Thanks again for the reviews, everyone. I apologise for not getting this part out as quickly as usual and warn you the next may be delayed as well. I'm trying to get the next part of my General Jack series written
Answer to Maggie - Sam didn't hug anyone, certainly not Teal'c. Daniel gave her a 'quick hug'. In other words, he farewelled one of his best friends who was going into a dangerous situation and whom he might never see again. She didn't necessarily hug back. She is in charge, but then I don't think she would have any romantic dealings with Jack whilst on a mission, or for that matter back on Earth, so I'm probably the wrong person to talk about characterisation with. Let's face it, if SG-1 stuck to being the way I see their characters you S/J romance lovers wouldn't be reading Jackie's fics. Most of you don't read mine for that reason. Just be thankful I post these for Jackie. LOL.
Flatkatsi (Jackie's fic poster for those of you who may have forgotten) Oh - I forgot - I think your fics are great, Maggie. Very enjoyable and well written.
A Single Man of Courage – part twelve
It was the middle of the night before Jack began to stir. He opened his good eye to find Carter's face staring at him. Her suspiciously moist eyes were huge and startlingly blue against a very pale face.
"You okay?" he mumbled thickly, his face and mouth sore.
"Me? I'm fine … it's you I'm worried about."
"Fine, nothing … Janet's wonder drugs … can't cure," he whispered.
Sam smiled at him, not a big one, but a smile all the same. It made him feel better already. He kept his gaze on her face.
She helped him to drink a few sips of water. "Sir, we've got a long way to go, do you think it's wise to antagonize them?"
"What?" he asked, startled by her question.
"We were here when ... when they beat you Sir."
Jack groaned. "Sorry."
"Sorry? What are you sorry for? It's those animals that should be sorry," she spat angrily.
"Whoa … calm down … it doesn't help."
"Sorry. I'm just so angry at what they did."
Jack grimaced and then regretted it as it pulled on his split lips. He was upset that Carter had had to watch that. He'd been in the same position himself and knew how dreadful it was to watch someone you … someone suffering while you were helpless to do anything. "Had worse … they're amateurs."
"What? Oh God, Ja ... Sir, don't make it a game. Torture isn't a game." Her pleaded words were filled with anguish.
"Sorry Sam … this is my way of dealing with it," he murmured, finding it harder and harder to breathe.
"What, smart mouthing them until they hammer you unconscious?" Sam's voice had risen and her eyes glistened with tears that were only just held in check.
"It makes them lose it … being unconscious … stops …" He coughed and grimaced. "…the pain." Jack was trying his best to stay with it, but breathing hurt. He lay panting, his good eye glazed with pain.
xoxoxoxoxo
Hearing the Colonel's words, Sam couldn't trust herself to speak. She now partly understood why he did what he did, but that didn't make it any easier to bear. She gave him another drink and went about preparing another shot of morphine for him. Before long Jack slid into unconsciousness.
Eventually they slept. Sam hardly felt as if she had any rest at all when she found Hassuf bending over her, shaking her awake and they were soon back in the wagon and underway again.
Jack spent most of the day unconscious with Sam giving him more morphine when he showed signs of waking. When they made camp once more for the night she anxiously waited, worried they would come to beat him again.
Jack finally stirred and Sam coaxed him to drink.
"How's the pain?"
"Not too bad," he admitted, still feeling the effect from the shot she'd given him earlier.
Hassuf spoke quietly to Jack who translated for Sam.
"You can rest easy. No more questioning 'til the gate."
Sam couldn't help her relieved sigh. "Thank God, but I've still no ideas for getting us through the gate."
Jack's eyes drifted shut as he began to fall asleep again. He muttered a few words as he did so. "You'll think of something Carter."
xoxoxoxoxo
The dawn hadn't broken when Jack awoke again. His head was clearing - the pain was bad, but he felt fairly coherent. Sam stirred and found him watching her.
"You okay?" she askedconcerned, as she sat up.
"Peachy."
"Morphine?"
"No, not yet, honestly," he whispered, seeing her doubt him as he fixed her with his good eye, the other still remaining firmly closed.
"Kissain will probably dial the SGC … he knows the symbols, but … nothing else," he thought out loud.
"I gather SG-6 must have told them about the iris."
"Kissain had his men watch me closely at the gate … no doubt they did … the same with Dawson each time." The long sentences left Jack slightly breathless and he shut his eye for a moment to focus the pain away, as he thought of the Major and the other dead men.
"We didn't get Dawson out, Sir. There was no sign of him," admitted Sam.
"He's dead. The guards took great delight in it." Jack's tone was flat, his eye remaining shut as he spoke.
There was a moment of silence as they each thought of the dead officer. Another good man lost for no reason.
"So they'll dial up and when General Hammond doesn't get a signal he'll activate the MALP," said Sam breaking the silence, as she obviously tried to think of a plan.
"Radio," said Jack, opening his eye and peering at her. "You can speak to Hammond."
"Right, I can talk without them knowing as long as the gate is open. Perhaps we could co-ordinate a hit from the rebels and the SGC."
"Sounds like a plan." Jack was beginning to tire again. "How many men … Kissain got?"
Sam shrugged. "I'm not sure. I've been either in the wagon or in a tent."
Jack repeated the question to Hassuf.
"Around forty," he translated.
"Not bad odds if the General sends the troops in," said Sam thoughtfully, but to herself, as Jack had already drifted off again.
It wasn't long before they were once more on the move again. Jack began to stay awake more, although in he was in great pain. Every bit of his body hurt. Sam coaxed him to drink some broth and he managed a small amount. His fever had dropped a little and the infection seemed to be holding at bay with the help of the antibiotics Sam gave him. The morphine kept the pain to a manageable level.
xoxoxoxoxo
It was later that morning when Jack used the radio. Daniel sounded relieved just to hear his voice.
"Hey, Jack. Are you okay?"
"Fine … Carter says you've got … twenty five men ready … willing to fight."
"Err yes," responded Daniel, a bit disappointed Jack was being so formal with him. "We're about four hours behind you."
Jack found himself getting badly out of breath and passed the radio to Sam. She filled Daniel in as to what they hoped might be a plan.
"Is Jack okay?" asked Daniel when she had finished
Sam rolled her eyes towards where the Colonel lay panting on the cushions, his face pale. "He's … he's peachy Daniel. How's everyone holding on?"
"Masters and Parker are doing fine. Both raring for revenge, and Teal'c, well Teal'c is Teal'c."
Jack smiled at that.
Sam signed off, promising contact again before the gate.
When they camped that night, the last before they would reach the gate, Hassuf brought them more food and water and the information the Colonel had requested. There were actually forty six soldiers, but he and all eight of the servants were willing to fight.
Sam and Jack discussed and planned what they could; but a lot depended on the General being able to send troops through to support them.
"You'll need to give Hammond time to organize … and Daniel to get into position. Somehow … don't think I'll be in a position to do anything … it's all up to you Carter … get them all home."
They explained as much of the basics of the plan as they had worked out to Hassuf and he left them to prepare the others.
xoxoxoxoxo
Sam and Jack settled down to sleep, but Jack soon became restless, waking Sam. She moved closer to him to try and soothe him, and eventually he settled. She fell asleep again.
Jack woke in the dark, still groggy, his heart pounding and his head throbbing from the nightmare he'd suffered. His memories were trying to drag him back into the dungeons … the heat from the iron as it seared him made him want to scream again … He jumped a little as his mind focused on the here and now … He felt the body next to him snuggle in closer and before he could react, Sam's head buried itself into his chest. He lay still, his nerves soothed by the contact, savoring the feel of her against him.
After a few minutes he cautiously put his arm around her to hold her to him and Sam snuggled up more. One of her legs draped itself over his, her knee drawing upwards until it lay perilously close to his groin.
He lay gazing down on her, shifting slightly so he could see a little of her face. It wasn't often he got to watch her so closely. The urgent need for contact with another human being drove home the loneliness … the urge to hold someone close … someone he cared for to help to hold his demons at bay … He tried to stifle down the improper thoughts he was having without much success, and the urge to kiss her was so strong it was almost painful.
He closed his eye with a groan that came out surprisingly loud in the quiet night.
xoxoxoxoxo
Sam woke with a start at the noise. She was too busy thinking Jack was hurting to realize the position she was in.
"Colonel, are you okay?" she whispered urgently, leaning further over him.
Jack opened his eye to find Sam's face mere inches away, her body almost on top of him.
"Oh crap!" he groaned.
"Jack, what's wrong?. Where does it hurt?"
Sam was almost beside herself. Why wouldn't he answer her? He just kept staring at her.
"Sam," he almost panted. "Oh for cryin' out loud." He groaned and brought his head up to hers quickly, his lips barely touching hers. Sam didn't pull back as he expected, she leaned into him deepening the kiss, winding her hand through his until Jack broke off the kiss with an agonized gasp. He began to cough violently.
Sam pushed herself up quickly, mortified at just how she'd felt in those last few seconds before …
"Oh damn" she whispered, trying to support him the best she could.
Jack nodded breathlessly.
"Take it easy." She leaned over to get to the cup of water nearby.
It was a few minutes before Jack was even able to sip at the water. Sam hovered, feeling helpless for a moment, wondering how much it would effect his breathing before making the decision to give him a small dose of the morphine. He was in too much pain to just leave him without anything, but she made sure that she only gave him a small dose. Her supplies were dwindling alarmingly and she had the feeling he might need it more tomorrow.
She sat quietly, contemplating just how close they'd come to … how much she wanted to ignore those regulations … how she wished they were anywhere but here Exhaustion drove her to lie down, trying to get some sleep before dawn. She knew she would need everything she had to get him home … them all home.
xoxoxoxoxo