Chapter Ten
"Oh...that is good."
"I thought you might like that."
"Mmmm...I do."
"You're making a mess."
Jack chuckled as Sam worked to keep the bright purple fruit juice from running off her chin. The unusual fruit was amazingly tasty, but also very difficult to eat without the sticky juice getting everywhere. Hearing Jack laugh at her just made Sam smile which in turn made the juice situation more dire. Sam rubbed the back of her hand across her face, staining them both.
"Just rub it off on your shirt, they'll give you a new one."
"Using my shirt as a napkin isn't very civilized."
"Neither is having me lick you clean, the choice is yours."
"As tempting an offer as that may seem..."
Sam smiled and reached out to take a hold of the corner of Jack's shirt, leaving him with the purple stain instead.
"Hey!"
"It was your idea." Sam teased.
"Good point."
It had only been three days since their reunion but Sam had already improved drastically. Although there hadn't been enough time for any dramatic weight gain her every motion had more control and power to it. She was also able to stay awake for more than a few minutes at a time. Jack watched her try to tackle another piece of the juicy fruit and this time before she had a chance to wipe it off on his shirt he moved in for a sticky kiss.
After sharing the sweet kiss Sam laughed and pushed him away playfully. Laying back in the grass she stared up at the dark blue sky. They were sitting in the small garden with the high walls that Jack had already proven he could sneak out of. Although he did notice that the branch he had used was missing. Looking around he saw at least three more weak points to the 'prison's' defenses.
However, Jack had no interest in leaving right now. Sam still wasn't strong enough to be on the run. At this point in time he seriously doubted that she'd even be able to scale the tree. So instead of planing an escape they just enjoyed the fresh air and warm sunshine. Sam had been nervous at first when Ser'in came to lead them away, but she was slowly coming to trust the pink dragon.
When Sam brought one of her legs up to her chest to stretch Jack moved in to help. Her greatest obstacle to her mobility was how tight her ligaments and muscles had become over the months of starvation and inactivity. Sam let go of her leg and peacefully allowed Jack to do the stretch for her. He watched her face carefully for that moment when he'd gone a fraction of an inch too far and would back off slightly. When he was done with both legs Sam sat up and held her hands out.
"Ready for a walk?"
"I think so." Sam replied.
Jack took Sam's hands and helped her up to her feet. Her breath hissed across her teeth as her joints took on her weight. Jack had to wonder if the weeks spent free of gravity in the tank were to blame for the pain she felt now. However, it was getting better. Two days ago she had been all but unable to support her self, now she could walk on her own. Jack still stayed at her side to catch her if she went to fall. Losing her balance was a serious danger.
With one hand against her lower back and the other at her elbow Sam and Jack walked slowly around the confines of the garden. She was more confident in her steps outdoors because the soft ground offered a better place to fall than the stone floor of their cell. Eventually Sam's step faltered but Jack kept her from collapsing. She put all her weight on him for a moment.
"Do we need to stop?"
"No, I want to make it around the garden twice today."
"That's probably three times as far as you've ever made it."
"...and?"
"Nothing. Just making a pointless observation." Jack smiled. "Let's go."
Sam was panting heavily for breath by the time they made the second circuit around the lush garden. Jack helped her sit down in the grass and joined her. Sweat rolled off her skin, but she was smiling brightly in triumph. Jack pulled her into a hug and she rested against his chest for a moment while she caught her breath.
The pair both startled as there was a sudden disturbance coming from the doorway that lead back inside. Jack listened to the now familiar voices of Ser'in and Va'lo as they engaged in another bitter argument. When Va'lo stormed into the garden with what looked like a rifle in his hands Jack jumped up and gathered Sam up in his arms so he could move them both up against the far wall. Jack set Sam down and sat down between her and the others as they approached.
"What's happening?"
"I don't know, these two don't get along."
"The green one tried to kill me."
"What?" Jack asked shocked.
"When I first woke up I attacked Ser'in and once they had me under control he stepped up to shoot me. Ser'in stopped him."
"Hopefully she can do it again."
Ser'in did look like she had another tough job on her hands. Va'lo was furious and was snarling and shouting at her. Ser'in rushed ahead and stood between Jack and Va'lo with her hand up in a pacifying manner even though she continued to argue and yell. Va'lo pointed up at the railing and snarled again.
"I think I know what this is about." Jack sighed. "I escaped out of here before. Va'lo is afraid I'm going to do it again."
"He has a point then."
"Ser'in knows I'm not going anywhere without you and that you're in no shape to get out of here."
"Va'lo doesn't look convinced."
Sam was right he was still yelling and barking at Ser'in. She pointed at Sam and growled right back at him. Va'lo looked Sam over doubtfully and then lifted up Ser'in's injured wrist. Ser'in pulled her hand away and snapped something defensively. Va'lo wasn't impressed.
"What do we do?" Sam asked.
"Just stay still. Va'lo thinks we're dangerous, Ser'in usually convinces him otherwise."
"She really trusts you, doesn't she?"
"So far." Jack smiled. "If anyone can get us home, it's her."
"You said you've learned a few words?"
"Uh...yeah, 'Gala' I think means 'thanks' and 'Dali' seems to mean 'sorry', um...'far..."
"Perfect." Sam interrupted.
Sam pushed Jack to one side and got up onto her knees.
"Ser'in?" Sam called.
Va'lo was once again shocked, or possibly just disgusted that Ser'in's name had been used. Ser'in turned away from Va'lo and looked at Sam. Raising up her own hand that corresponded to Ser'in's injured one Sam smiled sadly.
"Dali. Ser'in, dali." Sam said sincerely.
Ser'in's blue eyes dilated and she made a low pitched growl. At first Sam thought she'd said something wrong. However after her natural reaction Ser'in bared her teeth in a broad smile. Turning back on Va'lo she hissed at him. Va'lo snarled something that sounded like an insult and stormed off.
"That was brilliant, Carter."
"I really am sorry for hurting her. I didn't know she was trying to help."
"I'm sure she knows that."
Ser'in watched Va'lo leave with a suspicious look on her reptilian face. She turned back to Jack and Sam and sighed heavily. She made a beckoning motion and Jack got to his feet. Before Sam could ask for help to her feet Jack gathered her up and lifted her off the ground to carry her. After her earlier walk she really wasn't ready to go anywhere on her own yet.
Jack followed Ser'in back inside and to the cell. When she slid the bars closed she launched into another speech. Jack sat down with his back against the far wall with Sam still in his arms and they just listened to her. After a few minutes tears spilled from Ser'in's eyes and she hurried away.
"I'm starting to feel sorry for her." Sam sighed.
"Yeah, I think she's the only one who wants to believe in us."
"That makes sense. I mean we know nothing about these aliens. For all we know they've had dealings with humans before that didn't turn out so well."
"We can be a violent bunch."
"Especially against things we don't understand. It might even be as complicated as us being intelligent might be messing with a religious view. Having truly intelligent aliens out there kind of puts a damper on 'God creating the Universe for man and creating man in his image'. What if us being capable of thought, logic, and love spoils their image of God?"
"Isn't that what we do for a living?" Jack asked with a smile. "Traipse around the galaxy bringing down gods?"
"Yes, but in this case we may be bringing down a 'real' one, not just a Goa'uld enslaving through false pretense, but an actual belief system."
"I didn't think of that."
"Personally I don't think that most of the people on Earth would take well to the idea of a life forms in the galaxy just as or more intelligent than ourselves, particularly one that looks so different from us."
"The Asgard even kinda creep me out, and I know they're good guys."
"And you're not religious."
"All good points." Jack nodded. "I'm pleased to see that mind of your's is starting to work on overdrive again."
"Of course none of this helps us get home." sam sulked.
"Maybe it does, perhaps rather than keep us here they'll take us to the Stargate so we can go away and they won't have to deal with any religious failings."
"Wouldn't it be easier to just kill us?"
"Let's hope their sense of ethics is above that."
Sam looked at Jack doubtfully. He smiled at her in return and held her closer. Feeling tired once again Sam started to nod off. Jack noticed how her level of consciousness seemed to be like an on/off switch these days. There seemed to be no stage where she would get tired, she would just suddenly be unable to stay awake.
Feeling drained himself Jack laid Sam down and curled up with her on the thick blankets. They were woken for dinner, but afterwards they both quickly fell back asleep. They were both sleeping three times longer than they had on Earth, but that was mostly due to their body's need for the time to restore. Every time Jack woke up he felt a little more back to normal.
When the next morning did come it was no exception. Jack woke and stretched out, feeling hungry, which he took as a good sign. Sam seemed to have already been awake and she rolled over to attack him as soon as he moved. Jack didn't mind and enjoyed the passionate show of affection.
"Today's the fourth day." Jack said suddenly.
"What does that mean?"
"Oh, every four days they do a medical run down, take weight, any injections they feel like giving, general 'look over'."
"Uh...okay."
"I just didn't want you to be surprised whe..."
Jack stopped as Va'lo and four others walked up to the far side of the bars. Jack couldn't remember a time when Ser'in hadn't been there for a medical day. He didn't see her everyday, he assumed she had days off as well, but this was the first time she had been missing for this routine. Va'lo had also come before breakfast, which was also unusual.
"Sir?" Sam still wasn't out of the habit of the respectful greeting. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Jack lied. "I told you they'd come."
Jack tried to hide his apprehension, but he failed. Va'lo came up to the bars with an expressionless face. He glanced over Jack and Sam before reaching out and tapping on the bars. When they didn't move he pointed at Sam and beckoned her closer before tapping on the bars again.
"What does he want?"
"He wants you to put your hands through the bars."
"Should I?"
"...yes." Jack answered after hesitating.
"No real choice, is there?"
"No, not really." Jack admitted. "Just don't do anything to give him cause to hurt you and he won't."
Jack got to his feet and helped Sam do the same. He walked over to Va'lo and laced his hands through the bars. Sam followed his lead confidently. Jack grit his teeth together as Va'lo locked his wrists together and snapped a short chain leash on his collar. Sam took the indignity a little better, but not by much. Ser'in never bothered with this precaution any more so it wasn't something Sam was used to.
When only enough bars slid down to allow Sam to step out Jack pulled at his metal cuffs. He knew that without Ser'in here there was no chance that he was going to get to accompany Sam, but it still frustrated him to be separated from her. Sam reached out and quickly gave his hands a squeeze.
"I'll be back."
"I'll be here."
Sam forced a smile and followed the lizards away. Va'lo glanced over his shoulder at Jack and narrowed his eyes slightly. Jack just looked away, knowing that any reaction he gave would only make Va'lo feel more justified. When they were gone Jack rested his head on the bars, they had left him so that he couldn't move away from them with his wrists bound together on the far side.
After about ten minutes Jack decided to sit down and slid down the bars. He stared at the new animal across the hall, a stripped cat that looked like a small tiger. The feline was laying on her back, sleeping with all four paws up in the air. He envied the creature's sense of peace. As time when by Jack's shoulders started to hurt from having to keep his wrists so far forward.
Jack's stomach was getting tighter as he started to feel like Sam had been gone for longer than she should. He had to remind himself that he had nothing to base how long it should take. When he heard a sharp yelp of pain Jack scrambled to his feet. He couldn't see down the hall and there were no other noises other than the soft huffing of the larger animals' breathing.
"Carter!" Jack called out. "Carter! Damn it... Ser'in! Ser'in, where the hell are you?!"
All Jack's hollering was doing was agitating the creatures around him. The small tiger rolled over and started pacing. Jack wanted to be able to pace as well and started trying hard for the first time to slip the chain bracelets off. Nothing short of removing his thumbs was going to get the chains off, but it didn't keep him from continuing to try.
Jack didn't stop his pointless struggle until he heard someone coming back down the hall. The alien's returned and one of them was carrying Sam. She looked liked she was trying to over come some sort of tranquilizing drug and made clumsy attempts to free herself. They brought her back into the cell and gently laid her down on the blankets. Va'lo bent down and released her wrists and removed the leash.
"Carter? You okay?"
Sam rolled over onto her stomach and forced herself up on her hands and knees. She tried to look up at Jack but she just went into a fit of violent dry heaves instead. Jack automatically jerked on the bars as he tried to get to her.
"Carter!"
Va'lo stepped up and grabbed a hold of the leash Jack was wearing and pulled it tight. Jack turned on him and barred his teeth at the dragon like an angry wolf.
"What did you do to her?! Where's Ser..."
Va'lo yanked on the leash hard enough to choke off Jack's question. While he was still distracted one of the other aliens slid the bars down. Jack tried to turn around to get to Sam but he was forced to take a step back and when he did so the bars separated them once again. Even on all fours Sam had lost her balance and was on her side holding her stomach.
"This really isn't necessary...we haven't done anything to you!"
Va'lo snapped the leash again causing Jack to cough uncontrollably. Just as he was getting his throat back under control he was dragged into the familiar lab. At first Va'lo didn't do anything out of the ordinary. He ordered Jack to step up on a scale, took the usual vitals, and drew some blood. Jack did everything he could to cooperate in hopes of making this take as little time as possible.
When they had gone through all the normal procedures Jack started towards the door. Va'lo pulled him back and tapped his foot on the back of Jack's knee. Jack growled in frustration, he knew exactly what Va'lo wanted but he was getting tired of taking orders. Va'lo tapped on his knee once more and added a painful jerk on the leash.
Jack ground his teeth together to try and control his temper as he got down on his knees. Va'lo forced Jack into tilting his head towards his left shoulder. There was a cold pressure at the back of his right ear in the soft concave flesh where his ear and neck met. The icy feeling was followed by a jab of sharp pain.
Just like Sam Jack cried out, although more in shock than in true pain. Va'lo released him and walked around in front of him. The green alien suddenly looked very friendly, he even attempted a smile. He encouraged Jack to get back to his feet. After a suspicious glare Jack got up.
"What are you up to you slimy repti..."
"Kanuri." Va'lo hissed.
To Jack the world sudden spun violently, like someone had pulled a rug out from under him. Having suddenly and completely lost his sense of balance he collapsed to the floor. Even with the solid stone pressing against his body he continued to feel the intense sense of vertigo. When he felt the collar around his neck tighten he began to fight to get to his feet, however it was impossible. It was like trying to stand up in an amusement park ride. After a few tries to get up Jack wasn't even sure which direction up was any more.
Too heavy to be carried the way they had with Sam two of the aliens grabbed Jack by the upper arms and hoisted him up. Feeling himself being moved forward Jack tried time and time again to get his feet under him, but he could no longer trust the ground under him as it pitched like the deck of a small boat in high seas. When he looked forward his eyes told him that everything was steady, but his mind simply wouldn't believe it.
Dropped to the floor once again Jack rolled over on his side and started heaving against an empty stomach. He jerked defensively as a someone touched his shoulder. The sudden motion caused his mind to reel even faster. Closing his eyes he tried to stop the endless tumbling. The touch repeated itself, this time resting gently on his forehead. Opening his eyes Jack looked up at Sam who had a look of empathy on her delicate features.
"It wears off in about ten minutes." Sam said softly.
"What is it?" Jack moaned. "What's happening."
"I can't say for sure, but I think it's a safety measure."
"I don't...I don't feel very safe..." Jack panted.
"Not for us, for them." Sam corrected. "There's a little disk behind our ear, I think it gives the inner ear a pulse of some sort that sends the vestibular system into chaos for a while."
"Vesty what now?"
"Vestibular...sense of balance."
"Ugghhh..." Jack whimpered. "Stop the world, I want to get off..."
Sam leaned in and kissed Jack's cheek. While they waited for the effects to wear off Sam ran her fingers through Jack's short hair and rubbed at his upper arm. He was grateful that they hadn't been given any breakfast because he knew he'd be losing it right about now. If Sam's theory was correct and Va'lo's single word had set off this reaction he did indeed have an excellent way of subduing them at anytime.
"Jaa'ck?!"
Ser'in's cry startled Sam and she instinctively took on a defensive posture. Jack reached up and took Sam's arm to calm her down. The vertigo had shifted to nausea so Jack was able to sit up just as Ser'in entered and knelt down in front of him. She pressed her her oddly shaped hand against Jack's forehead to see if he had a fever.
"I'm fine, really. It's getting better."
Ser'in tilted her head to the side and studied Jack with concern. He forced a smile. Before Ser'in had a chance to figure out what was going on Va'lo arrived. Jack scrambled to his feet and pulled Sam into the far corner of the cell. Ser'in got up as well and turned an angry glare on Va'lo.
Va'lo calmly started to explain himself. Ser'in made a noise of shock and turned to face Jack. When she stepped forward Jack reached up and bent his ear forward and turned so that she could see the tiny disk. With her fears confirmed she turned on Va'lo once again.
Before Ser'in had a chance to argue Va'lo produced a piece of plastic looking paper with markings on it. She snatched it away and read it several times. With a look of defeat she handed it back to him. She glanced over at her shoulder at the pair before returning to Va'lo.
"At crete narin est'ri?" Ser'in seemed to beg.
"Dak."
Va'lo left without any gloating or fuss. Ser'in sighed heavily and turned back to face Jack and Sam with tears in her eyes. She didn't even try to force one of her awkward smiles. However she did stretch her hand out for either of them to take. Sam was the one who acted first and took Ser'in's hand. The dragon's blue eyes dilated in pleasure.
"We still trust you, Ser'in." Sam said.
Ser'in purred and seemed to flush a bluish colour for a moment. She started to back up, taking Sam with her. Jack came with them as they made their way down the hall once again. Sam almost lost her balance twice, but Jack and Ser'in were both there to help her. Sam assured Jack that the slips were muscle weakness and not the disk. This time they were taken towards the garden. Ser'in released them into the green space and left them in peace.
"I guess now that Va'lo has a way of controlling us he doesn't mind if we get some fresh air." Sam noted.
"I think I need a nap." Jack sighed.
"Sounds wonderful."
Jack helped Sam over to the shade of one of the larger trees. Laying down on the soft grass Jack rolled onto his side and pulled Sam's back tight against his stomach. He moved her golden hair away from the back of her ear and looked at the small silver disk embedded in her flesh. He didn't dare touch it, afraid that he might set it off.
"Jack?"
"Yes?"
"What are we going to do?"
"For now...survive."