Chapter 2
Daniel awoke clinging to the edge of the bed, he began to roll over but someone had laid behind him, their arm wrapped firmly around his waist. He looked down, it was Vala's hand.
'hey Vala' with no response he nudged again
'hey Vala…VALA' he growled
'mmm Daniel?' she whispered groggily.
'what are you doing?" he asked, his body still tense.
'sleeping…was sleeping' she muffled her voice as she pushed her face in between the back of his shoulder blades.
'in my bed?' he accused.
'oh Daniel, leave me alone, I need my beauty sleep' she huffed rolling over snatching a quilt with her.
Daniel shivered with the sudden loss of warmth as he sat looking annoyed down at vala, he watched her body wrap lazily around a pillow, and smiled, loosing any resentful attitude he may have had. He reached to pull the hair from her face.
'Daniel! What the hell?' jack asked groggily as he sat up suddenly. Jack wiped his eyes before glaring at Daniel.
'I umm, she uhh…um' clearing his throat Daniel flashed a shy smile and climbed out of bed, collecting his clothes and heading for the shower.
'strange' jack huffed as he fell back to his pillow throwing his arm over his face. Suddenly he remembered where he was and why he was there.
'Sam' she had been seriously injured, he dived to his feet, feeling a little dizzy at the sudden movement, he gripped the doorframe stabilizing himself as he shook his head, before continuing to Sam's room.
The door was already cracked open a little, he silently stepped through, wincing as it creaked.
The heavy curtains filtered out all light that may of escaped through the window, and with the door closed over the only light was coming from the small book light, shining on Sam's upper torso and face.
She slept blissfully as her arm rested across her chest, still holding her book. Jack tilted his head as he looked at the bruises darkening her skin. The casts on her body. Then something else got his attention…..
His breath caught in his throat, was that a heart he saw now encircling his name? he stepped forward hovering above her, for a closer look.
'Samantha's health is satisfactory' Teal'c's voice echoed from behind him.
'Teal'c' he jumped in a loud whisper as he turned to the wall.
'geez, are you trying to give me a heart attack?' he moaned.
'it was not my intention' Teal'c replied quietly.
Jack turned toward the wall waving his arms in front of him dramatically emphasizing the darkness, until he finally hit Teal'c's chest, patting his shoulder apologetically he stood beside Teal'c.
'soo, buddy how long you been here?' jack asked absentmindedly as he rocked on his heels.
'much of the night….I shall take my leave' he answered impassively,as he headed for the door.
Pausing before stepping through, he paused 'you are indeed an amoral friend' tealc nodded.
'bacatcha' jack quipped.
Teal'c quipped Teal'c left the room and jack headed towards sam again.
'hmm' he chuckled quietly. He'd have to check that out later.
'breakfast everyone' cam called, placing the last of the eggs on the pre-buttered toast.
Jack moved to Sam, smiling as he wiped her fringe out of her eyes.
'hey carter, wakey-wakey'
'mm, sir?' she questioned groggily.
'hey how ya feelin?'
A little worse for wear' she sighed.
'ok then?
Sam smiled lamely 'all the better for seeing you' h her voice reeked with sarcasym.
'tealc' jack called from over his shoulder.
Sam rolled her eyes, and reached for the bell, ringing it.
'ahh, see I told you it'd come in handy' he grinned
'how may I be of assistance?' teal'c questioned as he entered the room.
'uhh, Sam needs help' jack nodded towards her/
Without hesitation teal'c scooped Sam into his arms, carrying her until, he reached the lounge chair. Gently depositing her there, he stepped side, allowing Daniel to hand Sam her breakfast.
Sam smiled at her plate, the food already cut into bite sized pieces.
The morning passed rather quickly until cam finally decided to get the shopping trip started. Cam had just finished the list when vala emerged from the bedroom in pink shorts and a matching tank top. She encouraged jack who had planned to stay, to accompany the others, and reluctantly agreed at the mention of Gilmore girls.
Daniel trudged through the house, carrying the bags intended for good will, while cam finished re-checking the list at the urging of vala who insisted on not only a new quilt but a quilt cover too.
Teal'c nodded as vala double checked that he would remind the others of her quilt. He put his black cowboy hat back on. Checking that it was pulled over his forehead, smiling slightly as he watched jack rearrange Sam's pillows before finally deciding that she was comfortable. Sam sighed as the boys disappeared out the door and vala pressed play.
'ok what's first kids?" cam smiled as he headed for the drivers seat.
'oh man!…right that's it' jack moaned as he snatched the keys.
;what!' cam shrugged.
'Mitchell, I'm 25 years older than you, I've lead this team since you were still sitting, in high school poppin' zits, I'm not you kid' jack complained.
'but..' cam tried snatching for the keys.
'uh-uh' jack wagged his finger as he climbed into the drivers seat.
'its my car!' cam complained.
'get in the car' jack demanded.
Cam looked at Daniel who shrugged, flashing a smile as he climbed in.
'that's an order Mitchell' jack smiled almost playfully.
''I advise you to obey general O'Neill' teal'c said turning to look at him through the back window, a small hint of a smile playing on the corners of his lips.
Reluctantly cam hopped in the back seat of his own SUV, obediently pouting like a child.
'right, ready to go? Jack quipped.
'yes dad' cam groaned sarcastically'
Daniel responded with a hearty chuckle as they pulled out of the drive.
Most of the trip was in silence, only interrupted by the radio and jacks occasional road rage muttered under his breath.
Finally jack found a park, and every four of them piled out of the car.
In the time it took jack to move to the back of the SUV for the good will bags and return, cam and teal'c had already begun an argument over witch shop to begin their little expedition in.
Jack shook his head as Daniel began mediating , he spotted one of those unholy blue goodwill bins, and headed towards it. Arriving at it, he sized up the whole and noticed that the bags were much bigger than the slot provided for them to fit through, he sat one of the bags on the ground, as he began stuffing the other through the hole.
'oh-oh; he mumbled to no one in particular as he realized it was stuck.
'damn it' he cursed as he bashed it through the hole , finally it squeezed through and he smiled at his small victory.
He lent down, picking up the next bag , restarting the procedure with the second bag.
'oh-no!'' he heard the bag tear. He desperately tried to catch the overflowing contents, helpless to catch them all he shoved what he could of the bag in, before clambering on to the ground and packing the loose clothing through the gap provided.
'jack!' cam snorted
'yeah?' he snapped, stopping mid-action, a hand full of clothing.
'sams clothes?" cam laughed, fighting for controll hoping not to break into the relm of hysterics.
'yeah, so' jack countered seriously
'oh vala, would so get a kick out of this' he exclaimed.
'what!' jack snapped.
Daniel had now Brocken out in laughter, but hid it well, he discreetly pointed to jacks hands, clearing his through.
Jack looked at his hands and instantly turned beetroot red.
Quickly stuffing the bra he was holding along with the various langarie items into the bin..
'oops' he grinned nervously, he'd been so frustrated before, that he hadn't noticed the contents. And now he felt rather embarrassed but he hid it behind a thoughtless shrug.
'your so not living this down' cam laughed uncontrollably.
'shut up and help me will ya?' jack snapped.
'caught playing with sam carters underwear' cam was now stomping his foot and holding his stomach as he leaned on tealc for support.
'Mitchell' jack warned as cam continued his hysterical laughter. Jack looked to the others for support, Daniel stood arms crossed, holding in a slight chuckle and teal'c raised one eyebrow, composing himself well, only the smallest smile on his lips. As he looked down to cam.
'I believe O'Neill doesn't find this amusing' he stated seriously.
Cam cleared his throat and stood, after a moment, receiving a scolding look from his friends, before he silently followed jacks lead.
It didn't seem to take long to find a fold up bed for vala. Daniel carried the box back to the car with the occasional help from cam.
Next they went grocery shopping, and as cam and teal'c stocked up on junk food, jack and Daniel ensured that they had all the important things. Fruit, vegetables, meat and beer.
'honey I'm home' cam sang as he opened the front door. He sailed on through the kitchen with the bags of shopping.
Jack followed him, pausing briefly to admire the sight.
Sam was still asleep, sprawled across the lounge, the popcorn balancing on her torso, her hair tussled.
He also vaguely noticed that vala had also fallen asleep, sitting on the ground, her head hung back, now cradled on Sam's lap.
theres more coming but please read and review