Life In the Shadows – Part Seven
It seemed no time at all before the bells were ringing, startling Sam from a heavy sleep.
Teal'c had already boiled some water and was soon handing Sam and Daniel a cup of the kofa. She sipped half a cup before she gave into the urge to check the Colonel again. She found that the balm needed applying once more and Daniel moved forward to help. He Daniel gasped his horror as the gashes were revealed in all their goriness.
"Christ, Sam …. Thank God he's out of it for the moment … it's …"
"Yeah, I know," she whispered.
They had only just finished their task when a tall youth, though well built for his years, appeared at the doorway. He gave them a shy smile and held out the bundle he carried.
"You must be Reda?" asked Daniel, approaching the young man.
He nodded, "Yes, mother sent this." He thrust the bundle towards Daniel.
Daniel took it and asked him to enter.
"I must get back to break fast but will return to show you where you will work. Eat now, for it will be a long day. Mother will come by later to see how he fairs."
Daniel opened the bundle as the youth left and brightened visibly at the promised food Reena had sent. They settled down to eat. Sam barely touched her food, but ever though the broth was good, she had no appetite, her thoughts continually going back to the Colonel.
"Are you sure about us leaving you alone?" asked Daniel, still reluctant to follow the plan they'd discussed the previous night.
"I'll be fine and I won't be alone, the Colonel's here and Reena will be by later."
Daniel bit back whatever remark he was going to make, but it didn't take a genius to figure out what he was thinking.
"You both have to take care, work hard and bring plenty of tokens for me to spend," she said, joking with them, trying to lighten the atmosphere.
"I will do my best, Major Carter," replied Teal'c solemnly.
They'd agreed the best plan for the time being was to make sure they could get enough to eat to survive and the only way to do that was for them to work. They couldn't leave the Colonel alone, and Teal'c and Daniel had both insisted she should stay with him. They needed time to find a way out and for the Colonel to heal, but to do that they had to keep their strengths up and avoid trouble.
Reda appeared shortly and Sam soon found herself alone with the Colonel and her thoughts. She busied herself tidying around and constantly checking the injured man. T was mid-morning when he began to stir again and she quickly knelt besides him.
"Take it easy, Sir," she murmured as she saw a flash of brown appear. She laid a gentle hand on his arm to still him and saw the effort he was making to focus on her voice and face. "Hey," she smiled down at him as his eyes opened fully. "Sir," she began when he made as if to turn, "don't try and move, your back is pretty badly cut up."
She watched him struggling to comprehend her words. The pain he was in was obvious to her watchful gaze despite his attempts to cover it.
The Colonel tried to speak, but only a croaked groan came out. She grabbed the cup of water she had ready and helped him to drink.
"Th ..s," was gasped out after he managed a couple of sips. His eyes regarded hers for a moment before they slammed shut again, the pain obviously too much for him.
His breathing sped up and became harsh gasping, his teeth grinding as he struggled unsuccessfully to contain a cry of pain. It seemed an age before he managed to open his eyes again. Sam found her heart pounding madly in distress for him. His dark eyes fastened onto hers as if holding a lifeline. Her heart clenched in pain for him and she could only watch helplessly as he fought for control.
Eventually, his breathing slowed. "Dan... T …?" he asked.
"Gone to earn our daily bread," said Sam, trying to be cheerful, but the instant she said it she knew she'd made a mistake. She saw the unmistakable flash of guilt in his eyes.
More pain tore his gaze from hers and she watched in distress as he writhed gasping. His face shone with perspiration, as a groan of agony was wrenched from him. Sam scrambled to her feet and with shaking hands found the powder Reena had left and quickly mixed what she thought was enough into the cup of water.
She pushed the cup against his swollen lips, urging him to drink and reluctantly he started to swallow some. It took several minutes of patiently tipping the cup a few drops at a time, in between the spasms of pain that tore through him, but eventually the drug did its job and he began to drift. Several more minutes and he was out for the count.
Sam felt for his pulse and found it to be steady enough, all things considered and only then did she allow herself to collapse on the floor, resting her head on her arms, her knees drawn up to her chest.
Reena entered quietly, she called out to Sam twice before the woman heard her.
'Shit, way to go Sam, anyone could have crept up on you,' she cursed herself. She forced a smile on her lips for Reena's benefit.
"I am sorry to take so long, how is he?" she asked, kneeling besides Sam.
"He woke a little while ago. I gave him some of that stuff you left."
"The dyla. It is good if you are careful with it. The injuries are very painful and will be for quite some time."
Reena began to talk about the things she would need to trade for and soon Sam found herself immersed in the conversation despite her worries. She missed the conversation of a friend, she was missing Janet, but Reena was very pleasant and good company.
Reena spotted the Colonel's blood soaked pants. "I will wash those for you. Is there anything else?"
Sam hesitated. "Honestly, I can do that, just show me …"
"It is better we do not leave Jack alone and I think it is best for you not to go out alone either. You will draw too much attention from the men or the guards."
"I could do with a wash and a change myself, but …"
"I can lend you some clothing and you can wash here whilst I wash your clothes. I will sort some clothes out for Daniel and Teal'c too."
Sam accepted her help gratefully and changed into the clothes Reena soon returned with. She had settled for a wash down with warm water and some of the soap Reena gave her. She would have like to wash her hair as well, but decided to wait.
Reena was soon back with the wet clothing and helped to string a line near the fire to dry them.
"I don't know how I can repay your kindness …" began Sam, feeling a little awkward.
"Don't you worry, the good people always try to help each other, or many of us would not survive long. You will no doubt repay my kindness in some way to others. That's how it works." Sam smoothed the long skirt down self-consciously and Reena continued. "You should wear women's clothing - it suits you. You are very pretty, Sam."
Sam blushed. "I only wear those things when we are working," she said and then as she thought about it, realised that the jeans she loved would be classed as men's clothing too.
Reena laughed at her discomfort. "Your Jack will think you very beautiful when he sees you like this."
Sam faltered and darted a nervous look to check the Colonel was still indeed out of it.
"Err; Reena … the Colonel isn't mine …"
"And why do you keep calling him the Colonel?" interrupted the woman.
Sam sighed, wondering how best to explain it, never really understanding why herself, well, perhaps … yeah ok, she knew why …. "Colonel is his rank; it's a sign of respect that I refer to him as by that, or sir. He calls me Carter or major."
"Ah, when you are working as your team?" said Reena, thinking of what Sam had said earlier.
"Yes, as a team."
"But surely, here …. It cannot be considered … improper …?" she struggled with the last word, smiling as Sam nodded her agreement.
"I do not understand … ah, well ... It is time for me to get some food sorted out. I be back later with food for you to prepare to give the men when they return from work."
Sam once more pressed her thanks on the woman, relieved she didn't delve any further into the where's and why fore's of it.
Feeling exhausted and with nothing else to do she lay down close to the Colonel and began to drift into sleep.
xoxoxoxoxoxo