Chapter 13
With her flashlight firmly tucked under her chin, Doctor Martin muddled through the few things she had found in her pack. A few tools that had been broken in the cave in, an MRE, one of the lighting rods she had snatched, and a heating blanket that would no doubt be put to the test in this climate.
Tiller sighed, and Martin looked over at him. Her watch was broken, but she figured it had been at least 20 minutes since the cave in. That meant Sergeant Tiller didn't have long before he would start having some very serious and permanent problems.
Trying to wriggle under the ice, Tiller called out. "Doc, hey, you need to keep moving around to keep warm." Tiller said as he realized, she wasn't even listening to him. Looking over at her, he saw that her attention was focused on a few items she had pulled into her lap. "What are you doing?"
She was still ignoring him and continued to move the items around in her lap. Then she paused and looked up at then back down as she picked up speed. Something had caught her eye and she was rapidly putting something together but Tiller couldn't tell what it was.
"Doc—what are you doing?"
"Nothing." She said as a loud click echoed through the room.
"Alright Doc—what are you doing?" He asked trying to sit up to look at her.'
Scrambling to her feet, Martin held out the thermal blanket that now had some type of device and wires connected to it. "I'm being brilliant," she said smiling as she walked over to his side and began to set up her newest invention.
40 feet above, the rescue team continued to dig through the ice but the newly dug tunnel was only six feet deep—they would have at least another five feet to go before they would reach the chamber.
Luckily, Colonel Bedard had been given a second option—a risky one, but an option nevertheless. And now he found himself staring cross0eyes at Lt. Colonel Carter as she tried to explain it to him. "Come again?" He said, mentally shaking his head as he tried to picture just what Tok'ra tunnel crystal looked like.
Carter almost smiled at the befuddled man before her, this wasn't the first time she had caused that expression to appear on a Colonel's face. "The Tok'ra use the crystals to build their underground passage ways. With one of them we should be able to create a tunnel through the ice with out another cave in."
"How long before they arrive?"
"The transport is a head of the storm, so they should be here in another two hours—as long as the storm doesn't pick up."
Bedard tightened his fingers around the edge of the container he was leaning against and tried not to say what he was thinking, "Will they be able to hold out that long?"
"There's no way to tell Sir."
"Alright, let me know when the transport touches down—I want this done the second you get those crystals in your hands." He nodded and turned back to the corridor.
Carter watched him leave, knowing full well the thoughts that were circling his mind. She knew that he blamed himself for this—and if things did get rough for Tiller and Martin that he would be held responsible.
Looking over to Teal'c she forced a smile but he saw the worry in her eyes. This was going to be a long night.
Back in the ice cave, Martin moved quickly and simply tossed Tillers arms out of the way as she moved around him.
"Okay, explain this to me again," he said trying to keep up with the new Doctor Martin he was seeing.
Moving about rapidly, Martin stuffed a long wire down into the ice as she spoke. "Wire. Wire connected to battery. Transfers heat. Wire gets hot—melts ice…I pull you free and you don't spend the rest of your life in a wheel chair," she spoke so rapidly that Tiller was still trying to catch up when she started up again. "Can you try to move your feet?"
"What?" he asked, as he caught up on her last words, "Oh, no I don't think so," he said as Martin continued to move around him.
"It's okay—just uh—don't…make any sudden movements…." She said stuffing the blanket under the edge of the ice where it met his chest.
"Are you always this uh, nuts when you get brilliant?" Tiller asked, feeling more like he was in the way than being rescued.
Martin stopped and glared down at him, "Please don't make fun of me when I'm trying to save your life. It's rude." In a second she was back to work and ignoring him again.
Tiller backed off and decided to change the subject. "How hot is this thing going to get?" He asked as she made the wires spark and sat back from him.
"Hot enough," she said, a little too quickly for Tiller's taste.
Tiller rolled his eyes and decided to take another approach. "Ok, how fast will it work—whoa!" He yelled, as he felt the heat spreading through his thighs. "That was quick."
"Just stay still and let it work," she said, leaning over him as she pushed the blanket farther under the ice as it melted. "Okay, can you move yet?"
He struggled a moment and stopped. " I can't move—you're going to have to pull me out."
"Okay—uhmm…" standing over him, Martin locked her hands with Tillers and braced her feet. "Okay, I'm going to try and see if I can move you a little," she said pulling lightly to test her own strength. "Okay, that didn't work."
"This thing is getting really hot, Doc." Tiller said as he felt the heat reach his legs—which was a good thing at the same time, he had feeling in his legs.
"It's supposed to be hot—now hold on to me, I'm going to pull harder." She said bracing her feet again and pulling as hard as she could.
"I'm sliding a little, pull harder!" He yelled as she pulled even harder.
It felt as though her efforts were useless—and then all at once the ice melted just enough and Tiller came sliding out of the ice. The sudden slack sent Martin to the floor and Tiller was soon in her lap.
"Holy cow! It worked!" She screamed sitting up as she pulled at Tiller's arms until he was sitting up. "Can you move?"
"Uh—not yet." He said, trying to move his legs to no avail. "Uhm, lean me against the wall."
"Alright." She slid her body against the wall and pulled Tiller with her. At first he flinched at her arms as they wrapped around his chest from behind, but as Martin began to pull him back against the wall without any problem, Tiller couldn't help but feel proud of her. She was turning out to be the kind of person he would want to be stuck with in an ice cave.
In no time, Tiller was propped up against the wall and Doctor Martin was sitting at his side trying to catch her breath. "Are you hurt anywhere?" Tiller asked suddenly as he looked over at her.
Martin rubbed the back of her head, "I'll be okay," she said, reaching out for the blanket and pulling it over Tiller's legs. "I don't know how long the heat will last but hopefully it'll keep the blood flowing in your legs."
Tiller watched her as she wrapped the blanket around his legs then reached out and reached out for her wrist but caught her hand, "Hey…" he said as Martin looked down at his fingers moving slowly over hers as he held her hand, "thanks for saving my life." He said in a voice so soft it sounded like he was whispering, and the moment he said it he realized just how lame he had sounded.
Martin smiled and met Tiller's unflinching gaze, "You're welcome," she said, brushing a few flakes of ice from his face.
Tiller tried to look away, but he couldn't move—and she was so close. Something had changed. Something had happened between the fighting and childish silence treatments, something had…
Tiller blinked hard and tore his eyes away from the deep blue circles that had him entranced. Shame washed over him and all he could hear was his own voice screaming from within. What are you thinking?
Martin took the hint and let her fingers slip out of Tillers hand as she moved onto her next task and began to unzip Tiller's utility vest.
Fingers poked at Tiller's ribs and sent him jumping into the air. "What are you doing Doc!" He growled, as he grabbed at her hand and pulled it out from under his vest.
Martin continued and simply brushed off Tiller's firm grasp as she continued to pull at his shirt to look at his ribs. "I'm checking your ribs, does this hurt?" she asked, as Tiller gasped. "See, you might have a fracture."
"Well, then stop poking at them!" he said, grabbing her hand again. This time Martin gave in and sat back against the wall.
"I think you should lay back down," Martin said, folding her arms over her chest.
"I've been laying down enough already—sitting up is good." He said sleepily, as he tried to move his arm at his side but hit Martin's leg in the process. "Sorry, I can't really feel anything at the moment."
"It's okay," she said, leaning over as she zipped up his vest.
Taking a short gaze around the room, Tiller took in their predicament one more time and sighed. This might be a bit more of a challenge than he originally thought. Granted he had gotten out of the ice, with Martin's help, but they were still stuck in the cave. Tiller looked down at his feet and tried to wiggle his toes but they were still too cold and he couldn't tell if they were moving inside his boots. Giving up, he leaned back and let his head rest on a soft spot of ice, if there was such a thing. He let his eyes close for a few moments and felt a Martin move beside him. "You all right?" he asked as he looked over at her and realized that the color had faded from her face even more.
"Yeah, I'm great…" she said, rubbing the back of her head only to hit the sore spot and she winced.
"Let me check that out." Tiller said, pulling her around until he was looking at the base of her neck and brushing her hair out of the way. "Hmmm…that looks like it hurts like hell. Why didn't you say anything?"
Moving his fingers to her lower neck, Tiller began to rub her neck and she relaxed in his hands. "Because…I had to save your life before I could complain."
Tiller smiled, "Oh really?"
"Yeah, who would I complain to if you died?"
"True," Tiller agreed. "I tell you what. I'm not going to die anytime soon, so why don't you sleep for a little while? It'll make you feel better."
"No," she said, pulling forward away from him as she turned, "I need to keep an eye on you. If you get worse—"
"I'll be fine. Get some sleep."
Looking over her shoulder, Martin felt awkward as she thought about where to lie down.
"Here," Tiller said, pulling her back to lean against his shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her. "Just sleep for a little while and I'll wake you up." He said, as Martin turned and nuzzled her cheek into his chest. Looking down at her, Tiller brushed her hair away from her face and lay still as she turned into his side, letting her arm drape over his chest. It felt natural to have her laying this close--completely normal, he thought. So why was his heart racing?
Settling down, Martin whispered softly as she drifted off to sleep, "Just don't leave without me."
Letting his arm fall down her back, Tiller whispered back. "I won't, I promise."
He watched her sleep and couldn't help but smile. What was it that made him happy just by looking at her?
He thought he was still awake and watching her, but with the sudden jerk of his head, Tiller realized that he had nodded off. "Whoa no…." he said shaking his head as he picked up a hand full of ice and rubbed it over his face. "Wake up man…can't sleep yet…" he said blinking his eyes hard as the ice above him began to groan. Reaching for the flashlight, Tiller aimed it up at the ceiling but couldn't see anything. Then small slivers of ice began to fall and another, louder, groan echoed through the chamber-- The ice was shifting again. Shards of ice began to fall from the ceiling as another tremor shook the room and Tiller pulled Martin into his arms. She didn't wake, but Tiller hadn't noticed as he pulled Martin into the middle of the room just as a sheet of ice came crashing down to the floor behind them.
Tiller fell to the floor hard and Martin was still unconscious as he looked back at the ice as it crashed into the ground. His heart was racing now. The blood flowing through is body at a rate that his legs were instantly at his disposal and he jumped to his feet. Pulling Martin into his arms again, he pulled her over to the pillars with all his strength as the tremors settled and soon the room was quiet once again.
Laying Martin down, Tiller knelt over her and realized for the first time that she had yet to wake up. "Hey Doc, you awake?" Tiller said, as he pulled at Martin until she was lying back in his arms. "Oh no, come on…" he said running his fingers through her hair to feel for any injuries. His fingers quickly found the knot on the back of her head, and as he pulled out his hand from her hair, Tiller silently thanked God that there wasn't any blood. Next, Tiller slid his fingers over Martin's neck as he searched for a pulse—but after a few seconds of searching, Tiller's heart jumped into his throat as he realized—she had no pulse.
Tiller didn't panic. Instead, the only sound he heard was his drill instructor's voice screaming at him once again, "When the shit starts flying, no amount of freaking out will save you—it will only kill you quicker!" Following the strict procedure he had been taught so long ago, Tiller reached for his knife and cut off Martin's vest, coat and the layers of clothing until he could feel her ribs cage. Satisfied with the angle he had on her ribs, Tiller plunged his knife into the ice and leaned over to begin chest compressions. 15 thrusts and he moved to her mouth, holding her nose shut, he breathed into her mouth and waited to see her chest fall—no pulse.
15 more chest compressions and two more breathes—still nothing. He was getting worried now. It shouldn't be this hard to get her back. "COME ON DOC!" Tiller screamed as he breathed into her once again. With the second breath, Martin coughed hard and gasped as she flailed her arms around as though she were drowning. "It's all right!" Tiller yelled, holding her arms down as he pulled her up right. "Just breathe."
Breathing slower now, Martin leaned into his shoulder and let her heart slow down. "What…happened?" she whispered.
Tiller pulled her closer and lifted her as he sat against the wall, "Another quake—you hit your head…" he said feeling the back of her head again as he set her down on his legs. "You should be okay, it's not too bad."
"I'm tired…" Martin whispered as her eyes fluttered shut. In an instant, she fell forward and Tiller let her fall into his chest.
She passed out cold. Tiller felt awkward for a moment and pushed the stupid fear of intimacy out of his mind as he wrapped his arms around Doctor Martin for the third time that day…how lucky can one guy get?
Chapter 14
The treacherous winds whipped around the fuselage of the helicopter as the helicopter touched ground. Trying to see through the snow whipping around the window shield, Major Flora didn't see Colonel Carter until she ducked under the wind of the propellers and stopped at his door.
Kicking the door open, Major Flora pulled off his head set and turned around to watch Colonel Carter as she pulled open the side door and climbed into the helicopter. The small stainless steel case was tied off and Carter wasted no time in boarding the helicopter and releasing the case.
"Hey Colonel," He said, turning around in his seat.
Taking the case under her arm, Carter back out of the cabin and waved, "Thanks Major!" she said before running back to the make shift elevator that would take her down into the frozen catacombs…
Darkness surrounded the fading light of Tiller's flashlight as he droned out the next line to the only song that had been able to keep him awake…
"59 bottles of beer on the wall…59 bottles of beer…take one down, pass it around…58 bottles of beer on the wall…" taking a breath, Tiller prepared himself for the next line…
But his eyes quickly drifted down to the sleeping woman in his arms. She looked so peaceful, he couldn't help but look at her as she slept – had he ever held a woman like this?
Her face was half buried in his vest. Normally, the fabric would be course but somehow she had found it comfortable. Tiller smiled, of course she would, he thought as the light of his flash light dimmed and suddenly he was surrounded by complete darkness as the flashlight died.
Tiller's arms instinctively tightened around Doc and she stirred in his arms as he pulled her back against his chest. Her hair was tickled his chin now and he reached up with his hand to brush away the soft blonde hair only to get his fingers entangle in her hair, finding a small barrette as he tried to untangle his fingers. Freeing his fingers, he took the small object, felt for a pocket on his vest and tucked it in. A souvenir…
Letting his eyes adjust to the darkness, Tiller was drawn to the far wall as it began to glow with a blue light. Okay, I'm dreaming now. He thought as he looked at the light blue light form into a crystalline tunnel before him…
Colonel Carter ran through the catacombs as fast as her feet would carry her until she reached the tunnel where the rescue team worked to dig through the ice. "GANG WAY!" She yelled as she ran through the men standing in the passageway. Stopping only when she was at Colonel Bedard's side, she held out the crystal and for him to see, "This should only take a second," she said, placing the crystal in the ice. Backing away, Carter looked over to Daniel as he shrugged his shoulders at her. Is that supposed to happen? A moment later and the ice gave way to the expanding Tok'ra crystal as it created a passage through the ice.
In seconds the ice formed a stable tunnel and Colonel Bedard walked into the tunnel first, his flashlight shining on the walls of the newly formed crystal walls. "Well I'll be damned," he said looking back. "Let's go," Bedard said, turning back to the pitch black tunnel before him as he lead the team into the cave.
A short distance down and Colonel Bedard jumped down to the ground. Shining his light around the moment he landed, Bedard spotted Tiller and Martin on the opposite side of the room and called back to the team, "I found them! Get the med team in here!" He called out as he climbed over the ice blocks and to Tiller's side. Tiller's eyes were barely open and Bedard bent down at his side, but Colonel Bedard could tell that he was conscious and lifted his chin. "Tiller? Come on son, talk to me," he said, laying his shoulder on Tiller's shoulder.
"Sir?" Tiller whispered.
"Yeah?" Bedard said, as Connelly stopped behind him.
"Doc…" he said as his voice trailed off. He was too weak now to speak, but Bedard understood him.
"She's alright," Bedard said as he watched Connelly kneel by Martin and take her pulse.
Connelly hesitated a moment, maybe his fingers were too cold. Rubbing them together, he met the worried eyes of Colonel Bedard and tried to find Martin's pulse again. This time his fingers felt the weak rhythm and a wave of relief washed over him. Bedard still watched him and Connelly nodded to his commanding officer that she was going to make it.
"See, she's fine," Bedard said as the medical team came up behind them. "They're gonna check you out—make sure nothing is broke." Bedard said, moving out of the way as the doctor's quickly assessed their patients.
"This one is good," the doctor said. "Get a stretcher!" he called as Connelly bent down at the doctor's side and scooped Doctor Martin up in his arms.
"We can't wait for a stretcher," he said, letting Martin's head rest on his shoulder he headed for the crystal tunnel. As he stepped into the tunnel, Connelly stopped Teal'c as he looked on. "Teal'c, they could use some muscle down there if you're up to it."
Teal'c nodded, "I am, Lieutenant Connelly," he replied.
Connelly nodded in return and watched as the silent warrior made his way over to Sergeant Tiller's side and effortlessly pulled him into his arms.
"Where is he to be taken?" Teal'c asked.
The doctor shook his head and pulled his medical bag over his shoulder, "the heli-pad Teal'c, there's a medical transport waiting—if we can beat the storm."
Teal'c nodded once again and was soon standing in the elevator with Lieutenant Connelly and Colonel Bedard as they traveled to the surface.
Colonel Bedard stood at Tiller's side and noticed he was looking around, "It's alright Tiller, we're taking you back to the main land—you made it this far…we'll do the rest."
With the little strength he had, Tiller reached for the Colonel's arm and pulled him close, "No sir. It wasn't me. " he said, taking another breath before speaking again.
"What are you talking about, Son?" Bedard asked, as he laid Tiller's arm across his chest.
Tiller pulled on the colonel's arm again to get his attention, "It was Doc…she saved me."
Chapter 15
"Francis," The voice was solid and Doctor Martin recognized it before she opened her eyes. No other voice could be filled with so much disdain and indifference at the same time…
"Hello, General," she said, as her eyes slowly opened and settled on the chiseled features of her father, General Robert Martin.
The four-starred general towered over her bed, with his hands clasped behind his back and the same stone cold scowl on his face that Doctor Martin had grown up fearing. "How are you feeling?" His voice was cold and calculating, though the question showed a sign of concern, his tone made it crystal clear that he was annoyed just to be there.
"What are you doing here?" Martin asked, as she tried to sit up and was met with a crashing wave of dizziness.
His hand braced against her shoulder and pushed her back down to the mattress as his eyes narrowed. "I got a phone call a few days ago," he said, returning his hand behind his back. "I can't stay long. I'm seeing General O'Neill in a few minutes. I'll get this settled quickly and we can be done with this."
Grasping his arm, Martin pulled him back as he turned to walk away. She tried to sit up again but fell back to the mattress as her father pulled out of her grasp. "Handle what?" she asked, rubbing the sudden stabbing pain out of her temple.
"The paper work, I'll get it pushed through and you'll be out of here by the end of the day," he spoke as though his decision was the final word and turned for the door again, only to have Martin reach out and take a hold of his arm again.
"What are you talking about? I'm not leaving," she said, letting her head fall back into the pillow as he turned back with fire in his eyes…She was talking back to him for the first time in her life—this was unprecedented. Tears were brimming at the corners of her eyes as the pain tore through her eyes and the back of her head. Emotional roller coaster aside, Martin wasn't up to this kind of battle.
The General turned his eyes away from her as she wiped at her eyes, "Francis—control your self," he said, as though any sign of emotion were an embarrassment.
Martin dried her eyes and glared up at him. She had let him do this her entire life, but she wasn't a child any longer. "I don't need you to handle anything—everything is just fine," she said, still rubbing at her temple.
Anger flared in the general's eyes as he turned back and looked down at her, "Don't you dare argue with me. You don't know what you are talking about," he said, taking a moment to control the anger in his voice, "Now I'm going to get this straightened out," he said, turning and walking out the door. This conversation was over.
The door clicked shut behind her father and Martin pushed her head back into the pillow, letting the tears stream down her cheeks. How could he do this? He had no right to come here and take charge like this—it's none of his business! Years of resentment flowed through her veins and added fuel to her already blazing temper. This has to stop.
Fighting through the onslaught of dizziness and nausea, Martin pulled her self to the edge of the bed and looked down at the hospital gown she wore. I can't go anywhere in this… Pushing away from the bed, she searched the drawers for her clothes but found nothing. Then she moved to the second bed and found a set of BDU's under the bed…
General O'Neill sat quietly at his desk and stared at the door that he had purposely closed just moments before. He smiled. This was going to be fun, much more fun than he had on a regular day and all he had to do was watch this play out…
Two harsh knocks rattled the door and General O'Neill smiled as he sat back in his chair, "Come in," he said, knowing full well that the man on the other side of the door would be put off just for the door being closed. On cue, General Robert Martin pushed the door open and walked into the room. "General Martin, Sir—" O'Neill said as General Martin's waved his hand, as though he could silence Jack O'Neill by doing so. But the younger General continued, as though the man before him were any other man on the street and not the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. "It's great to have you down for a visit, I think you are the only one of the Joint Chiefs that hasn't taken a tour of our humble establishment."
O'Neill's pause gave General Martin the second he needed to cut off his senseless ranting and he took it. "You know why I am here." General Martin barked as he clasped his hands behind his back once again.
O'Neill nodded, "Yes, Sir, I do."
"Then I don't see the need to waste any more time discussing the situation. There is only one solution here."
O'Neill raised his pointer finger and squinted as he tried to think of the best way to tell the General to take a hike, "Actually, General, there is one little hitch in your request."
"And what might that be?"
"Well, the thing is…" he said, as he saw Colonel Bedard walking into the room behind General Martin. "Ah, just the man I was waiting for," O'Neill said, motioning to Bedard as he walked around the General and up to the desk. "General Martin, Colonel Bedard. Colonel Bedard, General Martin." He said, glancing to Bedard as though to say, here he is, have at him.
"I don't have time for this. Just get the paper work pushed through so this can be done."
Bedard feigned innocence and looked to O'Neill for an explanation.
"Well, Frank—this is Doc. Martin's father—"
"Oh, well in that case, I am the one you should be talking to, General. I'm Doc's commanding officer." The General fell silent and Bedard looked back to O'Neill.
"General Martin wants Doc taken off your team," O'Neill said, pointing the preverbal finger at the older man.
Bedard crossed his arms and eyed the General, "May I ask why, Sir?"
"That is no concern of yours." The General barked back.
"Sir, with all due respect, Doctor Martin is a member of my team and any requests for her transfer will be denied unless I am given a valid reason." Bedard said, as he stood his ground and waited for the General's next move.
"I am her father."
"Yes, Sir."
"That's the only answer you need," the General said as he turned and walked for the hallway.
Bedard adjusted his arms and shook his head, "I'm afraid it's not, Sir."
The General stopped and turned on his heels, "Excuse me?"
"Sir, if everyone's parents knew the danger they faced everyday by working here, they would no doubt have the reaction that you are having. But I wouldn't be able to recognize their requests…and I can't recognize yours."
Walking back into the room, the General all but walked right up to Bedard as he spoke. "I am not here as parent, I am here as the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and I am telling you to remove a weak link."
Bedard shucked the friendly demeanor and narrowed his eyes as he took a step closer to the general, "With all due respect, Sir, you are here as a parent. Because as the Vice Chairman, you have no authority over who is or who is not assigned to my team."
The general inched back and stared right into Bedard's eyes as O'Neill watched from behind his desk. "Don't tell me what I do and do not have control over, Colonel. You'll find out just how far my arm reaches."
Bedard refused to back down, "Sir, under the UCMJ you cannot legally effect military regulations or assignments that would concern any persons related to you."
"She's not military."
"This is a joint command Sir. She's assigned to a military unit—she might as well be enlisted."
On the brink of loosing his temper now, the General eye's flared, "She has no business being here."
Bedard had been warned about this. O'Neill had told him over the phone that this is why he came here and as Martin's commanding officer, he was the only one who would be able to stand up to him. But now that he was actually seeing this man trying to over step his daughter's wishes, Bedard almost found his demeanor comical. But he held his ground as he let his upper lip curve up, "I happen to believe differently."
"She almost killed your lieutenant—"
"An honest mistake."
"She is going to get someone killed!"
Bedard backed off voluntarily, and thought for a moment, "Actually, Sir, it was her efforts alone that saved Sergeant Tiller's life." Bedard watched the general carefully as his eyes flared again. He didn't say a word though and Bedard took the opportunity to take charge of the situation. "General, I understand where you are coming from. Honestly I do, if I had a daughter I wouldn't want her working in an environment like this either, but Martin is different, she's stronger than you think is and whether you believe it or not—she belongs here."
Chapter 16Leaning against the bed, Martin pulled on the uniform blouse and reached for the trousers. But balancing proved too much of a challenge at the moment and she slipped from the bed and crashed to the floor. Stopping for a moment, Martin stretched her feet out on the floor and pulled at the trousers until she could button them. The room was still spinning, but she was beyond giving up now and with two firm hands on the bedside, she pulled on the metal frame until she could stand straight.
Taking a moment, she leaned on the bed and took a deep breath. She was going to have to fight to stay here…that much she knew. But how in the world was she going to fight her father? I can't beat him… she thought as she pushed from the bed and headed for the hallway, I jump off that bridge when I get there…
The door to General O'Neill's office closed and he looked to his new hero, Colonel Frank Bedard. "You got guts, Frank."
Bedard ran a shaky hand through is hair, "It's been a while since I stood toe to toe with a 4-star, I forgot how much fun it was…"
O'Neill sat down in his chair and silently prayed that the general would realize that what had been said needed to be said…and hopefully he wouldn't press charges on both of them. "Well, it's over now. Just pray that this doesn't come back to bite you in the ass."
Bedard dropped the smile and turned serious, "He needed to hear it, and he did, that's all that matters," he said, moving to the door as he looked back to O'Neill, "I'm going to check up on Doc., make sure she's not too ruffled by this."
"Make sure she actually stays in the infirmary, her type don't like to lay around much."
Bedard wrinkled his forehead, "Her type?"
"The annoying, pesky, Doctor types…"
Bedard nodded and headed out into the hall…
Patting the wall as she walked down the hall, Martin was getting her bearings back by the minute and her feet felt more solid with every step that she took. But as she made the turn for General O'Neill's office, Martin came face to face with her father as he stood in front of the elevator and suddenly the world began to spin once again.
Her jaw had dropped and she meant to speak. To tell him to get out of her life and go back to his own world…but she couldn't make a sound as she walked up to him.
He stood there, staring at her, half wondering what she was doing there and half wondering why she was wearing a Marine uniform with Tiller of the front of it. But he didn't say a word. Only stepped into the elevator as the doors opened and stared back at his daughter as the doors closed, "You're their problem now."
Suddenly lucid, Martin's eyes stung with tears as they threatened to stream down her face again but she held them back as she braced her hand against the wall and took a deep breath.
Down the hall, Colonel Bedard watched from the corner. His hands tightened at his sides as he tried to imagine what could have been said to bring the young scientist to tears. He wanted to pummel the man, charges be damned. He had no right to do this. He watched her as she stepped back from the elevator and wiped at her eyes. He had to do something, get her mind off of this before it got to her too much. With a quick change in his direction, Bedard took a quick breath and jumped into action, "DOC-tor Martin!" he called out as he started down the hall towards Martin.
She turned at the sound of his voice and her eyes dried. "Sir," she said, with a shaky voice. Anyone could tell that she had been crying.
Bedard stopped at her side and reached out for her shoulder, "You feelin alright?" he asked, helping in her effort at masking her tears. "Shouldn't you be laying down like the Doctor told you to?" he asked, as she looked up at him and walked over to the wall. His hand fell back to his side and he watched her fight off the tears and dizziness as she leaned against the wall and sighed.
"Yes, Sir, I just—" she said, rubbing at her temple as Colonel Bedard stood in front of her.
Again, he reached for her shoulder and helped her stand from the wall. "Come on," he said, guiding her by the shoulder as he walked her down the hall back towards the infirmary. "You need to let yourself get better Martin, don't think just cause you got knocked in the head that I'm going to let you stay home…we've got work to do."
Martin smiled and took a step forward but her knees buckled in an instant and she arm reached out for the wall—but caught Colonel Bedard's arm instead.
With Martin suddenly in the crook of his arm, Bedard went with the motion and let his arm cradle her back as he steadied her. "Come on, let's get you back to the infirmary," he said, waiting for her to take the first step.
Martin froze as his hand gripped her side and pulled her into his arm. Unsure if she felt comfortable with his arm around her, she let her hand rest on his shoulder as she got her balance. "I guess I'm still a little dizzy," she said, trying to take a step only to have her legs buckle again.
Bedard caught her again and wasted no time in taking her in his arms before she passed out cold. Suddenly aware of how heavy the young woman was, he shifted her in his arms and let her head fall onto his shoulder. He had to smile, it was like he was back on the battle field with an injured man thrown over his shoulder…only this one happened to remind him of his daughter.
A short walk down the hall and Colonel Bedard gently kicked open the infirmary door and walked up behind the duty nurse. "Missing one?" he asked as the nurse turned and gaped at the young woman in his arms.
Rushing over, she yelled for the orderly in the next room, "Dobson! Come help!" she called out as the young airman rushed in and over to Colonel Bedard.
"I'll take her Colonel," the young man said.
Bedard stepped back, "It's alright airman—I got her, where's her bed?"
"Right over here, Sir." The nurse said as she stepped out of the way and moved to the opposite side of the bed as Colonel Bedard laid Martin on the mattress.
"She made her way down to the elevator. Passed out cold in my arms."
"I'll take her vitals Colonel, make sure everything is alright."
Bedard nodded, "Alright, just uh…you might need to—" he said as Martin's hand pulled on the bottom of his shirt.
"Colonel?" she whispered.
Realizing where the sound was coming from, Bedard leaned over and set Martin's hand on her chest, "Hey Doc. How ya feelin?"
"Colonel, don't…don't make me leave…"
Bedard looked up at the nurse as she wrinkled her forehead. He motioned for her to step away before he spoke again. "It's alright Martin. Just get some sleep—you aren't going anywhere."
Stepping back from the bed, Bedard looked down at the young woman and nodded silently as he agreed with himself, she's one of us now…
Chapter 17
Pulled from his dreams, Tiller woke to chill bumps on his arms and a cramp in his neck. But he silenced the wince of pain as he focused on the bed in front of him and the young Doctor asleep in it.
Making sure not to wake her, he slowly lifted his feet from the edge of the bed and set them on the floor as he leaned forward and looked over Doctor Martin. The color was returning to her face and lips but the cuts and the scrapes along her cheeks and color bone made her condition look worse than it really was…but that's why he was here. He had been telling himself that he didn't need to stay here for the last two days…but he had yet to leave her side since Colonel Bedard told him that she had passed out in the hallway. He almost felt guilty for not being there when she first woke up but it had been out of his control. The Doctors ran every test on him when he got back to the SGC and two fractured ribs had kept him on his back until the doctor cleared him. And then he came here and sat her side, just waiting for her to wake…he owed her that much.
Tiller sighed and his stomach growled. He couldn't remember that last time he ate but he wasn't about to leave. He knew that the moment he did, she would wake up and with Colonel Bedard and Lieutenant Connelly off the base, she would wake up alone—and that just wasn't going to happen.
So with another sigh, Tiller folded his arms over the bandages on his ribs and leaned back in the chair. Sleeping is always good, he thought. Catch up while you can because when you least expect it—you'll be stuck staying awake for a week straight.
Tiller's eyes slowly slipped shut as Martin's breathing rhythm played like music to his ears. He had memorized the slow and gentle rhythm and now he flinched at the slightest variation and just as his body began to relax into the chair—the beat changed.
Tiller sat from the back of his chair and ignored the pain searing through is chest as he leaned over the edge of the bed as Martin's eyes slowly opened.
At first, she looked around the room and then focused on the man standing over her. "Tiller?" She asked, speaking just above a whisper.
Tiller couldn't help but smile at the pathetic look on her face. "Yeah, it's me. How ya feeling sleepy head?" he asked, sitting on the edge of her bed.
"I uh…are we home?" she asked, as she tried to see past the shadows that surrounded her.
"Yeah, we're at the SGC," Tiller said softly as he reassured her that she was safe, "You don't remember walking around before, do you?"
Martin tried to remember past the fog that clouded her memory but it was too thick and only fragments came through. "Uh…everything is a bit foggy. Colonel Bedard was here?" she asked as Tiller nodded.
"Yeah…he was here."
In an instant, Martin's face drooped as she remembered the other visitor she had. "Oh God—my father, is he still here?" she asked, reaching for his arm as though he could hide her.
Tiller covered her shaky hand with his warm steady fingers and pulled her hand from his and held her hand. "He's long gone."
Still nervous, Martin tried to remember everything all at once, but still could only remember fragments. "Transferred," she said, shaking her head, "I'm not being transferred am I?"
Tiller shook his head, "No, in fact, our next mission in next week. So you gotta get back on your feet."
Martin smiled and let her fingers slip from Tiller's as she tried to sit up in the bed. Tiller steadied her and held her feet as she pulled her knees up to her chest.
"I brought some of your things." He said, pulling a brown bag from under the bed and setting it in front of her. "I figured you'd want to change."
Martin smiled and felt her shirt, realizing for the first time that it didn't feel familiar. "Am I wearing you clothes?" she asked, pulling up the name tab that said Tiller.
Tiller laughed, "Yeah, I think you are."
"And do we know how that happened?"
"Not really." Martin smiled and didn't even want to think about how she got into his clothes. "I tell you what," Tiller said, trying to pick up the momentum of the moment. "Change your clothes, and I'll hunt down some coffee." He said, standing from the bed.
"Sounds like a plan," she said, watching as Tiller walked for the door. Pausing a moment, she called back out to him. "Hey Tiller?"
"Yeah?" he asked, turning on his heel.
"I didn't wake up alone…thanks." She said, as a soft smile creased her lips.
Tiller smiled back, "That's what I'm here for."
She watched him leave and sat back against the back of the bed as she looked into the bag of clothes he had brought her. Pulling out the first piece of fabric she felt, Martin sat back and unfolded the blue shirt and smiled at the message written on the front that read, Spock is my homeboy…