Thanks again for all the reviews for Jackie's fic. Did you know she has over 11,000 hits on it already? Amazing – I'm SO jealous. Speaking of which – I just started a new story of my own with the first part just posted. Needless to say, it isn't a S/J, but give it a go anyway. Flatkatsi (not ashamed of self-promotion)
Life In the Shadows – Part Nineteen
Sam sat waiting impatiently; listening to the only sound in the room - Jack's gasping breath. Every now and again she heard it falter and her heart constricted tightly as she held her own breath, waiting for him to draw another.
It seemed hours before Teal'c returned from work, and after a few short words of explanation, they sat waiting together for Daniel to come back.
Daniel finally returned looking rather forlorn. "I couldn't see anything different."
"Did you keep the lantern away from the water?" asked Sam.
"Of course I did, I just couldn't see what he could have spotted."
"Perhaps it is dark outside," said Teal'c calmly.
Sam and Daniel looked at each other, dumbstruck. The thought had obviously not occurred to either of them.
"Okay, we don't know the time for sure that we checked it yesterday, so how about after the work bell tomorrow we give it another go and then throughout the day we can check … it'll give us some idea of the timing," said Sam.
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The night passed slowly; with none of them feeling like talking. Jack woke briefly and Sam tried to explain what they had planned, but he seemed to be in a lot of pain. His dark eyes regarded her briefly, before he succumbed once more to unconsciousness.
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The next morning, Teal'c went off to work, leaving Daniel to check out the river. He was soon back, his face and eyes shining with hope.
"I could see what Jack meant. There is daylight in the water, well, some kind of light anyway."
"Don't get too excited. The river may flow on and out, but it could be too far to swim or a waterfall or …"
"Or a way out and we won't know until we try," said Daniel firmly, refusing to have his hopes dashed.
"Ok," said Sam, "we need to check again in a couple of hours, see if it's still light, and then we need some rope."
"Rope?"
"Yes, rope. One of us has got to swim under there and I'll feel better knowing there is some way to drag whoever it is back if necessary. The flow is quite strong."
"There are ropes up at the work face. I can get some and fill Teal'c in at the same time. I'll work for a couple of hours or so then come back."
"If you can get another lantern that would be useful, but be careful," she warned.
Daniel, glad to be doing something positive, hurried off happily.
Sam sat beside Jack. He didn't look any worse, but then again – how much worse could he get other than dead?
Daniel had only been gone a short time before Reena entered, her face showing her concern. "How is he?"
Sam sighed, and then shook her head slowly, "No worse, but no better." Her voice cracked a little and Reena drew her into an unexpected hug. Sam let the tears flow, much to her dismay, but felt slightly better for it.
"I persuaded Serena to stay away, but she is not happy."
Sam gave her a small smile. Somehow it just didn't seem to matter any more.
"But if you need anyone to help or just to sit with you or Jack, please just say so."
"Thank you," said Sam simply.
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Reena knew she could offer no real comfort to the woman - to watch a loved one die slowly was something she had gone through herself, and she knew there was nothing anyone could do to make it hurt less. She settled back, knowing that just having someone with her would be some help to Sam.
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Reena had been there some time when Daniel burst into the quarters, his face alive, but he stopped short when he saw Reena, thankfully arranging his face to show nothing before the women noticed.
He stuttered an explanation. "I just came back to see Jack."
Reena rose. "I will leave you to talk, don't forget - if you need anything …"
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Daniel heaved a sigh of relief when Reena left. "It's still light and I've managed to get some rope and another lantern. I've hidden them with the lantern you left, but we will need some more rope. I'll go back to Teal'c and work some more, then we can each bring more rope and check it out again. I had to wrap the rope around me to keep it hidden, but with Teal'c we'll get more."
Daniel had felt full of excitement on his way back from the river - the time they'd spent in the mines was telling on him badly, especially since he'd not had Jack to buoy him along, in fact, he now realised just how much of Jack's humour and strength they all had drawn on in the past. He had come down to earth with a bump as he entered their quarters and heard the gasping breath of his friend.
Sam must have noticed how quiet he'd suddenly gone, because she was looking at him with concern. "You okay?" she asked softly.
Daniel swallowed the lump in his throat. He saw Sam's red swollen eyes and her pale face and it hurt even more to see how badly she felt. He coughed a little, "Yeah, I'll get back to work. I …. No change?" he asked gesturing towards Jack.
Sam shook her head sadly.
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Sam had also had plenty of time, unfortunately, to sit alone with her thoughts, yet unlike her thoughts from just a few short weeks ago, they now dwelt on regret. Things she hadn't done … words she'd never said ….
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They ate a hastily prepared meal as soon as Teal'c arrived and tried to relax. Each of them settled down with their own thoughts; the mood sombre. They sat and discussed their plans to go down to the river before the wake up bell, and if there was light, someone was going swimming. They were sitting close to Jack, trying to involve him in their discussion when he was awake. He attempted to say very little, but nodded now and again, especially when Teal'c stated his intention to be the one to swim.
"Okay," said Sam, raising her hands, giving in to the pressure. "You and Daniel go in the morning."
Jack shook his head vehemently. "No … three of you …"
Sam gave him a glare. "I won't leave you here alone, and if I get Reena so early she'll want to know what's going on."
"If trouble … Daniel c... can't … pull alo… alone."
"I will be fine, O'Neill," assured Teal'c.
Jack shook his head and grasped Sam's hand firmly. "You go … I'll be … here … when you … get back."
Sam locked eyes with his for a moment, the distress in them clear for all to see, before she acknowledged the sense of what he was saying.
Her hand still clasped in his, she turned to Teal'c and Daniel. "Okay, we check it out first thing."
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