Chapter 4 – Connect the Dots
The call came on a sunny April day, just after noon. Sam had been working in her lab since daybreak, trying to make sense of the oblong device that SG-9 had brought back from their latest mission. Lost in thought, she absently picked up the ringing phone. "Carter" she stated shortly.
"I thought it was O'Neill now," came the amused voice on the other end of the line; a voice that Sam recognized instantly.
A smile lit her face as she replied, "On base, it's still Carter. Could get confusing otherwise. But at home, we're all O'Neills" she replied with a chuckle. Sam glanced at her watch, her face registering a hint of surprise; it was later than she thought. Even though she had left before they were up, Sam had given both of her children and her husband good-bye kisses. She hated leaving before they were up, but figured if she left early, she'd be able to come home early. And so far, the day had flown by. Frowning in thought, Sam voiced her next question. "What's up, Jack? I thought you were coming in today."
Sam could hear his voice sober over the telephone line. "Well, I was. Until I went to put JJ's shirt on. You remember the letter we got from the daycare center two weeks ago?" he asked, waiting expectantly for her reply.
Sam furrowed her brow in thought. JJ and Grace had been attending an off-site daycare center run by the SGC for the last six months. It was a godsend, really. The families that made up the SGC worked odd hours and the daycare facility took that into account. Basically, they operated 24 hours a day, providing a safe, comfortable place for children both day and night. The teachers were well-trained and held some level of clearance, so they understood the particular needs of their small charges and their families. Along with being highly capable and caring, the staff was enthusiastic and made sure there were a variety of activities to look forward to each week for children who might be experiencing minor upheavals in their daily lives.
Every so often, a letter would come home with the children, describing upcoming events or concerns that may have arisen at the facility. Sam's last few weeks had been inordinately busy, and she couldn't for the life of her recall any letter that might have something to do with Jack not coming in today…or something about JJ's shirt for that matter.
Jack's voice broke into her thoughts. "You still there?"
Sam shook herself. "Yeah, but I'm afraid I don't remember what letter you're talking about." Then, getting a funny feeling in the pit of her stomach, Sam asked, "Jack? Is something wrong with JJ?"
Jack sighed loudly and Sam could visualize him running a hand through his hair, "You could say that. And not just JJ, Gracie too."
He had her full and complete attention with those words. Sam's heart skipped a beat as she asked breathlessly and a bit fearfully, "What is it?"
"They seem to have come down with the chicken pox, dear," he stated with a touch of incredulity. When Sam didn't reply right away, Jack called a bit louder into the phone, "Sam? Are you OK?"
"Chicken pox?" Sam shouted in disbelief. "How in the hell could they have contracted the chicken pox? Janet immunized them herself when they were each 9 months old!"
"I don't know the how's or the whys…I just know that someone at the daycare center had the chicken pox, and now our kids have got them, Sam. Either that or they've been bitten by lots of mosquitoes lately. And since it's April, I'm kinda leaning toward the chicken pox. JJ's got spots all over his back and chest and they're sprouting on his legs and arms now."
"What about Grace?" Sam asked, even as she began to shut down her computers. There was no way she was staying on base while her babies had the chicken pox!
"So far, she's just got a few spots on her stomach. She's running a slight fever though and is less than her usual cheerful self." As if on cue, Grace let out a loud wail in the background. Sam could hear the plaintive cry of "Dada!" through the phone. His daughter's cry caused Jack to turn away from the phone and call back. "Daddy will be right there, princess."
"Maybe you should bring them in Jack; have Janet take a look at them," Sam said, the worry evident in her voice. "I'll meet you in the infirmary."
"No can do, Sam. I've already talked to the doc. She said that chicken pox is highly contagious. Even though every one at the SGC has either had them or been immunized, there's no telling what might happen should the kids come in contact with an alien virus while in the infirmary…or vice versa. Janet was adamant about that."
"What should we do then?" Sam was beginning to feel a sense of panic. Her children had had the occasional cold and stomach flu, but nothing like the chicken pox! She quickly shuffled papers into her briefcase and organized her desk even as her heart was pounding in alarm.
"Take it easy, Sam. Charlie went through having the pox, it's no big deal. They'll be itchy and crabby for a few days, then it will be all over," Jack tried to assure her. "Kind of like that time you picked up poison ivy at the cabin," he added with a soft chuckle.
Sam chose to ignore that remark for the moment. "But our kids are a bit different, Jack. We don't know what effect having the protein marker in their blood will do. God, this is all my fault!"
"Sam," Jack admonished her, knowing that if she headed down that road, it would take forever for him to get her off of it. She quickly cut him off.
"I'm coming home right now. I'll let the General know what's going on, stop and talk to Janet, then I'll be home," Sam stated with firm determination.
"You really don't need to rush home right now, Sam…"
Sam interrupted once again. "Jack – I'm coming home. My children are sick and I'm going to be with them. I'll see you soon."
Jack sighed, then grinned slightly to himself. If Sam decided she was going to do something, she'd do it, come hell or high water. And so he replied as calmly as possible, "Yes dear. Janet said she had a list of things we might need for the kids. Can you get it from her and pick the stuff up on your way home?"
"OK. I'll be there as fast as I can," she assured him, before saying a quick good-bye and hanging up the phone. In her haste to pack the remainder of her things and close up her lab, she didn't see Teal'c round the corner, so ran head-first into the large Jaffa. "Oof!" she muttered loudly as she met the brick wall in front of her.
Teal'c's arms came up automatically to grasp her upper arms and steady her. "Forgive me, Samantha. I did not mean to cause you injury," he stated, the concern evident in his voice.
Sam gave him a weak smile of reassurance. "I'm fine, Teal'c. Don't worry about it." She tried to brush past him but he held firmly to her arms.
"Is something amiss, Colonel Carter? You seem to be in a more heightened state of urgency than what would be deemed normal for you." Teal'c reverted to military protocol, his senses alert to her anxiety.
Sam cocked her head in thought at that statement before shaking her head slightly; she'd think about it later. "Uh, it's nothing to do with work, Teal'c. It's the JJ and Grace. Jack just called…they seem to have come down with a case of the chicken pox. I was just going to talk to Janet, then head home."
An eyebrow made its way up Teal'c's forehead as he pondered her words. "I do not understand how poultry could make your children ill, Colonel Carter. Did O'Neill not cook the meat in a sufficient manner? I have found my own digestive system to be unsettled after several of his meals," he stated, a frown of distaste crossing his face.
Where there had previously been panic and worry, now a small grin of amusement crossed Sam's face. It took all of her training not to burst into laughter at his comment. "No, Teal'c. The chicken pox is a virus. It usually affects children; causing small, itchy bumps, fever and irritation."
Teal'c's face darkened as he recalled his own bout with poison ivy. He had vowed never to venture into the woods around O'Neill's cabin again after that incident. "I see," he replied, dropping her arms gently. "How may I be of assistance, Colonel Carter?"
Sam smiled and placed her hand on his arm, squeezing gently. "I don't think there's anything you can do right now, Teal'c. But thank you just the same. I need to get a list from Janet of what we might need for JJ and Grace. Otherwise, I think it will just be a matter of keeping them comfortable and not scratching. I'll let you know if we need anything though, OK?"
Bowing slightly, he replied, "As you wish." Then Teal'c backed away from the door and let her pass, still wondering what poultry had to do with the illness currently afflicting the O'Neill children.
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Jack heard the slamming of the car door, picked up his whining daughter, and made his way to the front door. He opened it wide to see Sam coming up the walk, her arms filled with bags. Quirking his eyebrows in wonder at what she might have picked up at the store, he backed away to let her enter the house.
As soon as she saw her crying daughter, Sam rushed inside. Without a word of greeting to Jack, she shoved the bags into his arms in exchange for Grace. "Oh, my poor baby girl! Are you sick, sweetie? Do you have those nasty chicken pox? Mommy will make it better," she crooned as she held the one year old close. The attention from her mother just caused Grace's whimpers to escalate into full blown cries.
His sister's crying brought JJ from the living room where he had been placidly coloring in his coloring book. Once he set his eyes on his mother and heard her talking softly to Grace about her spots, JJ decided he'd better get some of her attention. And so he let loose with a wail of his own. "Mommy! Me have 'pots too!"
Sam got down on one knee and pulled him close. "Mommy knows sweetheart. We'll take care of those nasty spots, OK?" JJ nodded but continued to cry, milking the attention for all he was worth.
Rolling his eyes at the commotion, Jack turned to carry the bags into the kitchen, throwing over his shoulder, "I did have things under control, you know." Sam just shot him a scowl before turning her attention back to her children.
Several minutes later, when the crying had run its course, Jack emerged from the kitchen, a frown on his face as he held up an assortment of creams and lotions. "What the hell is all this for? They've got the chickenpox, not the plague!"
Sam looked up from the couch where she now sat, one child on each knee. They had quieted down and were now sitting snuggled on her lap, JJ proudly holding up his shirt and showing off his spots that were covered in pink lotion. "Janet gave me the names of a few ointments that we could try. I figured I might as well get them all; who knows what's going to work the best."
"And the oatmeal?" he shook the cardboard container of oatmeal, a questioning look on his face.
"Oatmeal baths. Janet said they'd be soothing." Turning back to the children she asked, "Have they been scratching much?"
Jack put down the items and came to join her on the couch, taking JJ from her and putting him on his own lap before answering. "Not much. JJ seems to have them the worst right now, but I put some Calamine lotion on him. It seems to be doing the trick. I've also given both of them some Tylenol for the slight fever. You really don't have to worry so much, Sam. They're going to be fine," he insisted.
Sam let her eyes meet his and he was startled to find fear still lurking in their blue depths. "Hey, come on, honey. They'll be all right, I promise." He pulled her close with one arm and gave her a tight hug.
"I know, I just hate to see them sick," she admitted as she pulled Grace more comfortably onto her lap.
"Me either," Jack agreed before reluctantly releasing her from his grasp when JJ began to squirm. "So, what did the doc say? How long can we expect our children to look like little mutant spotted leopards?"
Sam smiled at the comment before replying. "First of all, she said it's not unusual for children to get the chickenpox, even if they have had the shot. Though it should be a less severe case…hopefully," she glanced down at JJ, who had begun to absently scratch at his arm.
Jack pulled his hand away, to which JJ replied, "But daddy, I's itchy!"
"I know sport, but you can't scratch them. It will make it worse. How about some more of our magic pink lotion!" Jack stated with feigned enthusiasm.
JJ smiled. "Yay! It make me 'trong like Unca T!"
"Yep, that's right buddy." Jack shot Sam a grin. "Big and strong just like Uncle Teal'c. It's the only way he'd let me put it on him," he added in an aside to Sam. Jack pulled off JJ's shirt and proceeded to apply more Calamine lotion to his arms and back. "Wonder what old T would think of that…I don't even think he likes the color pink," he whispered conspiratorially to Sam. Then he drew back and asked, "What else did the doc say?"
Sam smiled at the sight of her son, watching with interest as his daddy applied the lotion, and at the notion of Teal'c wearing pink. "Janet said the worst of it would occur over the next few days, but the fevers should be gone within 2 days and the spots should start to scab over in about a week." Grace chose that moment to begin to rub her back against her mother's chest, whimpering as she couldn't alleviate her itchiness.
Sam bent and brushed a kiss on her daughter's brown curls, her face mirroring the discomfort on Grace's.
"I think Gracie needs some of the magic lotion, too. What do you think buddy?" Jack asked JJ, holding the bottle aloft.
JJ scrutinized the bottle, then looked over at his little sister before nodding his head solemnly. "Grawcie be "trong too," he stated decisively, passing the bottle of lotion to his mother.
Sam and Jack exchanged a smile before Sam pulled Gracie's shirt off to apply some of the lotion. Her back contained about a dozen red spots, and more seemed to be popping out as Sam applied the lotion. Turning Grace around, Sam also applied some to the little girl's chest and upper arms. Grace stopped squirming as her mother applied the cool lotion, watching in fascination at the pink marks that appeared on her stomach. One pudgy finger rubbed tentatively at the lotion on her belly, smearing it lightly. Sam pulled the little girl's hand away gently. "No, no, Grace. Leave the lotion alone. It will make you feel better."
JJ reached out a finger and poked his sister softly in the stomach. "Gwacie have 'pots!" he declared. Both children giggled as Grace reciprocated the action; poking JJ in his bared tummy.
"Well, this is going to be an interesting week," Jack commented with a grin, pulling JJ away from his sister just as he was about to poke her again. "How about some lunch? Then we can try this oatmeal idea of yours before naptime." Jack quirked his head in thought as he stood, JJ still in his arms. "They aren't going to be tempted to eat the stuff while they're in the tub, are they?"
Sam laughed as she too got up from the couch, Grace securely held in her arms. "No, dear. I don't think so. It won't be much different than when you give them oatmeal for breakfast…half the time at least one of them is wearing more than they've eaten!"
Jack frowned back as she followed him into the kitchen. "Yeah, well, at least it's cooked then. Raw oatmeal?" He shuddered at the thought. "Even T wouldn't touch that."
Sam, thinking about what Teal'c had said about Jack's cooking, started to laugh. When he turned and gave her a quizzical look, she answered cryptically, "I really don't think Teal'c is going to be eating much of anything you give him for a while, dear."
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The next several days were a blur for Jack and Sam. While both children had relatively mild cases of the chickenpox, they were none the less uncomfortable for a few days and it took the creative juices of both parents to keep them distracted from the itching. JJ was more easily distracted than Grace; he would engage in imaginative play or rough housing with his daddy at the drop of a hat. Grace was a bit more difficult; Jack and Sam found themselves spending an inordinate amount of time rocking with her and reading picture books. Whereas she had begun to enjoy her new-found mobility now that she could walk, Grace wanted to be constantly held now that she wasn't feeling her usual chipper self.
JJ was able to distract his little sister quite easily, and so Jack and Sam would pile toys in the living room, where the children would play for endless hours, JJ wearing his pull-ups, Grace in a diaper and t-shirt. JJ even was gracious enough to let his little sister try coloring in his favorite Bob the Builder coloring book. That she preferred to place the crayon in her mouth instead of to paper didn't bother the little boy in the least; though Sam was quick to take it away and move Grace on to other activities.
Sam stayed at home for the most part; running into the SGC for a few hours here and there as needed. Jack spent one full day at the mountain taking care of recruitment issues, but otherwise had worked side by side with his wife while tending to their sick children. On the sixth day of the illness, both children had begun to scab over and were much less itchy; though JJ still demanded his 'magic pink lotion' be liberally applied before he would play with daddy.
That afternoon, worn out from the stresses of taking care of sick children for almost a week, both Jack and Sam collapsed on the sofa in fatigue. The children were down for naps, the house had been picked up, though toys still littered the living room, and both parents were exhausted. Jack laid his head back against the couch cushions, then looked over at Sam, who had done the same.
"This is more tiring than a full-scale attack on the Goa'uld ever was! Thank God it's almost over," he exclaimed, closing his eyes tiredly.
Sam chuckled at his comment. "Well, at least they don't shoot at us."
Jack cracked an eye open to gaze at her. "You obviously weren't in the bathroom this morning with JJ. For crying out loud, that kid couldn't hit the broad side of a barn! I'm telling you, this potty training is for the birds. Thank God you have to train Grace…I don't think I could handle another one."
Laughing, Sam moved over and snuggled into his side. "You're doing just fine, dear. Another few weeks, and JJ will be fully potty-trained. And we'll be able to go back to using Cheerios in the manner in which they were intended."
Jack's answering chuckle was warm. "You should have seen his little face the first time I suggested he try sinking the Cheerios…he thought I was insane!"
"Where ever did you come up with that idea?" she asked perplexed.
His grin faded slightly as he remembered potty training another little boy so long ago. "Charlie," he replied quietly. "It was something I'd read way back then…worked with him too," he added, a small smile crossing his face.
Not knowing what to say, Sam just kissed him gently on the lips, resting her hand lightly on his chest as she gazed sadly into his eyes. Jack looked back at her, the smile still on his face and assuring her he was fine. "Come on, Mrs. O'Neill. We'd better try and get some shut eye while the little monsters are sleeping," he said with affection. Sam allowed herself to be pulled into a reclining position alongside her husband on the couch. Though it was a tight squeeze, the two were fast asleep within minutes.
They awoke 2 hours later to the sounds of giggling coming from Grace's bedroom. Blinking awake, Sam pulled away from Jack and sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Jack did the same, then stood up, pulling his wife to her feet. "We'd better go and see what the noise is all about. Giggling after naptime usually means trouble," he added with a wry grin.
Sam readily agreed and followed Jack into Grace's room, where they both stopped in shock at the sight before them. JJ was in the crib with Grace, having pushed the rocking chair close and climbed over the rails. He sat facing his little sister, both bare to the waist. In his hand he held a purple marker. The cap was off and lay on the ground under the crib. Purple lines crisscrossed both children's chests, running from their necks to their waists in completely random patterns.
At his mother's gasp of shock, JJ turned his head and looked at his parents, a smile brightening his face. "Me nect 'pots. Like my book!"
Jack stepped closer to the crib, his eyes wide at what his small son had done. As Grace's face came into view, he had to bite back a shout of laughter. Her sweet little face, which had held only a few chicken pox, now contained several lines of deep purple, making her appear as if she were about to engage in an alien ritual of some sort. Her face creased into a smile as he came closer. "Dada!" she greeted happily, raising her arms to him. Jack picked her up and turned to Sam, who had followed him into the room but not said a word.
"It appears as if our son has transferred his connect-the-dots skills from the coloring book to bodies," Jack stated, his voice laced with amusement.
Sam looked at her children; her two sweet beautiful children who were now covered with red spots and purple lines. Then she did the only thing she could do in a situation like this…she burst into laughter and went to grab the camera.
While my own 3 children went through having the Chicken pox quite a number of years ago, none of them ever decided to play connect the dots with each other. The kids of a good friend did, however, which is where I got the idea for this chapter. And children can still get the Chicken pox if they've had the immunization...it just happened at the school I teach at this past week! So much for being immunized! Thanks for the reviews...I know this isn't action packed but am gladmany of you are enjoying it just for the "feel-good" sense of the story! Not sure how many Snapshots I still have in me...at least a few though! Please review:)
