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Title: "Coming Home pt 9"
Author: elfcat255
pairing: Sam/Janet with Daniel too
rated: PG-13(this will be the rating from here on out unless it goes up)
spoilers: Nope
Warnings:umm..I got kinda mushy and I so can't write short chapters anymore..this one is almost 5000 words..*headdesk*..I hope it's okay and not rambley
Summary: as usual I pick up from the last chapter..see a pattern to my writing..hmmm
AN: Okay...this is not where I wanted to end this chapter but I can't seem to get my brain to give me more..it's there I'm just to tired to write it right now..guh..so there will be more tomorrow after I get some sleep.
Daniel gripped her hand tighter, “Sam…Sam…come on stay with me.”
A moan and a mumbled word was his only answer as his friend shivered, her body wracked by a chill from the fever he felt. He looked around, spotting a blanket on a nearby cot; stretching his body without letting go of her hand, he grabbed the material bringing it over and laying it across her body.
He was unsure of the amount of damage, knowing would have to wait until the boys came with water to clean the blood from her body. What worried him the most was the heat he could feel radiating from her. Hearing the sound of running feet Daniel turned to see both Jared and Korin enter the room; each carried a bucket of steaming water and several towels thrown over their shoulders. As they neared him, he saw that Jared carried the med kit slung over one arm.
“Here are tha supplies ya need Daniel,” Korin said, his breathing heavy from their run.
“Meg said for us to help you if we could,” said Jared sitting his bucket down and handing Daniel the med kit.
Daniel thought for a few moments then looked at the two, “Can you fill one of the bathing tubs with warm water?”
“Ay we can do that, come Korin,” Jared assured Daniel and the two ran off again.
While Daniel waited for them to complete the task he dipped a towel in one of the buckets, wringing it out he began cleaning Sam’s face. It would take him too long to wash away the blood with just a towel, besides he needed to get her temperature down; immersing her in the warm tub would work for both. He lifted the blanket; from what he could see, the cuts looked superficial but he would not know for sure until she was clean. Why was she burning up?
“Daniel you idiot; check her back,” he muttered to himself.
Letting go of her hand he walked around to the other side of the cot to check the condition of the lash marks; the welts on her back were raised and inflamed, with the deeper ones looking the worst. He pressed a finger along one of the gashes and pus oozed from it along with another moan from her.
“Shhh….I’m sorry Sam,” he said softly and then muttered, “Dammit.”
He thought he had done a good job of cleaning them but it looked like now he had not. Sam’s back was definitely infected and there were not enough antibiotics left in the kit to treat it.
“Maybe Meg has something I can use,” he mused aloud as he pulled the blanket back up.
Jared ran back into the room, “The tub is ready Daniel.”
“Thanks Jared; where’s Korin?” asked Daniel as he carefully picked up Sam, cradling her in his arms.
“He’s waiting in the bathing room,” the boy said as he picked up the towels and med kit.
Daniel nodded and began walking slowly towards the doorway, making sure the manacles did not trip him. He couldn’t help but notice how light Sam felt in his arms; he counted the days in his head as he walked down the hall, it had been almost a week since they were captured and he was sure her lack of food probably helped to make the infection spread faster.
Jared ducked around him and stood by the door to the bathing room. When Daniel entered, he followed close behind and set the towels and kit down next to the tub. Daniel slowly lowered Sam into the water; when partially immersed, she woke up and began struggling against him.
“Hey easy Sam…it’s me Daniel…I’ve got you now, its okay,” he said in a calming tone.
She stopped thrashing and calmed down as he set her completely in the water; opening her eyes she looked up at him and gave a small smile.
“This is becoming a habit,” she mumbled.
“What…me taking care of you?” Daniel asked picking up a towel and dipping it into the water.
“No…you seeing me with no clothes on,” she half-grinned and then began shivering, “Why’d you put me in cold water?” she mumbled as her teeth began chattering.
“It just feels cold to you right now Sam; you have a fever,” he told her, “as for the no clothes thing…I won’t tell Janet if you won’t.”
“Deal,” she mumbled, her eyes closing again.
“Hey now…stay awake; I need you to tell me where else you’re hurt,” he said to her raising an arm and washing the blood away.
“Wanna sleep,” she mumbled.
“Samantha Carter wake up!” he said louder, “Don’t make me have to tell Janet you wouldn’t co-operate.”
Her eyes opened wide and she gave him a funny look but perked up, “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Oh just watch me...now where else are you injured?” he asked giving her a grin.
Sam moved around slowly in the tub, “I think my ribs are cracked, left side,” she said taking a deep breath, “Oh yeah…cracked…ouch.”
Daniel nodded as he ran the cloth over her upper body, “Anything else? You weren’t…”
“No Daniel…I wasn’t raped,” she sighed, “Luckily Jarvis doesn’t get his kicks that way.” She began shivering again, “Can you warm up the water some?”
“Boys can you get some hot water?” he asked looking at the two boys who were standing quietly off to the side.
“Ay Daniel, come on Korin,” answered Jared and the two disappeared out the door.
“Who was that and where am I?” asked Sam as Daniel continued washing away the blood. Realizing she didn’t want to say anything else about her injuries he let the change in subject slide.
“Ahh…those are the scamps as Meg refers to them; Jared and Korin. I’m sure you’ll meet Meg soon, as to where you are; well we’re in the lower levels of Jarvis’s manor, castle, home…I’m not sure what it’s called yet. Haven’t had much time to ask questions,” he remarked.
That remark earned him a laugh from his friend, “You…not have the time to ask questions…amazing.”
Daniel joined in the laughter, “Yeah you’re right it’s amazing.” Considering what he was about to do Daniel thought a good laugh was in order.
“Okay Sam…can you lean forward I need to clean your back,” he said softly.
She went to lean forward but stopped, “Nope…makes my ribs hurt. Let me lean over the side; will that work?”
“Whatever is the most comfortable for you; I’m afraid this is going to hurt,” he told her, in a serious tone.
Sam laid her arms over the side of the wooden tub, twisting her lower body around until she could rest easily against the tub wall, “How bad is it?”
“On a scale of one to ten…I’d say a ten,” he commented, “Okay…ready?”
“Just do it,” she said bracing herself for the pain.
Daniel ran the wet towel over her back gently at first and then pressed down harder; he heard her hiss and then start mumbling, ”I will not pass out…I will not pass out,” followed by a few choice swear words.
Trying to hurry he pressed around the cuts in her back until all the pus drained out and the wounds ran clean blood, “I think that will do for now,” he said.
“Thank God…Can I lean back now?” she asked her voice cracking.
“No…after that we need clean water,” he told her. She groaned but kept her position.
Just then, Jared and Korin entered carrying a large cauldron slung on a pole between them; several other boys toting buckets and Meg who carried a tray with a small pitcher and several bowls followed them. She set the tray on a bench and then ordered the boys to fill the other tub; once they finished she waved them out of the room.
Jared and Korin protested loudly, “We want to help,” they both whined at the same time.
“Off ta bed with ya; we don’t need yer help for tha next part,” she scolded them.
Grumbling the two boys ducked their heads but left the room. Meg turned back to Daniel, “Now…help yer friend inta tha clean tub boy,” she said giving Daniel a hard stare.
Sam could not help but giggle as Daniel helped her to stand and step from the tub, “Boy?”
Helping her into the clean water, he looked at her and grinned, “Just you wait until she hits you with a wooden spoon and calls you girl.”
Sam hissed as the hot water hit her raw back but sank into the tub up to her neck, “Oh that stings…but feels so good.”
Daniel laid a hand on her forehead; she was still a bit too warm to the touch. Walking over to the other tub, he picked up the med kit and rooted around until he found the rest of the pills; there weren’t many left but maybe it would be enough to at least knock her temperature down some more.
“Meg did you bring water?” he asked the tiny woman.
“Ay…and some broth; what do ya take me for a simpleton?” she replied rather sarcastically.
“Ah…sorry,“ he replied taking the cup she held.
“Here Sam…take these; I hope they work because it’s all I have left from the kit,” he said handing her the pills and the cup.
Sam took the pills and swallowed them with a long drink, emptying the cup, “More please,” she said handing it back to Daniel.
“Here now…ya drink this; it will fix two things at once, ya thirst and ya hunger,” Meg said as she walked over to give Sam one of the bowls.
“Thank you,” Sam replied as she took the bowl from the old woman’s hands, “You’re Meg…my name is Sam,” she said after taking a sip from the bowl.
“Ay…so I gathered after hearing tha boy call ya that; these old ears still work fine,” replied Meg, giving Sam a smile with her answer.
Daniel tried to hide the grin on his face but Meg caught him, “Stop ya grinning; I can go find a spoon.”
Daniel quickly wiped the grin from his face and replaced it with a smile directed at the tiny woman. He started to walk back around to the bench by the tub but tripped over the chains around his ankles, “Dammit!” he swore catching himself before he fully hit the ground.
He rose up to meet Sam’s grinning face, “Been walking long?”
“I’m blaming that comment on the fever,” he remarked as he sat on the bench, “You’d think after three days I’d be used to them by now.”
Sam gave him a confused look, “Three days?”
“Yes Sam…three days; I’ve been down here in the kitchen since they separated us. You were gone for two days,” he said to her, his voice filled with the worry he felt those two long days of not knowing what happened to her.
“Jack and Teal’c?” she asked almost whispering.
“They were sent to the mines; the boys have looked for them every morning but so far they haven’t seen them,” he told her.
“Here now…no need ta worry; they will find them; Daniel unlock yer chains,” Meg said as she tossed him a key.
He looked at the key then Meg,”But…how?”
“Tis left up ta me as ta when tha chains come off and I don’t think ya will be going anywhere soon now that ya have found one of yer friends,” she turned to Sam, “especially since she is hurt,” she said giving Sam a smile and refilling her bowl with more broth.
Daniel unlocked the cuffs and removed them from his ankles, standing up he took a few wide steps across the room to stretch his legs, “Ah…better; thank you Meg,” he said nodding his head to the tiny old woman.
Sam finished her broth and cleared her throat, ”Umm…can I get out now? I’m starting to feel a bit wrinkled, not to mention sleepy.”
Meg looked at Daniel, “Well boy…help yer friend up.”
“Oh…yeah…sorry Sam,” he said picking up one of the thin towels the boys left; he helped Sam to stand, holding onto her waist as she stepped over the tub edge and then draped the towel around her. He began patting her skin dry with another towel Meg passed to him.
In the light cast by the lamps, Daniel could see the full extent of the cuts; they covered her arms, legs and upper body, none of them very deep or long. It looked as if someone used her body to test the edge of a blade for sharpness.
Sam’s head began to nod, “Daniel I need to lie down or I’m going to fall.”
“Daniel…hold onta her while I put something on tha cuts,” said Meg as she picked up one of the bowls she brought.
“What is that?” he asked, standing behind Sam and bracing her body against his, the thin towel keeping the cuts on her back from touching his chest.
“Just some salve my granddame taught me ta make; good for all sorts of hurts, heals em up right nice,” the tiny woman replied while daubing the cuts on the front of Sam’s body, “we’ll wait ta do tha back once she lies down.”
“Daniel,” mumbled Sam, her speech sounding slurred, “she’s sneaky like Janet; I think she put something in my…”
Daniel had just a second to react, catching her under the arms as she slumped down, her knees giving way.
“Sam…Sam?” he patted her cheek but there was no response.
“She’ll not answer ya boy; I gave her something for tha pain and tha fever; it makes ya sleep,” Meg told the worried man.
“Well you could have told us,” he said carefully picking up the unconscious woman.
“Ay I could have; but would she have drunk it?” questioned Meg.
“No…probably not; she’s stubborn that way,” Daniel said as he followed Meg out the door with his friend cradled in his arms again.
He followed the old woman back to the chamber where he discovered Sam and laid her down gently on one of the empty cots. Meg helped him to turn Sam over so she lay on her stomach, head resting on her arms. He stood up stretching his back, which was when he noticed the blanketed forms lying on a cot close to the door.
While Meg finished applying the salve to Sam’s back and her legs, he walked softly over to the cot. Two tousled heads peeked out from under the top of the blanket, it seemed Jared and Korin had decided to stay close to them after all. He tucked the blanket up round them and returned to sit on the cot next to Sam’s; watching as Meg finished smearing the salve onto her back.
“We have company,” he said softly.
“Ay…I figured they would do that; tha little scamps,” Meg replied in a low voice, “they also brought ya a bucket and clean clothes ta put on,” she nodded towards the corner.
Daniel looked in that direction and sure enough, there was a bucket and a bundle of clothing, he smiled at the tiny woman, “They’re good boys Meg.”
“Ay that they are,” she said nodding, “now Daniel, she should sleep til morning and we’ll put more salve on when she wakes,” she said laying a thin piece of cloth over Sam’s back and then covering her with a blanket. “If she should wake in tha night, rouse one of tha boys ta come get me if ya need.”
“Thank you so much for your help Meg; I wish we could have met differently,” Daniel said rising from the cot and walking around to engulf the old woman in a hug.
“Ay…yer a good boy Daniel; but ya can never question the reason for meeting tha people you do or tha time ya meet them. Things will work out for tha best in tha end,” she said softly, patting him on the shoulder, “Now ya get some rest; I still need yer help in tha morning with tha bread.”
Daniel chuckled softly, “Yes m’am.”
Meg left the room and he walked over to the bucket, stripping off his wet clothing; he held the shirt in his hands looking at the traces of Sam’s blood. Glancing up at her sleeping form, he could only hope this was the end of her ordeal but somehow he thought there was more to come. Shaking his head to clear the thoughts he quickly washed off, drying with a towel the boys left; he pulled on the clothing and then padded over to lie down on the cot next to Sam‘s. He drifted off to sleep wondering if she would ever talk about what happened during the two days she was gone.
********************
The afternoon crept up on them while Daniel told his story; the shadows were growing longer across the living room when he finally finished. He stopped speaking and sat silently watching Janet’s reaction to the tale. She continued to run her fingers through Sam’s hair; her way of trying to sooth away some of the demons her lover faced he supposed.
She looked up at him, tears glistening in the corners of her eyes, “I wish I could have met Meg and the boys. I owe them my thanks for taking care of Sam and you,” the doctor spoke softly.
“I think you’d like them Janet, especially Meg,” Daniel replied to her comment.
“Why do I have this feeling that things became worse for the two of you,” she said her voice still low.
Daniel sighed, “It was more worse for Sam than me at times, but we had each other and our new friends to help us; I tried to get Jack to tell me what he and Teal’c went through but he was close-lipped about it.”
“I’m sure Jack will talk when he’s ready Daniel; he can be just as stubborn as Sam at times,” Janet saw the raised eyebrow Daniel threw her way, “okay…so Jack’s stubborn all the time but he’ll talk one day,” she said trying to assure him.
“Yeah…I know,” he sighed again, “Umm…do you think I could risk moving now? All that coffee has caught up with me,” he said giving her a half-smile.
“Go ahead…just move slowly,” Janet told him.
Daniel lifted the feet in his lap and slid out from under them, he gently placed Sam’s feet on the couch and then walked softly out of the living room. Janet gazed down at the face in her lap, she propped her elbow on the arm of the couch, resting her head in her hand as she closed her eyes; a hand stroked her face, wiping away an escaping tear.
“How long have you been awake?” she asked opening her eyes.
“About halfway through Daniel’s story,” whispered Sam.
Janet leant down, to place a kiss on her lover’s forehead but Sam pulled the doctor’s head further down to meet her lips; it was a slow gentle kiss, one that Janet could feel Sam putting all her love into. Janet snaked an arm around Sam’s waist, hugging her tight and pulling her up until Sam‘s upper body lay cradled in her arms, she broke the kiss and rested her forehead against Sam’s their eyes millimeters apart.
“You don’t have to tell me what happened,” she whispered pulling back to gaze into Sam’s eyes.
“But I need to,” Sam whispered back, sitting up she turned around to face Janet, taking the doctor’s hand in her own; she ran her thumb over the silver band around Janet’s finger.
“Do remember one of the promises I made when I gave you this?” she asked softly.
Janet brought her free hand up to cup her lover’s face, “Sweetie I remember all the promises you made that day.”
“The three most important ones to me though, were that I’d always love you no matter what, that I’d always come home to you and that I’d keep no secrets from you,” Sam said her thumb still caressing the band.
“If I don’t tell you what happened on that planet then it’s like I’m breaking one of my promises; because if I let it, this could eat away at me until I break. Daniel was right; to get passed some things you need to talk about them,” she said looking into Janet’s eyes.
The sound of a throat clearing broke their gaze, both turned heads to see Daniel standing in the hallway.
“I’m going to leave now and let you two have some alone time,” he told them.
They began to protest but he stopped them, “No…I’m leaving; I think I’ll go back to the base and check on Jack, see if he’s ready to talk yet,” he said giving Janet a smile.
Sam rose from the couch and walked around to give him a tight hug; she kissed his cheek and pulled back to look into his face, “Are you going to be alright?” she asked softly.
“I’ll be fine; will you?” he asked in return.
“Yeah…I think I will be…now,” she hugged him again and whispered, “thank you,” in his ear.
He returned the hug, “Anytime Sam.”
Before he could break the hug Janet appeared and added to it, “You didn’t think I was going to let you leave without saying thank you too did you?”
Daniel laughed, “No…group hug!”
They all laughed but gripped each other tighter; finally breaking the hug to let Daniel put on his coat. The pair escorted him to the door and as he was walking out Janet spoke up, “If you need anything…call us okay?”
“I will…bye,” he said waving to them as he walked down the steps and out to his car.
The two women watched as his car pulled out of the driveway and down the street. Janet shut the door and they turned as one, Sam’s arm wrapped around her waist, to walk back into the living room.
“What do you feel like doing now?” asked Janet.
“I am a little hungry and I want to take a hot bath,” Sam told her grinning at the last part.
“Uh huh…why do I get the feeling it wouldn’t be much of a bath?” she said looking up and seeing her lover’s grin.
“Hmmm…I don’t know,” Sam remarked snaking her free arm around the doctor’s waist and turning her until they faced, “I can bathe myself; it’s just more fun when you’re there too.”
Janet sighed as Sam began nuzzling her neck, “Sam…you’re doing it again.”
Sam pulled back, “Doing what?”
“Avoiding talking by trying to distract me,“ remarked Janet.
Sam took a deep breath, letting it out slowly she answered, “You’re right; it was me who said I wouldn’t keep secrets from you.”
Janet nodded, “Why don’t you go take that bath while I fix something for us to eat and then you can tell me what happened.”
“Alright…do I have a time limit?” she asked.
“Is half an hour alright with you? Janet asked in return, an idea forming in her head.
“Okay,” replied Sam, kissing Janet’s forehead before letting her loose, “be back down in half an hour.”
Janet watched her lover walk up the stairs and then walked into the kitchen, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts as she searched for just the right things to fix. Finding all she needed the doctor quickly threw together several items that would be satisfying but not sit to heavy in Sam’s stomach. Placing the plates in the fridge, she went back to the living room to set up her idea.
She pushed the coffee table out of the way and pulled all the cushions off the couch and loveseat, laying them out on the floor. Janet then went to the hall closet, taking out the big pillows they used for movie nights, a large comforter and several blankets. She carried her load back to the living room and spread the comforter over the cushions, stacked the pillows against the couch then laid the blankets off to the side.
Surveying her work Janet nodded and then went to the back door, pulled it open and walked out onto the deck. Sitting down in one of the lounge chairs the doctor tried to get her thoughts to calm down; she needed to be strong for Sam, not a nervous wreck.
Pulling her legs up close to her chest, the doctor wrapped her arms around them and let her chin rest on her knee. Why am I agonizing over this? The only things that should matter had already happened; Sam was alive…she was home…her love was safe. I just need to be there for her when she tells me the rest of what occurred during the ordeal…and yes…it was an ordeal, the scars and half healed injuries proved that to her; Janet sighed, closing her eyes.
The doctor was so wrapped up in her own thoughts she did not hear the back door open or the footsteps that walked over to kneel down before her until she caught a familiar scent. Janet smiled, opening her eyes to meet the gaze of blue staring at her, “You’ve been in my bath salts again.”
Sam leant forward, kissing Janet on the nose, “Busted,” she said when pulling back, a silly grin on her face; “Are we having a slumber party?”
“I just thought it would be more comfortable, being in the living room, open space and all; besides we haven’t camped out on the floor in a while, I thought it would be nice,” Janet said as Sam stood, pulling her up also.
They walked hand in hand back into the house, going to the kitchen. Janet removed the plates from the fridge; Sam held up a bottle of wine, giving Janet a questioning look, the doctor shook her head, “No…not tonight,” she said.
Sam shrugged and put the bottle away, fixing them some iced tea instead. They carried the food and drinks back into the living room, stepping onto the cushioned floor; Janet set the plates on the couch and moved to pick up a book from the coffee table so Sam could set the drinks on it. Once everything was set up, they sat on the cushions and began their meal.
Not a word was spoken as they ate; they just sat enjoying each other’s company, occasionally feeding each other little tidbits from their plates. It was as if they both were saving their spoken words for when Sam began her tale. Finishing with the meal, Janet rose and carried the plates back to the kitchen. While she was out of the room Sam arranged the pillows creating a comfortable resting spot for them to lay; Janet came back and sat down, settling against the pillows and Sam lay with her head resting in the doctor’s lap.
Janet brushed the bangs away from Sam’s face as they sat quietly; finally, she spoke, “We can always wait to do this if you want,” she said softly, giving Sam the chance to back out if she wanted.
Taking a deep breath Sam let it out, sighing, “Nope…I said I would tell you and I am, just trying to decide where to start.”
“Why not begin with the first thing you remember after they separated you from the guys,” suggested Janet.
Sam’s face scrunched up in thought, “It was dark…I was cold…and my back was killing me….”
Author: elfcat255
pairing: Sam/Janet with Daniel too
rated: PG-13(this will be the rating from here on out unless it goes up)
spoilers: Nope
Warnings:umm..I got kinda mushy and I so can't write short chapters anymore..this one is almost 5000 words..*headdesk*..I hope it's okay and not rambley
Summary: as usual I pick up from the last chapter..see a pattern to my writing..hmmm
AN: Okay...this is not where I wanted to end this chapter but I can't seem to get my brain to give me more..it's there I'm just to tired to write it right now..guh..so there will be more tomorrow after I get some sleep.
Daniel gripped her hand tighter, “Sam…Sam…come on stay with me.”
A moan and a mumbled word was his only answer as his friend shivered, her body wracked by a chill from the fever he felt. He looked around, spotting a blanket on a nearby cot; stretching his body without letting go of her hand, he grabbed the material bringing it over and laying it across her body.
He was unsure of the amount of damage, knowing would have to wait until the boys came with water to clean the blood from her body. What worried him the most was the heat he could feel radiating from her. Hearing the sound of running feet Daniel turned to see both Jared and Korin enter the room; each carried a bucket of steaming water and several towels thrown over their shoulders. As they neared him, he saw that Jared carried the med kit slung over one arm.
“Here are tha supplies ya need Daniel,” Korin said, his breathing heavy from their run.
“Meg said for us to help you if we could,” said Jared sitting his bucket down and handing Daniel the med kit.
Daniel thought for a few moments then looked at the two, “Can you fill one of the bathing tubs with warm water?”
“Ay we can do that, come Korin,” Jared assured Daniel and the two ran off again.
While Daniel waited for them to complete the task he dipped a towel in one of the buckets, wringing it out he began cleaning Sam’s face. It would take him too long to wash away the blood with just a towel, besides he needed to get her temperature down; immersing her in the warm tub would work for both. He lifted the blanket; from what he could see, the cuts looked superficial but he would not know for sure until she was clean. Why was she burning up?
“Daniel you idiot; check her back,” he muttered to himself.
Letting go of her hand he walked around to the other side of the cot to check the condition of the lash marks; the welts on her back were raised and inflamed, with the deeper ones looking the worst. He pressed a finger along one of the gashes and pus oozed from it along with another moan from her.
“Shhh….I’m sorry Sam,” he said softly and then muttered, “Dammit.”
He thought he had done a good job of cleaning them but it looked like now he had not. Sam’s back was definitely infected and there were not enough antibiotics left in the kit to treat it.
“Maybe Meg has something I can use,” he mused aloud as he pulled the blanket back up.
Jared ran back into the room, “The tub is ready Daniel.”
“Thanks Jared; where’s Korin?” asked Daniel as he carefully picked up Sam, cradling her in his arms.
“He’s waiting in the bathing room,” the boy said as he picked up the towels and med kit.
Daniel nodded and began walking slowly towards the doorway, making sure the manacles did not trip him. He couldn’t help but notice how light Sam felt in his arms; he counted the days in his head as he walked down the hall, it had been almost a week since they were captured and he was sure her lack of food probably helped to make the infection spread faster.
Jared ducked around him and stood by the door to the bathing room. When Daniel entered, he followed close behind and set the towels and kit down next to the tub. Daniel slowly lowered Sam into the water; when partially immersed, she woke up and began struggling against him.
“Hey easy Sam…it’s me Daniel…I’ve got you now, its okay,” he said in a calming tone.
She stopped thrashing and calmed down as he set her completely in the water; opening her eyes she looked up at him and gave a small smile.
“This is becoming a habit,” she mumbled.
“What…me taking care of you?” Daniel asked picking up a towel and dipping it into the water.
“No…you seeing me with no clothes on,” she half-grinned and then began shivering, “Why’d you put me in cold water?” she mumbled as her teeth began chattering.
“It just feels cold to you right now Sam; you have a fever,” he told her, “as for the no clothes thing…I won’t tell Janet if you won’t.”
“Deal,” she mumbled, her eyes closing again.
“Hey now…stay awake; I need you to tell me where else you’re hurt,” he said to her raising an arm and washing the blood away.
“Wanna sleep,” she mumbled.
“Samantha Carter wake up!” he said louder, “Don’t make me have to tell Janet you wouldn’t co-operate.”
Her eyes opened wide and she gave him a funny look but perked up, “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Oh just watch me...now where else are you injured?” he asked giving her a grin.
Sam moved around slowly in the tub, “I think my ribs are cracked, left side,” she said taking a deep breath, “Oh yeah…cracked…ouch.”
Daniel nodded as he ran the cloth over her upper body, “Anything else? You weren’t…”
“No Daniel…I wasn’t raped,” she sighed, “Luckily Jarvis doesn’t get his kicks that way.” She began shivering again, “Can you warm up the water some?”
“Boys can you get some hot water?” he asked looking at the two boys who were standing quietly off to the side.
“Ay Daniel, come on Korin,” answered Jared and the two disappeared out the door.
“Who was that and where am I?” asked Sam as Daniel continued washing away the blood. Realizing she didn’t want to say anything else about her injuries he let the change in subject slide.
“Ahh…those are the scamps as Meg refers to them; Jared and Korin. I’m sure you’ll meet Meg soon, as to where you are; well we’re in the lower levels of Jarvis’s manor, castle, home…I’m not sure what it’s called yet. Haven’t had much time to ask questions,” he remarked.
That remark earned him a laugh from his friend, “You…not have the time to ask questions…amazing.”
Daniel joined in the laughter, “Yeah you’re right it’s amazing.” Considering what he was about to do Daniel thought a good laugh was in order.
“Okay Sam…can you lean forward I need to clean your back,” he said softly.
She went to lean forward but stopped, “Nope…makes my ribs hurt. Let me lean over the side; will that work?”
“Whatever is the most comfortable for you; I’m afraid this is going to hurt,” he told her, in a serious tone.
Sam laid her arms over the side of the wooden tub, twisting her lower body around until she could rest easily against the tub wall, “How bad is it?”
“On a scale of one to ten…I’d say a ten,” he commented, “Okay…ready?”
“Just do it,” she said bracing herself for the pain.
Daniel ran the wet towel over her back gently at first and then pressed down harder; he heard her hiss and then start mumbling, ”I will not pass out…I will not pass out,” followed by a few choice swear words.
Trying to hurry he pressed around the cuts in her back until all the pus drained out and the wounds ran clean blood, “I think that will do for now,” he said.
“Thank God…Can I lean back now?” she asked her voice cracking.
“No…after that we need clean water,” he told her. She groaned but kept her position.
Just then, Jared and Korin entered carrying a large cauldron slung on a pole between them; several other boys toting buckets and Meg who carried a tray with a small pitcher and several bowls followed them. She set the tray on a bench and then ordered the boys to fill the other tub; once they finished she waved them out of the room.
Jared and Korin protested loudly, “We want to help,” they both whined at the same time.
“Off ta bed with ya; we don’t need yer help for tha next part,” she scolded them.
Grumbling the two boys ducked their heads but left the room. Meg turned back to Daniel, “Now…help yer friend inta tha clean tub boy,” she said giving Daniel a hard stare.
Sam could not help but giggle as Daniel helped her to stand and step from the tub, “Boy?”
Helping her into the clean water, he looked at her and grinned, “Just you wait until she hits you with a wooden spoon and calls you girl.”
Sam hissed as the hot water hit her raw back but sank into the tub up to her neck, “Oh that stings…but feels so good.”
Daniel laid a hand on her forehead; she was still a bit too warm to the touch. Walking over to the other tub, he picked up the med kit and rooted around until he found the rest of the pills; there weren’t many left but maybe it would be enough to at least knock her temperature down some more.
“Meg did you bring water?” he asked the tiny woman.
“Ay…and some broth; what do ya take me for a simpleton?” she replied rather sarcastically.
“Ah…sorry,“ he replied taking the cup she held.
“Here Sam…take these; I hope they work because it’s all I have left from the kit,” he said handing her the pills and the cup.
Sam took the pills and swallowed them with a long drink, emptying the cup, “More please,” she said handing it back to Daniel.
“Here now…ya drink this; it will fix two things at once, ya thirst and ya hunger,” Meg said as she walked over to give Sam one of the bowls.
“Thank you,” Sam replied as she took the bowl from the old woman’s hands, “You’re Meg…my name is Sam,” she said after taking a sip from the bowl.
“Ay…so I gathered after hearing tha boy call ya that; these old ears still work fine,” replied Meg, giving Sam a smile with her answer.
Daniel tried to hide the grin on his face but Meg caught him, “Stop ya grinning; I can go find a spoon.”
Daniel quickly wiped the grin from his face and replaced it with a smile directed at the tiny woman. He started to walk back around to the bench by the tub but tripped over the chains around his ankles, “Dammit!” he swore catching himself before he fully hit the ground.
He rose up to meet Sam’s grinning face, “Been walking long?”
“I’m blaming that comment on the fever,” he remarked as he sat on the bench, “You’d think after three days I’d be used to them by now.”
Sam gave him a confused look, “Three days?”
“Yes Sam…three days; I’ve been down here in the kitchen since they separated us. You were gone for two days,” he said to her, his voice filled with the worry he felt those two long days of not knowing what happened to her.
“Jack and Teal’c?” she asked almost whispering.
“They were sent to the mines; the boys have looked for them every morning but so far they haven’t seen them,” he told her.
“Here now…no need ta worry; they will find them; Daniel unlock yer chains,” Meg said as she tossed him a key.
He looked at the key then Meg,”But…how?”
“Tis left up ta me as ta when tha chains come off and I don’t think ya will be going anywhere soon now that ya have found one of yer friends,” she turned to Sam, “especially since she is hurt,” she said giving Sam a smile and refilling her bowl with more broth.
Daniel unlocked the cuffs and removed them from his ankles, standing up he took a few wide steps across the room to stretch his legs, “Ah…better; thank you Meg,” he said nodding his head to the tiny old woman.
Sam finished her broth and cleared her throat, ”Umm…can I get out now? I’m starting to feel a bit wrinkled, not to mention sleepy.”
Meg looked at Daniel, “Well boy…help yer friend up.”
“Oh…yeah…sorry Sam,” he said picking up one of the thin towels the boys left; he helped Sam to stand, holding onto her waist as she stepped over the tub edge and then draped the towel around her. He began patting her skin dry with another towel Meg passed to him.
In the light cast by the lamps, Daniel could see the full extent of the cuts; they covered her arms, legs and upper body, none of them very deep or long. It looked as if someone used her body to test the edge of a blade for sharpness.
Sam’s head began to nod, “Daniel I need to lie down or I’m going to fall.”
“Daniel…hold onta her while I put something on tha cuts,” said Meg as she picked up one of the bowls she brought.
“What is that?” he asked, standing behind Sam and bracing her body against his, the thin towel keeping the cuts on her back from touching his chest.
“Just some salve my granddame taught me ta make; good for all sorts of hurts, heals em up right nice,” the tiny woman replied while daubing the cuts on the front of Sam’s body, “we’ll wait ta do tha back once she lies down.”
“Daniel,” mumbled Sam, her speech sounding slurred, “she’s sneaky like Janet; I think she put something in my…”
Daniel had just a second to react, catching her under the arms as she slumped down, her knees giving way.
“Sam…Sam?” he patted her cheek but there was no response.
“She’ll not answer ya boy; I gave her something for tha pain and tha fever; it makes ya sleep,” Meg told the worried man.
“Well you could have told us,” he said carefully picking up the unconscious woman.
“Ay I could have; but would she have drunk it?” questioned Meg.
“No…probably not; she’s stubborn that way,” Daniel said as he followed Meg out the door with his friend cradled in his arms again.
He followed the old woman back to the chamber where he discovered Sam and laid her down gently on one of the empty cots. Meg helped him to turn Sam over so she lay on her stomach, head resting on her arms. He stood up stretching his back, which was when he noticed the blanketed forms lying on a cot close to the door.
While Meg finished applying the salve to Sam’s back and her legs, he walked softly over to the cot. Two tousled heads peeked out from under the top of the blanket, it seemed Jared and Korin had decided to stay close to them after all. He tucked the blanket up round them and returned to sit on the cot next to Sam’s; watching as Meg finished smearing the salve onto her back.
“We have company,” he said softly.
“Ay…I figured they would do that; tha little scamps,” Meg replied in a low voice, “they also brought ya a bucket and clean clothes ta put on,” she nodded towards the corner.
Daniel looked in that direction and sure enough, there was a bucket and a bundle of clothing, he smiled at the tiny woman, “They’re good boys Meg.”
“Ay that they are,” she said nodding, “now Daniel, she should sleep til morning and we’ll put more salve on when she wakes,” she said laying a thin piece of cloth over Sam’s back and then covering her with a blanket. “If she should wake in tha night, rouse one of tha boys ta come get me if ya need.”
“Thank you so much for your help Meg; I wish we could have met differently,” Daniel said rising from the cot and walking around to engulf the old woman in a hug.
“Ay…yer a good boy Daniel; but ya can never question the reason for meeting tha people you do or tha time ya meet them. Things will work out for tha best in tha end,” she said softly, patting him on the shoulder, “Now ya get some rest; I still need yer help in tha morning with tha bread.”
Daniel chuckled softly, “Yes m’am.”
Meg left the room and he walked over to the bucket, stripping off his wet clothing; he held the shirt in his hands looking at the traces of Sam’s blood. Glancing up at her sleeping form, he could only hope this was the end of her ordeal but somehow he thought there was more to come. Shaking his head to clear the thoughts he quickly washed off, drying with a towel the boys left; he pulled on the clothing and then padded over to lie down on the cot next to Sam‘s. He drifted off to sleep wondering if she would ever talk about what happened during the two days she was gone.
********************
The afternoon crept up on them while Daniel told his story; the shadows were growing longer across the living room when he finally finished. He stopped speaking and sat silently watching Janet’s reaction to the tale. She continued to run her fingers through Sam’s hair; her way of trying to sooth away some of the demons her lover faced he supposed.
She looked up at him, tears glistening in the corners of her eyes, “I wish I could have met Meg and the boys. I owe them my thanks for taking care of Sam and you,” the doctor spoke softly.
“I think you’d like them Janet, especially Meg,” Daniel replied to her comment.
“Why do I have this feeling that things became worse for the two of you,” she said her voice still low.
Daniel sighed, “It was more worse for Sam than me at times, but we had each other and our new friends to help us; I tried to get Jack to tell me what he and Teal’c went through but he was close-lipped about it.”
“I’m sure Jack will talk when he’s ready Daniel; he can be just as stubborn as Sam at times,” Janet saw the raised eyebrow Daniel threw her way, “okay…so Jack’s stubborn all the time but he’ll talk one day,” she said trying to assure him.
“Yeah…I know,” he sighed again, “Umm…do you think I could risk moving now? All that coffee has caught up with me,” he said giving her a half-smile.
“Go ahead…just move slowly,” Janet told him.
Daniel lifted the feet in his lap and slid out from under them, he gently placed Sam’s feet on the couch and then walked softly out of the living room. Janet gazed down at the face in her lap, she propped her elbow on the arm of the couch, resting her head in her hand as she closed her eyes; a hand stroked her face, wiping away an escaping tear.
“How long have you been awake?” she asked opening her eyes.
“About halfway through Daniel’s story,” whispered Sam.
Janet leant down, to place a kiss on her lover’s forehead but Sam pulled the doctor’s head further down to meet her lips; it was a slow gentle kiss, one that Janet could feel Sam putting all her love into. Janet snaked an arm around Sam’s waist, hugging her tight and pulling her up until Sam‘s upper body lay cradled in her arms, she broke the kiss and rested her forehead against Sam’s their eyes millimeters apart.
“You don’t have to tell me what happened,” she whispered pulling back to gaze into Sam’s eyes.
“But I need to,” Sam whispered back, sitting up she turned around to face Janet, taking the doctor’s hand in her own; she ran her thumb over the silver band around Janet’s finger.
“Do remember one of the promises I made when I gave you this?” she asked softly.
Janet brought her free hand up to cup her lover’s face, “Sweetie I remember all the promises you made that day.”
“The three most important ones to me though, were that I’d always love you no matter what, that I’d always come home to you and that I’d keep no secrets from you,” Sam said her thumb still caressing the band.
“If I don’t tell you what happened on that planet then it’s like I’m breaking one of my promises; because if I let it, this could eat away at me until I break. Daniel was right; to get passed some things you need to talk about them,” she said looking into Janet’s eyes.
The sound of a throat clearing broke their gaze, both turned heads to see Daniel standing in the hallway.
“I’m going to leave now and let you two have some alone time,” he told them.
They began to protest but he stopped them, “No…I’m leaving; I think I’ll go back to the base and check on Jack, see if he’s ready to talk yet,” he said giving Janet a smile.
Sam rose from the couch and walked around to give him a tight hug; she kissed his cheek and pulled back to look into his face, “Are you going to be alright?” she asked softly.
“I’ll be fine; will you?” he asked in return.
“Yeah…I think I will be…now,” she hugged him again and whispered, “thank you,” in his ear.
He returned the hug, “Anytime Sam.”
Before he could break the hug Janet appeared and added to it, “You didn’t think I was going to let you leave without saying thank you too did you?”
Daniel laughed, “No…group hug!”
They all laughed but gripped each other tighter; finally breaking the hug to let Daniel put on his coat. The pair escorted him to the door and as he was walking out Janet spoke up, “If you need anything…call us okay?”
“I will…bye,” he said waving to them as he walked down the steps and out to his car.
The two women watched as his car pulled out of the driveway and down the street. Janet shut the door and they turned as one, Sam’s arm wrapped around her waist, to walk back into the living room.
“What do you feel like doing now?” asked Janet.
“I am a little hungry and I want to take a hot bath,” Sam told her grinning at the last part.
“Uh huh…why do I get the feeling it wouldn’t be much of a bath?” she said looking up and seeing her lover’s grin.
“Hmmm…I don’t know,” Sam remarked snaking her free arm around the doctor’s waist and turning her until they faced, “I can bathe myself; it’s just more fun when you’re there too.”
Janet sighed as Sam began nuzzling her neck, “Sam…you’re doing it again.”
Sam pulled back, “Doing what?”
“Avoiding talking by trying to distract me,“ remarked Janet.
Sam took a deep breath, letting it out slowly she answered, “You’re right; it was me who said I wouldn’t keep secrets from you.”
Janet nodded, “Why don’t you go take that bath while I fix something for us to eat and then you can tell me what happened.”
“Alright…do I have a time limit?” she asked.
“Is half an hour alright with you? Janet asked in return, an idea forming in her head.
“Okay,” replied Sam, kissing Janet’s forehead before letting her loose, “be back down in half an hour.”
Janet watched her lover walk up the stairs and then walked into the kitchen, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts as she searched for just the right things to fix. Finding all she needed the doctor quickly threw together several items that would be satisfying but not sit to heavy in Sam’s stomach. Placing the plates in the fridge, she went back to the living room to set up her idea.
She pushed the coffee table out of the way and pulled all the cushions off the couch and loveseat, laying them out on the floor. Janet then went to the hall closet, taking out the big pillows they used for movie nights, a large comforter and several blankets. She carried her load back to the living room and spread the comforter over the cushions, stacked the pillows against the couch then laid the blankets off to the side.
Surveying her work Janet nodded and then went to the back door, pulled it open and walked out onto the deck. Sitting down in one of the lounge chairs the doctor tried to get her thoughts to calm down; she needed to be strong for Sam, not a nervous wreck.
Pulling her legs up close to her chest, the doctor wrapped her arms around them and let her chin rest on her knee. Why am I agonizing over this? The only things that should matter had already happened; Sam was alive…she was home…her love was safe. I just need to be there for her when she tells me the rest of what occurred during the ordeal…and yes…it was an ordeal, the scars and half healed injuries proved that to her; Janet sighed, closing her eyes.
The doctor was so wrapped up in her own thoughts she did not hear the back door open or the footsteps that walked over to kneel down before her until she caught a familiar scent. Janet smiled, opening her eyes to meet the gaze of blue staring at her, “You’ve been in my bath salts again.”
Sam leant forward, kissing Janet on the nose, “Busted,” she said when pulling back, a silly grin on her face; “Are we having a slumber party?”
“I just thought it would be more comfortable, being in the living room, open space and all; besides we haven’t camped out on the floor in a while, I thought it would be nice,” Janet said as Sam stood, pulling her up also.
They walked hand in hand back into the house, going to the kitchen. Janet removed the plates from the fridge; Sam held up a bottle of wine, giving Janet a questioning look, the doctor shook her head, “No…not tonight,” she said.
Sam shrugged and put the bottle away, fixing them some iced tea instead. They carried the food and drinks back into the living room, stepping onto the cushioned floor; Janet set the plates on the couch and moved to pick up a book from the coffee table so Sam could set the drinks on it. Once everything was set up, they sat on the cushions and began their meal.
Not a word was spoken as they ate; they just sat enjoying each other’s company, occasionally feeding each other little tidbits from their plates. It was as if they both were saving their spoken words for when Sam began her tale. Finishing with the meal, Janet rose and carried the plates back to the kitchen. While she was out of the room Sam arranged the pillows creating a comfortable resting spot for them to lay; Janet came back and sat down, settling against the pillows and Sam lay with her head resting in the doctor’s lap.
Janet brushed the bangs away from Sam’s face as they sat quietly; finally, she spoke, “We can always wait to do this if you want,” she said softly, giving Sam the chance to back out if she wanted.
Taking a deep breath Sam let it out, sighing, “Nope…I said I would tell you and I am, just trying to decide where to start.”
“Why not begin with the first thing you remember after they separated you from the guys,” suggested Janet.
Sam’s face scrunched up in thought, “It was dark…I was cold…and my back was killing me….”
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