The Collective Years
7: MIA
PhDelicious
Disclaimer: Still not mine.
A/N: This chapter was very difficult to write. Hopefully it comes across okay in the end.
Jack
He never would be able to remember how he'd gotten out any better than he could remember getting caught. The last thing he could recall prior to being beaten awake in an Iraqi prison cell was pulling Kawalski out of an underground hole and pushing him towards the exit.
One of my contacts must have betrayed me. I hope Kawalski got out…all he had to do was stumble down the hallway and out the front door and there should've been an extraction team waiting for him. Why didn't they come back for me? It must have been pretty obvious that I was in trouble. God it hurts. Nobody's telling me anything yet. Ha…as if I've been conscious long enough to ask any questions. Maybe it'll last longer this time.
Apparently they had sent a whole unit in after him, but not soon enough. Not soon enough for his health. Not soon enough for his soul. And, he was pretty sure, no where near soon enough for his sanity. He vaguely remembered American voices soothing him as he'd been carted out of the prison on a stretcher. And most of the time when he woke up he could remember that the tubes and wires running into and out of him were helping. But the flashbacks and drug induced dreams were killer. When the pain had been reality his hallucinations had been beautiful, but now that he was safe his dreams were not. And these dreams were much to realistic, Jack's mind recreating his torture and questioning in Technicolor at his weakest moments.
They did ask a lot of questions or at least the same question a lot of times. Some people just don't know how to take 'No' for an answer. And their sense of humor…seriously lacking.
Unfortunately Jack's thoughts made him smile and his face was so badly bruised that smiling hurt. The pain led to coughing which led to more pain from his cracked ribs and alerted one of the nurses.
"Lt. Colonel O'Neill? Are you awake, Sir?"
Jack grunted. That was about all he could manage even after almost a week in a hospital. He wasn't quite sure how long it'd been as he'd been sedated through most of it.
"Wh'r?"
The nurse handed Jack some water for his dry throat.
"An Army field hospital in Saudi Arabia Sir. It was the closest one to your location upon extraction."
"H'lng?"
"How long were you gone or how long have you been back?"
Jack just looked at the nurse. He wanted the answers to both questions.
"You've been here for five days. From your injuries, the extent of both the damage and the healing, I gather you were gone at least three months. Since you're awake now, I'll change your bandages and we'll try to get some food into you."
The nurse disappeared briefly. She returned carrying enough first aid supplies to dress an army and leading a young doctor.
"You're looking much better today Colonel O'Neill. Baring any unforeseen complications I believe we'll be able to get you transferred to a hospital state side within the next few days. You're going home Sir."
Home? Charlie? Samantha? Oh God do they know? What am I going to do? I can't let them see me like this. I can't do this to them.
"No!"
Both the doctor and the nurse looked appalled at Jack's outburst. The doctor was first to recover.
"Unfortunately that's not really an option Sir. The facilities here just aren't set up for long term treatment besides everyone should be home for the holidays. Now, get some more rest Colonel. It'll help you heal."
Jack's head flopped back against his pillow and his eyes shut.
I don't want to get more rest. I've been resting long enough. I've been out of it for even longer. I just want things to be normal again.
Soon the pain caused by the movement required for the nurse to change his bandages became too much and Jack passed into unconsciousness once more.
Sam
The trip from Stanford had been frustratingly long.
I should have known better than to try to make the drive on a Friday afternoon. Weekend traffic plus holiday traffic makes driving a very bad idea. Thank God I finally made it!
Sam stepped out of the car and headed into the house. No one answered her as she called out a greeting.
They're probably upstairs packing for the flight home tomorrow.
Christmas was on Wednesday and Sam, Charlie, and Mrs. O'Neill were flying back East the next morning. Sam had left work early to drive down to join them for the flight. It still amazed her how quickly the O'Neill's had dropped everything to be there for Charlie. Mr. O'Neill had flown out after they'd found out about Jack and stayed for two weeks before he'd had to go back to work. He'd flown out for Thanksgiving and now they were going home for Christmas. Sam called out again.
"Hello? Anybody home? Charlie?"
The boy came hurtling down the hall and threw himself into Sam's arms as she crouched down to his level. She could feel his tears as he tucked his head into her neck. Startled, she patted him on the back.
"Charlie? What's the matter?"
"Grandma's crying again. She won't tell me what's wrong."
"Is she in her room?"
Charlie nodded, hugging Sam tighter. Sam rose, settling Charlie on her hip and walked down the hall turning into Charlie's room, the former guest bedroom. A partially packed bag lay open on the bed with small stack of clothes spread around it.
"All right Charlie, you finish packing. I'll go check on Grandma."
Sam sat him down on the bed and ruffled his hair. He swiped at his eyes and forced a small smile in Sam's direction. She smiled back reassuringly, kissed him on the forehead and then headed for Jack's room which his mother had taken over. Muffled sobs echoed softly in the hall.
"Mom? Mom?"
Sam whispered softly as she entered the room. Mrs. O'Neill was once again curled on her side hugging one of Jack's pillows and crying.
Oh Shit! No! Jack?
Sam's knees gave out on her and she fell to the floor a step inside the door. Only a harsh whisper gave voice to her pain.
"Jack?"
At the sound of his name Mrs. O'Neill's sobs paused. Sam couldn't read her expression.
"They… found him. Sam, he's alive."
The sobbing started again, but now Sam could detect the undertone of hysterical laughter and relief.
"Alive?"
Sam pushed herself up and stumbled over to the bed.
"Alive!"
"Thank God!" Sam whispered and rested her forehead against the edge of the bed. Her tears began flowing freely.
"They're sending him back here. He'll be on base before Christmas."
Jack
Where am I? They must have slipped something extra in my drugs. Did they send me home? Is that why I'm awake? Someone's talking…I know that voice…I haven't heard it in a long time, not even in hallucinations…
Jack's eyes began to flutter as he fought off the effects of the extra sedatives that had been pumping steadily into his body for the past 24 hours to keep him under during his transfer. Involved in their conversation, the people hovering at the foot of his bed missed the first signs of his waking.
Mom? I must be back in the States.
"M…mom?"
When nothing happened Jack forced his eyes open. Through the small slits he managed, Jack could make out three figures at the foot of his bed. The silhouettes of his parents were easily recognizable after all these years. The white lab coat on the third identified the small woman as a doctor. This time Jack forced himself to be a little louder.
"Mom?"
The three figures turned and moved towards the head of the bed.
"Thank God. Jack, baby, we were so worried about you."
Mrs. O'Neill leaned down and squeezed his hand while dropping a light kiss on his forehead. Jack returned the squeeze and then shifted his attention to the other side of his bed.
"Dad"
"Son. It's good to see you. You gave us quite a scare."
Mr. O'Neill brushed a hand over Jack's shoulder.
The drugs must still be working…nothing hurts yet. How come they didn't give me this earlier?
A small movement caught Jack's eye as the doctor stepped up from behind his father.
"Janet?"
The petite brunette smiled.
"Hi Jack. I'd say it's nice to see you, but not like this. Someone did a number on you…I'm going to leave you to visit for a few minutes then you need to get some more rest. They can come back again tomorrow."
Janet smiled again and moved off to check on another patient. She came back again ten minutes later and injected something into Jack's IV line.
"Time for you to get some more sleep. You can stay until he's asleep, then I don't want to see you back here for 24 hours. We need to reevaluate his injuries and start formulating a recovery plan."
"What about Christmas Dr. Frasier?"
"Don't worry Mr. O'Neill. That's why I'm keeping your visits today and tomorrow so limited. Hopefully he'll be rested enough for an extended visit two days from now. Is there anything else you need from me today?"
"Sam?"
"She's watching Charlie. They'll be here tomorrow."
"Thank you."
Jack included both Janet and his parents.
"I'll see you again later tonight Jack."
Janet once again took her leave of the family. Jack squeezed his mom's hand and tried to smile at his dad as he felt his eyes begin to drift shut. The last thing he felt before falling back asleep was both his parents leaning in to kiss his forehead.
I feel like a kid again. Home…safe…
Sam
Sam had been surprised when the O'Neills returned from their first visit with Jack less than two hours after they'd left. The official call had come early that morning informing them that Jack had arrived at Edwards and that he would be allowed two visitors that afternoon. She'd volunteered to stay home with Charlie so that Jack's parents could assure themselves of his survival. Surprise had turned into annoyance as she realized that they were not going to answer her questions about their visit.
"You'll be able to see for yourself tomorrow."
God Damn it! Is that all she can say? I am so sick of hearing that. Throw me a freakin bone here folks.
Sam smiled at herself and nervously twisted her ring.
Jack you better be okay. If there's something permanently wrong because of this I wish they'd just tell me now.
The doorbell interrupted Sam's increasingly morbid thoughts.
Who the…
Out in the backyard Sam could barely hear a faint feminine laugh from the front of the house.
"Sam," called Mr. O'Neill, "could you come in here please? Jack's doctor has stopped by to update us on his condition."
Sam sighed and took a deep breath before heading back into the house. As she turned from closing the sliding glass door a familiar voice addressed her.
"Hey Sam," said Janet as she walked across the room.
The petite brunette wrapped her arms around Sam in a hard hug.
"Janet"
Sam's whisper was amazed as she returned the fierce hug.
"They won't tell me about Jack. I need to know. Jan, I can't handle the suspense. What if something's really wrong?"
"Ssshh…it's okay honey. He's going to be all right. There's nothing broken that won't mend. I promise…he's going to be fine."
Sam collapsed against Janet in relief as her friend's words began to penetrate her fear. Janet helped Sam over to the nearby couch and sat down alongside her. Janet rubbed her hand soothingly on Sam's back. Sam huffed out a breath and sank back into the couch.
"Tell me Janet."
"He'll be fine… eventually. I'm not going to sugar coat it for you. They had to break and reset a lot of his bones because they'd healed incorrectly. His right knee will never be the same and withdrawal's going to be hell on him. It's going to be a long road back Sam."
"But he'll make it?"
"Physically, he should recover. Mentally, it'll be a lot tougher, but knowing how stubborn you both are…I'm more optimistic than I'd be otherwise. He's going to need a lot of help. Sam…don't let him push you away. I'm sure he's going to try at some point. Don't let him. He's going to need help and he won't like it."
"I'll do everything I can Janet. I promise, besides he's got more motivation than just me these days."
The sound of shuffling feet behind them caught their attention. Sam peered back over her shoulder and smiled at Charlie. She motioned for him to come around in front of the couch.
"Hey Janet…have you met Jack's son Charlie?"
oOo
Janet had been surprised to find out that Jack had a son but she, like every adult he'd ever met, had been charmed by Charlie and now she was watching him as Sam sat with Jack as he slept. Sam had started sitting in a chair beside Jack's bed without touching him, but gradually the need to touch him had overwhelmed her. Now she was perched on the edge of the bed facing Jack and lightly tracing his features.
"You gave us such a scare Jack. Charlie missed you. He's done so well at school. He kept all his tests and projects to show you when you got back. I missed you too Jack. Please don't do this to me ever again."
Sam leaned forward and gently kissed Jack waking him.
"Good morning Sleeping Beauty."
Neglecting Janet's warning about Jack's broken ribs Sam leant down over Jack and wound her arms tightly around his neck.
"Don't ever do that to me again. God, Jack I was so worried."
Sam buried her face in the crook of Jack's neck. Jack's one good arm lifted in an attempted hug, but he only got his hand to the middle of her back.
"Sammie."
Sam lifted her head up and kissed Jack hard. She shifted restlessly when Jack deepened the kiss, slipping his tongue into her mouth. Unfortunately this put too much pressure on Jack's ribs and he flinched, bringing Sam up short.
"Oh God, I'm sorry."
Sam pulled back and set up, separating herself from Jack completely. The hand on her back came to rest in her lap. Jack squeezed her thigh lightly.
"It's fine."
"Fine…Jack…I guess some things never change. I missed you."
"I dreamed of you. This still feels like I'm dreaming. I don't want to wake up. Don't wake me up."
"I can't wake you up Jack. We're already awake and I'm not going anywhere, except to go get Charlie so he can see you awake."
Sam stood and backed away from Jack's bed. She paused as she turned to leave the room. Sam took her Claddagh ring from her right hand.
"Jack…I know you haven't asked yet, but I just wanted you to know that I'll be ready when you do. I'm so glad you made it back. I don't know what I would've done if you hadn't."
Sam stared at Jack as she deliberately placed the ring on her left ring finger.
"Samantha…"
"I made my choice four months ago Jack and none of this has changed it. Now your son is waiting for his turn to see you."
With that Sam left Jack's room in search of Janet and Charlie.
A/N: I don't really like this chapter but I couldn't come up with another way to do this. There are so many Jack whumping and recovery stories out there by writers much better than I. So I feel like I made a mess out of this and I'm somewhat nervous about putting this out there. Positive reinforcement will go a long way towards helping me get the next chapter out.