A/N: Thanks for all the great reviews and support so far! I have quite a lot of andventures in store for Sam. The next few chapters will deal with Sam learning her way about her new body primarily, and than the adventure will continue. :)
Sam had no doubt she looked anything but graceful, still her confidence in her ability to control this body grew as she reached the foot of the bed. Turning around however, she mixed which foot moved when and toppled into an ungainly heap at the foot of the bed. Which was exactly the way Janet found her as she pulled the curtain aside and entered her cubicle.
Chapter 10
Janet tried to hide her smile as she looked down at the small form of Major Sam Carter. Just the fact that her short striped yellow-blonde fur was sticking up in places, mussed from sleep, was amusing enough. Judging by Sam's position, one hind leg and her tail dangling off the edge of the bed, she'd just tripped over her own... well four feet. Janet knew she shouldn't, and managed not to laugh out loud, but couldn't stop the grin that was tugging at the corners of her mouth from escaping. The expression on Sam's face was absolutely priceless. That, combined with just how irresistibly cute Sam looked with wide blue eyes and rumpled fur. Not that she would ever tell her friend that. Sam had way too much dirt on her.... Still it would be hilarious. Janet did permit herself to wish for a camera.
Sam became aware of Janet's presence, and blinked her wide eyes, as she made one of the most embarrassed sounding mewls Janet had ever heard. Janet's smile grew wider as she reached out to help Sam to her feet, but before she could, the mortified Major was already struggling to regain control of her misbehaving feet. Sam settled on her rump and swished her tail back and forth, a very smug look on her face. She looked at Janet, who returned the look with a quirky smile and raised eyebrow.
"I see you have been practicing." Janet said, and Sam nodded, and let out a rather proud sounding "Meh!" Janet couldn't stop the grin from breaking out again. "Oh, before you ask, so far all your tests have come back fine, looks like you are in perfect health at least." Sam's ears flicked forward, her attention on Janet. "There's no physical cause we could see for your trouble walking, so we are thinking it will all come with some practice, as you already seem to be finding out on your own." Sam meowed again in reply, and added a swish of her tail for emphasis. Janet continued, "I'd like to keep you overnight at least, until we make sure you are acclimating well." Sam's whiskers drooped. Janet didn't really think Sam would be overjoyed at her decision at any rate. At least Sam seemed to be reacting normally. She smiled again, before recounting the debriefing.
"The General has refused to allow anyone to return to P3X-929 for now, he doesn't want a repeat of what happened to you. Daniel will just have to use all the photos and recordings that Daniel and you took of the room and the machine." Sam seemed to sag even more at Janet's word of a ban on a return to the planet, but nodded her understanding. She couldn't stop her frustrated sigh though. How was she to help out? She really didn't want to be sitting around on her duff, while everyone else worked out how to get her body back. Sam perked up at Janet's next words.
"General Hammond has authorized Daniel to track down the voice synthesizing equipment that we used when you were... uh, when the alien entity had taken control of your body. He thinks it would help for you to communicate, if you could type out what you wanted to say. He really wants your help trying to figure out the device, he thinks it will help with the translations." Sam seemed to be considering Janet's words, a look of intense concentration on her face, than she nodded solemnly, it was worth a shot. Sam stood with a little "Mrrrrow!" She looked towards the door, than back to Janet, trying to communicate her eagerness to get started.
Janet seemed to read her mind, either that or she just knew Sam too well, cat or no cat. "Ah ah ah," she admonished Sam, raising one finger. "First, you need to eat and drink, or Captain Brunsfeld thinks you'll get dehydrated rather fast. Besides, you are probably hungry; you've been asleep for two hours now. And who knows how long since you ate last, knowing you it was probably yesterday." Sam's ears perked forward and she blinked. She was indeed pretty hungry. She still glared at Janet. She'd eaten breakfast before going off world. Well, if you counted coffee, and half of a hurriedly eaten donut as breakfast. It was the thought that counted right? And she'd had some experiments she'd wanted to check on before getting geared up.
Sam wondered what was on the menu, and her ears went back a little bit as she imagined the stuff she used to feed Schroedinger. Suddenly she didn't have as much an appetite anymore. Janet sensed her thoughts and hastened to reassure her friend. "Don't worry Sam, it's not what you might think. Captain Brunsfeld and I didn't think you'd much care for any prepared cat foods, so the good Captain has made some suggestions on regular food, and raided the commissary on your behalf. Looks like beef, rice and vegetables are on the menu for you tonight." She smiled and nearly laughed at Sam's unmistakable look of relief. "I'll be right back."
Returning quickly with a shallow bowl, Janet explained to Sam that she was having her food warmed up for her. She and Captain Brunsfeld thought Sam would find the meal much more appetizing that way, and Sam had to agree. Janet set the bowl down and Sam realized it was full of water. Sam approached the bowl, sniffing. "I thought we'd start with some water while we waited for your food to be ready." Sam nodded in agreement and studied the water bowl. She'd watched Schroedinger drink by lapping up the water with his tongue. It didn't look too hard. Sam lowered her mouth towards the water bowl and poked her tongue out tasting the water. It felt good. She tried to use her tongue to gather up some water, but dropped her nose too far. Startled at the feel of water Sam gasped, and water ran up her nose, she pulled back coughing and spluttering as the water dripped off her chin, clinging to whiskers and fur. She met Janet's concerned gaze.
Sam gave herself a little shake, and glared at the offending bowl of water. She refused to be beaten by mere water. Approaching it again, Sam lowered her mouth again, being more careful of keeping her nose above the water level. This time she managed to lap up a tongue full or so, but swallowing proved to be a problem as she tried to make the water go in the right direction she messed up her breathing and managed to inhale some more water. Sam coughed again. Obviously, eating was going to be a problem. But she wasn't ready to give up just yet. Sam started to approach the bowl again, and was startled when Janet lifted the bowl away.
"I think that's enough for now Sam, I'm going to give Captain Brunsfeld a call. I don't want you choking or getting pneumonia from breathing in too much water." Janet took in Sam's dejected appearance as she lay down, dropping her head onto her front paws. "I'm sorry Sam. We'll figure something out."
Sam stared off into space as Janet left to page Captain Brunsfeld. She wasn't looking forward to another visit from the vet, as nice as the young Captain was; she still hadn't forgiven him the thermometer thing. Sam was left alone with her own thoughts, as she wondered what else could go wrong. She couldn't even take a drink of water without it turning into a production. Sam sighed, and closed her eyes, waiting for Janet to return with the vet.