Life In the Shadows – Part Six
Teal'c moved as fast as he dared with his burden. Already, he felt his arms were slick with his commander's blood and realised the added pain he was causing the man as he carried him was great, but there was no alternative.
He knew Major Carter and Daniel Jackson were right behind him. His heart felt for his friends. He had witnessed, even carried out, some major atrocities in his time as first prime to Apophis, but to watch a friend suffering so was never easy. His heart was heavy beyond the burden he carried, in particular for Major Carter.
Reaching their quarters, he gently laid O'Neill down onto the blanket the major spread on the floor near the fire. Quickly, he removed the remnants of the black t-shirt. The indentations on O'Neill's ribs, the gashes and the severe bruising already forming, showed that to put him onto his stomach was not a good idea. He rolled the unconscious man onto his side, moving his limbs into the recovery position he had been taught by the Tauri. He then stood to let the major to do what she could, allowing her to focus on something beyond the incredible hurt she must be feeling.
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Sam's training began to kick in as she watched Teal'c manoeuvre the Colonel carefully into the recovery position, her mind already taking note of the damage inflicted on his chest and stomach. As she knelt to begin to assess the damage, Reena appeared bearing a sack and a cauldron of water.
"This has been boiled," she said, handing the cauldron to Teal'c. She undid the sack and began to lay various pots and some cloth onto the floor. "Here," she passed the cloth to Daniel. "This has been boiled too, cut some into strips and cloths." She knelt beside Sam, drawing a sharp breath when she saw the Colonel's back. "We can clean the cuts with the water. The balm I have brought will help to stop the bleeding and may keep infection away."
Sam nodded gratefully, the thought of just what she could use for medical supplies had been the most prominent of her fears, realising how much trouble the Colonel was in. Sam and Reena began to wet the cloths to clean the bleeding gashes. At the first touch on his back Jack hissed and tensed, trying to draw away.
Sam felt the tears prickling and she gulped a breath, 'You will do this, Major, you can do it … you've got to.' Steeling herself, she put a hand onto his shoulder, careful to avoid any cuts, and began to wipe at the blood.
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Daniel finished tearing the cloth and sat down to face Jack. He reached over and wet some and began to gently wipe at his friend's bloody face. His hand shook slightly as he worked; bruising was already beginning to form amidst the cuts. One eye was swollen badly, the lips split and bloody.
"It looks like they worked him over real well before they …" he broke off and looked helplessly at Sam. He saw the agony in her face, her eyes betraying the depth of her feelings. Wordlessly he moved his gaze back to the face of his friend and carried on working.
Reena handed him a pot. "Use this on the cuts, it will help guard against infection. It sets in quickly in here."
Daniel grimaced as he worked to apply the balm. Jack was flinching and moaning softly. He saw the flicker of brown. 'Oh God, Jack, stay out a little longer, you've picked a lousy time to wake.'
"Sam, he's awake," he warned the woman. "Jack," he urged, moving his face close to his friend's. "Try and stay still, we've trying to stop the bleeding, just hold on."
Daniel could see the effort the man was making just to try and focus. He watched as Jack clenched his teeth, grinding them together, the tight lines of pain around his mouth increasing. Jack's eyes slammed shut and he jerked his head back, writhing in an effort to get away from the pain.
Sam and Reena both ceased their activity, but Sam kept her hand on his shoulder and waited.
It was a couple of minutes before Jack opened his eyes, taking gasping breaths as he gained some kind of control.
Daniel felt a touch on his shoulder and turned to find Teal'c holding a cup of water. He nodded his thanks to Teal'c and gently supported Jack's head in an effort to encourage him to drink. He saw Jack wince as the cup touched his swollen lips, most of the water seemed to dribble out, but some made it down. Daniel had barely laid Jack's head down, when he saw his friend give up the struggle and pass out. Daniel, alarmed, checked for a pulse and when he found the beat he nodded in relief to the women.
Sam and Reena resumed their gruesome task.
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Sam chewed on her lower lip as she worked down the Colonel's back. Some of the cuts were very deep and bled copiously.
"The balm will help to stop the bleeding, apply it thickly," said Reena and passed her the pot.
Sam began to apply the balm, the blood still flowing freely making it a gory task. She realised she had no alternative but to trust the woman and hope the balm wouldn't cause any harm. Eventually, when Sam had finished applying the balm, Reena instructed her to cover the Colonel's back with the cloths, to press the cloth into the balm.
"You will need to apply the balm frequently - do not let the cloth dry," advised Reena as she finished the lower part of his back.
When the Colonel's back was fully covered they rolled him gently onto it. Sam was grateful that he was fully out of it; she knew the movement alone would be causing more pain. Sam checked his stomach gingerly, feeling for any obvious signs of internal bleeding. She manipulated his belly finding nothing to cause further alarm, before moving onto his chest.
"I don't think there's any internal bleeding, but … without the proper equipment only time will tell for sure. There's a hell of a lot of bruising … and a couple of broken ribs as far as I can tell."
The damage on his back put paid to any hopes of binding the ribs for support, and Sam concentrated on dressing the two long gashes across his chest. One was particularly deep, the whiteness of bone showing in the midst of the blood. Shuddering slightly, she carried on working until at last the balm and cloths covered it.
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Reena had busied herself with more pots and instructed Teal'c to boil more water. She handed one of the pots to Daniel. "This will help with the pain, it will help him to sleep, but only use it when necessary, too much and he will not waken again, too often and he will crave it badly."
Daniel eyed the pot with wariness and Reena showed him the correct measure. "This is safe, no more than twice in one day though. This …" she passed him another pot, "is something to add to hot water for you all to drink. It will do no harm, it is pleasant and comforting."
"Like tea?" said Daniel, checking the contents.
"Tea? We call it kofa."
Daniel gave the woman a small smile at that. "Kofa, hey we have a drink at home we call coffee. What I wouldn't give for a cup of that right now."
"Try this then, it might surprise you. It is very pleasant."
Daniel was glad of something to do and followed the instructions Reena gave him to make the brew. He sat staring down into the pot while he waited for the water to heat.
"Err, Daniel …" Sam's voice broke into his thoughts.
Daniel looked up to find Sam looking at him with a slight flush on her face.
"Do you think you and Teal'c could … the Colonel's pants are covered in blood, they're soaking wet … he'll be more comfortable if …" she stuttered slightly.
Daniel could have kicked himself for not thinking of it before, and immediately rose to help Teal'c, giving Sam a smile.
While Daniel and Teal'c were making the Colonel more comfortable, Sam moved to the fire.
Reena observed the woman's embarrassment, "You are not bonded with him?" she asked clearly puzzled by Sam's behaviour.
"No, he's my commanding officer, we're not …" Sam faltered, pink blotches appearing on her cheeks.
Daniel listened with amusement as Sam tried to explain their relationship as he helped Teal'c.
"I thought … I am sorry, none of you are bonded?"
"No, no … we're a team, they captured us, we only came to this world to visit, to explore. We don't belong here."
Reena sat beside Sam, her face alight with curiosity. "I know our ways are strange to you, your clothes … but this is your life now, no matter of your past. It would be better if you do not admit you are not bonded and the men take care of you … or … well, let's just say you are."
Sam's face burned a brighter shade of red.
"I can take care of myself," she said, bristling with indignation.
"Others have thought that way, but it is better to just avoid trouble is it not?" said Reena quietly and with conviction.
Daniel certainly didn't bother to intercede; he felt that Reena had handled it quite nicely.
The fire was pleasantly warm and only a light blanket covered Jack, who was now in just his shorts. They settled him on to his best side and used some of the remaining blankets rolled against his lower back to help to stop him turning from his side. They sat together quietly sipping the brew, which was as Reena had promised, very pleasant.
"It grows late, you must all rest, I will send Reda to you, my youngest in the morning and he will show you and Teal'c where you need to go." Reena directed this at Daniel as she rose from the fire. "You will hear the bells when it is time to rise, this gives you plenty of time to get ready and to eat, Reda will bring something so you can finish your food tonight. I will return sometime after the work bell sounds to see how he fairs."
Sam spoke her thanks and she rose and walked to the door with the woman. "Thanks for what you did, really … I … we couldn't …"
Reena stilled her with a hand on her arm. "No need. When you find your feet, I am sure you will be of great help to others also. Remember, do not let the balm dry out, keep applying it, I will bring more tomorrow."
They reheated the food and ate in silence. The Colonel didn't stir at all and Sam couldn't help but keep checking his pulse and feeling to see if he was getting hot. She kept a careful eye on the balm. They sat talking quietly, trying to sort out some plan of action. Escape was obviously not an option for now. Eventually, they turned the lantern down to its lowest and Teal'c stoked the fire to keep it going for the night.
Sam settled down close to the Colonel. She rose once during the night and found the balm beginning to dry. Carefully, she peeled the cloth from his wounds and applied more balm. He stirred slightly under her touch, but didn't flinch or resist. Satisfied the balm was thoroughly applied once more she replaced the cloths and lay down to sleep. She tried to keep her thoughts away from how badly he was hurt and what not only he had suffered, but would be suffering when he awoke … the dread of infection or damage they couldn't see made her feel sick … gradually, her exhausted body dulled her mind and allowed her to sleep.
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