Soldiers of Misfortune – part 13

Jack decided that a full day or even two days rest was not going to be enough for them to recover their energy after the recent events. He had gone downstairs the following day, with Teal'c's help, and poured over the maps with the others. They needed to re-coup themselves fully before moving on. The last leg of the journey was even more potentially dangerous … who knew just what they would face once reaching the capital?

"But what if the Karmine come back here?" asked Daniel. The thought of a good rest was more than appealing but he was uneasy to say the least.

"Unless something in the area attracts them I do not think that is likely, Daniel Jackson."

"And we would get some warning. The villagers have got people on watch," added Sam.

"Besides that, a few more days will help get me mobile. You can't carry me into Bethany, we're going to need to be on our toes," said Jack firmly. "Anyway, you can use the time to get acquainted with the locals, gather history or whatever it is you usually gather."

Daniel gave Jack a glare before his eyes took on a hopeful look. The chance to delve further without Jack yelling at him to hurry it up seemed too good to be true.

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Jack slowly grew a little stronger and hobbled around the house becoming more independent. They hadn't set a specific length of time they wanted to stay; he was determined to be moving under his own steam before they left though.

He'd fast come to the conclusion that they weren't in any immediate danger as they traveled the country. The chance that the Karmine would know they were escaped soldiers was slim to say the least. They were in much more danger of being shot as resistance. The armies of this world had long since been decimated. Only a few strongholds were marked up on the battle plans he'd seen when they had first arrived and the chances were that now only the resistance were creating the trouble for the Karmine.

Their goal was to get into the capital in one piece and get to the Stargate and if it took them a bit longer to be sure of making it, then that was what they would do.

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Sam had taken to sleeping on her own after the incident with Daniel. With the Colonel being so much better the excuse had faded rapidly in her mind. It had taken her a day or two to be comfortable again with her team-mate. Although he hadn't said anything further on the matter, which she was grateful for, she caught him studying her and the Colonel, contemplating them silently on more than once occasion and it unnerved her slightly.

She missed being beside the Colonel; it was like an unnamable ache deep inside. Since he was first injured she had taken to sleeping beside him, whether it was bed or ground and she missed his presence so much …

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Sighing she gathered her supplies before she made her way upstairs to the Colonel's room. He still needed the dressing changed and some medication and that at least gave her some excuse to get the contact she craved.

She knocked on the door and found Teal'c helping the Colonel to undo his boots. That was something he struggled with - bending was something that was still very painful and awkward.

"Hey, did anyone call a doctor?" she asked brightly, as she entered.

"I did not," said Teal'c gravely as he stood up. "Did you, O'Neill?"

Jack grinned as he saw the twinkle in Teal'c's eye as he spoke.

"Nope but now you're here, Carter, you might as well make yourself useful."

"If there is nothing further I will bid you goodnight," said Teal'c, and gave Sam the barest glimmer of a smile before he left.

Sam returned the smile with a puzzled look before approaching the bed.

"Where do you want me then, Carter?" asked Jack, with a glint of humor in his eyes.

"Oh, on the bed of course, Sir," she responded grinning, keeping her demeanor purposely light.

Jack lay, easing his long frame down gently, and Sam began tugging his shirt out and open quickly, so used to doing it by now that she didn't even ask permission.

"See, you can't wait, Major. I hope those hands of yours are warm … oomph!" He got a mouthful of pillow as Sam swung it at his head.

"You behave or I'll get Teal'c to do it …"

"Yes ma'am," responded Jack gravely.

Sam laughed then cringed as she realized what she'd done. Practically assaulting your CO, even if it was with a pillow … ah, that would be a no no!

Jack realized Sam's dilemma quickly and tactfully distracted her.

"So, how much longer I gotta put up with these lumpy diapers?" He gestured to the wads of dressings that covered the wound.

Sam took his cue and cleared her throat before reaching gently for the dressings. "It's doing really well. There's hardly any fluid now and what there is, is clear."

Jack made a face. "Does the Doc speak come with the territory, avoiding direct answers?"

"You're on the mend," said Sam with a small smile.

"You are sounding more like the Doc,"

"And you're getting tetchy," warned Sam.

"Tetchy?" he asked, raising a brow.

"Yes, you get antsy when you're getting better."

"Antsy?"

"Stop repeating what I say," she complained as she replaced the dressing.

He smirked "Does that make you antsy or tetchy?"

Sam shook her head and trying to hide her grin. She busied herself with the syringes. "Do you want anything for the pain?"

Jack grinned and reaching out he caught Sam's arm, pulling her off balance. "Thought you'd never offer," he murmured as her pulled her against him onto the bed.

"Col … Jack," she protested faintly.

Jack froze. He abruptly let go of her, a dark flush rising on his face. "Sam … I'm …"

"It's okay," she sighed, her head dropping.

He didn't know whether she meant it was okay … or it was okay. He only knew that once more he so badly wanted to cross that line and it wasn't just the others present in the house that was stopping him.

Sam must have sensed his quandary. She moved closer, her hands gently touching his face.

"I've missed you," he said suddenly, his fingers stroking her face of their own accord.

"Haven't been anywhere," she said quietly.

"You've not been here beside me and I've missed that."

"Me too," she confessed. "Now less talk and more action fly boy." She moaned and closed the distance to his lips.

Jack pulled back after a few minutes, dragging air in as he gasped, "Jesus, Sam, you're trying to kill me."

Sam grinned and swooped on him once more, grinding herself against him, having no doubt as to just how badly he wanted her.

He groaned trying to shift from her a little. "Sam, please, I'm human … I don't think I can stand this!"

Sam writhed against him, grinning evilly.

He gasped … "Major if you don't hold still … I'm gonna lose it."

Sam choked back a laugh and tried to still her movements. "Guess I should go then," she said as she peered at him from beneath her lashes.

"No, stay with me … We don't have to do anything … Just stay?" he urged, his eyes pleading with her.

Sam shifted her weight onto the bed. "I guess no-one will notice. I think they've all gone to bed now anyway."

Their sleep was deep and restful, neither one questioning the comfort the other brought them and it was daylight before either of them stirred to face yet another day

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Jack eased himself up at first daylight. He managed to avoid disturbing Sam as he crept to the bathroom and then made his way slowly down the stairs.

He found Daniel and Teal'c sitting together at the table, nursing a hot drink, or at least Daniel was.

Teal'c acknowledged his presence as did Daniel.

"Have you been to bed, Daniel?" Jack asked suspiciously. It was unheard of for the younger man to be up this early without being dragged up.

Daniel looked a little abashed. "Um well, I was kind of up late reading." He grinned as Jack sat down. "You're looking a lot better this morning again," he added.

"Feel it too. Thanks," said Jack, sniffing the air. "That smells suspiciously like coffee."

"It doesn't taste bad either," replied Daniel.

Teal'c rose to prepare one for Jack as Daniel explained how the Jaffa had found it.

Jack eyed the cup Teal'c placed before him. He sipped it cautiously and found that it did indeed taste okay. "What's the betting it's washing powder or something?" he mumbled.

"Pardon?"

"The brew," said Jack "Could be anything really, couldn't it?"

Daniel laughed. "I suppose it could be," he agreed, "but at least it tastes okay." Daniel looked into his cup and Jack noticed with a sly grin that Daniel didn't seem quite as keen to drink the coffee after that. "I've been thinking Jack, suppose the gate is there and it is working … We have no GDO's."

"So … We gate to somewhere else … We can also chuck rocks as an SOS or something. So start thinking of suitable addresses, okay?"

Daniel nodded absently, his mind already working on it.

They sat talking quietly until the others made an appearance. After eating Daniel left with Teal'c to borrow more books and get permission to look at the church records.

xoxoxoxoxo

The next couple of days passed quickly. The people had got used to their presence and they were made welcome. Jack was using the time to get stronger, but as yet he hadn't left the house.

Daniel came home with the news that they had all been invited to the village social, with music and dancing, that evening.

Jack grinned at the ears that pricked up at that. "That's good. You guys can go have a nice evening."

Teal'c gave him a puzzled look. "You are thinking of remaining here, O'Neill?"

"I sure am. Don't think I wanna go dancing yet."

"Then I will remain with you."

"Nope, I'm a big boy now. You can go nursemaid the others, make sure that no-one gets too drunk. I take it that it is that type of social, Daniel?"

Daniel grinned. "I would say so … Yes, I, um, suppose we could go and show ourselves … They did seem very insistent on us going, have a couple of hours … I mean I could learn even more of …"

"For cryin' out loud Daniel, just go and enjoy it would ya!" exclaimed Jack. "Drink, dance, socialize."

"I don't think I want to go," said Sam quietly.

"You are going Major, even if I have to order you."

"But …"

"No buts … you are going. You need to let your hair down a little, unwind, relax … chill out."

"I think I've got the idea, Colonel," said Sam, glaring at him.

xoxoxoxoxoxo