Chapter 41 by Abbot & Natters

Sam's POV

Teal'c looks mad. That muscle in his jaw is ticking like a time bomb counting down. The Colonel and he are having an intense staring match by the fire. Damn, he looks good enough to-

Bad thoughts. Very, very bad.

The frustration that has kept me awake is mellowing to a simmering despair, as he stands up and I can barely make out his hushed words.

"… understand why I did it?"

Teal'c response is growled low and I draw breath to call attention to myself and disapate this tension when Teal'c snaps. The tall Jaffa moves so quickly, I barely see what happens next. But I feel it like a sledgehammer as the empathic echoes hit me. One roundhouse to the ribs, followed by a fist to the nose.

"Teal'c stop!" I call breathlessly, holding my aching ribs as I make my way over to the fire. Teal'c immobilizes the Colonel and looks up to me grimly. His anger fades to concern as he takes in my hunched position.

"MajorCarter? Are you injured?"

"Let him go. Teal'c please. I think you broke a rib."

I may be so angry with the Colonel I want to string him up by his toes, but I don't need anybody else to fight my battles for me.

"Or four!" wheezes the Colonel and I wince as the effort strains his damaged bones.

"MajorCarter?"

"It's another side effect Teal'c. The Colonel and I are empathic. So if you break his ribs, mine hurt too."

"Hello! Wounded man here. Carter, you… wanna wake up… the Doc anytime… this century?"

"Teal'c, would ask Janet to join us please?"

He raises an eyebrow at me.

"I'm sure I can handle the Colonel for five minutes," I reply as I turn my gaze to the man gasping for air on the floor. Our eyes lock and the pain drops to secondary importance as I suddenly get it.

"Carter, I…"

"Shh. Try to breathe shallowly. And don't talk," I touch his shoulder to lend some support and the feelings double in intensity.

"Later," I promise him and he nods as Janet comes rushing up behind me.

Jack's POV

I remember this kind of pain. Got stupid one night at a bar, and a British Red Beret cracked three of my ribs with a punch like that. I'm lying there, wincing in pain, and I hear a voice come out of the darkness. More than that, the shadows fairly scream... concern? Protectiveness? Carter steps out into the light, clutching her own ribs, and I feel shitty that this stupid bond we have is making her hurt.

Pain, caring, anger from Carter.

"Hello! Wounded man here. Carter, you… wanna wake up… the Doc anytime… this century?"

My face is bleeding. I open my eyes, see Carter staring at me, and it all clicks. I know how she feels. She feels betrayed, angry. Some self pity. More than that, love. Every aspect of her emotions that I can feel is tainted by a love directed at me. It's above the raw pain now, and in that instant, I understand her.

"Carter, I…"

She touches me, and the feelings override the searing pain. The suffering, it'll go away. But right now, my mind is on her.

"Shh. Try to breathe shallowly. And don't talk. "

I can see Janet's face, and Sam barely takes her eyes off me to acknowledge her best friend.

"Later."

SG-1 SG-1 SG-1

Janet's POV

I never thought I'd see the day that Teal'c, in his right mind, would hurt one of his team. On the other hand, the Colonel deserved it. Stubborn as a mule. Sometimes in order to get him to realize what an idiot he is, you have to use some unorthodox methods. And while I wouldn't ever recommend having your ribs broken by one of your closest friends, it's proving to be effective.

Almost too effective. They're doing their silent communication thing that has built up over the years between them. Sam won't sit still and the Colonel is sat there, fiddling with whatever he can lay his hands on, while I bind his ribs.

Occasionally, one or the other looks away briefly, but like a centrifugal force they have to look back again.

At 0420 in the morning, when most people are asleep, and I should be snuggled up with my favorite archaeologist, where am I? Playing chaperone to my best friend and her CO.

"Colonel, I'm afraid we're going to have to delay returning to the SGC at least three days."

"No way Doc! I'm not spending another day or night on this damn planet, so they can drug some body else."

"Colonel, you are not going to able to walk the twelve klicks back to the gate with those ribs."

"Janet's right s…" Sam blushes and looks down, biting her lower lip.

"Doc. If I can't walk, I'll crawl, but I am getting off this rock today. There are… some… things that I want to get… cleared up."

He watches Sam's reaction and I roll my eyes as she looks up with a hopeful smile.

"And I'm not missing any more Simpsons. We're going back."

"Colonel, I really must insist-"

He raises a hand up to stop me and winces. "Doc! We are not-"

"Janet, I think if we take it slow and steady we should be okay. One step at a time. We can stop for a few hours at the halfway point. We have a lot of expensive equipment to carry back too remember. And I promised Cassie I'd be back in time for the weekend."

"Sam, I-"

"Yes Carter. Slow and easy wins the race. Can't keep Cassie waiting. And you know how grumpy the General gets when we're late Doc. I need him in a good mood."

"I'm sure everything will be fine sir. We've got the bloodwork that proves neither of you were responsible for what happened. After all, you were both under alien influence," I answer to set his mind at rest, and he replies, while looking at Sam.

"A man's gotta face up to his responsibilities sooner or later Doc. Right Carter?" he asks hopefully.

"Right."

"Sweet."

I finish strapping his ribs with a smirk on my face. I'll definitely be putting my money down for a bet when we get home. If these two can make it back to base without jumping each other again.

"Alright. We'll walk back slowly. You will carry nothing except your radio and the clothes on your back. And if I think we need to stop at any point-"

"Yes Doc. I promise, okay?"

"We all need to catch up on a few hours sleep. Come on Colonel, I'll help get you settled."

"Doc, no offense, but I've been tucking myself in for quite a few years now. I can handle it."

He stands up carefully and slowly makes his way over to his tent. Sam winces as he bends over to enter his tent.

Men. What is it with them and not showing weakness in front of their womenfolk?

"Sam. I want you to keep an eye on the Colonel for the next few days. He's not to put any… stress on his ribs, alright?"

"We'll all watch out for him Janet."

"Sam. I'm serious. Teal'c explained how the Colonel's ribs were injured. It won't go in my report. But you need to make things right between the four of you again. They all love you in their own way. Any… change in circumstances is going to affect the team dynamic. If you're going to continue down this road, you need to clear the air."

"And if I go back?"

"I don't think that's an option anymore, do you? Unless you want to completely destroy the man?"

"No. I… I don't think I could… Janet?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you and Daniel okay?"

I find myself reaching for the quiet buzz in the back of my mind that I recognize as Daniel without conscious thought.

"Yes, we're okay. We were…" I trail off. How do I explain to my best friend that I've been hiding this from her for several weeks?

"I've known for a few weeks."

"I wanted to tell you so much Sam. I just… it seemed so unfair that we could, while you've been…"

"Trapped by the regs?"

"I didn't know how to tell you without rubbing your face in it."

"It's okay. Is it serious?"

"I like to think so. We talk. We go out. He's great in-"

"Janet, way too much information okay? Daniel's like my brother."

We both laugh and I know we're okay.

"I'm glad you're happy Janet."

"Speaking of which…"

"Not a word Janet."

"Come on Sam. Marks out of ten?"

"I was under alien influence that made me horny as hell for the better part of three days. I don't have a basis for comparison."

"Spoil sport," I tease, but the smug grin on her face reveals the truth. I make a snap decision.

"The Colonel told me something just before… that I think you should know. Let me see if I can remember exactly how he put it. Oh yes. He wanted the whole… cliched deal. Dog. White picket fence. 2 point 4."

"He said that?"

"Yeah."

"Oh."

"He gave me this note for you too," I reach in pocket and pass her the crumpled piece of paper. Her hands are shaking as she reads the three words written there:

Forgive me.

Jack

"Wh…" She clears her throat. "Why didn't you give this to me earlier Janet?"

"It's hardly a poem Sam."

"No. It's better," she carefully folds the note and tucks it away.

"I didn't think it was what you wanted to hear in the state you were in?"

"It doesn't matter now. I've got the message anyway."

There are some things about these two that defy explanation. I guess this is one of them.

"Are you okay Sam?"

"I am now. For the first time in years, I really know I am."

She looks down at the floor, and I can see her fight back her emotions. "

We should get a few hours sleep."

"Yeah. A long slow walk ahead of us tomorrow. Goodnight Sam"

"Good night Janet."

She walks away and then turns back with a wicked gleam that I can just make out in the firelight.

"And I'd have to say at least eleven out of ten."

Lt. Littlefield's POV

He came out of nowhere. The lab folks, the grunts, everyone was surprised. He appeared out of the dark. We had been seperated from our superiors, and our fire was small but cozy. All the privates and NCOs were relaxing now that no real officers were around.

"Good evening, NathanielLittlefield."

"Uhh...hi, Teal'c."

"Gather your men, if you please."

His tone was off. I collected the four or five of us, and awaited instructions.

"You are aware what is occurring?"

"What d'ya mean, sir?"

"You are not to speak a word of what has happened on this planet. Not a word, or there will be consequences."

Everyone swallowed carefully. Teal'c was huge, and he didn't seem happy. Everyone had seen him train with a staff, and Heather had seen him in combat. He was not a man to be trifled with, and if he set his mind to it, he could make sure we never left this planet.

"Am I understood?"

"Yessir."

Janet ran into the clearing.

"Teal'c, you really did a number on the Colonel. Littlefield, where are the Ace bandages?"

Teal'c smiled, and I pointed. I was going to keep my mouth shut.

SG-1 SG-1 SG-1

Sam's POV

The next morning, Teal'c is leading the group back towards the Stargate, while I bring up the rear. Our progress is gradual and the Colonel is wincing with every step. I check my watch. Thirty minutes since our last break.

"Colonel. Could we stop for a moment sir?" I call.

"Carter. This is… the third time… in two hours. Don't think… I don't realise what… you're all… doin'." He wheezes, plodding on slowly.

"Please Colonel? I need to redistribute the weight in my pack. Just for five minutes?"

He looks at me and raises an eyebrow, Teal'c style, and I grin unrepentantly. He knows I'm lying. He knows I know he refuses to show weakness in front of anyone. And I know, he knows that I know. "Five minutes?"

"It's all I need."

"Take five… campers." He orders, and Janet is immediately fussing over him. "Doc. Quit checkin'… up on me!"

"Colonel, we've got three klicks to go. We can afford to stop for longer."

"Doc. I want… to sleep… in a bed… After beer... And Chinese. Not happening… while I'm in… Yammer-land."

"No beer while you are on medication Jack." Retorts Daniel.

"Danny-boy… d'ya have to… take the Doc's side?"

"Yes, Colonel. He does." Answers Janet with a smirk of her own and I giggle.

The Colonel looks up at me and warns softly. "No giggling Carter."

I turn my attention back to my pack and catch sight of several screwed up pieces of paper. I bite my lip and glance around guiltily to see if anyone's paying attention to me, as I draw one out and uncurl it. 'Dearest Sam,' I read and feel my heart skip a beat.

My eyes are drawn back to the Colonel again and he looks up at the same moment. I glance down at the note in my hand and then send him a silent thank you with my eyes. He shrugs as if to say 'Who me?', but his eyes are glittering with that little boy glee, that I adore.

I hastily put everything back in its place. The sooner we get home, the sooner this will all be resolved. The Colonel has a plan.

SG-1 SG-1 SG-1

Daniel's POV

Jack gets up again, waving off Janet's help, and I can feel her irritation. He's refusing everyone's help, even Carter's. Playing the martyr, I guess. I don't know, maybe he's doing it out of a misplaced need for penance, or just to be stubborn. Carter is torn between smiling at her newfound closeness with him -when that happened, I have no clue- and gritting her teeth and watching Jack suffer and bleed his way to the gate. This seems like it's been the longest mile she's ever walked.

Janet refuses to leave my side, though. Ever since I got drugged (apparently, without high levels of estrogen in the person's system, the aphrodisiac becomes a barbituate... a hallucinogenic one), I've felt cottonmouthed and woozy. The only thing that seems clear are the reads I'm getting from Janet. Suddenly, it's like all her body language is laid open to me. I must still be high or something.

Jack's coughing again, and Sam's by his side in a flash. She offers him a canteen, and he grudgingly takes it.

"Fuck it."

Sam curses, and throws his right over over her shoulder. He starts to complain, but one look from her shuts him up. They start off together, and it's funny to watch them in this simulacrum of a loving gesture. Janet and I chuckle to ourselves as his head tilts towards hers, and they are finally drawn together almost magnetically.

And then I remember that I owe her a vicious pranking.