Chapter------15

The sounds were the first things he noticed, quickly followed by the smell of antiseptic that signaled he was still in the infirmary. Cam opened his eyes, blinking several times as he tried to take inventory on what part of him hurt worse. This time there seemed to be nothing new, at least nothing that could send him back to unconsciousness if he moved the wrong way. The voices filtered through the partially closed curtain and he smiled when he recognized the speakers.

"Sam," Mitchell called softly and smiled when Carolyn Lam drew back the barrier to reveal Sam Carter in the next bed.

"Welcome back, Colonel, how do you feel?" the physician asked.

"Better…Sam okay?"

"She will be as long as she stays put," Lam warned and looked at both patients as she folded her arms across her chest. "Now that the threat is over I want your word…both of you…that you'll stay put and give yourselves time to heal."

"They'll stay put or be placed on report," Hank Landry said from the open doorway. He entered and was quickly followed by Teal'c and Daniel Jackson. The newcomers took up positions around the two beds, but it was obvious that the general was calling the shots.

"What about the Jarganians?" Mitchell asked and frowned when he realized he'd already gotten an answer to that question. "Sorry, think maybe I have a touch of CRS."

"CRS?" Lam asked.

"Can't remember shit," Mitchell answered and smiled sheepishly when he remembered whose company he was in.

"I'll have to remember that one," Lam said with a grin.

"Well, Colonel, I'm happy to report that the Jarganian's are dead and don't pose a threat anymore. Colonel Carter and Dr. Jackson were able to screen the programs the Jarganians place in the computer protocol and were able to defuse the situation before it became critical," the general observed.

"How long have I been out of the loop?" Mitchell asked tiredly.

"Two days," Carter answered as the others left. She took a deep breath and slid her legs over the edge of the bed before walking the short distance and taking his hand in her own. "You scared the hell out of me, Cam."

"Sorry, Sam, I didn't…"

"I know," Carter said and brushed her mouth against his.

"Sam, if you're planning on taking this any further we need a private room."

"I do…but not until you're out of here. I'm going to take you to my place and you're going to complain about my TLC…"

"No, I don't think I'll complain," Mitchell told her and deepened the kiss before finally letting her pull away.

"Good," Carter said.

"Should you be out of bed?"

"I'm being released later today…"

"Think she'll let me go with you?"

"I doubt that, but she did say to tell you it won't be much longer since she needs this bed for patients who appreciate her skills," Carter said with a hint of a smile. "Relax, Cam, I'll get everything ready at my place and we'll spend a week exploring…"

"Each other," Mitchell asked hopefully.

"Exactly," Carter said. "Now go to sleep and we'll be out of here before you know it."

"Sam, did we find all the Jarganians?"

"We don't know, but at least now we know what we're dealing with and we should be able to come up with a program that will detect their presence. They have a unique make up…"

"You mean besides being able to take on the physical appearance of people not of their race?"

"Yes, but that's only part of it. The IOA…"

"Hell, there goes any chance of finding out anything of importance," Mitchell said seriously.

"Probably, but there's nothing we can do about it, although Daniel and I managed to keep several samples the IOA knows nothing about," Carter said softly.

"Does Landry know?"

"Officially…no," Carter told him. "Look, Cam, get some rest…"

"Sam, what about the Tarleans?"

"What about them?"

"I remember someone saying they wanted to reopen talks."

"Yes, they do, but this time it will be under our terms," Carter vowed.

"Sam, they didn't know about the Jarganians."

"That's no excuse for what they did to you."

"I'm not saying it is, but I think they need to be given the chance to redeem themselves."

"It seems the IOA agrees with you and they're making arrangements for a small group of Tarleans to visit the SGC."

"You don't sound too happy…"

"I'm not…not after what they did to you and we both know what they think of Teal'c," Carter spat.

"Sam, maybe they've changed. They know Teal'c is our ally…our friend and I doubt they'll try anything that'll ruin their chances of an alliance with Earth."

"Have you forgotten what they did to you?"

"No, but I am giving them the benefit of the doubt because what they did…was mostly Prionne's doing and he wasn't Tarlean, Sam. The Tarleans have a lot to offer and Earth can offer them a chance to know the builders of the stargate and maybe learn how to move forward with their own gate travel."

"I know you're right, Cam, but…"

"No buts, Sam, it's why we're out there in the first place. Not everyone is going to be a friend, but we can hope that most of them are," Mitchell told her and reached for her hand. "I'm okay, Sam…"

"No, you're not, but you will be. Go ahead and sleep, Cam…"

"Join me," Mitchell said with a grin.

"Not while your hook up to those monitors," Carter said and moved to her own bed. She lay down on her side and turned toward the man who'd come to mean so much to her. She watched as his eyes closed, and sighed tiredly as the headache she'd kept at bay returned with a vengeance.

"Sam, take these," Carolyn ordered and waited for the woman to do as she said. It wasn't long before the lines of pain eased and Carter slept as solidly as Mitchell did. Lam checked the monitors before leaving the two colonels to the rest they both needed.

SG1SG1SG1SG1SG1SG1

It had been two long weeks for Colonel Cameron Mitchell, but he'd finally been released from the infirmary. The IOA had held several meetings with the Tarleans and it looked as if a new alliance had been forged. Teal'c and Jackson were aiding in the talks while Carter was still on leave. She'd been waiting for him when he'd finally dressed and was allowed to leave with Lam's stern warning not to overdo things.

Cam kept glancing at the woman in the driver's seat and knew she was still angry about the Tarleans, but knew she also understood the IOA was doing what they thought was right. He knew Carter well enough to understand her anger at the Tarleans had to do with seeing his friends hurt, both physically and emotionally. He just hoped she could put it all in the past because she was needed at the SGC, because not only she was damn good at her job, but she was damn good with people as well.

"Sam, are you all right?"

"I'm fine…why do you ask?" Carter asked.

"No reason…it's just you missed the turnoff unless we're going somewhere other than your place," Mitchell told her.

"I did…damn," the woman said and looked for a place to turn around.

"Want me to drive?"

"Just how would you mange with your arm in a cast?" Carter asked as she made a U-turn and headed back toward the turnoff to his home.

"I'd manage," Mitchell told her.

"Yes, I'm sure you would, but right now I'm supposed to be looking after you," Carter said.

"Macaroons?" Mitchell asked sheepishly.

"We'll see, but you need to eat your veggies first," Carter warned.

"Damn," the injured man said and relaxed as they continued the journey toward Carter's home.

SG1SG1SG1SG1SG1

Samantha Carter looked at the man sleeping next to her and knew this was exactly where she wanted to be. After the slight detour of missing the turnoff they'd finally reached her home. Mitchell had tried to convince her to let him help with the supplies, but Carter sited Lam's orders and motioned him inside and into the living room area. She'd made sure he stayed put while she brought everything in and closed the door.

Once she put away the groceries she made a quick lunch of sandwiches and soup before relaxing beside him on the sofa. It didn't take long for the trip and the mild pain reliever to take effect and she'd herded him into her bedroom. The only way she could get him to stay there was to join him and after making love they'd fallen asleep in each other's arms.

"What time is it?" Mitchell asked softly.

"It's midnight…I didn't mean to wake you," Carter told him.

"You didn't…I was awake and watching you watching me?"

"Isn't that a song?" Carter asked.

"I don't think so, but I'm sure someday, someone will write one about it," Mitchell said seriously.

"Probably," Carter said. "Are you hungry?"

"Famished," Mitchell answered, but refused to relinquish his hold on her.

"I can't fix anything from here, Cam…"

"I am hungry, Sam, but not for food," Mitchell said and kissed her neck, silently cursing the cumbersome cast on his left arm. He soon found himself pinned to the mattress as Sam straddled his hips and smiled at him. Her hair hung over her shoulders, a golden halo that framed a face far more lovely than any he'd ever seen before. He moaned as her hands began to knead his shoulders and she leaned down until her hair tickled his chest.

"Sh, Cam, let me love you," Carter said and did just that until they were both sated and sleeping in each other's arms, each knowing that their quiet time together would come to an end once they were back at the SGC. It was their job, but it was also something that had brought them together and they'd fight tooth and nail to stay that way no matter what the Jarganians, Tarleans, or any other beings threw at them. Such was the life of the people who made up the SG teams and SG1 was by far the best of the best.

The End!