Infliction

Chapter three

Disclaimer: The characters of Stargate SG1 and Battlestar Galactica are the property of their respective owners. I have written this story for entertainment purposes only and no money whatsoever has exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended the original situations and plots are the property of the author. Not to be archived without permission.

Author notes: This story takes place mid season ten of Stargate SG1 and end of season two of BSG after Starbuck comes back from the rescue mission to Caprica. This is a continuation of my fanfic "Destination Earth".

Standing by the door to the multipurpose infirmary Sam put her hand up to shield her eyes from the sun. The intensity of the closest star to the Delta site was just one more thing she hated about the dusty planet.

"I think something's wrong with Caroline's radio," Sam said, as Helo approached her. "We should have some spares if I can't fix it."

"There's nothing wrong with her radio Colonel. She's not here, that's why you can't reach her."

"What do you mean not here?"

"There was a situation with SG3 that she needed to help with."

"I can't believe she just left without talking to me first." Sam heard the whine in her own voice. She thought she'd never sounded less like an officer in the US Air Force and more like a two year old throwing a tantrum.

"You were checking on the geology team. She didn't have time."

"What about Kara?"

"She put Baylee in charge of looking after Kara and she wants to be updated every hour."

"Every hour. How long does she think she's going to be gone?"

"She said she'd let us know once she's done triage."

"Oh frak me." Sam heard the strangled cry and ran toward Kara's bed. Pulling back the curtain she saw Kara cradling her hand.

"Kara what is it?" Sam reached out to touch her but Kara pulled recoiled as if she'd been punched.

"Don't'… It's about to get worse." Kara cried out again as her hands feel to her lap swollen and bruised like she'd been in a brutal fight with a brick wall.

"What happened to your fingers Kara?" Sam asked again.

"Well." She sucked in a breath as she wiggled each finger in turn. "Caroline will be pleased. Those calcium tablets she's been forcing on me seemed to be working."
"What do you mean?" Helo asked.

"There're not broken. Fraking sore but the machine didn't make my body remember to break my bones again."

Baylee gently lifted Kara's hand and took a closer look. "Helo I'm going to need some extra tape. I think I saw some in the office. It doesn't matter if its not surgical."

"Sure."

"Colonel can you get me some ice we need to get the swelling down."

Sam narrowed her eyes but nodded.

Baylee waited for them to leave the room before talking again. "So the first time this happened you broke a bone on all your fingers?"

"Yeah, that's what happens when you get a door jammed on them."

"Someone slammed your fingers in a door?"

"I didn't say that."

"Since it's both hands, you didn't do it to yourself."

"That's not what the person who did it would say." Kara squeezed her eyes shut as Baylee pressed down of the taunt and tender skin. "He would say it was all my fault. He was probably–"

Helo walked back in followed by Sam who was carrying the bin she'd knocked over earlier full of ice with two tea towels over her shoulder.

"How did this happen?" Sam asked.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Kara, come on." Sam was tried not to take offense at the way Kara seemed to soften when she looked at Baylee and bristle when she looked at her.

"I said I don't want to talk about it," Kara said through gritted teeth.

"Could you guys give me some space while I work on Kara hands?" Baylee said.

"I can help," Sam pleaded. She thought she'd seen every shade of Kara's emotion wheel but the look Kara was giving her was so unfamiliar. She didn't know if she should force Kara to talk or give her the space she obviously wanted. Not that long ago she would have known instinctively how to help but with so much time apart their connection seemed so fragile and intangible. Where there had once been a rope binding them together there was no only a thin fraying thread.

"I'll let you know if I need any help," Baylee replied.

Grabbing Helo by the arm Sam pulled him outside. "Do you know how this happened?"

"Not a clue, sorry."

"I've got to find a way to make this stop. What if I paid a visit to Doctor Apresso?"

"The Gate's heavily guarded. We only got out because they were responding to the explosion. If we go back we'd be arrested on the spot."

"Fine, I'm going to talk to some people about getting a ship," Sam said stalking off.

"I understand you not wanting to tell them," Baylee said. "It's often harder to tell people who care about you about traumatic events. But tell me I don't have to give you the speech about why it's better to talk about it now that this process has started?"

"Are you saying you don't care?"

"You know that's not what I meant." Wisps of Baylee hair fell across Kara's arm as she wrapped Kara's fingers. "Start talking Kara."

"I was about thirteen I think. I know it was summer that's why it happened. We were in the longest heat wave in recorded history. My mum was off on a bender somewhere. She would disappear for weeks. This time my teachers found out and I got sent to stay with my grandfather. He let me take my dog Ruff."

"Dog?"

"Four legged animal. It's a pet. On Earth they call them man's best friend. Granddad wouldn't let him in the house or even under the house. He was tied up out the back, in the sun. He kept digging holes to try to get cooler. I kept trying to patch them up before Granddad got home but he knew. He said if he did it one more time he would kill Ruff. He meant it. So when Ruff dug another hole I decided to try to keep him safe. I put a bone in my backpack and walked for half a day, gave Ruff the bone and went back before granddad got home. I told him the dog ran away. He didn't believe me." Kara was surprised how easily the words were tumbling out. "He wanted me to tell him where Ruff was. When I didn't he put my left hand in the door jam and slammed the door." Kara looked at her hands with wide eyes as if she was seeing the damage for the first time. "He said after that I told him where Ruff was. I don't remember saying the words. Then he put my right hand in the door jamb. He said this one was for taking so long to tell him."

"Is that when you passed out?" Wrapping up the ice in the tea towels Baylee tied it around Kara's hands.

"I guess, I don't know. I actually woke up in hospital. I was in and out of it for awhile. Turns out I had heat exhaustion as well as busted fingers. They found my mum and I got to go home."

"You understand what your Grandfather did to you is not your fault?"

"I didn't say I thought it was my fault. The man was fraked in the head."

"I just want to make sure you understand that no one deserves that."

Kara shrugged her shoulders.

"Did anything happen to your Grandfather because of what he did to you?"

"I don't know. I doubt it."

"Did you find Ruff?"

"No and I never asked my grandfather, I didn't want to know. But… Death follows me."

"Death follows you?"

"Look, I now you probably want to get more out of me but my headache's not so bad now and I need to get out of this bed for a while."

"You can't be alone," Baylee said, gently grasping Kara's arm to help her up. "But a short walk and some fresh air might do you some good."

Leaning heavily on Baylee Kara took a tentative step. She wanted to run but even if she could she didn't think there would be a point. Death wasn't just following her it was seeping into every pore, saturating her with darkness and guilt. The pain in her fingers and twinge in her leg as she walked reminding her of the lives cut short because they had the misfortune of knowing her. Given that, she knew it was selfish and greedy to want Sam in her life. She assumed Sam had weighted the risk for herself and that's why she was moving to Atlantis.

To be continued

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