Janet didn't take Ian to get his x-rays – that was what technicians were for, after all. Instead, while she waited for them to get back she made a couple more phone calls – including to the specialist on preemies – and then went to Sam's bed to discuss Jacob with his parents.

By the time Ian was wheeled back in, they'd already set up a time to have Jacob circumcised – not something the baby would appreciate – and had set up the meeting with the preemie specialist who would be able to tell Sam and Jack more about what they should expect by way of weight gain in the next couple of months, and development for the baby.

Jack told Sam he was going to head for the house to get her things while he had the chance, and Sam nodded, telling him to take Jaffer, who could use some fresh air. With a gentle caress, he kissed her softly, touched Jacob's cheek lightly, and headed out with Jaffer beside him, and Sam – still holding Jacob – walked over with Janet when she went to check Ian's x-rays.

The cadet was back on his bed. He was still dressed in scrubs and once more had a scowl on his face, which made Sam smile, because she knew he hated being inactive – and he seemed to be inactive a lot lately. The scowl did fade when she approached, and he scooted to the side, giving her a silent invitation to share the bed he was sitting on. An invitation she took him up on.

"How was the ride?"

He rolled his eyes, but now there was more good humor in his expression than annoyance.

"Got pulled over for speeding…"

"Did you get a ticket?"

"Nah, I talked him out of it. My great personality and all…"

Janet snorted, her eyes on the x-rays she had held up to the light, but her attention obviously on Sam and Ian as well.

Sam looked over at Janet.

"Well?"

"There's no fracture."

"That's good, right?" Ian asked.

Janet nodded, her eyes still on the x-rays, switching from one to another.

"I didn't think there was a break, but it never hurts to make sure. I don't see anything more serious than a little bruising."

Sam looked down at the leg, which had been bared so Janet could examine it when she was done looking at the films. Well-muscled and lean, it was still really swollen and the knee area looked like one big bruise – although it was really a series of several.

"A little?"

Janet smiled, looking down at the knee.

"Well, relatively. It could be a lot worse – but the bone is in good shape and there doesn't appear to be anything that will hamper a quick recovery. Let's see what you have for a range of motion, shall we?"

That didn't sound like something pleasant, Ian decided. And a moment later, he knew it wasn't. Janet sat on a stool in front of him, supporting his foot, and then forced him to bend the injured leg as much as he could – until he actually had to bite down on his lower lip to keep from swearing – and then had had him move his foot in every direction, testing the ligaments in the knee to see if there was any damage. By the time she was done, he was sweating and trembling and Sam had taken his hand in sympathy – although Ian refused to squeeze it, because he didn't want to hurt her.

"Good."

Ian looked down at Janet incredulously, watching as she stood up and gave him a satisfied look.

"Good?"

Jesus, it felt like the fucking thing was going to fall off now. For that matter, it hurt a lot more now than it had when he'd woken up!

She smiled, sympathetically, and resisted the urge to reach out and touch his cheek. It wasn't like she enjoyed hurting him like that, but it had been necessary. Instead, she took up a wet towel and wiped his sweaty face.

"I know it hurt, Ian, but you have full range of motion – which means once the bruises fade and the swelling goes down, you're going to be fine. It's just sore."

He took a deep breath – a ragged deep breath – and flopped back on his bed, careful not to jar Sam and the baby.

"It's sore, all right…"

"Is he going to be okay, then?" Sam asked.

She nodded.

"We'll keep him off it the rest of the day, but by tomorrow he should feel a lot better."

Ian made a noise that plainly told both women he didn't think he was going to be feeling a lot better until his next birthday, but Sam just smiled, relieved that he hadn't taken any lasting hurt defending her like he had.

"How about breakfast?" Janet asked, knowing it was a sure fired way of getting his mind off how much he ached. He was young and healthy, after all – he'd forget how much he hurt soon enough.

Predictably, Ian looked up, his expression changed completely – although she could see a little wariness there, and Janet knew he was thinking she might be tricking him into oatmeal or something equally healthy, while Ian was hoping for something far more filling.

"Breakfast?"

Janet smiled. Young people were so much fun. Even moody ones like Ian. Or maybe especially ones like Ian…

"There's nothing wrong with your stomach – just your leg. I don't see any reason you can't have something more solid than toast."

Yes.

Now Ian's expression was hopeful, and Sam smiled – although she was hungry, too.

"Eggs and bacon and ham and-"

"I didn't say you could clear out the commissary," Janet said, her voice stern but her expression amused. "Choose something, and I'll have one of the orderlies go get it for you." She looked at Sam. "You, too."

Sam didn't argue. As much as she didn't like having people fetching for her, she was hungry and had no desire to take Jacob back to the commissary just then so she could get a bite to eat. He was asleep, and she didn't want to wake him up until he was ready to wake up. Grumpy baby wasn't nearly as cute as Sleeping baby – although she didn't love him any less when he was screaming.

"Can I stay here?" She asked; meaning could she keep Ian company. Jack was gone, and neither of them had anyone to chat with – besides, Sam didn't want to leave him alone when he was hurting, and she did love his company.

Janet nodded.

"I'll have an extra table brought over." Referring to the rolling tables that fitted perfectly over the beds. "Do you want me to put Jacob in his bassinet?"

Sam shook her head, looking down at Sleeping baby.

"If I can't hold him and eat, I'll pass him over to Ian when he's done."

She was pretty sure, though, that she'd get plenty of times coming up that she'd need to be able to hold Jake while doing things, and she might as well get good at it as soon as possible.