Life In the Shadows – Part Thirteen
Daniel and Teal'c however, returned with nothing new to report. The few guards they'd come across were suspicious of them wandering around in the evening off the main area. More than once they'd been stopped and questioned.
"We pleaded we were lost, but we couldn't keep doing that. The last guard more or less escorted us here," explained Daniel.
"I can move around more freely during the day. It's less suspicious as most of the guards are up with the workers then too," said Sam.
"Negative - not by yourself," said Jack quickly.
"I can't keep dragging Reena around without raising her suspicions."
"We can wander around together, or I can go on my own," said Jack suddenly.
Teal'c gave a nod. "They would indeed not expect you to be working yet."
"Sir, you are in no fit state to wander anywhere," declared Sam firmly.
"Ah ah," said Jack, waving a finger at her, "the journey of a lot of miles begins with the first stumble." He turned to the Jaffa. "Help me up, T."
Daniel gave a snort at the mis-quote, as Teal'c began to help Jack rise.
"Sir …" Sam was determined to stick to her guns, but Jack was just as determined to move about.
"Ack, I ate, I was a good boy - now I get walkies, remember?" He gave a gasp as Teal'c got him to his feet and he stood leaning heavily on him for a few minutes.
Sam looked at Daniel. They both knew it was really too soon for Jack to be pushing himself, but they also knew there was no way on this planet they could stop Jack O'Neill when he set his mind to something.
Teal'c had reached the same conclusion much sooner than his companions and knew the only course was to assist his leader. The cost of the effort Jack was making was not lost on the Jaffa; he felt the trembling from his limbs and the tensing of his body as he made an attempt to breathe through the pain.
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Jack concentrated on standing. He was grateful for the silent support Teal'c offered him, but the pain was coursing through his body in waves, making the room spin sickeningly. He knew it would pass in a moment and he tried to even out his breathing, and to keep his breaths shallow and steady for the benefit of his ribs.
Sam watched him standing, her fears clearly written on her face. They were mirrored on Daniel's face too.
Jack regarded his feet … bare feet. 'Aagh, no boots, huh – crap! No pants either Jack, doh, how observant of you.' He was way past being modest with his team, well except for Carter that was, but he didn't like the idea that Reena, or even worse, Serena could just walk in.
"Uh, where's my pants?" he complained.
Daniel snickered softly as he unhooked them from the line.
"Boots would be a good idea, too," said Jack hopefully.
Daniel moved closer to Jack, knowing the man would need some assistance. He held out the pants by the waist.
Jack reached out to grab at them and then swayed alarmingly. "Crap!" came out before he could stop it.
"Jack, I think …"
"Just give me my God damn pants." gasped Jack.
"O'Neill, you should save your energy. We will assist you," said Teal'c softly.
Jack closed his eyes for a moment, still supported by Teal'c. His other arm was cradling his ribs protectively.
"Okay," he acquiesced, the agreement a whisper and he allowed Daniel and Teal'c to help him to dress.
"You want to bother with the boots tonight?" asked Sam, holding them out.
Jack weakly shook his head. The food he'd eaten earlier was threatening to make a come back and boots didn't seem to figure much at the moment - even the pants had lost their significance.
He took a couple more minutes to steady himself. "Okay, Teal'c, once around the block."
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Teal'c supported the sweating body gently. He felt the fine tremors coursing through him and knew it was only sheer will keeping the man upright.
"I think just the room shall be sufficient for now, O'Neill," he said lightly.
Jack gave a weak grin, "As you wish my friend, as you wish," doing a fair imitation of the Jaffa.
Teal'c raised one brow before proceeding.
He saw Daniel Jackson and Major Carter standing watching anxiously. He gave them both a fixed stare as he made the slow circuit of the room supporting his leader.
"Perhaps, Daniel Jackson, you could replenish the water while I am otherwise engaged?"
Daniel gaped a little and then seemed to catch on. "Uh, yes, hey, Sam, come on - you can help, we'll get some more tamanz too."
Sam seemed to wake up from her Colonel watching mode and joined the thinking brigade. They realised that Teal'c wanted the coast clear of an audience - the stubborn Colonel was far more likely to listen to the Jaffa's quiet reasoning than any protest they might make.
Teal'c walked a slow, but steady pace. He watched in concern as the lines of pain increased on O'Neill's sweat drenched face. The sweat was rolling down his body, and he was visibly trembling now. To continue the walk seemed foolhardy at this point, but Teal'c understood what drove the man, the warrior. He understood his leader much better than anyone might have given him credit for, so he carried on for a few more minutes.
"Is this not enough for the first time, O'Neill?" he enquired.
Jack panted. "A little more."
"We should rest."
"Don't go all 'we' on me, T," said Jack, faltering in his steps.
"I have laboured all day and I, too, am tired."
Jack stopped and lifted his head to look the Jaffa in the eyes, raising an eyebrow quizzically.
"You are admitting that you are tired!" he uttered incredulously.
"Indeed. To admit a truth is not a weakness, O'Neill."
Jack gave a slight grin. He knew exactly what the Jaffa was up to. "Okay, T, I admit it, too. I'm tired, you're tired, shall we have a rest?"
Teal'c merely nodded and assisted Jack to lie down.
Teal'c could feel the utter relief in his leader as Jack sank onto the makeshift bed. It took several minutes before the man's breathing calmed and gradually he drifted into a restless sleep.
Sam and Daniel were not long in returning with the supplies. They found Jack asleep, and Teal'c in a state of kel-no-reem. Sam quietly moved close to check Jack. The lines of pain were still clearly etched on his face, his sleep restless.
"It cost much," said Teal'c quietly, making Sam and Daniel jump.
"Yeah, and tomorrow he'll do it again," said Daniel with a groan.
"Would he be O'Neill if he did not?" stated Teal'c and without waiting for a response he closed his eyes again to drift back into the meditation.
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