Chapter 13: Despair and Heartache
I do not own Star Gate, Firefly or any other characters. Other than what pops out of my head.
Today had been a very emotional day for her. Between Sam's teary eyed confession and being call to the academy hospital she couldn't take more. She was briefed via phone on her patient's conditions while driving. Dr. Frasier made it to the academy hospital 8 minutes before Daniels and Staff Sergeant Nantz ambulance arrived.
While waiting she thought back about Sam's break up. Janet was happy that Sam had finally come to her senses dumping Pete. He was nothing but trouble. The down side to the night was Sam's miscarriage news, now this.
Janet felt a hurt that she hadn't in a long time. She had a miscarriage as well but not because of abuse. Janet would tell her friends about that at a later date. The two of them cried with their friend over the lost baby. Sophia had said healing starts with close friends and she was right.
Now, here she was getting ready to perform surgery on one of her two injured friends. Janet thought to herself 'SG1 just can't stay out of trouble even on earth'. She really hoped that nothing more would happen.
Little did the doctor know that the heartache was far from over? Her emotional state was still in disarray and would be pushed to the brink.
She was also thankful that Cassie was at a friend's house for the night. Having a frantic daughter wouldn't help right now. Janet put all that aside, stood up straight letting the doctor side take over.
The ambulances roared up to the emergency doors with their injured. Seconds later the doors burst open to a ready Dr. Frasier. "Take Dr. Jackson to OR 4, I'll be there shortly. Take Staff Sergeant Nantz to OR 3. Dr. Willard is already informed and waiting. Move it people, we have injured!" the Napoleonic power monger commanded as she followed Daniel gurney. Janet looked at her watch noting the time 0248hrs as she walked into the operating room.
Dr. Simon Tam had just been assigned to the academy hospital days ago. He joined the Air force to save the lives of those who protected America. His sister, an Air Force Specialist, had joined up for a different reason. To his dismay (and his parents) she wanted to be in the field using her 'talents' to help.
Their parents were at a loss. They both disapproved vehemently Simon joining the military even as a doctor. His father wanted him to become an concierge doctor making millions. His father's exact words were "Son, you graduated in the top 3% in the nation and you want to waste your talents on the military! So be it! BUT if River follows your footsteps I'll cut you out of my will!" Nothing he said would alter his father's mind.
Rivers parents had wanted her to become a ballet star. She was an extremely talented dancer. The Juilliard School of Dance had accepted her only for River to turn them down in favor of the Air Force Academy. Her parents were livid to say the least.
Simons father made good on the threat doing as he said. He was furious at his father but not for being cut out of the will. He was mad because of his distaste for the military. River however was still in the will due their mom's intervention. All this went through his mind as he read a letter from his mother. They had been secretly writing ever since he left for the service. His mother, Regan, displeased as she was still stayed in touch.
"Doctor Cpt. Tam, please report to Operating room 5, Doctor Cpt. Tam please report to operating room 5 for incoming GSW." he heard over the PA system. Simon looked at his Rolex, a gift from his mother, noting the time 0352hrs. The doors burst open to the emergency entrance again only this time it was a severely wounded Colonel O'Neill. The medical staff wheeled him into operating room 5 to the awaiting surgical staff.
"Report sergeant" Simon said. "He's wounded in the right shoulder with a GSW. The rifle bullet went through causing massive damage. We lost him twice at the scene and once on the way over, Sir!" Dr. Tam took the information in as he examined his patient. "Dismissed Sergeant Smith" he said never looking up. Dr. Tam and his staff went about saving the life of man touched with destiny.
Sophia made arrangements to put Major Carter in a private room. Sam needed to be cleaned up. The colonels' blood was all over her hands and uniform. Once she was done cleaning up her friend Sophia took a minute for herself. Sophia sat in the recliner to relax and reflect. Her intention was to be there for her friend when she awoke. It was the colonels' Team Rule #4: Always have teams members present when injured.
Drying her tears Sophia thought over recent events. She knew if Jack didn't survive the major would just give up. Sergeant Rogers got on her knees praying to God to spare her friends that were injured. They had become a pseudo family to her that she loved and needed dearly.
Her parents loved her to death but were unable to have more kids after her. They were both part of a secret government agency ( I wonder which one?) so family time was sporadic at best. Sophia settled for the time they had and they made the most of it. She followed her brothers' footsteps joining the military. Her parents couldn't have been more proud of her.
The reason SG1 was family to her was the fact that they did many activities together, if not all. The zoo was her favorite outing. Teal'c really enjoyed the giraffes and elephants. Sophia was brought out of her thoughts when Major Carter started to stir. She thought Sam might be waking up. Sophia's quickly realized that Sam had the beginnings of a very bad nightmare.
Sam woke up to Lucille's crying, Jack had to go back to the base for an emergency concerning a SG team. She put on a robe and looked at the clock 0547hrs. She found a new respect for her parents, God rest their souls.
Their beautiful 8 month old daughter was giving her a crash course in parenting. Being a first time mother was a steep learning curve. Her husband's was helpful at times, others times not so helpful. He hadn't been home enough in Charlie's early days due to missions and such.
Jack was going to be a terror to any boyfriend that Lucille Grace O'Neill brought home for approval. He was already over protective as it was, not that she could blame him. Their daughter was a perfect mix of them. Sam went into Lucy's room and changed her diaper. She then dressed her for the day in a Hello Kitty play outfit. Aunt Sophia had bought Lucy several of them in every color.
They were going to head to the cabin for a week, Lucy's first trip. Jack already had Lucy a fishing outfit and pole. Sam laughed at the site of her tough as nails General turn to putty in the blink of an eye. After the little one had breakfast Sam put her in the play pin so she could do some last minute chores.
She gathered up their luggage by the door so they could leave when her husband got back. Sam hummed to herself while doing this. She was completely happy for the first time in her life. Marriage to Jack was perfect because he loved her for who she was. He didn't try and change her or anything. Sam was lost in memories of their dates leading up to the wedding night.
Later on Lucy fell and her mother took a nap while waiting for Jacks return. Sam woke up to a crying baby. Finding that her daughter needed changing she went to the nursery. Not long after finishing up a sing song voice rang through the house "Lucy...Samantha, I'm home!" Jack sang out excitedly. Samantha came down the hall carrying Lucy. Once she saw her daddy Lucy held her arms out towards him. He picked her up and then hugged both his girls. "Well, you two ready to blow this Popsicle stand?" he asked. "Yes we are and we want to go fishing too." Sam responded with a hint of innuendo. He grinned widely hugging his wife tightly."Good, I know just the place."
The ride up was uneventful but enjoyable. Lucy was a bit irritated a couple of times but quiet for the most part. The trip took two days because of their little one. Normally they would drive straight through taking shifts with the others. This was a family trip so they just took their time.
The first day was a little hectic in getting settled. The nature walk went over big with Lucy. She was fascinated by everything nature wise because once back inside the cabin she keep looking outside. The three off them went to bed early the first night. Jack and Sam made passionate love that night reveling in their love for each other.
Morning came so Sam got up to feed Lucy while Jack made breakfast. With breakfast finished Jack had gone out to the truck to get the fishing gear ready. That was over 10mn ago. She picked up her daughter going outside in search of her husband.
Sam turned the corner and saw Jack's feet sticking out from behind the bed of the truck. Fearing the worst she ran as fast as she could while holding Lucy. He was lying in a pool of his own blood. Lucy held her little hands out towards her father while crying.
Sam bent down with tears in her own eyes checking for a pulse finding none. She held their little girl tighter. Sam cried wondering who could have done such a horrible deed.
As if on cue a man with a suppressed rifle appeared form the woods. A man she knew well. She watched Pete approach with an evil smile on his face. "Why...why did you do it? He never hurt you!" she said crying harder while running her fingers through her deceased husbands' hair. "Why? You never slept with me. If I can't have you neither can he. I mean for you to suffer babe. I just took your dream life away. Now poor little Lucy will never know her father. Have a horrible life BABE!" her ex-boyfriend said leaving her alone. Sam looked up to God above pleading for help screaming…
"No...Please don't take Jack away from me, Please God? I beg you!" she said shooting up sobbing uncontrollable. Sophia had fallen asleep in the chair despite her best efforts. She was awoken with the Majors outburst. The Sergeant found Sam hiding in a corner with her arms around her knees sobbing uncontrollably. Sophia slowly approached as not to spook her. Sam looked up and spoke "Jack's dead isn't he. I saw him go down from the shot." she said through tear stained eyes.
Sophia bent down taking Sam's hand in hers "Dr. Tam in surgery with the Colonel now. He's the best surgeon in the Air Force. He couldn't be in better hands." Sophia tried to reassure her friend and herself.
"How are Daniel and Nantz doing? How did I get here?" Sam asked while fighting back tears. She needed to know they were okay too. Sophia decided to start at the beginning. "You went into shock and I had to sedate you. We brought you in the surveillance van. There was no room in the ambulance for the two of you." the team medic answered. Major Carter just sat there rocking while Sophia explained the situation. "Daniel and Ron are still in surgery; Dr. Willard is with Ron while Janet is taking care of Daniel. They will pull through fine." she finished answering the questions.
Sam just nodded while pulling her legs in closer. Sophia tried to get her friend to move back to the bed without success. Sighing she just joined her on the floor waiting hopefully for good news.
Janet looked at the clock in the hallway, 0458hrs was displayed. Dr. Willard was just finishing up with Staff Sergeant Nantz as well. She thanked God that both men were going to be okay if not laid up for quite a while. She leaned against the wall to catch her breath only to hear her name on the P.A. system "Dr. Frasier to operating room 5, Dr. Frasier to operating room 5."
Janet went back into doctor mode hustling to the room wondering what else had gone wrong. The situation she was about to encounter would be the most challenging in her career as of yet.
Sophia stiffened a bit knowing that Jack was in the very operating room Janet was headed to. "What...What's wrong Sophia? Is Jack in trouble? He's in trouble isn't he! I got to go to him." Sam said with worry in her voice. She was up and headed out the door before Sergeant Rogers could react.
Sophia chased the Major down the hall to prevent her from barging in on the surgery. Fortunately Sam didn't know where it was located specifically thus allowing her to catch up. "No Sam, you can't enter the room. You might cause the doctors to mess up." the medic pleaded with her superior officer.
Sophia was stronger than she looked and was able to hold Major Carter back. The surgery room was right around the corner and to the left. Sam pleaded and begged to be let go. She had to see Jack. Sam needed to know he was still alive. Sophia despite her strength was losing her hold.
Sheppard Book was about to leave for the night. He was in need of sleep. "A Sheppard's duty is never finished" he thought out loud. Derrial Book heard women's voices, one pleading with another. He knew the voices; one belonged to Major Samantha Carter and the other Sergeant Sophia Rogers of SG1. He came up on the scene seeing Sophia's arms collapsed around the majors' waste trying to hold her back.
The Sheppard approached the women putting a hand on Sam's shoulder getting her attention. "What is the problem my child?" he asked. Sam looked at the hand then Sheppard Book. She stopped struggling much to Sophia's relief. "Sheppard, Jacks been shot. I need to see him!" she pleaded through tears. Book looked at Sophia as she mouthed 'he's in surgery'. "He's in surgery my child, Lets pray for Gods help in his healing. Interfering would break the surgeons' concentration harming the colonel" he said. Book took her hand then motioned for the three of them to kneel. He began…
"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth,
as it is in heaven. Give us our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
Matthew 6:9-13
A/N: I want to thank each and every Veteran for your service. I will forever be in your debt. You all are GREAT AMERICANS. Don't listen to the media or liberal politicians. We love you and pray for your safe return. GOD BLESSES the PEACE MAKERS for I sleep with ease knowing you're out there keeping the wolves at bay. If I were able I would be there right at your side defending this GREAT country. This chapter I dedicate to the AMERICAN solider…
HOOAH! LoneWolfONiell