"So, does the whole base know yet?"

"Know what?" asked Jack

"About us?"

"No I didn't tell anyone, just like we agreed"

"Really? Not a single person" she asked sceptically, "not even your closest friend?" An awkward silence fell across the car before Jack finally plucked up the courage to answer.

"He told you didn't he?"

"Yep"

"I'm going to kill him"

"Did you really expect Daniel to keep it a secret? Because he's literally the last person I'd tell if that were the case"

"Fair point" laughed Jack, as he placed a hand on her thigh. "Anything you need to tell me?" he asked after a few more moments of silence.

"No," she replied quietly.

"Sure? Because old Doc Fraiser seemed to want to tell me something.

"In my defence I didn't tell, she saw"

"Call it even?" he asked, smiling broadly at her.

"Yeah" she sighed, shifting awkwardly in her seat.

"You OK?" he asked, concern sweeping over him.

"Just can't get comfy that's all" she told him, any other day he'd have believed her but he hadn't failed to notice the pained lines that crossed her face, just get her home and into bed he told himself, she'll be fine, he hoped.

Despite Jack's more than comfortable truck, the ride home couldn't have been more painful for Sam. Cursing herself for refusing some pain relief for the journey back, she had to bite the inside of her cheek at one point to prevent herself from groaning out loud. Repeating over and over in her head that Jack's house was better than the infirmary, Sam closed her eyes and silently prayed for the journey to be over as quickly as possible.

Keeping an eye on Sam as he drove back, Jack couldn't tell if she was asleep or not, either way he could tell she was hurting even if she hadn't admitted to herself. He'd always admired her stubbornness, he'd lost count of the amount of sticky situations she'd gotten them out of as a result of her refusal to quit. In fact his first impression back in the briefing room all those years ago showed him, she certainly wasn't going to be a pushover, he wasn't sure anyone had ever been that forward in a room full of higher ranking officers. A sparkle on her hand caught his eye, he hadn't realised she'd kept the ring on and he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride that she had left it on for the world to see. Ironically even if they'd agreed to keep it a secret. Pulling up outside his house, he debated whether or not to wake her or simply scoop her up and carry her in, before he had a chance to make a decision she came to with a look of surprise on her face.

"Did I sleep the whole way?"

"Pretty much" he shrugged, "guess you needed it" Watching as she struggled to open the door and get out, he jumped out and ran round to herside.

"Let me help you Sam" he told her, holding his hand out.

"I can manage" she replied, as she hissed sharply as the movement from turning her body sent a fresh wave of pain through her.

"Sam, you're in pain"

"I'm fine" she replied tersely, "just a little tired" Knowing for well she wasn't telling the whole truth, he decided not to push her further for the moment.

"Let yourself in" he told her handing over his keys "and I'll grab your stuff"

Following her up the path he could tell she was holding herself awkwardly and he started to question whether or not he'd done the right thing by encouraging Janet to let her leave the infirmary so soon.

"Bed or couch?" He asked once they were inside.

"Bed I think, I am pretty tired" Well at least she's being honest about that he mused as he followed her towards his room.

"You want some pain meds?"

"No I'm just going to sleep, will you be here later?" she replied, stifling a yawn at the same time.

"Only if you want me too, I don't want to hurt you Sam"

"You won't and besides, we'll be sleeping" she told him with a smirk. Jack helped her get comfortable in bed before heading to the door, he stopped just before walking through and turned back to look at Sam. She'd already fallen asleep and had turned a worrying shade of white. Running his hand through his hair and sighing, he knew if he called Janet and she found out she'd be pissed but at the same time he knew something was up, even if she wasn't going to admit it.

"Hey Doc"

"General, is everything okay with Sam?"

"How did you know?" asked Jack in surprise.

"I had a feeling she was still in more pain than she was letting on but I know better than to argue with her when it comes to staying in my infirmary"

"Well you pretty much summed it up, any suggestions?"

"I think you might have to wait on her this time Sir but call me later and I can stop by on my way home to check in on her" replied Janet before hanging up. Well, thought Jack, how exactly am I going to leave it up to Sam he thought to himself.

It didn't seem to matter what position she tried, Sam was unable to get comfortable, considering she was beyond exhausted she was for a moment, rather impressed at her body's ability to keep her awake. Although she suspected Jack knew she was in more pain than she'd let on, she still couldn't bring herself to tell him. The last thing she wanted was to spend anymore time in the infirmary which is exactly where he'd take her if he knew. Having given up on the hope of getting sleep, Sam tried to get out of bed, hoping that Jack might still be up. She wasn't sure what time it was but since she'd gone to bed when it was light, she figured it couldn't be too late. Swinging her legs round to the edge of the bed was pretty painful but if she could cope with that then surely standing up would be ok. Placing two feet on the floor, check, managed that she thought smugly. Standing up, yep, nailed it. Slowly walking towards the bathroom to freshen up, Sam immediately felt a twinge run through her waist, ignoring it as just being stiff she carried on towards the bathroom. Turning to lift the toilet seat was the moment things started to unravel, a searing pain shoot through her wound and she couldn't help but cry out, the pain was so intense that her head immediately began to spin, the next thing she knew, was the pain of connecting with the side of the sink on her way to down to the floor.