Just a short update from Jackie today. Don't worry – there are more parts already written, but I keep sending them back to her with nasty red comments on them so they aren't quite ready yet. – Flatkatsi
Supporting Rumors - Part 36
Jack felt the light pressure on his shoulder and heard the rumble of Teal'c's voice.
"It is almost time, O'Neill."
Jack was startled to find he'd fallen into a doze. Despite the fact that he felt dismayed by it, he had to admit the nap had helped a little to calm him and although he still didn't really want to face Minucos, he now felt better able.
Teal'c raised the top of the bed and without fuss helped to settle Jack more upright, making certain he was supported and as comfortable as possible. He then passed Jack some juice and pointedly offered him a comb.
Eyeing the comb, Jack allowed his gaze to wander up to Teal'c's covered head. The trilby hid not only Teal'c's hair, but the marking on his forehead.
"You expect my hair to lie down without washing it?"
"I do not, nor does it when washed O'Neill, but I thought you might feel you should at least make some attempt to tame it."
Wordlessly Jack handed Teal'c back the comb. The Jaffa merely shrugged and returned it to his pocket.
There was a light tap at the door and Sam and Daniel entered.
"Hi, how are you feeling?" asked Sam as she moved straight away to the bed and stooped to kiss her husband.
It was so easy to become lost in her sweetness and love and Jack lived for it. He had been so afraid that the hugs and kisses would become a thing of the past, and although this fear had lessened to some extent, it had not been erased completely, so that he cherished every moment.
There was a couple of minutes silence as they continued to kiss, until a hacked cough broke them apart.
"Sorry," said Sam, a slight blush pinking her cheeks.
Jack gave Daniel a mock glare. "Thanks," he growled.
"You're welcome. The erm, visitors, are waiting down the hall."
"And?"
Daniel shrugged, his forehead furrowed with a frown.
"He waits until I am ready." Jack felt that so little was in his control at the moment, he was not ready to concede even a tiny point.
Daniel opened his mouth as if to object, but then nodded, giving Jack a smile. He understood.
Jack took a couple of deep breaths. He felt tired, but that was nothing new. Although the drip had long gone and Jack was accepting his medication orally, Doctor Hill had given him a slightly higher dose than was usual. She had insisted that she would be in the room next door, ready should she be needed and had expressed her concerns against the whole thing quite vocally.
Jack had sarcastically commented that he was surprised she hadn't wanted him wired to a monitor. Doctor Hill had rolled her eyes and spat back that she had certainly given it thought, but the sound equipment could interfere with it or vice versa. That security had negated that idea and overridden her, was also a sore point.
As they both glared at each other, they had literally burst into laughter. He was reminded so much of the piss and vinegar of Janet Fraiser that although it saddened him to remember her loss, he was glad to know people like her still existed.
Jack drew a few more steadying breaths before giving a tight smile. "Okay, it's showtime!"
Teal'c acknowledged his exclamation with a slight bow of his head. Sam and Daniel wished them good luck and Sam bent and gave her husband a final hug, her reluctance to leave him readily apparent.
"Make sure those tapes are rollin' kids."
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
TBC
