AN: Hi! Thanks so much for all the kind words and encouragement as I took my little hiatus. It was really, really weird to not post last week. Hopefully I am back on track and we can get through the rest without any more interruptions and that this one was worth the wait. Enjoy.
***SG1***SG1***
Feeling her fist impact the punching bag, Sam winced at the tremor the force sent up her arm. Taking a step back, she blew out a loud breath and wiped the sweat trying to seep into her eyes. Snorting, she shook her head at the anger that still pulled at her emotions.
It was stupid really. He told her he would not be able to contact her while she was here yet the fact that she hadn't heard from the Colonel for over a week still pissed her off. Taking another swing, she winced at the pain echoing in her arm from the jolt.
"Damn, woman. What'd that bag ever do to you?"
The teasing voice irritated her further. Tossing a glare over her shoulder, her features clearly indicated "leave me the hell alone" to the speaker as she steadied the swaying bag.
Placating hands being held up responded to her. "Okay, okay," Matt retorted. "I get it. Pissed at the world." Waiting a moment, he added, his voice low and serious, "What to talk about it?"
"Not really," Sam grunted, yanking at the Velcro holding the glove on. Pulling her hand from it, she flexed her fingers. Looking away a minute before bringing her gaze back to the counselor, she let a breath escape. "Look, I appreciate the concern, but I just need some time to work through something myself."
The chirping of her cell phone interrupted anything else that may have been said.
"Carter," she snapped, moving away from the counselor watching her with a contemplative look on his face. "Daniel," she breathed, hearing his greeting. Feeling the anger slip from her, she closed her eyes and basked in the warmth she associated with him spreading through her. "How was PT?"
"Wonderful as always," Daniel said, sarcasm lacing the words to let her know it sucked. "What about you? How's your day going?"
"Good," she breathed out, her voice giving away what her word did not.
"Sam?"
"I want to come back," she said, leaning her forehead on the cool window. The questioning silence on the other end had her amending, "I want to see you guys. I've missed you," she confessed softly.
"We miss you too," Daniel replied gently. "Maybe Teal'c could come," he offered.
"Didn't you say he went home for a few days?"
"Yeah, I did," Daniel confessed. "But he said that if we needed him for anything, he'd come back."
"No," Sam rushed. "I'm okay. Don't bother him." Toying with the seam on her pants, she tried to keep her voice light to convey that her next question didn't mean more than it should. "How's the Colonel?"
"He's at the cabin," Daniel offered warmly. "Talked to him yesterday. Seems to be doing okay."
"That's good," Sam murmured, trying to hide the pang that ran through her knowing he was at the one place in the world she would give anything to be able to go. "Probably fishing," she forced out, some part of her knowing that it didn't mean he placed more value on that than her, but the other part seething that it felt like it did.
"You okay?"
The softly spoken concern told her he had heard something of her emotions in her voice and caused her to close her eyes to ward off the tears that threatened. "Yeah. Sorry, I've got to go," she added after a few seconds, hoping her voice didn't sound as fake and brittle to him as it did to her. "I'll talk to you tomorrow," she said, not waiting for his goodbye before she disconnected.
"Nope, not fishing."
The words behind her snapped Sam's head around, her body following. "Colonel," she breathed, greeting the man standing before her, the anger draining from her. Running eyes over his features, she drank in the sight of him. "Daniel said you were in Minnesota," she stuttered. The vibration of the phone in her hand caused her to glance down. "Daniel," she said in apology as she brought up the text.
U ok? She read on the screen before the phone was pulled gently away from her.
Punching some keys, Jack pressed the send before closing it and handing it back to her. "Doc says I can spring you from this place for a couple hours if you're up to it."
"Yeah," Sam blurted out, a smile appearing unbidden with her response. Grimacing a little as she remembered how she must look right now, she amended, "Fifteen so I can clean up?"
"Take your time," Jack agreed, looking around the room, spotting the various vets working out or having therapy. "I'll be here."
***SG1***SG1***
Chewing on his bottom lip, Daniel stared at the cell phone in his hand. He couldn't decide if the two words on the screen were a good thing or bad.
With Carter.
Not incriminating in of themselves; unless you knew there was only one person in the world, hell in several galaxies, that called her that.
"I hope you know what your doing Jack," he muttered, slipping the phone back into his pocket.
***SG1***SG1***
Moving down the hallway to her room, a tingle of awareness that she was being watched crept up Sam's spine. Slowing her steps, she scanned the hallway ahead of her, her feet coming to a halt when she located the source of her discomfort. "Colonel Nelson," she said, her arm raising to snap off a salute.
"Major, at ease," Nelson said, shifting his weight on the crutches to ease some of the pain in his leg.
Running eyes over the senior officer, she noted the medical scrubs and assistive devices. "Sir? I'm surprised to see you. Especially, here," she stuttered, gesturing toward his apparel.
Snorting, the older man looked down briefly before looking back up at her. "Took a trip with some of your buddies. Ran into some unfriendly neighbors," he said dryly.
The dilation of her pupils told him she had understood the unspoken parts of the story. Licking her lips, she slowly nodded. "They can be unwelcoming at times, Sir," she said softly. "Er... Did anyone else...?" she trailed off, gesturing toward his leg.
Shaking his head, he shook his head. "Colonel Reynolds wouldn't allow it until the cavalry arrived," he said, a dry trace of humor in his voice. A flicker of regret passed his face. "Daniel Jackson got banged up a bit on the way home."
Sam's eyes widened again as she put parts of the puzzle together in her mind. "His shoulder," she breathed. A nod from Nelson confirmed she was putting it together correctly. Her team had been part of the rescue team. Understanding of why Jack had asked to go on the mission flooded her.
Tipping his head to indicate they should start moving, Nelson took a few slow steps before speaking again. "How are you doing?" he asked softly.
"Better, Sir," Sam replied, glancing sideways. "Doctor Rogers says I'm making progress."
"I'm glad," he replied, stopping in front of a door. "Home sweet home," he threw out.
Nodding, a tight smile on Sam's face acknowledged the words. "Sir," she said hesitantly, unsure if she should ask him what she really wanted to know. "Do you know anything about the results of the," a frown crossed her head trying to come up with some words to inquire about the fraternization investigation without actually saying the words.
"The inquiry?" Nelson offered. Cocking his head, he frowned. "Colonel O'Neill didn't stop by to see you?"
"Er... We didn't get to talk much. He's waiting for me to get cleaned up," Sam stuttered not sure she should have admitted that.
"Good," Al breathed. "I'll let him tell you then." Grimacing, he sent her a self-depreciating smile. "Sorry, but this leg has had enough for right now. It was good to see you Major. I hope things work out," he added softly.
"Thank you, Sir," Sam replied instinctively, not exactly sure what she was thanking him for just yet.
***SG1***SG1***
Coming back into the exercise area, Sam immediately spotted Jack chatting with some service men on the other side of the room. Moving over there, she spoke to let him know she was ready. "Colonel?"
"I've got to go," Jack said, thrusting his thumb back toward Sam. He paused however, when he saw the eyes on one of the men widen suddenly as he looked back and forth between the Jack and Sam.
"This is him?" Rick directed toward Sam, incredibility in his voice.
Nodding, a smile tugged on Sam's face at the confusion on Jack's face and the myriad of emotions on the younger man's. "Yep. Lieutenant Rick Witt, Colonel Jack O'Neill." Turning her gaze back to Jack, she added, "He didn't believe you'd come visit at some point."
"Yeah, well, gotta keep em guessing, you know," Jack tossed back, waving off the immediate tensing of the nearby service men when they realized the man in civilian garb they had been chatting so easily with was a full bird Colonel.
"My apologies, Sir," Rick sputtered, just in case he had stepped over a line. "My, uh, commanding officer wouldn't have... hasn't," he amended. Swallowing, he continued, "Sam said you were different."
An amused quirk of Jack's eyebrow had Sam moving closer so as to minimize others hearing. "He, uh, asked me if my commander was an asshole too."
Jack had to cover the snort of amusement that threatened to escape. "And you said?" A smile tugged at his lips at Sam's eyes dilating in surprise at his question before she dipped her head to hide whatever may be showing on her face. Not waiting for her to answer, he looked back at the Lieutenant. "I've had some of them. Probably been one a time or two," he admitted, his eyes sliding back to Sam to see her dip her head again. Waiting until she looked back up, he tipped his head toward Witt asking a silent question. Getting a slight nod back, Jack held out his hand. "Take care of yourself, Lieutenant. And if that commander keeps being an asshole, give Carter a call. Maybe we can find you a better one."
"Yes, Sir," Witt replied. "I think I'd like that."
***SG1***SG1***
"How are you doing?" Jack asked, taking his eyes off the road for a brief moment to look at her and gesture with his hand to indicate her body.
Carefully shifting in the seat, Sam threw him a tight smile. "Better. Still too sore to do some things, but better. Stitches are out and I'll be glad when the bruises go away." Licking her lips, she added hesitantly, "Still no signs of any...diseases." Looking out the window at the passing scenery, she changed the subject. "Where are we going?"
"Rockville," Jack murmured. "Find someplace we can talk." Silence again descended in the vehicle. Pulling into a parking space at a park, he looked out over the open area. "Up for a walk?" he asked. Getting a nod, he got out and waited until she joined him before starting them on a path.
"Daniel said you were in Minnesota," Sam said, finally breaking the silence.
"I was. Flew here this morning," Jack acknowledged. "Hammond called me after Daniel," he offered. "We've been cleared."
Relief flooded through Sam. "That's... That's good," she breathed out. "The team won't be broken up."
Jack touched her arm to stop her as he felt like he owed it to her to at least look at her when he said what he needed to say next. Not sure how she was going to take it, he steeled himself for a reaction. "I've asked for a transfer." Startled blue eyes stood in sharp contrast to her rapidly whitening skin. Spotting a nearby bench, he tipped his head. "Let's sit," he murmured, his fingers wrapping around her arm to nudge her to move with him.
"Why?" Sam choked out as he eased himself down beside her. "Because of me? What happened?" Seeing a slight flinch pass through him, her anxiety rose. "It wasn't your fault," she choked out. "Please don't. I'll leave. Daniel and Teal'c need..."
"Carter," Jack interrupted her sharply, trying to stop her so he could explain.
"You belong there. I can..." Sam continued, her agitation and distress evident.
"Carter. Sam," Jack said again, putting his hands on her arm to get her to pay attention to him. "Stop." When tearful eyes locked with his, he continued, his voice low to force her to listen to him. "It's not what you think."
Releasing her arm, Jack slid his hand into hers. "We got lucky," he breathed out, watching some children chase after a ball in the field. "Unofficially, Hammond warned me that the powers that be are still concerned, suspicious. They just couldn't prove anything." He tightened his grip briefly. "To avoid any future questions, they recommended one of us be transferred and I agree." Glancing back at her, he tipped his head toward her. "They need you more than me."
Sam shook her head vehemently. "No," she countered. "Every person on that base respects you, relies on you. Without you..."
"I need to do something different," he interjected, cutting her off. "Yes, part of it is 493, needing some time to deal with what happened there, but not all it," he explained, watching his thumb brush across the back of her hand. "I told you that the boundaries between us had been blown to hell and," he paused, taking in an audible breath at the emotions behind the words. Looking up, he needed to gauge her reaction to his next words. "I can't put them back."
Joy flashed briefly across her face before sorrow took its place. "I can't either." A hitched sob escaped Sam's lips. "But I don't know how to do this right now."
"I know," he breathed back, wrapping an arm around her shoulders to pull her closer. "Right now, I'm not asking you to do anything but understand why I asked for a transfer." Resting his chin on her head, he tightened his grip on her. "Everything else will still be here when you're ready."
Nodding to acknowledge his words, Sam leaned into him, relishing the feel of him. When she felt like she could speak without choking on her words, she asked, "Where will you go?"
"Don't know yet. Hammond's looking to see what's open," Jack said softly. "Thought about just putting in my papers, but," a shrug accompanied the statement. "Who knows, maybe the Academy needs a washed up old soldier for something."
Leaning back so she could see his face, she whispered, "Stay as close as possible, okay?"
Fingertips followed the trail of her tears, wiping the trace of them away. "You got it."
***SG1***SG1***
