Another chapter for all you lovely folks. Thanks for all your reviews once again! Just a little bit of fluff to lull you into a little sense of security... because you never know just what's around the corner.
NOTHING IS EVER THAT SIMPLE
By LetitiaRichards
Previously:-
This wasn't news to Frank Simmons but the reminder spurred him into action. He listened for any sign of his former chief, but there was just the slight rustling of the bushes in the breeze. Harry had gone. He turned and hurried indoors, his cell phone in his hand already dialling.
Chapter 15 – Progress
"Absolutely not!"
"But..."
"No!"
"Jack!"
"Daniel!"
"It's helping you!"
"I know, but I don't want Sam using that thing on me any more! Got it?"
"You just need a couple more sessions Jack!"
"For cryin' out loud Daniel! NO!"
Jack sat up in bed, arms folded across his chest, his face betraying his resentment and annoyance that nobody was listening to him.
Daniel flapped his hands in the air and then slapped them in frustration against his thighs. Jack could be so goddamn stubborn sometimes. Like now. He was refusing to allow Sam to continue healing him.
"Why not?" Daniel asked again for the umpteenth time, hoping he'd get a decent answer this time.
"Because, Daniel, it is taking all her energy to do this when I can get better without it. It isn't necessary any more. God knows I needed it to begin with and I have the rest of my life to thank Sam for using it on me, but I don't think wearing herself out for me when it isn't necessary, is conducive to her own health. She has other duties to perform now that she is heading up SG-1. I'm fine...or I will be. I can manage on my own now. Thank you!" Jack snapped back. With that little speech over, he sat back breathlessly.
Sam had done her best and the once shattered bones in his legs were more or less healed. Very soon Janet would be able to get him walking again and had gone ahead and ordered his physical therapy sessions. He'd already been given gentle exercises after having the plaster casts removed, now it was a case of building up the muscle tone once more.
The short sessions he'd already endured were difficult and painful, and had left Jack sweating, exhausted, and nauseated. With the hardest part still to come, he wasn't looking forward to it at all, though he was determined to return to full fitness. He just didn't want Sam to wear herself out; as it was she always seemed tired lately, mainly due to working the hand device on him and then instead of resting to recuperate, she was working in her lab or leading SG-1 off-world. He couldn't allow her to do this for him at the expense of her own health. Enough was enough!
OoOoOoOoO
"Colonel O'Neill?"
Jack opened his eyes, rousing from a light doze, to study the amply built middle-aged woman standing by his bed. The short dark hair framing her chubby, and far too cheerful face. Dark eyes full of sparkle, lit up further when he nodded.
"That's me," he said, full of curiosity. "Who wants to know?"
"Hi," she said with a grin, "I'm Cindy your physical therapist."
"Ah," Jack sighed, knowing he was in for some torture. She would be able to take on Teal'c built like that, which didn't say a lot for his chances of survival. He was sure she was an exiled Shot-Putter from Bulgaria. "Well, do let's get started then," he said, and in an aside to himself, he added an 'Oiy!' for good measure.
Forget Teal'c and Daniel. She managed to get him into the wheelchair on her own and was pushing him rapidly down the corridors of the SGC to the room designated as her domain, which would be like a second home to him for the duration.
"They started out on gentle exercises, nothing too strenuous, and she was doing most of the work, but he knew that would change soon. Despite the few movements that she put him through, he still ended up exhausted, sweaty, and in pain; his pathetic muscles screaming for rest. Finished with his legs she started on his arms, hands and fingers, hoping to help with his dexterity after his prolonged inactivity. It had been frustrating at first to have someone feed him until he could use a fork or spoon again, but his wrist and fingers still needed some fine tuning.
Just one of the things she had ordered him to try, and which surprisingly he found rather relaxing, giving him the incentive to use his fingers without much thought, was doing jig-saw puzzles. She'd brought in a whole bag full so that he had plenty to do to while away his boredom when sitting up in bed or in the wheelchair up against the table in his room. Of course Daniel being Daniel, he couldn't resist helping him place several pieces whenever he popped in to see Jack, much to the Colonel's annoyance. Daniel often had his hand slapped away when he could no longer resist the temptation of adding a piece or two.
Life settled into a routine, with Jack being wheeled down to have physical therapy every day, and SG-1 setting off on another mission to save the world again or whatever, Jack thought miserably. He was sooo gonna miss them, especially Sam.
Nothing further was heard from either Maybourne nor Major Davis over the next few days.
Jack's strength grew daily while he endured the torture bestowed upon him by the powerful Cindy. With it, or rather because of his renewed strength, he had been allowed to move into his own quarters instead of being confined to the infirmary; though he still needed help with the mundane daily requirements, but it gave him a break from Janet and gained him some privacy; for which he was more than grateful.
By the time SG-1 returned from their mission, he was able to stand on his own two feet to welcome Sam back.
She hurried to his room, happy to know that he was progressing towards independence once more.
He'd heard the alarms ring out and his phone had rung, Walter was on the other end telling him that SG-1 had returned safely, and were on their way to the infirmary, but a certain Major was going to stop by as soon as she'd finished with her medical.
She would have loved to have thrown herself into his arms as soon as she'd stepped through the gate, but she wasn't going to risk everything by passing on a bug which they might possibly have picked up off world. Medical clearance first, shower and a change of clothes, and then Jack.
Jack picked up the phone and smiled.
Sam was on her way.
The others would follow shortly afterwards, but they would allow the couple to greet each other first.
Sam knocked on the door and opened it without waiting for his answer.
"Jack..."
"Stop!" Jack ordered, holding up his hand.
Sam stopped in her tracks. Waiting. Watching.
He pulled himself to the edge of the bed and stood up on shaky legs. He didn't know how long he could stay there but he wanted so much to hug her properly. It had been more than awkward whilst sitting in bed or his wheelchair.
"Ta da!" he announced, grinning, opening his arms out wide to welcome her.
"Oh Jack! That's great!" she cried, tears prickling behind her eyes. She hurried towards him, stopping just inches in front of him before she bowled him over. Their eyes locked, their hearts sang as they sought each others souls through the depth in their eyes. Jack wound his arms round her in a warm embrace, their lips met in a hunger only beginning to be quenched. Sam held on to him, almost supporting his shaking frame, before they broke apart and he fell backwards onto the edge of the bed when his legs finally gave out. He pulled her down with him, laughing.
It was a start to the long climb back to fitness, which Sam was more than happy to see after being away from him for several days. His progress had been amazing.
They both lay on the bed giggling; giddy with euphoria. He'd managed to do what he'd wanted to for so long, and she'd been so happy that he'd achieved his goal. He was breathless from the exertion, though Sam wasn't sure if it was because of putting everything into standing or from that wonderful kiss. Her giggling stopped when he grew more serious.
He reached for her cheek, caressing it gently. His fingers slipped round to the back of her neck, pulling her towards him so their lips were barely millimetres apart.
"Hey!" he whispered, unable to drag his eyes from hers.
"Hey you too!" she replied feeling her heart quicken with anticipation.
"I love you Sam."
She smiled broadly, lifting her finger to brush lightly against his lips.
"I love you too Jack."
He closed the miniscule gap between them with a kiss that stole their breath, filling the yawning cavern in their hearts.
After long moments he broke off, falling onto his back with a sigh, fighting to regain control of his body, taking calming breaths. He turned his head sideway to see a sappy smile on her face which made him smile too.
Sam took hold of his hand and held it while he recovered.
"Holy buckets!" he cried, panting still.
She giggled once more, gently nudging him with her elbow.
"That was some greeting!" he grinned. "You know you're gonna kill me at this rate! Wow!"
She sat up and made herself comfortable, then leaned in for a quick peck on his nose. She pulled him upright to sit beside her.
"You okay?" she asked, a trace of concern evident in her voice.
"Sure! More than okay. So, how'd the mission go?"
"Fine. Daniel found a new script to translate, so I doubt we'll see much of him for a few days. And Teal'c, well he'll be along in a minute. He said he just had to pick something up from the surface before he comes by."
"What's he been ordering on the internet now?" Jack asked, full of curiosity.
"That's something you're gonna have to wait to find out. I have no idea. He said it was a surprise for you."
"For me?"
"Indeed O'Neill!"
Jack's head whippedround to see the big Jaffa standing in the doorway with a large box in his arms.
Jack gaped at the size of the box and wondered what on earth it could be.
Sam was curious too, but she loved to see the little boy surprise look on Jack's face.
Teal'c walked in and stood imperiously in front of his friend.
"I put forth a proposal to General Hammond,to whichhe sought permission from those in higher authority in Washington. After much debate they were in agreement O'Neill. This is for you to help motivate you to exercise on a daily basis." Teal'c dipped his head and offered the box to Jack, placing it on the floor, so that Jack could open it and peer inside.
Jack frowned and pulled open the flaps to see a tiny puppy trying to climb his way out of the carton. His face lit up and he reached inside to pull out the most adorable little Collie dog he'd seen.
"General Hammond has permission to allow you to keep him here on the base, and until you are fit enough to care for him yourself, I have volunteered to see to his daily requirements."
The look on Jack's face was priceless as he cuddled the squirming bundle of fur.
TBC
