and entered the SGC Briefing Room, sitting beside the General, and opposite Colonel O'Neill. Both officers nodded to her, and they began their meeting.
"Major Carter requested a few days ago, that she re-join SG-1 immediately. We're here to determine whether I should grant this request," Hammond announced, although they were all very aware of what was happening. "Colonel O'Neill?"
"Well, I think Carter has been making wonderful progress. She seems almost entirely back to normal. I think provided the missions are low risk, routine meet and greets...if there are such missions...she'd be okay to come back. But I'm not a Doctor. I don't know how well she is...just that she seems better and I can't wait to get her back," Jack shrugged, leaning back.
"I see. Doctor Frasier?" Hammond said, looking over to Janet.
"I'm afraid I will have to say no. I don't believe it is wise to let Major Carter return to active duty yet. At least two weeks. That is my opinion, General. I'm strongly advising you to deny this request," She replied, leaning forward and looking her boss in the eyes. "She's been through a lot, and is barely walking yet. She's going too fast. If she keeps it up, she's going to crash and burn."
"Right," Hammond sighed, sitting back in his chair. "I suggest that you tell her, Jack. It will probably be best coming from you."
"Yes sir," he sighed, scratching his head. "We haven't told her about Jacob yet. When do you think we should?"
"I think we should tell her now," Hammond replied. "She's recovering, and she needs to know. She needs time to grieve. And, she has that time."
"I agree, I know Sam. She'd throw herself in to her work, even more than usual. It would not be good," Janet nodded. "Tell her. Now."
"Okay," Jack said, closing his eyes for a minute. "I'll go see her."
---
Sam looked up from the laptop, the anxiety showing on her face. "Well, what did they say?"
"No, Sam," Jack replied, sitting down next to her. "They said no."
"I don't believe it," she growled, banging her fist on the desk. "I don't believe it. I thought Janet would support me on this!"
"Sam, listen. You've been through a hell of a lot. You're still not fully recovered. You're working too hard now. If you came back to work, you could over do it and make yourself even sicker. We can't have you do that. Plus, if you were in the field in an unexpected situation and you were unable to do your job, then who knows what would happen to you, or me, or Daniel, or Teal'C. You'd be a risk, and you know that," He said, in a soft tone. He had his hand on her shoulder. "It's only a couple of weeks. Work on getting better."
"Oh my god! You doubt me? Seven years and you're doubting my abilities?" She snapped.
"Right now, yes," he nodded sadly. "You need to speak to someone. And you need to slow down. You need to carry on working with Sophie, but you need to slow down a little."
"Oh lord I don't believe this," she yelled, standing up and beginning to storm off.
"Carter, please," he began, and then he stopped and sighed. He stood up, and strided over to her, standing close with only an inch or two between them. "There's something else, something we should have told you a long time ago, but didn't, because of your medical condition."
"What?" She hissed. "You're replacing me?"
"No, god no!"
"Then what?" She asked, frowning. His face was deadly serious, and he looked almost as if he were going to cry. She felt the anger subside and now she was just worried. "What?" She whispered.
"Sam, your Dad, he was killed on a mission a couple of weeks ago," Jack told her, "I am so so so sorry."
"NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!" She screamed repeatedly, tears streaming down her face. She slid down the wall, falling into a heap on the floor. Jack knelt down infront of her and embraced her. "He can't be!"
"I'm so sorry."
"You didn't tell me!" She screamed, pushing him away. "You didn't tell me my father was dead! You bastard! Get out of here, leave me alone!"
"Sam, listen to me, you were doing so well, and we thought that it would hinder your recovery. We told you as soon as we could. It's been awful having to keep something this big from you. Believe me it's been terrible!"
"GET OUT!" She screamed again, rising and picking up the nearest heavy object from her desk. She screamed at him again and lobbed it, hard, towards his face. He ducked and took cover behind the desk. "GET OUT DAMN YOU GET OUT!"
"NO!" He responded, jumping as the hole punch hit the concrete floor. There was silence for a minute, and he poked his head around. He saw that she was just sitting in the corner, staring in to space, crying silently. "You gonna throw anything else?" He asked. When he received no reply, he stood up, brushed himself off and went to sit by her again.
He didn't go to hug her, worrying about what she'd do in this state. He simply took her hand, and sat there with her.
---
Teal'C glanced up at the canteen clock again. It was 2:00pm Tau'ri time. He had not seen O'Neill since 9:00am and he was now an hour late for lunch. He stood up, cleared his tray and then left in search of his friend and CO.
After searching O'Neill's Office, the Infirmary, the General's Office, The Control Room and the Briefing Room, he decided to try Carter's lab. He found O'Neill sat on the floor, holding Carter's hand. They were both staring in to space.
Teal'C made a sort of coughing noise, and O'Neill looked up. "Oh, Teal'C," he said quietly.
"Is Major Carter unwell again?" Teal'C wondered, venturing further inside.
"I told her about Jacob," he replied with a sigh.
Sam looked up at Teal'C, slowly, and then stood up. "Excuse me," she said, and then jogged out.
"I see," Teal'C nodded, sighing himself. "She did not take the news well."
"Who would?"
"Not I."
There was more silence for a few seconds, and then, "She threw a hole punch at me," Jack said, picking up the object and tossing it in to the trash. "Can't blame her. She's supposed to trust me and I keep something like her dad's death covered up."
"We all kept the same secret, O'Neill," T reminded his friend. "Therefore we are guilty together."
"She swore at me too," Jack frowned. "I don't think I've ever seen her that viscious."
"She has a lot weighing heavy on her mind, O'Neill. She was barely coping with her accident, and now she must face the death of her father also. It is a lot to face, is it not?" He asked. "We must simply make it clear that we are here to support her and that she is not alone."
"I know that." Jack nodded. "I remember the death of my folks. I remember what an awful time it was, and how...oh GOD...I gotta go check on her."
"What is it, O'Neill?" Teal'C asked, following Jack out of the room.
"After I found my Mom dead, I very nearly shot myself," He replied.
"We must call security," Teal'C decided.
"No, I know where she'll be," Jack replied, heading straight for her quarters. When she was staying on base, she always used the same room.
They arrived at the room to find the door was locked. "CARTER!" Jack called, knocking on the door. "CARTER, can you open the door please? SAM?" He called, knocking harder. "CARTER!" He called again, banging his fists. "Okay, Teal'C, go get someone."
Teal'C bowed his head and disappeared along the corridor.
"CARTER!" Jack called again. There was a loud thump from inside and then he heard the sound of the door unlocking. There was more noise, and he went in, finding Sam lying on the bed, on her side, crying her eyes out. "Geez, I was panicking."
Sam sighed and shook her head. Teal'C arrived with two SFs.
"Is there a problem here, Colonel?" One of the airmen asked. O'Neill shook his head, and they saluted, and strolled off. Teal'C decided it was best that he also left, closing the door behind him. Jack kicked off his shoes and lay down beside her, putting his arms around her as she cried.
"Let it all out," he whispered, stroking her hair.
And she did.
