Chapter 5: Nightmares and friendship
Teal'c and Staff Sergeant Ron "Lurch" Nantz were sparing in the gym when Sam came in quietly. The two team mates were apparently evenly matched due to cross training. This was the Colonels ideal to increase survival in the field. Teal'c without breaking his fighting stance spoke "Major Carter, are you well again?" he asked as he dodged a upper cut from Ron while maneuvering for a successful leg sweep. Lurch fell down with a thump looking up at his opponent.
Sam just let out a small laugh as Ron tapped out. He crawled over to retrieve his favorite poison, Pepsi, "No fair, Major Carter interfered". Teal'c just looked at Ron with an open hand. Ron placed $20.00 in T's hand "I'll be hitting the shower, I almost had you." he said walking out lighter in the wallet. "What was the bet about this time?" she asked watching Teal'c place the money in his pocket. "The monetary agreement was who would land buttocks first" he responded. "Staff Sergeant Nantz nearly caused my failure 4 times. I was able to stabilize my person to avoid the mat." he finished.
"Oh, sounds like fun. How well does the Colonel do?" she asked. "O'Neill and myself are tied currently." Teal'c answered. "Let me know when you have your next match, I'd like to see Jacks rear end hit the mat. His face must be very comical." she said with a smile. Teal'c raised an eyebrow at her comment but let it go. 'Dr. Frazier would love to hear this information' he thought to himself.
"How may I be of assistance to you Major Carter?" he asked while toweling off. "Um… have you seen Colonel O'Neill, he was supposed to come by and help me out with a project. The colonel never showed up though." she said biting her lower lip thinking maybe he reconsidered. "O'Neill left on personal business around 1100hrs." he answered. "O'Neill was not his usual calm self. I inquired if he needed assistance but he declined respectfully."
Sam thought for a second then asked "did he say anything in particular about this morning?' Teal'c knew of O'Neills blue jello mission as he described it. He figured Major Carter was 'fishing for information'. "O'Neill only said he'd meet us on base tonight at 2100hrs Major Carter" T replied putting his hands behind his back at parade rest.
Sam took the information in before thanking Teal'c. "I guess I'll see you guys at 2100hrs then" she said. Major Carter went to her on base quarters. She shared it with Sophia since they were the only two women on SG1. She knew that rest wouldn't come easy but it was needed. The talk with her friends wasn't going to be fun at all. She needed to get this off her conscience before moving on. Admitting that everyone was right about Pete wasn't going to be easy.
There were many reasons for it not working out. Sam also knew that she'd have to come clean about some other very painful things. Among them was her failed engagement to Jonas Hanson. Her father didn't even know the real reason behind that one. The time was 1221hrs when she finally laid down. She had to be up at 1700hrs to meet for their girl talk, yep this was going to prove to be a typical SG-1 mission.
Sam was having one of her nightmares involving Jack dying in her arms. Ba'al just stands before the two officers laughing an evil laugh. The dream ends with Ba'al just beaming away leaving her and the Colonel to die on a deserted planet. Janet was about to knock on Sam's door when she heard the Major cry out the words "Jack, don't die! You can't die, I love you" with quiet sobs following. Janet quickly swiped her override card entering her friend's room. She saw Sam sitting on the floor curled up in a ball crying.
"Janet, what am I going to do! I love him and there's nothing I can do about it." she asked. "Sam honey let's get you out of here." Janet replied. "We'll talk about it at my place over Ben & Jerry's minus the wine okay" she paused then continued "We'll figure this out, that's what friends are for." Sam looked up with tear stained eyes and nodded.
Janet waited for her to clean up enough to be seen. Major Rogers was already at Janet's house when they arrived. Sophia saw that Sam must have had one of her nightmares. She always had a faraway look when they happened. Sam had told her of the nightmares only because it was unavoidable. They were on "paradise" planet doing a recon for possible alpha/beta sites.
The team packed their bathing suits with them. Despite being a bad idea the two women brought their bikinis along. The men were speechless trying hard not to ogle them. Jack was failing miserably when it came to Sam. She had on a baby blue bikini that fit her perfectly. Jack made a few comments before Teal'c smacked him behind the head. This was before the potato head made his appearance. The weather was perfect so the men decided to sleep under the stars.
This allowed the women to have the privacy of the tent. Sophia remembered being awakened to the Majors tossing and turning with mumbled calls for the colonel.. Sam broke down telling her about the nightmares. This was the beginning of their friendship. Sam needed someone to talk with since Janet wasn't there to lend a shoulder. Sophia was glad to help out and be accepted beyond just a coworker. "I see you got Ben & Jerry's" she said. Janet just smiled shaking the bag. Sam got out of the car and gave a weak smile at Sophia while following Janet. The short medic gave a sympathetic smile back following her tow friends inside. This wasn't going to be their usual lady's night for sure; extra hankies were going to be needed she thought to herself.