A Single Man of Courage – part twenty
A couple more days passed in much the same manner. Jack was becoming more coherent as the time passed, and waking up for longer periods. His chest no longer heaved nor did his breath rattle with every word. Provided he kept his sentences short he felt reasonably okay.
Sam sat with him frequently, but they didn't discuss anything personal. They kept things as they used to be, or as they should have been.
By the end of the second week Janet was ready to throw the irate Colonel out. He had her staff in a permanent state of wanting to resign and her head swam with fatigue.
"Colonel O'Neill, you can go home after I check you over and sorted out your meds."
"What?" Jack paused in the middle of a rant. "Home? Great!" He made to get out of bed, but Janet blocked his escape.
"AFTER I check you over," she reminded him pointedly. "And not alone."
"What? Why?"
"Because you are still recovering Colonel, and it's only for my sanity and keeping my staff that you get to go home so soon."
"You say the nicest things, Doc" said Jack, giving her a smile that lit his face. The fact that it was too thin and his eyes were shadowed with dark circles and still bruised didn't detract from his good looks.
Janet laughed despite herself. She checked him over and drew more blood for extra tests.
"Hey, do I get to take some blood home with me?" he complained.
"Careful, sir, my big needles are close by."
Janet gave Jack a verbal list of do's and don'ts and left to get his meds for him to take home.
It wasn't long before Daniel appeared in the doorway with a wheelchair. He wasn't sure of the response he'd get; as he still hadn't cleared the air with Jack. The other man had changed the subject every time Daniel had tried to raise it. He knew General Hammond had spoken with Jack, but so far nothing else had been said about his behavior. Daniel had volunteered to look after Jack with Teal'c standing by in case he was rejected.
"Come to break me out Danny-boy?" said Jack, smiling eagerly at Daniel.
Daniel visibly relaxed. "'Fraid I get to go home with you as well."
"Oh, so you got the short straw. Cool."
Jack's jocular manner put Daniel at ease and he came in closer.
"Yep. Here – have these so you can escape dressed at least." Daniel handed over the bag of clothing he'd picked up from Jack's house the day before when the team had gone to clean up and restock the kitchen.
Jack started to strip and only had his hospital bottoms on when Janet returned. His movements were slow and stiff, but Daniel held back from assisting yet.
The General appeared in the doorway hard on Janet's heels, closely followed by Sam and Teal'c.
Jack stood unsteadily, his weight leaning into the bed.
"For cryin' out loud, did a bleep go off, O'Neill getting dressed?" he complained.
He hurriedly picked up the baggy sweat top and tried to get it on, but his ribs and side protested at the action. Janet saw his predicament and helped him out quickly and without fuss.
xoxoxoxoxo
General Hammond smiled at his 2IC's words. He noticed Jack wasn't quite as heavily bandaged as he'd last seen, but his torso still showed the heavy bruising from the torture he'd suffered. The General still cringed inwardly when he thought of Jack tied to that post.
"Just came to reiterate those orders Colonel – Doctor's orders. Make sure you follow them and behave yourself." He knew only to well how the Colonel looked after himself.
"Who me?" The Colonel became the picture of indignation.
Hammond grinned. "Yes, Jack. Take it easy and hopefully we can get you back to light duties as soon as possible. The paperwork is piling up." The threat of paperwork usually sobered his 2IC up nicely.
"Paperwork. That's a dirty word," agreed Daniel.
"Take it easy Jack," added the General. He shook the man's hand, smilimg to himself as he left.
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"Err, are you traveling in those?" asked Daniel, nodding towards the hospital bottoms.
"What? Oh." Jack looked down. "No way, but a little privacy wouldn't come amiss."
Sam smiled at Janet. "That's a shame.We could have probably sold tickets you know, if we'd had more time."
Jack's face was a picture. For two pins he'd have dropped his trousers and changed there and then but there was a small matter of, a) no underwear and, b) showing the decorum befitting an officer.
Janet took pity on the Colonel and drew the curtains around the bed. A few curses and a muffled groan took her behind the curtain to assist him and presently a casually dressed Colonel presented himself to the waiting wheelchair.
"We'll be by later Colonel, so take it easy." Sam told him as she left with Teal'c.
Janet presented Jack with a bag of medication and handed written instructions to Daniel.
"And I'll be by later as well," she warned Jack.
"Oh goody!" was the sarcastic response.
"A gal could be hurt by that remark." pouted Janet.
"Come as a friend fine, but if you've got your doc's head on then you gotta take it on the chin," said Jack with a smirk.
Janet laughed, "I'll see you later Colonel."
Daniel got Jack up to the surface and into the truck without mishap. Jack's mood seemed to pick up more as they left the compound.
"Drive careful Daniel," he begged.
"Huh, you can talk."
"You're a terrible driver."
"God, you drive like the devil's after you. I'd hate to see you in a real car chase."
Jack rolled his eyes upwards and sank back into his seat, rather thankful to sit still for a while.
xoxoxoxoxo
The journey to Jack's house was rather quiet, due to the fact that the Colonel had fallen asleep after about ten minutes.
Daniel pulled onto Jack's drive and parked. He leaned across to gently wake the sleeping man.
"Home sweet home," muttered Jack. He unbuckled himself and stretched cautiously before he got out.
Daniel grabbed the few things from the truck and followed Jack up the steps into the house.
Jack got to the lounge and immediately collapsed onto the sofa.
Daniel put the stuff he'd brought in away and made coffee. By the time he brought two mugs in to the lounge Jack had fallen asleep once more. He waved one of the mugs under Jack's nose, amused at the way it wrinkled, then a hand reached out for the coffee, all still with his eyes closed.
"Thanks," was the sleepy response.
After a few sips Jack's eyes opened and he sighed in contentment "Sheesh, that's better. It always tastes like plastic in the infirmary."
"You're not kidding," agreed Daniel with feeling, "and like antiseptic."
Jack nodded in agreement.
"Daniel …" he began, "You don't have to stay you know."
Daniel looked at Jack warily. "I'm here because I want to, not because I have to. That's if you have no objection."
Jack took a couple more sips and uttered a quiet "Thanks."
Daniel nodded. Jack wasn't big on talk and that one word said an awful lot.
"Jack, about what happened, let me say it please." He put a hand up to stall Jack from speaking. "I am sorry I didn't trust your instincts and I'm sorry I screwed up."
"Well, I can understand you not wanting to listen to someone's gut feelings. At times I began doubting myself. I wondered if I was letting the past cloud my judgment." Jack spoke quietly not looking at Daniel. "But how did you screw up?" he asked looking straight at him.
"On the stairs. I let the guard get too close. It was my fault you got stabbed. I barged down into it."
"Oh," Jack sighed, he'd wondered what was eating his friend up. "Couldn't be helped. Forget it, it just happened."
Daniel sighed impatiently, but bit his tongue. Jack had dealt with things in his usual manner - filed away the feelings, put away the deed. Jack kept tight lids on the compartments in his life, and very rarely shook things out to air them.
"You hungry?" he asked with a smile instead of the response he'd bitten back.
"Nah, I'm okay for now. Just a little tired. All I seem to do is sleep," complained Jack.
"Won't hurt you. You'll soon be running around again."
"Yeah, the sooner these ribs knit the better," said Jack with feeling.
The rest of the day passed quietly. Jack dozed on and off and Daniel got to grips with some reading.
It wasn't long after he'd finally persuaded Jack to eat something that the doorbell rang. Daniel answered it to find Janet standing there. She was in civvies but with her doctor's bag.
"How's he been?" she asked as she walked into the lounge.
"He's been a good boy, Doc," said Jack, smiling lazily at her.
She smiled back down at him. "Glad to hear it. Any problems?"
"Why? What were you expecting?" asked Jack, arching a brow questioningly. "Plague, locusts, rabies?"
"Colonel, the way you attract trouble, I just wanted to make sure that's all."
"Nope I'm fine. Now put your Doc's head away and sit down," he ordered.
"Yes Sir." She gave him a sloppy salute and sank down into the chair opposite.
"Where's Cassie?" asked Daniel as he handed Janet a coffee.
"At Emma's. She's staying over, going straight on a field trip tomorrow."
"That's right, the observatory," said Jack.
Janet nodded. "She said you'd been telling her about it."
"Yeah, it's been quite a while since I last went, but it was always good."
"You keep off your roof for a few days yet," ordered Janet as it suddenly occurred to her that he might just try.
"Aw, have a heart. It seems forever since I got up there," whined Jack.
"Give it a couple of days, just till you get used to being out of bed more," begged Janet, knowing that was the best she could hope for.
"Okay, a day or two," conceded the Colonel with a grin. "It's a cloudy forecast for a couple of nights anyway," he added slyly.
Daniel snickered softly. He was ever thankful though that he wouldn't have to stop a determined Colonel from climbing to his telescope, at least for a short while.
Janet stayed chatting away with them, and before long Sam and Teal'c arrived. The Doctor kept one eye on the Colonel as they talked. Fatigue was written all over him and it wasn't long before he fell asleep again.
"He's doing that a lot," commented Daniel as he noticed the sleeping figure.
"It's to be expected," said Janet. "He's been through one hell of a lot. Strictly speaking he should still be in the infirmary, but with the Colonel it would do more harm than good trying to keep him in. He'll mend. It just takes time."
"He's a stubborn son of a bitch," sighed Daniel.
"Indeed."
"Good job he is. I don't think he would have made it this far it he wasn't" said Sam quietly.
They chatted softly till Daniel checked his watch. "Time for meds," he sighed, going into the kitchen to fetch water and the tablets.
When he returned Daniel gave Jack a light shake on the shoulder and the sleeping man woke with a start. He blinked rapidly for several seconds to try and clear the sleep from his eyes.
Daniel passed him the water and tablets. "Here you go."
"Again?" he muttered, then caught Janet's eye and swallowed them quickly.
"Sorry." He yawned, trying to sit up a little more, wincing as his ribs protested the angle. "Can't seem to stay awake for long."
"Don't worry about it," advised Janet. "Sleep when you're tired."
"That seems to be most of the time." Jack yawned once more, as he tried to get more comfortable.
"Wouldn't you be better off in bed?" asked Sam.
Jack cocked a brow at her. "Nice of you to offer Carter, but we've got company." He kept his face perfectly straight and innocent.
Sam blushed furiously. She opened and then closed her mouth and gave him a glare that would stop a truck.
"Whoa," said Jack, catching the glare.
"Do you require assistance, O'Neill?"
Jack gave Teal'c a look. Sometimes he thought the Jaffa cottoned on to humor more than he let on, or was he just plain offering help upstairs?
"Actually, I think that's a good idea," said Janet, trying to intervene.
"What, me and Carter going to bed?" Jack asked, still grinning, obviously feeling confident that the Doc could heal anything Carter just might do to him for that remark.
Janet was taken aback, but only for a second or two, 'definitely' she thought to herself. "With those injuries? Huh, you'll be lucky," she quipped.
"Do you mind? I am here," said Sam, sending glares at both of them.
"Seriously, you would be a lot more comfortable in bed, Sir. I don't want you pushing it, it's been a long first day out," said Janet putting her Doc's head on and ignoring Sam's glaring. Seeing his face pull she continued. "I don't want to drag you back to the infirmary, do I Colonel?"
"No ma'am," he responded and tried to struggle up.
Janet assisted him to his feet. That Jack gave in without further argument spoke volumes as to how he was feeling.
"I'll give you a hand to settle," she said quietly, staying close behind him.
"Night, all. Feel free to carry on. I'll see you tomorrow." He yawned mightily again as he made his way slowly to his bedroom.
The trip up the three steps and down the corridor left him a little breathless, his ribs and side protesting loudly. Janet waited while he used the bathroom and then helped him undress and into bed. She saw the way he held his chest and the tight line of pain on his face. Feeling his forehead she noticed he was a little warm.
"Hurting?" she asked softly.
Jack kept his eyes closed. "I'm okay," he whispered.
"No you're not. I won't be a moment." Janet quickly fetched her bag, waving off a call from Daniel with a "won't be a minute" as she dashed back up the stairs.
She quickly prepared a syringe. "This'll help, if not you're back to the infirmary," she added as she saw him about to protest as he opened his eyes.
Jack's eyes slid shut as the drug did its job. She waited a few more minutes then checked his pulse and temperature. Not completely happy with the results, she went back down.
"Daniel, I'll stay tonight if you don't mind."
"Is he okay?"
"I think so. Just probably a bit too soon for him to be up for so long. I've given him an injection, so I don't think he'll stir again tonight, but to be safe I want to keep an eye on him."
They stayed talking a while then Sam made her excuses and offered Teal'c a ride back to the mountain.
Daniel and Janet sat a while longer. "Shall I show you the guest room?" he offered.
"Nope, I won't be going to bed. I'll be up and down."
"Want some company?"
Janet grinned. "That's okay. I'm used to it, but you'll need to contend with the Colonel tomorrow so I suggest you get some sleep."
"Are you going to confine him to bed?"
"Possibly, I'll have to see how he's doing. Complete rest for a couple more days at least would be better, but you know the man."
"Yes, I know," sighed Daniel, as he got up and tidied up the mugs and began locking up the house.
"I'm going now. Just call if there's anything won't you?"
"Sure Daniel. Goodnight."
xoxoxoxoxo
Janet gave it another hour before she checked on her patient. He was still a little too warm and a bit restless, so she pulled the armchair from the corner it stood in to be nearer the bed and made herself more comfortable. She had serious doubts as to whether she'd let him out too soon.
Daniel drifted in later to check and gently covered the sleeping Doctor with a blanket before leaving.
Janet woke in the early hours with a start as a muffled curse penetrated her tired brain.
Jack was trying to get himself sat up. "Ouch, oh crap," he muttered. His head was pounding as loudly as his ribs. He held still as the nausea rose, frantically trying to hold it down.
Janet rose quickly recognizing the signs and she made a dart for the wastebasket, just managing to get to Jack in time. She held him as best she could while the heaves racked him painfully. She let him sink back down when it finally subsided and then got a cloth from the bathroom to wipe his face. She filled a glass with water and let him take it, noticing how his hands shook.
"Thanks," he whispered a little breathlessly.
Janet straightened out the bedding, cleaned out the bin and then once more checked Jack over. He lay back regarding her through slitted eyes.
"Not back to the infirmary." His voice was soft, almost a plea.
"Colonel, I think it would be for the best," she began.
"Please. I promise to stay in bed."
Janet eyed him thoughtfully. His temperature was no higher than last night, that was true, and to drag him back now would upset his stressed body further.
"Okay, for now, provided you stay in bed."
Jack gave a sigh of relief; he really hated the infirmary.
"Get some sleep. I'll be back in a little while."
Jack's eyes were already closing as she spoke and he had no trouble complying with her order.
Janet allowed herself a wash and brush up and went downstairs to make coffee. She'd just finished pouring herself a cup when Daniel came in yawning in his pyjamas. He grabbed the coffee she offered before sitting down.
The kitchen was large and bright. It was surprisingly well equipped for a man living alone surmised Janet as she sipped her coffee.
"He's asleep, I just checked," said Daniel, yawning.
"Good. He's confined to bed for a couple of days at least. He's had a rough night."
"But you're not dragging him back?"
"It'd do more harm than good at the moment. I'll keep a close eye on him. I want to show you how to check BP, temperature and pulse correctly though."
Daniel pulled a face. "I'm not too good with that. I'll get Sam over. She can stay with us. SG-1 are on stand down until further notice."
"Good idea," said Janet giving him a conspiratorial grin.
Daniel returned the grin with a theatrical bow. "I do get them."
xoxoxoxoxo