Life In the Shadows – Part Fourteen
The next day passed quietly, but not quickly enough for Sam. The effort of his first walk had greatly increased the pain Jack was in and it showed in his attitude. Finally, Sam snapped, she'd had enough.
"For cryin' out loud, Jack!" she screamed out, throwing the pot she'd been carrying to the floor, almost stamping her foot at the same time … almost.
Jack's mouth dropped open, stunned for a second before his face split into a wide grin. Sam's frustration died the instant the grin lit his eyes and her next words died in her throat as she stood transfixed.
"Knew I'd get you one day," he whispered, keeping his eyes fixed on hers.
"I don't think you've never not had me," she whispered, the stance she took clearly showing that she didn't know whether to stand or flee.
"C'mere," he urged.
Sam needed no second bidding and knelt close. Jack folded his arms around her in a loving hug, ignoring the protest his ribs made, but Sam must have felt him flinch and made to draw back, only to find his arms tightening around her even more.
"Just for a moment, Sam, just for a moment," he whispered, his breath tickling against her ear and she melted into his embrace.
They held each other not moving or speaking for a few minutes, each drawing comfort and strength from the hug, then as if by silent agreement, they drew apart. Jack touched the side of her face, his thumb brushing her lips briefly, but with such tenderness it brought a tear to Sam's eyes.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
"Sorry? For what?"
"For being such a bastard with you, for …"
"Ssh." Sam pressed a finger to his lips. "Don't you dare be sorry for just now, for that hug," she urged before removing her finger.
Jack smiled, not a grin, just a gentle smile, but his eyes were sad. It made her heart lurch, but whatever she was going to say was interrupted by Daniel and Teal'c returning.
She felt her face flush as she stood to greet them, but if either of them noticed the atmosphere, nothing was commented on.
xoxoxoxoxoxo
The evening meal passed quietly, then once more Teal'c helped Jack up and Sam and Daniel made themselves scarce.
Jack was becoming stronger each day and he'd finally persuaded Sam to bind his ribs, despite the still considerable damage on his back, but he needed the support for his bones to begin to knit. Neither Sam nor Jack commented on or repeated the hug. It seemed an unspoken mutual agreement that they moved on, but the atmosphere, for the most part was comfortable.
By the end of several more days Jack was moving about, albeit slowly, but unsupported. Daniel and Teal'c continued to labour without protest and refused to let Sam join them, stating that they were eating well enough. Sam had even managed to give a little back to Reena to pass on to anyone less fortunate as repayment for the kindness they'd been shown.
It still rankled Jack that Daniel and Teal'c had to work to keep him and it made his determination to find a way out all the more pressing.
Serena continued to visit, but Sam never left her with Jack, despite Serena's best attempts to get him alone - completely oblivious to Jack's cold attitude towards her. When Jack felt he was able to venture out of the quarters he went with Sam. Serena pouted and then sulked that he spent no time with her.
Sam was greatly reassured by Jack's attitude - he clearly made no attempt to encourage the girl, just the opposite in fact, and Sam marvelled at how thick the girl's skin was, or perhaps just how desperately she was besotted by him. On occasion he was very cutting and rude with Serena, but nothing seemed to put her off and he often grew exasperated with her. Sometimes … just sometimes … mind you, Sam felt some sympathy for the girl.
Jack was very much in the limelight when they began to venture out, especially with the women, who eyed him up and down quite blatantly. Sam had taken Jack around the mine areas she was familiar with and he was getting some idea of the layout of the place. The guards they couldn't avoid as they moved around gave him curious looks, but Jack kept his head down and they avoided any trouble.
xoxoxoxoxoxo
It was almost another week before they got to check out the river more thoroughly, picking the time of day when few would be there. The women seemed to favour doing their washing later.
They'd checked upstream the day before and found nothing except that the source of the river seemed to be an underground spa. Today they were following the river downstream, past the point where the ablutions were carried out. Sam had not ventured so far before as Reena said it came to a dead end. It seemed Reena was correct as they eventually stood watching the water disappear under the stone wall.
"Damn," cursed Jack. He sat down heavily, his body showing his disappointment. Sam moved the lantern she carried around, lighting up more of the walls, but seeing nothing.
"It might be just running underground again," she said, her disappointment ringing loud and clear as well.
Jack stared down at the torrent of disappearing water. It didn't seem to be moving any faster at this point and if it was dropping anywhere he thought it should have showed some signs. As Sam moved away from the river with the lantern he continued to stare into the water, glaring hard as if to make a way out open up for them. He'd dismissed the idea of getting past the guards - the mine entrance was too well guarded, too much security with the locked gates and there was no way they could outrun them in a breakout.
As Jack stared down something puzzled him. Sam came back to him with the lantern and sighed heavily.
"Want to get back?" she asked, the tone of her voice heavily discouraged.
Jack frowned. "Sam - go away," he said getting to his feet with difficulty.
"Charming! Go where?"
"Um, sorry - I mean take the lantern over there, and then come look."
A puzzled Sam did as she was asked and then joined Jack looking down into the water.
"What are we supposed to be looking at?" she asked, puzzled.
"Not sure, there's something …." His voice trailed off and he began to pace. Sam was looking at him as though he'd lost his mind. 'Could be right too,' he thought, catching her eyes with a grin. "Come on, let's get back. We can come back again later."
Sam collected the lantern and they hid it near the washing area, ready for next time they returned. It was awkward to carry it around and got them strange looks at times.
It seemed that they'd tarried a while. The washing area was full of women, and Jack became the centre of attention again, much to his embarrassment. It seemed word had spread that he wasn't bonded, despite Reena's insistence that he was spoken for, and he was considered fair game for any unattached female.
Sam found Jack's pace sped up considerably until they were well clear of the women. His face was flushed, not just from the exertions, but from one particularly explicit invitation. Sam unsuccessfully tried to hide her amusement from him.
"Do you reckon they put something in the water here?" he asked, panting a little as they continued on their way.
"Was it any different on some of the bases you've been stationed on, especially when you got a new young female officer or airman in?" asked Sam quite seriously. She remembered the insinuations and offers she'd been subjected to in her career.
"Major, I'll have you know that I always prowled high up the ranks, never an airman," Jack quipped and then could have bitten his tongue off as he felt Sam stiffening at his side.
Sam turned to him, the anger clear on her face. "So all that shit about the regulations is one sided? Or is it just me it's directed at?" she glared at him, way past angry now.
"Sam … that was a joke … I …"
"Really!" she spat, giving him a look that could freeze the balls off a brass monkey.
"Hey, Sam, jeez, it's just a joke," he pleaded, seriously alarmed by her anger.
"A joke! God, Jack, that's all it is, isn't it … a joke to you … me ... you … us … a joke." she turned to carry on walking.
Jack yanked her arm to bring her back around to face him, but she shook it off with an icy cry of "Don't touch me." and continued to march.
"Sam, please, wait up."
Sam however, wasn't listening - she was furious in fact. Maybe he'd had a good laugh at her expense, her feelings. Maybe he was sleeping with some damn general somewhere …. The fury in her carried her quickly on down the tunnels.
Jack at first tried to hurry to catch her, but found he had to slow down. His breathing was harsh and the ache in his chest beginning to burn.
xoxoxoxoxoxo