Seeing the last part was so short, here's another, because I'm nice. Thanks for all the great reviews, Jackie loves getting every one. - Flatkatsi
Supporting Rumors - Part 71
The center was soon buzzing with the news. When Jack had dropped the receiver and Landry's shouting wasn't acknowledged, he had Walter contact the staff on another line. The sudden appearance of an orderly in Jack's room brought him out of his stupor.
Jack was agitated. After his initial shock had receded he had spoken again to Landry, but Landry insisted that Jack shouldn't worry. Everyone was alive, a little banged up though, and Landry said he would come to brief Jack later that day.
Jack's worry refused to be quelled. Landry coming over personally? Why hadn't Sam called him? He demanded Landry put her on the phone … just what the hell was going on?
"Jack, take it easy, please. Sam is okay. She's in surgery at the moment."
"Surgery? Christ Hank, what … what's happened? I should be there."
"Jack, calm down. Look, I promise you she's okay. There isn't any point you coming here now." He hesitated and Jack could almost hear the unspoken words 'you'd just be in the way'. "They're re-setting a broken arm, but other than a few cuts and bruises she's doing alright. Doctor Jackson has a mild concussion, and Teal'c is confined to the infirmary for twenty four hours for observation. Mitchell hasn't been de-briefed yet. Now that's all I am going to tell you on an unsecured line, General."
The 'General' pulled Jack up short. Landry was right. He was acting like an idiot … Sam was safe … they were all safe…
"Sorry Hank … I ..."
"That's okay, Jack, believe me, I understand. I'll see you later, okay?"
Jack nodded, too exhausted to realize Hank wouldn't see it as he replaced the receiver.
Sam was alive. She was home. She was safe … Sam was home…
He let the words chant around in his brain, trying to come to terms with everything he had bottled up in her absence. He felt like bursting … he wanted to yell and scream… He wanted to walk out of there and go to her… He smashed his fist down on his useless thigh … useless … that's what he felt.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Within four hours, Landry presented himself in full uniform to Jack and informed him he had the car and driver waiting outside ready to whisk them to the SGC. Jack didn't hide the surprise he felt and Landry gave in to the smile he had been hiding.
"You are still a General and Head of Homeworld Security, albeit on medical leave, Jack."
Landry's brisk and no nonsense manner helped Jack hold it altogether as the arrangements were made for him to leave the rehab center, possibly for an overnight stay at the Cheyenne facilities. Landry was quick to assure Freund that the best of anything the General needed would be acquired and full medical assistance would be readily available if necessary. The staff rallied round, facilitating a smooth exit, ensuring that Jack would have everything he immediately needed.
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As soon as they were in the car and on their way to the mountain, Landry filled Jack in on the details of the mission, having de-briefed Mitchell. He proudly informed Jack that SG 1 had managed to extract themselves from a potentially lethal situation when they got caught up in what appeared to be a civil war on the planet they had been visiting.
"Sam will be fine, Jack. Caroline is very good at her job you know."
Jack nodded, smiling a little, knowing that Lam was Hank's daughter. "I wouldn't have appointed her otherwise, Hank."
Landry nodded his agreement. "Sam was coming out of the anesthetic nicely as I left. You can see her straight away."
Jack nodded and turned his attention to the view out of the window, signaling the end of the conversation … to him the car was traveling much too slowly…
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Landry was saluted smartly as they cleared security and Jack caught the guards eyeing him a little strangely. Just as he was about to enquire of the Airmen what was on his face that was so fascinating, the guard nearest to him straightened and saluted, somewhat nervously, even though Jack wasn't in uniform. The other guard touched his cap with respect
"General O'Neill, sir, it's an honor, sir." The first Airman blushed right to the roots of his hair, obviously expecting a dressing down for being so bold.
Jack recognized the guard who saluted him. Despite what people thought, and the front he presented, he knew all of his people by sight and name when he had been at the SGC. No doubt there were many changes in the base personnel since he had left - the other guard was new to him.
Jack acknowledged the guard with a brief nod. It was up to Landry if he wanted to make anything of it … Jack certainly didn't.
Landry quickly moved them on. Thankfully, because of Jack's tendency to constantly roam the rehab center in his chair, he managed to get himself along under his own steam at a reasonable pace. He was exhausted, but there was no way he was giving in to it just yet. The painful and raw blisters that had formed when he had first began to wheel himself around had hardened on his palms, and the leather fingerless gloves he wore when on the move offered him some protection - protection he was very thankful for at the moment. Despite all that, he knew he would pay later…
Jack resolutely kept going. He knew the way to the infirmary by heart. He didn't slow his pace, and neither did Landry, as people they passed called out subdued greetings to him … it seemed everyone at the base was aware of the circumstances of the visit.
Dr Lam was waiting in the corridor just outside the infirmary, and Jack stopped dead. For a moment the white coat and dark hair in the low light reminded Jack so much of a time when Janet Fraiser had stood there, waiting to give them their post mission checks … or just plain annoy Jack himself. He half expected her to order him in for an examination - he knew without a doubt that Janet would have – when Lam merely smiled and led the way further down to a private room, Jack heaved a sigh of relief and followed her immediately, barely hearing Landry excuse himself.
As Lam held the door open she spoke in a whisper, reassuring Jack that Sam was only sleeping and was doing fine. Jack glided in past her, coming to a halt just a few feet inside the room, barely noticing as the doctor closed the door as she left.
His eyes took in the low light and the absence of any monitoring equipment or blood and fluids – that was a good sign. Someone, probably Lam herself, had thoughtfully lowered the bed. His wife's blond hair was matted and more than a little dirty on the pillows that propped her up, but it had never looked so good to him. As he wheeled nearer he could see puffy bruising, stark in its intensity on her pale face. He positioned himself right up next to the bed and with trembling hands cupped her hand within both of his. Her left arm was encased in a cast and propped upon a pillow at her side.
She sighed deeply and murmured, her head moving slightly on the pillow, her tongue brushing at her lips, as if seeking moisture.
Her eyes flickered open just a little and her mouth quivered into a weary smile as she focused on him. "Hi."
"Hi yourself." His voice was just as low and as hoarse as hers.
Jack felt the tremble building and his right leg started to dither. He swallowed harshly and fought to calm himself down. The brief spasm of pain in his leg shook him a little and he coughed and pulled back, searching for the paper cup of ice chips that was almost obligatory here…
Fumbling a little he offered the cup to her. She didn't speak, seeming to sense his need to take things slowly, and she gave a contented sigh as she savored the half melted chips, clearly relishing the coolness as they eased her dryness.
"Thanks."
Jack replaced the cup without speaking, but all time his eyes never left hers. He needed to fill his mind with her, feel that she was safe … to imprint that image in his brain.
The slow track of tears down his face as he stared at her went unheeded and he clenched her hand tightly within his, bringing it up to his lips, placing a gentle kiss on it.
"Hey honey, I'm okay … things went a little ..."
"You were several days overdue," he interrupted, "SG-1 were declared MIA, Sam."
"Oh, God, Jack ... I'm so sorry – you must have been so worried ..."
"It's okay you're back, everyone's okay."
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As Sam looked at her husband's face she knew it was far from okay. She felt so guilty at leaving him in the first place, going on that mission, but he had insisted that she carried on with her job – and that was what she did. That the mission turned into such a SNAFU quite early on hadn't helped. They'd spent a great deal of time in enemy territory, ducking and hiding from their captors once they were free, and she had lost track of just how long they'd been gone. Oh God, Jack must have been distraught…
"I'm so sorry, Jack ..." She realized with dismay that she hadn't been back for him to come home for a planned weekend. "I missed our weekend."
"S'okay ... couldn't have gone home without you, they wouldn't let me ... I can go home just as soon as you're okay though."
"We can sort out the next weekend ..."
"No, I'm coming home for good, not a weekend."
"Jack, honey, I thought that ..."
"I'm coming home, Sam, just as soon as you're out of here. I can't stand it anymore ..." His voice cracked and he ducked his head, avoiding her gaze.
She felt so tired and her arm was painful, but she knew her husband was hurting just as badly, if not more than she was. She changed the grip of his hands and squeezed his fingers. "Jack, you can't just leave ..."
"I can. I was supposed to go a couple of weeks ago ... they said that I ... that I ..." He broke off suddenly and he expelled a sobbed breath.
The dawning of light hit Sam hard. He'd been stuck in that center, worried sick about her and all that time he should have been at home with her. The guilt reared up and hit her full on.
She winced as she rolled, trying to pull him into a hug with her one good arm. "Oh, God, Jack. Please honey, I am so sorry that I wasn't here."
His head down, he leaned into her awkward embrace and to Sam's horror she felt his body beginning to shake. She rolled further and tried to pull him closer, despite the pain she felt. Tears of her own rolled down her face as she kissed the top of his head, fighting down the sobs that were building inside as the pain she felt for him racked through her. She wasn't there when he had needed her ... she was off on some godforsaken planet ... getting nowhere but shot at ... for what?
"That's it," she vowed, "that was my last mission, I promise."
"No." His voice was muffled and hoarse.
"Jack, please honey, I can't do this anymore ..."
His head rose up from beneath her chin, pulling back to avoid hitting her. "No." His eyes were brimming and red rimmed, his face wet with his tears, his body still trembling. "He ruined one career."
Sam shook her head, at first not grasping what he was saying. "What?"
Jack's eyes blazed. "Minucos, I won't let him ruin your career as well."
Sam felt fresh tears beginning to track down her face. Her throat ached as she stared at him wordlessly. He held her hand up to his lips and his shoulders shook as he drew a ragged breath.
She became aware of the door opening in her peripheral vision and saw the flicker of white coat in the dull light...
"Out, please ... leave us alone," she ordered, thankful that whoever it was, probably Lam, discreetly left.
Sam pulled Jack to her again and let him cry out all his anger and frustrations.
They held onto each other tightly for a very long time, each crying for the other ... and for what they had so very nearly lost once more…
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
TBC
