What Fate Decrees - Part Thirty-two

At first light Jack was up and dressed. He was free from bandages and the bruising had almost gone completely, only the scars really stood out from the numerous old injuries he had.

He knew the sight of the wound upset Sam, as each time she saw it she became pale and looked away. He'd questioned her about her reaction and she said it was a reminder of just how close she had come to losing him.

Jack left her sleeping and quietly made his way out of the house. He warmed up then left his property, starting with a gentle pace and gradually stretching more, building up speed as the trail progressed.

He felt good. The early morning light and the bird songs soothed him and he felt glad to be alive. He ran further than usual until he eventually topped the second ridge and took deep breaths, which he admitted ruefully he needed. He was sweating and breathing heavily, but he'd made it. Before the accident he could have run much further without stopping, but he was getting there, albeit a little more slowly than he would have liked.

He carried on stretching and shaking his long limbs to keep them warm, whilst he admired the view, but soon a low growl from his stomach broke the spell Mother Nature had cast, and he made his way back home. He found it harder going back and by the time he reached home he was panting hard and dripping with sweat. Checking to make sure Sam was still asleep, he dived into the shower quickly and got cleaned up.

He had breakfast on the go and was quite recovered by the time Sam appeared, yawning sleepily.

"Hey." She hugged him "What time did you get up?"

"Oh, a while ago," he shrugged "Coffee's ready." He poured her a mug, which she sipped gratefully. "And breakfast is ready when you are."

Sam always appreciated it when Jack cooked. She had trouble not burning toast, but Jack could actually cook, much to her surprise.

"What time do you need to be at the base?" he asked, dishing up and sitting down with her.

"Around nine. There's nothing special on, in fact I could easily have some leave if you fancy doing something?" she said suddenly.

"Good grief woman, is there no pleasing you?" he joked.

Sam slapped his arm playfully "Not sex you idiot."

"Oh" Jack managed to look quite disappointed and Sam laughed. She gave him a hug and he was just getting interested, breakfast forgotten, when the phone rang.

"Damn," growled Jack "don't move." He strode over and picked up the phone. "O'Neill," he almost shouted, "Oh Doc, hi, everything okay?" He waited for her response. "Good. Sorry about last night." He turned and stuck his tongue out at Sam while Janet spoke. "Yeah fine, well, about nine then?"

For some reason that he couldn't work out, Sam smiled at his words. He replaced the phone and resumed his previous position.

"Now where were we?" He ran his hands over Sam's back.

"Well?" she demanded.

"Mmm," said Jack, forgetting the phone call.

"What did Janet want?"

"Oh, yeah, I need to go in. She's going to assess me for light duties."

"Oh Jack, that's great."

"Mmm, but did you put her up to it?" he murmured, nuzzling her neck.

"No, I just said how well you were doing and I said you were bored. You know Janet - if you're not fit, she won't pass you."

"'Expect so," he murmured, thoroughly distracted by what he was doing.

"Shall we ride in together? We could do lunch," she invited and then quickly continued, "Oh, don't let on about running."

Jack stopped nuzzling her. "What? What've you said?"

Sam looked a bit embarrassed. "I err, kinda said that I had a time keeping up with you"

He frowned. "Did you now?" Then he concealed a smile as a suitable punishment for her indiscretion came to mind. "Well, it seems that you're definitely out of condition Major, so we'll have to do something about that. You can keep me company on every morning run." He let his smile show at her panicked expression.

Sam shook her head. "Oh, you shouldn't really be running Jack." She looked like a rabbit caught in a trap. Jack grinned broadly as she continued. "I'll tell Janet."

"Too late remember?" He grabbed her and turned her to face the window. "See that second ridge?"

Sam squinted. "I see the one we've run to," she said hopefully.

He pointed. "Nah, further up and to the left."

Sam squinted harder. "You got to be kidding," she protested, pulling back a little.

"Nope, that's a date tomorrow bright and early."

Sam groaned and flopped against his chest, lazily rubbing her back against him.

"That's not fair," she moaned, "Anyway, there's no way you can go that far."

"I went there this morning and back. I had to stop at the ridge for a while, but I made it, so it should be a breeze for you."

"What? God, you shouldn't be doing that. Janet will be so mad."

"Janet will never know unless you tell." He pushed his groin against her, enjoying the feeling.

"Jack, please don't go so hard - running I mean," she clarified, as he withdrew his body from hers slightly. "Janet will be mad if you bust something again."

"Janet doesn't have to face that board in a few weeks," he replied sombrely.

She turned to face him. "Surely it's not going to be that bad?"

"Put it this way - you wouldn't want to do it. Trust me, it makes some of our missions look like cake walks, and that damned MO they've got makes Doc look sweet when she's having a bad day. I've got to face the COS board after as well."

"Oh," responded Sam "That's why you're pushing so hard."

Jack nodded. "They intend to push me to the limit and fail me. They made me sweat last time and I wasn't carrying any injuries then, except this damn knee."

Sam hugged him tightly. "Just give it your best Jack. We'll train together. I can't have my old man outrunning me, can I?" She grinned and kissed him. He returned the kiss deeply, but she pulled back smirking. "Pity sex isn't on the agenda - you'd pass with flying colours even with broken ribs."

"Flatterer," he groaned.

Sam twined her fingers through his hair, kissing him again. "Yep, definitely a pass," she murmured. His stamina never ceased to amaze her, and their lovemaking had surpassed her wildest dreams.

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Janet was beginning to think the Colonel wasn't coming in when he hurried into the infirmary thirty minutes late and looking rather flushed. She waited for an explanation, but receiving nothing but a slightly embarrassed grin, decided she really didn't want to know what had held him up. She turned to the instruments beside her, picking up the biggest needle in her repertoire and grinning as she heard him give a muttered groan.

Janet gave Jack a thorough medical and asked endless questions, performed endless tests and took blood and x-rays. The morning flew for her, but it obviously drove Jack to distraction.

She could see how much he was wound up. "Look I'm sorry Colonel, but I am no way going to give anyone on that board any doubts about your health. The tougher and more thorough I am now, the less they can find fault with."

Jack looked at her - his brown eyes seemed huge and dark. "I know Doc, I'm sorry; you know me and sick bays."

"Yes, I know, and I understand the pressure you're under." She grasped his shoulder lightly "I'm on your side Colonel."

Jack nodded, looking a little embarrassed by her words. He twiddled his long fingers together then looked up, giving her a lopsided grin. "Does that mean you can pass me then?" he asked hopefully.

Janet laughed "Yes, I can pass you officially for light duty. Unofficially I would probably class you fit for active in another couple of weeks or so but that's out of my hands."

Jack gave her a huge grin and jumped off the bed. To Janet's surprise he grabbed her by the waist and swung her around.

"Colonel O'Neill," she shouted, trying her best not to laugh.

"Sorry." He put her down, grinning from ear to ear. "You've made my day Doc."

"Jack, I did say light duties," she reiterated.

"I know, I know, but if they had their way I wouldn't even be doing that." He paused as if unsure whether to continue. "Janet, seriously, before you put your signature on that paper for me, do you realise that it blots your copy book with them?"

Janet looked him straight in the face and pulling the pen from her top pocket with a flourish, signed the certificate. "I know, General Hammond warned me when we first started the protest. I can honestly say I don't give a damn, Colonel." She spoke in a determined tone, meaning every word.

The Colonel looked straight into her eyes for a moment, before gently pulling her to him and giving her a hug. "Thanks Janet, it means a lot." Then he stepped back quickly, looking embarrassed again.

"Seriously Colonel, I know you're pushing the training and I can tell how much you've come along, so if you keep going you'll beat them. Let's go see General Hammond - I know he's waiting."

Together they saw the General, who was delighted with the news, shaking Jack's hand. "Report for duty at 1100 hours tomorrow Colonel. I'm sure there'll be plenty of paperwork to keep you busy."

Jack grimaced at his words. "Yes Sir, paperwork, can't wait Sir."

Hammond and Janet both laughed, knowing how much Colonel O'Neill hated all the necessary paperwork the SGC generated. The General nodded in agreement. "I know son, believe me, I know."

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Sam and Daniel waited nervously in Sam's lab for any word from Jack. Sam had been so worried for him she couldn't concentrate on her work at all and when Daniel had called in to see if there was any news, she'd asked him to stay, saying that they may as well worry together.

Daniel seemed amazed at how nervous Sam was. "Jack'll be fine," he kept saying confidently, as if trying to convince himself. They both knew what this meant to Jack, and God help them if he failed.

Jack's face as he walked in told them all they needed to know and it took all of Sam's will power to stop from flinging herself on him.

"Good news I take it?" grinned Daniel at the smile on his friend's face. He grabbed Jack's hand and was pulled into a quick hug.

"Hey, space-monkey." Sam grinned as Jack gave Daniel and affectionate tap on the face.

Releasing Daniel, he turned to Sam. "Major," he drawled.

"Colonel, congratulations," she beamed at him.

'Boy, this was hard,' she thought as they gazed at each other.

"Daniel, how about you and Janet joining us for a celebration tonight – meal out, my treat?" asked Jack, dragging his gaze away from Sam.

Daniel nodded enthusiastically. "Great, I'll go tell Janet now," he smiled and hurried off, leaving them alone.

"How about playing hooky with me, snookums?" drawled Jack to Sam.

"Youbetcha," returned Sam with a wide smile and only stopping for a moment to grab her purse and jacket, she made her way to the door. She turned around to find Jack standing there, hands deep into his pockets, grinning like a mad man. "You coming fly-boy?" she teased and gave him a wiggle of her hips before continuing out the door.

"Yesureyoubetcha" he drawled and followed her quickly.

xoxoxoxoxoxo