Chapter 34 by Abbot & Natters
Hey people, Thank you for all the lovely reviews.
Unfortunately, this is all you get til Friday (EVIL LAUGHTER), because I have no access to the internet for the next three days (sniffle sob). I think the wait will be worth it. After all, we haven't left it on too evil a cliffhanger…
Janet's POV – two mornings later
"DOC!" The Colonel's panicked yell brings me out of my tent in a split second and I take in the sight before me.
Sam's having a seizure. Her body is practically vibrating as she lies on the floor between Teal'c and the Colonel. Teal'c steps back out of my way as I rush over.
"Don't do this Carter. Not now!" orders the Colonel as I try to stabilize her.
My nurses crowd around us, preparing everything I need before I ask for it. It's not until later that I'll notice how efficient the team I've selected is, but my mind is too occupied with Sam's current condition to take much notice.
Suddenly, the jarring stops, and Sam opens her eyes. We all breathe a sigh of relief, so it is only Teal'c reflexes that stop the hands reaching for Lieutenant Littlefield's throat with murderous intent.
"She doesn't like you very much, does she?" asks Lieutenant Jones from his position near her feet. He instantly regrets drawing her attention as she snaps her foot up and kicks him right in between his legs. He goes down gasping and Littlefield and I pull him back out of her reach.
"Hey Carter. Watch what you're doing okay!" orders Jack and she settles slightly as her eyes lock on to him. She is trying to release her hands from Teal'c iron grip, but the Jaffa keeps hold of her.
"Ease up a little Teal'c. She's not going anywhere."
"J-aacck?" comes her strained voice. It's the first clear word she's spoken in hours.
"Hey Carter. Whatcha doing? Trying to scare us in to the middle of next week?"
"Jaack?" she whimpers.
He takes one of her hands out of Teal'c's grasp and holds it in both of his. "I'm here Sam. Just hold on. It won't be long now." Her fingers wrap themselves around his and she closes her eyes. The Colonel checks her pulse automatically.
"Doc, her pulse is erratic!" he warns with a shaky voice.
I have no choice. I have to administer a sedative. If she has another seizure in this state it might kill her.
"Teal'c, will you hold her down while I give her a sedative?"
"Whoa! I thought you said you weren't sure how it'd react with the Tyne-valley stuff?"
"Colonel, at this point, I don't think we have a choice. If Major Carter suffers another seizure, it could prove fatal."
"Oh fer crying out loud. What about… the other option?" he asks quietly.
"There is no other option sir."
"I believe O'Neill is referring to-"
"Teal'c."
The stern but nervous glance, and subtle nod towards Littlefield and Jones is enough to quiet the Jaffa.
"Lieutenants? Will you please check on the status of the experiments?" I order and watch as Littlefield helps Jones into the lab tent.
"Doc?" he asks with a frown.
"Colonel, at this stage, I don't know that… giving in will make any difference."
"So, you're just gonna give her a sleeping pill, which you said the other night might ki… cause serious damage with the Naquadah and drug already in her system?"
"Colonel… what you're suggesting might cause enough damage on it's own. Think about how Sam will feel when she comes out of this."
"Doc. I don't care if she hates me for the rest of her life, as long as she's alive to live it! She can bring me up on charges if she wants. I am not gonna let her die. Now can you give any sort of guarantee that the sedatives or any drugs you can think of, won't hurt her?"
"No sir."
"Then I don't think we have any choice in the matter, do we?"
"No sir."
"Right… Maybe you could take Teal'c, Littlefield and Jones on a scientific survey of the local flowers or something?"
"With all due respect sir, perhaps it would be best if Teal'c went with them, and I remained in the camp?"
He winces at that and then nods.
"If you insist Doc. Teal'c, will you go get our two companions please? And while you're out there, see if you can round up Danny. He's in the village with the Yammerers. Tell them we need…"
He looks at me pleadingly as he trails off.
"The basic constituent's of the N'Tinevale in their raw form and soil samples from the areas in which they're grown. It should take at least two hours to collect them sir."
"Good. I mean… uh… you got all that Teal'c?"
"Indeed. We shall return in three hours time."
I watch Teal'c and the Colonel exchange a few wordless eye conversations and then the older man departs.
"No offence Doc, but Danny-boy has the worst timing. Could you call him on the radio and let him know not to come back to camp until Teal'c says so? Just in case?"
"Yes sir." I stand up and give him his moment to compose himself before he has to face Littlefield and Jones again.
"Frasier to Jackson."
"Go ahead Janet."
I can't help the little thrill I get from hearing his voice. "What's your location Daniel?"
"I'm in the village square with Lieutenant Foss."
"Good. Stay there. Teal'c, Littlefield and Jones will be joining you shortly."
"Janet?"
"The five of you will be searching for the basic compounds that make up the N'Tinevale, and soil samples from the areas where they are found. You will rendezvous back here in three hours. No earlier."
"And you?"
"I will be running tests on the samples I already have. With my CD player as loud as it will go."
There is a pause on the other end as he digests this information.
"Understood. I'll see you in three hours. Jackson out."
I head back over to Sam and the Colonel.
"I informed Daniel sir. He got the message."
"Thanks Doc. Hey Teal'c, Lieutenants. I'm sure I don't need to remind you how quickly the Doc needs these plants and dirt for Carter's cure, so no dawdling. Check in every 20 minutes."
"Yes sir," replies Jones and Littlefield.
"Dismissed," he barks and the three men exit the camp. Suddenly the Colonel has turned shy. "Uh, Doc. Hope you don't mind keeping the radios for a while?"
"Not at all sir. I'll be in the lab tent, with my CD player, if you need anything."
I turn away and start to head back to the lab tent.
"Janet?" I catch my breath. He never calls me by my given name unless it's serious.
"Sir?"
"This is the right thing to do, right?"
I wish I could come up with a quip to break the uncomfortable silence that's come over us now. "As you said earlier sir, you don't have a choice. She needs you."
"Later… will you tell her I'm sorry it had to be like this? That I wanted the whole… cliched deal. Dog. White picket fence. Two point four."
"Yes Jack, I will," I promise as I turn away, with tears in my eyes.
Jack's POV
"This is the right thing to do, right?"
I can hear the doubt in my voice. Janet's response isn't terribly comforting.
"As you said earlier sir, you don't have a choice. She needs you."
Regret. Forgive me, Carter.
"Later… will you tell her I'm sorry it had to be like this? That I wanted the whole… cliched deal. Dog. White picket fence. Two point four."
Janet starts to tear up. She knows what this means. She's Sam's best friend.
"Yes Jack, I will."
Janet and the other leave, with our gear. Carter looks excited. The soup did her some good. She nibbles at my ear, and I can feel a rush of blood to certain parts of my body. All I can remember is her, telling me that she didn't want me as anything more than her CO.
I stand up, despite her best efforts to get me on my back. She's still got my hand, so I cajole and lead her to a tent. Privacy, right? The locals have cleared out, thank God. She's tearing at her t-shirt, trying to get it off. We're in the tent before any gets a good look, though.
There's only one word on her lips.
"Jaaaaaaaaaaaack."
She's on her hands and knees, crawling towards me with a predatory look in her eyes. I remember it, watching other guys watch her. The wedding floods back, her dancing with everyone but me. The message was clear. She didn't want me.
But now what?
"Jaaaaaaaaaaaaaacccccck," the word somewhere between a purr and a growl as she reaches for my belt. I guess I'm second best, I tell myself, only suitable mate around. Cold comfort. The girl purring my name over and over again isn't Sam, it's her flesh. I hope and pray that Hugh's god is the generous, loving kind.
"Jack."
It's a bark of joy as she pulls her pants out from around her ankles. She pounces, and I let the dance as old as mankind take over.