"Are you sure this is the right road Teal'c?" Jonas asked, peering out the window trying to see if he could even make out where the road was.
"I am certain Jonas; we should be coming up to the cabin any moment now." Teal'c said calmly as he concentrated on keeping the car on the so-called road.
"There! There it is!" Jonas said excitedly, he was overjoyed to finally be able to get out of the storm and into a nice safe warm building, even if it was a cabin in the middle of nowhere.
Teal'c pulled the SUV up and parked next to Jack's truck, "We should bring in our belongings with us now to save ourselves another trip outside."
"Yea, ok Teal'c." Jonas said as he pulled his bag out of the back of the car, then headed to the front door of the cabin with Teal'c beside him. He waited as Teal'c knocked on the door.
"Boy its cold out here." Jonas said getting a little impatient waiting for the door to be opened. "What could they be doing, to take so long to answer the door?"
Teal'c just raised his eyebrow not bothering to respond. "O'Neill it is Jonas Quinn and I." Teal'c said loudly before trying to open the door. Teal'c was a little surprised to find the door unlocked, he put his bags down and motioned Jonas to follow him in quietly.
Teal'c entered the cabin first, the lights were on but no one was in sight. What he did see was a broken chair and two ropes lying near the couch. He slowly made his way to the kitchen area and saw the broken cup and blood on the floor. Jonas was looking at the broken chair, "Ah Teal'c there's some blood over here on the floor." Jonas said quietly but obviously worried.
"There is blood over here as well Jonas, we should check on the other rooms." Teal'c said quietly, then led the way to the bedrooms.
"I don't understand Teal'c where could they be?" Jonas asked after they searched the rooms to find no one there.
"O'Neill's truck is outside, his coat and boots are missing, yet Major Carter's are still by the door. We should begin a search outside right away Jonas." Teal'c said with obvious anxiety in his voice. He went to the cupboard where O'Neill kept a flashlight only to find it missing. He searched a few more cupboards and found the spare flashlight and batteries.
"Hey Teal'c I found some footprints out here leading away from the cabin." Jonas hollered from the deck.
"Just one moment Jonas." Teal'c said loudly as he rushed to put the batteries in the flashlight. "I am now ready Jonas, we should hurry to find them, but be ever so watchful. We do not know what has occurred or who may have attacked O'Neill and Major Carter."
"Yea, I hear you Teal'c; I'll keep an eye out." Jonas said as he followed Teal'c, leading the way as they searched for their missing friends.
"The trail leads to the thicker part of the forest; it appears as though Major Carter is leading the way." Teal'c said loudly as he tried to be heard over the blowing wind.
"Are there any other tracks, to let us know who's following Sam?" Jonas said trying to hold his hood over his head.
"There are only two sets of tracks Jonas, the smaller ones I am sure are Major Carter's, the other tracks I cannot be sure if they are O'Neill's or not." Teal'c said as he followed the tracks.
Ahead of them, Jonas and Teal'c noticed a part of a tree had broken off and fallen to the ground. "Teal'c do you see that?"
"Yes Jonas, I do, come we must hurry." Teal'c said as he and Jonas headed for the faint light that was coming from under the tree. If not for the light shining, they would never have noticed the two snow covered bodies concealed by the branches of the tree.
"Give me a hand Teal'c." Jonas said desperately as he bent down to grab part of a large branch.
"We must be careful Jonas." Teal'c said as he also grabbed part of the branch at the other end of the tree. The two men carefully lifted the heavy part of the tree that had fallen on the two people. They couldn't be sure the two bodies were that of O'Neill and Sam, but they were pretty sure. 'After all who else could be out here?' Jonas thought to himself.
After removing the tree, they could see one body lying face down across another. Teal'c and Jonas bent down and started wiping the snow off the person lying atop the other. "Oh my God, Sam!" Jonas said in shock.
Teal'c took over and checked for a pulse. "Her pulse is weak and slow but it is evident." Teal'c said as he checked Sam for other injuries. "I cannot detect any injury to her neck or spine, but there is a large deep laceration." Teal'c said pointing at the bloodstain going diagonally across Sam's back from her right shoulder to mid back.
"It has stopped bleeding but for now we must try to get her warmed up quickly Jonas." Teal'c said taking his heavy coat off and laying it down on the ground next to Sam. The two men gently eased Sam onto Teal'c's coat, then Teal'c zipped it up so Sam was bundled up in it.
"It's Colonel O'Neill!" Jonas said checking on the other person. "He's alive but has a nasty bump on the side of his head."
"We should get them back to the cabin right away, can you carry Major Carter?" Teal'c said coming to Jonas' side to check on Jack.
"Yes, I think I can." Jonas said.
"You must know for certain Jonas, you must not drop Major Carter, you may injure her further."
"I'm sure Teal'c; Sam will be safe in my arms." Jonas said feeling a little embarrassed by his uncertainty. Teal'c assisted Jonas in picking up Sam, making sure he had a firm hold on her before allowing him to carry Sam to the cabin. Teal'c then picked up Jack and followed Jonas.
'I can do this, I can do this.' Jonas thought to himself as he trudged his way through the snow. He knew Sam wasn't that heavy, but walking through the deep snow made carrying her more difficult; and there was no way he'd be able to forgive himself if he dropped her. So he kept mind on the task at hand, taking one step at a time.
Jonas let out a sigh of relief as he came up to the steps to the deck. "Just two steps and we're home free Sam." He said then lugged Sam to the door struggling to open it.
"Do you need assistance Jonas?" Teal'c asked coming up behind Jonas.
"Ah, no that's ok, I've got it." Jonas said straining then finally opening the door stepping into the cabin followed by Teal'c.
"Should I put Sam in one of the bedrooms?"
"No, Jonas put Major Carter on the couch for now and I will start a fire." Teal'c said then put Jack down on the floor in the living room area. "Jonas, go and get one of the mattresses from one of the bedrooms and bring it here by the fireplace." Teal'c said then started moving the furniture out of the way making a large open area in front of the fireplace. Teal'c then moved over to Sam and unzipped the coat then felt her forehead and her face, "you are much too cold Major Carter."
"Where do you want me to put this?" Jonas said struggling with the mattress. Jonas appreciated Teal'c's help as the two situated the mattress in front of the fireplace. "Jonas, O'Neill keeps a first aid kit in the kitchen under the counter top to the left of the sink."
"Yea, right okay." Jonas said as he rushed to find the kit. Teal'c in the meantime carried Sam from the couch and placed her on the mattress so she was closer to the fire. Jonas came over and handed Teal'c the kit. Teal'c now took the time to untie Sam's hands shaking his head when he saw the reddened sore area on her wrists.
"What in the world happened here Teal'c?" Jonas asked as he too saw the condition of Sam's wrists. "Who could have done this to them?"
Teal'c remained silent, not liking that everything pointed to the fact that they did this to each other. For now, he would keep his conjectures to himself, until he could find out the truth. "Jonas, see to O'Neill while I tend to Major Carter."
"Okay Teal'c, I'll do that." Jonas said as he went over to help Jack. He manoeuvred Jack out of his coat and boots, taking note that the colonel didn't seem too cold, well at least not as cold as Sam. Then he looked at the wound on the side of Jack's head; the bleeding had stopped but he thought it still needed cleaning and a bandage. He moved Jack so he was also on the mattress then reached to get the supplies from Teal'c.
"Why on earth would Sam be out in this weather wearing only a t-shirt, jeans and sneakers?" Jonas asked quite puzzled.
"I do not know Jonas, but I do not think she had a choice in the matter."
"Oh, what the hell?"
"Colonel, are you okay?" Jonas asked looking down at Jack.
Jack's vision was starting to clear as the face of Jonas started to come in focus. "Yea fine; what the hell happened?"
"We were hoping you'd be able to tell us O'Neill." Teal'c said calmly from his position next to Sam who was now lying on her stomach.
Jack lifted his hand to his head grimacing when he touched the sore area, "Oy." He then tried to sit up, resting back on his elbows. Jack looked at Jonas then to Teal'c with a confused look on his face. Then he saw Sam lying next to him and realization dawned on him.
"Teal'c! Make sure Carter's secured! Jack yelled as he grabbed her right arm moving to twist it against her back, while trying to reach her left to do the same.
"O'Neill, what are you doing?" Teal'c said loudly grabbing Jack by his hands trying to have him let go of Sam.
"Teal'c, look at her neck! She's a Goa'uld!"
Jonas understanding what Jack was thinking, grabbed him by the shoulders and tried to pull him away from Sam.
"O'Neill, listen to me." Teal'c said forcefully, still holding on to Jack's hands and looking into his eyes. "Major Carter is not a Goa'uld."
"She has the mark on her neck Teal'c." Jack said confusion evident in his eyes as he looked at his friend.
"Yes O'Neill, she has the mark, but she is not a Goa'uld. Her body is absorbing the remains of the dead infant Goa'uld." Teal'c explained, releasing his grip on Jack's hands.
Jack let go of Sam's arms and leaned back into Jonas. He looked down at Sam still not moving at his knees. Then he looked up at Teal'c with anguish in his eyes, "She…she tried to tell me, I didn't believe her."
"There will be time for regrets later O'Neill; right now Major Carter needs us to care for her."
"Yea, yea you're right Teal'c." Jack said taking a gulp then looking at Jonas nodding for Jonas to let him go.
"What the hell happened, how did she get that?" Jack asked looking at the blood stained torn shirt going across Sam's back.
"Uh, Colonel we found you and Sam under part of a fallen tree. Sam was lying across you and took the force of the impact." Jonas told him in a quiet voice.
"I fear the worse of her condition is the hypothermia, I do not know how long she has been outside. We must get her warmed up as quickly as possible." Teal'c said, seeing the seriousness of the situation dawn on O'Neill.
"Right, Jonas go and get some blankets from one of the rooms, then put some water on to boil to make some tea. Maybe if she starts to come around we can get her to drink some." Jack said, turning into his colonel mode.
"Teal'c her clothes are soaked, we'll have to get her out of them." Jack saw Teal'c nod his head. Teal'c seeing that the t-shirt was already ripped tore the rest of it from the hem of the shirt to the neck, exposing Sam's back.
Jack had to swallow back the bile that was coming up from his stomach, "Geez Teal'c that looks bad."
"You are lucky O'Neill, from what I saw, if Major Carter hadn't covered you the branch would have struck you in the head and most likely killed you."
"After what happened here today, I don't know why she just didn't let the damn thing hit me." Jack said while cleaning the wound on Sam's back, he took the gauze Teal'c handed him and covered the area. "I don't know Teal'c, she might need stitches?"
"For now the bleeding has stopped and I think the butterfly bandages are the best we can do." Teal'c answered hoping they would be enough.
Jonas came in the room with the blankets and handed them to Jack and Teal'c. Jack covered Sam with a blanket then rolled her on her side and removed the rest of her top from under the blanket.
"Jonas why don't you wait in the kitchen." Jack said, knowing Sam wouldn't want everyone around undressing her.
Teal'c felt Sam start to move as he was removing her shoes. "Major Carter, can you hear me?" He said, gently rubbing her leg.
"Carter, are you with us?" Jack asked placing his hand on her shoulder. Jack and Teal'c could hear Sam mumble but were unable to make anything out.
"I believe Major Carter is distressed." Teal'c said placing a comforting hand on her arm.
"…No…away from me…" Sam managed to say struggling beneath Teal'c's hand.
"I believe my presence is upsetting Major Carter." Teal'c said removing his hand and moving further away from Sam.
"What, why would it be?" Jack said looking at Teal'c.
"In her current state, Major Carter may not know where she is, or what is happening to her; but she is still able to sense the presence of my symbiote."
"Yea, I guess you're right Teal'c, seeing as how she seems to be settling down." Jack paused a moment, "I guess that leaves me to help Carter." Jack said quietly to Teal'c so Jonas wouldn't hear him. Jack knew Jonas was beginning to fit in to the team, thanks to Sam of course; but was still a bit of an outsider.
Teal'c nodded to Jack, then moved to the kitchen to keep Jonas occupied.
Jack took another deep breath, "Sorry Carter, but now is not the time for modesty." He continued to undress Sam, reaching under the blankets to undo her jeans then trying to slip them off. There's nothing worse than trying to get out of wet jeans, unless of course you're trying to get someone else out of them.
Once the job was done, Jack took the other blanket and covered Sam with it. He then put his hand on her forehead regretting how cold she was, then slid his hand through her hair, stopping when he came to the spot on the back of her head, the wound that he had caused.
"Teal'c bring that lamp over here, so I can get a better look at Carter's head." Jack said moving the dried blood clumped hair.
Jonas went to the lamp, which had been knocked over on the table; he picked it up and noticed the bulb was missing. "Ah, Colonel, there's no bulb in this lamp."
"Teal'c grabbed the flashlight, walked past Jonas and towards Jack and Sam. He knelt down at the farther edge of the mattress and held the light shining it at the back of Sam's head.
"O'Neill, we must discuss how Major Carter ascertained these others injuries." By this time, Jonas came and knelt down beside Teal'c, wanting to know what happened also.
Jack didn't answer Teal'c, he examined the cut and bump on Sam's head with the aide of the light Teal'c was providing. He grabbed the tweezers from the kit and began to pull out shards of ceramic from the wound. He looked up and saw Teal'c and Jonas's faces staring at him, waiting for a response.
"Later guys. Right now, we should be taking care of Carte; the explanations can wait. So Teal'c do you think we'd be able to get Carter to a hospital?"
"The roads are quite bad O'Neill; I do not know how long it would take to get Major Carter to a hospital."
"Ah, not to mention Sam's different blood chemistry, I didn't think she'd be able to go to a regular hospital." Jonas added concern apparent in his voice.
"I think it would be better if we got Major Carter's temperature up here, I would not want to risk taking her out in the storm." Teal'c added.
"Yea, yea I know you're right, I was just hoping we could get her some help." Jack shook his head, "You know the last time we had to deal with hypothermia was in Antarctica, ah the first time Jonas. Only that time I was the one with the injuries and Carter did everything to keep me alive and how do I pay her back?" Jack dropped the tweezers into the kit and took out a new gauze pad; he poured an antiseptic on it then cleaned the wound on Sam's head.
Jack was surprised when he felt Sam move; the antiseptic obviously stung which meant that Sam was now reacting to pain. "I think she might be starting to come around." Jack said relief evident in his voice.
"Carter, can you hear me?" Jack asked gently brushing her hair back.
"C-cold…" was all Sam managed to get out.
"Yea Carter I know." Jack said tucking the blankets in tight around her.
"Major Carter can you open your eyes?" Teal'c asked.
"Teal'c…How…get here?" Sam said starting to shiver.
"I drove up with Jonas Quinn."
"What? Drove…Antarctica?" Sam said confused.
"No Major Carter, we are in Minnesota; in Colonel O'Neill's cabin." Teal'c explained in a gentle voice.
"Have to get help…Colonel's bleeding internally."
"Damn, she thinks we're back in Antarctica. Carter, can you hear me? It's O'Neill, I'm alright."
"Sir?" Sam asked opening her eyes slightly
"Yea Carter, it's me. You're safe now; Teal'c and Jonas are here with us." Jack said laying his hand on Sam's shoulder.
"Safe…where?" Sam asked weakly.
"We're at my cabin, do you remember anything?" Jack asked not sure what she would remember.
"Hmm…your cabin." Sam said drifting off.
"Carter? Can you hear me?" Jack said shaking her shoulder lightly.
"I think she passed out again." Jonas said worriedly.
"Ya think." Jack said annoyed looking at Jonas. Then he felt Sam start to shiver violently.
"O'Neill, I believe the blankets are not sufficiently helping Major Carter."
"Yea, I noticed Teal'c, I guess I'll have to use combined body heat to help warm her up." Jack said as he stripped down to his boxers, then climbed in under the covers pressing his body against Sam's back.
"Oh! Damn!" Jack shrieked.
"Are you alright O'Neill?" Teal'c asked surprised by Jack's reaction.
"Yea fine, it's just that Carter's cold."
"Is that not the reason you are trying to warm up Major Carter?" Teal'c asked raising an eyebrow.
"Yea, well it's just that, I didn't expect the cold to be this shocking. I haven't had to deal with cold feet since Sara." Jack said moving trying to get Sam as close to him as possible. He draped his arm over hers so her arm was crossed over her chest and his was over hers. He moved his legs so hers were against his lower leg while his upper leg was on top of hers.
"Teal'c, make sure you keep the fire going; you and Jonas bring in some more wood so it has a chance to dry. " Jack said as he tried to hold Sam still through her shivers.
Teal'c threw another log on the fire before he and Jonas got ready to go out side and bring in the wood.
"Carter, Sam…can you hear me?" Jack said in Sam's ear. "Come on Sam, it's time to wake up." He said as he squeezed her a little tighter.
"Gee it's cold out there." Jonas said as he carried the logs into the cabin, followed by Teal'c.
Jonas went into the kitchen, "Colonel, did you want something to eat or drink? I can make you some coffee if you like."
"Yea, thanks Jonas I could use a coffee and maybe a sandwich or something" Jack then thought that the last time Sam had anything to eat or drink was at breakfast, and started to feel guilty. After all, he had taken good care of himself while Sam was unconscious and tied up.
"Hey, Jonas hold on with that until Carter wakes up, I'm sure she'll need something to drink and eat."
"Are you sure Colonel, because I don't mind making something for Sam when she wakes up." Jonas said concerned.
Jack held on tightly to Sam, not just to warm her, but also to make sure she was still alive in his arms. He had come close to losing her today and not because of some Jaffa or a Goa'uld, but because of himself. He didn't know how he was going to face her when she woke…he just hoped she would wake soon, then maybe he could try and make it up to her.
Sam could hear voices around her, they seemed far off but she was sure she could hear them. She tried to move a bit, but found herself unable to do so. Someone or something was holding her down, not allowing her to move. She felt her own arm pinned against her and something heavy holding her legs down. She didn't like this and started to panic, trying to fight against what ever was restraining her.
Jack felt Sam start to stir; it felt like she was trying to fight against him, her movements seemed to be getting more violent. "Carter, take it easy Carter, if you move too much you're going to hurt yourself."
Sam was still in the midst of her fear, trying to escape what ever it was that kept her glued to the spot, with her frantic movements and overwhelming panic Sam couldn't hear the voices anymore.
"Teal'c! Get over here!" Jack yelled as he tried to keep Sam still. "She's gonna cause her wound to start bleeding if she keeps this up."
Teal'c and Jonas were at Sam and Jack's side in no time. "O'Neill?" Teal'c asked looking down at the two.
"I thought she was coming around, but then she started to struggle. I'm afraid if I let her go she'll open the wound on her back."
Teal'c placed a hand on the side of Sam's face, stroking it lightly with his thumb. "Major Carter, Samantha it is I, Teal'c, you are among friends here; there is no need to worry." As Teal'c continued to stroke Sam's face, he could feel her start to settle down.
"I believe you can now ease your grip on Major Carter." Teal'c told Jack, still using his soothing to voice to calm Sam down.
Jack slowly eased up on his hold on Sam and felt her relax even more. "Teal'c?"
"Yes Major Carter I am here." Teal'c said calmly and saw Sam's eyes flutter.
"What…what's going on?" Sam asked her eyes finally opening and her vision starting to clear.
"You ah, had an accident Sam." Jonas said putting his hand on her leg.
Jack looked at Jonas shaking his head at Jonas' choice of words, 'accident, yea like she's gonna believe that one.'
Sam took a deep breath then looked at Teal'c and then at Jonas; her mind was still fuzzy but she could feel someone behind her. She looked over her shoulder and saw Jack, he was lying on his side beside her propped up on his elbow looking down at her. Then she noticed that his upper chest was bare and a blanket had slipped off his shoulder the same blanket that was covering her. Sam then realized that she was undressed under the blankets, then the memories came flooding back to her, how Jack had acted and treated her. An overwhelming feel of panic came over her and she quickly bolted upright and moved away from Jack, "Keep him away from me!" she gasped.
"Carter, it's okay, I won't hurt you I promise." Jack said standing up and moving further away from her holding his hands up and in front of him in a non-threatening manner.
Teal'c gently placed his hands on Sam's shoulders, "He is telling you the truth Major Carter, we have explained to O'Neill that you are not a Goa'uld."
Sam looked at Jack, then turned to look at Teal'c; she saw the look in his eyes and trusted him implicitly. She relaxed a bit then realized that she was sitting on a mattress wearing only her underwear; she quickly reached for the blanket and covered herself noting a pain in her back as she moved.
Jack saw her face as she moved, "Carter, are you okay?" He said as he moved closer to her.
"You should know the answer to that…Sir." Sam said bitterly
"Why don't I get you guys some dry clothes." Jonas said getting up and moving to the bedrooms.
Jack could see the look Sam was giving him, and he didn't blame her; hell, he was angry with himself for treating her like he did.
"Here you go Sam, Colonel." Jonas said handing them each a set of sweats.
Jack took the clothing and quickly put them on. "Why don't we give Carter a little privacy." Jack said as he noticed her holding the clothing close to her but not moving.
"Major Carter, I believe you may have some difficulty with your injuries." Teal'c said gently resting his hand on her arm.
Sam still didn't know what kind of injury he was talking about, she didn't think what Jack did to her would impede her that much, she did feel a pain in her back, but wasn't sure what it was from or how bad it was. "Teal'c what are you talking about?" She lifted the sweatshirt to put over her head and was stopped by the pain. "Ahhh… I see," Sam panted through the pain.
gratitude. "Shall I continue?"
Sam having noticed that Jonas and Jack had left the area, nodded for Teal'c to continue. He pulled the blankets back to expose Sam's legs and slipped the pants on pulling them up to her mid thighs. "I can do the rest, thanks Teal'c," Sam said then struggled to finish dressing.
"So you want to tell me how I ended up in here in only my underwear?" Sam asked Teal'c.
"Jonas Quinn and I found you and O'Neill in the forest, both of you were unconscious and under a large branch which had broken off of a tree. You took the impact, which caused the injury to your back. You were suffering from hypothermia when we found you. Jonas and I carried you and O'Neill back here, you were very cold Major Carter and your clothes were wet."
"So…uh, who undressed me?" Sam asked shyly
"By that time O'Neill had regained consciousness, he is the one who undressed you, but not before Jonas and I left the room. You were also shivering violently and O'Neill thought the only way to raise your body temperature was to use shared body heat." Teal'c explained to her.
Sam took a few moments to take in the information, she had the blanket wrapped around her tightly and was appreciating the feel of the heat coming from the fire.
Sam was brought out of her musings by Jonas handing her a mug, "Here you go Sam, its tea it should help to warm you up."
"Thank you Jonas," Sam said taking the proffered cup and holding it tightly in her hands taking in the warmth.
"So do you feel like telling us what happened here today?" Jonas asked in a caring voice.
Sam looked up at Jonas then around the room and saw Jack in the kitchen moving around the stove. "Yea, Jonas I guess we should fill you guys in, but first I need to get up."
"I can bring you what ever you need Sam, you don't have to get up." Jonas offered.
"Thanks Jonas, but I really need to get up." Sam said with a slight smirk.
"I shall assist you Major Carter." Teal'c said as he stood up, he leaned over and helped Sam get to her feet. Once up Sam began to sway a little and gripped Teal'c's arm.
"Are you alright Major Carter?" Teal'c asked with concern.
"Yea, just a little light headed; but I'll be fine in a bit." Teal'c helped Sam walk to the kitchen area; she paused when she passed the broken chair and didn't even notice her toes curl when her bare feet hit the cold floor. He then helped her down the hall towards the bathroom.
"Thanks Teal'c I can take it from here." Sam said giving him a smile.
"You are most welcome Major Carter, just let me know when you need my assistance." Teal'c said bowing his head.
"I will, thanks." Sam said as she closed the door to the bathroom.
Jonas started tidying up the area, straightening the blankets, and picking up Sam's discarded clothing, shaking his head at the sight of the torn bloody t-shirt. Then he went to start picking up the pieces of the broken chair.
"Leave it Jonas; I'll take care of that." Jack said from the kitchen, where he was preparing food for everyone.
Sam looked at herself in the mirror, 'boy am I a sight' she thought to herself. She was leaning awkwardly to try to see the back of her head, which she was failing at miserably. She would have liked to see her back but it was covered with the sweatshirt and with the pain it was causing from moving around, she knew she wouldn't be able to see it. She made her way to the door, took a deep breath before heading back out.
"Jonas I told you to leave the chair alone, right now I think we all should sit down and eat something as soon as Carter gets back."
"Oh, hey Sam, here let me give you a hand." Jonas said rushing to Sam's side to give her a steadying hand. He tried to lead Sam back to the mattress but she had other ideas.
"I think I'd like to sit at the counter Jonas." Sam said looking at the empty chair next to Teal'c. Jonas led her to the chair and waited for her to sit down; noting that she wasn't swaying he backed off and went to get one of the blankets.
Jack put a bowl of soup in front of her, "Look Carter I know you must be hungry as well as cold, and I'm…sorry about that, but you should really eat something."
Sam looked at Jack and without saying a word, picked up the spoon and started eating. Jack was right she was hungry, and since it was his fault, she didn't feel the need to thank him.
'Well at least she was eating, even if she wasn't talking to him.' Jack thought. He then took the blanket from Jonas and went to drape it around Sam's shoulders. He noticed a blood stain starting to grow on Sam's sweatshirt.
"Um, Carter, I hate to say this but it looks like the wound on your back had started to bleed again
Sam shifted in her chair trying to look over her shoulder, but of course was unable to. "Damn." was all she said.
"I think we should have a look at it." Jack said, not wanting to touch her without her permission.
Sam nodded her head and turned back to the counter, she moved the bowl out of the way and rested her arms on the counter to get ready and let out a sigh. "Go ahead." She said.
Jonas brought the fist aid kit over and set it on the counter, while Teal'c lifted the back of the sweatshirt. Jack started to pull the blood soaked bandages off Sam's back, noticing her muscles tense as he did so.
"This does not look good O'Neill." Teal'c said seeing that the deep cut had started to bleed again and the area around it was starting to show the bruising.
"It must have opened up from all the moving around." Jack said as he handed Teal'c a gauze pad to help put pressure on wound.
"Ahhh," Sam yelped as the pressure caused more pain, making her increase her grip on the edge of the counter turning her knuckles white.
"Sorry Carter."
"What kind of wound is it anyway?" She said through gritted teeth.
"You have a deep ragged cut from your shoulder here going to your mid back here" Jack said tracing a line beside the cut. "And the area around it is pretty well bruised."
"Yea, it was caused by that large branch that landed on you Sam." Jonas said, looking into her eyes as he had moved to stand across from Sam. "It probably wouldn't have caused so much damage if you had on your thick winter coat." Jonas said seeing the tormented look on Sam's face as the words spilled out of his mouth.
Jack looked up and saw Jonas' reaction, "Carter wasn't wearing her coat because she was running for her life…away from me." Jack looked back down, avoiding Jonas' responding look, choosing to stare at the bandages he was holding.
"O'Neill perhaps you should start from the beginning." Teal'c said, lifting the bandage and observing that the bleeding had stopped. He and Jack started putting clean bandages over the cut and taped them in place.
"Yea, you're right Teal'c." Jack said picking up the discarded blanket and putting it over Sam's shoulders. He moved to the other side of the island and started reheating the soup.
He handed out a bowl of soup to everyone before sitting down and starting his explanation, but Sam started before he could.
"I remember having breakfast this morning with the colonel, I went to help clean up the dishes…and the next thing I knew… I was waking up tied to a chair." Sam said quietly looking at Jack.
"Yea…I saw the mark on the back of Carter's neck, and I thought she had been taken over by a Goa'uld." Jack paused taking a look at Carter's face before continuing. "I'm not sure, I must have panicked or something, because before I knew it I took a coffee cup and knocked Carter out."
"Perhaps you were acting on your instincts O'Neill." Teal'c said knowing O'Neill was not one who panicked. Sam looked at Teal'c with an astonished expression on her face.
"Carter kept trying to tell me that she wasn't a Goa'uld, but I didn't believe her. She even tried to get me to call you guys, but because of the storm I wasn't able to get any reception." Jack took a deep breath, "God Sam, I'm so sorry for what I did to you." He said looking her in the eyes.
"I know you are Sir, but…"
"But you can't forgive me for what I put you through." Jack said looking down
"I don't know Sir." Sam said shaking her head and pulling the blanket tighter around herself.
"Look Carter, at least eat something, you must be starving." Jack said putting a sandwich next to her soup. He then looked at Teal'c and Jonas before continuing. "All I could focus on was the mark on Carter's neck and the lump I saw under it. I…I…I can't believe I did what I did to her." Jack said putting his face in his hands.
Jonas looked at Sam for an explanation. She could see that Jack was really taking it hard and unable to continue. "The Colonel was trying to talk the Goa'uld into to leaving me; he ah…used the lamp to deliver a shock directly to the Goa'uld."
"Oh my God Sam, how…how." Jonas stuttered.
"How did she take it? Is that what you're asking?" Jack said angrily. "Let's see after the screams I think she passed out." Jack yelled then stalked out of the room slamming the door behind him when he reached the bedroom.
"Um, I didn't mean to upset the colonel." Jonas said apologetically.
"It's not you Jonas; he's just having a hard time dealing with what he did." Sam said quietly. "Maybe I should go talk to him."
"I believe it would be best to leave O'Neill alone for now." Teal'c suggested
"How is your neck Sam?" Jonas asked with concern.
"It's still a little sore, but otherwise it's okay." Sam said looking towards the hallway where Jack disappeared.
"Do you mind if I check?" Jonas asked gently.
"It's okay Jonas, you don't have to worry."
"Perhaps it would be wise to check the injury." Teal'c said placing his hand on Sam's arm also touching her wrist.
Sam snapped her arm away when Teal'c touched it instantly grabbing her wrist. "Look guys I'm fine, just leave it alone." Sam said raising her voice.
"Major Carter, it is not my wish to upset you, but it would be wise to take a look at your other injuries before they become a problem for you. We know about your wrists from when I untied your hands." Teal'c told her.
"Yea Sam, we had to take care of your back and the hypothermia first; I'm sorry we didn't take better care of you." Jonas said quietly.
"I don't need you taking care of me Jonas; I am quite able to take care of myself." Sam said annoyed at the attention she was getting.
"Perhaps Major Carter, but the sooner these injuries are addressed the sooner we will stop aggravating you." Teal'c said raising his eyebrow.
"Well I guess I don't have much of a choice." Sam said pushing her sleeves up. Jonas' face creased as he saw the red-chaffed skin going around her wrists. He got the ointment from the kit and gently applied it to her skin, noticing her wince as he did so.
"Sorry Sam." Jonas said, then proceeded to put the dressings on her wrists. "There all done." Jonas smiled.
"Thanks Jonas, so if that's all…"
"I do not believe you are finished yet." Teal'c said putting his hand on Sam's shoulder. Sam sighed and shook her head before putting her head down to expose the back of her neck.
"This does not look too bad, there is a small burn but I believe once we dress it, it should be fine." Teal'c said as he reached for the ointment and then put a dressing on it.
"Well now I feel like one of Daniel's mummies," Sam said pulling the blanket up around her neck. She got up and headed towards the hall, "I think it's time I checked on the colonel."
"Sam, are you sure you want to do that?" Jonas asked quickly jumping to his feet.
"Right now Jonas, I think I'm the only one who can talk to him." She said heading for his door.
Jack was standing still staring out the window into the darkness; the only thing visible was the reflection of the light in the window. He couldn't believe what he had done today, more than that he couldn't forgive himself or expect anyone else to forgive him. You really screwed this one up O'Neill.' His thoughts were interrupted by a light knock on the door, he looked at the door but decided to ignore it, thinking that maybe the person knocking would get the hint and leave him alone.
"Sir, it's me, can I come in?"
Jack heard Sam's voice and reluctantly answered the door. "Look Carter, I don't want to hear it right now, I just want to be left alone."
"Sorry Sir but I can't do that. We need to talk." Sam said as she walked passed Jack entering the room and plopping herself at the end of the bed She brought her feet up so she was sitting crossed legged and pulled the blanket tighter
"Well Carter you're being a little insubordinate aren't you?" Jack said closing the door then leaning against it as he watched Sam get comfortable.
"We're off duty and on a vacation Sir, I don't think this passes as insubordination."
"Okay then, being bold aren't you?" Jack said a little angry that his brooding was being disturbed.
"Sir we really need to discuss this." Sam said shifting around a bit.
Jack noticed that Sam's feet were bare since they were sticking out from the blanket. "Ah Carter, aren't your feet cold?"
Sam looked down at her feet then pulled the blanket to cover them. "Yes, but then so is the rest of me."
"Yea, I'm really sorry about that." Jack said as he went to his dresser, pulled out a pair of socks from one of the drawers, and handed them to Sam. "Here this should help."
Sam took the socks and gladly put them on. "Now Sir about what happened today…"
"Look Carter I don't know how many times I can say I'm sorry, but I know it will never be enough."
"Sir, I've already heard your apology, I may be able to forgive you some day, but right now we have to talk about why you did it." Sam said quietly.
"You know why I did what I did; I thought you were a Goa'uld."
"I realize that Sir, but last time you thought I had a Goa'uld in me you still tried to protect me. You didn't try to hurt me even when I tried to blow up the gate room. There has to be a reason for the change in how you reacted to me."
Jack let out a sigh and then went to sit on the bed, leaving a gap between him and Sam. "You're not going to try and 'shrink' me are you Carter?"
"I don't think I'm qualified for that Sir, but I am your friend and I think you need to talk about this."
"Oh Carter, I don't know if I can." Jack said looking down at his hands.
"Sir tell me about Baal."
Jack looked Sam in the eyes, the pain apparent in his. "I…I don't think I can." Jack said getting up and turning to look out the window.
"How many times Sir?"
"What?" Jack said turning slightly towards Sam.
"How many times did he kill you?"
Jack's face paled at the question, it was one thing to go through it, but talking about it was another thing. He had been trying to put that behind him, to bury it in the back of his mind. Now here was Sam trying to get him to bring it back into the light of day.
"How many Sir?" Sam asked again, she knew she had to be persistent if she was going to get anywhere with him.
Jack came back to sit on the bed, this time facing Sam. He took a deep breath before answering; "I don't know" He said quietly, "I lost count."
Sam nodded at his answer; she put her hand on his arm "How are you dealing with the…torture?"
Jack looked up to her face, seeing the concern in her eyes. "I put it behind me Carter." He said trying to sound forceful.
"No I don't think you have." Sam said her voice conveying understanding.
"Look Cater I can't talk about this." Jack said starting to turn away from Sam.
Sam put her hand on his shoulder to stop him. "What about the nightmares?"
Jack looked at her in surprise. "How…did you know?"
"It was a long drive and you did fall asleep; then last night I…could hear you."
Jack didn't know what to say, he thought the nightmares had decreased and he was handling them better. "Oh boy…I didn't mean for you to find out."
"Look Sir…Jack, I am your friend and I can understand what you're going through, so can Teal'c. We are here for you, what ever you need…even if it's just to rant or…even cry. We won't judge you; I just hope you can trust us to release some of your burden."
Jack could feel a lump forming in his throat and when he looked at Sam, he could see the concern in her eyes; she moved closer to him and put her arms around him. As his head rested on her shoulder a single tear fell.