Chapter 28: Counselor Inara Serra
A/N: This chapter was rather hard to write. I hope it comes across like I wanted it too.
.On the way out she spotted Counselor Inara Serra, Lt. Col. Malcolm Reynolds girlfriend if the rumors were correct. "Major Carter may I walk with you?" she asked sweetly. Red flags went up at her request. Janet had mentioned talking with the counselor. Knowing Janet she sent Inara Serra to ambush her. "No harm in walking." Sam answered in a Jack O'Neill way. She was starting to talk like him too Inara thought to herself. Dr. Frasier was right about the two of them.
She could sense the majors defenses come up almost immediately. Inara tried a different approach. "Dr. Frasier told me that you were having a hard time dealing with Col. O'Neill's injury. Talking about it would help greatly." She said invoking the good doctor's name. Sam winced internally knowing that she had made a promise to her friend. She also knew that avoiding the talk would put her on the wrong side of DR. FRASIER. That was something that everyone avoided like the plague. Jack was right about Janet being a 'red headed Napoleonic Power Monger'. She'd never tell him that though, no need for his ego to get any bigger. With a sigh and a nod she agreed.
They entered the counselor's office 10 minute's later. The room decorated with rich colors of red, purple and dark blues. There were statues of the Hindu God Buddha in one corner. Then there were paintings of Jesus Christ adorning the walls. The furniture had a homey feel to it instead of doctor / patient.
Inara noticed the major looking at the Buddha statue along with her paintings of Jesus. "You're having much the same response as everyone else." Inara said as she got her tea set out. "It's just not what I would have expected. I knew you followed Buddha from what I've heard." Sam replied taking a seat across from her. "I believe in Jesus. The Buddha statue was my fathers. My mother raised me in the Christian faith." She answered honestly. Sam just nodded in understanding.
"This is Black Tea, one of my favorites. Would you like some? I also have coffee if you prefer it." Inara offered. "I'll try some of your Black Tea, It smells delicious." Inara smiled a comforting smile while pouring the major a cup. Sam took a sip analyzing it. "This is really good Ms. Serra. It's good as Daniels gourmet coffee." Sam affirmed taking another sip. "Thank you major, and please call me Inara. Ms. Serra sounds so formal and old." She said sipping her own tea. "Okay, but you have to call me Sam." She replied. "I can do that. I prefer being on a first name basis. It makes conversations more personal." The counselor responded.
There was silence between the two as they drank their tea. Sam knew she'd have to open up soon. This was going harder talking with Janet and Sophia. Talking to a counselor had always been an intimidating experience for her. Sam set down her tea-cup leaning back. Inara knew the signs of internal struggle so she waited for Sam to open up. "I'm sure you've heard all the gossip and rumors about the colonel and me." She started with.
Inara smiled lightly then replied. "I won't deny that I have. The thing about gossip or rumors is that their based in truth. The rest of the story is made up for entertainment purposes. That's why I don't pay much attention to them. However some of the 'Stories are quite inventive' if I may say so." She said with a smirk. "Yes, they are. I've heard some that are worthy of urban legends." Sam replied with her own smirk. The gossip she heard about Lt. Col. Reynolds and Inara coming to mind. The fights they had caused were talked about for days.
"You have nothing to worry about Sam. What's discussed here stays here." Inara reassured her. Sam took a deep breath and begun to talk."I was about to tell the colonel about my break up with Pete. That's when Jack got shot right in front of me. He fell to the ground as I watched frozen in place. When I recovered I tried to stop the bleeding. It was terrifying to me. The one man I truly loved was dying in my arms." She said breaking down in tears at the memory. "He was bleeding faster than I could stem the flow. When our team medic showed up Jack was bleeding out his mouth. I felt useless as Sofia tried to save Jacks life. The other paramedics finally arrived. Sofia pulled me aside to let them work. She tried to reassure me that the colonel would be okay. I could hear every word they said though. They lost him but they were able to bring him back. I tried to get Jack, give him a reason to live. Sofia is stronger than she looks because she held me back. She eventually sedated me to keep me from interfering."Sam explained through tears as she described the scene for Counselor Serra.
The counselor went over to hold Major Carter once she started crying. Inara comforted Sam the best way she could, lending a shoulder to cry on. The last thing she wanted was for the major to have another breakdown.
Sergeant Rogers came to her yesterday to discuss what had happened. She talked about how the shooting affected her in a similar way. Sofia's reaction was a fear of losing a close uncle or father figure. The only reason she held together was for Sam's sake during the ordeal. Sophia descried the same eerie scene from similar perspectives.
"You truly love him deeply don't you?" she asked in a soft comforting tone. Sam dried some tears on her sleeve before answering. "I can't help but not too love him. Jack is loyal, caring and intelligent. He is everything I want in a husband and more." She finally said out loud her heart's desire.
The last part wasn't lost on Inara. This was the open door she needed. "You love him that much, enough to become his wife." She asked. Sam realized what she just confessed. Seeing no way to back out she answered the counselors' question. "I realized how deep my feeling for him was after the death of Hathor. She almost succeeded in making him a host. I held Jack tightly fearing that he was gone then too. To my relief he was still with me. My heart belonged to him at that moment. Jack was so fragile and scared that he asked me not to let go." Inara listened to her heartfelt confession.
It had brought a tear to her eye. What Sam said reminded of her love for Malcolm. "Did the colonel say anything about loving you back?" she asked pouring more tea for them. Sam had composed herself enough to continue. She accepted the refill holding the warm cup in her hands. It reminded her of Jacks hands.
"He didn't say anything right then. Jack was too out of it and cold. He hates being cold." Sam answered then taking a sip of the warm liquid. Thinking back she remembered Jacks overt thank you. "From your smile I take it Colonel O'Neill gave you a proper thank you." Inara surmised.
"He did, but Jack done it quietly. He thanked me anonymously so not to arouse suspicion." She answered still smiling. "Why did he do it that way? It's not as if you'd get in trouble for fraternization." Inara questioned very much intrigued by the romance.
Putting down her cup Sam laid a hand over her heart. "Jack waited a month after the incident. We were on mandatory leave at the time. His thank you was a plethora of flowers. The GREEN THUMB came by putting flowers around my house." She replied with a silly grin. "He did it anonymously because of Kinsey. He would use any excuse to harm the SGC or SG1." She explained coldly.
"I know about Kinsey, he's not a person I would want as a friend." She said then continued. "Now the colonels' gift is a very thoughtful thank you. If you have pictures I like to see them. I love having flowers around me." Inara said thinking back to Malcolm's gift.
Malcolm acted like a 'tough as nails' Army Ranger to his team. In truth he was a hopeless romantic. He gave her two dozen roses then took her to a fancy restaurant. After dinner they went on a carriage ride downtown. It was only their 3 month anniversary. Inara got goose bumps every time she thought about that night.
"I see you have yourself a hopeless romantic as well judging from your dopey look." Sam said smirking. Inara recovered with a smile knowing she got caught. She couldn't deny it. "It's true; I have a man who I love. He is so frustrating at times. I would love to compare notes sometime but that's not what we're here for." She deflected to save some creditability as a counselor.
"Don't worry, I won't tell." Sam replied smiling then laughing. Inara joined in with her own laughter. Once they recovered Inara continued her line of questions. "Would you tell me what the letter said? I'm sure it made you swoon." She asked politely. Sam smiled a smile that reached her eyes. "I memorized the letter: 'One day soon our time will come. When it does I'll sprout wings picking you up in my arms holding you close to my beating heart. Then fly you into the heavens giving you the world. You're my angel and savior. I thank you. I await the day I can make you mine forever and a day.'" She finished with a wide grin.
Inara was beyond impressed with the colonels' poetry ability. "That's so beautiful Sam. You're so lucky to have such a talented and handsome man." She complimented the major. "I know that now. Too think I almost threw his love away." She replied holding back small tears threatening to fall. Sam didn't want to break down again. Inara noticed this and quickly moved the conversation forward. "Well, you figured it out before too much damage could be done. I do hear that Dr. Frasier & Anise found the antidote." She said peering over her tea-cup.
"Yes I did and I'm amazed that Jack forgave me so easily. As for Anise, I still don't fully trust her. Don't get me wrong though. I'm in her debt for though for saving him." Sam quickly added. Inara recognized the jealously in Sam's reply. Anise must have made a move on the colonel at some point. Thinking back there was a rumor about Anise kissing the colonel years back. I best let that one go for now she thought. "Comment savez-vous qu'il vous a pardonne'?" ("How do you know he forgave you?) She asked in French. Inara already knew the answer because news about the two them spreads fast. Inara also so lost a bet to Malcolm about the eating contest. The bet wasn't a loss given she'd be spending the night in Mal's strong arms at his place. "Comment si vous ne connaissez pas deja la reponse!" (As is you don't already know the answer!) Sam replied with a smart ass smirk.