I'd like to thank everyone for posting reviews once again. I know I keep repeating myself but I really do appreciate your thoughts and comments. Thank you!
Getting near to the end now, just two or three more chapters to go…with the big fluffy finale.
Title: Unity.
Author: LetitiaRichards.
Previously:
She sniffed back the tears, brushing them from her face with her hand. Then with a defiant sniff, she gathered up the things and headed for the kitchen. Things were at an impasse, and she couldn't see a way round it.
Chapter 37
Jack climbed to his feet, wincing slightly and groaning a little as he put them to the floor. He grabbed his crutches and hobbled out to the kitchen.
Sam was standing at the sink looking out over the garden but seeing nothing, she spoke without turning round.
"You shouldn't be on your feet. You're supposed to be resting."
He remained quiet, but came up behind her. It was awkward, but he propped the crutches against the countertop and snaked his arms around her, pulling her into his embrace so that he could nuzzle her neck.
He pressed light kisses along the bare expanse towards her ear, where he whispered into it.
"Sam. I love you, but I don't know what to do. You won't let me stand down and I won't let you. Whatever we decide, I want you to know that I'm here for you. Always."
Sam stifled the fresh tears as they tried to break free. One or two escaped with a choked sob and trickled down her cheek. She turned in his arms, careful not to over-balance him, and buried her head in his shoulder.
"I love you Jack, but I don't want to live like this. I want us to be together."
"And we will Sam, somehow, someday. Something has got to give, but I don't know what just yet," he soothed, rubbing her back and pulling her tighter to him, to kiss the top of her head.
After a while the sobs abated, and she pulled away to blow her nose. He drew a small smile from her when he gave a wry grin, pulling his dampened shirt away from his shoulder. She saw the slight grimace of pain when he moved, and berated herself for making him stand so long.
She pushed the crutches at him and told him to go beck to the lounge and sit down.
"Only if you come too," he said, leaning on the crutches once more, thankful to ease the pressure from his feet a little.
Sam sniffed and nodded, leading the way.
The short walk over, Jack sank down again with a huge sigh and a curse.
"Crap!" he exclaimed softly.
"What? What is it?" she asked, worried that he had hurt himself.
He threw his hands into the air in frustration.
"Damn feet. Damn terrorists. Damn everything!" he said irritably.
"The terrorists are gone Jack; your feet are getting better; and I hope that didn't include me!"
"What? No. Sam!" he said, sagging into the seat a little more. "You know..."
He caught sight of her smile and knew she'd been joking. He reached out and pulled her down onto his lap, tickling her.
She shrieked with laughter and squirmed in his grasp, but she was more worried that it might be hurting him."
Grabbing his wrists, she suddenly stopped fighting him.
"I'm fine," he said as he stopped, knowing why she had.
She couldn't help but see those same wrists covered in blood stained bandages from when he'd slashed them.
"Are you Jack? Are you really okay?" she asked, releasing him, concerned that he was just saying that as a cover for how he really felt.
He took her face in his hands, and stared intently into the blue depths of her eyes.
"I. Am. Fine," he said, slowly, meaning every word. "I'm okay Sam. I don't feel like that any more. That's done with. It wasn't really me, remember?" he asked, knowing she would, but needing to remind her he had been under the influence of something not of himself. "I love you, and if I'd been in my right mind, I would never have done that."
He kissed her passionately then released her falling back against the couch. He was more than tired now, weary from his morning of therapy and now after all the standing and walking that he wasn't used to any more. He blew out a long sigh which turned into a yawn.
Sam slid off his lap and curled up against him.
"Go to sleep Jack. There's plenty of time before dinner. I'll be right here."
He smiled and kissed her on the lips rather chastely, before he snuggled down against her and gave into the insistent pull of sleep.
Sam watched him for a moment before she too closed her eyes and joined him in the arms of Morpheus, the god of dreams.
OoOoOoOoO
Sam woke suddenly, wondering why she had awoken. Jack was still sleeping soundly, so it hadn't been him that had disturbed her. It was then she felt bile rise up in her throat. She just knew she shouldn't have had those pickles last night; knew they would come back to bite her. She dashed to the bathroom just in time.
A few moments later, after the worst was over, a soft voice penetrated her misery.
"You okay?"
Sam nodded as she shakily climbed to her feet.
Jack was stood in the doorway, leaning against the doorpost to hold himself up.
"Yeah. I knew I shouldn't have had those pickles last night."
"Yeah, well, I told you they would reappear if you ate them that late. See, I get no respect. No-one listens to their commanding officer any more."
Sam couldn't help the snort of laughter the bubbled up, despite feeling nauseous still. She brushed her teeth to get rid of the taste.
"Ugh!" she moaned, getting dragged back to bed by her lover.
"You wanna call in sick?"
"Nah! I'll be fine. It's too early, we should get some more sleep. I'll be okay in the morning."
"You sure?"
"I think so," she said, grimacing a little.
She curled up on her side and this time he snuggled up behind her, watching her as she fell asleep once more.
OoOoOoOoO
Sam ate a slice of toast and drank a little of the coffee, but she still felt hung over.
There was a knock on the door and Daniel poked his head round, looking cheerful as ever.
"Hi guys! Ready?"
Jack called out from the kitchen that he was, but that Sam was a little under the weather.
Daniel shut the front door behind him as he entered and followed his nose to the coffee pot in the kitchen, helping himself to a mug of the dark rich brew.
He looked over the rim of his cup and frowned seeing Sam's pale face.
"Sam?"
"I'm okay Daniel. Just a rough night, that's all."
"I can cope with him. Why don't you stay home, get some sleep."
"Hello. I'm still here Daniel," Jack grumbled, If there was one thing he hated, it was being spoken about as if he wasn't there.
Daniel ignored his interruption.
"No. I'll be fine Daniel. I'll pop in and see if Janet has anything that'll help. Thanks, but I'm okay, really. Just delicate."
"Right then. Come on Jack, your chauffeur awaits."
Jack pulled on his jacket and then hobbled out to the car, leaving Sam to lock up behind them.
When they arrived at the SGC, Sam went straight to Janet, while Daniel took Jack to see Dr. MacKenzie. Hopefully this was to be his last session. Then he had to go and see Janet followed by General Hammond. It was going to be a busy morning, followed by a physical therapy session after lunch.
He hadn't seen the others since they dropped him off at MacKenzie's office. An orderly had been pressed into service as his chauffeur and had pushed him back to the infirmary where Janet was waiting to examine him. He climbed up onto the exam bed and waited impatiently while Janet prodded and poked her way round his healing body.
She pulled off her rubber gloves with a snap, and picked up the clip board to make some notes.
"Well Doc? How am I doin'?"
Your ribs are coming along nicely, the bruising is almost gone, the cuts are healed over..."
"And? But? Do I sense a slight hesitation in your voice Doc?"
Janet put the clip board down and frowned at him.
"Colonel, maybe in a week or two I can sign you back to light duties, but as far as rejoining SG-1 that's out of the question for the near future. It could be months before your feet are up to walking several miles on an off-world mission," she sighed, knowing it wasn't what he wanted to hear.
"Months?" he cried in disbelief. "Doc...?"
"I'm sorry Colonel, but that's the way it is. The skin is far too tender and fragile at the moment for you to think about walking far. You know I can't sign you off as fit just yet, not until I think they can withstand the punishment that they'll get, if ever. Light duties only, which means staying on the base for the next month at least."
Jack looked down at his feet and sighed. He wasn't happy by a long shot, but he did understand she was only saying that because she knew it was for the best for him. His career as leader with SG-1 could be over anyway, but in another, it could solve a problem for him and Sam.
"That's all I can offer you Colonel. I'm sorry."
And she was. Jack could see it in her face.
"Yeah. Me too," he sighed in resignation, but he was fuming inside. Angry at his treatment from those bastards who had tortured him. There was only one more thing to do then. He had to go and see Hammond.
TBC
