A/N: Continued TW for descriptions of domestic violence and one implied mention of attempted sexual assault.
"I think he planned it," Sam spoke for the first time since Janet had wrapped her wrist and dressed her thigh. Luckily, Sam's leg hadn't needed additional stitches, so Janet had opted for a row of butterfly bandages.
"Pete?" Janet asked carefully, sharing a dark look with Jack over Sam's shoulder. While she had tended her patient, Jack had quickly changed into dry clothes then brought Sam some sweats and a soft t-shirt.
"Uh-huh," Sam looked her friend in the eyes. "It was all so—" she shook her head, unable to find the right word.
"You wanna tell us what happened?" Janet prodded carefully. Sam had come out of shock thanks to Jack's quick thinking, but she still hadn't told them what had caused her injuries. Not that they couldn't guess.
"He waited until I had taken the pain meds and went to sleep," Sam began. "I woke up covered in ice water. It was disorienting."
"Ice water?" Janet didn't understand.
"So she couldn't run or fight back," Jack replied darkly. "He wanted her disoriented, cold, and afraid."
"I called out your name," Sam told them, looking up at Jack.
"Antarctica," he stated, understanding the connection immediately. Antarctica had always been her unconscious' dream of choice when she was trying to process a new horror.
Sam nodded. "I think it made Pete even angrier. He hit my thigh with something. A belt, I think," she winced at the memory. "I fought back."
Jack swore.
"I knew I had to get away," Sam shuddered. "I think he was going to—" she shook her head to expel the image.
"You escaped, Sam," Jack said, kneeling in front of her. "You saved yourself."
"He's right," Janet agreed. "But what are you going to do next?"
"I don't know," Sam replied in a small voice. "The police…"
"Protect their own," Jack let out a strong sigh at her hesitation. Just like the military, the police force was a type of brotherhood. They were trained to protect their own, which meant the burden of proof would be placed squarely on Sam's shoulders. They'd protect her…if they believed her.
"But her injuries," Janet argued.
"Pete will point to her job," Jack explained. "Sam was severely injured during our last mission. He knows that alone gives him reasonable doubt."
"I don't want to deal with this right now," Sam bit out tiredly.
"Of course," Janet gave her uninjured hand a squeeze. "I still think you should come with me to the base. Let me run a head CT."
"No," Sam said sharply. "I don't want anyone to know what happened." Her voice softened, "Besides, he avoided hitting my head and face."
"He avoided leaving evidence," Janet realized with horror. Sam was right, Pete had planned the attack. Her face had healed while she was in the infirmary. Pete's damage was isolated to the areas of Sam's body that were still healing from the Super Soldier attack.
"I think you should come home with me," Janet stated, noting the way both of her friends stiffened at the idea.
"That's not a good idea," Jack said quickly.
"Pete is probably looking for me," Sam cast her eyes downward in shame. "I don't want to put you in any danger."
"I can handle him," Janet bristled, pulling herself up to her full height. She might be small, but she was a fully-trained military officer.
"Of that I have no doubt, doc," Jack's mouth lifted at one corner. "But think of Cassie."
"I couldn't rest if I thought I was putting her in danger," Sam admitted.
"Carter will stay with me," Jack declared, and Janet watched Sam's entire body relax. Her friend was exactly where she wanted to be.
"Alright," Janet nodded, then reached into her bag and withdrew some medication. "Give her one of these every eight hours," she ordered Jack. "You are to stay off that leg until further notice. Is that understood?" She looked expectantly at Sam.
At Sam's mute nod, Janet continued. "I have to tell General Hammond why I'm extending your medical leave," she held her hand up at Sam's protest. "But I believe, given the circumstances, he will agree to simply amend my original report. We'll make sure what actually happened stays between the four of us. Okay?"
"Thanks, Janet," Sam said as Jack walked the woman to the door.
"Take care of her," Janet told him.
"You know I will."
"What are we going to do about Pete?" Janet asked, not liking the idea of foregoing a police report.
"I'll take care of it."
"Jack—"
"Janet," Jack cut her off with a sharp look. "I will take care of it."
A surge of fear ran down her spine at the look on his face. She wasn't afraid for Sam or herself. No. She was terrified for Pete. Because the man standing in front of her wasn't the Jack she'd gotten to know over the last seven years. This was the man she'd only ever heard about in whispers. This was the unstoppable black ops trained soldier. Pete Shanahan might not know it yet, but he was a dead man.