A Single Man of Courage – part twenty one
Janet left ringing Sam until it was a decent time. She quickly filled the surprised Major in on what had happened, but when she asked Sam to stay she felt her clam up.
"Janet, I don't think I ..."
Janet didn't let her finish.
"Sam, Daniel can't handle it alone. I need to get back and if you can't help, then I'll have to haul the Colonel back to the infirmary. It's only for a couple of days, no more."
Sam thought frantically. Putting herself into such close contact with Jack didn't seem a good idea, but she knew how much he hated the infirmary.
"Well ..." She began weakening. She was loathe to let him suffer at all.
"Thanks, Sam. I'll hang on here till you arrive and then I'll go through a few things with you."
Janet hung up quickly before Sam could object further. She knew it wasn't that Sam didn't want to be with Jack, she was afraid to.
xoxoxoxoxo
Sam put the phone down at the dead tone and started to pack before she chickened out. Part of her was happy to be near Jack. Her heart sang; but her head told her it was dangerous. He'd warned her off in the infirmary hadn't he? He didn't want a relationship, did he?
She presented herself at Jack's house and Janet pointedly ignored the expression on her face that screamed 'why are you doing this to me?'
Janet gave her the in's and out's and do's and don'ts and quickly left, promising to be back later that day.
Daniel was watching Sam's unhappy face.
"I'll just go and check on Jack. Why don't you pour us some coffee. It's fresh. I'll put your bag in the single room, okay?"
Sam nodded absently and did as Daniel suggested. She moved out to the decking and stood sipping the coffee, leaning against the rail as she looked out to the garden
Daniel was back quickly and came out to join her.
"Okay?" she asked.
"Yep, sleeping like a baby. Janet said he'd be pretty much out of it."
Sam nodded and continued to sip at her coffee.
"I'm sorry about putting you out Sam, but you know how bad I am at this type of first aid stuff," Daniel apologized.
Sam lifted her head to look at him. Putting her out? Was that what she looked like? Put out?
"Oh Daniel, it's not that. It's not 'putting me out'. It's, well, just a little awkward me staying here."
Daniel raised a brow. "Oh, protocol and all that?" he said offhandedly. "I don't think anyone would think anything of it, given the circumstances plus I'm here as well."
Sam gave him a brief smile and nodded. She'd let him think that was it, just protocol "Yes, you're right," she acknowledged.
'And I'm a monkey's uncle' thought Daniel, but out loud he asked "What about brunch? I'm starving."
As Daniel set about brunch Sam went to check on Jack. Janet had told her she wanted hourly checks for the time being, knowing just how quickly a down turn could set in.
She found him still soundly sleeping and took his temperature and noted it down. Then she nervously took his arm to find his pulse. She was so busy counting she didn't notice his eyes opening.
xoxoxoxoxo
Jack regarded the blonde head blearily, watching Sam as she finished her check. Sam reached for the BP monitor and as she undid the Velcro on the cuff she caught him watching her.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you, Sir," she whispered.
"Janet, you've changed your hair," he mumbled.
Sam grinned at that. "Just filling in, Sir. Janet will be back tonight."
He gave a slight nod.
"I've just this got this left." She indicated the monitor and carried on attaching the cuff to his arm. Finished with the BP she cleared the equipment up. "Now you're awake you can take these."
She passed him some pills and then a glass of water. Jack swallowed them down without complaint, much to her surprise.
"Uh I erm, need the bathroom."
"Oh, I'll get Daniel."
"Just help me up. I can manage the rest."
Sam hesitated until Jack threw back the covers. As she put her arm out to assist him she couldn't help but look at his body. His chest was still bandaged and everywhere else she could see was still a mass of bruising and healing cuts. She tried not to stare at the sight of him clad only in his boxers, but it was a losing battle, but the gasp of pain as he got up brought her back to reality.
"Take it slow", she advised. She'd managed to get him up to where he was sitting on the edge of the bed, swaying slightly.
He waited for the room to stop spinning and gradually his sight cleared. He pulled on Sam to help him up. Leaning on her rather more heavily than he intended, he staggered to the bathroom and stood clutching the sink while he tried to even out his breathing.
"Thanks, just close the door."
"Uh Sir, I don't think…"
"Please just shut the door. I can manage."
Sam backed out, closing the door and she began straightening the bed while she waited. She heard the toilet flush and presently the door opened.
The room swam sickeningly, his vision tunneling. He leant on the doorframe. Sam hurried to him to help.
"Bed," he growled and staggered the short distance to it with Sam's help.
Those few steps seemed to take an age to the sweating shaking Colonel, whose body was threatening to collapse any second.
Sam managed to get him down safely. He gave a groan of pain and laid still, his eyes closed as he fought to hold down the nausea. She hurriedly wet a cloth and put it to his forehead and then covered him with just a sheet, before she sat besides him and began wiping the rest of his face gently.
After a few minutes his eyes opened. He was still in pain, but tried to hide it.
"Should I give Janet a call?" she offered.
"I'm fine."
"On the contrary Sir, you are not." She spoke firmly, looking at his eyes.
His voice was barely a whisper. "Just leave it."
Daniel came into the room quietly, not wanting to disturb Jack if he was sleeping.
"Hey," he called, seeing him awake.
Sam abruptly broke her gaze away from Jack's face.
"You're awake."
"Seems it," said Jack dryly.
"Feel like something to eat?"
At the mention of food Sam could have sworn Jack went a little green. She took pity on him and answered for him.
"I think a sleep would be better at the moment."
Jack nodded. "Yeah, sleep, good idea." His eyes were heavy as he spoke.
"I'll catch you later Sir, oh and don't get out of bed," she warned him.
"Yes ma'am," responded Jack drowsily, giving her a slight grin as his eyes shut.
Her heart contracted painfully as she stood looking down at him.
xoxoxoxoxo
Daniel and Sam retired to the kitchen to eat the brunch Daniel had prepared.
"Is he okay?" he asked her.
"Doesn't seem any worse if I'm interpreting the readings I just took correctly compared to the ones that Janet left."
The day passed quietly. Sam kept her hourly checks on Jack, who seemed to be sleeping more or less the rest of the day. Sam kept waking him as she took the readings and took the opportunity to get him to drink. A couple of times she thought he was going to be sick, but he held it down.
By early evening Sam was worn out. She didn't know how Janet coped with it day after day.
"God, give me half a dozen Jaffa anytime," she moaned, sinking into the sofa.
Daniel gave her a smile. "Take a nap."
Sam didn't need telling twice, her eyes were already closing.
xoxoxoxoxo
Janet arrived much later, looking tired herself.
"Sorry I'm late. SG-4 came back after a fight with the natives - a bit messy but no one seriously hurt."
Daniel poured a coffee for her and thrusting it into her hands, guided her to a chair.
"Take five," ordered Sam.
Janet blinked at her. "Now you sound like the Colonel."
Daniel snorted. "He has that effect on all of us."
"How's he been? I take it no worse as you didn't phone."
"No worse, but he doesn't seem to be any better," replied Sam and passed Janet the record she'd kept.
Janet sipped her coffee as she studied the notes. "Mmm, we'll make a nurse of you yet Sam," she grinned. "I'll check him over in a minute and take some samples, but if he's no better this time tomorrow he'll have to come back in."
"He won't like that," advised Daniel.
"He can shout when he's better," shrugged Janet. "Has he been sick again?"
Sam shook her head. "But he's only had sips of water. I noticed he looked sick, but he kept it down."
Janet rolled her eyes. The Colonel would never say how sick he felt. It was a good job she could read the signs, it had saved a major clean up a few times with him.
She finished her coffee and took her bag upstairs with her. Jack was half awake and he gave her a slight grin as she came in and sat down on the bed.
"Hi Doc," he greeted her.
"Hey, how are you feeling?"
"Okay."
Janet sighed and rolled her eyes up. "Colonel." she said warningly.
"Okay, like crap, but it'll get better," he admitted sheepishly.
Janet checked him over. "I'll need some blood," she warned as she got out the syringe and bottles.
"Vampire," he murmured.
Janet laughed as she prepared his arm and took the sample. Finished with that she withdrew her scissors from the bag.
He grinned at her. "Just a trim Doc."
"I'm going to take off those bandages so I can get a proper look and check the surgery."
She was a gentle as she could be, but couldn't help the pain her actions caused. She felt along the numerous fractures, looking for any signs of infection or swelling. The scar on his side was still raw looking, but was healing nicely. Most of the bruises were in various shades of yellow, but some were still very dark.
There was no way Jack could support himself while she replaced the bandages so she called for help. Sam came in hesitantly.
"Daniel's gone for a take out," she began to speak, but her words faded as she saw the Colonel's bare chest and side. Her eyes widened slightly at the horrific sight and once more what he'd gone through threatened to engulf her senses.
Janet quickly jumped in before Sam's pause became too awkward.
"Fine. I just need you to help support the Colonel while I redo the bandages," she said, as she promptly covered the scar with a fresh dressing.
"Colonel, it'll be easier if you can sit on the edge. Sam can help prop you up." Janet kept her tone brisk; she knew he would hate this.
Between them they got Jack sitting up. Without any support his ribs protested painfully. Sam knelt on the bed behind him, her hands on his shoulders. He had his hands on the bed either side of him and she saw them clenching into fists.
"Better hurry up Doc," he ground out, between clenched teeth.
Janet started the bandages off gently, but as she started to apply more pressure Jack gave a groan of pain. His left hand began to beat a tattoo on the bed.
"Nearly there," comforted Janet, going as fast as she could.
By the time she'd finished the sweat was pouring off him and his face white and drawn. He leant back dizzily, his eyes closed and Sam let him lean against her body, holding him gently.
Jack could feel the warmth and comfort radiating from her. Any other time he would have enjoyed it immensely, but all he felt at the moment was deep embarrassment at showing the pain he was in, though for the life of him he couldn't move.
Janet saw the pain and decided to risk an injection. It took effect quickly and she helped Sam lay him down.
He didn't feel the cool cloth on his face nor hear the soft footsteps as they left the room.
xoxoxoxoxo
"I'm sorry I didn't knock him out before, but at least he'll get some pain free sleep for a while now."
Sam gave an understanding nod. Her heart had been wrenching, watching him suffer, and she still felt shaky.
They had time to recover before Daniel appeared with food.
"You are stopping? There's plenty," he asked Janet.
"Wouldn't say no. I'm not picking Cassie up until late. She and a friend have gone to a concert."
They dished up and sat down to tuck in. Janet noticed Sam picking at her food.
"You okay?" she asked her.
The response was brief. "Fine."
"It's hard to see someone you care for hurt, isn't it?" said Janet, not thinking till Sam gave her a glare.
"We all care, don't we?" demanded Sam.
Janet decided to leave it alone and they finished their meal in comparative silence. Janet checked Jack once more and then left.
"I'm beat. I think I'll go to bed. Janet thinks just a couple of checks tonight - I'll set my watch," Sam explained tiredly, already yawning.
She crept into Jack's room before she retired. He looked to be sleeping soundly and after gazing at him for a few minutes quietly she tip-toed back out and slept until her watch alerted her it was time to go and check him.
She could see he was in distress when she entered. The sheets lay in a tangled heap on the floor, and he lay panting, drenched with sweat, his eyes were opened, but unfocussed.
Sam quietly knelt down on the floor beside the bed as she put on the lamp, and remembering Janet's warning, gently took hold of his hand.
"Colonel," she called softly, but got no response. "Jack," she called a little louder.
He slowly turned his head towards her, a puzzled look coming into his eyes and she watched as he gradually began to focus on her in the dim light.
"Bad dream?" she asked softly and smoothed his hair from his forehead gently. He didn't respond other than to grasp her hand tightly. Eventually his breathing began to even out and his eyes slid shut.
Sam got a cold cloth and wiped him down. She took the readings, noticing they were all higher. She stood as she smoothed the sheet over him and then pulled the chair close to the bed to settle in.
She managed to doze a little until a soft groaning disturbed her. Jack was twisting and moaning; his eyes still closed. Sam once more began to 'shush' him and sponge his face, but he didn't calm down. She climbed onto the bed and held him gently like she'd done on the planet and his struggles subsided gradually. Eventually Sam slept. She relaxed and cuddled into his body.
Daniel got up early and popped his head in to check on Jack. He saw them together and he backed out smiling to himself.
He'd had breakfast and was in the middle of a book when Sam eventually came in, hair still wet from a shower.
"Morning. Sleep okay?" asked Daniel, smirking.
"Not too good," admitted Sam. "Jack had nightmares. He was very restless and his temperature was up."
"Oh." The smirk vanished in his concern, but he didn't miss Sam using Jack's first name.
"I'm going to give Janet a call, just to be safe."
Janet said it wasn't unusual for the escalated readings if he was having nightmares, but she'd be over straight after she got the results from his samples.
Sam collapsed on the sofa with a huge sigh.
"He'll be okay," comforted Daniel.
Sam just nodded.
It was mid morning when Janet finally arrived. "The results show an infection, but once I sort out the antibiotics the Colonel should be fine."
Janet inserted an IV point and gave him some injections, during which he barely woke. She then changed some of his tablets.
She gave Sam some loaded syringes. "Every four hours, the first three, then two more at eight hourly intervals, but I'll be back tonight. Try and get some more liquids into him otherwise I'll have to put him on fluids. I've given him something for the nausea as well."
The day wore on and Sam followed Janet's instructions to the letter. By early evening Jack was more awake and certainly looked brighter. She felt pleased at the upturn and every drink he took bolstered her further.
Janet pronounced he was on the up, but insisted on a couple more days in bed. Jack complained but complied, which spoke volumes.
xoxoxoxoxo
TBC
A reply to a review by Vid Z
Why isn't Daniel suited to the job of looking after Jack? He's his best friend. Would you rather the Air Force allowed Jack's female 2IC to nurse him in his own home? I think they would have to have a very very good reason to let Sam nurse Jack when Daniel was there to do it. Damn, those anti fraternization regulations are pesky things aren't they. As for the secondary characters – I take it you mean Janet, Teal'c and Daniel? SG-1 is a team. Janet is a doctor. I'm sure that in the perfect S/J shipper's world Jack and Sam could go off together and be alone in Jack's house with Sam administering appropriate medical care, which as a theoretical astrophysicist she is SO capable of doing to an badly injured man, but Jackie has chosen to have the team show their concern for their commander and Janet to actually be a doctor, the person most needed by Jack at the moment.
Look, I'm sorry if I seem annoyed by this, but you all know by now that I'm not a shipper, and I like to think some of the readers of Jackie's fics prefer a little reality in the story, otherwise it would be a very short Jack and Sam get it on fic. If they are the stories you want to read, fine, but don't expect everyone to go down the same road.
I had intended Jackie to okay this reply, hence my delay in posting this part, but as most of you know by now, Jackie isn't online very often and I didn't want you to be kept waiting any longer. I haven't heard from her, so I re read it, took out most of the sarcastic remarks (although they were amusing) and here you have it.
I do know that she would also want me to thank everyone for their very kind and generous reviews. She is constantly amazed that people enjoy her stories so much and have taken the time to tell her so.
Flatkatsi (Jackie's fic poster)