A/N: Daniel has a reputation for being clumsy, you'll see how he earns that reputation.
Thanks for the reviews, and hope they keep coming.
Chapter 5
O'Neill watched the Jaffa leave in the other direction. He and his team remained still and quiet. They waited about twenty minutes, making sure the patrol didn't double back and find them. When O'Neill thought it was safe, he gave the all clear sign to his people. Teal'c was the first to get up, Carter had to shake Daniel's arm to get his attention; as he still had his head buried in the bend of his arm. Daniel looked up and saw Jack smirking at him and shaking his head. Daniel pushed up from the ground and got to his knees, then stood up and brushed himself off. He saw Jack head over his way and kneel down beside Carter. "Need a hand?"
"That would be nice Sir." Sam said appreciatively, as she tried to roll onto her good side, (if she had one).
Jack helped her roll onto her back before giving her a hand to get into a seated position. "How are you doing?" He asked, as he looked her over. She was pale and in obvious pain.
"I'm doing fine Sir." She answered with slightly gritted teeth, and tight jaw.
"I should check your bandages," He said concerned at how rough a time she'd been having.
"I think we should wait until we get further away from the Jaffa Sir." Sam suggested.
"Okay, we'll move out, but as soon as I'm sure we're safe, we'll stop for a rest." Jack took her good arm and helped her to stand; he then signalled for the others to follow him. They took their previous positions, O'Neill leading, Daniel helping Sam, and Teal'c bringing up the rear.
They travelled a couple klicks, when O'Neill stopped the group. "This looks like a good spot." They were still deep within the forest, but there was a slight clearing with a fallen log. Daniel helped Sam sit down on the log, then took a seat himself. Jack moved towards Carter and handed her a canteen. "You need to drink more." He told her and waited for her to finish. He sat down next to her injured side, then went to unzip her jacket, the jacket was already blood stained, so if she had started to bleed again they wouldn't be able to tell. He felt her hand on his, stopping him, she looked up at him; her eyes pleading with him; he took his hand away and allowed her to do it herself. She undid the jacket half way and slid it off her shoulder, so only the bandages were exposed. Jack saw that Carter was holding her jacket closed and was looking down. He focused his attention on the job at hand. He noticed that blood had seeped through the bandages, but they were not soaking wet. He lifted the edge of the bandages on her arm and was relieved that the wound was not bleeding; he then did the same to the bandage on her back, and again he was happy to see it wasn't bleeding. "Okay Carter, they look good, and haven't started bleeding again."
"Thank-you Sir" Sam said as she pulled her jacket back up and zipped it closed. She noticed that Daniel was looking away, she wasn't sure if it was due to the sight of blood, or the sight of her undress, 'Oh well at least he wasn't looking' she thought.
"Hey Teal'c, how long will Jaffa look for us, before giving up?" Jack asked getting up from the log and stretching.
"I am not sure O'Neill, depending on how important we are to them; it could be many hours or many days." Teal'c answered while still searching the forest for signs of Jaffa or any pursuers.
"Would they think we already went through the gate?" Carter asked.
"That also depends on when they arrived, and how long they have been searching. If they came at a time when we could have successfully reached the gate, then they may assume we have left, after searching for us."
"So we can't assume anything, and they can't assume anything. Just great, we could be stuck here for days, before we can safely return home." Jack said removing his cap and running his hand through his hair. "So we keep moving, and find a place to camp out for a few days, until the coast is clear."
"I see no water, or coast line of which you speak O'Neill." Teal'c said looking puzzled.
"Ah it's just a figure of speech Teal'c." Daniel piped in, after all who better to explain colloquialisms than a linguist. "I'll explain them to you later when we get home."
"Very well, thank you Dr. Jackson."
"Okay campers; let's get ready to move out." O'Neill informed his team; Carter took another drink before getting up and wiping her forehead on her sleeve. Daniel got up and adjusted his pack, he had to admit he was feeling tired from all this walking, and having to drag Sam along wasn't helping matters. Teal'c was always ready, and looked as if he had just got up from a refreshing nap. O'Neill led the troupe out, heading in the opposite direction the Jaffa took, only this time Carter was walking unassisted.
They walked another few hours when they came to the edge of the forest, there was an open field and a few metres to the right was a small cabin. Jack motioned the team to stop, "Carter, Daniel you two stay here, Teal'c and I will go check out the cabin." He saw them nod their agreement and settle to watch and wait.
O'Neill and Teal'c approached the cabin from the woods, they came up to the back wall, O'Neill motioned for Teal'c to take the far wall while he checked out the near wall and they would approach the front of the cabin from two sides. They each approached the front, O'Neill avoiding the window on the sidewall. They saw each other from the corners of the cabin and quietly approached with weapons drawn. O'Neill opened the door, with Teal'c following him. He entered the building and looked around. It was a one room cabin, had a fire place, table with chairs and a bed at the far side; but it was empty, no one was in sight. Jack relaxed a bit and turned to Teal'c. "All clear inside." He said as he lowered his weapon. Then he heard the worse noise he ever heard, the sound of a staff weapon being charged, he turned around quickly and saw the staff weapon pointed at Teal'c's head.
Attached to the weapon was an older looking woman in her fifties with long grey hair tied at the back, she was about 5'5" and on the heavy side, but not too over weight. "You better tell me what you're doing here or your friend's going to lose his head." She glared at O'Neill.
Sam and Daniel watched their teammates approach the cabin and go inside, Sam saw an older woman approach the cabin carrying a staff weapon, without thinking she ran for the cabin keeping out of sight, and sneaking up on the woman. She pushed her gun into the woman's back. "Drop your weapon" Sam said in a steely voice.
"You drop yours or your friend here dies with me." The old woman said.
"Alright" Sam said as she took the gun away from her back, then noticed the woman relax her grip slightly on the staff weapon. In one quick movement, Sam reached for the weapon with her good arm forcing it to point up, while she quickly took her arm out of the sling wrapping it around the woman's neck and pulling her backwards away from Teal'c and the Colonel as the staff blasted into the air, causing both women to fall backwards, with Sam ending up on the bottom.
O'Neill watched as his 2IC got the drop on the armed woman, then was shocked as she started to relinquish her weapon, 'No' he thought 'don't put your gun down' then was astonished as her next move disarmed the woman, saving Teal'c from getting his head blown off. He and Teal'c rushed to the two women, Teal'c grabbing the staff weapon, and pulling the woman to her feet.
"We wish you no harm." Teal'c told her, releasing her from his grip.
Jack went to Carter, she was conscious, but in so much pain, she was unable to move. She was breathing heavily, but managed to talk. "Is Teal'c okay?"
"I am well Captain Carter, how are you doing?" He asked with obvious concern for the woman who just saved his life.
"I'm not too sure right now; ask me in a few minutes." Sam managed to get out.
"Where's Daniel?" O'Neill asked, looking around for his errant archaeologist.
"Where you left him, Sir."
O'Neill spoke into his radio. "Daniel you there? Over."
"Yea Jack, what's happening?" Daniel asked through his radio. (Of course, Daniel being Daniel didn't bother to say over into the radio.)
"Why don't you get your butt over here and find out. Over." Said an exasperated O'Neill.
"Yea, okay I'm on my way." Daniel said as he headed towards the others.
"So what do you want with me?" the older woman asked.
Daniel had just arrived to hear the woman's question. "We are peaceful travellers, and have run into some trouble in town; we were just trying to find some information that may help us get back home."
"Ran into trouble with the townspeople did you? Well that makes you okay in my book." The old woman laughed.
"Now that the pleasantries are done with, can we move this inside? Our friend here needs some help." Jack said noticing that Carter's breathing was becoming shallow and laboured.
Daniel finally noticed what condition Sam was in and hurried to her side. He helped Jack get Sam up and move her into the cabin.
"Put her on the bed." the older woman said, seeing the obviously injured younger woman.
Jack and Daniel eased her down on the bed. Daniel looked at the woman and made their introductions. "I'm Daniel, this is Jack, Teal'c and our friend here is Sam."
"I am Anika, what has happened to…Sam?" She asked in concern.
"When we were trying to leave the town, one of the villagers came at us with a sword, unfortunately Sam got in the way." Daniel explained.
Anika went over to the bed where Sam was lying, 'do make it a habit to have your women fight your battles for you?"
Jack was taken by surprise by this question, "Ah no we don't."
"Then why is it that you three strong men are well, and the only woman amongst you is injured?" Anika asked angrily.
"I can answer this Colonel. Anika where we come from, women are equal to men, I am a soldier just like my friends, and if one of us is in trouble it's up to the others to help them out, no matter if they are male or female." Sam said weakly.
"Yes, you see Jack and I were captured by the villagers and Sam and Teal'c rescued us. She was leading us out of the town when one of the townspeople came out quickly to attack us; Sam was unlucky enough to be in the way when he swung his sword." Daniel explained.
Jack listened to Daniel, but was more concerned with Carter's condition. "Look Carter I think we have to take a look at your injuries, make sure they're not worse." He looked down at Carter who only nodded an agreement but didn't move. Jack sat down on the edge of the bed to help her. He undid her jacket and helped her sit up slightly so she could slip her good arm out of the jacket. He pulled it out from under her and helped her move so she was lying on her left side, then slid the rest of the jacket off her injured arm.
Anika moved so she was on the other side of the bed facing Sam's back, and watched as Jack pulled the pieces of strange cloth off her arm and upper back. She saw the blood coming out of both cuts and shook her head. "Poor child, this must cause a great deal of pain."
Jack saw that the wounds had started bleeding again. "Daniel get me some more gauze out of my pack." When Daniel handed him the gauze, he immediately used them to put pressure on the cuts. "Ah Anika, do you have some water so I can clean these up?"
"There is a well a little way down that way; I was headed that way when I saw you coming." She said as she pointed in the direction, then she handed a bucket to Teal'c and pushed him towards the door. Teal'c just lifted an eyebrow and went out to get the water.
"Daniel why don't you go help Teal'c; watch for intruders." He said with a slight smirk, watching as Daniel left to catch up to Teal'c.
"So why did you send the young one out?" Anika asked.
"Because Carter here is a little shy, and doesn't like having everyone seeing her like this" Jack said and noticed Carter looking away.
"Well then I will assist you when they get back, and they can wait out side." Anika said matter of factly.
"How does that sound Carter?"
"That would be fine Sir." Sam said with her jaw clenched tightly from the pain.
Anika put her hand on Sam's forehead and felt burning heat, "I think she has a fever, the cuts must be causing it."
"Yea I kinda realized that." Jack could feel the heat radiating from her skin under the gauze.
Just then Daniel and Teal'c entered, Teal'c carrying the bucket. Anika went to the table and retrieved a bowl; she motioned for Teal'c to pour some of the water as she went to get some old rags. Daniel took it upon himself to carry the bowl over to the bed, stumbling slightly causing it to spill a bit of the water over Sam's legs.
Sam felt very cold water come into contact with her skin. "Ah" she screamed out as she instinctively tried to sit up, which caused O'Neill to lean back , the momentum making him fall off the edge of the bed and land on the floor. Teal'c, who had been carrying a wooden chair over, put the chair down and offered O'Neill a hand.
Anika who watched this little fiasco couldn't help but laugh at sight. Teal'c merely lifted an eyebrow. "Daniel!" Jack yelled at the red-faced archaeologist.
"S sorry Jack, Sam." he said as he put the bowl down on the chair, feeling very embarrassed.
Jack looked at Daniel fury evident in his eyes, until he looked over at Carter, she was holding her left side, her face was pale and she was trying to catch her breath. "Carter, what's wrong?" The look on her face said it all; she was trying to breath through the pain, but was unable to speak.
Jack reacted quickly; scooping her in his arms, from her seated position, to reposition her so she was lying stretched out on her back and used the pillows so she was in a slightly inclined position. Her breathing seemed to ease some, and more colour was returning to her face. He felt her left side where it had been bruised earlier, she recoiled at his touch, but now he felt a definite break in the area.
"Jack what's wrong?" Daniel asked apprehensively.
"Rib's broken." was all he managed to say in a cool gentle voice, as he tried to calm Carter down, by looking her in the eyes holding one hand on her injured rib and the other on her good shoulder to keep her from moving. "Daniel go into the med kit and get the morphine out." O'Neill still looking Carter in the eyes gently told her, "This should make you relax Carter and make it easier to breath."
'Geez this hurts so bad' Sam thought, trying her hardest to breath. Looking into the Colonel's eyes, he had a calming effect on her, even though she couldn't speak at the moment she knew he understood what she was going through. She felt his hands lift from her body, as she watched him draw up the syringe with morphine. Then she felt the sharp stab of the needle going into her arm, but she remained calm as he went back to looking her in the eyes.
"It's okay Carter the morphine should start working soon." He told her as he started to stroke her hair in a calming effect. He saw her nod to him, as her eyes started to get droopy, then closed a few moments later. "Teal'c keep an eye on her breathing." Jack said as he stood, his anger coming to the forefront again. He walked towards Daniel, grabbing his arm and moving him to the other side of the cabin. In a very angry but quiet voice, he started in on Daniel. "What the hell is wrong with you Daniel? Hasn't she been through enough without you dumping cold water on her?"
"I…I didn't mean to Jack, you know I didn't mean to hurt Sam. Oh geez is the broken rib my fault?" Daniel asked puzzled and concerned.
"Well that fall she took earlier saving our asses and then jolting up quickly could have turned a hairline fracture into a full blown fracture." Jack said vehemently.
"That's enough, you two." Anika admonished Jack and Daniel. "Right now arguing isn't going to help Sam."
Jack glared at Daniel, then turned towards Anika. "You're right Mam; I apologize for blowing up like that. Teal'c how's she doing?"
"She seems to be resting easy, and her breathing is no longer laboured." Teal'c said as he rose from her bedside and allowed O'Neill to take his place.
"Should we not take care of the wounds while she is asleep?" Anika asked, then looked at Teal'c and Daniel, "You two, wait outside." She ordered them.
"Yea keep an eye out for unfriendlies, while we take care of Carter."
"Very well O'Neill." Teal'c said as he led Daniel towards the door. The best thing he could do for Dr. Jackson at the moment was to get him out of O'Neill's way. He also felt it his duty to make sure his teammates remained safe, especially Captain Carter who had just saved his life.
"Could you put some more water in the bowl? We seem to have lost some." Anika said as she reached for the rags she brought earlier. She watched Jack return putting the bowl on the chair. Then she handed him a rag. The cuts stopped bleeding, I think we should clean away all the dried blood, it will make Sam feel better later."
Jack nodded his agreement to Anika; then looked down at Carter, she was lying on her back now, and he could see all the blood that had dried on her chest and stained her tank top, the sight of all that blood made him cringe. He dipped his rag in the water, but didn't know where to start, he felt awkward about giving his 2IC a sponge bath.
Anika noticed his hesitation, "Lets get her on her side and we can switch positions"
Jack saw the smirk on her face, but was happy at the suggestion. They gently rolled Sam over so she was lying on her left side, then Jack moved so he was sitting on the bed facing her back, and Anika was facing her front. "You know Jack this little top she's wearing has too much blood on it, it's caked on and wet with fresh blood."
"Yea your right it will have to come off" Jack lifted the strap of the tank top relieved to see she was wearing a black bra underneath. He took a breath of relief. Then he went for his knife, cut the straps, and then cut down the centre of the back of the top. Anika pulled it clear and dropped it on the floor. 'This day just keeps on getting better' he thought to himself.
Jack watched as Anika started to wash the blood off, then he took his own cloth and started to wash around the cut on her arm, he pulled the tape off knowing he would have to put fresh tape on. Then he continued to clean the blood off the rest of her arm. He moved on to wash off the blood from the cut on her back, also removing the old tape. He slowly took the wet cloth and washed down the centre of her back down to the waistband of her pants. He rinsed off the cloth and started again this time going over her shoulder blade and continuing slowly all the way down. He was starting to feel rather warm as he began to run the cloth down her side going over her rib cage and dipping down over her waist.
"Jack, are you finished yet." Anika said looking at the slightly flushed face of Jack.
"Uh what?" His head snapped up as if caught in a daydream. He looked over at Anika who was smiling at him. "Oh yea, I just have to put some more tape on the cuts and put the bandages on.
Anika watched as Jack reached for the white container and pulled out some strange items. She saw him pull out a long tube and put some white creamy substance on the cuts, then he pulled out a round object, cut some strips off it, and put it on the cuts holding them together. Finally, he pulled out those thick white cloths and covered the wounds. She thought he was done until he pulled out something else.
"Since she's running a fever I have to give her some medicine." Jack told Anika as he took out a syringe and a vial of penicillin. "I have to inject here." Jack said pointing to his hip. "Could you help me, by loosening Sam's belt and exposing just a bit of her hip." Boy he was getting to see more of his 2IC than he should. He watched as Anika did as he asked, now he got a nice view her hip as he inserted the needle and injected the medication. He sat back and waited for her to refasten the pants and belt. They rolled Sam back onto her back, and Anika placed a wet cloth on her burning forehead.
"Jack I have an old shirt that belonged to my husband, I think Sam could use it." Anika said as she went to search for the shirt. Jack wet another cloth and wiped Sam's flushed face. He now got the full view of Carter, almost half-naked in front of him, except for the small black bra that left nothing to the imagination. He had to admit she did look a lot better now that all that blood had been cleaned off her. However, the area over the broken rib had swollen and had turned a dark shade of black.
Daniel and Teal'c re-entered the cabin, Daniel noticed Jack looking down or was that staring down at Sam. "So how is Sam doing?" He said as he walked over to Jack, then noticed what Sam wasn't wearing, gasped and turned around.
"Is there something wrong Dr. Jackson?" Teal'c asked.
"Ah no Teal'c, we just shouldn't be seeing this much of Sam." Daniel grinned.
"There is nothing to be ashamed of Dr. Jackson; Captain Carter does indeed have a body fitting of a warrior." Teal'c said as looked at his teammate. "O'Neill how is Captain Carter doing?"
"Well we cleaned her up and changed the dressings, but she's running a fever."
"Don't we have some antibiotics for that Jack?" Daniel asked, still keeping his back to Sam.
"Already gave her a shot of penicillin Daniel." Jack said as he watched Anika approaching carrying a rather large white shirt. Jack helped Anika get the shirt on Carter, and let her button it up. It was too big and very loose on Carter, but it would do the job.
"I think we should just let Carter rest for now, Daniel you can be in charge of changing the wet cloth on her forehead; just try not to spill any water on her this time." Jack said as he, Teal'c and Anika went to sit at the table across the room. "Did you see anything out there?"
"No, we did not O'Neill." Teal'c answered.
"So Anika, what keeps everyone away from you, and why do you have a staff weapon?" Jack asked looking Anika in the eyes.