Chapter 4 – Damage Control
Jack looked over to where Carter had last been standing, ready to prod her into finishing up with her readings. To say he was getting impatient would be an understatement. Not only was he tired of hanging out in the dark mine with nothing to do but watch the geek proceedings, he was also getting more than a little annoyed at the questions Jorahn was asking about one Major Samantha Carter. Some rather personal questions, at that.
His eyes narrowed as he took in the empty space not more than five feet away from him; the space Carter had been occupying just moments ago. He pushed himself away from the rocky wall he had been leaning against and perused the interior of the cave, trying to catch sight of the blond head that shouldn't be too far from him. "Dammit," he muttered loudly as he didn't see her anywhere. Just then, he heard a faint gasp come from his left, down a darkened corridor that he could just make out from where he stood.
Casting a quick glance across the cavern, he called, "Teal'c!", before he turned and ran toward the opening of the corridor. All eyes turned to follow him, the concern evident on their faces. Jorahn made to follow the Colonel, but was pushed aside by the large form of Teal'c barreling past.
"Remain here," came the stern command and Jorahn followed it without question, even though the words were directed at Daniel.
Knowing his job was to do damage control, Daniel turned to the concerned miners.
"I'm sure it's nothing. Major Carter probably just found something down the corridor that caught her attention. They'll be right back," he offered them a reassuring smile, then added, "Please complete your tasks. I'm sure Morren is anxious for us to return to the top and hear what we have discovered."
The miners looked to Jorahn, who considered Daniel for a moment before nodding to them to continue with their own work. Daniel heaved a sigh of relief, then turned and watched the entrance to the corridor, hoping his friends would emerge quickly.
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Sam winced at the pain in her hand, but put it back on the wall in order to steady herself. Very slowly, she began to pull herself backwards, shifting her feet and sliding them back as she did so. Her feet had landed on a ledge just six inches beneath the surface of the ground. And while the ledge felt stable enough, Sam wasn't going to take any chances. She pulled herself back another few inches, then carefully sat on the ground. When she felt no more movement, she cautiously released her grip on the wall and cradled her left hand in her lap, taking a deep, steadying breath as she did so.
Her reprieve didn't last long, for she heard the unmistakable sound of feet running down the corridor and pebbles scattering in their wake. Fearing another collapse of the floor, no matter how minor, she called out, "Stop!"
The feet came to a skidding stop, and Sam winced as she heard the unmistakable sound of one body slamming into another. She knew who the bodies were immediately when she heard Jack cry out, "For crying out loud, Teal'c! Are you trying to kill me?"
"My apologies, O'Neill," came the quick reply and the sound of someone being picked up and the dust slapped off of them.
"Enough already!" came another curt bark before Jack turned and called down the corridor, "Carter? You all right?" He could just make out her form sitting on the ground about ten yards in front of him.
"Yes, sir," she called, turning her head to look back at him. "The ground gave way up here. I'm not sure how stable it is, so you and Teal'c should proceed with caution."
"Are you injured, Major Carter?" came Teal'c's concerned voice.
Sam looked down at her hand and winced at the blood that was still trickling out. The cut was deep, but not life threatening by any means. A few stitches and she'd be as good as new. "Just a scratch, Teal'c. Nothing to worry about."
"Carter," Jack growled out in a warning voice.
"I'll be fine, Sir. Really." Sam put the energy reading device into her front vest pocket, took out a bandana and quickly wrapped it around her left hand, all the while keeping up a conversation with the two men who were now slowly making their way toward her. "The energy readings spiked dramatically when I got near the corridor, Sir. I'm certain that there is an even larger deposit of Naquadah down here than we originally thought."
His voice came from just behind her. "And there must have been some incredibly important reason why you decided to check this out on your own, right Major?"
Sam looked behind her and winced at the look of anger in his eyes. "Uhm, not really Sir. I was intending to find the source if it was close enough to the main chamber. It's just that…well, this happened," she indicated the small depression made by the shifting rock.
"Which is precisely why you never should have entered this corridor on your own. For God's sake, Carter, I thought you were a hell of a lot smarter that this!" Jack growled at her. His relief at her safety made his tone sharper than he intended. He leaned over her and put his hands under her upper left arm while Teal'c did the same to her right. With little effort, they pulled her to her feet and backwards several yards, away from the unstable depression. Sam was startled by the abrupt movement but didn't offer a protest; she knew her CO was angry enough with her already.
When she was on her feet, Jack turned her toward him. He immediately noticed the bandana wrapped around her left hand and gruffly stated, "Let me see your hand."
"It's really nothing, Sir," Sam tried, but all she got for her efforts was a stern and expectant glare. She cast a pleading look Teal'c's way before surrendering her hand for Jack's perusal.
Jack held the bloodied hand in his palm, carefully unwrapping it and examining it in the dim light from the lanterns. "This is going to require stitches, Carter," he informed her grimly. He pulled his canteen from his vest, unscrewed the cap with his teeth, and proceeded to pour some water over the deep cut. Sam hissed as the water stung the cut. Jack spared her a brief glance, then looked back at her hand. "You're probably going to need some of the Doc's strong antibiotics. No telling what the hell is in this dirt." He finished rinsing the cut, then wound his own clean bandana around her hand tightly, wanting to make sure the blood clotted in her palm. While he worked, he mumbled, "Of all the stupid things to do, this ranks right up there, Carter."
Although she knew she never should have left the cavern on her own, no matter the reason, Sam saw red at his words. "As stupid as eating cake offered on an alien planet? As stupid as…"
Jack narrowed his eyes at her. "Watch it, Major. You're about to step over the line." When she clammed her mouth shut, he continued. "In case you forgot, Carter, this injury," he held up her wrapped hand, "Affects not only you, but all of us. God knows what Morty's going to do when he sees you return to the top with your hand all bandaged." His scowl deepened. "He'll probably cut off the proposed alliance and then happily lead me to the nearest tree and string me up."
Feeling well and truly reprimanded, Sam mumbled, "I won't let any of that happen, Sir. I'll tell him I cut my hand at home, then touched a sharp rock here or something." She looked up into Jack's still heated stare and reminded him, "I do know what I'm doing, Sir."
"For God's sake, Carter, that's not the issue here!" Jack fairly shouted.
From down the corridor, they could clearly hear Daniel's voice. "Uh, guys? Everything OK down there? People are starting to get a little…concerned here," he warned.
Teal'c came to stand next to Sam. "I believe it would be in our best interest to return to the main corridor, O'Neill, and save this conversation for another, more appropriate time." He turned to look at Sam. "I deem the miners to be trustworthy, Major Carter, but feel they need have no knowledge of this injury, nor do Morren or his council. Are you able to conceal your hand within the sleeve of your jacket until such a time as we are able to return to the Stargate?"
"I think so." Sam pulled her hand back into her jacket, so that only her fingers were visible. She wiggled them experimentally before adding, "That should work Teal'c, thanks. If you'll collect the instruments I passed out to Jorahn and his men, we should be able to leave without them becoming aware that anything is amiss."
Jack snorted. "The way that guy's been watching you, I doubt it." The words were said with an edge of the irritation Jack was still feeling. Not so much at Carter anymore, but at the whole situation; and at himself for not following her down here. Though to be honest, the fact that she had come down here alone in the first place annoyed the hell out him.
Sam forced herself to ignore his last comment, instead focusing on Teal'c. "Teal'c, can you check one thing for me before we head back?" At his nod, she continued. "I landed on some sort of rock ledge when I slipped. Can you just shine your flashlight down there and tell me what you see?"
Teal'c did as she asked, shining his flashlight down the shallow depression. "There appears to be another stone slab just beneath the one you stood on, Major Carter." He leaned forward carefully and brushed the loose dirt from the small slab. "I am afraid I can not ascertain what is beyond the second slab."
"That's OK, Teal'c. Thanks for checking." Sam stared thoughtfully at the area, wondering what it could be and wishing she could remain here to find out.
As if he could read her thoughts, Jack clasped her upper arm and turned her back the way they had come. "Absolutely not, Carter. You'll have to leave the spelunking to the mining team that General Hammond sends through."
She shot him a look of indignation. "I wasn't going to suggest…"
"Oh yes you were," he interrupted, but this time with a small smile. "And I'm sure this isn't going to be the last I hear of it, either."
Sam huffed but didn't reply, for she knew he was right. If she had anything to say about the matter, she'd be back down here within a few days time. And she would find out what lay beneath those stone slabs.
When they reentered the large cavern, Daniel was waiting for them. His eyes quickly took in Sam's frown and the way she was awkwardly holding her arm. "You OK?" he asked quietly, his eyes raking her from head to toe.
Sam relaxed her features and gave him a small smile. "I'm fine Daniel. I'll explain everything later."
Just then Jorahn rushed to her side. "Major Carter! I have been worried. When I saw you had disappeared into the west corridor and heard loud voices issuing forth, I was concerned for your safety." He gave Jack a rather accusing glare, as his had been the source of the loudest voice. Jack crossed his arms and returned the glare with a steady look of his own.
Sam gave the young man a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, Jorahn. Colonel O'Neill was just…displeased with me for entering the corridor alone." She shot her CO a quick glance when she said the words, but he didn't react. He continued to lock gazes with Jorahn.
The young miner was the first to look away and returned his attention to Sam. With a slight tone of consternation, her said, "You should not have attempted to enter the corridor alone, Major Carter. I would have been most happy to accompany you on any further explorations."
No one but Sam heard Jack grumble under his breath, "I'll bet."
Jorahn held out his hands, ready to take her arm. "Please. Come sit and rest. I will bring you some water."
Before he could make physical contact, Teal'c stepped in front of Sam. "We must leave and return to the surface. Morren awaits word of our discoveries. Please assist me in retrieving Major Carter's equipment from your men."
Jorahn between Sam and Teal'c before finally nodding to the large man in agreement. The two men went off and began to collect the equipment. Jack once again clasped Sam's upper arm and began to lead her to the entrance of the mine. Noting the frown that returned to Sam's face and look of focus on Jack's, Daniel followed closely behind. "Uh, Jack? What's going on?"
"Carter decided to play explorer and get herself injured. We need to get her up that damned hill and to the gate without Morty noticing anything," Jack replied tersely but quietly. He didn't want any of the miner's getting wind of what had happened, just in case they felt it their duty to inform their leader.
Sam's frown deepened. "I told you, sir. If he notices, I'll just explain to Morren that my hand slipped on the wall. I'm sure he'll understand."
Jack looked at her. "And take the chance that he squashes this alliance, or that yours truly ends up going home singing soprano? I don't think so, Carter." Sam and Daniel exchanged a look of confusion at his last comment, Daniel shrugging his shoulders in puzzlement.
Jack stopped at the entrance to the mine and dropped Sam's arm, his gaze roaming over the ravine and the climb they would soon take to the top. His eyes narrowed when he spotted the small group gathered at the top. With a serious tone to his voice, he said, "We complete the rest of this mission as quickly as possible, with no mention whatsoever of Carter's injury. We can't take any chances, understood?"
The two scientists shared another look, before voicing their agreement. No matter that all four of them shared a deep friendship based on mutual respect, they both knew not to question him when he was in this type of mood. "Good," Jack replied tightly. Truthfully, he was less worried about himself than Carter. He had a funny feeling that she would bear the brunt of any punishment, not him. And there was no way in hell he'd allow that to happen. Teal'c emerged from the entrance of the mine, two packs hanging from either arm. "Looks like we've got everything. Let's head out," Jack ordered softly.
Teal'c helped Sam with her pack, both of them careful to keep her injured hand hidden within the sleeve of her jacket. The miners came to bid them farewell and thank them for their assistance within the mines. Jorahn stepped close to Sam, wanting to bid her a personal farewell of his own, but was prevented from doing so when Jack once again took her hand in his, threw the man a stern frown, and said, "Come on, Carter. Time to go." It was with a look of great disappointment that Jorahn watched the blond woman leave his domain, and he wondered to himself if he would ever see her again.
The climb back up was accomplished much quicker than the one down, and with almost no words between the team members. Daniel led the way up, with instructions from Jack to do everything he could to keep their departure brief. Teal'c took up the rear, intent on making certain Major Carter did not slip and that Colonel O'Neill remained calm. Jack and Sam were in the middle of the two men, Sam's hand firmly held in his on the way up the ravine.
Both officers were mired in their own thoughts as they slowly but steadily climbed up the steep incline to the top. Jack was determined to keep things short once they reached the crest. He was even more determined to get his 2IC to the gate ASAP. While he knew they would have to fill Morren in on some of the details, he felt a great sense of relief in knowing they could make a rather quick departure. SG-5 would return within a day to finalize negotiations with the Perovians for the right to mine the Naquadah, leaving his team free from that responsibility. With a feeling of resolve, he tightened his grip on Sam's hand and increased their pace.
For her part, Sam was once again feeling a strong sense of frustration and irritation with this mission as a whole. That she alone had to change her clothing, accept the stipulations in going down to the mine, and hide a minor injury for fear that her CO would be punished filled her with a great sense of unfairness. On top of all that, to have Jack so upset and abrupt with her over such a minor injury hurt deeply. She had always taken great pride in the fact that he had constantly shown complete faith in her ability to hold her own, but this situation robbed her of that and it felt like a slap in the face.
When Sam felt him tighten his grip on her hand and increase his pace, a part of her wanted to just pull her hand back, stop where she was, and give him a piece of her mind. Another, smaller part of her, wanted to give in to her frustration and just sit down and cry. The part that Sam allowed to come to the forefront was the military officer that made up such a large portion of her personality. She straightened her shoulders, picked up her feet, and took the longer strides necessary to keep up with her CO. Pushing all thoughts and feelings to the back of her mind, Sam focused her energy on what she needed to do once they reached the top. Whatever happened with Morren, she would not let this alliance fail because of her. Not would she allow Jack O'Neill take any punishment because of her actions.