Don't Ever Let it End: Part 2/4
Title: Don’t Ever Let it End
Summary: Jack and Sam spend some unexpected time together during Thanksgiving weekend.
Timeframe: Post season one’s ‘Solitudes.’
Characters/Pairing: Jack/Sam, Daniel, Janet
Genre: Hurt/Comfort, Holiday, UST to RST, Friendship, Romance, Whump
Rating: PG
Part Two
Wearing a plain black sweater over a white t-shirt, and some khaki chinos with the right pant leg cut off mid-thigh, Jack grabbed a pair of socks and then hobbled out of his bedroom. He could hear Carter in the kitchen and made his way there.
She turned around from the counter where she’d been putting their coffee mugs in the dishwasher. “You about ready to head to Janet’s, sir?”
“Yeah, just gotta get my socks and…” he looked down, “shoe on.” Snorting softly, he pulled out a chair and sat down with a grunt, leaning his crutches against the table.
Jack pulled his left leg up and pulled on the first sock, but when it came to putting one on the end of the cast to cover his toes that stuck out at the end, he discovered that he couldn’t reach. “Dammit,” he growled under his breath when stretching proved painful for his ribs.
“Here, let me, sir.” Carter came forward and took the sock from his hand. She knelt down and carefully stretched the sock before covering his toes and managing to tug it over half of his foot over the cast.
“Thanks, Carter,” he grunted his thanks as she stood back up.
“It’s no problem, Colonel.” She smiled brilliantly at him, her steel blue eyes full of warmth.
Now that his socks were on, Jack got up to find his boots-er, boot-while Carter called the doc to let her know they were on their way.
.
“Mom! Mom! Sam and Jack are here!” Cassie cried excitedly as she leaned back from the window and bounded toward the front door, her little dog hot on her heels.
Janet smiled at the eleven-year-old’s enthusiasm. Cassandra had become quite attached to the four members of SG-1 since they’d rescued her from her decimated planet-Sam and Colonel O’Neill especially. Add that to the fact that the girl hadn’t seen either of them since their little unscheduled trip to Antarctica, and Cassie was doubly excited.
Cassie let them in, standing back and holding onto Rowdy’s collar to allow the Colonel to hobble in the door in front of Sam. Janet was pleased to see that the end of O’Neill’s cast was wrapped in a plastic bag, preventing it from getting wet in the snow as he tried to keep it elevated while using his crutches.
“Glad to see you’re prepared,” Janet remarked with a warm, welcoming smile, gesturing toward the end of Colonel O’Neill’s foot.
The Colonel grunted, stopping in the hall momentarily so Cassie could hug him. “Yeah, that was Carter’s doing,” he smiled crookedly and glanced back at his 2IC.
“I’m glad you’re gonna be okay, Jack. I missed you,” Cassie told him, slowly unwrapping her arms from around his waist and trying not to bump into his crutches.
“Me too, kiddo.”
“Mom wouldn’t let me visit you guys in the infirmary,” the young girl murmured sullenly.
Jack’s eyes briefly met Janet’s. He sent her a small, reassuring smile. “Well, I was pretty out of it, kiddo. Slept most of the time. I wouldn’t have been much good for company.”
Cassie just shrugged and then went to hug Sam next, holding on a little longer. “I still woulda wanted to see you guys.”
“We know, Cass, but it was for the best.” Sam brushed a hand through Cassandra’s hair and bent over to kiss the top of her head.
Janet noticed that Sam was holding a pie in her free hand. “Oh, you didn’t have to bring anything. I know this whole dinner was such short notice.”
“It’s okay.” Sam shrugged, then grimaced somewhat bashfully. “I didn’t have time to bake, so we just stopped and picked one up on our way here. The little bakery near the Colonel’s place was open. He said they have decent pies.”
“He would know,” Janet remarked with a laugh.
“Hey, I heard that!” the Colonel cried with mock indignation.
Sam smirked and stifled her laughter with a snort.
Shaking her head and smiling, Janet took the pie and wandered back toward the kitchen. “Thanks, you two. Now come on in and make yourselves comfortable.” Glancing back, Janet smiled with amusement as Sam automatically helped Colonel O’Neill out of his coat, letting him put his hand on her shoulder for balance as she took one crutch and then switched sides while he got his arms out of the sleeves. Sam then took her own coat off and hung them both up.
“Food smells good,” the Colonel commented as he hobbled into the kitchen with Sam close behind.
“Doesn’t it?” Cassie cried cheerily. “I’m so excited for the turkey! It’s my first one.”
Janet smiled as she placed the pie on the counter and checked on the turkey in the oven, as well as the side dishes warming on top of the stove. This was Cassie’s first Thanksgiving on Earth, and she couldn’t help but get caught up in her daughter’s enthusiasm.
Pulling out a chair at the table, Janet smiled at O’Neill. “Have a seat, Colonel.”
He obliged after a moment of hesitation, laying his crutches on the floor. “Call me Jack, huh, Doc? We’re off for the holidays.” Glancing at Sam, he gave her a nod of inclusion in his request.
“Alright, if you insist.” Janet winked at him and caught Captain Carter’s somewhat-shy smile.
Jack waved Cassie over and pointed down at the end of his cast. “Help me out with this thing, will ya?”
“Sure, Jack.” Cassie sent him a big smile, eager to help. She knelt down and carefully undid the plastic bag that was wrapped around the bottom of his cast.
Everyone looked to Janet curiously when Rowdy barked as there was a knock on the door. They weren’t expecting anyone else to be joining them. “Oh, that must be Teal’c.”
“I thought Teal’c was off-world visiting with Bra’tac?” Sam asked.
“He got back early so I invited him over to join us. One of the SFs must have dropped him off,” Janet explained, leaving the kitchen to go let Teal’c in.
.
“It is good to see all of you; Doctor Fraiser, O’Neill, Captain Carter, and Cassandra Fraiser,” Teal’c greeted them as he walked into the kitchen with Janet. “I am pleased to partake in this Tau’ri feasting of the turkey.”
The Colonel gave a short chuckle from his chair and grinned. “Well, we’re glad to have ya big guy.”
“Alright now, everybody have a seat and we’ll start with some salad,” Janet said with authority. Even when out of the setting of the infirmary the small doctor could take charge quite easily.
Sam took a seat near the Colonel while Teal’c and Cassie sat on the other side, leaving the chair next to her for Janet. Colonel O’Neill-Jack-she had to remind herself, was at the head of the table so he had room for his plaster-encased leg to stick out without getting bumped.
After their salad course, Janet took out the turkey-with Teal’c’s help-and everyone dug into the feast. They had yams, stuffing, mashed potatoes, butternut squash, cranberry sauce, and steamed broccoli. Sam was astonished that Janet had been able to put it all together on such short notice. The last minute grocery shopping run had to have been chaotic to say the least.
Sam leaned back in her chair with a soft sigh and pushed her plate away when she couldn’t eat anymore. Both Cassie and Janet looked as stuffed as she felt, and Teal’c was still chowing down. Man, that Jaffa could eat! When she looked at Jack he was leaning back in his chair as well, looking rather full, though there was still some food on his plate. He looked exhausted, and Sam couldn’t blame the man. He’d only been released from the infirmary yesterday and probably would have been at home resting if not for the holiday.
Catching Janet’s eye, she subtly gestured toward the Colonel, and as the doctor nodded in silent agreement, Sam got out of her seat. She put a hand on his shoulder. “Why don’t you go relax in the living room, sir-ah-Jack. We’ll start cleaning up and let you know when it’s time for dessert.”
He lifted his head and looked around at the others, but didn’t argue. Sam picked up the crutches on the floor and handed them to him, preparing to help him to his feet while Janet and Cassie got up and began to clear the table.
Sam made sure Jack got to the couch alright, then went back to help in the kitchen after he’d put the football game on.
.
By the time the kitchen was all cleaned up and everyone was ready for a break before having dessert, they had all retreated to Janet’s living room to rest and watch the football game with the Colonel.
Not wanting to make her desire to be near him so obvious, Sam took a seat toward the edge of the large sectional sofa while Jack was settled comfortably in the corner with his leg propped up and pointing toward her. Cassie plopped herself down next to him on the left while Janet sat on Cassie’s other side and Teal’c took the armchair.
Before long, Cassie was fast asleep, curled up against Jack who soon followed, Rowdy lying curled up in his lap. Leaving them to rest, Sam, Teal’c, and Janet went into the kitchen for pie and coffee. Shortly after the three had finished their chatting and desserts, Sam asked Janet if they should maybe call it a night. It wasn’t very late, but it was obvious that everyone was tired-except for Teal’c of course.
“Teal’c, I’ll give you a ride back to base,” Janet offered.
Teal’c gave a regal bow. “I would greatly appreciate that Doctor Fraiser.”
Sam slid her chair back and stood. “I’ll clean up here while you’re gone.”
Janet waved a hand of dismissal. “Oh, don’t bother. I’ll get it later.”
“It’s fine, I don’t mind,” Sam insisted. She walked over to Teal’c and gave him a hug. “I’m glad you were able to come, Teal’c.”
“As am I, Captain Carter.” Teal’c flashed a brief, and all-too-rare smile.
Janet walked with Teal’c to the door, pulling on her coat as he did the same. “I won’t be long.” She glanced in the direction of the living room. “If Cassie wakes up, just send her to bed. She can have some pumpkin pie first if she wants to. I know she’s been eager to try it.”
“Okay.” Sam nodded. “Drive safe.”
.
Jack dragged his heavy eyelids open to the sound of quiet clattering coming from the kitchen. He blinked with momentary confusion, then remembered that he was at the doc’s house. Feeling that something or someone was leaning against him, Jack glanced left to see Cassie fast asleep at his side, and her dog was gone from his lap. He shifted slightly and grimaced when a jolt of pain shot up his leg. With a silent curse, he reached to the floor for his crutches and managed to get up without waking Cassandra.
By now the pain was radiating up and down his leg, from the tips of his toes all the way up to his groin. As he hobbled slowly out of the room, each jarring step enhanced the agony. God, he wished he’d brought his painkillers with him. Janet would probably have his ass for not taking them, but right now he didn’t care. He just hoped she had something she could give him.
“Doc?” he called out as he staggered into the kitchen on his crutches. Jack didn’t look up, having to concentrate on his footing.
“Sir?” Someone turned around at the sink, but it wasn’t the doc. It was Carter.
Jack looked up to see her moving toward him, and the momentary lapse in concentration made him trip. He stumbled and would have fallen flat on his face had Carter not grabbed him. “Nice catch,” he muttered with a pained smile.
Carter smiled tightly in return and helped him straighten up, steadying him. Her hands remained at his waist and there was little personal space between them.
As their eyes locked, their noses merely an inch or so apart, Jack couldn’t stop himself. He didn’t want to. Blaming his actions on a delirious, pain-influenced moment, Jack closed the gap between them and kissed her. She responded at first, and then the shock seemed to reach them both; they pulled apart, each grimacing sheepishly.
Carter’s hands quickly fell away from his waist. “Sorry sir-Jack-sir. I…I wasn’t-“
“Carter, no, it’s-“
“What are you guys doing?”
Jack froze at Cassandra’s sleepy voice behind him and saw Carter’s eyes widen. “Nothing,” they both responded simultaneously.
Cassie didn’t seem to pick up on the ‘too innocent’ act, and Jack figured if she were a little older, spent a few more years on Earth, she would have caught on quicker. Instead, they got lucky; she changed the subject. “Where’s Mom and Teal’c?”
Sam took a step away from the Colonel. She wasn’t so sure it was safe still thinking of him as Jack. She smiled tightly at Cassandra. “Your mom just went to give Teal’c a ride back to the SGC. She wanted me to send you to bed, but said you can have some pie first if you want to.”
But Cassie wasn’t paying attention to her any longer. Her brows were furrowed with concern. “Uh, Sam, is Jack okay?”
“What?” Sam turned to Jack-er…Colonel O’Neill-oh hell, he had to be Jack now, for crying out loud. She grimaced for a moment. God, now she was starting to think like the man. Shoving away those thoughts, she looked at Jack; really looked at him. He had gotten pale, his face was creased with pain, and he was wavering in place, barely keeping himself up with the crutches.
Oh shit, Sam cursed internally, leaping toward him and clutching his upper arm. “Did you bring your painkillers with you?”
“No,” he grunted, breathing hard.
Sam shifted to wrap a firm arm around his waist, taking one of his crutches and handing it to Cassandra so she could pull his arm across her shoulders. “First things first; let’s get you back to the couch.”
Cassie bounded after them as Sam slowly walked the Colonel back to the living room. “Should I call Mom?”
“No, she’s probably on her way back already, Cassie. We’ll be okay until she gets here.” Sam’s words were confident, but she wasn’t so sure. With her arm around the Colonel’s waist, she could feel how tense he was, his muscles taut and stiff. She knew his leg must have been killing him. She heard his soft groan as she lowered him to the couch and gently propped his leg up. Before Sam had too much time to worry about what she was going to do, the front door opened, signaling Janet’s return.
Cassie immediately hurried toward her adopted mother.
“Cassandra, why aren’t you in bed?” Sam heard Janet ask.
“Mom, Jack forgot his medicine. He looks bad.”
“What?” Janet sounded worried. She rushed into the living room, Cassie bounding ahead of her.
“He didn’t bring his pills with him,” Sam explained to Janet, sitting on the sofa near Jack.
Janet crouched in front of him. “When was the last time you took something?” She put a hand on his shoulder.
Jack’s eyes drifted towards Janet, his brows wavering minutely. “Choked down a handful of Tylenol this morning.”
“Tylenol?” Janet scoffed. “That’s it?” She heaved a frustrated sigh. “Why didn’t you take the painkillers I prescribed you? Ack-never mind. I don’t want to know.” She shook her head and began to look him over, taking hold of his wrist to take his pulse.
Jack was frowning but he didn’t pull away. He was well aware he was already in deep water with the doctor. He shifted to sit up a little straighter and grimaced.
“Your leg?” He nodded. “Give me a number.” Janet was staring him right in the eyes, daring him to try lying to her.
He made a face, then grunted. “’Bout an eight.”
Janet frowned. “How’s your chest?”
Sam was surprised when Jack’s gaze momentarily flicked to her face before he returned his attention to Janet. She wasn’t sure what to make of that look.
“It’s fine,” he insisted with conviction.
Janet straightened and took a step back. “I think I have some painkillers in the cabinet. They’re not as strong as the ones you left at home, but they should hold you for at least an hour or two. If the pain gets bad again once you’re home, take two of the other ones before bed.”
Jack said nothing as Janet moved away, snagging Sam lightly by the elbow and taking her along while Cassie sat down next to Jack. “Daniel won’t be back until Monday, will he?” Janet asked her softly with a hint of worry to her tone.
“No, he said he’d be gone the whole weekend.” Sam shook her head, then glanced back toward the living room for a moment as she followed Janet into the bathroom.
Janet opened the cabinet above the sink and began checking medicine bottle labels, searching for the right one. “Will you be able to stay with the Colonel for the rest of the holiday weekend? Or at least check up on him, because-“
“Ah, I don’t know Janet…” Sam trailed off, chewing her lower lip. After what had happened between her and the Colonel in the kitchen, she wasn’t so sure that being alone with Jack for the next three days was such a good idea.
“I know he’ll say he’s fine and that he can take care of himself, but I really don’t think he should be alone, and I know for a fact he’ll refuse to go back to the base,” Janet finished, finding the bottle she’d been looking for and turning to Sam, pleading compassion in her eyes.
Heaving a sigh, Sam pulled a hand through her short hair and grimaced. “I…I guess so. I mean, unless he wants me to leave, or-“
Janet smiled and waggled a finger. “I’ll make sure he doesn’t try to get rid of you. I’ll threaten to send him back to the infirmary or keep him here with me.”
Sam laughed humorlessly, walking with Janet back to the living room. Holy Hannah, what had she gotten herself into now?
.
After waiting awhile for the painkillers Janet gave him to kick in, Sam helped the Colonel get into his truck and they drove back to his house. When they got there, it was obvious that the Colonel was exhausted. Sam helped him with his coat, then he shuffled off to his room on his crutches while she followed, hovering in the doorway.
Janet had told the Colonel that she wanted Sam to stay with him for a few days, but Sam wasn’t so sure how he felt about that. The drive back to his house had been a little awkward, and Sam wasn’t sure what was on the Colonel’s mind, but she’d certainly been thinking about the kiss they’d shared in Janet’s kitchen. Sam knew it was inappropriate, but she didn’t regret what had happened. The feel of his lips on hers was burned into her memory.
“Do you…need anything, sir?”
O’Neill sat down on his bed and used the end of one crutch to push his boot off. “No, I’m fine.” He got up again, hanging onto just one crutch this time, and hopped over to his tallest bureau. Pulling a drawer open, he grabbed a plain white t-shirt and some Homer Simpson pajama pants that made her crack a smile. “Need somethin’ to wear to bed?” Jack tossed her the clothes without waiting for a response.
Sam caught them and smiled tightly with an appreciative nod. “Thank you, si-Jack.” She noticed the brief grin on his face when he looked up at her.
Jack hopped back to his bed and sat down heavily. “G’night, Sam,” he said softly.
“Goodnight.” Nodding at him, Sam closed the door almost all the way and walked across the hall to the spare room, her heart fluttering. He’d called her Sam. Neither of them had mentioned the kiss in Janet’s kitchen, but maybe they didn’t need to, maybe they were okay without talking about it.
.
Jack didn’t bother changing his clothes; it wasn’t worth the effort. He just pulled off his khakis and sweater and crawled into bed in his boxers and t-shirt. He was cold, so he pulled the blankets up over his head, burrowing in to get warm.
As wiped out as he was, sleep didn’t come easy. He tossed and turned as much as possible with his bulky cast, moving from one end of the bed to the other, to the middle, and back, but he just couldn’t get comfortable enough to sleep. He couldn’t stop thinking about Sam and what had happened in Janet’s kitchen. Jack mentally cursed himself for taking advantage of her in that moment; she’d only been trying to help him. Although, he considered, recalling those precious few seconds with overwhelming clarity, she had kissed him back. Jack grinned suddenly, staring up at the ceiling.
She’d kissed him back.
.
Waking up thirsty, Sam reluctantly crawled out from beneath her warm cocoon of blankets to get herself a glass of water. She padded quietly to the kitchen, wrapped in the plaid comforter from the guest room to combat the cold. After pouring herself some water, finishing half the glass, and then refilling it to take back to her room, Sam paused in the hallway between the guest room and Jack’s room.
She heard what sounded like agitated grunts and pained moans coming from inside, along with the rustling of sheets and blankets. The door wasn’t closed all the way, so she nudged it open just a hair and peered inside.
Jack was lying on the bed beneath a twisted bunch of blankets, shifting from side to side as much as possible with the heavy cast on his right leg.
Sam debated whether or not to wake him for at least three seconds, then stepped into the room. As soon as she did, she heard a sharp intake of breath and he went completely still. She assumed he’d woken himself up and she took another step forward. “Jack?”
“Car-“ he cleared his throat. “Carter?” Jack propped himself up on his elbows, watching her as she quietly walked all the way over to his bed.
“Are you alright?” she asked, biting down on her lower lip as he pushed himself up in a sitting position and slid back to lean against the headboard with a pained groan. She tugged the comforter up tighter around her shoulders and set her glass of water down on his side table.
“Yeah.” He reached for his plastered leg as though he wanted to massage the aching limb and huffed out a breath. “Ah-no, not really.”
The Colonel’s blankets had bunched down when he’d sat up, and it was clear to Sam now that he was only wearing boxers and a t-shirt. He’d started shivering. Sam frowned with concern. “I’ll get your pills, sir-um, Jack.” She jerked a thumb toward the bathroom and hoped he couldn’t see her blushing. “Bathroom?”
“Yeah.” He sucked in a breath and blew it out slowly. “They’re on the counter.”
When Sam got back with his medication, she noticed the beads of sweat on his forehead, even though he was still shivering. She frowned, then took the glass of water from his hand when he started to lie back down. She set it on the night table and turned to him, sitting on the edge of his bed. He looked vulnerable and she didn’t want to leave.
Jack was staring at her, something she couldn’t quite decipher in his dark chestnut eyes. It wasn’t desperation, but it was something close. “Carter.”
One word; just one breathy, soft-spoken word and she was a pliable mass of goo. Smiling tightly, she rearranged his bedcovers, then added the one around her shoulders to the pile.
Without another word, Jack flipped down the blankets to his left, his attention still focused on her. The painkillers were surely beginning to kick in, judging from the faint glossiness of his eyes.
Sam sucked in a shaky breath and crawled beneath the covers, fitting warmly against his side and pulling the blankets up almost over their heads. She felt his breathing hitch momentarily, and then he was putting an arm around her, pulling her closer like he needed her body heat to be warm.
With her face pressed against Jack’s chest, feeling the heat of his body through his t-shirt, Sam closed her eyes and fell asleep.
.
Sam opened her eyes and shivered as a rush of cool air hit her. The blankets had been turned down on one half of the bed, and she was no longer curled up against Jack’s warm body. She frowned, squinting in the lack of light to see him on the edge of the bed with his back to her like he was going to get up.
“Jack?” She sat up when he leaned back a little, twisting around to glance at her with a faint grimace.
“Crr’tr?” His voice sounded a little fuzzy, and Sam blamed it on the double dose of hefty pain relievers he’d taken before going back to sleep. “S’cold.”
Sam smiled tightly, feeling the chill herself. “I know. And it’s the middle of the night; why don’t you get back under the blankets, huh?” She patted the mattress.
“No.” He shook his head. “Gotta…take a leak.”
“Oh.” Sam leaned over and peered around the dark room, but couldn’t find his crutches. She didn’t bother with the light, not wanting to be blinded, and slid toward the edge of the bed beside Jack to help him. “Let me help; I can’t find your crutches.”
“’Kay.” He stood up on one leg without warning and nearly fell sideways as Sam rushed to her feet to grab him.
“Whoa! Easy. Just…take it easy.” Sam clung to him as he limped forward unsteadily, his heavy cast thunking softly on the floor with every other step. She figured the medication Janet had prescribed him must have been pretty potent; two pills had certainly knocked O’Neill on his ass and he definitely wasn’t feeling any pain.
Helping Jack stagger into the bathroom, Sam was thankful for the little nightlight plugged into the outlet by the sink, which enabled her to see without blinding her. She stood him in front of the toilet and then started to leave, but as soon as she released his arm and moved away, the Colonel began to fall over.
“Jack!” Sam cried out in alarm and grabbed him by his left bicep with both hands. “Jesus,” she swore under her breath. “Can you sit down on the edge of the tub for a minute while I go find one of your crutches?” she asked the barely-coherent man she was hanging onto.
“Crr’tr,” he mumbled with little patience, “I’m ‘bout to…piss myself.”
Sam grimaced and felt her cheeks flush. Thank God it was still too dark and he was way too loopy on meds to notice. She heaved a reluctant sigh. “Alright, I’ll just…hold you up and-and turn my head, okay?”
She swore she caught him smirking, and then he reached for the fly of his boxer shorts. Oh boy, Sam thought with wide eyes, quickly turning her head and holding onto his left arm firmly so he wouldn’t fall.
“No peeking, now.”
If possible, Sam felt her cheeks burn hotter, and hotter still when she could actually hear him relieving himself a second later. Yep, she thought to herself, eyes firmly shut, This definitely tops the list of ‘Most Embarrassing Moments With My CO.’
When Jack announced, “All done,” in his drunken-sounding, quiet mumble, Sam opened her eyes and helped him over to the sink so he could wash his hands.
They were both shivering by the time Sam got him back in bed, and she quickly checked the thermostat, turning it up a few notches before joining Jack without even thinking twice about it.
.
Part Three
Summary: Jack and Sam spend some unexpected time together during Thanksgiving weekend.
Timeframe: Post season one’s ‘Solitudes.’
Characters/Pairing: Jack/Sam, Daniel, Janet
Genre: Hurt/Comfort, Holiday, UST to RST, Friendship, Romance, Whump
Rating: PG
Part Two
Wearing a plain black sweater over a white t-shirt, and some khaki chinos with the right pant leg cut off mid-thigh, Jack grabbed a pair of socks and then hobbled out of his bedroom. He could hear Carter in the kitchen and made his way there.
She turned around from the counter where she’d been putting their coffee mugs in the dishwasher. “You about ready to head to Janet’s, sir?”
“Yeah, just gotta get my socks and…” he looked down, “shoe on.” Snorting softly, he pulled out a chair and sat down with a grunt, leaning his crutches against the table.
Jack pulled his left leg up and pulled on the first sock, but when it came to putting one on the end of the cast to cover his toes that stuck out at the end, he discovered that he couldn’t reach. “Dammit,” he growled under his breath when stretching proved painful for his ribs.
“Here, let me, sir.” Carter came forward and took the sock from his hand. She knelt down and carefully stretched the sock before covering his toes and managing to tug it over half of his foot over the cast.
“Thanks, Carter,” he grunted his thanks as she stood back up.
“It’s no problem, Colonel.” She smiled brilliantly at him, her steel blue eyes full of warmth.
Now that his socks were on, Jack got up to find his boots-er, boot-while Carter called the doc to let her know they were on their way.
.
“Mom! Mom! Sam and Jack are here!” Cassie cried excitedly as she leaned back from the window and bounded toward the front door, her little dog hot on her heels.
Janet smiled at the eleven-year-old’s enthusiasm. Cassandra had become quite attached to the four members of SG-1 since they’d rescued her from her decimated planet-Sam and Colonel O’Neill especially. Add that to the fact that the girl hadn’t seen either of them since their little unscheduled trip to Antarctica, and Cassie was doubly excited.
Cassie let them in, standing back and holding onto Rowdy’s collar to allow the Colonel to hobble in the door in front of Sam. Janet was pleased to see that the end of O’Neill’s cast was wrapped in a plastic bag, preventing it from getting wet in the snow as he tried to keep it elevated while using his crutches.
“Glad to see you’re prepared,” Janet remarked with a warm, welcoming smile, gesturing toward the end of Colonel O’Neill’s foot.
The Colonel grunted, stopping in the hall momentarily so Cassie could hug him. “Yeah, that was Carter’s doing,” he smiled crookedly and glanced back at his 2IC.
“I’m glad you’re gonna be okay, Jack. I missed you,” Cassie told him, slowly unwrapping her arms from around his waist and trying not to bump into his crutches.
“Me too, kiddo.”
“Mom wouldn’t let me visit you guys in the infirmary,” the young girl murmured sullenly.
Jack’s eyes briefly met Janet’s. He sent her a small, reassuring smile. “Well, I was pretty out of it, kiddo. Slept most of the time. I wouldn’t have been much good for company.”
Cassie just shrugged and then went to hug Sam next, holding on a little longer. “I still woulda wanted to see you guys.”
“We know, Cass, but it was for the best.” Sam brushed a hand through Cassandra’s hair and bent over to kiss the top of her head.
Janet noticed that Sam was holding a pie in her free hand. “Oh, you didn’t have to bring anything. I know this whole dinner was such short notice.”
“It’s okay.” Sam shrugged, then grimaced somewhat bashfully. “I didn’t have time to bake, so we just stopped and picked one up on our way here. The little bakery near the Colonel’s place was open. He said they have decent pies.”
“He would know,” Janet remarked with a laugh.
“Hey, I heard that!” the Colonel cried with mock indignation.
Sam smirked and stifled her laughter with a snort.
Shaking her head and smiling, Janet took the pie and wandered back toward the kitchen. “Thanks, you two. Now come on in and make yourselves comfortable.” Glancing back, Janet smiled with amusement as Sam automatically helped Colonel O’Neill out of his coat, letting him put his hand on her shoulder for balance as she took one crutch and then switched sides while he got his arms out of the sleeves. Sam then took her own coat off and hung them both up.
“Food smells good,” the Colonel commented as he hobbled into the kitchen with Sam close behind.
“Doesn’t it?” Cassie cried cheerily. “I’m so excited for the turkey! It’s my first one.”
Janet smiled as she placed the pie on the counter and checked on the turkey in the oven, as well as the side dishes warming on top of the stove. This was Cassie’s first Thanksgiving on Earth, and she couldn’t help but get caught up in her daughter’s enthusiasm.
Pulling out a chair at the table, Janet smiled at O’Neill. “Have a seat, Colonel.”
He obliged after a moment of hesitation, laying his crutches on the floor. “Call me Jack, huh, Doc? We’re off for the holidays.” Glancing at Sam, he gave her a nod of inclusion in his request.
“Alright, if you insist.” Janet winked at him and caught Captain Carter’s somewhat-shy smile.
Jack waved Cassie over and pointed down at the end of his cast. “Help me out with this thing, will ya?”
“Sure, Jack.” Cassie sent him a big smile, eager to help. She knelt down and carefully undid the plastic bag that was wrapped around the bottom of his cast.
Everyone looked to Janet curiously when Rowdy barked as there was a knock on the door. They weren’t expecting anyone else to be joining them. “Oh, that must be Teal’c.”
“I thought Teal’c was off-world visiting with Bra’tac?” Sam asked.
“He got back early so I invited him over to join us. One of the SFs must have dropped him off,” Janet explained, leaving the kitchen to go let Teal’c in.
.
“It is good to see all of you; Doctor Fraiser, O’Neill, Captain Carter, and Cassandra Fraiser,” Teal’c greeted them as he walked into the kitchen with Janet. “I am pleased to partake in this Tau’ri feasting of the turkey.”
The Colonel gave a short chuckle from his chair and grinned. “Well, we’re glad to have ya big guy.”
“Alright now, everybody have a seat and we’ll start with some salad,” Janet said with authority. Even when out of the setting of the infirmary the small doctor could take charge quite easily.
Sam took a seat near the Colonel while Teal’c and Cassie sat on the other side, leaving the chair next to her for Janet. Colonel O’Neill-Jack-she had to remind herself, was at the head of the table so he had room for his plaster-encased leg to stick out without getting bumped.
After their salad course, Janet took out the turkey-with Teal’c’s help-and everyone dug into the feast. They had yams, stuffing, mashed potatoes, butternut squash, cranberry sauce, and steamed broccoli. Sam was astonished that Janet had been able to put it all together on such short notice. The last minute grocery shopping run had to have been chaotic to say the least.
Sam leaned back in her chair with a soft sigh and pushed her plate away when she couldn’t eat anymore. Both Cassie and Janet looked as stuffed as she felt, and Teal’c was still chowing down. Man, that Jaffa could eat! When she looked at Jack he was leaning back in his chair as well, looking rather full, though there was still some food on his plate. He looked exhausted, and Sam couldn’t blame the man. He’d only been released from the infirmary yesterday and probably would have been at home resting if not for the holiday.
Catching Janet’s eye, she subtly gestured toward the Colonel, and as the doctor nodded in silent agreement, Sam got out of her seat. She put a hand on his shoulder. “Why don’t you go relax in the living room, sir-ah-Jack. We’ll start cleaning up and let you know when it’s time for dessert.”
He lifted his head and looked around at the others, but didn’t argue. Sam picked up the crutches on the floor and handed them to him, preparing to help him to his feet while Janet and Cassie got up and began to clear the table.
Sam made sure Jack got to the couch alright, then went back to help in the kitchen after he’d put the football game on.
.
By the time the kitchen was all cleaned up and everyone was ready for a break before having dessert, they had all retreated to Janet’s living room to rest and watch the football game with the Colonel.
Not wanting to make her desire to be near him so obvious, Sam took a seat toward the edge of the large sectional sofa while Jack was settled comfortably in the corner with his leg propped up and pointing toward her. Cassie plopped herself down next to him on the left while Janet sat on Cassie’s other side and Teal’c took the armchair.
Before long, Cassie was fast asleep, curled up against Jack who soon followed, Rowdy lying curled up in his lap. Leaving them to rest, Sam, Teal’c, and Janet went into the kitchen for pie and coffee. Shortly after the three had finished their chatting and desserts, Sam asked Janet if they should maybe call it a night. It wasn’t very late, but it was obvious that everyone was tired-except for Teal’c of course.
“Teal’c, I’ll give you a ride back to base,” Janet offered.
Teal’c gave a regal bow. “I would greatly appreciate that Doctor Fraiser.”
Sam slid her chair back and stood. “I’ll clean up here while you’re gone.”
Janet waved a hand of dismissal. “Oh, don’t bother. I’ll get it later.”
“It’s fine, I don’t mind,” Sam insisted. She walked over to Teal’c and gave him a hug. “I’m glad you were able to come, Teal’c.”
“As am I, Captain Carter.” Teal’c flashed a brief, and all-too-rare smile.
Janet walked with Teal’c to the door, pulling on her coat as he did the same. “I won’t be long.” She glanced in the direction of the living room. “If Cassie wakes up, just send her to bed. She can have some pumpkin pie first if she wants to. I know she’s been eager to try it.”
“Okay.” Sam nodded. “Drive safe.”
.
Jack dragged his heavy eyelids open to the sound of quiet clattering coming from the kitchen. He blinked with momentary confusion, then remembered that he was at the doc’s house. Feeling that something or someone was leaning against him, Jack glanced left to see Cassie fast asleep at his side, and her dog was gone from his lap. He shifted slightly and grimaced when a jolt of pain shot up his leg. With a silent curse, he reached to the floor for his crutches and managed to get up without waking Cassandra.
By now the pain was radiating up and down his leg, from the tips of his toes all the way up to his groin. As he hobbled slowly out of the room, each jarring step enhanced the agony. God, he wished he’d brought his painkillers with him. Janet would probably have his ass for not taking them, but right now he didn’t care. He just hoped she had something she could give him.
“Doc?” he called out as he staggered into the kitchen on his crutches. Jack didn’t look up, having to concentrate on his footing.
“Sir?” Someone turned around at the sink, but it wasn’t the doc. It was Carter.
Jack looked up to see her moving toward him, and the momentary lapse in concentration made him trip. He stumbled and would have fallen flat on his face had Carter not grabbed him. “Nice catch,” he muttered with a pained smile.
Carter smiled tightly in return and helped him straighten up, steadying him. Her hands remained at his waist and there was little personal space between them.
As their eyes locked, their noses merely an inch or so apart, Jack couldn’t stop himself. He didn’t want to. Blaming his actions on a delirious, pain-influenced moment, Jack closed the gap between them and kissed her. She responded at first, and then the shock seemed to reach them both; they pulled apart, each grimacing sheepishly.
Carter’s hands quickly fell away from his waist. “Sorry sir-Jack-sir. I…I wasn’t-“
“Carter, no, it’s-“
“What are you guys doing?”
Jack froze at Cassandra’s sleepy voice behind him and saw Carter’s eyes widen. “Nothing,” they both responded simultaneously.
Cassie didn’t seem to pick up on the ‘too innocent’ act, and Jack figured if she were a little older, spent a few more years on Earth, she would have caught on quicker. Instead, they got lucky; she changed the subject. “Where’s Mom and Teal’c?”
Sam took a step away from the Colonel. She wasn’t so sure it was safe still thinking of him as Jack. She smiled tightly at Cassandra. “Your mom just went to give Teal’c a ride back to the SGC. She wanted me to send you to bed, but said you can have some pie first if you want to.”
But Cassie wasn’t paying attention to her any longer. Her brows were furrowed with concern. “Uh, Sam, is Jack okay?”
“What?” Sam turned to Jack-er…Colonel O’Neill-oh hell, he had to be Jack now, for crying out loud. She grimaced for a moment. God, now she was starting to think like the man. Shoving away those thoughts, she looked at Jack; really looked at him. He had gotten pale, his face was creased with pain, and he was wavering in place, barely keeping himself up with the crutches.
Oh shit, Sam cursed internally, leaping toward him and clutching his upper arm. “Did you bring your painkillers with you?”
“No,” he grunted, breathing hard.
Sam shifted to wrap a firm arm around his waist, taking one of his crutches and handing it to Cassandra so she could pull his arm across her shoulders. “First things first; let’s get you back to the couch.”
Cassie bounded after them as Sam slowly walked the Colonel back to the living room. “Should I call Mom?”
“No, she’s probably on her way back already, Cassie. We’ll be okay until she gets here.” Sam’s words were confident, but she wasn’t so sure. With her arm around the Colonel’s waist, she could feel how tense he was, his muscles taut and stiff. She knew his leg must have been killing him. She heard his soft groan as she lowered him to the couch and gently propped his leg up. Before Sam had too much time to worry about what she was going to do, the front door opened, signaling Janet’s return.
Cassie immediately hurried toward her adopted mother.
“Cassandra, why aren’t you in bed?” Sam heard Janet ask.
“Mom, Jack forgot his medicine. He looks bad.”
“What?” Janet sounded worried. She rushed into the living room, Cassie bounding ahead of her.
“He didn’t bring his pills with him,” Sam explained to Janet, sitting on the sofa near Jack.
Janet crouched in front of him. “When was the last time you took something?” She put a hand on his shoulder.
Jack’s eyes drifted towards Janet, his brows wavering minutely. “Choked down a handful of Tylenol this morning.”
“Tylenol?” Janet scoffed. “That’s it?” She heaved a frustrated sigh. “Why didn’t you take the painkillers I prescribed you? Ack-never mind. I don’t want to know.” She shook her head and began to look him over, taking hold of his wrist to take his pulse.
Jack was frowning but he didn’t pull away. He was well aware he was already in deep water with the doctor. He shifted to sit up a little straighter and grimaced.
“Your leg?” He nodded. “Give me a number.” Janet was staring him right in the eyes, daring him to try lying to her.
He made a face, then grunted. “’Bout an eight.”
Janet frowned. “How’s your chest?”
Sam was surprised when Jack’s gaze momentarily flicked to her face before he returned his attention to Janet. She wasn’t sure what to make of that look.
“It’s fine,” he insisted with conviction.
Janet straightened and took a step back. “I think I have some painkillers in the cabinet. They’re not as strong as the ones you left at home, but they should hold you for at least an hour or two. If the pain gets bad again once you’re home, take two of the other ones before bed.”
Jack said nothing as Janet moved away, snagging Sam lightly by the elbow and taking her along while Cassie sat down next to Jack. “Daniel won’t be back until Monday, will he?” Janet asked her softly with a hint of worry to her tone.
“No, he said he’d be gone the whole weekend.” Sam shook her head, then glanced back toward the living room for a moment as she followed Janet into the bathroom.
Janet opened the cabinet above the sink and began checking medicine bottle labels, searching for the right one. “Will you be able to stay with the Colonel for the rest of the holiday weekend? Or at least check up on him, because-“
“Ah, I don’t know Janet…” Sam trailed off, chewing her lower lip. After what had happened between her and the Colonel in the kitchen, she wasn’t so sure that being alone with Jack for the next three days was such a good idea.
“I know he’ll say he’s fine and that he can take care of himself, but I really don’t think he should be alone, and I know for a fact he’ll refuse to go back to the base,” Janet finished, finding the bottle she’d been looking for and turning to Sam, pleading compassion in her eyes.
Heaving a sigh, Sam pulled a hand through her short hair and grimaced. “I…I guess so. I mean, unless he wants me to leave, or-“
Janet smiled and waggled a finger. “I’ll make sure he doesn’t try to get rid of you. I’ll threaten to send him back to the infirmary or keep him here with me.”
Sam laughed humorlessly, walking with Janet back to the living room. Holy Hannah, what had she gotten herself into now?
.
After waiting awhile for the painkillers Janet gave him to kick in, Sam helped the Colonel get into his truck and they drove back to his house. When they got there, it was obvious that the Colonel was exhausted. Sam helped him with his coat, then he shuffled off to his room on his crutches while she followed, hovering in the doorway.
Janet had told the Colonel that she wanted Sam to stay with him for a few days, but Sam wasn’t so sure how he felt about that. The drive back to his house had been a little awkward, and Sam wasn’t sure what was on the Colonel’s mind, but she’d certainly been thinking about the kiss they’d shared in Janet’s kitchen. Sam knew it was inappropriate, but she didn’t regret what had happened. The feel of his lips on hers was burned into her memory.
“Do you…need anything, sir?”
O’Neill sat down on his bed and used the end of one crutch to push his boot off. “No, I’m fine.” He got up again, hanging onto just one crutch this time, and hopped over to his tallest bureau. Pulling a drawer open, he grabbed a plain white t-shirt and some Homer Simpson pajama pants that made her crack a smile. “Need somethin’ to wear to bed?” Jack tossed her the clothes without waiting for a response.
Sam caught them and smiled tightly with an appreciative nod. “Thank you, si-Jack.” She noticed the brief grin on his face when he looked up at her.
Jack hopped back to his bed and sat down heavily. “G’night, Sam,” he said softly.
“Goodnight.” Nodding at him, Sam closed the door almost all the way and walked across the hall to the spare room, her heart fluttering. He’d called her Sam. Neither of them had mentioned the kiss in Janet’s kitchen, but maybe they didn’t need to, maybe they were okay without talking about it.
.
Jack didn’t bother changing his clothes; it wasn’t worth the effort. He just pulled off his khakis and sweater and crawled into bed in his boxers and t-shirt. He was cold, so he pulled the blankets up over his head, burrowing in to get warm.
As wiped out as he was, sleep didn’t come easy. He tossed and turned as much as possible with his bulky cast, moving from one end of the bed to the other, to the middle, and back, but he just couldn’t get comfortable enough to sleep. He couldn’t stop thinking about Sam and what had happened in Janet’s kitchen. Jack mentally cursed himself for taking advantage of her in that moment; she’d only been trying to help him. Although, he considered, recalling those precious few seconds with overwhelming clarity, she had kissed him back. Jack grinned suddenly, staring up at the ceiling.
She’d kissed him back.
.
Waking up thirsty, Sam reluctantly crawled out from beneath her warm cocoon of blankets to get herself a glass of water. She padded quietly to the kitchen, wrapped in the plaid comforter from the guest room to combat the cold. After pouring herself some water, finishing half the glass, and then refilling it to take back to her room, Sam paused in the hallway between the guest room and Jack’s room.
She heard what sounded like agitated grunts and pained moans coming from inside, along with the rustling of sheets and blankets. The door wasn’t closed all the way, so she nudged it open just a hair and peered inside.
Jack was lying on the bed beneath a twisted bunch of blankets, shifting from side to side as much as possible with the heavy cast on his right leg.
Sam debated whether or not to wake him for at least three seconds, then stepped into the room. As soon as she did, she heard a sharp intake of breath and he went completely still. She assumed he’d woken himself up and she took another step forward. “Jack?”
“Car-“ he cleared his throat. “Carter?” Jack propped himself up on his elbows, watching her as she quietly walked all the way over to his bed.
“Are you alright?” she asked, biting down on her lower lip as he pushed himself up in a sitting position and slid back to lean against the headboard with a pained groan. She tugged the comforter up tighter around her shoulders and set her glass of water down on his side table.
“Yeah.” He reached for his plastered leg as though he wanted to massage the aching limb and huffed out a breath. “Ah-no, not really.”
The Colonel’s blankets had bunched down when he’d sat up, and it was clear to Sam now that he was only wearing boxers and a t-shirt. He’d started shivering. Sam frowned with concern. “I’ll get your pills, sir-um, Jack.” She jerked a thumb toward the bathroom and hoped he couldn’t see her blushing. “Bathroom?”
“Yeah.” He sucked in a breath and blew it out slowly. “They’re on the counter.”
When Sam got back with his medication, she noticed the beads of sweat on his forehead, even though he was still shivering. She frowned, then took the glass of water from his hand when he started to lie back down. She set it on the night table and turned to him, sitting on the edge of his bed. He looked vulnerable and she didn’t want to leave.
Jack was staring at her, something she couldn’t quite decipher in his dark chestnut eyes. It wasn’t desperation, but it was something close. “Carter.”
One word; just one breathy, soft-spoken word and she was a pliable mass of goo. Smiling tightly, she rearranged his bedcovers, then added the one around her shoulders to the pile.
Without another word, Jack flipped down the blankets to his left, his attention still focused on her. The painkillers were surely beginning to kick in, judging from the faint glossiness of his eyes.
Sam sucked in a shaky breath and crawled beneath the covers, fitting warmly against his side and pulling the blankets up almost over their heads. She felt his breathing hitch momentarily, and then he was putting an arm around her, pulling her closer like he needed her body heat to be warm.
With her face pressed against Jack’s chest, feeling the heat of his body through his t-shirt, Sam closed her eyes and fell asleep.
.
Sam opened her eyes and shivered as a rush of cool air hit her. The blankets had been turned down on one half of the bed, and she was no longer curled up against Jack’s warm body. She frowned, squinting in the lack of light to see him on the edge of the bed with his back to her like he was going to get up.
“Jack?” She sat up when he leaned back a little, twisting around to glance at her with a faint grimace.
“Crr’tr?” His voice sounded a little fuzzy, and Sam blamed it on the double dose of hefty pain relievers he’d taken before going back to sleep. “S’cold.”
Sam smiled tightly, feeling the chill herself. “I know. And it’s the middle of the night; why don’t you get back under the blankets, huh?” She patted the mattress.
“No.” He shook his head. “Gotta…take a leak.”
“Oh.” Sam leaned over and peered around the dark room, but couldn’t find his crutches. She didn’t bother with the light, not wanting to be blinded, and slid toward the edge of the bed beside Jack to help him. “Let me help; I can’t find your crutches.”
“’Kay.” He stood up on one leg without warning and nearly fell sideways as Sam rushed to her feet to grab him.
“Whoa! Easy. Just…take it easy.” Sam clung to him as he limped forward unsteadily, his heavy cast thunking softly on the floor with every other step. She figured the medication Janet had prescribed him must have been pretty potent; two pills had certainly knocked O’Neill on his ass and he definitely wasn’t feeling any pain.
Helping Jack stagger into the bathroom, Sam was thankful for the little nightlight plugged into the outlet by the sink, which enabled her to see without blinding her. She stood him in front of the toilet and then started to leave, but as soon as she released his arm and moved away, the Colonel began to fall over.
“Jack!” Sam cried out in alarm and grabbed him by his left bicep with both hands. “Jesus,” she swore under her breath. “Can you sit down on the edge of the tub for a minute while I go find one of your crutches?” she asked the barely-coherent man she was hanging onto.
“Crr’tr,” he mumbled with little patience, “I’m ‘bout to…piss myself.”
Sam grimaced and felt her cheeks flush. Thank God it was still too dark and he was way too loopy on meds to notice. She heaved a reluctant sigh. “Alright, I’ll just…hold you up and-and turn my head, okay?”
She swore she caught him smirking, and then he reached for the fly of his boxer shorts. Oh boy, Sam thought with wide eyes, quickly turning her head and holding onto his left arm firmly so he wouldn’t fall.
“No peeking, now.”
If possible, Sam felt her cheeks burn hotter, and hotter still when she could actually hear him relieving himself a second later. Yep, she thought to herself, eyes firmly shut, This definitely tops the list of ‘Most Embarrassing Moments With My CO.’
When Jack announced, “All done,” in his drunken-sounding, quiet mumble, Sam opened her eyes and helped him over to the sink so he could wash his hands.
They were both shivering by the time Sam got him back in bed, and she quickly checked the thermostat, turning it up a few notches before joining Jack without even thinking twice about it.
.
Part Three