Sam went out to the first field. It was a complete loss. That was the field of hay, which they had planted to ensure they had some food for the animals even if the third harvest didn't work out. The other two fields were still in good condition. Those fields included plants that resembled corn, beans, potatoes, asparagus, broccoli, squash, pumpkins, and a variety of berries.

Sam felt defeated as she walked back to the farm. She decided she should plow field one and replant hay. If she started now they should be able to get it harvested well before the weather turned cold. Walking back to the barn didn't improve her mood. The tractor was fine but she was going to have to clean out the debris before she could get the tractor out.

She went back in the house and found the smoothie empty and Jack asleep. Since he was resting Sam headed back out to the barn. She tied ropes around both ends of the crossbeam, which seemed to be salvageable. She arranged a series of pulleys from the roof over both ends of the beam and started pulling.

"Samantha?" The voice calling her name from outside the barn sounded familiar but she couldn't quite place it. She stopped mid-pull and went outside. Saff, Jamale's oldest son, was walking towards the front door of the house.

"Hey, Saff. I'm back here." He turned to face her.

"My father sent me to see if you are alright. He was concerned when he saw you were gone this morning."

"I'm sorry. I left a note. When Jack didn't answer me last night I knew something was wrong so I raced out here. Turns out part of the barn roof fell on him."

"Is he injured?"

"He has at least a couple broken ribs and a concussion but I think if he rests he'll be fine. I can't leave him though and I have to get the barn fixed, plow one of the fields, get the second harvest in, and start the third harvest." She shook her head. "That means I won't be back to the shop for a while. Please apologize to your father for me. I know he needs help but right now I have to stay here."

"Of course you have to stay here. Family always comes first. Is there anything I can do to help?"

Sam looked behind her at the barn. "Actually there is one thing. Follow me."

She showed him how to use the pulleys. They took separate ends of the beam and pulled it off the ground. Sam tied additional ropes to the beam and moved it to one side of the barn. She hoped it would be salvageable but for now her concern was getting it moved. Once they had it moved over to the side they slowly let it down.

"Thank you. It would have been much harder to do alone."

"You are welcome. I would be happy to stay and do more." He looked around the barn and back up at the hole in the roof.

"I appreciate that but your father needs your help and I need to check on Jack."

"If you're sure. I'll let my father know what happened. I'm sure he will insist on sending me back out to help."

Sam smiled. "I appreciate it, really, but we'll be fine."

"If you say so." Saff got back in the truck and headed home. Sam went back into the house and woke Jack up. She told him about the hay field and her work in the barn. He was disappointed about the field but agreed that replanting now was the best option. Sam brought some cheese and crackers into the bedroom along with some cider and fruit.

"I hate just laying here while you do all the work."

"I know you hate it but you don't really have much choice right now."

Jack's eyebrows raised and lowered, "I know. Pisses me off though."

Sam handed him some cheese. "Eat something."

He took a bite of the cheese. "I guess this is supposed to be like a picnic except its dark and we're inside."

"I hadn't planned it that way but if thinking of it like a picnic helps you feel better than I am all in favor of it." Sam sipped her cider. "This cider is wonderful. I need to remember to take some berries over to the Hilars to thank them."

"Yeah, do that."

Jack's mood was getting more sullen. He had never been a good patient plus he felt like a useless burden as Sam talked about all the work that needed to be done. It didn't help that every breath hurt and his head was pounding. He couldn't keep his thoughts straight.

Sam cleaned up and went back out to the barn. She wished there was more she could do for Jack but he needed the quiet to rest. She started at the front of the barn and made piles of materials that could be salvaged and those that needed to be trashed. After three hours of hard labor she was ready for a break and decided she should check on Jack again. His room was still dark but the faint light curling around the edges of the curtain let her see him. His facial muscles were tight so she knew he wasn't really sleeping or comfortable.

Sam got herself a drink and sat down on the edge of the bed. The movement roused him.

"Good afternoon."

He mumbled something she didn't understand.

"I didn't catch that. Sorry."

"Hey."

That she understood. "I thought you might like to use the restroom."

"Ugh. I probably should but I don't really want to."

"I'll help."

"That doesn't exactly make me feel better."

Sam stood up and leaned over so she could support Jack as he sat up. He swung his feet over the side of the bed and groaned. He sat there for a moment to let his head stop swirling. Sam waited patiently. He nodded when he was ready and she gave him her arm as a support. She was waiting for him when he opened the door. They chatted a bit after she helped him get settled but his head was swimming so he quickly grew tired of trying to keep up. Sam gave him another pain pill, even though they were running low, and went back out to the barn.

As evening was settling in she had made two fair sized piles, one of materials she thought could be salvaged and the other of trash. She'd be able to get the tractor out tomorrow. She was just getting ready to bring in the animals and feed them when she heard vehicles pull up. When she stepped outside she was surprised to see two trucks and Leila's car. Jamale jumped out of the first truck, followed by both of his sons. Jorl was in the second truck.

Sam put her hands on her hips and smiled. "Good evening."

"Good evening Samantha. My son said your barn had sustained some damage. We came to see if we could help."

"Thank you." Sam looked up. "I've been cleaning up but I don't think I can get it repaired without help."

"I heard Jack was injured." Sam turned towards Leila.

"He has a concussion and broken ribs."

Jamale pointed towards the barn. "Let Jorl and I examine the barn. You ladies go see to Jack."

Sam showed Leila inside. Jack's room was pitch black since no light was coming in around the curtain. He wasn't snoring so Sam assumed he was awake.

"Leila is here to examine you. I'm going to turn on the lamp by the door."

"K."

Sam turned on the small table lamp. Jack squinted and turned his head away. Leila walked into the room and stood next to the bed.

"May I open your shirt?"

"Yeah."

Leila unbuttoned Jack's shirt. There was bruising around the edges of the bandage Sam had put around his chest. Leigh felt his ribs. He squirmed when she got close to the two broken ribs. She felt his abdomen to make sure there weren't any obvious signs of internal bleeding.

"It looks like Samantha did a great job wrapping your chest. I see no reason to change your bandages right now. I assume the light is bothering you."

"Very much."

"Headache?"

"Pounding."

"What day it is?"

"I have no clue. How long has it been since the storm?"

Sam stepped forward. "That was yesterday."

"Seriously? This day seems to have dragged on for forever."

Sam nodded slightly. "That's what happens when you nap all day."

Leila looked back and forth between the two of them. "It looks like you are in good hands Jack. I don't see any reason to bring you to the clinic but I will be back in a couple days to change your chest bandage. I want to get a look at your bruising."

"Yes, ma'am."

"If he begins coughing, throwing up, running a fever, or gets more confused bring him in immediately."

"Will do."

"I'll turn off the light and let you rest. The best thing for a concussion is plenty of rest." Leila went over to the small table by the door and turned off the light.

"Rest it is."

Leila stepped out of the room.

Sam walked over to the side of the bed. "I'll bring you some dinner in a little bit."

"K. Thanks."

Sam joined Leila in the living area. "So?"

"He'll be fine." Leila rubbed Sam's arm. "I suspect he isn't going to be an easy going patient since he's going to be fairly miserable for a week or so. I'll leave you a few vials of pain medicine. Give him half a vial every six hours during the day and a whole vial every six hours at night to help him sleep. Don't take on too much around here while also taking care of him."

"We'll be fine. Thanks for coming out here to check on him."

"I really will be back soon."

Sam smiled. "I know."

When the ladies walked back outside they found that the men had compiled a list of supplies and planned to return tomorrow to fix the roof of the barn. Sam thanked everyone as they left. She double checked that the animals were fed and secured before going back into the house.

She made some mashed potatoes and grilled chicken-ette breasts for dinner. She took in a small plate for Jack. She used the light from the living room to cast a soft glow into his room, which was better for him than turning on a light.

"Hey, I brought you some dinner."

"Thanks."

Sam sat the plate on his lap. "You cut up my meat for me?"

"I thought that would be helpful."

"It is. Thanks." He picked up a piece of the chicken and slowly chewed.

"And it makes you feel like a little kid. I'm sorry."

"I shouldn't be so sensitive."

"Looks like we are going to be getting some help with the barn roof tomorrow."

"Really?"

"Yeah, Jamale and Jorl have a plan. They'll be coming back tomorrow."

"That's nice." Jack was squinting and after three bites of chicken he had stopped eating.

"I'm going to get the first field plowed and hopefully get seed out tomorrow."

"Good."

"I know you feel miserable but maybe you could try a couple bites of the potato. I'll feel better if you eat a bit more."

Jack started to nod but as the pain spiked in his head he stopped. He took two bites and laid down the fork.

"Leila left some pain medicine. Any chance you'd take some tonight, just to help you sleep?"

"I slept all day."

"Not really. Your eyes were closed and you slept some but you mostly laid here in pain."

"You could tell, huh."

"I've known you for over fifteen years. Of course I could tell."

"Fifteen years seems like such a long time."

"It's certainly been exciting."

"Just exciting?"

"Exciting isn't enough?"

"I guess it is."

Sam handed a vial of pain medicine to Jack. "Drink the whole thing. It tastes nasty but I brought you some candy for after."

It was as awful as she said but the peppermint like candy helped. Sam took away the dishes and cleaned up the kitchen. When she came back about fifteen minutes later the groggy look on his face told her the medicine had kicked in.

"Feeling any better?"

"Better than what?"

"That pretty much answers my question. Maybe it's time to get you ready for bed."

"I like that idea." Jack grinned. "Bed."

Sam shook her head. "Come on. I'll help you up."

He was unsteady on his feet but he held on to Sam, the door, or the sink the whole way. Sam used this reprieve as a chance to collect a couple books for the night. She was back before the bathroom door opened. She helped him get settled back in bed.

"You're all tucked in and I suspect the pain meds are going to let you sleep tonight. I'll check on you in a couple hours."

"You aren't going to say in here with me?"

"I can if you'd like."

"But you don't normally sleep in here?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"This is your room. My room is next door. You built the wall so we could each have our own room."

"Oh." Jack glanced at the wall.

"Could you stay and talk for a bit?"

"Of course." Sam walked over and sat on the edge of the bed.

"How long have we been here?"

"About ten months."

"No word from home at all?"

Sam shook her head. "None."

"How long until you think we'll be rescued?"

"I don't think we're going to get rescued."

"Ever?"

"No."

"Oh."

"We've done well here. We have good friends and I think we'll have enough food to get through winter comfortably."

"And us."

She looked him in the eye, to be sure what he was asking. "We're friends."

"Just friends?"

"Yes."

"Is that my fault?"

Sam shook her head. "It's just how it is."

"So, yes." Jack reached out and put his hand over Sam's. "No matter how I've acted it isn't because I don't care."

Sam's breath hitched and her throat burned. "Thank you."

"Thank you?"

"For telling me."

Jack squeezed her hand. "I mean it."

"I know."

"Your face doesn't seem to match that sentiment." Sam looked away. "Why?"

Sam stood up. "I'm sorry."

Sam picked up her books and headed towards her bedroom. She heard Jack as he whispered. "Me too."

She wished it wasn't his concussion and the pain medicine talking. She knew he felt that way once, many years ago, but that was the past. He had forgotten whatever had made him change his mind but she knew eventually he would get better and remember. Until then she needed to find a way to not let it make her want to run far away. She read for about an hour and then looked in on him. He seemed to be sleeping soundly. She climbed into her own bed, turned off the light, and went to sleep.

She only woke him once during the long night. She gave him some more pain medicine and he quickly fell back to sleep. She watched him for a few minutes and then crawled back into her bed. The sun woke them both. Sam gave Jack a half dose of pain medicine as soon as she got up in the hopes that would take the edge off his pain before he started moving around.

She went through her morning bathroom routine and then went to the kitchen to make some toast and hot cider for Jack. By the time she got back to his bedroom he was ready to get up and go to the restroom. He was stiff but moving better than the day before. Sam went back to the kitchen to make herself some granola and hot cider. She heard Jack open the bathroom door and rushed back to give him some support to get back into bed. He waved her off and sat down heavily on the edge of the bed.

"I made you some toast and cider. If you'd prefer something else I'd be happy to get it for you."

Jack shook his head slightly. "Nah, that sounds good." He sat on the edge of the bed slumped over.

"Would you like help getting situated back in bed?"

"No, I just wanted to sit here for a minute." Jack sat there for a couple minutes and then started scooting back. Sam moved over and held the pillows up as he leaned back. "Thanks."

"You're welcome." Sam handed him his cider and plate of toast. She went back to the kitchen and brought her breakfast into his bedroom.

"I'm going to get the field mowed today. Hopefully I can get it sowed too but we'll see."

"The tractor pulls a bit to the right."

"Maybe I can fix that later."

"I'm sure you can. Just be careful."

"I will be. I'll take a radio with me and leave one in here with you."

"Good idea."

Sam cleaned up quickly and brought Jack a large glass of water. She put the radio beside his bed along with some pain medicine. "I'll be back to make you some lunch. If you need anything before that just call me."

"I'm neither an invalid nor a baby. I'll be fine. Go, till, sow."

Sam grimaced at his false enthusiasm. "I'm going. Be good."

"Yeah, yeah."

Sam had no trouble getting the tractor out of the barn and out to the field. It did pull to the right, which annoyed her mightily. If she hadn't gotten sick as she was finishing it she might have realized it pulled and been able to fix it earlier. She had been tilling for a couple hours when Jamale and Jorl arrived with a few friends in tow. Sam left the tractor in the field and came down to the barn.

The men were already settling up their supplies and getting organized when Sam got to the barn. "Good morning to you all."

Jorl was the first to reply. "Good morning to you Samantha. Did you sleep well?"

"I did. Thank you. It looks like you guys brought lots of help." Sam looked around the yard at the three vehicles and the six men and that got out of them.

"It should only take us about half a day to repair the roof. You need not worry yourself at all. We will handle everything."

Jamale walked up as Jorl was telling Sam everything was under control. "I agree with Jorl. You can go back to tilling and we will work on the barn."

Sam nodded. "If you insist. I'll check on Jack and get back to work."

Sam quietly snuck into Jack's room and found her creeping around was unnecessary since he was wide awake. "How are you doing?"

"It sounds like the troops have arrived."

"Is it too loud for you?"

"It's worth it. We need the barn fixed."

Sam rubbed his arm. "Ok, but if it gets too bad take a full dose of meds and try to sleep through it."

"Will do."

Sam filled his water and brought him some fruit before heading back to the field. She finished the tilling in time to come back and make a large lunch. All the men appreciated the sandwiches and fruit Sam brought out to the barn. Jack picked at his sandwich but finished off the fruit.

The men finished the barn roof a couple hours after lunch. Sam was sowing hay in the field as the men pulled out. She waved as they pulled away, sorry she hadn't been able to say thank you again. Jamale and Jorl pulled over and got out of their trucks so Sam stopped her work and came over.

Jamale smiled as Sam approached. "Your barn is better than before the storm."

"Thank you both."

Jorl smiled. "You are welcome Samantha. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you. I would be happy to help you with the second harvest."

"I appreciate the offer but you have your own fields to tend. I'll be fine."

Jorl looked very disappointed. "If you change your mind please let me know. I would be happy to help you."

"I appreciate it Jorl." Sam turned her attention to Jamale. "I am sorry I won't be at work for a while. I really wouldn't feel comfortable leaving Jack until he can get around better."

"Of course you cannot leave him yet. Once your harvest is in and Jack is feeling better you can come back. Do not feel any need to hurry. Thanks to all the hard work you have already done we have been keeping up with the orders as they arrive. If we get a little behind it won't hurt anything."

"Thanks again." Sam shook Jamale's hand and smiled. The men got in their trucks and Sam went back to sowing the field. It was almost dark when she finished and headed back to the house. She put some stew on the stove and bread in the oven to warm up. Once the food was started she went into Jack's bedroom.

He looked at her and grinned as she walked in. Her clothes and face were covered in dirt. The only part of her that was clean was her hands, because she had washed them before putting dinner on to warm up. "How did it go today?"

"It was fine. The tractor does pull but I managed. Hopefully getting the field planted this early means we won't have any trouble getting the hay harvested before the cold sets in."

"Good. That will keep all the animals happy. You are a filthy mess."

Sam looked down at herself and laughed. "Guess I am. Let me fill your water glass and then I'll get a quick shower." Sam took his glass and returned with it filled with cold water. She grabbed her yoga pants and a long shirt and headed for the bathroom.

Jack couldn't help but stare at her when she came out of the shower all clean and wet. Her hair was slicked back and she seemed to glow. The yoga pants, one of the few clothing items she brought from Earth, hugged her curves beautifully. She smiled at Jack as he stared at her.

"What?"

The sound of Sam's voice shook Jack from his trance. "Huh?"

"You were looking at me funny."

"Oh, sorry."

Sam shook her head and went to the kitchen. She served up dinner for both of them and brought it into Jack's room. She sat everything on the small table just inside the door of his room.

"Tomorrow I'm coming out to the table to eat."

"If that's what you want but tonight you're enjoying your soup and bread sitting right there."

Sam brought a chair in and sat beside Jack's bed. They both enjoyed the soup and bread although Jack still wasn't eating much. Sam decided not to fuss since he had spent all day resting. Sam cleared the dishes, cleaned up the kitchen, and moved the chair back to the dining table.

Sam came back in and sat on the edge of Jack's bed. "Have you had any pain medicine lately?"

"It's been several hours but I'm not quite ready to go to sleep yet. We could talk for a bit?"

"Of course we can."

Jack rubbed the far side of his bed that was empty. "Why don't you sit over here? It's more comfortable."

Sam laughed. "Yes, it would be." She stood up and walked to the other side of the bed. She sat gently on the bed and scooted up so she could sit back on a couple pillows. She told Jack about the barn repairs and her work on the field. He asked a few questions but mostly listened. Sam's eyes grew heavy as she talked and her speech slowed. Jack grinned as Sam stopped talking and fell asleep. He knew she had worked hard on top of not sleeping well, thanks to taking care of him. He went to the bathroom, turned off the light and climbed into bed. He used his extra blanket to cover Sam up.

They both slept all night. Jack's sore ribs woke him early in the morning, before the sun broke through the widow. Jack looked over at Sam and smiled. She was beautiful and her hair was long enough to fall over part of her face. He moved the strand off her face and concentrated on the shape of her nose and curve of her cheeks. Pain encouraged him to stop staring and find medicine.

He went to the restroom, took half a dose of pain medicine, and brushed his teeth. As he sat back down on the bed Sam woke up.

"Good morning beautiful."

"Hmmm? Oh, I guess I fell asleep."

"Yep. It was adorable."

"Oh, I'm sure. I bet I drooled or something."

"Nope, no drool."

Sam rolled over and sat up on the edge of the bed. "I'm glad I didn't drool. Give me five minutes in the bathroom and I'll get us some breakfast."

"Sounds good."

Sam hurried through her morning routine and headed out to the kitchen. Jack was sitting on the semicircular sofa looking slightly miserable.

"It's good to see you out here but you don't look comfortable."

Jack shifted a little. "I could be worse and the pain medicine will kick in shortly."

"If you say so. Are you feeling up to some eggs this morning?"

"That sounds good. Do we have any juice to go with them?"

"As a matter of fact we have your favorite, the pink stuff."

"Pink stuff it is."

Breakfast was ready quickly. Sam gave Jack his plate and cup then went back for her plate and cup. She settled on the sofa beside him.

"I still miss coffee."

Sam giggled. "You were always grumpy until you had your coffee."

"Grumpy?"

"Oh yeah, not as bad as Daniel, but still grumpy."

"Good thing I got over that."

Sam's lips twitched.

Jack looked at her. "What?"

"I didn't say anything."

"You almost laughed."

Sam moved her eggs around on her plate. "But I didn't."

"Are you saying I'm grumpy in the morning?"

"Not at all. You're a regular teddy bear."

Jack pouted. "I don't feel like you're being sincere."

Sam laughed out loud.

"Are you laughing at me now?"

"Of course not." Her laugh simmered down to a giggle. "I'd be laughing with you except you can't really laugh right now." Her eyes were twinkling.

"Nice, hit a man while he's down."

Sam stuck her lower lip out. "Awwww, I'm sorry."

"You're still not being sincere."

Sam giggled again. She cleaned up and came back to the sofa. She sat cross legged and looked at Jack.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm glad to be out of the bedroom. What are your plans today?"

"I'm going to go feed the animals and then I thought I'd come entertain you."

"Isn't there anything else you should be doing?"

"I could find something to do if I'm just going to be annoying you."

"I'd like the company if you're sure."

Sam stood up. "I'm sure. I'll be back once I'm done in the barn."

Jack closed his eyes and laid his head back while she was gone. When he woke Sam was sitting beside him reading. He watched her eyes move as she read. He loved her eyes.

"Whatcha reading?"

Sam smiled at him. "Children's stories. I borrowed them from Leila. I was curious how your stories compared to the typical Uraba story."

"Can you read one to me?"

"Of course." Sam flipped back a few pages as Jack closed his eyes again. The story was about a young boy who was lost in the woods. The first man he met was dressed in a fine suit. The man traveled with many servants who took care of all of his needs. The boy asked for directions home and the man told him the way to go but the boy ended up even further from home. The next person he met was a lazy man who never worked. This man bargained with the boy, taking the boy's last cracker in exchange for directions. Again the boy was led astray. The third person the boy met was a woodsman. The hard working man knew the woods well and helped the boy get home, teaching him about living in the woods along the way. The rich man had servants to do the work so he no longer knew how to care for himself. The beggar never worked and survived by cheating people. The woodsman worked hard and knew how to survive. The moral was to trust those who work for what they have.

Jack appreciated the moral of the story. "Hard work is the key to success."

"I'm just glad his parents were both alive when he got home and happy to have him safe."

Jack opened his eyes and looked at Sam in confusion. "Why wouldn't they both be alive and happy to see him?"

"I got tired of watching Disney fairy tales with Cassie when she was little because the mothers had all been killed off to add drama. I ended up reading her the gorier Grimm versions, occasionally with a bit of editing."

"I guess I hadn't thought about it." Jack started going through all the Disney movies he could think of and realized there were a lot of orphans in those stories. "Those stories must have been hard on Cassie."

"We talked about it a couple times. She's a strong kid."

"That she is." Jack reached out and held Sam's left hand in his right hand. "Can you read me another one?"

Sam looked down at their joined hands. Jack's thumbs started rubbing circles on the back of hand. She smiled even as she felt a pain in her chest. Sam looked back at the book and found a story about a girl who snuck food from her family's winter store. She grew fat while her family went hungry rationing their dwindling food during a long winter. As her family's food supply ran dangerously low she began stealing from her neighbor's. One night after stealing bread from a neighbor the girl came home and found her mother crying in her brother's room. Her brother was very sick and malnutrition was making it hard for him fight off the illness. The girl felt instantly guilty. She ran to her room and brought her mother all the food she had hidden under her bed. She begged her mother to give it to her brother but her brother was too ill to eat. Her brother got sicker but the girl stayed by her brother and fed him broth when he was awake. The girl only ate the broth she was feeding her brother as she cared for him. He began to get better and the long winter came to an end. The girl learned her selfish actions could hurt others so she needed to be mindful of her decisions.

Jack had closed his eyes while she read but his thumb never stopped moving. As the story ended he looked over at her. "Full of guilt with a touch of redemption at the end."

"That is how most of them go. Would you like me to make you some lunch?"

"Not if it means I have to let go." He squeezed her hand. She grinned and looked back down at their hands. She put the book down and leaned back on the sofa, letting the feel of his hand be the center of her attention.

"I like getting to just sit here with you. We haven't had enough down time since we got here. A day off is nice."

"Hopefully after the third harvest we can have more days like this."

"If the weather cooperates tomorrow I'm going to start harvesting the second field. I'd like to get the second harvest in as soon as possible."

"Makes sense. I'm feeling much better so I'll be able to help."

Sam laughed out loud. "Oh, please. There's no way I'm going to let you help. I don't know how many broken ribs you have but I know you won't be lifting anything for weeks." Sam shook her head as he open his mouth to protest. "I know. You can snap beans and clean the corn."

Jack grimaced, "Oh, joy." His displeasure made Sam laugh again.

"I'll get us some cheese and crackers. You need to take some more pain medicine too."

Jack's grimace deepened. "Not too much. I'm feeling ok here and I don't want to get too sleepy."

"An order of pain medicine without sleep with a side of cheese and crackers coming up." Sam slid her hand out of Jack's grip as she stood.

They enjoyed some lunch and another story. After Sam cleaned up she curled back up on the sofa with Jack. She read him one more story as he fell asleep. She watched him for a few minutes and then decided to join him for a short nap. She stretched out on the sofa beside him and was asleep within moments. She woke when she felt his hand running through her hair.

"I haven't napped in years. I hope I can still sleep tonight." Jack smiled as she spoke.

"Luckily you can stay up late and still have plenty of night left."

"Very true. The nights here do seem to go on for forever so I can stay up and get some more observations done."

"I like how you turned a nap into a way to work more. That is so Sam Carter."

"It's who I am." Sam sat up and stretched. "Speaking of work I'm going to go feed the animals again. I'll be back in a bit."

"If you insist."

Sam spent a long time feeding the animals and mucking the stalls. She needed a break and working in the barn was the best way to get it. She was enjoying Jack's attention while dreading the moment when he came to his senses.

Jack was in the bathroom taking a shower when Sam came back in so she mixed up a casserole and put it in the oven. It was just starting to smell good when Jack emerged with his wet hair slicked back. He was still slumped over and shuffling but that was improvement. It was clear the shower had worn him out though. He gently sat on the edge sofa and then he sat back and melted into the sofa as his muscles relaxed.

"Smells good out here."

"Thanks. Dinner should be ready in about half an hour."

"Mmmmm. Till then?"

"I made some hot tea. Would you like some?"

"Sure."

"Maybe a little pain medicine to go with it."

"Sure."

Sam gave him the tea and medicine and went back to the kitchen to make a salad to go with the casserole. Jack perked back up a bit while Sam was chopping. When the oven timer went off Jack awkwardly lifted himself off the sofa and came over to the table. Sam was surprised but followed his lead. She put the salad on the table, got Jack's tea from near the sofa, made plates of casserole, and got herself a glass of water. Jack gave Sam advice about tomorrow's plan to start the second harvest while they ate. He rambled a bit but she listened attentively. She knew it bothered him that he couldn't help her. He had invested a great deal of time into these fields and he wanted to follow through with the harvest.

After dinner Jack started walking towards the sofa.

"Wouldn't you be more comfortable in bed?"

"Maybe but I don't really want to fall asleep yet."

Sam nodded her head. "We could sit on the porch. You'll get some fresh air and I can do some more star observations."

"I can handle that."

"If you're a good boy I might even let you name a constellation or two."

"Oooohhhh. Would you really?"

Sam laughed. "You head out there and I'll bring a couple of chairs in a sec."

"Are we gonna race? Cause I can always give you a head start."

"No racing needed. I'd feel guilty knocking you over just before you tried to cross the finish line."

Jack glanced over his shoulder. "Big words from the woman in last place." Sam giggled as she put the last of the dishes in the sink to soak. She grabbed two chairs and met Jack at the door.

"We appear to be neck and neck as we reach the finish line."

Jack took a small hop and reached the edge of the door frame. "And the old injured man wins with a last gasp of sudden energy." Jack raised his hands just above his shoulders and slowly pumped his fists. "Victory is mine."

"Alright Mr. Victor let me get past you and put down a chair before you collapse in exhaustion after your long race."

Sam sat down two chairs. Jack sat while Sam went back in for her notebook. They spent three hours finding and in some cases renaming constellations. Jack was suggesting names based on cartoon characters but Sam preferred to stick with animals and holiday. Since she was doing the writing Voltron and Optimus Prime did not make it into her list of constellations. Sam saw Jack yawning and decided it was time to call it a night.

Sam stretched her arms out and yawned dramatically. "It's getting late."

"You're being a bit dramatic. I know there's no way you could possibly be tired."

Sam dropped her arms and glanced over at Jack. "But you're tired."

"Yeah, I guess I am." Jack leaned forward and ran his hands through his hair. "Are you coming in too?"

"In a little while. I have a few notes I want to finish writing."

"Ok." Jack slowly stood and shuffled inside. Sam heard the water running in the bathroom. Once the bathroom light turned out she collected her stuff and brought the chairs inside. She did the dishes from dinner and folded up the two blankets on the sofa. She looked around the small house and smiled. It wasn't the life she had imagined for herself after she retired but she liked what they had built.