When he woke next it was because Sam had returned carrying several large bags. He had the feeling she bought more than just a couple of books and a deck of cards.

He slowly raised the head of his bed so he could see better.

"What have you got there?" he asked, curiosity getting the better of him.

Sam set the pile of bags on the cot and selected two of them.

"Let's start with these," she said, bringing them over to the bed.

One seemed to contain nothing while the other bag bulged heavily. She fished around inside the empty looking one and pulled out a portable DVD player, setting it on Jack's tray table.

"Hey," he smiled, "this is cool."

"I had a feeling you'd think so."

"What's in the other bag?"

She grinned at him,"I went by your house and got your entire Simpsons collection, plus a few of your favorite movies. I also took time to shower and change."

"Have I been asleep that long?"

"I've been gone about four hours, hon,"she said.

"What else is over there?" Jack said peeking past Sam as much as he could.

"You'll have to wait to find out. I know you, you bore easily. If I give you everything now you'll be bored again in a week, and I have to keep you occupied for two weeks."

"Ok," Jack relented, knowing she was right.

Sam yawned mightily.

"Why don't you catch a nap and I'll watch a DVD," he said.

"I'll sleep tonight, for now I want to spend time with you."

"Unfortunately I have to interfere with that," came a female voice from the door way. There stood two nurses, one of them young and pretty, the other a matronly woman in her early fifties.

"When was the last time you hit that button?" the older woman asked Jack.

"It's been a while, why?"

"Take my advice and do it now, we have to bathe you and change your bed."

Jack just looked at her uncomprehendingly. She walked over and pushed the pain meds button for him.

"Mister O'Neill, trust me, you will need it."

"Should I leave?" Sam asked.

"You can stay if you like, it's up to you two," the nurse answered, already running warm water into a basin.

Jack looked at Sam and said something that amazed her.

"If I start crying or screaming, you leave, got it?"

"Not a chance," she smiled at him. "I'm your fiance, that means I'm in this for the long haul, right?"

"I just don't want you to see me lose it," Jack said.

"Oh it won't be quite that bad," the nurse interjected, "we aren't here to torture you, mister O'Neill."

Ten minutes later Jack was clean and settled into a fresh bed.

He wouldn't admit it, but it wasn't that bad and he felt better for being clean.

"Tell me this catheter is coming out soon," he asked the nurses.

"Not for a few more days at least, but I'll ask your doctor."

"What about these casts?"

Sam stayed silent, she already knew the answers.

"You'll have to ask your doctor, mister O'Neill. I'm not sure."

"Can you hazard a guess?" he insisted.

"Casts stay on from six to nine weeks in most cases. Soft casts like yours are removable. That's just to check your wounds and for bathing. They're also the only reason you aren't in traction right now. They can't put you in hard casts or traction because of your hip. There, now I've said too much," she groused.

They gathered up the basin and towels and left them alone.

"How are you feeling?"

"Like I got hit by a big truck."

"Sounds like your sarcastic sense of humor remained intact," Sam said

"I think so," Jack agreed, comfortably sedated by the pain meds again.

Sam pulled her chair closer and stroked his damp hair.

"We'll get through this, Jack," she said, "I know we will."

"Yeah, but it's not going to be easy, is it?"

"Nothing worthwhile ever is."