Chapter 10 – Fevers and Fun

The trip to the grocery store was quick. Jack could see that Sam was tiring out so he went through and got the few items he thought they would need for tonight and the next day. In fact, Sam was so tired that when the cashier made some innocuous comment about her being such a good little helper, Sam just looked sideways at the lady, rolled her eyes slightly at Jack and went back to packing up the groceries. Jack became a little more concerned at that point: it wasn't like her to ignore a comment like that.

Once they got their items into the truck and Sam was safely buckled in, he turned around from the front seat and carefully looked her over.

"Carter, are you OK? You got awfully quiet since we left your house."

She glanced up at him while rolling up the sleeves of her shirt. She was feeling rather warm at the moment. "I'm fine Sir," she responded.

"Sam, the truth," he stated a little more firmly.

Sam sighed and settled in against the seat. "I'm just tired, that's all. It's been a few hours since we left the base and I'm feeling a bit worn out. Nothing to worry about," she insisted.

He gazed at her a moment longer, trying to see if she was maybe hiding something else. Feeling certain that she wasn't, he started the car and headed out of the parking lot. "We'll be home in fifteen minutes. You're going to lie on the couch and do nothing for at least an hour, understand?"

Sam leaned against the cool glass of the window. "That sounds good to me," she agreed. She closed her eyes and let the vibrations of the truck lull her to sleep.

Jack had been watching her carefully in the rear view mirror and wasn't surprised to see her drift off to sleep within five minutes. She looked totally wiped out, he thought as he pulled up in his driveway. He got out and came around to the passenger door, opening it quietly and pulling the seat forward so he could gain access to the sleeping occupant in the back.

Jack carefully picked her up under her arms and rested her against his side, his left arm held securely under the back of her thighs. Sam instinctively put her arms around his neck and turned her head to the side, her breath warm against his neck. Jack placed his other hand against her back as he carried her into the house and debated on where to lie her down. He figured the couch would be the best place: he could keep a close eye on her and not let her sleep too long. He didn't want her up all night like she was the previous evening.

He laid her on the couch and watched as she turned to her side and tucked her arms up under her chin. He smiled as he remembered her doing the same thing when he found her in her lab. He recalled how she curled up like that on missions sometimes as well. Jack went to brush the hair that fell across her forehead. He frowned when he felt her warm skin beneath his hands. It was too warm. She felt like she had a slight fever. Wondering if he should call Janet or just let her sleep a bit, he decided on the sleep. Charlie had often had a slight fever, then woken up feeling fine after taking a good nap. Maybe he shouldn't have stopped at both her house and the grocery store? Going clothes shopping had probably been more than enough for her first day away from the SGC, he thought guiltily. He would remain close to her while she slept and call Dr. Frasier should she still seem feverish when she woke up.

Jack put the groceries away, placed Sam's things in the guest room and hung up the dress in the closet. He didn't know how he would get her to wear it or for what occasion, but he hadn't been able to resist buying it. She'd probably kill him when she saw it, he thought with a smile as he made his way back to the living room.

Sam was still sleeping peacefully, her small mouth moving every so often in her sleep. Jack cupped her cheek, still feeling the heat emanating from her. He would have to wake her up in about an hour and cool her down. For now, he let her sleep and settled himself close to her in the recliner, keeping the TV turned down low so as not to disturb her.

Sam woke up slowly, feeling slightly confused as to her whereabouts. Her mind felt fuzzy as well, as if it couldn't focus clearly and had no intention of doing so. She opened her eyes to see those of her CO, looking carefully at her and resting his hand against her cheek.

"Hey sleepy head, how are you doing?" he asked quietly.

Sam blinked her eyes a few times, trying to clear her head. "How long have I been asleep?" she mumbled.

"For about an hour. You felt pretty warm when we got back. I think you have a slight fever. It seems a bit better now but I'd like you to take some more Tylenol, then maybe take a cool bath."

As Sam struggled to sit up on the couch, Jack leaned away from her and put his arm around her shoulders, helping her into a sitting position. "The bath sounds good," she replied, wiping the sleep from her eyes. "The Tylenol I could do without. It tastes like chalk."

Jack smiled at her. "And how would you know what chalk tastes like?" he teased her.

"It's just an expression. Would you like to try one and see what you think?"

"No thanks!" Jack laughed as he pulled her to her feet. Her braid was coming lose and many more tendrils of hair escaped its grasp. Her right cheek was redder than the left due to the fact that she slept in the same position for an hour. He had removed her socks and shoes as she slept so Sam was standing there barefoot and Jack thought she had never looked so adorable. Of course, he wasn't about to tell her that!

Jack led her to the kitchen where he gave her two more of the children's medication then a glass of apple juice to wash it down. He smiled as she made a face again at the taste of the Tylenol. He then led her to the bathroom, got a fluffy towel out for her and turned the water on.

"I do know how to fill a bath tub Jack," she said to his back. She was sitting on the closed toilet seat, her feet not quite reaching the ground.

"I know Sam, but I figured I'd get it going for you. You still seem a bit sleepy. Is there anything you need before I leave? Soap and washcloths are in the drawer by the sink."

"I'm fine. I'll be out in a while."

"OK then. Call if you need anything. And Sam, I'll want to take your temp when you're done. If it hasn't come down, we might have to call Dr. Frasier."

"I'm sure it will be fine Jack. Now go, so I can get undressed!"

"Yes Ma'am!" He gave her a sloppy salute and left her in the bathroom while he went to make some soup and sandwiches for their dinner.

Thirty minutes later, Sam came into the kitchen wearing one of her 'grown-up' shirts as a nightshirt. It came down well below her knees so she figured it was more than decent. Besides, she didn't have much to hide anyways! She had taken the braid out and brushed her long hair so that it hung in silky waves past her shoulders. Jack smiled at her as she came into the room. She looked like a lost waif in that outfit. He had a strong desire to pick her up and hold her on his lap, just like he used to with Charlie when he came fresh out of the tub.

Instead, he called her over. "Come here Sam. I want to take your temp before we eat," he informed her, holding out the thermometer. Seeing that it was the kind that was inserted into the ear, Sam stepped forward and turned her head away so he could place the device in her right ear. After a few moments, it beeped and she turned to see what the outcome was.

"99.5. Doesn't seem too high." Jack bent down and felt her forehead. "You don't feel as hot anymore either. The fever must be coming down. I don't think we need to bother Janet, unless of course you want me to call her," he asked, looking carefully at her face.

"No, I'm feeling much better. I'm sure I was just tired from the eventful day. Let's eat, I'm starving!"

They ate dinner, cleaned up the dishes together (although Jack wouldn't let her do too much) and then sat on the couch to watch a movie. Sam had brought along a few of her DVDs and had chosen "Runaway Bride" to watch. Jack had loudly protested. "Come on Sam, this is a chick flick!"

"Yeah, who can resist Richard Gere? I just love that silver hair of his," she teased, giving Jack a wide grin.

Jack mumbled something on the order of "For cryiing out loud...women... Richard Gere." Sam couldn't quite make it all out. She just leaned back against the overstuffed pillows and enjoyed her movie. She began to yawn around 9:30, quickly covering her mouth in embarrassment that she could be so tired again. The ending credits were just rolling.

Jack didn't miss the yawn escaping from her mouth. "OK young lady, time for bed. I don't want you getting sick again. Besides, I've got a big day planned for us tomorrow and none of it involves any movies with Richard Gere!"

"What are we doing?" Sam asked as she stifled another yawn.

"It's a surprise, now come on, off to bed with you." He smiled, standing up and holding out his hand to help her up. "Do you want a lift to your room?"

"No thanks, I can walk." Sam replied as she stood up. "I can see myself to bed as well. I need to stop in the bathroom and brush my teeth."

"Ok then. There's a small stool in the linen closet if you need it to reach the sink. Call if you need anything." He watched her as she started out of the room, then called after her, "Sleep well little Sam!" Jack grinned as he sat back down in his recliner.

"Thanks Big Jack," she returned, running from the room with a squeal as he got up quickly from the chair as if to go after her. He laughed when he heard the door to the bathroom slam shut. It was good to see her loosening up a bit and teasing him back. They just might have a good time together in the next few days, regardless of the strange circumstances they found themselves in!

At midnight, Jack was ready to hit the hay. He had apparently fallen asleep watching something more manly than "Runaway Bride". Jack made his way around the house to ensure that all the doors were locked. The door that led to the backyard was unlocked. He frowned, not remembering either Sam or himself going out there. He clicked the lock as he shrugged to himself. Must be getting old; he was forgetting things! Jack turned off the lights, making sure to leave the one in the bathroom on in case Sam woke up during the night.

Knowing he was being overprotective, he still made his way to the guest bedroom to check on Sam before he went to bed himself. The door was slightly ajar. He pushed it open all the way and stuck his head in. He would just take a quick peek and make sure she was sleeping soundly. Jack frowned as the light from the hallway fell across the bed. The sheets were rumpled and the pillows askew on the double bed. But there was no sign of its small occupant. Where the hell was she?

A/N: I know, I know; you hate cliff hangers! This chapter was just begging me to stop here so I had to! I promise I will not leave you hanging for long!!