What Fate Decrees - Part Twelve
It was four more days before Jack built up to a level where Janet finally felt able to give into his demands.
"Right Colonel, yes you can go home, but I will be over regularly to check you for the first week. You can come in after that if you are fit enough. Rest is the key word Colonel, and take your medication and you can't stay on your own." Janet paused for breath.
"Okay, okay!" cried Jack raising his hands in submission "I'll be a good boy."
Janet laughed at his panicked expression. "You make damn sure you are – sir!" she added as an after thought. "Now who's sitting you?"
"Sitting?" he cried "Sitting? I'm not a child I don't need a sitter."
"Sir, I told you, you can't stay alone."
"I'll baby-sit," said a voice from the door.
"Daniel, I'll forgive you that wisecrack if you take me home," begged Jack. "Save me from this woman."
Janet gave him a glare.
"Yikes, see Daniel, I need your help. A deadly look from the enemy is enough to strike fear in the stoutest of hearts."
Daniel laughed. "What on earth have you been reading, Jack, or did you hit your head?"
"No, but if he carries on I'll put him out," threatened Janet "I'll just get your meds." She hurried from the room, knowing just how anxious the Colonel was to get out of the infirmary.
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Daniel inwardly smiled at the sight of Jack sitting on the side of the bed dressed, looking like a child being kept in after school.
"Been waiting long?" enquired Daniel.
"Yeah, Doc's been giving out her do's and don'ts." Jack's posture slumped slightly and he cradled his ribs with his left arm.
"You okay?" asked Daniel.
"Yeah, just peachy, as soon as I get the hell outta here," his friend replied with feeling.
As Janet returned Daniel noticed Jack sat up straighter, taking a breath and trying to look like there was nothing wrong with him at all.
Janet handed her patient a large, bulky bag containing several items. "Here are your meds. Keep taking the painkillers as well, you need them. In fact don't miss any or you'll be straight back in here."
Jack eyed the bag with distaste. "Yes ma'am, can I go now?"
Janet laughed at his expression "Just as soon as the nurse gets here with your chariot – ah, speak of the devil." There was the sound of wheels on cement and a nurse entered with a wheelchair.
"I'll push," volunteered Daniel.
"Oh come on Doc!" protested the Colonel.
"You get, one - wheeled out or, two - you stay in," said Janet, her expression fierce with determination.
"What's three, Doc?"
"No three, Colonel."
"Sure there is, comes after two."
Janet folded her arms and started tapping the toe of her left foot.
"Okay," Jack conceded.
'That was too easy,' thought Daniel, an opinion obviously echoed by Janet Daniel realised when he heard her next words.
"I'll come up with you to make sure."
Jack's face was a picture.
'Yep, he was going to skip the chair out of sight of the infirmary,' thought Daniel, smiling.
"In fact Colonel, I'll come with you to your truck. I could do with some air and I can help carry your things and bring the chair back." The Doctor was clearly used to her favourite patient's antics.
Jack glowered at the smiling Doctor. "Okay, round to you Doc," he acknowledged as he got off the bed slowly. He shook his head ruefully, then glared at Daniel, who was trying to conceal a smirk and shot him an – 'I'll get you later look'. Grumbling to himself he got into the chair.
Daniel noticed his awkward movements, 'Not as good as you let on Jack,' he thought as he removed the brakes and swung the chair around to go.
The journey up to the surface took longer than they thought as people passing stopped to acknowledge the Colonel, wishing him well, which Daniel could tell Jack hated every moment of. By the time they reached his truck he was already looking tired and worn.
Daniel wasn't the only one that noticed the toll the journey to the surface was taking on Jack as his pallor grew more pronounced. "You doing okay, sir?" Janet asked quietly as she grabbed his wrist and checked his pulse. She caught Daniel's eye and nodded reassuringly and Daniel let himself relax a little.
Jack just nodded in reply to her query. The fact that not a sarcastic remark or look came her way spoke volumes to Janet and Daniel. They left the complex and headed through the parking lot to Jack's truck. Daniel helped Jack into it and put the things he'd amassed in the infirmary in the back.
"Don't worry Janet, I'll stay with him. Teal'c and Sam are coming over later tonight."
Janet nodded, still looking slightly worried. "Straight to bed I think. Don't let him move around too much for a few days. I'll be over tonight as well."
Daniel carefully manoeuvred Jack's truck out of the car park and passed through security and down the winding mountain road. He expected Jack to make some comment on his driving, but the twenty minute journey passed in silence, with Jack falling asleep less than halfway down the mountain.
As they pulled up on the driveway Jack woke from his doze. "Home sweet home," he murmured.
Daniel decided to get Jack in first and then come back to empty the truck, knowing full well Jack wouldn't wait to be helped. Jack made a slow entrance into the house and gave a cursory glance around before going to the couch and lowering himself down slowly into the soft cushions, giving a sigh of contentment.
Seeing that Jack was okay, Daniel headed back outside and unloaded the truck, then went to the kitchen to put the coffee on. By the time he returned the man was fast asleep, so Daniel grabbed a light blanket from the hall closet and covered him. He then headed for the kitchen, mindful of Janet's orders.
A short time later, Daniel bore a tray loaded with eggs, toast and coffee into the lounge room. Jack stirred, peering at him groggily, as he placed it on the coffee table.
"Wakey, wakey - lunchtime," called Daniel cheerfully to him.
Daniel helped his friend to sit, carefully placing a cushion at his back and ignoring Jack's disgruntled muttering. Once Jack was settled he handed him the tray and waited.
Jack sipped at the coffee, then pulled a face. "It's decaff."
Daniel smiled and ignored him, going back to the kitchen and returning with his own tray. He began tucking in hungrily. Between mouthfuls he mumbled to the other man. "Eat up. Janet said you don't eat you go back in."
Jack gave him a black look and picked up his fork, moving the food around on the plate and picking at the odd mouthful.
Daniel watched Jack with concern. He had noticed how much weight the older man had lost since the accident and he hadn't had much spare flesh to start with. Finishing his own meal, he took his tray through to the kitchen and came back.
"Okay, so my cooking isn't up to your usual standard," he joked, seeing how little Jack had eaten as he picked up the tray.
Jack didn't even smile. "Sorry, I'm not hungry. Think I'll go to bed. You don't have to stay you know."
"Well, if you're going to bed, I'll use the time to pick up some more things from my apartment, providing you promise not to get out of bed while I'm gone." Daniel replied, adding firmly, "And I am staying."
Jack just nodded, obviously far too weary to press the point. He got up with some difficulty, slowly seeking out support from the furniture. Daniel was unsure whether to help him; he knew Jack hated fuss and attention, so he decided just to stay close in case he needed assistance.
Slowly they made their way up to Jack's bedroom. He sank down on the bed with a thankful sigh and Daniel bent down, slipped Jack's shoes off and pulled the sheet over him. He didn't protest and within moments he was fast asleep.
Daniel got a tumbler from the en-suite bathroom and filled it with water and after he popped downstairs to abstract the necessary medication, he placed them on the nightstand with the water in case Jack awoke. Then he closed the blinds and crept from the room.
Quietly locking Jack's front door behind him, he headed over to his apartment to pack a few things. He guessed he'd be at Jack's a while. Before he left he made a call.
"Hi Sam, just letting you know I've got Jack home in one piece."
"How's he doing?"
"Well, so far he's slept, woken up, eaten and is sleeping again. I've just popped home to get a few things while he's in bed."
"He's not complaining?"
"Nope, I guess it'll be a while before he's up to that. Anyway, what time should I expect you and Teal'c?"
"Is about eight okay?"
"Great, see you then. I'll order pizza. It might tempt Jack into eating."
Daniel ended the call, checked to make sure he hadn't forgotten anything and left. He arrived back at Jack's to find him still sleeping. Having nothing better to do he busied himself in the kitchen making some salads and snacks for later. Seeing the house warranted no further tidying, he made fresh coffee and took some up to see if he could tempt Jack awake and get him to take his medication.
Jack was restless, trying to turn in his sleep, with a light sweat covering his face. He was twisting and murmuring against something in his dreams. Daniel opened the blinds, letting in some of the late afternoon light and sat down on the bed, placing a reassuring hand on his friend's shoulder.
"Hey Jack," he said softly. He wasn't sure if Jack was reliving the accident or if he was remembering something further back. God knew there were enough bad events in this man's life to give anyone nightmares. Jack responded slowly, his eyes blinking open, trying to focus on Daniel, and it seemed to take a moment or two before recognition lit his face.
"Oh, hi Daniel, sorry. I seem to sleep a lot lately. What time is it?"
"Fivish, I think. Do you know you don't have any clocks anywhere? Where's your alarm clock?"
Jack tapped the side of his head. "Here, and I have my watch for backup. When I'm at home I go by my time."
"Oh, eat when hungry etc," said Daniel as he offered the mug of coffee he'd brought with him, which was accepted gratefully.
"I need a shower," said Jack, grimacing as he wiped his sweaty face with the back of his hand.
"Do you need any help?"
Jack shook his head. "Nope, I'll manage fine."
Daniel waited while Jack slowly sat before passing him the tablets, which the other man surprisingly took without complaint. Taking the empty mugs, Daniel decided to give his friend some privacy and wait downstairs.
"Call if you need me. Sam and Teal'c will be over later."
"Great."
"I'll order some pizza if you let me have the number."
"Speed dial three," called Jack as Daniel left the bedroom.
xoxoxoxoxoxo