Life In the Shadows – Part Eleven
All too soon it was morning and Teal'c and Daniel were once more off to work. The pattern repeated itself for the next few days. Jack was beginning to heal, and doing quite well despite the pain he was in. He was awake for longer periods, needing only the occasional dose of the dyla.
Whenever Jack was awake Sam urged him to drink, not just to flush his kidneys but to hydrate him. As yet though, she hadn't managed to get him to eat anything.
"Careful, Major, my capacity isn't endless," he grinned as she passed him yet another cup of water.
Sam returned the grin. "Well, unless you want my help there, sir, you will have to wait for the boys to come back."
Jack choked a little on the water. "Jeez, don't keep doing that," he complained when he caught his breath. He watched her eyes dancing with mischief.
"Doing what, sir?" She contrived to look innocent.
Jack didn't bother to respond. He felt more awake today and a little better, with the pain easing up more each day.
"Wanna help me up for a while?" he asked again, as he had every day.
"No, sir, definitely not." Was the short reply, the same as it was every day.
"Come on, Carter," he cajoled, "I need to move around a bit."
"Sir, you need to rest, not aggravate the injuries. It's too soon for walkabout."
He pulled a face at her, but she ignored him.
"You've been taking lessons from Doc," he accused her.
She sighed. "How about some food?" He grimaced again and she seemed to change tact. "What about you eat a little something and tonight when Teal'c and Daniel get back they can help walk you?"
Jack gave her a frown. "I am not a dog, Major."
"No, sir," she grinned at him, "sorry, sir, bad expression." She didn't look a bit sorry as she continued, "The broth?"
He debated whether he could get away with the not eating part and hesitating for a moment before agreeing.
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Sam quickly warmed the broth before the Colonel could change his mind, glad he'd at least agreed to try something. He needed to get something inside to help begin to replace the heavy blood loss he'd suffered. The second the broth was warm enough she wasn't going to give him any chance to refuse and sat at the ready in front of him holding the spoon out.
"Open wide …. sir." The 'sir' came a beat later.
Jack gave her an indignant look. "No airplane?" he asked, raising a brow at her.
Sam giggled and shook her head, wishing she'd thought of it first. She would have paid a month's salary to have seen his face if she had dared to do that.
To both their surprise he reluctantly managed quite a bit of the broth and settled down again a little sleepily.
The morning passed quietly, Jack just dozing on and off, as Sam did her chores.
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Jack watched Sam working, the firelight glancing off her hair and her face as she concentrated on her tasks. The sound she made as she moved around was familiar and comforting. He was quite content to lie and watch her work, savouring the opportunity to watch without fear of being accused of inappropriate behaviour. Occasionally Sam would stop and give him a look and a smile before returning to her task, and to Jack that was better than any happy juice Doc could have provided.
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It was an hour or so later that Serena made an appearance, making a beeline straight for Jack.
"You look so much better today," she commented, sitting besides him.
Jack looked at her steadily, obviously his brain sifting through some information. "Erm, Serena, right?" he asked.
Sam had given the girl a quick smile as she entered. Her daily visits were almost a ritual and thankfully the Colonel had been asleep when she came - up until now that was. She carried on working but listened intently to the conversation. When she heard the Colonel's words she almost threw the pot she was cleaning down on the floor. 'Diplomats, heads of states, four-star generals and you screw up their names' she thundered to herself.
"Yes, you remember me," said Serena with a cloying giggle. "I have come each day to see you but you have not been awake. You are awake today," she added with another giggle.
"I guess," mumbled Jack.
Serena put a hand out to touch his face and Jack drew his head back in surprise. She let her hand drop as she saw his reaction. "Can I get you anything?"
"No, thanks. Carter's taking real good care of me."
Sam felt ridiculous as she swelled under the light praise and moved closer to them.
"Carter?" was the puzzled response.
"Err, Sam," he mumbled.
"Then why do you call her Carter?"
Sam sat besides them, not wanting to miss the Colonel's explanation.
"It's her name too."
"I see - her family name?"
"Yes," said Jack with a sigh.
"That is rude!" exclaimed the girl.
Sam flicked an amused glance to her CO, but his face gave nothing away.
"We are soldiers where we come from and Car … Sam, is under my command."
Serena still looked puzzled. "Do you call Teal'c and Daniel by their family name also?"
Jack sighed and rolled his eyes impatiently. "Uh, Car … Sam, do you wanna …."
Sam took pity on him and began yet another explanation. "Teal'c and Daniel are not military, they have no rank, even though they are under the Colonel's command."
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"I thought your name was Jack O'Neill?" said Serena.
Jack closed his eyes. The whole thing was annoying him, partly because he knew they really didn't need to be putting themselves through this, and partly because there was no way in hell he would try and explain the real reason behind it.
He half listened as Sam began the whole explanation of protocol etc.
Serena nodded her understanding. "I see, but to me you are Jack and Sam. You may call each other how you see fit, but when you begin to mix with the others they will also think it is strange."
"Reena said that too," said Sam, sounding thoroughly fed up by it all.
"Okay," said Jack, opening his eyes. "From now on, Carter, it's just Sam and I'm Jack. I cannot put up with any more explanations every time we open our mouths."
Sam gave a laugh. "And that is the first time you've gone through it here Jack."
Jack watched as she laughed. His name on her lips gave him a feeling of warmth, dangerous warmth. He realised the barrier that had stood for so long was lifting and God help him - he liked it.
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Serena watched the interaction between the two - the comfortable way they had with each other. She'd watched how Sam had cared for Jack, and seen her patience with him, but up until now, despite what Reena had warned her of, she hadn't thought of Sam as a rival for his affections. She inserted herself back into the conversation and laughed prettily, leaning in closer to Jack, completely ignoring how reserved he was with her.
Reena arrived at that point and asked Sam to go 'shopping'.
Serena pounced on the opportunity to stay with Jack alone. "I will remain until you return in case Jack should need anything."
Jack protested. "I'm ok, you can go with them.".
"I will keep you company," declared Serena as she swished her long hair over one shoulder, a determined expression on her face.
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