Inescapable Chapter 18

AN: Disclaimer and all in Chapter 1.

Wrote this in a hurry - no surprise there - so sorry for any spelling mistakes etc. Tiny spoilers for Threads - I've borrowed a few concepts from the eppy and messed around with them so they're not exactly like they happened in the episode but thought I'd warn ya anyway.

There was a lot of Kerry hating after the last one so I hope this helps... hehe.

Daniel shifted on his bed, groaning at the discomfiture he felt. He had been sitting in a position not unlike that which Teal'c did during Kel'No'Reem and his backside was beginning to go numb. Daniel let out a weary breath and untangled his legs, making sure the pages settled on his lap didn't fall as he did. Rubbing at a sore spot on his left leg he reminded himself that he still wasn't healed properly.

A knock made him call out instantly, "Come in." It wasn't until it was out of his mouth that he realised what time it was and who would be knocking on his quarters at four in the morning.

"DanielJackson," Teal'c bowed his head a little as he stepped inside. Daniel smiled, having his question answered. "I hope I am not disturbing you."

"Not at all, Teal'c, come in," he beaconed Teal'c inside with a flick of his hand, sitting up on the edge of the bed and pushing the report he had been reading onto the covers behind him. Teal'c closed the door and came to stand directly in front of Daniel, his hands, classically, clasped behind his back.

"I wish to speak to you concerning Colonel Carter," Teal'c revealed calmly and Daniel nodded. "I was informed by Doctor Brightman that she has noted distinctive improvement concerning the swelling in her brain over the past week." Daniel nodded, Jack had told him earlier with much enthusiasm.

"Yeah, Jack told me. We're hoping that it's just a matter of time before she wakes up." Teal'c nodded now.

"Has he divulged his intentions regarding her father's health?"

"If you're referring to the fact that he doesn't want to tell her straight away, then yes," Daniel answered in a voice that was clearly curious as to where Teal'c was going.

"I am," Teal'c began, and then tilted his head. "Do you not believe this to be unwise?"

Daniel's eyebrows jumped up and he pushed his glasses up his nose as he took pause at his friend's statement. "Ah, no," Daniel answered as if it was the only sane answer. Teal'c's eyebrow shot up, seeming to challenge Daniel.

"If Colonel Carter uncovers in the future that we have lied to her, do you not think she will be upset?"

"Not as upset as she'd be if she wakes from a coma only to be told her father is dying!" Daniel felt a touch of anger at Teal'c's suggestion. He wasn't entirely happy with keeping Sam in the dark but it was ultimately the lesser of two evils. She would be in far too fragile a state to deal with such a horrible blow. Jack had decided and apparently so had Jacob that it was the best thing to do, who was Daniel to argue?

"Perhaps," Teal'c said as if he was imparting a whole other world of possibilities onto Daniel with that one simple word. Daniel sighed; he knew where Teal'c was coming from. He, himself had brought the topic up when Jack told him their plan but Jack's argument had been too convincing and Sam didn't need it on top of everything else right now.

"Look, Teal'c I'm not happy about lying to her, Jack's not jumping at the idea either - in fact, I think this has more to do with Jacob than anything because Jack was very short about it…" Daniel tailed off, remembering how edgy Jack was earlier.

He had called into him to make sure he was resting before he left for the night. Daniel supposed he also wanted to prove the point that he could leave the base. Unbeknownst to Jack, Daniel knew he wasn't leaving the base because he wanted to, or because he was perfectly okay with leaving Sam alone in the infirmary, simply because he wasn't leaving her alone, Jacob was there. Daniel supposed Jack felt he'd be intruding or maybe he was afraid of the questions Jacob would ask when he woke up and saw Jack still floating around Sam in the wee hours of the morning. Whatever the reason, Daniel was sure his leaving was nothing to do with meeting Kerry for dinner.

Another rap on his door brought Daniel out of his thoughts. He blinked as Teal'c opened the door and an SF stepped inside. "Sorry, Doctor Jackson… I know it's late," he rushed. "But… it's Colonel Carter."

Daniel launched off the bed and bounded past Teal'c, running down the corridor.

"Sounds serious…" Jack mumbled, rubbing his eyes and feeling awkward being so close to Kerry all of a sudden. She sighed back into her pillow. Jack regarded her as he sat up against the headboard. He had heard that sigh a lot lately, especially tonight. He had heard it when he failed to smile at her jokes during dinner. He had heard it when he reached for his seventh beer and ignored her attempts to curl beside him and do that cuddling thing that made him feel like a glorified teddy bear. And he had heard it when he slipped beneath the sheets, turned the light off and began to lightly snore, pretending to be asleep until her bedside light went out too.

"It is." She sat up in the bed now, pulling the covers up with her and sat silently, staring at the impression her feet were making on the sheets.

Jack was also sitting rigidly. He glanced to her out of the corner of his eye and thought, Well, this is unpleasant. He heard her take a deep breath.

"This is kinda awkward," she began and then he saw her jump. Frowning, he was quickly aware why she had jumped when the phone rang a second time. He scrunched his eyes together and wondered if he was still dreaming. The last few moments were awfully cliché. Mumbling some curses about clichés he fumbled in the moonlight for his phone and lifted it to his ear.

"O'Neill," he barked.

Kerry turned her body and almost rolled her eyes. The one moment she would choose to bring it up, he would have to be thrown an out. She absently wondered if he hadn't made some bargain with Thor about awkward moments like this. His voice made her focus again.

"Daniel, if this is - What? - I'll be there in half an hour." The phone was thrown from him and he was out of the bed, pulling on a pair of trouser all in one motion. Kerry's head almost swirled at the dizzying motions unfolding before her.

"Jack?" She called for his attention and his head snapped up settling stunned eyes on her face, as if he had forgotten she was there.

"It's Carter," he said, lifting a shirt and disappearing out the door.

A loud thump sounded through the infirmary and Daniel turned to the door, closing his eyes and shaking his head. "Jack."

Jack burst through the doors and strode in shouting, "Daniel, what the hell-" Words caught in his throat as he peered past Daniel's shoulder, his mouth suspended in the position it had established while he was talking. Some few steps away, Daniel was deciding that the impression he couldn't quite put his finger on was…a fish.

"Hi…" A rasp reached his ears and he blinked furiously when he heard a dry cough and, "… sir."

"Carter!" He exclaimed, finally finding his voice even if it did crack a little. Suddenly, the thought occurred to him that Daniel had been a tad vague on the phone. His head swung with murderous intentions to see his token archaeologist smiling sweetly at him. "Daniel!" He yelped. "You nearly gave me a mild heart attack! I thought-!" He couldn't voice it, he was too mad… excited… happy… relieved. He heard a giggle bubble up and his attention was swiftly returned to Carter.

"Glad to see some things haven't changed," Carter retorted amidst her giggles.

Jack pointed a finger at her as he drew closer to her bed. "No giggling, Colonel," he joked, wagging a finger and the widest grin he could at her. She only giggled more. He was at her bedside now and staring down at her, thanking God for the precious sight of her sapphire eyes sparkling up at him. "Have a nice nap, Carter?" She grinned this time and closed her eyes briefly in answer. Jack missed their blueness instantly, like a warm blanket being ripped away from him on a chilling winter night.

"She needs rest, sir." It was the doctor that was talking, or at least Jack assumed it was, he still hadn't taken his eyes off Carter… afraid that her eyes wouldn't open again as his mind was assaulted with images of her slumping through his arms, her eyes sparking and then… slipping into darkness.

"We'll be back later, Sam," Daniel promised. Her eyes fluttered open tiredly and she smiled at Daniel with a brief nod.

Jack let the breath he'd been holding out and as if she felt it, her gaze was on him and he was smiling. "Yeah, rest, Carter. It's gonna be a big party this time!"

She smiled the smile that made his skin tingle and the hairs on his body quiver. God, it was good to have it back, to have her back. He felt a relief topple through him and as he drew breath now, it was as if it were for the first time, he could hear the thump of his heart and feel the surge of warm blood through his veins, so much so, that it felt like the chains that had been suffocating his heart were melting away and… he felt alive again.

His eyes twinkled when he stole a glance at her as he hovered in the doorway. He slapped the doorframe softly. "It's good to have you back, Carter. We missed ya."

And he had.

"Yeah?"

Jack looked up to put a face to his interruption. And he sighed. Kerry…

"Hey," she said timidly.

"Hey," he said, wondering why she was closing the door.

"I hear Colonel Carter is doing better." She turned from the closed door but didn't walk any closer to him. He raised an eyebrow at her.

"Good news travels fast," he quipped, standing up and spreading his hands out on the paperwork in front of him. She smiled nervously at him.

"I hope she's okay," she offered. He nodded quickly to assure her.

"Yeah, nothing a little rest and some physical therapy won't sort out. She should be up kicking Goa'uld ass, blowing up suns and the like in no time." His lips quirked and when she smiled in return, he let it run freely into the grin he wanted to show.

"Jack…"

"That 'Jack' sounds awfully like the one last night," he interrupted, lacing his fingers together in front of him. Kerry glanced nervously at the floor, then quickly back up to him.

"I like you Jack," she paused at a sarcastic eyebrow.

His hands swept out in front of him and made a 'lay it on me' gesture as he said, "But…"

"But… I can't compete for your …" She winced, almost having said 'love'. "Attention." Much safer word, she decided. It would make this conversation more bearable at the least.

"Compete?" He asked and she was quietly annoyed that he seemed absolutely unruffled by this dialogue.

"I…" She faltered and pulled a face, casting her eyes about awkwardly. "…you're obviously not able to have a relationship with someone right now."

"Oh?"

She swallowed. "Someone else…" She amended.

"Ah."

"So… this isn't going to affect our working relationship right?" He shook his head. "Good." She went to the doorway, cringing at what had possibly been the most uncomfortable break-up she'd ever experienced. When her hand felt the metal of the doorknob, she heard him exhale tiredly and she turned to him.

"You know…" She started, pivoting on her foot. His head, which had been bowed into his chest, lifted up. "Is the Air Force the only thing keeping you two apart?" She twisted her face in an expression that seemed to say that if his answer was yes - he'd be crazy. Jack only raised a quiet eyebrow to her. Sometimes she really hated his unflappable persona. "Because if it is… you're making a very big mistake."

"And you know what I should do?" Here she was, implying loudly to him that she knew he was in love with his 2IC and he hadn't flinched the entire time.

"Retire."

"Again?" He said it like it was a chore.

"Don't get me wrong, the Pentagon considers you to be invaluable to the program," she began. "But the President has appointed a civilian to run the SGC before."

He continued to stare at her and she only smiled at him knowing that wheels were turning in his head. Which direction they were turning she couldn't be sure, but hopefully she had given Jack something to think about. "It's just a thought," she retorted with a smirk as she opened the door, flashed him a smile and walked out.

"Hey, sorry, I didn't mean to wake you," Daniel apologised as he set some flowers at Sam's bedside and saw her stir. She smiled groggily and made a contented noise in her throat. Daniel grinned widely at her.

"S'okay," she mumbled as she propped herself up a little. "I think I've had enough of unconsciousness. Stay a while," she prompted him, nodding to the idle chair to his left. Daniel eyed it, and then looked back pensively to her, as if considering it. He finally grabbed the chair and sat in it.

"As long as Dr. Brightman doesn't find out," Daniel said with a little fear in his voice. "Or Jack," he added absentmindedly. Sam frowned at the statement.

"Jack?" Why wouldn't Jack want her to have visitors? Daniel, who had been staring nervously at the doorway, returned his attention to her.

"Oh," he recognised her confusion. "He's been threatened by Dr. Brightman. He's not allowed to visit you unless he goes through the Doc first." Daniel smirked wryly. Poor Jack had gotten a right earful when the Brightman had caught him watching her sleep last night. "If he finds out I was-"

"That's - Why not!" Sam spluttered, why wouldn't they let Jack see her?

"Oh I don't know… maybe because he's been physically attached to your bedside for a month and..." Daniel's eyes were returning from a wary glimpse at the door when he saw the size of Sam's eyes grow considerably. "I said that out loud didn't I?" He winced. She nodded. "Oh, boy."

"Daniel?" Daniel sighed at the 'tell me what's going on' tone in her voice.

"He's been worried about you, we all were. You know the way he gets when one of us is injured."

She thought about it, "You mean…" Her mouth hung open a little then she finished, "He's been doing the bedside thing since this happened?" Daniel nodded. "That stubborn ass!" She cursed, making Daniel do a double take. "What?" She asked indignantly, folding her arms across her chest, remembering how he would barely talk to her before she left for the mission.

"Nothing," Daniel muttered not wishing to be called anything colourful by Sam Carter himself. Besides, she was perfectly right, he was just surprised she said it so…

Jack-like.

Daniel felt a smile tickle his lips as the thought popped into his head and he wiped it away as he saw her eyes narrow at him.

"How is he? Everybody? What have I missed?"

"Wowa!" Daniel exclaimed, his hands in the air. "I would say this is what Dr. Brightman was afraid of! You need to take it easy."

Sam huffed at him. "I wish Janet were here," she grumbled. Daniel laughed at her absurdity.

"Janet would have had me out on my ass about two minutes into - no scratch that - she'd of had me on my ass for even thinking of sneaking in here with flowers!" Sam laughed at his statement, admitting he was probably right. But at least Janet would be filling her in on what she missed - while she was holding the men at needle-point. She giggled on the thought.

"It's good to have you back, Sam," Daniel breathed, a ghost of a smile on his lips as he thought about losing Sam like they had Janet. She smiled soberly at him, realising what he was thinking.

"I'm glad you're okay," she changed the subject deftly. "If I remember correctly, you weren't in too hot a shape either." He chuckled at her and nodded.

"I'm all good," he assured her, lifting his hand and laying it atop hers for a squeeze.

"So, has anyone contacted my dad?"

"Daniel?"

Sam's ears cocked when she heard the General's voice just outside the infirmary. Daniel had been visiting her again, this time with permission; he even brought her some blue Jell-O. Before she had even gotten to taste it, nurses were scrambling through the room, grabbing some medical equipment and rushing out. Someone was hurt. Naturally, she looked to Daniel for answers but he just gave her a staggered glance and ran out. She hadn't heard anything since.

"Do you want me to tell her?" It was Daniel's voice and for some reason it made the blood run cold inside her. Her heart began to thump in her chest.

There was a charged silence and a torn sigh, then, "No." It was General O'Neill again and his tone made her heart beat even faster. Something was really wrong.

"Jack, there's something else," Daniel was whispering now and she just made out what he was saying. "When she asked me about it earlier I panicked and told her about-"

"Daniel!" O'Neill's reprimanding voice came out strong and irritated. "Not now." She heard footsteps and the two men appeared in the room, Daniel trailing slightly behind Jack as if soaking up strength from the General just to be there.

For a moment she had wondered if it was something to do with what Daniel had told her about the General… about him and her. The C.I.A. agent. His girlfriend. Thinking about it made her shiver. She was certain that when Daniel had told her that he wasn't quite sure he should have and as she remembered her reaction she tried to think what issue Daniel had been side-stepping. What had she asked him? The air in the room was a little too tense for this to be about Jack's love life.

"Sir?" She asked when he just stared at her for a long moment and dropped his eyes to his boots. "What's going on?"

He grimaced, realising he would have to speak and she recognised the gesture, preparing herself for bad news. "It's your Dad, Carter," he said sadly.

Sam swallowed and managed to say, "W-what's wrong?"

Sam phased out as he began to explain about Selmak, the toxins, that Jacob was already on base and that he had taken a bad turn earlier but was stable… for now. Her already frail body was bombarded with a cacophony of emotions and yet as they raged through her, only one surfaced - a tumultuous anger. Anger directed solely towards him. It was an emotion that was almost at home when she thought of him and it was the only logical choice she could've made according to her reasoning.

Hot tears tumbled from her eyes, scalding her skin as she screamed at him. It was all his fault. Everything. And for once - she didn't give a damn about regulations; she was going to tell him what was on her mind.

She barely registered that he was simply staring at her or that Daniel was feebly trying to calm her down and she was still shouting when she realised he was gone and Daniel was cradling her in his arms, whispering softly to her.

"Hey kiddo."

"Dad…"

Jacob smiled at Daniel as he set the brakes on Sam's wheelchair and left them alone.

"Why didn't you tell me?" She asked with bleary eyes.

Jacob reached out and took her hand with a regretful smile. "I'm sorry Sam; I thought we could hold out until the wedding." He noticed she glanced away abruptly, struggling with whether to tell him about Pete or not. "I hear you called it off." Her eyes snapped to him in surprise but were thankful for not having to tell him herself, she simply relented and nodded. "I was afraid you weren't happy," he confessed. "I'm certain you did the right thing."

"I'm not," she whispered, looking guiltily at their hands, now clasped together. Jacob sighed, realising that things between her and Jack were obviously strained. He suspected it, especially when she found out about his condition and he'd warned Jack about it, warned him not to take it to heart, that Sam would eventually see that he was only trying to protect her.

"It was my idea you know?" She looked up to him again, a question in her eyes. "I asked Jack not to tell you."

"He should've known better than to listen to you. He knows me well enough…" Her voice was twisted with bitterness and Jacob bit back a sigh at her obstinacy.

"Well enough to know you were too weak to have this news before now," Jacob informed her in a fatherly reproaching tone. "And well enough to know you'd hold it against him." Jacob stared evenly at her, hoping the distance in her eyes was guilt trying to creep into the foreground. "And he still did it, Sam," he said softly, even sadly.

A smile teased at the corner of her lips and she said, "I called him a lot of colourful things," she admitted and Jacob chuckled.

"So I heard. You could be court-martialled for the first few sentences alone!" Sam closed her eyes, already awash with guilt but hoping Jack would forgive her. Seeing this, Jacob told her, "He understands, Sam." When her eyes flew open and gazed quizzically at him, he added, "About a lot more than you give him credit for."

"Maybe," she agreed.

"Sam?"

"Yeah?" She said distantly.

"Promise me you'll be happy." Sam watched her father's eyes curiously, seeing something in them that she wasn't quite familiar with. "That you won't let rules stand in the way." Her eyes fluttered embarrassedly now.

"I am happy, Dad," she answered but the weakness in her voice betrayed her.

"You can still have everything you want." He leaned closer to her, letting the words hit her with a little force.

"I do, Dad," she said quickly, having an idea what he was implying. "Really," she appended, to affirm her declaration. Jacob closed his eyes and sighed softly, leaning back into the pillows and relenting to just being glad that she was with him.

Busy chapter eh? Well, I hope you liked it!