Note: I'm really glad you guys are enjoyin' this. Thanks a bunch for the reviews. XD

ELEVEN

Sam. He called me Sam. Carter thought dreamily with an almost-giddy smile on her face. She had sunk into the chair beside his bed once more. Of course this wasn't the first time Jack had used her first name, but every time he did she got a warm feeling that made her want to display the most rediculous grin. Although she knew that the Colonel had been relatively unwell or distracted each time he'd used her first name in recent days, Sam got the feeling that the two of them were drawing closer and closer together. They'd had their moments over the years, but sometimes it didn't seem like anything other than platonic.

Before she knew it, Sam's own eyes were fluttering closed and she quickly dozed off in her chair.

-

When Teal'c stopped by the infirmary to visit O'Neill at 1900 hrs, he was somewhat amused to find Major Carter fast asleep in the chair beside the Colonel's bed. The Jaffa walked inside the room to study his unconscious friend before finding a spare blanket to drape over the Major and heading out into the hall to stand vigilant until O'Neill awoke.

He'd been standing just outside the door for nearly an hour when a pained shout reached his ears. Teal'c swiftly turned and shouldered his way through the door, finding the man he would proudly call a brother, lying on the floor and hollering out in agony. "O'Neill!" He shouted, hurrying over to the Colonel's side, though Major Carter was already there.

Sam had jumped out of her seat, nearly falling flat on her face as soon as she heard Jack's cry. She was knelt on the floor with his head cradled in her lap, bright blue eyes fixed on him worriedly. "Teal'c, get Janet!"

The big Jaffa nodded affirmatively, then sprinted from the infirmary at full speed.

Jack was writhing in agony, arms ram-rod straight with hands fisted at his sides. His left leg was bent up and jerking from side to side while he grit his teeth in an attempt not to cry out again. Although he thankfully hadn't hit his head when he landed on the floor, Jack's chest was hurting now from the impact, and his right knee felt like someone had smacked it with a baseball bat.

"Colonel, please, lay still," Sam urged as gently as she could. Tears stung her eyes while she fought to keep them from falling, hating to see him in so much pain. She realized it must have been hard for him to do so, he was in such agony, but she was afraid more damage would be done if he didn't still his movements. "Jack," Sam tried again, gently smoothing back his hair with one hand, still cradling his head in her lap. "Please,"

Eyes clenched shut, Jack's squirming decreased slowly, but his fists were still tightly clenched and his left leg was still bent up. He breathed quickly and heavily through his nose, jaw locked tightly. "Agh..God," he groaned through his teeth.

"Just try and take it easy Sir, Teal'c went to get Janet," Sam assured him comfortingly.

The pain was excrutiating, but Jack kept mentally trying to convince himself that he'd felt worse. At the moment though, he just couldn't recall such a time. His sight became hazy while he tried to open his eyes, and a sudden wave a nausea hit him, undoubtedly caused by the pain.

Seconds later, Teal'c burst into the room followed closely by an anxious-looking Dr. Fraiser. She rushed toward Colonel O'Neill, crouching by his side and briefly sharing a look with Sam, who was still carefully cradling his head in her lap. "How did this happen? Was he trying to get up on his own?" Janet asked to no one inparticular. She'd certainly be angry later if Jack had gotten hurt trying to walk about when she'd strictly forbidden him from doing so.

"I don't think so," Sam responded quickly, shaking her head. "I fell asleep in the chair, and woke up as soon as I heard the Colonel yell. He must've just tumbled out of bed," she found herself unconsciously stroking his hair.

"His pulse is racing," Janet exclaimed to herself softly after she had reached for his neck. Jack was groaning painfully before he jerked his head once and then stilled. The doctor was carefully checking the Colonel's knee before lifting his shirt to examine his chest. She knew the fracture to his sternum wasn't too bad, but Janet was worried about his ribs being vulnerable and that he may have done more damage when he fell, though it appeared as though he'd fallen on his back. She couldn't be sure, since he may have turned over.

The doctor's attention turned to the nearby Jaffa who appeared worried, despite his mostly-stoic appearance. "Teal'c, could you help me get Colonel O'Neill back on the bed?" She asked kindly.

He bowed his head slightly and bent to carefully lift O'Neill. Teal'c was surprisingly gentle despite his massive size, laying Jack on the bed gingerly.

Once Jack was laying on the soft bed once more, his head lolled to one side, indicating unconsciousness.

"He's passed out," Janet announced quietly to both Teal'c and Sam.

"But is he alright?" Sam asked anxiously, bright and watery blue eyes pleading with the doctor.

Janet released a soft sigh while she re-attached the monitors that had been pulled off when Jack fell. The screen nearby indicated that the Colonel's heart-rate was a bit fast, and since he was now passed out, she was a little worried about that. "Well I can't detect any additional damage done, but it's obvious the fall caused alot of pain," she answered Sam somewhat somberly.

"Is there anything we may do to be of assistance Dr. Fraiser?" Teal'c spoke up, a serious expression on his face.

"Actually, Teal'c, there is," Janet smiled briefly at him. She noticed Teal'c looked pleased to be helpful. "It would be a great help if someone were around to look after the Colonel for awhile tonight."

"I would be proud to do so Dr. Fraiser," the Jaffa said with the barest hint of a smile.

"Sam," Janet said quietly as she noticed the Major about to say something. "Why don't you go home, get some propper rest," she suggested gently.

"I'd really like to stay close by, on the base," Sam told Janet truthfully. She remembered back during the Zatarc incident, when she and the Colonel had been forced to reveal their feelings for eachother, lest they be put to sleep indefinetly or face death. What really stood out about that memory, at the moment, was the fact that both Teal'c and Janet had been in the observation room when she and Jack had confessed how much they cared for one another. Sam knew the doctor would understand her need to stay at the SGC while Colonel O'Neill remained in the infirmary under close watch.

"Well atleast get some sleep in your on-base quarters," Janet gave her a stern look, though she was smiling. "That's an order Sam,"

The Major sighed, smiling faintly and lowering her head. "If you insist," Sam turned to Teal'c and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Come get me if he wakes up, okay?" she asked the Jaffa.

He turned his head and smiled knowingly at her. "I will indeed, Major Carter."

-

Within five more days, Janet finally discharged Colonel O'Neill from the infirmary, allowing him to go home, but only under strict orders. Because he was now just barely able to get around on crutches, as long as he put absolutely no weight on his right knee, the Doc informed Jack that either one of her nurses, or a member of SG1 had to stay with him at home, otherwise she'd drag his butt back to the infirmary. Jack had loudly voiced his complaints, but had eventually agreed, as long as the person to stay with him was one of his own teammates. Atleast they wouldn't bring needles with them, and couldn't possibly be as strict with Janet's rules as anyone directly under her command.

Janet walked alongside Teal'c as he pushed Jack's wheelchair along the corridors once they'd reached ground level. Teal'c announced that he'd be willing to be the first team member to take a shift looking after the Colonel in his home, and although Janet knew Sam would have rather been the first to stay with him, the Major kept her mouth shut and just smiled, saying her 'see you laters' to both Jack and Teal'c.

The doctor had insisted Colonel O'Neill stay in the wheelchair until they reached his truck, and although Jack explained that Teal'c was a well and capable driver, because he didn't have a liscense, Janet had asked one of the SFs on duty to take them to the Colonel's house. Jack had grumbled a complaint or two under his breath, but decided to keep his mouth shut after Dr. Fraiser sent him a look that clearly stated: 'If you don't want to obey, I can easily have you brought back to the infirmary'.

It was barely any time at all before Teal'c, Janet, and Jack were outside, closing in on the Colonel's truck. The young SF was already standiing by. She smiled up at Teal'c, who obviously towered over her. "Alright Teal'c, you take good care of Colonel O'Neill now," she smiled even wider as she noticed Jack rolling his eyes.

The Jaffa bowed his head slightly with a hint of an amused grin. "I will take great care with O'Neill, Dr. Fraiser," with that said, he helped the Colonel out of the chair and carefully maneuvered him into the passenger seat of his truck after Jack had reluctantly tossed his keys over to the patiently waiting SF. Another SF was standing by in a different car to take the Colonel's driver home so that he didn't have to drive the truck back.

Janet then handed Teal'c a plastic bag with a few small orange pill containers inside. "These are the Colonel's medication. Now, I've clearly labeled what each one is for, and I want you and the others, when they are looking after him, to make sure he takes them.

"Understood, Dr. Fraiser," Teal'c took the bag before turning to get inside the big truck.

"I'm sure Daniel and Sam will be stopping by later on, and if the Colonel gives you too much trouble don't be afraid to call any of us here on base," Janet called out just before Teal'c shut the door with a nod, and she smiled when Jack was bugging the SF to get going.

-

When they arrived at Jack's, the Colonel was surprised to see General Hammond, Sam, Daniel, and a few others from the SGC there to greet him. He eyed them all suspiciously as Teal'c helped him out of the truck and the SF nodded to the General before leaving with the one that had followed them. "What's all this?" he muttered quietly, raising an eyebrow.

"Welcome home Colonel," General Hammond greeted warmly, a big smile on his face. He gestured behind himself. "Think of this as a little welcome home party to celebrate your discharge from the infirmary."

Jack rose both eyebrows. "Well, as long as you don't plan to send me back there...sweet," His gaze wandered over to Sam, who was smilling brightly. Although he was a little tired from the drive, he wasn't about to say so since all of his friends were around. Jack planned on enjoying the company for a little while.

Hammond chuckled before waving them inside.

"You raid my fridge yet?" Jack muttered jokingly while Teal'c hovered carefully at the Colonel's side as he hobbled along slowly on the crutches.

"Oh, you don't have to worry about that Jack," Daniel started with a smirk. "We wouldn't have gotten much out of a jar of peanut butter and some ketchup." He laughed and strode inside, Sam giggling as well as she walked into the house behind Teal'c and the Colonel.

Jack snorted, struggling slightly with the crutches once they were inside. Teal'c had taken hold of his arm to guide him into the living room where he then sunk down into the recliner, elevating his knee slightly under a throw pillow.

Smiling, Sam wandered over and sat down beside him after others had given their greetings. She gestured toward the table of food in the other room. "Can I get you something Colonel?"

He just shook his head slightly, then made a face with both brows risen as he waved a hand around them in gesture. "Who got all this together?"

"All of us, pretty much, Sir," she half-smiled. "Sgt. Siler even offered to pick up the food. This whole thing was Janet's idea though." Sam almost laughed at the surprised look on Jack's face.

"Really? Hmph," Jack nodded, then his brows knit together. "Hey, where is the Doc anyway?"

"She's on her way," Daniel said, butting in while he took a seat in a nearby chair, a plate of food in his lap. He waved a plastic fork in the air after taking a bite. "Janet had a few things to finish up back at the SGC, and she had to wait until you left anyway. Didn't want to it be suspicious." He laughed with a knowing grin, pleased that they'd managed to surprise Jack.

"Hope she doesn't bring any needles," he muttered under his breath, upper lip curling slightly.

Sam smiled, glad that he was joking around like usual. The Colonel had started to get bitter and annoyed at everyone and everything during his extended stay in the infirmary.

Teal'c had gone to the kitchen for a moment, returning with a glass of water in which he handed to Colonel O'Neill. Jack was a giving him a look, in which the Jaffa knowingly replied, "I do not believe Dr. Fraiser would allow you to drink any alcoholic beverages at this time, O'Neill."

Jack released an exasperated sigh. "Aw, c'mon T. One little bottle ain't gonna hurt," he grumbled in complaint.

"I also believe it would not be wise to disobey Dr. Fraiser," Teal'c held the faintest trace of a smug grin.

Sighing loudly through his nose, Jack rolled his eyes, reluctantly drinking the water. He was trying not to show how exhausted he was by constantly keeping in motion; fiddling with the plastic cup in his hand, lacing his fingers together and pulling them apart, looking all around the room.

"Colonel," Sam called out questioningly, noticing her CO's distraction. She smiled as he rose both brows and looked at her. "Are you sure you don't want something to eat?"

He waved a hand dismissively. "No thanks Carter, I'm all set."

Soon Janet had arrived, and instead of hurrying over to check the Colonel, as was expected, she made a bee-line for the food table and began mingling.

Jack had innitially cringed upon seeing her entrance, but was suddenly relieved when she took off in the opposite direction. It wasn't that he didn't like Janet, she was good friend, it was simply that when she was in 'Doctor-mode', there was no convincing her to snap out of it.

Eventually Janet found her way over to Jack, but promised him she wouldn't poke and prod. She only asked if he'd taken his medication yet, to which he declined. With a slight sigh, she looked over to Teal'c and kindly asked him to retrieve the bag of pills she'd given to him. The Jaffa did so with a nod, and Janet then explained which pills Jack was to take at what time. She explained this to Teal'c, Sam, and Daniel as well as her patient, knowing that Jack had a tendency to 'forget' alot when it came to his medication. If those three were to be helping Jack out in the next week or so, they needed knowledge of his meds.

Once most of the guests had departed, those left being Daniel, Sam, Janet, and of course Teal'c, Jack had gotten quite bored and insisted someone popped one of his Simpsons videos in the VCR. While the others chatted idly around him, not bothering to watch the tv, Jack had started to doze off, the medication Janet had given him finally taking effect.

Sam was the first to notice Jack's eyelids getting heavier until his head finally lolled to one side and his eyes finally closed. She got Janet's attention and gestured toward the Colonel before getting to her feet and looking to Daniel. "Uh, I think maybe it's time we all get going."

Janet nodded with a small smile, following Sam's lead. "Yes, it's been a tiring day and we should really let the Colonel rest," She waved a hand over to the recliner where Jack lay, Daniel's eyes following her gesture to realize the man was fast asleep. Teal'c also seemed to just be noticing this. "Teal'c, I'd rather Colonel O'Neill kept from going upstairs until he's better able to handle the crutches, so it might be best to just allow him to sleep down here."

The large Jaffa nodded understandingly and got up from his seat. "I shall retrieve anything O'Neill may require to remain comfortable here," he said with a slight bow of his head.

Both Daniel and Sam said their quiet goodbyes, heading toward the door while Janet swiftly checked Jack over before readying herself to leave. The Doc had to make sure her patient was fine one last time before letting him out of her sight.

-

Through the night Sam became restless, her dreams plaqued with visions of Colonel O'Neill being viciously attacked by those enormous beasts on O'runak. In her dreams she was standing by unable to move for some reason, helpless to save him.

"JACK!" Sam sat bolt upright in bed, a thin film of sweat across her brow. She was breathing heavily, eyes wide and quickly focusing as she clutched a hand to her chest, taking a fist-full of the t-shirt she wore. Visions of the Colonel being ruthlessly slaughtered by the alien beast flitted across her mind. Consciously, Sam slowed her breathing and ran a hand through her hair before covering her face with both hands, trembling.

"God," she muttered, moving toward the edge of her bed and letting her legs hang over the side. Leaning forward, Sam rested her elbows on her knees and hung her head. She didn't know why she was so worried. Jack's fine, Sam thought to herself forcefully. Teal'c's looking after him, he's fine.

Those thoughts did little to reassure or console the anxious Major, and after fifteen minutes of debating with herself, Sam quickly pulled on a sweatshirt and some sneakers, then left her house, heading straight for Jack's place. At the moment she wasn't concerned about what Jack or Teal'c would think once she arrived. The only thing that mattered was having visual confirmation that the Colonel was safe and sound.

-