Chapter 12 – Restless Tonight
The team gathered for dinner in the commissary, just as they had last night. They talked briefly about their outing and the increased security on base. Jack reiterated to all of them the standing order that no one was to go out alone with JJ. They all agreed before turning the conversation to other topics.
For his part, JJ was picking at the food set before him. He allowed Sam to spoon a few scoops of mashed potatoes into his mouth as well as some applesauce, but that was about all. He wasn't even interested in either red or blue Jello tonight. Sam frowned in concern. She hoped he wasn't coming down with something.
After futilely trying to get him to eat a bit more, Sam cleaned him and stood up. "I'm going to take JJ to the infirmary for a quick bath and to have Janet check him out. He doesn't seem to be acting like his usual self."
"He's probably just tired from being outside today, Carter. He was restless during his nap, remember? Maybe he just didn't sleep enough," Jack responded.
"I hope so Sir. I'm still taking him down to see Janet though," she replied adamantly.
"You want me to come with you?" Jack could see the concern in her eyes and wasn't about to brush that aside.
"No, I'll be fine. I'll let you know if Janet finds anything though," Sam replied.
"I'll walk down with you, Sam," Daniel stated as he stood up. "I need a new prescription for my allergy medications anyway." Sam nodded her acceptance of his offer and they both moved to the door, JJ resting his head on Sam's shoulder.
"I hope nothing's wrong with the little guy," Jack said as he watched them walk off. "I should have gone with her."
"As you have said, O'Neill, Major Carter is extremely capable of looking after JJ. I am most certain she will notify you if something is wrong," Teal'c assured him.
Jack sighed, "Yeah, you're right. Let's say we check the security topside. I want to make sure everything is secure for the night."
Teal'c nodded his agreement and the two men left the commissary. They nodded to the airman in the hall, who followed their progress with his eyes before heading in the opposite direction; to the infirmary.
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In the infirmary, Janet had checked JJ out and declared him to be fine, most likely he was just tired. She told Sam to get him into some warm pajamas after his bath and into bed. After a good night's sleep, she felt, JJ should be good as new.
Daniel had left the infirmary once he had seen Sam and JJ safely there. Although he did need a prescription refill, he also wanted the chance to talk to Sam without Jack around; to see how she was handling things. It had been a wasted effort though, as she was too concerned about JJ to have a proper conversation with him. Daniel had made her promise to call him if she needed any help with JJ. Sam had agreed and thanked him for walking with her.
Now she was on her way back to her quarters, a clean and sleepy little boy in her arms. She nodded and smiled at the other base personnel who greeted her as she passed. Sam didn't notice the dark-haired man who cagily followed her back to her quarters.
Sam turned the corner that led to her room, finding it to be devoid of people. Her footsteps echoed in the empty hallway as she made her way to her door. Thinking that she was hearing another set of footsteps, Sam looked behind her. She glanced at the young, dark haired man several paces behind her. Not noticing anything unusual about him, she resumed her course to her room. Upon reaching her door, Sam juggled the sleeping child as she reached for her security card.
The man behind her saw this as his one possible chance. He reached into his vest and pulled out his last tranquilizer dart. He tightened his grip around it, knowing he could plunge it into her leg without use of the noisy gun, grab the child and run. He smiled knowingly as she struggled with the child and her key card. She would never have time to react to his sudden attack and he would be out of sight before she could. He quickened his step, coming to within 15 feet of her when he heard a voice call out from the other end of the corridor.
"Hey, Carter! Wait up."
Muttering a curse, the man continued his progress down the hall and passed by the Major. He quickly put the tranquilizer dart back in his vest, pulled out a pamphlet and appeared to be engrossed in reading it as he passed the Colonel in the hallway. Once out of sight, he slammed the pamphlet against his leg and cursed whatever gods were conspiring against him today.
As Jack passed the airman, his brow furrowed in confusion. Hadn't he just seen this guy somewhere? He momentarily wracked his brain for the answer but, not coming up with anything, brushed aside the thought and continued down the corridor toward Sam.
Sam had turned at her CO's voice and waited for him at her door, key card finally in hand. When Jack saw that JJ was nearly asleep, he took her card from her, swiped it, and opened the door, holding it wide for her to pass through. The crib had been transferred to her quarters earlier in the evening and was all set up and ready to accept the sleeping little bundle.
Sam carefully laid JJ in the crib, placed Bart next to him, and pulled the covers up to his chin. They both stood in silence, watching the little boy as he slipped a thumb into his mouth and settled into a deep sleep.
Jack turned to look at Sam, noticing the lines of strain around her eyes. "You OK?" he asked her quietly.
Sam looked up at him. "I'm fine. I was just a little worried about JJ before."
"What did Frasier say?" he asked with concern.
She gave him a slight grin. "Oh, about the same thing you did. He's probably just overtired. All that fresh air, you know!"
Jack chuckled softly in response, then turned to look down once more at the sleeping child. "He really is something, isn't he?" he asked absently.
"He sure is Sir. Something truly special," she agreed.
Wanting to say more, but not knowing where to start, Jack sighed quietly, then said, "Well, I'd better let you get some sleep, too. I think all that fresh air wore you out as well." At her smile, he turned toward the door. "Carter, you'll call me if he…"
"I'll call you if I have any trouble, Sir," she acknowledged his unfinished question.
She walked him to the door and was starting to close it when he added, almost as an afterthought, "Make sure you lock your door tight, Carter." At her puzzled frown, he cryptically added, "You and Teal'c are not the only ones who can get strange feelings about things. Just lock your door, OK?"
"Yes, sir. Good night."
"Night," and he walked away, still puzzling over what it could be that was bothering him.
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Sam worked on her laptop for a few hours before turning in. She was exhausted and ready for a good night's sleep. Taking care of a baby was a lot harder than it looked. It was about to get even harder, as JJ woke up shortly after midnight, fussing, tossing and turning.
Nothing Sam did worked to calm him down. She rocked, she paced, she offered him a bottle, she held Bart in front of him, all to no avail. JJ rubbed his face against her shirt and bit down hard on the pacifier she gave him. His little fingers looped through the ring of the pacifier as he repeatedly pulled it in and out of his mouth, all the while biting down hard on the rubber mouth piece.
Sam was about at her wit's end, near tears herself, when she cuddled him close and felt the heat emanating from his little body. In a panic, she quickly called Jack's quarters, wrapped JJ's blanket around him and headed to the infirmary.
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Thankfully, Janet was still on duty and took the still whimpering baby from Sam's arms. This only incensed him further and his cries raised an octave. Jack came in at that moment, looking decidedly rumpled and still half asleep.
"What the hell did you do to him, Doc?" he barked as he heard the crying increase in volume.
"Nothing Colonel," Janet said with a glare as she laid the baby down on the examining table. "He's upset and just doesn't want to leave his mommy right now."
Sam, eyes slightly moist from frustration at her inability to sooth JJ, looked to Jack with surprise at the title bestowed upon her by Janet. They both resumed their watch over JJ as Janet produced a thermometer and placed it in his ear. JJ didn't like this prodding any better than being taken from his mother and let everyone in the room know it.
"He's got a good set of lungs at least," Jack said with some pride in his voice. "What?" he asked with innocence as the two women glared at him.
Janet waited the prescribed amount of time, then took the thermometer out of JJ's ear. "He's got a slight temp, nothing to be too concerned about. Let's take a closer look and see what the problem is." After a brief examination, at which both Jack and Sam hovered like mother hens, Janet discovered the dilemma. "He's teething Sam. He's starting to cut his first year molars. Look, you can see the gleam of white on his gums," she instructed as JJ opened his mouth and let out another wail.
"Are they supposed to make him this uncomfortable?" she asked with concern.
"It can be harder for some children than for others. A cool teething ring, some baby Tylenol, and a topical analgesic usually work well. Unfortunately, I don't have most of those things available here. I can give you a topical ointment to rub on his gums. That should take most of the discomfort away. But one of you will have to go into town tomorrow and buy some baby Tylenol and a teething ring."
Sam nodded absently at the instructions as she picked JJ up from the examining table. His cries quieted down now that he was being held by someone he loved and trusted, but his mouth was still sore and he was still cranky. Janet walked over to a locked cabinet and took out the prescribed ointment. She put a little on her finger and ran it along the baby's gums. JJ made a face at the awful taste but then he quieted down as it began to ease the aching in his gums.
"How often should I apply it, Janet?" Sam asked, relieved now that JJ was calming down. He had buried his head under her chin, much like the first day she had carried him into the briefing room. He reached out and grasped a finger that Jack held out to him; finally feeling secure in the presence of the two adults who always cared for him.
"Every two hours as needed," Janet answered. "You might want to get him some juice or cool water to drink. That will help with the fever."
"Can we take him back to bed Doc?" Jack asked quietly as he watched JJ's eyes droop closed.
"Sure. I'll be staying here for the night, so if you need anything or have any questions, be sure to call me, OK?" she instructed. They both agreed to do just that before they left the infirmary, hearts no longer racing in fear that the little boy in their care was ill.
Jack stopped in at the commissary and purchased a bottle of cold apple juice, which he brought directly to Sam's quarters. JJ drank a few ounces of it before falling into an exhausted sleep. Sam laid him on her bed, not wanting to place him alone in his crib should he need more of the ointment during the night. Besides, being close to him would reassure her that all he was OK.
"Do you want me to stay a while?" Jack asked with some concern. He had seen how obviously Sam had been affected by JJ's cries and didn't want to leave her alone just now.
Sam looked at him with a small smile, "I think we'll be OK for now. Thanks though." She glanced over at the sleeping baby. "He sure doesn't seem to want to let either of us have an easy night of things, does he?"
"Probably used to having both mom and dad in the same place at night," Jack admitted quietly. They locked eyes for a moment; Sam's becoming slightly teary once again as she thought of all the changes occurring in JJ's life right now. She turned away from Jack's gaze, but when she heard his quiet, "Come here," she turned back and went willingly into his embrace. Jack held her close for a moment, trying to offer what comfort he could. He cradled the back of her head in one hand and whispered, "You're doing great with him Sam. Everything is going to be just fine."
Sam sniffed as she nodded, trying to regain her composure. When she felt better able to face him, she pulled back, though with some reluctance. "Thanks," she whispered.
Jack gave her his trademark smile, "Think nothing of it. Now get some sleep. Tomorrow we'll have to go and do some shopping of our own for this little guy. Maybe I'll even treat you to some lunch," he quipped. That earned him a smile and he turned and left her room, reminding her once more to lock her door behind him.
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In a room very similar to Sam's, another blond haired woman sat despondently on her bed, looking desolately at the picture she held in her hands. She glanced up when her husband entered the room. She couldn't keep the tears from her face as he came forward and sat on the bed next to her, gathering her in his strong arms.
"Shh, Samantha, it's going to be OK. We'll get him back soon."
"Oh God Jack, I miss him so much! What if someone in their reality is trying to get to JJ? What if Anubis finds out he's there and that Anubis goes after him too? What if…"
"Hey, it's not like you to be the negative one in this relationship. JJ is going to be fine. If that Samantha Carter is anything like you, she will give her life to protect our son. And she told you herself that none of this is happening in her world. Samantha, baby, you've got to believe that our son is going to be all right. I need you to believe it, OK?" Jack asked her firmly.
Samantha wiped at her eyes, "I'll try Jack. I just want my baby back so much!"
"I know sweetheart, I do too," he replied as he held her close once more. "We can't take the chance yet, though. Thor will be here soon and will hopefully be able to help us get rid of Anubis. Until then, we have to remain on guard. We don't know for sure if the Asrak Anubis sent is truly gone. It's not safe yet to bring our son back."
"I know, Jack," Samantha sniffed as she held tightly to him. "I want him back, but I won't take the chance of anything happening to him."
Jack kissed her on top of her head and continued to hold her. It had been a long few days and it wasn't nearly over yet. They were both in for another restless night worrying about their little boy.
A/N: I worked really hard to get this chapter out before the holidays, even burnt some cookies in the process...hope you enjoyed it! Much more to come...JJ wants to hang around for a while longer! Happy Holidays to all!
