Infliction

Chapter four

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".

"There you are," Sam said, as she entered the mess hall. "Should you be out of bed?"

"Here I am," Kara said, sipping from a mug. "And yes I should," She was slumped in her seat with her back turned to the geological team sitting in the corner.

"Where's Baylee?"

"Helo came to get her to give Carolyn an update."

Sam brought Kara's mug up to her lips before she realized it wasn't coffee.

"Kara should you be drinking?" Sam said putting down the mug as far away as she could.

"Well, the swelling's going down so holding a cup doesn't hurt too much."

"Where did you even get that?"

"Didn't you know? Alcohol is the first thing I go looking for on any new planet. Guess that's why I'm only on SG 12."

"I don't think you should be drinking."

"That's fraking priceless. You take a job in another galaxy," Kara reached for the mug, sloshing the amber liquid as she brought it closer. "Are you're going to check in to give my orders."

"That wasn't an order," Sam said, looking over her shoulder at the geological team.

"No. It was just perfect little Colonel Carter embarrassed by her frak up girlfriend."

"I'm never embarrassed by you. I'm just worr—"

"Oh gods," Kara moaned, her mug fell to the floor splitting into tiny projectile pieces. Clutching her stomach Kara fell forward landing in Sam's arms.

"Kara what is it?"

"I can't let them do this," Kara muttered. Her hand dropping from her stomach revealing a blood stained shirt.

"Captain Wallberg get over here now," Sam ordered. "Help me get her to the infirmary. Doctor Ashington get to the Gate and tell Helo and Baylee to come back her on the double. Kara's in trouble."

"There're Cylons all of them," Kara said as Sam lay her back in bed.

"It's her stomach," Sam said, as Baylee and Helo entered.

"Oh frak," Helo said.

"You know something about this?" Sam asked.

"Well it looks like where Kara got cut open by the Cylon doctor back on Caprica."

"Cut open?" Sam repeated.

"When she was at the processing hospital. They did something to her, knocked her out and when she woke up she had stitches right where that cut is now."

"Oh god," Sam said. "When I asked about that scar she just said she got it bringing back the arrow. I thought she meant in a fight with one of the cylons."

"Kara did take out Cylons with her bare hands. But this fight wasn't a fair one."

"Don't let them do it again," Kara said. Her eyes darting around the room as if it was full of enemies.

"Okay everybody out. I need to examine this wound," Baylee said.

Sam didn't argue this time. She didn't want Kara to see the tears she couldn't stop from falling.

"Kara. I'm going to give you a local anesthetic. Because of the way the Fracas machine works I'm not sure it will work but this will need stitches."

Kara didn't react to the injection or give any sign that the anesthetic hadn't worked . If her mind was somewhere else Baylee had no intention of forcing her back to reality as she stitched the wound. Her skills were rusty enough without worrying if she was causing Kara more pain. But if Doctor Apresso had taught her anything it was that healing required more than stitches.

"Who are the Cylons Kara?" Baylee asked. Finished with the rough but effective stitches she placed a bandage over the wound.

"You don't want to know," Kara replied, pushing down her shirt.

"Helo said they did something to you."

"They did something to all of us."

"This was a surgical cut."

"You're right. This one isn't some deep frakked up childhood shit. This," she said, pointing to the wound. "Is war."

"The Colonel has gone to see when Carolyn is coming back," Helo said, as he striding back into the infirmary."How's she doing doc?"

"The cut will heal."

"Did I say I was sorry Helo?" Kara asked.

"What for Starbuck?"

"Back on Caprica…I didn't save those women. I just got myself out… I didn't save any of them."

"The way I heard it you did save them. You set them free."

"What about what they were taking from them. What they took from me. If they were making…If they were trying to create…I didn't stop that."

"You can't think like that. It's not on you. Its all—" Helo was interrupted by the crackle of his radio.

"Karl I need you to get to the Gate now." Sam's voice came over the radio. "I'm sending you to help Carolyn."

Helo looked at Kara.

"Its okay, go," she said.

"Yes Colonel. On my way." Helo put a hand on Baylee's arm. "Take good care of her."

"I will."

"You've got a lot of people who care about you," Baylee said as Helo left the room at a jog.

"They care about Starbuck…They don't really know Kara."

"Yeah and you like it that way. Keep them away with your big dark brooding cloud of doom."

"What would you know about anything dark or brooding."

"You should know better that to presume. I know what it's like to feel like your drowning and nobody even notices. I know what it's like to feel like there's only darkness inside. I even know that you think you deserve all this."

"How would you know that?"

Baylee put a hand on the side of Kara's face. "I see it in your eyes."

Neither women heard Sam walk up to the curtain. They carried on oblivious to Sam's silent observation.

"How do you know I haven't done things to deserve every fraked up thing that happens to me?" Tears welled in Kara's eyes. "How do you know I haven't done fraked up things to every single person I ever met?"

"I see it in your eyes," Baylee said, wrapping her arm around Kara. She held on as tight as she dared and waited until Kara returned the hug. This time there was nothing between them, no P-90 of flak jacket, no awkward nervousness. Not even the truth separated them. Baylee stoked a hand down Kara's back as quiet sobs racked her body.

Kara wished she had the energy to push Baylee away or hide the pain. But she couldn't rebuff the life line out of the darkness drowning her.

Sam didn't know how much she truly loved Kara until the moment she made the decision to stay on the other side of the curtain. Resisting the urge to march Baylee back to the Gate and throw her back to her own world. She loved Kara enough to push aside her own selfish desire to be there for Kara. To be the only one Kara turned to. She pushed aside her jealousy and anger to just stand still. If she couldn't help Kara then she couldn't take away the one person who could. Even though her heart was breaking for Kara and for what it meant for their relationship she could put her love for Kara first.

She wasn't sure how long she stood there before Baylee pushed back the curtain. Baylee didn't look surprised to see Sam standing there. Without explaining herself Sam motioned her head towards the office. Her steady gaze making it clear she expected Baylee to follow.

"How's she doing?" Sam asked.

"Sleeping. It's the best thing for her right now."

"Is it over?"

"I'm afraid not."

Sam raked a hand through her hair in a very Kara like manner. "She lets you in," Sam said, just above a whisper.

"Actually, I push my way in."

"She trusts you."

"She clearly loves you."

Sam raised an eyebrow. "Right now, I'm not so sure."

"The middle of the infliction process isn't the time to analyze your relationship."

"You think I don't know that. I don't need relationship advice or any other advice from you since you are the reason we are in the middle of this process," Sam said before stomping out of the room.

To be continued

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