Chapter 3. In the Line of Duty
He'd brought her flowers, the biggest bunch he could find.
"Hey, Sam, how you doing tonight?" He questioned softly, taking a seat by the hospital bed, but still he got no response. She lay motionless, curled up on her side away from him, and Daniel had never felt so hopelessly far from her.
His worst fear was realised when it was confirmed that Sam had been taken over by a Goa'uld. Or Tok'ra, or whatever they called themselves. First Sha're, and now Sam. It seemed the universe was determined to have the Goa'uld take from him the only two women he'd ever loved.
Wait, loved? No, he didn't love Sam. Cared for. Yes, that's what he'd meant. He cared about Sam; she was his best friend, who he just occasionally happened to have wild, passionate, amazing sex with. But he didn't love her. He loved his wife.
His melancholy thoughts fled from his mind when a shudder passed through Sam's body. He wanted to comfort her, to crawl up beside her and take her into his arms and just hold her. But he couldn't do that here. Instead, he reached out to stroke her hair, his fingers brushing the strands back behind her ear, hoping the repetitive motion would bring her some comfort.
"It's alright, Sam. You're going to be alright."
Glancing around to make sure they were truly alone, he dropped his head down close to her ear, lowering his voice to a whisper.
"I'm here. I'm right here."