I'm being nice here and posting a bit early, so as to put you poor people who want some romance out of your misery. I may be a little slower posting the next parts, but then they are just filled with Sam & Jack romantic stuff & you all know me and romance - blah! Now if you're nice and send Jackie more lovely feedback, as you have been doing, I may just work quicker at posting. LOL. - Flatkatsi (Jackie's little helper)


What Fate Decrees - Part Seventeen

The next few days passed slowly, with Jack moving around more and more doing simple exercises, but no one who saw him missed the pain and stress he was putting himself through.

Towards the end of the second week he'd begun to make his way out of the house, taking one of his team with him, on the start of many long walks.

It was the middle of the third week when Janet arrived earlier than usual. Sam and Teal'c were already there and Jack was taking a break from a slow jog around the garden. He was perched on the support of the decking, taking deep breaths, and although he was sweating lightly he wasn't showing any great discomfort.

"Hey guys," called Janet, letting herself in the side gate and coming around through the garden to them – a garden that was looking even better than usual. She supposed Jack was using gardening as an exercise and hoped he wasn't overdoing it.

"I've got some good news for a change," she told them as she flopped down on a chair.

Four pairs of eyes looked to her, waiting for her to speak. "Iced tea would be good," she smirked.

"Quit stalling," growled Jack.

"Yes sir," she laughed, as Sam poured her drink.

"Okay mmm, this is good." She sipped at the juice and then surrendered to the pained looks she was getting. "Oh right, well General Hammond has advised me that the medical has been postponed."

Jack gave her a sharp look, but waited for the rest.

"He's managed to call in some favours. You've got three months, Colonel, and I'll have clearance to give you light duties before then as well." Janet beamed at him.

Jack didn't say anything for a moment. Sam and Daniel were smiling happily, even Teal'c looked pleased.

"Uh you okay sir?" asked Janet, alarmed at his lack of response.

"Sure, yeah, sorry – I was just thinking about the cost of those markers to the General," he replied quietly.

"I know he had to fight hard to get the decision changed, but," and she waited till Jack looked at her "he obviously thinks you're worth it. You can do this," she added.

Nodding, he got up, his face expressionless. "I'll go see Hammond tomorrow. I'm just going to wash up. Won't be long" and went inside.

Janet frowned after the retreating figure. "Well, that went down like a lead balloon. I really thought he'd be pleased."

"I think he is Janet, but I think it came as a shock as well. You know Jack - he's so used to fighting his own battles and everyone else's that I think he finds it strange that people want to fight for him."

Sam nodded in agreement with Daniel. "But at least now he's got a fair chance." She looked at Janet as if afraid to ask her next question. "He stands a chance of passing this one, doesn't he?"

Janet laughed, smiling, "At the rate he's going I would have given some decent odds at the first one medical review, but yes, I really can't see him failing this one."

"Then it is indeed good news you bring Doctor Fraiser," said Teal'c.

Sam stood, putting her glass on the table. "I'll go see if Jack's okay,"

"Jack?" mouthed Janet to Daniel who shrugged.

"Slips out now and then," he whispered back as Sam left them.

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Sam climbed the stairs and tapped lightly at Jack's bedroom door "You decent, Colonel?" she called.

"Sort of," came the response.

A puzzled Sam opened the door and peered in cautiously to find Jack sitting on his bed half dressed, trying to dry off his bandages. He was mopping at them with a towel, or at least trying to.

"Got a little carried away there sir?"

Jack looked up at her with a forlorn expression. "Doc'll get mad. I still haven't mastered washing around them."

Taking pity on him, Sam crossed the room and took the towel, wiping it across his back.

Swallowing hard, Jack opened his mouth to stop her, but as she patted gently, he gave in to the sensations she was arousing in him and closed his mouth.

Sam knelt on the bed behind him and began to dry his shoulders. She wasn't aware of the effect she was having on Jack - she was too busy battling with the effect on herself.

'Way to go Sam, you idiot!' she cursed herself 'You've probably well and truly embarrassed him, but, oh it's so good to touch him, even through a towel.'

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Jack began to relax under her gentle touch. As Sam placed her free hand on his bare shoulder he felt the heat from her searing his skin. He knew he should have stopped her, but the touch was so good! 'Crap, call a halt – she's your 2IC for heaven's sake.'

Sam moved, shifting to his side and bringing the towel around to his chest to continue patting the bandages dry. As she twisted around Jack turned his head to her and their eyes met, their faces only inches apart. Sam's eyes locked on to his as she froze and she seemed to stop breathing. They moved closer, both drawn helplessly together as their lips touched, the longing and the heat enveloping them.

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The towel fell from Sam's hands as she grasped Jack's shoulders to deepen the kiss. Jack turned his body towards hers, his hands moving to run along her back and they fell together onto the bed. Sam wound her fingers through the hair at the back of his head, clutching him in an effort to get even closer. No sensible thought entered her head, and the blinding haze of passion that erupted between them bonded them together. Sam could feel the heat as bare flesh touched - she could feel his arousal against her thighs and only the need for oxygen made her pull her mouth away from his.

xoxoxoxoxoxo

"God Sam," Jack moaned hoarsely, his breath gasping as the pain from his ribs penetrated the fog in his mind. His heart was pounding like never before, but the pain from his ribs made his mind take a step back and suddenly the realisation of what he'd done hit. "God Sam, I'm so sorry," he muttered wretchedly as he broke all bodily contact from her with an extreme effort on his part.

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Sam felt bereft at the lack of his body on hers and then as realisation hit, she felt heat suffusing her face. She lowered her head, not speaking, so embarrassed by her actions.

'Way to go Sam, jump your CO the first chance you get. Dreams not enough?' she taunted herself. Feeling mortified, she berated herself. 'You idiot, you've just pulled your CO down on the bed and clutched him like some sex crazed hooker.' She jumped up quickly.

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Mistakenly taking Sam's acute embarrassment to be a result of his actions, Jack reproved himself 'Christ, Jack, grabbing your 2IC and rolling on the bed - yeah good move Jack, she'll think you're a sex starved sad old pervert.'

He groaned outwardly, his misery etched on his face, but Sam wasn't looking, she was too busy creeping towards the door.

"Sir, I'm really sorry …" she began.

His head snapped up at the formality, 'Gee, rub it in why don't ya.' he thought. He saw how red she was and how she was backing away from him with a wary expression on her face. He felt an absolute louse. "Carter, I really am sorry."

Sam gave him a strange look, as if puzzled.

"I err … oh crap!" Jack threw his hands up angrily, trying to right himself on the bed, but flinched hard at the sudden pain the movement inflicted. Sam flew back to the bed trying to help him.

"Take it easy sir …. that better?" She helped him into a sitting position, noticing how wet his bandages still were.

"Fine Carter," he said shortly, still angry with himself.

"Look I'll get Janet. She can change those bandages - they're soaking" and before he could stop her, she hurried out.

xoxoxoxoxoxo