With the help of Ailani and some of the other men they were able to get Jack back to the village. Sam stayed right by his side, his hand in hers. Even in the moonlight she could see the blood on his shirt and knew that he'd been wounded but how, and why, she had no idea.
As soon as they got him into the hut she asked for lights and immediately opened his shirt. "Damn it!" She could instantly tell that he'd been stabbed, although again by what or whom it was impossible to say. She checked the wound carefully and was surprised to see that it looked as if something was on it. Giving a quick glance around the now lit hut she saw the opened first aid kit and the empty packet of QuickClot.
"Good for you Sir", she murmured. Sam then gathered what supplies she had. "I need boiling water and clean cloths", she instructed whoever was in the room with her.
Ailani answered. "They are on the way. Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Just make sure I get what I need as quickly as possible."
For the next hour she worked to clean the wound as best she could, and then stitched it up. She was grateful that Janet had made them all learn how to deal with these kinds of injuries and to do stitches. It wasn't her favorite thing, but at least she could do it.
When she finished she injected the Colonel with one of the ampules of broad-based antibiotics included in the kit. She noticed he'd taken some pills, but the injection was much stronger and she knew how bad puncture wounds could be. She prayed that what she had in her kit would be enough to stave off infection. It should help, at least until she was able to get the Colonel somewhere with more advanced medicine.
Finally there was no more she could do so she sat back and heaved a deep sigh. She was exhausted.
"You must rest", Ailani spoke softly behind her. "One of the women will look after him."
She hissed a breath and turned on him. "You left someone in charge while I went to the beach. You told me she would watch him and look what happened to him! Thank you but I'm going to stay here with him. I don't trust any of your women!"
Ailani looked angry and started to speak, but then he closed his eyes and nodded. "You are correct. I am sorry. I will speak with Iriata and she will be punished for leaving him."
"I don't want her punished. I just want to find out what happened. Someone stabbed him and I want to know who and why."
"You do not know it was someone. It could have been O'Neill who did it to himself."
"What? You're telling me that he took some kind of knife and stabbed himself and then he made his way all the way to the beach to tell me? That's ridiculous."
"It could have been an accident", Ailani answered angrily.
"Right – an accident! If that's the case, how did he fall on his chest like that and where's the weapon? Do you think he got up, fell on a knife, and then hid it?"
"I do not know but what I am sure of is that I will not accuse anyone until we know the facts."
"That's what I'm saying", she answered in frustration. "Talk to the old woman and find out what happened. Until then, I will not leave the Colonel."
The Chief gave a curt nod and exited the hut. The two women who had brought the supplies followed him out, leaving Sam alone with the Colonel.
"You were – kinda hard on the – poor guy", the Colonel said softly, his voice sounding weak and papery thin.
"Sir!" She moved quickly until she was sitting right beside him and reached out and took his hand. "How are you feeling?"
"A little sore", he admitted.
"Sore?" she snorted. "You have a stab wound in your chest. I think it has to be more than sore."
"Thanks Carter", he answered sarcastically, although still faintly. "I needed a reminder."
She giggled – she couldn't help it. It was the Colonel and he was back. His sarcasm was his way of dealing with pain and she welcomed it. "Sorry Sir", she told him. "I've got some morphine with your name on it to help the 'soreness'."
"Thanks Carter, but I'll wait a bit. I want to hear – what happened."
"You don't remember?"
"Not really – just vague impressions. The last thing I remember clearly was being with dear Colonel Hubbard. After that things are a little – fuzzy."
Suddenly, without warning, Sam felt weak and grabbed the Colonel's arm to keep from toppling over. Of course he noticed and tried to sit up and help, causing all the color to leave his face and to send him flat, panting for breath.
The dizziness was over in a minute and Sam took in a lungful of air. "Lie still Sir!" she told him sharply. "I'm fine – just a bit tired."
He was lying flat, his face paper white and his breathing fast and shallow. She could see the sweat on his upper lip and on his forehead. "Damn it Sir – I'm going to give you some morphine."
The fact that he didn't object proved to her how much pain he had to be in because there was little that Jack O'Neill hated more than heavy-duty pain killers. She retrieved the automatic ampule and before he had a chance to change his mind she'd injected him in the thigh.
"That should help", she told him gently.
"You okay?" he asked after a moment. He still had his eyes closed, but there was some color returning to his cheeks.
"I'm fine- just got a little dizzy for a moment. It's you I'm worried about."
"I'm fine", he told her. "A few days and I'll be as good as new."
"I'm sure you will Colonel. Now go to sleep. I'll be here."
"Mmm", he murmured. After a few seconds he seemed to rouse himself. "You lie down too. No need to sit and watch me." His eyes opened and focused on her. "It's kinda creepy anyway", he told her, tongue in cheek.
"Hah! Creepy? I seem to remember you doing the same on occasion. And it's not creepy it's -"
His eyebrows went up. "It's -?
"Friendly! Now go to sleep."
He smiled and closed his eyes. "Yes Ma'am", he murmured. His hand reached out and searched until he found hers. He clasped it and within moments was sound asleep.
Contrary to his orders, she did keep watching him. It wasn't just that he'd been injured but more that she couldn't believe he was suddenly back with her. That had been the reason for her brief spell. She'd been overwhelmed with relief. Relief that he was once again The Colonel – he was the old Jack and she was so grateful she wanted to cry.
She wondered briefly what it was that had brought him back, but then decided it really didn't matter. He was himself, that's what was important.
After an hour of sitting, holding his hand, Sam realized she had to lie down or she was going to collapse. Carefully letting go of his now relaxed hand, she made her way to the door of the hut and piled a bunch of their things in front of it. It wouldn't stop an intruder, but it would slow that person down. Next she changed into a t-shirt and sweat pants, needing to feel comfortable, and pulled her sleeping bag right next to the Colonel's. She snuggled up to him and gently laid her hand on his stomach, well below the wound. "Goodnight Jack", she whispered. "I'm glad you're back."
The next morning the Colonel had a slight fever and she again injected him with the antibiotic. She only had four more vials so hoped it was doing some good.
He spoke to her briefly, but was obviously in pain and so she again gave him some morphine and told him to sleep. He ended up sleeping most of the day, awake for only brief periods of time.
Ailani came by a few times as did some of the women. He told her about the old woman and what had happened. "She grew frightened, thinking it was the spirit of the dusk that approached her. She feels terrible and would like to come and apologize to you and your man."
Sam sighed, knowing the poor woman couldn't be blamed, although she was frustrated to again be in a place of such superstition. "Tell her she can visit once Jack is better. I'm not really up for visitors until then."
Ailani nodded and left shortly afterward. He came back a couple of times to tell her the tribal leaders were investigating and would find who had done this. She answered distractedly, her eyes and attention on O'Neill. "Thank you", she told him.
As soon as he realized that Sam-ata was focused only on the man, he sighed and left. He still had hope that O'Neill would remain with the gods and that he would have a chance with the beautiful and strong woman. He believed she was a fit consort for the Chief.
Sam realized, after Ailani had left, that other than Jack's few words at the beach, the Chief hadn't seen him awake or lucid. She wondered if the villagers still believed him to be 'gone'. It might be better for them to keep thinking that until they found who had hurt the Colonel. With that in mind she entered the hut and sat beside the sleeping officer.
A short while later he awoke and she reached over and held the canteen to his lips. "Drink Sir. You lost a lot of blood."
"Don't see what fillin' my bladder up has to do with losin' blood", he grumbled, although he did drink deeply from the canteen.
"Your body is dehydrated and you need to replenish liquids lost. And you know all this Sir. You took the same first-aid courses I did."
"Yeah, but you actually listened Carter."
She laughed. "You did too Sir. I saw your test results, remember."
"You won't believe that I bribed the instructor?"
"Nope. I know you're smart Colonel – no point in trying to hide it from me."
"Damn!" he said, although there was a definite twinkle in his eyes. "Although I'm not as smart as you Carter."
"Mmm", she looked at him speculatively. "Right." The only thing she got from him was a grin so she decided to change the subject.
"How are you feeling Sir – and tell the truth. I need to know."
He sighed. "I feel like crap", he told her. "My chest hurts, my head hurts and I gotta pee. Getting stabbed is definitely not what it's cracked up to be."
"No, I'm sure it's not", she smiled. "Well, I can give you some more morphine -"
"No! No more Carter. I'll be fine without it."
"No you won't Sr. But I'll agree to give you some other painkillers – as long as you take them. We can leave the morphine for the next time."
"I'll take the tablets", he agreed, "And I don't plan on there being a next time!"
"That would be nice", she agreed as she pulled out the bottle of pills. "Here, take 3. They should help a bit." She watched as he tossed back the pills and drank from the canteen. "So now that we've dealt with the pain, we'd better deal the other matter."
"What other matter?" he looked at her suspiciously.
"You said you had to pee" she replied matter-of-factly.
"Oh." He closed his eyes. "I do. You gonna help me get up?"
"Nope."
His one eye opened and he peered at her out of it. "You gonna get that big guy to help me?"
"Nope."
He closed his eye. "Bottle?"
"Yup."
"Damn!"
"I will ask one of the men to come in and help you though", she told him gently.
"I'm fine Carter. I've been in the Infirmary enough times to know how to handle things."
She had to press her lips together and take deep breaths from her nose to keep from smiling.
"What?" he looked at her suspiciously.
"Uh – I'm glad you know how to handle things Sir", she choked out. "I'll just – here", she handed him a clay container that one of the women had given her. "I'll just leave you alone for a few minutes."
"You do that Carter", he said, his eyes narrowed. He waited until she left and then let out a small chuckle. Leave it to his Major to cheer him up.
He took care of business, although it was more difficult than he'd expected. He was shaking terribly and he hurt when he tried to move. Still, it was better than getting some stranger in and way better than having Carter try and help him. He knew she would have done it without the blink of an eye if it had been needed, but it was something he didn't really want to have to experience.
He set the container down beside him when he was finished and lay back with a sigh. He was feeling pretty miserable although at least it seemed as if they were safe here – wherever here was. They hadn't really talked about it. In fact, they hadn't really talked about anything and he knew they needed to. But it could wait. Right now he just wanted to - he yawned – sleep.
By the time Sam re-entered the hut the Colonel was dozing. He wasn't quite asleep but she knew it wouldn't be long. She took the container outside and emptied it and then sat down in the sunlight, enjoying the peace and solitude.
Unfortunately neither lasted for long as Ailani approached and asked if he could sit beside her.
"Of course", she smiled, although inside she was wishing him away. "It's beautiful today."
The man looked around and shrugged. It was no different than most days and something to which he gave little or no thought.
Sam laughed to herself realizing that living in paradise one probably got used to beautiful days.
"Your man – he is doing well?"
"Yes. He still has lots of healing to do, but he will be okay."
"That is good", Ailani said, although his voice lacked conviction. "He is still with the gods?"
"Uh – no. He's – his mind -" she sighed. "He is back with us." She had planned to keep that quiet, but decided that deceiving Ailani probably wasn't smart.
Ailani nodded and let out a deep breath. "You will take him now as your mate?"
"Uh – when he is better, of course."
"You must not wait too long", he warned. "It is not seemly for a woman to be with a man not her husband. There has already been much talk. Some are demanding that you not be allowed to care for him and that the older women take over."
"I've already told you that won't happen", she snapped. "I am his Promised. I will look after him."
"You are living with my people now and you will obey my laws." He stood and looked down at her, the gentle giant disappearing and the fierce leader now in full control. "I will give you one more day and then you shall either take him as your mate or you will be prohibited from being with him." With that Ailani strode away from the hut.
"Shit!" she muttered as she made her way back into the small structure she was sharing with her 'Promised One'. "Stupid damned primitive cultures! Idiotic chauvinistic pig! Ridiculous and asinine laws that we shouldn't have to follow!"
"Uh- unhappy about something Major?"
Her head whipped up and she cursed, this time silently. She thought the Colonel was sound asleep and wouldn't hear her muttering. "Uh – no?"
O'Neill struggled to get more comfortable and then looked at his second in command with that look – the one that meant I'm your commanding officer and you will not bullshit me! "Carter!" he warned.
She sighed and flopped down beside him. "It's just – the stupid primitive cultures who see women as chattels, that's all."
"Did someone say or do something to you Major?" he frowned, ready to leap out of his sick bed and kill the bastard who would hurt his – uh – Carter.
"No. Well yes. No."
"Carter – what happened?" he said with a sigh. He really wasn't up to playing guessing games right now.
"Well, you see, the tribe captured you."
"Captured me? I thought we were guests?"
"We are – but not at the beginning. You see I'd left you alone to try and find if there were any inhabitants on this planet."
"You didn't know?"
"No – this was your choice."
"Mine? You're sure?" He looked around although there wasn't anything to see inside the hut.
"Yes. Anyway, you were – sick, injured – and we needed to find a place where the NID wouldn't look for us but we also needed someplace where there were people. So you were captured – I'm -"
"You did right Major – don't beat yourself up about it. With only two of us of course you had to find out what was around here. Go on."
"Thank you Sir", she gave him a small smile. "Well, you were captured, so I followed the men who had you. I was waiting for an opportunity to rescue you, but I was outnumbered and you -" She stopped.
"I was hurt and a liability?"
"Not a liability but – you had trouble walking and I didn't think I could get you away safely. Anyway, I was discovered and we were brought here. Fortunately I was able to explain our situation and we were then invited to stay as guests." She paused again, not wanting to continue.
"But there was a catch?" he asked softly.
"Yeah", she gave a crooked grin. "They were quite scandalized by the fact that -"
"Let me guess", he groaned. "They were upset that an attractive woman was travelling alone with a man."
"Mmm hmm", she said with a grimace. "Same old thing. The only way out of it was to say that we were – uh – betrothed and that I was taking you to find the magic waters to help heal you."
"The magic waters?"
"Mmm hmm", she grinned. "Niagara."
He laughed and then put his hand to his chest as the pain spiked through him.
"Sir!"
"T'sokay Major – just a twinge. So, you were taking me to Niagara – like a dutiful betrothed. So what's the problem now?"
"Well, now that you are better – oh, not from the stabbing but from – before."
"Before?"
"I'll explain later", she told him. "But now that you're conscious again, Ailani – he's the Chief – told me we have a day."
"A day for what?"
She took a deep breath and let it out, then she bit her lip and finally she rubbed her neck.
"Carter!"
"Sorry Sir. Uh, we have a day to either get married or they won't allow me in to see you. They're going to get the old ladies of the village to look after you."
He latched onto the latter part of the sentence because he really didn't know how to react to the idea of marrying Sam. He knew that his heart practically leapt out of his chest at the thought, although he tried to convince himself it was just because of being stabbed. "Old ladies? No way Carter. I don't want a gaggle of old crones bathing me and – and anything else."
"Well Sir, it doesn't look like there's much of an option. Ailani was pretty definite and I guess there's been talk."
"Of course there has", he said in disgust. "People are the same no matter what planet they're from! So, we'd better get married because I'm not letting any old lady bathe me!"
"Uh Sir – I don't bathe you."
"No", he grinned, "although one can always live in hope."
She laughed and suddenly felt better. Leave it to the Colonel! Still they couldn't actually – "Sir, we can't get married."
"Why not?" he looked at her with an innocent expression on her face.
"Why not – well because – I mean, I'm your subordinate."
"No you're not. As far as I can tell Carter, I've gone AWOL and so have you. I'm sure we'll both be given – if we haven't already – a dishonorable discharge. In fact, you don't have to keep calling me Sir."
"But – S – ur Colonel, that may be true but marriage?"
He sighed and shifted, feeling hot and uncomfortable. "It won't be a real one Carter. Once we're away from this place we can forget about it. It's not like we have to worry about consummating it or anything, not when I can barely move."
"Oh – right." She suddenly felt embarrassed for making such a big thing about it. It's not as if they hadn't had to do this on occasion – although usually she was 'married' to Daniel. "I'll tell Ailani then. I'm sorry, I guess I shouldn't have made such a big thing about it."
"Of course you should have", he said, his eyes closed. "It is your wedding after all. Just not too many bridesmaids, okay?"
"Okay", she grinned. "I'd better go tell him and you should sleep."
"Fine", he sighed, thinking that sounded go. Just as she was leaving the hut he called after her. "Don't forget something borrowed and something blue."
She laughed again as she left and made her way over to where the Chief was standing. She felt a moment of fear as he glared at her, but then she squared her shoulders and approached him.
"What is it?" he asked sharply.
"Uh – I thought about what you said and I spoke with Jack. We agreed that we will be married, since it's important to your tribe."
He nodded once, sharply. "That is a wise decision. I shall call the Shaman and he shall marry you immediately."
As he turned away Sam frowned, wondering why he still looked so angry. "Oh well", she shrugged. "She wasn't going to worry about him – not when she had a wedding to look forward to.
As she walked back towards her hut she smiled again. It was only a pretend marriage – but still- she was marrying Jack O'Neill.
Maybe things were getting better.