Job Satisfaction
By Mickey

STORY STATUS: Completed 5/9/07

SPOILERS: Abyss

WORD COUNT: 1,631

AUTHORS NOTE: Thanks to Cyn and Cokie for the beta and to Cyn for the title for this part!

Most of the time, I love really love my job. Oh sure, it's a bit aggravating at times, especially when it requires me to spend long periods of time away from my daughter, but over all I find it very gratifying.

Finally, five minutes of peace and quiet. I haven't had more than two minutes since the colonel stumbled home almost a week ago. Two SG teams came back with injuries in as many days. Most were minor, but Major Dancs sustained a very serious blow to the head as well a dislocated shoulder and a nasty staff weapon burn to the same shoulder. I am happy to report that the Major, while still unconscious, should make a full recovery. It was touch and go for while, but he holding his own now.

After visiting Sam's lab to fill her in, I had to do my rounds and check on Lieutenant Rictor, who was released to his quarters to rest early this morning. The other injured SG team members were released yesterday evening, and the colonel should be out for several more hours at least. I gave him a heavy sedative just before I went to talk to Sam.

Paper work done, I can just sit here for a few minutes and enjoy my nice hot cup of . . . yuck! Well, it used to be a nice hot cup of coffee. I don't care what anyone says, coffee is not meant to be drank when cold! I tentatively poke at my half eaten donut. Just as I thought, stale. What a waste. Gathering the mess off my desk, I toss the stale pastry into the garbage. The coffee goes down the drain then the cup joins the donut.

I glance at my watch and wince. I can't believe it's been nearly two hours already. I want to check on the colonel one more time before I go have lunch with Sam, so I head over to the room I now have him in.

Teal'c is in his usual position at the foot of Colonel O'Neill's bed. He nods slightly as I enter. "Any change?" I ask as I begin to check the colonel's vitals.

"None, Doctor Fraiser. He has remained quiet and still."

Thank heaven for small favors.

After assuring myself that the colonel's IV is still secure and double checking his medication levels, I brush my hand lightly across his forehead. His fever seems to be going down, which is a good thing, but I'm under no allusion that he's getting better. To the contrary, I know the worst is yet to come.

I turn my attention back to Teal'c. "I'm going to have lunch with Sam. Lieutenant Russo and Sergeant Grmek are here if you or the colonel need anything." He nods again.

"Thank you."

I turn back to the colonel one last time.

Without warning, the colonel's eyes fly open. His arms and legs fly out so he's in a spread eagle position, then he begins to scream.

"I don't know anything! God damn it, you snake-head bastard, I told you I don't know anything!"

I know better than to approach the colonel when he's in this state, so I take a step back as Teal'c approaches him. He doesn't touch O'Neill, he also knows better than that, just speaks to him in soothing tones I'd never expected a man his size capable of. Despite his appearance, Teal'c can be quite gentle when needs be.

He seems to calm down then, just like before, but catches sight of Teal'c's tattoo and flies into a berserker rage. This time, Teal'c can't control him. In the time it takes me to blink the colonel has Teal'c pinned to the floor and is beating him about the face with closed fists. Unlike last time, Teal'c cannot get the upper hand or dislodge the enraged colonel.

With lightning speed, and a move that would make any football or wrestling coach proud, an SF flies into the room and tackles the colonel to the ground then pins him down. The colonel continues to fight and is about to overpower the SF when two more come into the room. The colonel fights hard for a few seconds then sags in defeat. He has that same defeated look in his eyes that haunts me every time I close my own eyes.

Between the four of them, the SF's and Teal'c manage to get the colonel back into his bed without inflicting any harm upon him. By the time Teal'c gently guides the colonel's head back to his pillow, he is unconscious again. I go to the corner of the room where I have some supplies, pick up a few things, and then go back over to his bed.

Just as I thought, he injured his hand when he launched himself at Teal'c. I remove the broken needle from the back of his hand then clean and bandage the wound. That done I move around to his left side and setup a new IV in that hand. With great regret, I strap his arms and legs into the restraints.

Teal'c says nothing; we both knew this was going to be necessary sooner or later. I should have done it sooner. I wouldn't have had to redo the IV and Teal'c wouldn't be standing beside me with his second bloody nose in as many days. I look up at him, and wow, he has a nice shiny black eye to go with the busted nose.

I pray the colonel doesn't remember any of this when he finally gets through the withdrawal. He will never forgive himself for attacking his friend like that, even though it isn't his fault.

I turn my attention back to Teal'c, who has remained quiet while I worked. "I'm sorry, Teal'c, but you can't stay with him anymore." I raise a hand and silence his protest before he can begin it. "I know you want to help him, but right now your presence here is only agitating him further." He remains steadfast and begins to speak. "You saw how he reacted when he saw your tattoo. Please, Teal'c. For his sake, go." For a minute, I'm afraid he's going to press the issue. Finally, he relents. With a regal bow, he turns and leaves the room.

I sigh and turn back to the colonel. After making a few adjustments to his IV and fixing his sheet, I turn and leave.

Grmek is about to enter the room just as I exit. I tell her where I'm going and how long I'll be, then give her some quick instructions. The most important being that the colonel is not to be left alone for any reason, then head for the commissary.

Just the thought of food makes my stomach grumble and I pick up the pace. I hadn't realized just how hungry I am. Sam is waiting for me as I enter. She waves as our eyes meet. I wave back then head for the food line. Mmmm, coffee. Commissary coffee is closer to sludge than actual coffee, but it's better than nothing. With enough sugar and cream, it's almost passable. A bottle of water joins the coffee on my tray followed by a plate and silverware. I pass what looks like it's supposed to be Salisbury steak. The roast looks equally unappetizing; Instead, I opt for an apple, a generous helping of meatloaf, and a baked potato, french cut string beans, and a rather large slice of chocolate cake. I smile as I remember the colonel's fondness for that particular desert.

My tray now sufficiently full, I head over to where Sam is playing with the remains of her lunch. "Hi."

"Hi," I reply as I sit across from her.

We sit in silence as we eat. Well, while I eat. Twenty minutes later, Sam is still playing with her now very cold food. I place my cake in front of me and push the empty tray to the side.

"Why were you late?"

My fork stops mid way to my mouth. I stare at her a moment, then eat my bite of cake. She never averts her eyes. And she won't until she gets an answer. I really didn't want to tell her, but she'll know if I'm lying. I was never very good at it and she knows it. That's why I rarely ever play poker.

"The colonel had another episode just before I came down." I'm quite prepared to leave it at that. Sam isn't. Damn. I take another bite of cake before putting down my fork and pushing the plate away. I've lost my appetite now.

"I had to put the restraints on and remove Teal'c from his room." I expect her to say something, anything, but she remains silent. Her expression is one of resigned acceptance. We all knew this was coming. It was just a matter of time. The only surprising part is the colonel's reaction to Teal'c. He's been captured and tortured by Jaffa before. What the hell did Ba'al's Jaffa do to him to make him react that violently to Teal'c?

"How much longer do you think this will take?" Startled from my thoughts, I look up.

"I honestly don't know, Sam. I wish I could give you a definite day, but I just can't."

She nods and we both sit in silence for a few minutes. Simultaneously, we stand and pick up our trays. We both have work to do.

"Keep me updated." She says.

I merely nod. She knows I will.

Sam heads off to her lab as I head to the general's office. He'll want to know what happened. He won't be pleased either.

Sometimes, I really, really hate my job.

TBC