Second OT3 update of the day!...wooo!
Title: The Beginning of Something New..part 6
Author: elfcat255
Pairing: Sam/Janet/Vala
Rating: PG...sorry..did you think I was just gonna write smut with them all the time..sheesh
Spoilers: Umm...my Season 10 world
Warnings: umm...grumpy Sam?
AN: Okay so I I finally got the story caught up to the two prompts I used fromelliedragon and sgate_2001 I thought about breaking it into two parts but I got it to mesh okay so you get the really long version..*grin*...and I can now say that yes...there is only one more part left to write in this monster of a fic I started...hopefully I'll get it done before Wed...and get some sleep too..*grin*..Enjoy!
Oh...forgive my typos...my spellcheck is being all wonky and I tried to catch all the mistakes but eh..tired eyes and all..*shrug*
The next few days passed with relative ease, Vala discovered she could head off Sam’s grumpy moods by occupying her with new tasks and her favorite was to get the woman to talk her through daily chores. Both Sam and Janet had told her she didn’t need to do this but she insisted, after all, she was the one messing things up it was only right she cleaned up after herself.
“Okay…repeat that last part,” she said into her radio.
“Set the water level on medium, add a half scoop of detergent, set the timer to wash for 18 minutes then pull the knob out until it clicks and close the lid,” Sam said.
“Gotcha,“ Vala replied as she set the washing machine to start.
“You know this would be easier if you just helped me downstairs,” Sam grumbled over the radio, “it is past the time for me to stay off my knee.”
“Not until your doctor says so,” Vala said into the radio and was answered by a frustrated growl.
Not liking the sound of that Vala made her way upstairs and had to dodge a book thrown at her from the bed as she walked through the door, “Hey!” she exclaimed.
“Help me go downstairs! I’m going stir crazy!” Sam yelled.
“Fine…I’ll help you but if Janet says anything to me you have to tell her you threatened me with bodily harm,” Vala said glaring at the blonde woman.
“Well I did chunk the book at you,” Sam replied in a smug tone, crossing her arms across her chest and returning the glare.
“And if I didn’t have such quick reflexes I might be calling Janet home to put stitches in my forehead,” Vala replied, handing Sam the crutches.
“Lucky for you I didn’t aim better,“ Sam replied and then yelled, “Hey!” as Vala snatched the crutches away.
“I think you’re being an ass and you need to stop it; I am helping you downstairs after all,” Vala told her, holding the crutches just out of Sam’s reach.
“Fine,” Sam mumbled and when that didn’t get the crutches moved closer she sighed, “I’m sorry…I’ll try to act nicer.”
“Good then,” Vala remarked and gave her the walking aids.
Sam pulled herself up from the bed and hobbled towards the door, “Well come on,” she said over her shoulder and went through the door.
Vala quickly followed and caught up with her at the top of the stairs, “How do you want to do this?” she asked, slipping past Sam to stand on the first step.
“Hmm…you be my crutch and support my right side, we’ll just go slow,” Sam told her and tossed the right crutch down the stairs to land with a clatter on the floor below.
“I could have carried that,” Vala said as Sam put her arm around the slightly taller woman’s shoulders.
“Eh…it didn’t hurt anything,” Sam replied with a shrug and then they slowly began to make their way down the stairs, one step at a time.
When they finally reached the bottom Sam let out a whistle, “Whoa, that was harder than I thought it would be,” she said as Vala picked up the crutch and passed it back to her.
“Need a pain pill?” asked Vala, her face scrunched into a frown as she worried that letting Sam talk her into this might have re-injured her.
“Nope, just let me get to the couch and rest my leg,” Sam replied.
“Okay,” Vala said and moved out of the way so Sam could move towards the couch, when she made it over to the piece of furniture she sat down then pulled her leg up to lay on the couch.
“I’m going to check on the laundry, be right back,” Vala told her.
Sam watched her disappear down the hall and then with an evil grin, eased up off the couch and hobbled towards the back door, sliding the door open she made her way out onto the back deck then closed the door behind her.
********************
Vala returned a short time later carrying a basket of dry clothes, “Well since you’re down here you can help me sort these,” she said and then realized she was talking to an empty room, “Sam?”
Dropping the basket she began to search for the woman, checking the kitchen first she walked back into the living room and turning to face the sliding door she spotted her sitting in one of the deck chairs. Opening the door she stalked out, ready to yell at her friend but stopped when she saw Sam’s face, she had her eyes closed and a big smile on her face as she soaked up the warm sunlight; taking a deep breath Vala walked over to the chair next to her and sat down.
Sam peeked out of one eye, “Sorry, couldn’t resist coming outside,” she said to the dark-haired woman.
“Well you could have said something…you almost made me go into panic mode,“ Vala told her, “I could just see myself calling Janet and telling her I lost you.”
Laughing, Sam opened both her eyes and looked over at her friend, “I couldn’t have gone far Vala.”
“You could have fooled me as fast as you move on those crutches,“ Vala grumbled.
“Go fix us something to drink and let’s soak up some rays,” Sam told her.
Vala gave her an odd look but answered, “Alright but don’t move out of that chair!”
“I won’t, now hurry up you’re wasting sunshine,” Sam said with a smile.
Vala hurried into the house and not trusting Sam not to move again quickly fixed them something to drink then made her way back out onto the deck, where Sam still sat in the chair. Handing Sam a glass she sat down beside her and propped her feet on the deck railing.
“That was fast,” Sam commented.
“How was I supposed to know you wouldn’t be halfway across the yard by now,“ Vala muttered.
Sam grinned at her, ”I’ll let you in on a secret…make me promise and I’ll keep it,” she told the other woman.
“Promise? That’s all it takes to get you to behave?” Vala said giving her an odd look.
“Yup…it’s what Janet does and I haven’t broken a promise I’ve made to her in the almost ten years we’ve been together,“ Sam replied proudly.
“Wow,” Vala said softly.
“Now that you know this, don’t abuse the power,” she said giving Vala a sideways look.
“Oh…no, I would never do that but you will have to promise not to pull anymore stunts like this,” Vala said eyeing the blonde.
“Okay…I promise not to pull anymore stupid stunts…while I’m on crutches,“ Sam added quickly and smiled.
“Sheesh, how does Janet put up with you?” Vala asked, shaking her head at Sam’s promise.
“Oh that’s easy…she loves me,” Sam told her friend.
‘And she’s one lucky woman, you both are to have each other for so long,’ Vala thought and couldn’t stop the sigh from escaping her lips.
“What’s wrong?” Sam asked, hearing the sigh.
“Oh nothing…I have a question,” Vala said turning to sit sideways in the chair with her knees drawn up.
Sam gave her a look but nodded her head, “Ask away,” she said.
“How did you get those scars on your back?” Vala asked, she had noticed them the other day when she helped Sam with her shower.
A frown appeared on Sam’s face and Vala quickly said, “Forget that I asked, you don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.”
“No, I’ll tell you if you return the favor… a scar story for a scar story,” Sam replied.
“What scar?” Vala asked, giving Sam a confused look.
Sam reached a hand over and felt along the back of Vala’s neck, finding the scar from her possession by the Goa’uld she said, “This scar, I want to know how it happened.”
“I don’t like talking about that,“ Vala said softly, pulling Sam’s hand from her neck and bowing her head, let her hair hide her face.
Sam pushed the long black hair back, cupping Vala’s chin she pulled her face up, “I don’t like talking about mine either but sometimes talking about them helps heal them,” she told her, “especially with someone who’s been in the same position.”
Vala sighed and nodded, “Okay but you go first, it will give me time to gather my thoughts,” she told Sam.
Sam took a deep breath and began telling Vala about the mission to PX4-346 that took place almost seven years ago….
Vala listen closely as Sam told her about the team’s capture and her own torture at the hands of the man named Jarvis; she gasped when she heard the extent of Sam’s injuries inflicted by the man and a shocked look appeared on her face as Sam told of how she in turn killed the man by using his own torture against him, ultimately leaving him to slowly die, locked away in his secret room.
“How did you ever get past that?” Vala asked her voice barely above a whisper, when Sam finished her story.
“I had Janet and my team mates but mostly Janet, she’s the one who had to deal with my nightmares and depression for months after it happened; even now I still have flashbacks, I wake-up screaming and shaking but she’s always there to hold me tight then bring me back to reality,” Sam replied.
“The things I experienced while being a host for Quetesh were much worse than that Sam,” Vala told her.
“I’m sure they were but I didn’t ask you to tell me about those, some things are not to be remembered until you’re ready to deal with them; I just want to know how you came to be a host,” Sam told her. “I’m curious, can’t help it…Jolinar completely took me by surprise with her possession of me and I know it had to be rough on you since I can only assume you knew what was happening to you at the time,” she continued.
“Yes, I knew what was happening and to tell you the truth a part of me wanted it too,” Vala said softly.
“Why?” asked Sam, propping her elbow up on the chair arm and resting her chin in her hand as she looked straight into Vala’s eyes.
“Because it was an escape from the life I was trapped in,” Vala admitted and then she began her tale…“I grew up in a poor village, on a backwater planet and the only way we could support ourselves was by stealing or conning people out of their possessions,“ Vala told Sam.
“I, along with my mother and the man I assumed was my father, spent our time traveling from village to village, mainly to keep ahead of angry mobs. We came to a rather nice town which was full of people who lived comfortably, plenty of food, nice homes and gold; it seemed the ideal place to practice our skills,” Vala paused for a moment and her lips turned down in a frown, shaking her head she took a drink from her glass then continued.
“We set up a stall in the market place, advertising fortunes read and ails cured, drew a pretty nice crowd too until we were noticed by the local lawmen then my mother decided it was time to leave; one night as we tried to pack up our things for another quick getaway we were surrounded by a large group of men,” Vala stopped there.
“What happened next?” Sam asked.
Vala took a deep breath and started talking once more, “I don’t know what happened to my mother and her friend but I was brought before an elderly woman and fawned over by her like some prized animal. She told me she’d seen me wandering around the market and had chosen me to be her successor, little did I know she meant host, I’d never seen a Goa’uld before. She spoke to me in a normal voice and there was none of the flashy eye thing happening, so I thought I’d finally hit pay dirt; this was the answer to all my prayers, I’d be rich and pampered for the rest of my days. Two weeks after I was first brought before her, men came to my room and escorted me to her room, where others, whom I would soon learn were her Jaffa, held me down on a table and the last thing I remembered from that time was a blinding pain to the back of my neck,” Vala said in a low voice.
Sam reached a hand out, grasping one of the hands Vala had gripped tight around her drawn up knees, “It’s okay,“ she told the woman.
“No that was just the beginning Sam,” Vala choked out as tears fell from her eyes, “She made me do so many awful things now that she was in a young, healthy body and I had no control over it…I was a prisoner in my own body,” she sobbed.
“Shh…come here,” Sam said pulling on her hand and Vala uncurled her knees and let Sam tug her towards her, where she knelt on the deck with her head resting on the blonde’s lap while Sam stroked her head, “I know what it was like not being in control, even though Jolinar was only trying to escape from a greater evil she still gave me no choice over what she did to me but in the end she gave up her life for mine,” Sam told her in a soothing voice.
“I had to go through that hell for almost fifteen years Sam until the Tok’ra defeated her Jaffa and freed her people then me from her,” Vala said, hiccupping through her sobs.
“Now that you’ve told me maybe you can put it behind you now,” Sam murmered, bending over to place a kiss on Vala’s head. She sat back up then motioned for Janet to come outside now, she had seen the doctor standing at the back door while Vala lay with her head in her lap and had stopped her from coming outside with a raised hand.
Janet walked out slowly, moving to sit in the vacant chair and not knowing what they had been talking about just that Vala was still crying, so she rubbed Vala’s back, giving Sam a confused look. Her partner mouthed ”later” and Janet nodded, “Vala, we’re here for you whenever you need us, for as long as you want,” the doctor said softly.
Vala sat up and wiping her eyes with her hands looked back and forth at the two women, “Really?” she asked, her voice hoarse from crying.
Janet brushed her fingers across her cheek, wiping a stray tear, “Yes, really…you just have to let us in sweetie,” the doctor told her with a comforting smile and Vala turned her head to see Sam with the same smile mirrored on her face.
“I think I need to go get cleaned up,“ Vala mumbled and stood up quickly then walked briskly towards the still open doorway, disappearing into the house.
They watched her speed away and Janet looked at Sam, “Okay…so you want to tell me what that was all about?”
“We shared traumatic moments…she asked about my scars and I asked about hers’,” Sam told her partner, then went on to explain what Vala had told her.
“Oh Sam, you told her about Jarvis? I’m so proud of you,” Janet said, moving out of her chair to sit carefully in Sam’s lap, “I’m the only person who knows what happened on that mission besides Jack…you did good sweetie,” the doctor said softly hugging her partner tight.
“I probably would have told her soon anyway, just to get her talking about what happened to her but she asked first and it’s time I talked with someone else about it, helps it go away faster,” Sam replied returning the hug, “ and besides, I think we just gave her more stuff to think about,” she added.
“Ahh but will she finally talk to us about her true feelings?” Janet asked, giving Sam a questioning look.
“We’ll see hun…we’ll see; now how about you get up so we can go inside and fix up some food for the three of us, since you’re home early,” Sam told her with a grin.
“Oh I see how it is now, mushy moment over and you start listening to your stomach,“ Janet said poking Sam in the ribs.
“No fair, don’t start something I can’t possibly finish at this time,” Sam said giggling as Janet tickled her.
“Okay…I’ll play nice,” she said and stood up from Sam’s lap then helped her up from the chair, “no leaning on me, use the crutches; you’re not ready to put weight on that knee yet,” Janet scolded as Sam tried just that.
“Dammit, okay…hand me the sticks,” Sam grumbled and when she had them under her arms they went back into the house to fix something for dinner.
**************************
Vala stood before the mirror in the downstairs bathroom, she splashed her face with some water and the stared at her reflection, “Oh God,” she said using the term she’d picked up from her time on Earth, “I thought I would never have to relive that.”
She picked up a towel and dried her face off then stared at the face in the mirror again, ”I think Sam was right though, somehow I feel lighter, not healed but maybe it’s starting,” she mused aloud to herself.
Her thoughts flashed back to Janet’s words on the deck and then to Sam’s in the shower a few days ago, “Are they trying to tell me something here? Could they really want me in their lives? I mean they have been together for so long, how could they have feelings for me? I’m practically a stranger to them,” she said to her reflection huffing a breath out as she tried to figure out this new twist in her relationship with the two women.
“Do I want this? That’s the question I should be asking myself,” Vala muttered in frustration and leaned against the vanity, staring into her own blue eyes.
“Well do you?” she remarked, thinking so hard her brow furrowed with the concentration.
Not saying anything she gave herself a little nod and a smile, making up her mind; ’Now I just have to get up the nerve to talk to them,’ she thought as she walked out of the bathroom.
****************************************
Sam sat on one of the bar stools, her leg propped up on one of the lower rungs of another as she chopped the makings for a salad. Looking up as Vala walked into the kitchen she asked, “Are you okay?”
Vala nodded and moved to sit opposite her, “Yes…I’m fine,” she told Sam, grabbing a carrot from the countertop.
Sam gave her a questioning look but didn’t push, “If you’re going to eat that get me another one from the fridge,” she remarked.
Grinning and taking a bite out of the carrot, Vala stood up, moving to the fridge to get another carrot for Sam to chop up. As she turned around Janet walked into the kitchen, now dressed in comfortable jeans and a t-shirt, “So…what do you two feel like eating, other than salad,” she said picking up a cherry tomato and popping it in her mouth.
“If you two don’t stop taking my vegetables away we won’t have a salad,” Sam grumbled.
Vala and Janet gave each other grins and both reached for more items, making Sam bat their hands away with hers', “Stop it,” she whined.
With identical giggles the two women left her alone and moved closer to one another discussing what else to cook; reaching a decision they began working in tandem to prepare the meal. Before long they whipped up wonderful smelling lamb chops and mashed potatoes; dishing the plates up Janet gave two to Vala and carried her own over to the island and the three woman settled down for their dinner.
As Sam ate she paused to ask Janet, “When can I start physical therapy?”
Janet looked up at her, “Not for at least another week,” the doctor told her, “Why?”
“Because if you two keep feeding me like this I’m going to need to start exercising really soon or else I’m gonna get huge!” Sam joked and smiled at the two women.
“Think of it as extra weight your body can feed off of the next time you go without food for a couple of days,” Vala replied rather smartly.
Sam growled and started to toss a piece of carrot at the woman but Janet stopped her, ”Please…don’t start that,” she said with a serious face at the two.
Vala and Sam gave each other a look and both tossed veggies at Janet, which earned them a glare as she caught the thrown items, “You forget I have three brothers,” she said eyeing them.
Both women wore identical pouts on their faces as they looked justly chastised and settled back down to finish their food; Janet smiled at them and continued with her meal. They made small talk throughout the meal, mostly about things happening at the base and once finished, cleaned up the kitchen then moved to the living room to watch some movies.
*******************************
Sam sat on the floor with her head leaning back against Janet’s legs on the couch and Vala curled her legs underneath her on the other end of the furniture. Halfway through the movie Sam looked up at Janet, “Hun, could you get me my pills?” she asked.
“You did too much today didn’t you?” Janet said ruffling Sam’s hair.
“Just a little bit I think,” Sam replied.
“Stay there Janet, I’ll get them,“ Vala said and moved off the couch to retrieve the medication from upstairs.
Janet watched her walk up the stairs and looked back at Sam, “Is she okay?”
“I think so, at least she seems like it,” Sam replied, looking up at her, “hey…you want to sleep with me tonight?” she asked her partner.
“Can you handle a little bumping if I hit your knee?” Janet asked.
“Oh yeah…I plan to have a little buffer, well not so little but you’ll see,” Sam replied with a grin as Janet gave her a confused look. Vala returned downstairs and walked into the kitchen, fixing a glass of water she carried it into the living room and handed it then the pill bottle to Sam, “Thanks,” Sam told her.
Sam took her pills and handing the bottle and glass up to Janet, leaned back to finish watching the movie. As the end credits rolled Janet saw the blonde head begin to nod, “Someone’s ready for bed,” she remarked, shaking Sam slightly.
Startling awake Sam said, “Huh?”
“Bed, Sam,” Vala told her, smiling at the groggy woman.
“Oh yeah, bed…umm, you two are going to have to help me up,” she told them with a goofy grin.
“I’ve got her, Janet,” Vala said to the doctor and waiting until Sam pulled her good leg up to stand on, grasped her outstretched forearm and pulled, Sam rose from the floor to bounce on her good leg with an outcry of “whoa” and Vala steadied her by slipping under her right arm, supporting that side.
“Well since I have a nice comfy crutch why don’t we just mosey on upstairs,” Sam joked, squeezing Vala’s shoulders in a one armed hug.
“Go ahead, I’ll turn off everything and be right behind you,” Janet told them and then watched as they made their way towards the stairs. She turned the TV off along with the lamps then walking into the kitchen cut the overhead light off but left the one over the stove on; making her way to the stairs she saw they were still slowly moving up them and she heard Vala mutter, “This was easier when you weren’t doped up.”
Sam giggled, “It’s always easier to go down,” and she looked over her shoulder at Janet, giving her a goofy grin.
Janet chuckled and moved to slip under her left arm, “Okay pun master, lets get you to bed before you pass out and we have to carry dead weight,” she told her partner. With Janet’s help they moved up the steps a little faster and soon helped Sam into the bedroom where they sat her on the bed. She lay back, staring at the ceiling, “Did you ever notice there were patterns up there,” she said pointing above her head.
Janet and Vala laughed, “I think I like her better this way Jan,” Vala remarked, helping Sam move up to lay on her pillows.
“You do get to see a different side of her when she’s doped up,” Janet commented, “the side that thinks she’s a comedian.” Sam replied with a raspberry noise which made the two woman laugh again.
“Well she’s settled, I’m going to change into my sleep clothes now…see you in a little while,” Vala said and turned to leave the room.
“Hey, Vala,” Sam called out, “Jan’s gonna sleep in here tonight and you’re more than welcome to also.”
Vala turned back to face them, “What about your knee?”
“Well, Janet said you don’t move, so you can be the buffer, she lays on you and you lay next to me; should work out just fine,” Sam said with a smile at the dark-haired women.
Looking to Janet who just nodded, Vala said, “Okay…let me go change.”
“So that’s what you meant by a not so little buffer,” Janet said to her still smiling partner as she changed into her sleepwear.
“Yup…besides, after the conversation we had on the deck today she doesn’t need to sleep alone and if this works out like I think, it will be good in the long run,” Sam told her.
Janet climbed onto the bed and crawled over to Sam, who was propped up on her elbows, where she gave her a smile and leaned in for a kiss, it was drawn out as they twined tongues together, slowly taking their fill of each other’s mouths until they heard a throat being cleared. Sam broke the kiss and grinned at Vala, “Hi!”
“Was I interrupting something? I can come back later if you want me to,” Vala said quickly.
“No…come on climb up here,” Sam said patting the bed between her and Janet, “I’m afraid I’m only good for kissing at the moment,” she added with a grin as Vala eased onto the bed to settle in between them.
“Okay…you get comfortable and then don’t move,” Sam told her with a wink.
“I can do that,” Vala said and proceeded to find a comfortable position to sleep in but not one that left her open to bump into Sam’s leg during the night. Once she was satisfied she turned her head slightly to look at Janet, “Alright, your pillow is ready,” she grinned.
Janet gave Sam a look, they both leaned over, placing kisses on Vala, one on her cheek and another on her temple then the doctor moved closer, cuddling up against Vala’s side, her arm thrown over her waist. Sam smiled down at them and then reaching over to turn the bedside lamp off, settled back onto her pillows. She felt Janet’s hand slip into her’s and Vala’s warm breath ghosted across her arm, smiling to herself she let the groggy feeling from the medication carry her into sleep, a sleep made even more restful since both of the women were in the bed with her now.
****************************
After that first night with the new sleeping arrangements it became a routine they settled into, until a couple of weeks passed and Sam could handle being nudged in the night by Janet’s sleeping patterns but that didn’t change the routine; just the positions as the doctor now slept on Sam’ right side, sandwiched by Vala behind her. Sam had also begun her physical therapy the week before which sometimes made her a little grumpier but both Janet and Vala took the mood swings in stride, just letting Sam throw her little fits; once she realized how she was acting, she would always apologize to them both.
One day after the therapist had left the house(they had decided instead of trying to teach Vala to drive it would be easier on them all if Sam had therapy at home) Vala found Sam sitting on the back deck, her knee bent slightly, trying to work the stiffness from it. She sat down beside her and saw Sam’s face grimace into a frown, “Do you need something for pain?” she asked, worried that Sam had overdone it.
“No…I’m trying to stop taking the pain meds,” Sam told her, “just save them for really bad days.”
“And that look doesn’t mean a bad day?” Vala asked, poking Sam in the arm.
“I said I was fine,” Sam snapped and then shook her head, “sorry, I’m just frustrated, I should be healing faster than this.”
“According to Janet, you’re right where you should be recovering from that type of surgery,” Vala remarked but Sam still frowned.
“Come on, what else is bothering you?” she asked again.
With a heavy sigh Sam leaned back in the chair, “I’m just tired of being cooped up in the house, no offense to you, you’re great company but I want to get out,” she said softly.
Vala thought for a few moments, “Maybe we can talk Janet into an outing this weekend if she gets the time off,” she said finally.
“I seriously doubt that will happen what with Warner and Lam still gone from the base,” Sam grumbled.
“Well don’t take that attitude, you never know what might happen,” Vala remarked as she stood up, leaving Sam to brood over what she had said.
Walking back into the house Vala made her way to the hallway and picked up the phone, moving into the bathroom she dialed the base’s number and waited as the operator connected her with the infirmary.
“Hey, Jan,” she said into the phone, “Please tell me your little plan is coming together.”
Vala listened as Janet explained the details, “I hope it works because she’s getting moodier by the day and I think she’s becoming depressed too,” she told the doctor.
Laughing softly at a comment from Janet, she spoke, “Yes…I’ve become very good at reading her, you too actually; I know you’re worried about her too.”
“Okay…I’ll see you tonight, call us if you’re going to be late so I can save you some dinner…bye,” Vala said and cut the phone off, sighing she walked out of the bathroom and put the phone back on its base. She then walked to stand at the back door watching Sam as she stroked the cat lying in her lap, her face still marred by a frown.
‘If I could change how all of this happened I would Sam but then in a way I’m glad it happened, I never would have grown to love you two so much without this time spent together…if only I could tell you and Janet that…one day….one day soon,’ she thought and turned away from the door to begin fixing dinner.
*******************************
Vala held the crutches while Sam eased herself out of the van, grumbling the whole while. When she stood up Vala passed them to her; “Thanks,” she muttered.
“Don’t get all growly with me, she said you have to use them,” Vala told her.
“I know and I’m sorry…but I could do just as well with a cane,” Sam said shrugging as she moved away towards the picnic tables.
The dark-haired woman watched her move away easily on the crutches and then shaking her head went around to the rear of the van to help Janet with the supplies for their day in the park. The doctor had finally received a well deserved break from her non-stop duty on the base when Dr. Lam returned unexpectedly, allowing Janet to take a few days off. Coming to stand beside the petite woman Vala asked, “Anything for me to carry?”
Janet gave her a sideways glance, “If you promise to keep out of the food you can carry the picnic basket,” the doctor replied with a smile at their friend.
“Scout’s Honor, “ Vala told her with a tilt of her head and lips turned up at the corner in a crooked grin.
The doctor laughed and passed her the basket of food along with a few more things she stacked on top, “Got a good grip on it?” she asked.
“Oh I think I can manage, you did leave me a space to look out from,” was Vala’s sarcastic reply.
“Scoot,” Janet said playfully swiping at Vala’s rear as she turned away, “and tell Sam to keep her fingers out of the basket too.”
“Like she’ll listen to me,” Vala remarked as she moved towards the picnic table where Sam already sat with her leg propped up.
No sooner than she set the basket on the table and removed the other supplies from the top did Sam try to sneak into it; Vala slapped the hand away, “Uh uh…if I can’t have any yet you can’t either,” she told the blonde.
“Aww come on just a little snack…I’ll share,” Sam said giving Vala a grin.
“Nope…I’d rather not risk the wrath of one small doctor today thank you,” Vala replied, moving the basket to the other side of the table.
Sam chuckled, “If she hears you call her small then you might as well forget eating,” she remarked.
“If she hears what?” Janet said walking up with the rest of the supplies and catching a few of the words.
“Nothing, Janet,” Vala said quickly, taking some of the stuff from the doctor’s arms.
Janet eyed them both, “Why do I get the feeling I walked up on a conversation regarding my size?”
“No clue, hun…I’m hungry,” Sam said quickly, trying to change the subject.
“Uh huh…and you have to wait for the guys to get here, they’re bringing the burgers,” Janet told her partner.
“Geez…can I have some chips or something…please,” Sam said in an almost whine.
Vala opened the basket, picking up an apple she tossed it towards Sam, “Catch…it’s better for you anyway,” she remarked when Sam caught the fruit in mid-air and threw her a look.
“You’ve definitely been hanging around Janet too long,” Sam mumbled but bit into the apple.
Janet smiled at both of them and began setting up the things for the cookout so everything would be ready when the other SG-1 members arrived. As the doctor worked she tried to contain a grin when she thought about who else was coming with them; wanting to keep it a surprise from Sam had been a very hard thing to accomplish but with her partner being at home during her recovery and herself on the base the phone calls had been easy to hide.
Hearing a vehicle approach Janet turned to see Cam’s Mustang pull into the park and soon it came to a stop beside her van. She turned back around, blocking Sam’s view of the car and its occupants; “Finally…we can get this cookout started,” Sam muttered.
Vala watched as the male members of SG-1 exited the car along with someone else, she turned to say something and Janet cleared her throat, catching her eye. The doctor shook her head slightly and Vala kept quiet, sensing Janet wanted to surprise Sam with the unknown person’s arrival. This was something Janet had not told her about regarding her plan to get Sam out of the house. As the men approached the picnic table, their arms full of grilling supplies, Vala saw the young woman hide behind Teal’c; his large frame easily providing her with adequate cover.
“Hello, ladies…sorry we’re a little late,” Cam said loudly, “Jackson wanted to make an unscheduled stop,” he added, grinning at Janet.
“Yeah well some people are starving to death over here,” Sam griped.
“I always said you never had any patience when it came to food Sam,” a voice said from behind the Jaffa.
Sam started to reply and then just gaped in surprise as Cassie stepped out from behind Teal’c; “Cassie? What…how? Come here!” Sam finally managed to spit out.
The young woman moved quickly to engulf her second mom in a tight hug and soon Janet joined in, wrapping her arms around them both.
“Well, gentlemen, I guess we need to let the ladies chat while we get the grill started,” Daniel told Cam and Teal’c.
Vala watched as the three women hugged and laughed, she fidgeted slightly then turned to go help the guys but Janet called out, “Vala…come over here and meet our daughter, Cassandra.”
Moving back to stand beside Sam, the dark-haired women reached a hand out to the tall young woman, “Hi,” she said shyly.
“Hello, Vala…it’s nice to finally meet you, Mom’s told me how you’ve been helping Sam with her recovery,” Cassie said, grasping the proffered hand and shaking it.
“I’ve heard many things about you as well,“ Vala told her, ”mostly childhood stories though.
Cassie laughed, “Oh don’t tell me they still tell the story about how Sam saved me,” she said squeezing Sam’s shoulder.
“Actually it was the one about your first kiss,” Sam replied, looking up and grinning at her daughter.
Cassie gasped, “Mom! You were supposed to stop her from telling that to anybody else,” she said to Janet.
“I can’t control her when I’m not around dear,” Janet said shaking her head but she gave Cassie a smile.
All the women laughed at the remark and Sam blushed slightly, “Yeah…let’s get the jabs at me over with quick,” she grumbled but the smile never left her face.
Sitting down at the table Janet let Sam lean on her as Cassie sat across from them next to Vala and the three began listening as Cassie gave them a quick overview of her first year as an intern at the Air Force hospital in San Francisco. Vala interrupted her at one point, “I thought you went to school to study astrophysics? At least that’s what I gathered from conversations with Sam.”
“Oh I already have my degree in that…now I’m working on my second career,” the young woman said proudly.
“That’s my girl,” Sam remarked, “she wanted to be like both her Moms and she is.”
“And we couldn’t be any prouder of her career choices,” Janet added, squeezing Sam’s hand.
“Although I decided to be a trauma surgeon instead of an infectious diseases expert like Mom,” Cassie added with grin, “but she forgave me.”
“Well I can see why they are so proud of you then…congratulations,” Vala said with a nod of her head to Cassie.
“Thank you,” Cassie replied, “But they get all the credit.”
“Oh hush…you’re going to make me cry,” Janet told her daughter.
Sam leaned back until she rested in Janet’s lap, ”Why don’t you go check on the guys Cass,” they heard her voice say from under the table.
Cassie eyed her mother, who just nodded and she rose from the table, “Come on, Vala…you can tell me about some of your adventures with the team and be my back-up in case Teal’c gets rambunctious,” she said pulling on the dark-haired women’s arm.
“Teal’c has other moods?” Vala asked as she got up and they moved away from the table then Sam heard Cassie laugh loudly.
Janet watched them walk away then looked down into misty blue eyes, “Surprise,” she said softly.
Reaching a hand up to cup Janet’s cheek, “Thank you,” Sam told her.
Turning her head until she could kiss the palm cupping her face the doctor then wiped a tear from Sam’s cheek and spoke, ”Vala told me you were beginning to mope so I thought a visit from Cass would cheer you up some.”
“It does…it has, I just wish I could move around better,” Sam told her.
“Well she could only come for the weekend but as soon as you have full range back in that knee we’ll fly out and spend a week with her; does that sound good?” Janet asked.
“Deal,” Sam said and tugged her partner down for a kiss.
*********************
Cassie toned out Mitchell’s babble about the perfect burger as she watched her parents talk. The conversation she’d had with her mother the day before made her want to stay longer than the weekend but as it was, getting the time off to come visit had been like pulling teeth with her head resident; she was going to be working doubles for the next two weeks to make up for this trip. She watched as they kissed and it made her smile…after all this time they still had that special something she wished she could find one day, with whomever she could.
Out of the corner of her eye she noticed Vala watching them also; she had such a wistful look on her face it made Cassie wonder where the woman fit into her mothers’ lives exactly. Her Mom had told her about the mission where Sam was injured and how the woman felt responsible for it even though Sam kept telling her it wasn’t her fault but she sensed there was something else going on between the three; she had seen the looks exchanged, shy looks that were familiar to the young woman…looks she herself had seen at the beginning of her mothers’ relationship. This was a mystery she would solve before she left…well if not solve then dig a little deeper into.
Daniel nudged her out of her musings, “Hey, Squirt…you ready to eat?”
“Who you calling squirt…old man,” she replied punching him in the arm.
“Oww,” he muttered, rubbing his arm and she laughed at him then followed the group over to the table where Sam and Janet still sat.
“Finally…food!” Sam exclaimed, which earned her laughs and groans from the others, “What? I’m still healing,” she said tossing a bag of chips at Daniel.
Teal’c and Cam brought several fold-out chairs from the trunk of the Mustang and soon all of them had seats close to the table then in a flurry of movement they fixed their food, moving back to their seats to enjoy it. Conversations floated back and forth between the team members as they regaled Cassie with some of their adventures and she in turn told them of some of the things she’d seen during her time at the hospital. Soon with satisfied groans they finished the meal and after waiting a little while longer Cam stood up, rubbing his hands together, ”Okay whose up for some Frisbee golf?” he asked looking around at his gathered team mates.
“Me,” Daniel said raising a hand, Sam gave him a confused look, “it’s easier on the body than football,” he told her with a shrug.
“Okay that’s one…anybody else want to play?” Cam asked eyeing the women and Teal’c.
“I will accompany you as well Colonel Mitchell,” Teal’c spoke up.
“Well you can count me out,” Sam said shrugging and pointing at her knee.
Janet looked at the other two women who shrugged and shook their heads, ”I think we’ll let you guys play…we still have lots to catch up on with Cass,” she told Cam.
“Alright Doc…we’ll see you all in a couple of hours,” he told her and then pulling a bag of Frisbees out of a larger bag left with the other two men to play the game.
Vala gave Sam a confused look, ”What’s Frisbee golf?”
Before Sam could explain Cass spoke up, ”It’s a variation on the game of golf…instead of using a club to hit the ball into a hole you use a Frisbee to try and score points by sailing it through free standing hoops.”
“Okay…but what’s golf?” Vala asked.
Sam and Janet laughed at their friend, “Cass you’ll never explain it well enough for her to understand…even I don’t understand golf,” Sam told her daughter.
Cassie rose from the table to walk over to the bag of sports gear Cam had brought with him, she rooted around in it until she pulled out an orange disc, “Ah hah…he left one behind…come on and I’ll show you how to play just plain ole Frisbee toss Vala.”
Vala shrugged and rose to follow Cassie out into the open field next to their picnic table. Janet watched as her daughter showed the woman how to throw the disc then after a few trial and error tosses Vala seemed to get the hang of it; Cassie moved a good distance away from her and they began sailing the disc back and forth between them.
“So…” the doctor said looking over at her partner, “Has she said anything to you?”
“About what…her true feelings towards us?” Sam asked and Janet nodded; “No…but I know there’s something there Janet, I catch her looking at the both of us sometimes.”
“I have too…in what little time I spent at the house these past few weeks; reminds me of those looks you used to give me,” Janet replied with a crooked grin to her partner.
“I have a feeling she’s going to be just as stubborn as I was back then too,” Sam said, nudging Janet with her elbow.
“Well as I seem to recall…” Janet began as she turned around so Sam could lean back into her lap, “we had a little help from a certain child,” she said turning her head to watch Cassie and Vala play Frisbee toss.
“Oh yeah…do you think Cassie will pick up on it?” Sam asked looking up at Janet.
“I’m sure of it and it just might be the thing we need to get her to finally talk to us about her true feelings,” the doctor replied.
“What about us?” Sam asked her brow furrowing in thought.
“We’ve already had this talk and I thought we came to a conclusion Sam,” Janet said looking down and seeing the furrow, she stroked her fingers over Sam’s forehead easing the worry lines from it.
“Just checking to see we were still on the same page hun,” Sam replied and reached a hand up to brush the bangs out of her partner’s eyes.
Leaning down, Janet placed a kiss on Sam’s lips, “Yep…same page,” she whispered when she pulled back.
“Gotcha…hey how about we go play a little Frisbee with our kid?” Sam asked.
Her partner gave her a stern look, “Sam…” but her sentence was cut off as Sam added, “I’ll just throw…you can catch for me,” she said grinning up at Janet.
Gazing into blue eyes that now sparkled with happiness, not the depression she‘d glimpsed over the last week the doctor gave in, “Okay…let’s go then,” Janet replied, pushing Sam up from her lap.
Janet stood up then picked the crutches up from the ground, she handed them to Sam and watched as she pulled herself up from the bench and after steadying her movements moved away from the table, towards Cassie and Vala. Shaking her head the doctor followed after her partner, who moved pretty fast on the crutches, of course, she’d spent enough time on them over the years to be proficient with their use. Catching up with Sam, Janet called out to her daughter, “Hey you feel like letting the old folks play?”
Cassie laughed, running up to her parents, “You two aren’t old,” she said, “slow but not old.”
Sam swatted at her with a crutch, ”Watch it, squirt…I can out run you even with one leg,” she joked.
“You try it and I bench you,” Janet told her partner.
Vala stood some distance off to the side watching the family joke with each other…family, something she missed dearly. Sure, being a part of SG-1 was like a family but there was something missing…she knew if she could only get up the nerve to talk about it with the two women who had tried so hard to include her in their lives it might make her happier; but would they really feel the same way she did?
She was snapped out of her musings by the orange disc hitting her in the chest, “Oww,” she grumbled rubbing the spot of impact.
“Oops…sorry I thought you were paying attention,” Cassie said walking up to the woman.
“I drifted off there for a minute…sorry,” Vala told her, “Are we playing in teams now?”
“Yep…me and you against the folks,” Cassie said, “but throw to Mom if you can, although Sam assured me she could catch it if you throw directly to her; I have a feeling we might make her doctor mad if we make her move around too much so try to limit those.”
“Gotcha…don’t make the doctor mad,” Vala repeated and they moved away from the other two women.
Vala tossed the Frisbee towards Janet who caught it easily, handing it over to Sam she watched as her partner tried to figure out how to throw while propped up on her crutches. Finally Sam let one of the crutches fall to the ground and balanced on the one under her left arm, “What?” she asked when seeing the look Janet gave her, “I’m not putting any weight on it…honest,” she told her and then tossed the disc towards Cassie.
Janet just shook her head but had no time to comment because Cassie threw the disc back towards her. The game continued with Janet catching the disc for Sam although occasionally Cassie would sail one to her, balanced on one crutch, she would catch it with triumphant yell every time. This continued until one throw when Sam became overbalanced and the toss went wild, causing both Cassie and Val to rush for it; they collided and went down in a tumble of limbs, right into a patch of mud.
Sam hopped around, catching herself before she fell and called out, ”Sorry!”
“Yeah right!” Cassie called back as she untangled herself from Vala, sitting up she waved Janet off because she was headed over to check on them, ”We’re fine!”
“Dirty but fine,” Vala grumbled as Cassie stood up and held out a hand to help the dark-haired women up.
While they were standing up Janet and Sam moved towards them, “Why don’t we take a break,” Janet said to Cassie, motioning with her head towards Sam, “there are some towels in the van you two can try and clean off with.”
Cassie nodded, “Sure…a break sounds good; come on Vala let’s try to get some of this mud off,” she said to the other woman.
Cassie and Vala walked towards the van while Sam and Janet made their way back to the picnic table. Vala slid the van door open and found the towels under the back seat; she tossed one to the younger woman and then began wiping some of the mud from her body.
Cleaning off her face Cassie spoke up, “So…what’s going on with you and my mothers?”
Vala stopped in mid-wipe, “What?”
“I saw the looks you’ve been giving them…is there something going on between the three of you?” Cassie said, pushing the subject.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Vala said a little too quickly as she tried to clean off her pants.
“You’re just as stubborn as Sam aren’t you? She wouldn’t admit it either but I eventually got them both to see it,” Cassie said with a tilt of her head.
“I still don’t know what you’re talking about,” Vala stated and walked away from the questioning young woman.
Cassie watched her walk away, “Oh yeah…you’re in love with them,” she said to herself, “and I think it’s time for me to work my magic again…after having a little talk with my parents.”
Author: elfcat255
Pairing: Sam/Janet/Vala
Rating: PG...sorry..did you think I was just gonna write smut with them all the time..sheesh
Spoilers: Umm...my Season 10 world
Warnings: umm...grumpy Sam?
AN: Okay so I I finally got the story caught up to the two prompts I used fromelliedragon and sgate_2001 I thought about breaking it into two parts but I got it to mesh okay so you get the really long version..*grin*...and I can now say that yes...there is only one more part left to write in this monster of a fic I started...hopefully I'll get it done before Wed...and get some sleep too..*grin*..Enjoy!
Oh...forgive my typos...my spellcheck is being all wonky and I tried to catch all the mistakes but eh..tired eyes and all..*shrug*
The next few days passed with relative ease, Vala discovered she could head off Sam’s grumpy moods by occupying her with new tasks and her favorite was to get the woman to talk her through daily chores. Both Sam and Janet had told her she didn’t need to do this but she insisted, after all, she was the one messing things up it was only right she cleaned up after herself.
“Okay…repeat that last part,” she said into her radio.
“Set the water level on medium, add a half scoop of detergent, set the timer to wash for 18 minutes then pull the knob out until it clicks and close the lid,” Sam said.
“Gotcha,“ Vala replied as she set the washing machine to start.
“You know this would be easier if you just helped me downstairs,” Sam grumbled over the radio, “it is past the time for me to stay off my knee.”
“Not until your doctor says so,” Vala said into the radio and was answered by a frustrated growl.
Not liking the sound of that Vala made her way upstairs and had to dodge a book thrown at her from the bed as she walked through the door, “Hey!” she exclaimed.
“Help me go downstairs! I’m going stir crazy!” Sam yelled.
“Fine…I’ll help you but if Janet says anything to me you have to tell her you threatened me with bodily harm,” Vala said glaring at the blonde woman.
“Well I did chunk the book at you,” Sam replied in a smug tone, crossing her arms across her chest and returning the glare.
“And if I didn’t have such quick reflexes I might be calling Janet home to put stitches in my forehead,” Vala replied, handing Sam the crutches.
“Lucky for you I didn’t aim better,“ Sam replied and then yelled, “Hey!” as Vala snatched the crutches away.
“I think you’re being an ass and you need to stop it; I am helping you downstairs after all,” Vala told her, holding the crutches just out of Sam’s reach.
“Fine,” Sam mumbled and when that didn’t get the crutches moved closer she sighed, “I’m sorry…I’ll try to act nicer.”
“Good then,” Vala remarked and gave her the walking aids.
Sam pulled herself up from the bed and hobbled towards the door, “Well come on,” she said over her shoulder and went through the door.
Vala quickly followed and caught up with her at the top of the stairs, “How do you want to do this?” she asked, slipping past Sam to stand on the first step.
“Hmm…you be my crutch and support my right side, we’ll just go slow,” Sam told her and tossed the right crutch down the stairs to land with a clatter on the floor below.
“I could have carried that,” Vala said as Sam put her arm around the slightly taller woman’s shoulders.
“Eh…it didn’t hurt anything,” Sam replied with a shrug and then they slowly began to make their way down the stairs, one step at a time.
When they finally reached the bottom Sam let out a whistle, “Whoa, that was harder than I thought it would be,” she said as Vala picked up the crutch and passed it back to her.
“Need a pain pill?” asked Vala, her face scrunched into a frown as she worried that letting Sam talk her into this might have re-injured her.
“Nope, just let me get to the couch and rest my leg,” Sam replied.
“Okay,” Vala said and moved out of the way so Sam could move towards the couch, when she made it over to the piece of furniture she sat down then pulled her leg up to lay on the couch.
“I’m going to check on the laundry, be right back,” Vala told her.
Sam watched her disappear down the hall and then with an evil grin, eased up off the couch and hobbled towards the back door, sliding the door open she made her way out onto the back deck then closed the door behind her.
********************
Vala returned a short time later carrying a basket of dry clothes, “Well since you’re down here you can help me sort these,” she said and then realized she was talking to an empty room, “Sam?”
Dropping the basket she began to search for the woman, checking the kitchen first she walked back into the living room and turning to face the sliding door she spotted her sitting in one of the deck chairs. Opening the door she stalked out, ready to yell at her friend but stopped when she saw Sam’s face, she had her eyes closed and a big smile on her face as she soaked up the warm sunlight; taking a deep breath Vala walked over to the chair next to her and sat down.
Sam peeked out of one eye, “Sorry, couldn’t resist coming outside,” she said to the dark-haired woman.
“Well you could have said something…you almost made me go into panic mode,“ Vala told her, “I could just see myself calling Janet and telling her I lost you.”
Laughing, Sam opened both her eyes and looked over at her friend, “I couldn’t have gone far Vala.”
“You could have fooled me as fast as you move on those crutches,“ Vala grumbled.
“Go fix us something to drink and let’s soak up some rays,” Sam told her.
Vala gave her an odd look but answered, “Alright but don’t move out of that chair!”
“I won’t, now hurry up you’re wasting sunshine,” Sam said with a smile.
Vala hurried into the house and not trusting Sam not to move again quickly fixed them something to drink then made her way back out onto the deck, where Sam still sat in the chair. Handing Sam a glass she sat down beside her and propped her feet on the deck railing.
“That was fast,” Sam commented.
“How was I supposed to know you wouldn’t be halfway across the yard by now,“ Vala muttered.
Sam grinned at her, ”I’ll let you in on a secret…make me promise and I’ll keep it,” she told the other woman.
“Promise? That’s all it takes to get you to behave?” Vala said giving her an odd look.
“Yup…it’s what Janet does and I haven’t broken a promise I’ve made to her in the almost ten years we’ve been together,“ Sam replied proudly.
“Wow,” Vala said softly.
“Now that you know this, don’t abuse the power,” she said giving Vala a sideways look.
“Oh…no, I would never do that but you will have to promise not to pull anymore stunts like this,” Vala said eyeing the blonde.
“Okay…I promise not to pull anymore stupid stunts…while I’m on crutches,“ Sam added quickly and smiled.
“Sheesh, how does Janet put up with you?” Vala asked, shaking her head at Sam’s promise.
“Oh that’s easy…she loves me,” Sam told her friend.
‘And she’s one lucky woman, you both are to have each other for so long,’ Vala thought and couldn’t stop the sigh from escaping her lips.
“What’s wrong?” Sam asked, hearing the sigh.
“Oh nothing…I have a question,” Vala said turning to sit sideways in the chair with her knees drawn up.
Sam gave her a look but nodded her head, “Ask away,” she said.
“How did you get those scars on your back?” Vala asked, she had noticed them the other day when she helped Sam with her shower.
A frown appeared on Sam’s face and Vala quickly said, “Forget that I asked, you don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.”
“No, I’ll tell you if you return the favor… a scar story for a scar story,” Sam replied.
“What scar?” Vala asked, giving Sam a confused look.
Sam reached a hand over and felt along the back of Vala’s neck, finding the scar from her possession by the Goa’uld she said, “This scar, I want to know how it happened.”
“I don’t like talking about that,“ Vala said softly, pulling Sam’s hand from her neck and bowing her head, let her hair hide her face.
Sam pushed the long black hair back, cupping Vala’s chin she pulled her face up, “I don’t like talking about mine either but sometimes talking about them helps heal them,” she told her, “especially with someone who’s been in the same position.”
Vala sighed and nodded, “Okay but you go first, it will give me time to gather my thoughts,” she told Sam.
Sam took a deep breath and began telling Vala about the mission to PX4-346 that took place almost seven years ago….
Vala listen closely as Sam told her about the team’s capture and her own torture at the hands of the man named Jarvis; she gasped when she heard the extent of Sam’s injuries inflicted by the man and a shocked look appeared on her face as Sam told of how she in turn killed the man by using his own torture against him, ultimately leaving him to slowly die, locked away in his secret room.
“How did you ever get past that?” Vala asked her voice barely above a whisper, when Sam finished her story.
“I had Janet and my team mates but mostly Janet, she’s the one who had to deal with my nightmares and depression for months after it happened; even now I still have flashbacks, I wake-up screaming and shaking but she’s always there to hold me tight then bring me back to reality,” Sam replied.
“The things I experienced while being a host for Quetesh were much worse than that Sam,” Vala told her.
“I’m sure they were but I didn’t ask you to tell me about those, some things are not to be remembered until you’re ready to deal with them; I just want to know how you came to be a host,” Sam told her. “I’m curious, can’t help it…Jolinar completely took me by surprise with her possession of me and I know it had to be rough on you since I can only assume you knew what was happening to you at the time,” she continued.
“Yes, I knew what was happening and to tell you the truth a part of me wanted it too,” Vala said softly.
“Why?” asked Sam, propping her elbow up on the chair arm and resting her chin in her hand as she looked straight into Vala’s eyes.
“Because it was an escape from the life I was trapped in,” Vala admitted and then she began her tale…“I grew up in a poor village, on a backwater planet and the only way we could support ourselves was by stealing or conning people out of their possessions,“ Vala told Sam.
“I, along with my mother and the man I assumed was my father, spent our time traveling from village to village, mainly to keep ahead of angry mobs. We came to a rather nice town which was full of people who lived comfortably, plenty of food, nice homes and gold; it seemed the ideal place to practice our skills,” Vala paused for a moment and her lips turned down in a frown, shaking her head she took a drink from her glass then continued.
“We set up a stall in the market place, advertising fortunes read and ails cured, drew a pretty nice crowd too until we were noticed by the local lawmen then my mother decided it was time to leave; one night as we tried to pack up our things for another quick getaway we were surrounded by a large group of men,” Vala stopped there.
“What happened next?” Sam asked.
Vala took a deep breath and started talking once more, “I don’t know what happened to my mother and her friend but I was brought before an elderly woman and fawned over by her like some prized animal. She told me she’d seen me wandering around the market and had chosen me to be her successor, little did I know she meant host, I’d never seen a Goa’uld before. She spoke to me in a normal voice and there was none of the flashy eye thing happening, so I thought I’d finally hit pay dirt; this was the answer to all my prayers, I’d be rich and pampered for the rest of my days. Two weeks after I was first brought before her, men came to my room and escorted me to her room, where others, whom I would soon learn were her Jaffa, held me down on a table and the last thing I remembered from that time was a blinding pain to the back of my neck,” Vala said in a low voice.
Sam reached a hand out, grasping one of the hands Vala had gripped tight around her drawn up knees, “It’s okay,“ she told the woman.
“No that was just the beginning Sam,” Vala choked out as tears fell from her eyes, “She made me do so many awful things now that she was in a young, healthy body and I had no control over it…I was a prisoner in my own body,” she sobbed.
“Shh…come here,” Sam said pulling on her hand and Vala uncurled her knees and let Sam tug her towards her, where she knelt on the deck with her head resting on the blonde’s lap while Sam stroked her head, “I know what it was like not being in control, even though Jolinar was only trying to escape from a greater evil she still gave me no choice over what she did to me but in the end she gave up her life for mine,” Sam told her in a soothing voice.
“I had to go through that hell for almost fifteen years Sam until the Tok’ra defeated her Jaffa and freed her people then me from her,” Vala said, hiccupping through her sobs.
“Now that you’ve told me maybe you can put it behind you now,” Sam murmered, bending over to place a kiss on Vala’s head. She sat back up then motioned for Janet to come outside now, she had seen the doctor standing at the back door while Vala lay with her head in her lap and had stopped her from coming outside with a raised hand.
Janet walked out slowly, moving to sit in the vacant chair and not knowing what they had been talking about just that Vala was still crying, so she rubbed Vala’s back, giving Sam a confused look. Her partner mouthed ”later” and Janet nodded, “Vala, we’re here for you whenever you need us, for as long as you want,” the doctor said softly.
Vala sat up and wiping her eyes with her hands looked back and forth at the two women, “Really?” she asked, her voice hoarse from crying.
Janet brushed her fingers across her cheek, wiping a stray tear, “Yes, really…you just have to let us in sweetie,” the doctor told her with a comforting smile and Vala turned her head to see Sam with the same smile mirrored on her face.
“I think I need to go get cleaned up,“ Vala mumbled and stood up quickly then walked briskly towards the still open doorway, disappearing into the house.
They watched her speed away and Janet looked at Sam, “Okay…so you want to tell me what that was all about?”
“We shared traumatic moments…she asked about my scars and I asked about hers’,” Sam told her partner, then went on to explain what Vala had told her.
“Oh Sam, you told her about Jarvis? I’m so proud of you,” Janet said, moving out of her chair to sit carefully in Sam’s lap, “I’m the only person who knows what happened on that mission besides Jack…you did good sweetie,” the doctor said softly hugging her partner tight.
“I probably would have told her soon anyway, just to get her talking about what happened to her but she asked first and it’s time I talked with someone else about it, helps it go away faster,” Sam replied returning the hug, “ and besides, I think we just gave her more stuff to think about,” she added.
“Ahh but will she finally talk to us about her true feelings?” Janet asked, giving Sam a questioning look.
“We’ll see hun…we’ll see; now how about you get up so we can go inside and fix up some food for the three of us, since you’re home early,” Sam told her with a grin.
“Oh I see how it is now, mushy moment over and you start listening to your stomach,“ Janet said poking Sam in the ribs.
“No fair, don’t start something I can’t possibly finish at this time,” Sam said giggling as Janet tickled her.
“Okay…I’ll play nice,” she said and stood up from Sam’s lap then helped her up from the chair, “no leaning on me, use the crutches; you’re not ready to put weight on that knee yet,” Janet scolded as Sam tried just that.
“Dammit, okay…hand me the sticks,” Sam grumbled and when she had them under her arms they went back into the house to fix something for dinner.
**************************
Vala stood before the mirror in the downstairs bathroom, she splashed her face with some water and the stared at her reflection, “Oh God,” she said using the term she’d picked up from her time on Earth, “I thought I would never have to relive that.”
She picked up a towel and dried her face off then stared at the face in the mirror again, ”I think Sam was right though, somehow I feel lighter, not healed but maybe it’s starting,” she mused aloud to herself.
Her thoughts flashed back to Janet’s words on the deck and then to Sam’s in the shower a few days ago, “Are they trying to tell me something here? Could they really want me in their lives? I mean they have been together for so long, how could they have feelings for me? I’m practically a stranger to them,” she said to her reflection huffing a breath out as she tried to figure out this new twist in her relationship with the two women.
“Do I want this? That’s the question I should be asking myself,” Vala muttered in frustration and leaned against the vanity, staring into her own blue eyes.
“Well do you?” she remarked, thinking so hard her brow furrowed with the concentration.
Not saying anything she gave herself a little nod and a smile, making up her mind; ’Now I just have to get up the nerve to talk to them,’ she thought as she walked out of the bathroom.
****************************************
Sam sat on one of the bar stools, her leg propped up on one of the lower rungs of another as she chopped the makings for a salad. Looking up as Vala walked into the kitchen she asked, “Are you okay?”
Vala nodded and moved to sit opposite her, “Yes…I’m fine,” she told Sam, grabbing a carrot from the countertop.
Sam gave her a questioning look but didn’t push, “If you’re going to eat that get me another one from the fridge,” she remarked.
Grinning and taking a bite out of the carrot, Vala stood up, moving to the fridge to get another carrot for Sam to chop up. As she turned around Janet walked into the kitchen, now dressed in comfortable jeans and a t-shirt, “So…what do you two feel like eating, other than salad,” she said picking up a cherry tomato and popping it in her mouth.
“If you two don’t stop taking my vegetables away we won’t have a salad,” Sam grumbled.
Vala and Janet gave each other grins and both reached for more items, making Sam bat their hands away with hers', “Stop it,” she whined.
With identical giggles the two women left her alone and moved closer to one another discussing what else to cook; reaching a decision they began working in tandem to prepare the meal. Before long they whipped up wonderful smelling lamb chops and mashed potatoes; dishing the plates up Janet gave two to Vala and carried her own over to the island and the three woman settled down for their dinner.
As Sam ate she paused to ask Janet, “When can I start physical therapy?”
Janet looked up at her, “Not for at least another week,” the doctor told her, “Why?”
“Because if you two keep feeding me like this I’m going to need to start exercising really soon or else I’m gonna get huge!” Sam joked and smiled at the two women.
“Think of it as extra weight your body can feed off of the next time you go without food for a couple of days,” Vala replied rather smartly.
Sam growled and started to toss a piece of carrot at the woman but Janet stopped her, ”Please…don’t start that,” she said with a serious face at the two.
Vala and Sam gave each other a look and both tossed veggies at Janet, which earned them a glare as she caught the thrown items, “You forget I have three brothers,” she said eyeing them.
Both women wore identical pouts on their faces as they looked justly chastised and settled back down to finish their food; Janet smiled at them and continued with her meal. They made small talk throughout the meal, mostly about things happening at the base and once finished, cleaned up the kitchen then moved to the living room to watch some movies.
*******************************
Sam sat on the floor with her head leaning back against Janet’s legs on the couch and Vala curled her legs underneath her on the other end of the furniture. Halfway through the movie Sam looked up at Janet, “Hun, could you get me my pills?” she asked.
“You did too much today didn’t you?” Janet said ruffling Sam’s hair.
“Just a little bit I think,” Sam replied.
“Stay there Janet, I’ll get them,“ Vala said and moved off the couch to retrieve the medication from upstairs.
Janet watched her walk up the stairs and looked back at Sam, “Is she okay?”
“I think so, at least she seems like it,” Sam replied, looking up at her, “hey…you want to sleep with me tonight?” she asked her partner.
“Can you handle a little bumping if I hit your knee?” Janet asked.
“Oh yeah…I plan to have a little buffer, well not so little but you’ll see,” Sam replied with a grin as Janet gave her a confused look. Vala returned downstairs and walked into the kitchen, fixing a glass of water she carried it into the living room and handed it then the pill bottle to Sam, “Thanks,” Sam told her.
Sam took her pills and handing the bottle and glass up to Janet, leaned back to finish watching the movie. As the end credits rolled Janet saw the blonde head begin to nod, “Someone’s ready for bed,” she remarked, shaking Sam slightly.
Startling awake Sam said, “Huh?”
“Bed, Sam,” Vala told her, smiling at the groggy woman.
“Oh yeah, bed…umm, you two are going to have to help me up,” she told them with a goofy grin.
“I’ve got her, Janet,” Vala said to the doctor and waiting until Sam pulled her good leg up to stand on, grasped her outstretched forearm and pulled, Sam rose from the floor to bounce on her good leg with an outcry of “whoa” and Vala steadied her by slipping under her right arm, supporting that side.
“Well since I have a nice comfy crutch why don’t we just mosey on upstairs,” Sam joked, squeezing Vala’s shoulders in a one armed hug.
“Go ahead, I’ll turn off everything and be right behind you,” Janet told them and then watched as they made their way towards the stairs. She turned the TV off along with the lamps then walking into the kitchen cut the overhead light off but left the one over the stove on; making her way to the stairs she saw they were still slowly moving up them and she heard Vala mutter, “This was easier when you weren’t doped up.”
Sam giggled, “It’s always easier to go down,” and she looked over her shoulder at Janet, giving her a goofy grin.
Janet chuckled and moved to slip under her left arm, “Okay pun master, lets get you to bed before you pass out and we have to carry dead weight,” she told her partner. With Janet’s help they moved up the steps a little faster and soon helped Sam into the bedroom where they sat her on the bed. She lay back, staring at the ceiling, “Did you ever notice there were patterns up there,” she said pointing above her head.
Janet and Vala laughed, “I think I like her better this way Jan,” Vala remarked, helping Sam move up to lay on her pillows.
“You do get to see a different side of her when she’s doped up,” Janet commented, “the side that thinks she’s a comedian.” Sam replied with a raspberry noise which made the two woman laugh again.
“Well she’s settled, I’m going to change into my sleep clothes now…see you in a little while,” Vala said and turned to leave the room.
“Hey, Vala,” Sam called out, “Jan’s gonna sleep in here tonight and you’re more than welcome to also.”
Vala turned back to face them, “What about your knee?”
“Well, Janet said you don’t move, so you can be the buffer, she lays on you and you lay next to me; should work out just fine,” Sam said with a smile at the dark-haired women.
Looking to Janet who just nodded, Vala said, “Okay…let me go change.”
“So that’s what you meant by a not so little buffer,” Janet said to her still smiling partner as she changed into her sleepwear.
“Yup…besides, after the conversation we had on the deck today she doesn’t need to sleep alone and if this works out like I think, it will be good in the long run,” Sam told her.
Janet climbed onto the bed and crawled over to Sam, who was propped up on her elbows, where she gave her a smile and leaned in for a kiss, it was drawn out as they twined tongues together, slowly taking their fill of each other’s mouths until they heard a throat being cleared. Sam broke the kiss and grinned at Vala, “Hi!”
“Was I interrupting something? I can come back later if you want me to,” Vala said quickly.
“No…come on climb up here,” Sam said patting the bed between her and Janet, “I’m afraid I’m only good for kissing at the moment,” she added with a grin as Vala eased onto the bed to settle in between them.
“Okay…you get comfortable and then don’t move,” Sam told her with a wink.
“I can do that,” Vala said and proceeded to find a comfortable position to sleep in but not one that left her open to bump into Sam’s leg during the night. Once she was satisfied she turned her head slightly to look at Janet, “Alright, your pillow is ready,” she grinned.
Janet gave Sam a look, they both leaned over, placing kisses on Vala, one on her cheek and another on her temple then the doctor moved closer, cuddling up against Vala’s side, her arm thrown over her waist. Sam smiled down at them and then reaching over to turn the bedside lamp off, settled back onto her pillows. She felt Janet’s hand slip into her’s and Vala’s warm breath ghosted across her arm, smiling to herself she let the groggy feeling from the medication carry her into sleep, a sleep made even more restful since both of the women were in the bed with her now.
****************************
After that first night with the new sleeping arrangements it became a routine they settled into, until a couple of weeks passed and Sam could handle being nudged in the night by Janet’s sleeping patterns but that didn’t change the routine; just the positions as the doctor now slept on Sam’ right side, sandwiched by Vala behind her. Sam had also begun her physical therapy the week before which sometimes made her a little grumpier but both Janet and Vala took the mood swings in stride, just letting Sam throw her little fits; once she realized how she was acting, she would always apologize to them both.
One day after the therapist had left the house(they had decided instead of trying to teach Vala to drive it would be easier on them all if Sam had therapy at home) Vala found Sam sitting on the back deck, her knee bent slightly, trying to work the stiffness from it. She sat down beside her and saw Sam’s face grimace into a frown, “Do you need something for pain?” she asked, worried that Sam had overdone it.
“No…I’m trying to stop taking the pain meds,” Sam told her, “just save them for really bad days.”
“And that look doesn’t mean a bad day?” Vala asked, poking Sam in the arm.
“I said I was fine,” Sam snapped and then shook her head, “sorry, I’m just frustrated, I should be healing faster than this.”
“According to Janet, you’re right where you should be recovering from that type of surgery,” Vala remarked but Sam still frowned.
“Come on, what else is bothering you?” she asked again.
With a heavy sigh Sam leaned back in the chair, “I’m just tired of being cooped up in the house, no offense to you, you’re great company but I want to get out,” she said softly.
Vala thought for a few moments, “Maybe we can talk Janet into an outing this weekend if she gets the time off,” she said finally.
“I seriously doubt that will happen what with Warner and Lam still gone from the base,” Sam grumbled.
“Well don’t take that attitude, you never know what might happen,” Vala remarked as she stood up, leaving Sam to brood over what she had said.
Walking back into the house Vala made her way to the hallway and picked up the phone, moving into the bathroom she dialed the base’s number and waited as the operator connected her with the infirmary.
“Hey, Jan,” she said into the phone, “Please tell me your little plan is coming together.”
Vala listened as Janet explained the details, “I hope it works because she’s getting moodier by the day and I think she’s becoming depressed too,” she told the doctor.
Laughing softly at a comment from Janet, she spoke, “Yes…I’ve become very good at reading her, you too actually; I know you’re worried about her too.”
“Okay…I’ll see you tonight, call us if you’re going to be late so I can save you some dinner…bye,” Vala said and cut the phone off, sighing she walked out of the bathroom and put the phone back on its base. She then walked to stand at the back door watching Sam as she stroked the cat lying in her lap, her face still marred by a frown.
‘If I could change how all of this happened I would Sam but then in a way I’m glad it happened, I never would have grown to love you two so much without this time spent together…if only I could tell you and Janet that…one day….one day soon,’ she thought and turned away from the door to begin fixing dinner.
*******************************
Vala held the crutches while Sam eased herself out of the van, grumbling the whole while. When she stood up Vala passed them to her; “Thanks,” she muttered.
“Don’t get all growly with me, she said you have to use them,” Vala told her.
“I know and I’m sorry…but I could do just as well with a cane,” Sam said shrugging as she moved away towards the picnic tables.
The dark-haired woman watched her move away easily on the crutches and then shaking her head went around to the rear of the van to help Janet with the supplies for their day in the park. The doctor had finally received a well deserved break from her non-stop duty on the base when Dr. Lam returned unexpectedly, allowing Janet to take a few days off. Coming to stand beside the petite woman Vala asked, “Anything for me to carry?”
Janet gave her a sideways glance, “If you promise to keep out of the food you can carry the picnic basket,” the doctor replied with a smile at their friend.
“Scout’s Honor, “ Vala told her with a tilt of her head and lips turned up at the corner in a crooked grin.
The doctor laughed and passed her the basket of food along with a few more things she stacked on top, “Got a good grip on it?” she asked.
“Oh I think I can manage, you did leave me a space to look out from,” was Vala’s sarcastic reply.
“Scoot,” Janet said playfully swiping at Vala’s rear as she turned away, “and tell Sam to keep her fingers out of the basket too.”
“Like she’ll listen to me,” Vala remarked as she moved towards the picnic table where Sam already sat with her leg propped up.
No sooner than she set the basket on the table and removed the other supplies from the top did Sam try to sneak into it; Vala slapped the hand away, “Uh uh…if I can’t have any yet you can’t either,” she told the blonde.
“Aww come on just a little snack…I’ll share,” Sam said giving Vala a grin.
“Nope…I’d rather not risk the wrath of one small doctor today thank you,” Vala replied, moving the basket to the other side of the table.
Sam chuckled, “If she hears you call her small then you might as well forget eating,” she remarked.
“If she hears what?” Janet said walking up with the rest of the supplies and catching a few of the words.
“Nothing, Janet,” Vala said quickly, taking some of the stuff from the doctor’s arms.
Janet eyed them both, “Why do I get the feeling I walked up on a conversation regarding my size?”
“No clue, hun…I’m hungry,” Sam said quickly, trying to change the subject.
“Uh huh…and you have to wait for the guys to get here, they’re bringing the burgers,” Janet told her partner.
“Geez…can I have some chips or something…please,” Sam said in an almost whine.
Vala opened the basket, picking up an apple she tossed it towards Sam, “Catch…it’s better for you anyway,” she remarked when Sam caught the fruit in mid-air and threw her a look.
“You’ve definitely been hanging around Janet too long,” Sam mumbled but bit into the apple.
Janet smiled at both of them and began setting up the things for the cookout so everything would be ready when the other SG-1 members arrived. As the doctor worked she tried to contain a grin when she thought about who else was coming with them; wanting to keep it a surprise from Sam had been a very hard thing to accomplish but with her partner being at home during her recovery and herself on the base the phone calls had been easy to hide.
Hearing a vehicle approach Janet turned to see Cam’s Mustang pull into the park and soon it came to a stop beside her van. She turned back around, blocking Sam’s view of the car and its occupants; “Finally…we can get this cookout started,” Sam muttered.
Vala watched as the male members of SG-1 exited the car along with someone else, she turned to say something and Janet cleared her throat, catching her eye. The doctor shook her head slightly and Vala kept quiet, sensing Janet wanted to surprise Sam with the unknown person’s arrival. This was something Janet had not told her about regarding her plan to get Sam out of the house. As the men approached the picnic table, their arms full of grilling supplies, Vala saw the young woman hide behind Teal’c; his large frame easily providing her with adequate cover.
“Hello, ladies…sorry we’re a little late,” Cam said loudly, “Jackson wanted to make an unscheduled stop,” he added, grinning at Janet.
“Yeah well some people are starving to death over here,” Sam griped.
“I always said you never had any patience when it came to food Sam,” a voice said from behind the Jaffa.
Sam started to reply and then just gaped in surprise as Cassie stepped out from behind Teal’c; “Cassie? What…how? Come here!” Sam finally managed to spit out.
The young woman moved quickly to engulf her second mom in a tight hug and soon Janet joined in, wrapping her arms around them both.
“Well, gentlemen, I guess we need to let the ladies chat while we get the grill started,” Daniel told Cam and Teal’c.
Vala watched as the three women hugged and laughed, she fidgeted slightly then turned to go help the guys but Janet called out, “Vala…come over here and meet our daughter, Cassandra.”
Moving back to stand beside Sam, the dark-haired women reached a hand out to the tall young woman, “Hi,” she said shyly.
“Hello, Vala…it’s nice to finally meet you, Mom’s told me how you’ve been helping Sam with her recovery,” Cassie said, grasping the proffered hand and shaking it.
“I’ve heard many things about you as well,“ Vala told her, ”mostly childhood stories though.
Cassie laughed, “Oh don’t tell me they still tell the story about how Sam saved me,” she said squeezing Sam’s shoulder.
“Actually it was the one about your first kiss,” Sam replied, looking up and grinning at her daughter.
Cassie gasped, “Mom! You were supposed to stop her from telling that to anybody else,” she said to Janet.
“I can’t control her when I’m not around dear,” Janet said shaking her head but she gave Cassie a smile.
All the women laughed at the remark and Sam blushed slightly, “Yeah…let’s get the jabs at me over with quick,” she grumbled but the smile never left her face.
Sitting down at the table Janet let Sam lean on her as Cassie sat across from them next to Vala and the three began listening as Cassie gave them a quick overview of her first year as an intern at the Air Force hospital in San Francisco. Vala interrupted her at one point, “I thought you went to school to study astrophysics? At least that’s what I gathered from conversations with Sam.”
“Oh I already have my degree in that…now I’m working on my second career,” the young woman said proudly.
“That’s my girl,” Sam remarked, “she wanted to be like both her Moms and she is.”
“And we couldn’t be any prouder of her career choices,” Janet added, squeezing Sam’s hand.
“Although I decided to be a trauma surgeon instead of an infectious diseases expert like Mom,” Cassie added with grin, “but she forgave me.”
“Well I can see why they are so proud of you then…congratulations,” Vala said with a nod of her head to Cassie.
“Thank you,” Cassie replied, “But they get all the credit.”
“Oh hush…you’re going to make me cry,” Janet told her daughter.
Sam leaned back until she rested in Janet’s lap, ”Why don’t you go check on the guys Cass,” they heard her voice say from under the table.
Cassie eyed her mother, who just nodded and she rose from the table, “Come on, Vala…you can tell me about some of your adventures with the team and be my back-up in case Teal’c gets rambunctious,” she said pulling on the dark-haired women’s arm.
“Teal’c has other moods?” Vala asked as she got up and they moved away from the table then Sam heard Cassie laugh loudly.
Janet watched them walk away then looked down into misty blue eyes, “Surprise,” she said softly.
Reaching a hand up to cup Janet’s cheek, “Thank you,” Sam told her.
Turning her head until she could kiss the palm cupping her face the doctor then wiped a tear from Sam’s cheek and spoke, ”Vala told me you were beginning to mope so I thought a visit from Cass would cheer you up some.”
“It does…it has, I just wish I could move around better,” Sam told her.
“Well she could only come for the weekend but as soon as you have full range back in that knee we’ll fly out and spend a week with her; does that sound good?” Janet asked.
“Deal,” Sam said and tugged her partner down for a kiss.
*********************
Cassie toned out Mitchell’s babble about the perfect burger as she watched her parents talk. The conversation she’d had with her mother the day before made her want to stay longer than the weekend but as it was, getting the time off to come visit had been like pulling teeth with her head resident; she was going to be working doubles for the next two weeks to make up for this trip. She watched as they kissed and it made her smile…after all this time they still had that special something she wished she could find one day, with whomever she could.
Out of the corner of her eye she noticed Vala watching them also; she had such a wistful look on her face it made Cassie wonder where the woman fit into her mothers’ lives exactly. Her Mom had told her about the mission where Sam was injured and how the woman felt responsible for it even though Sam kept telling her it wasn’t her fault but she sensed there was something else going on between the three; she had seen the looks exchanged, shy looks that were familiar to the young woman…looks she herself had seen at the beginning of her mothers’ relationship. This was a mystery she would solve before she left…well if not solve then dig a little deeper into.
Daniel nudged her out of her musings, “Hey, Squirt…you ready to eat?”
“Who you calling squirt…old man,” she replied punching him in the arm.
“Oww,” he muttered, rubbing his arm and she laughed at him then followed the group over to the table where Sam and Janet still sat.
“Finally…food!” Sam exclaimed, which earned her laughs and groans from the others, “What? I’m still healing,” she said tossing a bag of chips at Daniel.
Teal’c and Cam brought several fold-out chairs from the trunk of the Mustang and soon all of them had seats close to the table then in a flurry of movement they fixed their food, moving back to their seats to enjoy it. Conversations floated back and forth between the team members as they regaled Cassie with some of their adventures and she in turn told them of some of the things she’d seen during her time at the hospital. Soon with satisfied groans they finished the meal and after waiting a little while longer Cam stood up, rubbing his hands together, ”Okay whose up for some Frisbee golf?” he asked looking around at his gathered team mates.
“Me,” Daniel said raising a hand, Sam gave him a confused look, “it’s easier on the body than football,” he told her with a shrug.
“Okay that’s one…anybody else want to play?” Cam asked eyeing the women and Teal’c.
“I will accompany you as well Colonel Mitchell,” Teal’c spoke up.
“Well you can count me out,” Sam said shrugging and pointing at her knee.
Janet looked at the other two women who shrugged and shook their heads, ”I think we’ll let you guys play…we still have lots to catch up on with Cass,” she told Cam.
“Alright Doc…we’ll see you all in a couple of hours,” he told her and then pulling a bag of Frisbees out of a larger bag left with the other two men to play the game.
Vala gave Sam a confused look, ”What’s Frisbee golf?”
Before Sam could explain Cass spoke up, ”It’s a variation on the game of golf…instead of using a club to hit the ball into a hole you use a Frisbee to try and score points by sailing it through free standing hoops.”
“Okay…but what’s golf?” Vala asked.
Sam and Janet laughed at their friend, “Cass you’ll never explain it well enough for her to understand…even I don’t understand golf,” Sam told her daughter.
Cassie rose from the table to walk over to the bag of sports gear Cam had brought with him, she rooted around in it until she pulled out an orange disc, “Ah hah…he left one behind…come on and I’ll show you how to play just plain ole Frisbee toss Vala.”
Vala shrugged and rose to follow Cassie out into the open field next to their picnic table. Janet watched as her daughter showed the woman how to throw the disc then after a few trial and error tosses Vala seemed to get the hang of it; Cassie moved a good distance away from her and they began sailing the disc back and forth between them.
“So…” the doctor said looking over at her partner, “Has she said anything to you?”
“About what…her true feelings towards us?” Sam asked and Janet nodded; “No…but I know there’s something there Janet, I catch her looking at the both of us sometimes.”
“I have too…in what little time I spent at the house these past few weeks; reminds me of those looks you used to give me,” Janet replied with a crooked grin to her partner.
“I have a feeling she’s going to be just as stubborn as I was back then too,” Sam said, nudging Janet with her elbow.
“Well as I seem to recall…” Janet began as she turned around so Sam could lean back into her lap, “we had a little help from a certain child,” she said turning her head to watch Cassie and Vala play Frisbee toss.
“Oh yeah…do you think Cassie will pick up on it?” Sam asked looking up at Janet.
“I’m sure of it and it just might be the thing we need to get her to finally talk to us about her true feelings,” the doctor replied.
“What about us?” Sam asked her brow furrowing in thought.
“We’ve already had this talk and I thought we came to a conclusion Sam,” Janet said looking down and seeing the furrow, she stroked her fingers over Sam’s forehead easing the worry lines from it.
“Just checking to see we were still on the same page hun,” Sam replied and reached a hand up to brush the bangs out of her partner’s eyes.
Leaning down, Janet placed a kiss on Sam’s lips, “Yep…same page,” she whispered when she pulled back.
“Gotcha…hey how about we go play a little Frisbee with our kid?” Sam asked.
Her partner gave her a stern look, “Sam…” but her sentence was cut off as Sam added, “I’ll just throw…you can catch for me,” she said grinning up at Janet.
Gazing into blue eyes that now sparkled with happiness, not the depression she‘d glimpsed over the last week the doctor gave in, “Okay…let’s go then,” Janet replied, pushing Sam up from her lap.
Janet stood up then picked the crutches up from the ground, she handed them to Sam and watched as she pulled herself up from the bench and after steadying her movements moved away from the table, towards Cassie and Vala. Shaking her head the doctor followed after her partner, who moved pretty fast on the crutches, of course, she’d spent enough time on them over the years to be proficient with their use. Catching up with Sam, Janet called out to her daughter, “Hey you feel like letting the old folks play?”
Cassie laughed, running up to her parents, “You two aren’t old,” she said, “slow but not old.”
Sam swatted at her with a crutch, ”Watch it, squirt…I can out run you even with one leg,” she joked.
“You try it and I bench you,” Janet told her partner.
Vala stood some distance off to the side watching the family joke with each other…family, something she missed dearly. Sure, being a part of SG-1 was like a family but there was something missing…she knew if she could only get up the nerve to talk about it with the two women who had tried so hard to include her in their lives it might make her happier; but would they really feel the same way she did?
She was snapped out of her musings by the orange disc hitting her in the chest, “Oww,” she grumbled rubbing the spot of impact.
“Oops…sorry I thought you were paying attention,” Cassie said walking up to the woman.
“I drifted off there for a minute…sorry,” Vala told her, “Are we playing in teams now?”
“Yep…me and you against the folks,” Cassie said, “but throw to Mom if you can, although Sam assured me she could catch it if you throw directly to her; I have a feeling we might make her doctor mad if we make her move around too much so try to limit those.”
“Gotcha…don’t make the doctor mad,” Vala repeated and they moved away from the other two women.
Vala tossed the Frisbee towards Janet who caught it easily, handing it over to Sam she watched as her partner tried to figure out how to throw while propped up on her crutches. Finally Sam let one of the crutches fall to the ground and balanced on the one under her left arm, “What?” she asked when seeing the look Janet gave her, “I’m not putting any weight on it…honest,” she told her and then tossed the disc towards Cassie.
Janet just shook her head but had no time to comment because Cassie threw the disc back towards her. The game continued with Janet catching the disc for Sam although occasionally Cassie would sail one to her, balanced on one crutch, she would catch it with triumphant yell every time. This continued until one throw when Sam became overbalanced and the toss went wild, causing both Cassie and Val to rush for it; they collided and went down in a tumble of limbs, right into a patch of mud.
Sam hopped around, catching herself before she fell and called out, ”Sorry!”
“Yeah right!” Cassie called back as she untangled herself from Vala, sitting up she waved Janet off because she was headed over to check on them, ”We’re fine!”
“Dirty but fine,” Vala grumbled as Cassie stood up and held out a hand to help the dark-haired women up.
While they were standing up Janet and Sam moved towards them, “Why don’t we take a break,” Janet said to Cassie, motioning with her head towards Sam, “there are some towels in the van you two can try and clean off with.”
Cassie nodded, “Sure…a break sounds good; come on Vala let’s try to get some of this mud off,” she said to the other woman.
Cassie and Vala walked towards the van while Sam and Janet made their way back to the picnic table. Vala slid the van door open and found the towels under the back seat; she tossed one to the younger woman and then began wiping some of the mud from her body.
Cleaning off her face Cassie spoke up, “So…what’s going on with you and my mothers?”
Vala stopped in mid-wipe, “What?”
“I saw the looks you’ve been giving them…is there something going on between the three of you?” Cassie said, pushing the subject.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Vala said a little too quickly as she tried to clean off her pants.
“You’re just as stubborn as Sam aren’t you? She wouldn’t admit it either but I eventually got them both to see it,” Cassie said with a tilt of her head.
“I still don’t know what you’re talking about,” Vala stated and walked away from the questioning young woman.
Cassie watched her walk away, “Oh yeah…you’re in love with them,” she said to herself, “and I think it’s time for me to work my magic again…after having a little talk with my parents.”