FLU
That first afternoon they met some peaceful yet reticent locals, herding some stray sheep and lambs. They kept their distance, wary of the strangers. O'Neill and Daniel approached so Daniel could ask about the temple, lest he break some cultural taboos. They knew of the site and pointed them toward the temple Daniel was anxious to investigate. It had been long abandoned and of no interest to their people. O'Neill was aware they were staring at Carter and Teal'c who stood a few yards off behind him. It was either because Carter was a woman or Teal'c was a Jaffa. Both common objections off world, on Earth as well.
At first they seemed perturbed that these foreigners were traveling with a woman. Then one of the men, pointing with his chin, asked if the woman was 'unclean'. O'Neill tried not to start out an extensive mission on Carter's 'time of the month'. It was a tad less wear and tear on her and occasionally they ran into a group like these guys.
O'Neill with his best phony smile said "I'm sure she had a shower this very morning."
Daniel replied before the last word was out of Jack's mouth "That's not what they were…"
"I know exactly what they were asking." O'Neill said not bothering to keep the anger out of his voice.
In their many years together it had taken a while before Daniel Jackson realized O'Neill wasn't as ignorant as he sometimes seemed.
And it had taken a while before Jack realized Daniel was occasionally so damned oblivious.
The locals, uneasy, left with their sheep.
Those first few days of the mission Sam was feeling fine. Better than just fine in fact. The air was fresh and brisk, the sky sunny and there was no hint of a threat of their assorted enemies. And everyone was in a good mood. Well O'Neill turned an annoyed eye at Daniel as he prattled on disturbing the peace. But that passed quickly.
Sam handed the remains of her MRE to Teal'c and turned in for the night. O'Neill was doing a perimeter check. When he returned Teal'c showed the almost full MRE and voiced his concern that Samatha Carter might not be feeling well.
That afternoon she started to get a tickle in her throat. Then the cough she tried to mask by clearing her throat. By evening her throat was down right sore and her chest tightened.
Passing her unfinished MRE to Teal'c was not an unusual event. Although a virtually untouched one was. She crawled into her tent and sleeping bag as soon as possible. Maybe a good night's sleep would do her good.
O'Neill crawled in not a half hour later as she attempted to muffle a cough. He asked her how she was.
"I'm.."
"And don't tell me you're fine."
"I was fine when we started. Just got a tickle in my throat."
"Do we need to go back?"
"I don't think so…I don't know. I wasn't near the people here. I can't have given it to them and I don't think I could have caught anything from them."
"If it gets any worse - tell me."
"Yes sir."
Sam started out fine the next day, they were within a sight of the temple. Within the hour she was ready for a rest stop. She also had the distinct feeling that Teal'c and the Colonel had their eyes on her. She was desperate for a drink, feeling dehydrated and light headed.
O'Neill saw her wobble and grabbed her arm. Sam startled, pulled back and fell over.
"Carter." He said in alarm.
"I slipped. Sorry, Sir."
Not an hour later they were within the temple precincts and O'Neill noticed Carter was looking washed-out. It had taken them four days to get here and it would take another four at least to get back. So eight days wasted if nothing would be accomplished.
"Daniel, do you think you can be finished in a few hours?" O'Neill asked wincing, knowing Daniel would object.
"Jack, we just got here."
"One day?" O'Neill pointedly glanced at Carter sitting on the ground and leaning against a crumbling wall.
"I'll try."
"Then, I suggest you get to it. Teal'c, give him a hand."
O'Neill sat down beside Sam. "Carter?"
"I just slipped."
"I'm not buying it."
She turned her head and coughed and coughed.
"Damn it." He muttered and handed her a canteen. He proceeded to set up camp. Then digging around in his pack for a first aid kit but not sure it would contain any help for what Carter had. He had some tylenol in his hand and looked back at Carter. She still held his unopened canteen.
"I don't want to spread this. I don't want you to get it."
"Probably too late now."
"I'm sorry."
"You didn't do it on purpose. Didn't even know you were sick when we started out."
"No." Sam coughed til her eyes watered. "I felt fine then." She gasped.
"Let's keep to the same tent sharing as before. No need to expose Daniel or Teal'c any more than necessary. I want you to rest up as much as possible today. We'll start back tomorrow or as soon as I can drag Daniel away from that pile of rocks."
O'Neill insisted she eat and drink and rest. Sam was alternately annoyed and flattered by his attention. She did manage to nap the afternoon away.
They started back the next morning. By lunch break Carter had trouble controlling her cough and felt quite congested. Daniel found some decongestants in his pack which brought some relief to Sam. Their pace was slower than usual and Sam did her best to keep up without complaint.
That night her sleep was interrupted frequently with a wracking cough. Teal'c prepared tea with honey for the Major which seemed to help.
As the night progressed she began to experience fever and chills. O'Neill dossed her with something to bring down her fever and take care of the body aches she finally admitted to.
The next day Sam trudged on, not complaining and feeling watched. All three men's eyes skittered off her when she glared at them. She was hot and sweating although the weather was cool.
The next day Sam had a difficult time getting herself together for the day's march. This had O'Neill concerned. Carter feverish, aching, coughing and disorganized was more the concerning. Instead of lunch she fell asleep. She woke to Teal'c putting honey in her tea and O'Neill pilfering Daniel's pack for candy bars. Daniel rifled through the MRE'S to find the ones she was most likely to eat. She did her best to choke down a bit but she had no appetite. Sam only craved sleep.
Although it took four days to get to Daniel's temple at the rate they were going they'd be lucky to get back to the Stargate in six. O'Neill was tempted to carry Carter if he wasn't so worried he'd incur her wrath. He knew how he'd feel in similar circumstances.
He spent most of the night listening to her breathe.
The next day all Sam could do was concentrate on just putting one foot in front of the other. She knew she was letting the team down. In her current state she was more of a liability rather than an asset.
Whe O'Neill called a stop to rest or eat Sam lay down, curled in a ball and slept. Analgesics and decongestants with sweet tea were her meal of choice.
While she slept O'Neill conferred with Teal'c and Daniel. He wanted to send Teal'c ahead to the SGC. First he would need to appraise Doctor Fraiser of Sam's condition and second to bring back any medication she might supply. He told Teal'c where he planned to camp. O'Neill hoped to get a few miles closer to the gate. It would be vital if the doc decided to Med. Evac. Carter. In that case the closer to the gate the better.
Before Teal'c left Jack had one thing to do. He was sure Doctor Frasier would want a blood sample - their med kit had become quite extensive over time.
"Ever done this before?" Sam asked the Colonel as she rolled up her sleeve.
"Had to practice at least once." he replied.
"My first passed out. Your's?"
"I think they were able to save his arm." O'Neill said while preparing the hypodermic syringe.
She laughed and then had a coughing spasm.
"Sorry."