Sugar and Spice
"It is good you are feeling better, O'Neill."
"Thanks, T," yawned the man in question.
"You must rest."
The Colonel frowned at his words "It's all this sleep that's wearing me out," he complained, continuing when his teammate gave him a puzzled look. "I kept dreaming I was back at boot camp as an Airman. No wonder I'm exhausted."
Sam tried to stop her snigger but it was too late.
"No giggling, Major" Jack just loved watching her face light up.
Sam dissolved into outright laughter and lifted her hand to object "But, Sir …"
He interrupted. "No buts, Carter."
Sam slid down her chair, laughing harder than ever and swiped at the tears that sprang to her eyes. With a squawk she hurried out, still trying to contain herself, leaving a puzzled Colonel frowning questioningly at Teal'c.
"Do not look to me, O'Neill. I am as without light as you are."
"That's in the dark, T," grinned Jack, yawning again as his eyes slid closed.
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Teal'c frowned at the sleeping man. O'Neill's wounds were still too painful to allow him much movement, despite it having been several days since the aliens had taken umbrage with them. He still favoured lying on his left side.
The Jaffa had been almost certain O'Neill was dead by the time he managed to reach him. The weak pulse he found gave him the necessary adrenalin to pick his commander up, and with Jonas Quinn and Major Carter providing covering fire, he managed to carry him back to the gate.
Teal'c had taken a couple of hits getting to the Colonel and a few more getting him out of the trap. He shook his head, troubled at the memory. They had lain hidden as the aliens had baited their trap with the barely conscious O'Neill. The enemy had soon grown impatient with waiting and began to use the Colonel as a target, probably hoping the trap would be sprung more quickly. It had worked, but not in the way the aliens had hoped. The Major and Jonas Quinn had moved in, zatting their foe as rapidly as they could, whilst Teal'c used the distraction to reach the Colonel.
It was a great pity he didn't reach O'Neill sooner to save him from suffering some of the wounds that were inflicted, and the guilt weighed heavily within him.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps, as one of the nurses approached to give Colonel O'Neill his medication. The young nurse smiled at Teal'c shyly. Teal'c merely nodded his head politely. Doctor Fraiser had recently recruited more staff and he wasn't yet familiar with their names. He quickly checked her nametag and managed to read 'Steph' but nothing else, as she turned to give the Colonel an injection into the IV. O'Neill grumbled in his sleep but didn't awaken as the nurse made some further checks then moved away quietly.
Satisfied that O'Neill was sleeping soundly, Teal'c took himself off to kel-no-reem. He was still feeling a few of the effects of his injuries, not that he would admit it to anyone.
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Doctor Fraiser made her rounds with quick efficiency. She only had one patient left in the infirmary – Colonel O'Neill. SG-5 had recently had a couple of injuries but they were minor and were now long gone. She quietly checked the Colonel's notes and glanced at her watch. Almost 2100 hours. The night staff would be in soon.
Janet sighed tiredly. She'd managed to get two replacements for staff that had left, Stephanie and Beverly having joined them a short while ago. She had been lobbying the General for a while now for more funding for extra staff and finally the funds had been approved for another nurse. Annie was her new third shift staffer. Even though she was grateful for the new staff, it was hard work breaking them in. Janet liked things to be just so and the SGC was no ordinary infirmary. Her staff needed to be first class - and then some.
She noted the Colonel's temperature was fluctuating despite the medication he was on. The antibiotics she was giving him were still intravenous, much to the Colonel's dismay.
She smiled a little to herself as she looked down at the sleeping man. At least the new nurses were happy to tend the Colonel. They hadn't been on the receiving end of his temper - that fun was yet to come.
The tired Doctor went out to speak to the staff coming on duty. She had warned them all when Colonel O'Neill had first come in about approaching him when he wasn't coherent. She didn't want any 'accidents' and at the start of each duty she reiterated the point again to make sure.
Annie was assigned to watch the Colonel for the night and a grateful Janet took herself off home, yawning as she went.
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Annie diligently kept a close eye on the Colonel. She'd noticed his temperature creeping up again and in the early hours she began to bathe him with cool water to give him some relief. He woke briefly and she smiled at him as he regarded her with puzzled brown eyes.
She soothed him quietly. "It's okay, Colonel. Your temperature is a little high, that's all. Try and sleep."
He gave her a brief smile before drifting back to sleep.
Annie sighed softly. 'Oh those eyes' she murmured to herself as she carried on trying to keep him comfortable. "This job has its rewards."
"You won't be saying that when he starts," said a voice from behind her.
Annie jumped a little, not having heard anyone enter - she'd been too engrossed with the Colonel - and turned, blushing a little. "Oh, hi Claire." She smiled at the other nurse. "What do you mean?"
Claire had been at the SGC a while now and was considered an 'old hand' by the newbies. She tipped her head to the door, signalling for Annie to follow her out. Once they were in the corridor she moved closer to her colleague, lowering her voice almost to a whisper.
"Colonel O'Neill," she said, conspiratorially.
"He's been fine with me."
"He's still very sick yet. You just wait 'til he starts getting better."
Annie frowned "He seems nice."
Claire laughed "He gets uptight being in here and, god help us, we can't keep him in bed for long."
"Oh."
"Even Doc Frasier will throw him out sooner than she should because of his behaviour."
"I can't imagine that."
"You'll see. We end up tiptoeing around him. I mean he's well…" She lowered her voice as she double-checked the corridor to make sure it was still empty. "He's so sexy and all, but he's an absolute holy terror when he's feeling better. That's when he starts being a pain in the ass."
"Wish he were my pain," sighed Annie dreamily.
"Oh, he's spoken for."
"What? Is he married?"
"Nah, divorced but, well it's rumours really but …" Claire broke off as they heard a clatter from the infirmary. "Oh, now what?" she sighed.
Together they hurried back in, to find the Colonel trying to get out of bed.
"Doc'll kill us," growled Claire. "Colonel" she shouted to warn him, before moving closer, putting her hand gently on his shoulder.
Annie rushed to the other side of their patient, helping to hold him steady.
"Bathroom," muttered the Colonel weakly.
"Sir, it's okay. You've got a catheter in."
Annie looked over at the bed, seeing the tube. "Um, not now he hasn't," she groaned.
"Damn, he keeps doing that."
"Colonel, you get into bed. I'll get you a urinal", soothed Annie.
"I'll stick that Foley to him with duct tape yet," threatened Claire under her breath, making Annie giggle.
Colonel O'Neill was still half out of bed and refusing to lie down, his eyes almost closed.
"Come on, sir, please," pleaded Claire, but the Colonel wasn't complying. In fact, the harder they pushed; the more he resisted their efforts.
A throat-clearing cough had them both turning a little to see who was there.
"Oh, Major Carter!" exclaimed Claire, "Could you give us a hand here?"
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Sam could see both nurses were holding a swaying Colonel O'Neill, but she couldn't understand why.
"Colonel O'Neill got out of bed, and now he won't lie down again," explained Claire, clearly exasperated.
"Oh," Sam replied quietly, coming nearer. She blushed as she saw the Colonel was quite naked.
Claire grabbed the sheet quickly from the bed and pulled it around to cover O'Neill's lower half. "Sorry ma'am", she apologised quickly.
Sam realised the Colonel would resist even more if they tried to force the issue. Now was not the time to push him. This would take something entirely different.
"Airman!" she shouted, using her best command voice, "Move your butt into that bed now!"
The Colonel stilled and muttered a "sir" before complying and allowed him to be lowered back into bed.
He flinched and moved onto his side automatically, but at least he didn't try to get up again.
"I'll have to remember that one," grinned Claire "Thanks Major"
"How's he doing?" enquired Sam.
"His temperature is still up," explained the new nurse, Annie.
"Thank god he didn't dismantle the IV's this time or we'd have had to get Doc back," Claire sighed thankfully.
Sam smiled at that; she knew the Colonel wasn't beyond completely disconnecting himself and going walk-about, much to the dismay of the nursing staff and Janet's anger.
"I'll sit with him a while if you fancy grabbing a coffee," she offered.
Annie hesitated but obviously Claire had no problem with the suggestion.
"Thanks Major. We're due a break." She quickly pulled the other nurse from the room, giving Sam a grateful smile as she did so.
Sam pulled a chair in close to the Colonel's bed. It wasn't often she got the chance to be with him when no one was about. She sat facing him, watching him closely but she keeping a hand on the sheet. As much as she'd enjoyed the show a few nights ago, she didn't dare risk a repeat performance. She let her gaze wander down his body - a very, very nice body, she admitted. She looked back to his face and was a little embarrassed to find a pair of dark brown eyes staring at her.
"Hey" she said eventually. She was still flushed at being caught checking him out like that, but she found she couldn't break eye contact with him, and to be honest, she didn't really want to.
"Hey yourself," he whispered back hoarsely, before muttering, "Hot. Has Doc turned the heating up?"
Sam smiled. "You've got a bit of a temperature."
"Oh" His eyes were starting to close again.
Sam spied the bowl on the next bed and retrieved it. She added some fresh cool water and began to wipe the Colonel's face gently. He murmured slightly, turning his face to the cool touch, but his eyes stayed shut.
Sam continued to try to cool him and he suddenly stretched his legs out and rolled. As soon as his back touched the bed he arched with pain and his eyes shot open.
She jumped up at his movement and clutched the sheet nervously. Her heart lurched as his face contorted with pain.
"Sir, try and turn." She gently touched his shoulder as his eyes slowly focussed on her.
"Carter?" he muttered
"Yes, Colonel. Take it easy. Can you turn back to your side? It'll hurt less."
He seemed to take in what she was saying and turned back onto his side, with Sam nervously clutching the sheet once more.
His eyes shifted, and Sam realised he was looking at the dimmed infirmary lights. "What time is it?" he asked.
"0500. Try and sleep"
"What ya doing here so early?" he asked, frowning.
"I'm going offworld with SG-2 at 0700, so I thought I'd check on how you were doing. I'm going to be gone for a couple of days.".
Jack nodded "Tell Ferretti I want you back in one piece."
Sam smiled. "Will do. Teal'c will be by later"
"Sure."
"You try and behave yourself, Sir."
"Me?" he asked innocently, "Always Major." His eyes were already closing once more.
Sam sat quietly until he seemed to be sleeping soundly. "Get better soon, Jack," she whispered, putting a hand gently to his forehead.
The sound of footsteps alerted her to the nurse's return and she lowered her hand, turning around casually.
"Everything okay?" asked Claire
"Yes, he's sleeping again. He's still hot though"
"Doctor Frasier is due in soon. She'll soon have him sorted. Thanks Major."
"No problem. Well, I'd better be off, going out at 0700.".
Claire nodded to Sam and as the Major left she homed in on the Colonel. She sorted out the catheter-tubing ready to re-insert it.
She half wondered if the rumours could be true. If they were, why would the Major have been so embarrassed by the sight of the naked man.
"I mean it, Colonel, you pull this out again and I'll do a MacGyver on you," she whispered to him as he slept. "I'll tape it down good," she threatened with a grin.
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Sam shipped out that morning with SG-2. They'd found promising signs of naquada on the last mission and Sam was going with them on a return visit to confirm their findings.
Ferretti liked the Major. He knew he didn't have to 'nurse' her. Jack put one hundred percent faith in her and Ferretti never doubted Jack's judgement.
He sorted his team out and stayed with Sam whilst she took the necessary readings and samples.
"How's Jack doing?" he asked as they took a short break.
"He's still pretty sick. His temperature was high this morning"
Ferretti's eyebrows rose a little at that. She'd have had to be visiting pretty damn early to see the Colonel before they left for this mission.
"Doc wouldn't let me in again. Said I was a bad influence," he complained. Sam gave him her best 'ya think' look but Lou didn't notice and carried on. "I mean, it was only one lousy beer."
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Sam almost choked on the mouthful of water she'd just taken.
"You took the Colonel a beer in the infirmary?" she spluttered.
Ferretti grinned. "Yeah, but Doc caught us. He only managed a couple of swallows."
Sam rolled her eyes. Sometimes these highly trained professionals were just so. . .
"Ya think Doc got radar or something?" replied Ferretti grinning.
"She needs it with you and the Colonel. Honestly, what were you thinking giving the Colonel alcohol with all those drugs in him?
"It wouldn't have made much difference,"shrugged Ferretti "One lousy beer wouldn't have touched him." A big smile lit his face. "It never has before."
Sam shook her head and stood up ready to resume work.
"Did you tell Jack you here with us?"
Sam nodded as she sorted her gear out.
"Bet he gave you a message for me?" Lou grinned cheekily at her.
Sam laughed and shook her head as she picked her pack up.
"Thought so," Ferretti said, grinning as he took himself off a little ways, whistling as he went.
The day passed quickly enough for Sam, but she found herself missing the Colonel. Nice as SG-2 were, and especially Ferretti, they just weren't her team and he sure as hell wasn't Jack.
xoxoxoxoxoxo
The attack when it came was a complete surprise. It was on the second day and they were only a short distance from the gate. They got to cover quickly as a host of arrows rained down on them. SG-2 opened fire on their surroundings in short bursts to see if it would scare the attackers off. It seemed to work and the arrows ceased
Ferretti cautiously checked the area, and confident it was clear for the moment, gave the order to retreat to the gate. His team stood – all but one. Sam was still prone on the ground behind a small bush. Ferretti gave her an anxious look and moved closer.
"Major?" he asked in concern as he approached. He let go a puff of breath when he saw her hands clutched at her thigh. Blood was seeping through her fingers from the arrow embedded there.
He knelt and quickly began to dismantle his pack, withdrawing a pressure bandage and a wad of gauze.
"Okay?" he murmured while he worked, seeing her white face and tightly compressed lips. "We need to get a move on. I don't think our scare tactics will work for long."
"I'm okay. Good to go" she grunted.
Ferretti hauled her up and Chalmers positioned himself on her other side. Together they got her to the gate. As the gate opened and the signal was sent, more arrows came from the nearby trees, followed closely by a few brave natives, spears at the ready as they ran towards them. SG-2 hurriedly departed amidst another attack.
The second they hit the ramp, Ferretti shouted for the iris to be closed. A couple of arrows came through with them, but fortunately no one else was hit. A call went up for medics and Sam was quickly whisked away to the infirmary.
Ferretti gave a brief report to General Hammond and then joined his men in the infirmary for their post mission checks. He dismissed his men afterward to shower and rest whilst he waited for new of Sam.
It wasn't long before Jonas and Teal'c joined him.
"What happened? How bad is Sam?" asked Jonas
Ferretti filled them in on what he knew. "The arrow didn't seem too deep though," he added hopefully. "Boy, Jack is so gonna kill me," he groaned, and began pacing once more.
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Janet came out to them before long, smiling at them reassuringly. "Sam is going to be fine. We've removed the arrow and stitched her up. It's just a nasty flesh wound, and there's no other damage."
"Can we see her?" asked Jonas.
"She's out of it for the moment from the anaesthetic. Why don't you come back later?"
"Jack awake yet?" asked Ferretti, a pained expression crossing his face.
"No, his temperature has stopped rising but I'm not expecting him to wake anytime soon".
"Guess I'll see you later then. I'll go and clean up and report." Ferretti gave them a sheepish grin and departed.
Jonas watched him go, feeling some sympathy for the man. "Poor Major. The Colonel will never let him forget this."
"Indeed," agreed Teal'c.
It was early evening before Janet let them visit and they found Sam propped up in the bed next to the Colonel's. She gave them a weak smile as they entered.
"Hi," she called softly.
"You okay, Sam?" asked Jonas
"Fine, a bit sore, but okay."
She threw a glance over at the sleeping Colonel. "In fact, I'm doing much better than Colonel O'Neill," she said with a frown.
Jonas followed her gaze and winced visibly. He too felt guilty they hadn't got to the Colonel sooner.
"Yes, but he is going to be okay," trying to convince himself of the truth of his words.
"O'Neill will recover," said Teal'c firmly and with conviction.
"Did Doctor Fraiser say how long you'll be here?" asked Jonas, pleased to change the focus from the sick Colonel.
"A couple of days at the very least. Say, could you fetch me some things in the morning?"
Jonas smiled. "Sure, Sam." He was grateful for the chance to be of assistance.
"There are a few files in my in-tray. I could use the time to read them properly."
Jonas nodded happily. "Sure, in the morning, no problem." He beamed again.
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Sam stopped herself from rolling her eyes at Jonas's wide grin. 'Thank goodness the Colonel is out of it,' she thought.
Janet came in to shoo her teammates out and they departed quietly, with promises to return as soon as they were able.
Janet gave Sam a smile "Okay? Any pain?"
Sam shook her head "Just sore, guess I'm a little tired as well." She yawned, starting to snuggle down under the blanket.
"Well, that's bound to be true. Make sure you stay off that leg."
Sam gave her a sleepy smile as she turned to face the Colonel, wincing as she felt her wound pull.
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Janet moved over to check her other patient. "Colonel O'Neill hasn't stirred, has he?" she asked. She noticed how Sam had settled down facing the Colonel and nearly said something about 'nice view', but thought better of it.
"Not a peep," admitted Sam, giving Janet a little frown.
"Don't worry. I didn't expect him to. His temperature is coming down slowly and I'm keeping up a high dosage on the antibiotics and painkillers." Janet made a couple of adjustments to the drip. Satisfied things were okay she said goodnight softly to Sam as she left.
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Sam tried to stay awake, wanting to watch Jack for a while longer, but sleep claimed her quickly.
She spent the next day quietly reading through the files Jonas has thoughtfully brought to her earlier. Jack was still sleeping. Apart from the odd shuffling noise from him, he'd not wakened at all and night had slowly crept up as she worked.
She forgot herself and raised her sore leg to prop up the file she was reading. The sudden pain made her jump, sending the files off the bed with a thud.
"Damn" she cursed, rolling over to try and retrieve them without getting out of bed.
xoxoxoxoxxo
The sound of the familiar voice cursing and groaning caused Jack to waken. Slowly his eyes began to focus on the next bed's occupant, or rather the back of that person.
"Shit," was the muffled expletive that drew him further awake, followed by a huge sigh and suddenly Jack was treated to the sight of a naked backside as the other person was practically hanging over the far side of the bed.
Jack closed his eyes for a moment. 'Delirious, he was delirious, that's what it was.' He opened his eyes again and the delectable, very naked, rear of his 2IC was still there. As Jack watched the 'rear' wiggle he felt a certain part of his body responding to the sight.
"Crap," he moaned, throwing himself onto his back whilst clamping his eyes tightly shut.
As soon as his back touched down it sent shards of pain through him. He was unable to prevent a low moan from escaping.
Jack lay still, biting down the pain. He was also trying to will a certain body part to behave itself when he heard a voice.
"Sir?" It came hesitantly to him from close by - very close by.
Jack's eyes flew open to find his 2IC standing leaning over him.
"You okay?" she asked, with a worried frown.
Jack's mouth opened but no words came out.
Sam tilted her head in confusion at him. "Want me to buzz Janet?"
"No." He found his voice - that squeak wasn't his was it?
"Sir, I…"
"Cramp." He ground out the first thing that came to mind. "Just stiff." He winced at his choice of words and squeezed his eyes shut once more.
"Want me to rub it?"
Jack's eyes flew open again. He almost choked and a strangled groan was wrenched from his throat.
"Colonel, let me help." She smiled down at him in concern
Jack clutched the sheet he held more tightly.
'Shit shit,' he moaned to himself.
"I'm okay," he mumbled, flushing a little, but unable to tear his eyes away from hers. He swallowed painfully. His body seemed to be starting to obey his frantic command to behave, probably due to the fact that his back was giving him hell. "Uh." He took a deep breath then gave her a puzzled look.
"Carter, why are you here?" His embarrassment faded as he realised she was in a hospital gown and had been in the bed next to him.
"Little disagreement with the natives. Sir"
"You okay?"
She smiled at him. "I'm fine. It's just a flesh wound."
"That's good," he murmured "Oh sorry, not good but ..." He waved a hand vaguely around.
"Yes, Sir, I know what you mean," she replied, with another smile.
She sat down in the chair besides his bed. Jack struggled back onto his side and watched as a blush rose on her face. He was struck yet again by how beautiful she was.
xoxoxoxoxxo
As the cold plastic of the infirmary chair touched Sam's flesh she was reminded how undressed she really was and she was unable to prevent a flush creeping across her face.
Then saw the colonel watching her and her colour rose a little higher.
"Are you sure you don't need anything?" she asked, still concerned for him.
"I've got everything I need right now," he whispered.
xoxoxoxoxxo
As soon as the words left Jack's mouth he realised he'd actually spoken them out loud. He closed his eyes, waiting for the explosion he was sure would follow.
It never came.
Slowly he opened his eyes again to find Sam regarding him solemnly.
She reached out a hesitant hand and touched his shoulder lightly. "Goodnight then," she said softly, slowing withdrawing her hand with a smile.
She stood carefully and sort of backed up to her bed as she pulled the revealing hospital gown together at the back.
Jack wasn't sure whether he was relieved or disappointed as he watched.
"Night…Sam."
xoxoxoxoxxo
The last word was just a whisper, but Sam heard it. She settled down into bed with a smile on her lips.
"Night, Sir" she called softly. "Jack," she whispered as she snuggled down deeper.
xoxoxoxoxxo
Jack hadn't heard her whisper. He was off into planet dream. With a smile on his face, he fell into a deep peaceful slumber.
xoxoxoxoxxo
The End - thank goodness you probably said if you got this far .