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Title: "Coming Home pt 11"
Author: elfcat255
pairing: Sam/Janet
rated: PG-13-language
spoilers: Nope
Warnings: nope
Summary: as usual I pick up from the last chapter..see a pattern to my writing..hmmm
AN: more to come in a couple of days...
She sat frozen in shock, for how long she did not know but the sound of an engine roaring to life snapped her out of it making her jump up from the floor, “No!”
She ran towards the door leading to the garage, the engine gunned a few times as she reached it, turning the knob and throwing open the door, “Sam!” she yelled as loud as possible.
The helmeted woman either did not hear her or was ignoring the cry, gunning the engine once more. Janet ran to the opened garage door and grabbed the strap, pulling the door down as fast as she could blocking the attempt at escape. She turned around to face the motorcycle; the engine cut off and Sam sat there, shoulders slumped and helmeted head bowed.
“Well…at least you put the helmet on,” remarked Janet as she walked to stand beside the motorcycle, “What are you doing?”
Sam shrugged her shoulders; reaching up she pulled the helmet off, “I needed some space,” she said softy.
“No you were running away; tell the truth. You just told me you killed a man and you were running so you wouldn’t have to face me,” Janet said, trying to keep her voice calm.
Sam refused to answer, she just sat on the bike, fiddling with the chin strap on her helmet letting the buckle clink against the gas tank; the metallic noise echoed in the silence of the garage. Janet couldn’t take it any more she reached up pulling Sam’s head around to face her; she looked into glassy red eyes, the pain and anguish evident on her lover’s face.
“Come back inside, I don’t think you’re through telling me the whole story yet; are you?” the doctor said in a low voice.
She took the helmet out of Sam’s hands and placed it on the floor then took hold of her lover’s hand, tugging until Sam placed the kickstand down, letting the Indian rest. She slowly swung her leg over the bike and allowed Janet to pull her into the house.
They walked into the kitchen where Sam sat on a stool while Janet went to the sink, grabbing a clean dishtowel she wet it and then returned to where Sam sat; she took her lover’s tear streaked face in her hand and cleaned the marks from it. Once finished with that task she turned away to open a cabinet, pulling out the bottle of wine from earlier and setting it before her lover, “Open that,” she told Sam as she went for glasses.
“I thought you didn’t want to drink tonight,” Sam said giving the doctor a confused look.
“Sam you just scared the crap out of me trying to pull that stunt; I need something to calm down my nerves and besides I know if you drink some you won’t try to run off on the bike again, “ Janet said setting the wine glasses down.
Sam just sighed then nodded and found the opener; she pulled the cork out of the bottle then poured some wine into the glasses set before her. Janet picked up her glass taking a large swallow, she looked at Sam with a raised eyebrow and she too took a drink from her glass.
“Is this what you were talking about with Daniel this morning: when I overheard you say I would hate you? Janet asked softly.
Sam sighed, “Yes,” she whispered, taking another sip from her glass and then set it on the counter.
Janet stood there for a moment then placed her glass down; she reached across the short distance separating them and grabbed a hold of Sam’s t-shirt pulling the taller woman towards her. When they were inches apart she looked up into Sam’s eyes, bringing a hand up she cupped the back of her lover’s neck and pulled her head down to meet her lips. The doctor tried her best to pour every ounce of love she held for this woman into the kiss; it was long and slow, breaking only when both needed to come up for air.
Janet smiled, “I told you I could never hate you; didn’t I say I wanted to kill him too after hearing what that man put you through? Would you hate me for doing it?” she asked, her gaze never breaking from Sam.
“Oh God no…I could never hate you…you’re the best thing in my life Janet,“ Sam said in rush of words as she wrapped her arms around the doctor hugging her tight.
“And I feel the same way about you,” said Janet as she pulled back from the hug, “now that we’ve gotten that clear I think you need to finish telling me what occurred; unless you don’t want to finish tonight.” She gave Sam a questioning look as she finished the sentence.
“No…I can finish, not all of it but more that will help you know why I had to do what I did,” answered Sam.
Janet nodded, picking up her glass and Sam’s, “Grab the bottle,” she said walking towards the living room.
“Are you trying to get me drunk?” Sam asked but picked up the bottle and followed the doctor.
“If it keeps you from running away again then yes…unless you want more pills,” remarked Janet, sitting down on the cushions and leaning against the pillows.
“Give me my glass,” said Sam; she filled up the glass handed to her and added some more to Janet’s then sat next to her lover leaning against the couch.
Taking a drink of her wine, Sam took a deep breath and spoke, “Daniel already told you what happened when he found me so guess I start with the next time I woke up…..”
*****************************
Sam slowly regained consciousness, she tried to move but her body protested and she let out a low groan. Turning her head slowly her eyes connected with two brown ones not more then a foot from her. Startled for a moment her head jerked back, until she remembered about the two boys; she laid it back on her arms and cleared her throat.
“Which one are you?” she asked in a raspy voice.
“Korin…do ya need some water?” he replied.
“Yes please,” she rasped.
He jumped up and ran across the room, coming back with a small bucket; scooping a cup into the water he held it to her lips letting her drink her fill. After two more cups, she told him she was fine now. He set the bucket off to the side and resumed the position he had been in when she woke.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Daniel told me ta keep a close watch on ya; so I am,” Korin replied.
Sam chuckled, “You don’t have to sit that close,” she told the boy, “Where is Daniel?”
Korin moved back some and replied, “He’s with Jared, taking tha morning meal ta tha mines. He said ta watch ya and if ya needed anything ta help ya.”
“My own personal errand boy…lovely,” Sam said giving the boy a smile.
Korin perked up at the smile, returning it to her, “Do ya need me ta fetch Meg?”
Sam thought for a moment, now that she was awake her bladder was starting to scream, “Uh yeah… can you get her for me?”
Korin nodded and jumped up, running out of the room.
“Well Sam…you’ve got another one hooked,” she said to herself grinning at the boy’s enthusiasm.
While he was gone, she tried to sit up; slowly pulling her arms under her chest, she pushed upwards. A flash of pain streaked across her back but she gritted her teeth and fought through it; turning her body until she could slide her legs underneath her and assume a sitting position. Once there she pulled the blanket away from her upper body and began surveying the damage to her arms and chest.
“Fucking bastard,” she muttered when she saw the cuts peppering her arms and upper body, “there’s no telling what my back looks like.”
Tying the blanket around her body, she tried to stand, on her first attempt she failed miserably as a wave of dizziness swept over her. Plopping back on the cot, she took a deep breath and tried again. Just as she was about to stand upright Korin ran back into the room followed not far behind by Meg. Sam started to wobble and the boy ran to her side, supporting her as much as he could while she stood up.
“Here now…what do ya think yer doing,” Meg admonished as she walk to stand beside Sam, supporting her other side.
“Trying to stand up so I don’t wet the bed,” joked Sam.
Meg shook her head, “Korin go stand outside tha door; I’ll call ya when I need ya,” she told the boy.
He looked up at Sam and then Meg, “I’m ta help her Meg, Daniel told me.”
“Go outside Korin; you can help me in a little while…okay,” Sam said ruffling the boy’s hair.
He grumbled but walked towards the door, dragging his feet. Meg chuckled at the boy’s actions, “Here…walk this way if ya can,” she told Sam.
Sam took small steps, holding onto the small woman as Meg directed her towards a screened off area. Once they reached it, Sam saw a crude stool and bucket set-up; Meg helped her to sit down and then gave her some privacy. She sighed in relief as her bladder emptied, looking around she found a pile of scrap cloth; after she finished with her task Sam tried to stand.
A throat cleared and she looked up to find Meg watching her attempt, “Daniel was right; ya are a stubborn one,” remarked Meg as she walked over to help Sam stand.
Sam marveled at the strength the tiny woman possessed as she practically pulled her larger frame upright, “You sure are strong for your size,” she commented as they walked slowly back to the cot.
“Ay…hard work does that for ya,” the old woman replied a bit sarcastically but looked up and gave Sam a wink.
Meg helped her back to the cot and then called Korin back into the room; the boy skidded to a stop before them, “Now…ya go ta tha kitchen and bring back a loaf of bread and a bowl of porridge for tha lady,” the tiny old woman told him.
Korin nodded and took off at a run again; Sam laughed, “Does he run everywhere?”
“Ay…ya should have seen em when he was a little one, had ta tie him ta a table ta keep track of em,” Meg replied in a wistful voice.
Sam saw the look on the old woman’s face it was if she was remembering happier times, “Is he related to you?” she asked.
“Ay Sam…he’s my grandson,” replied Meg,”now let me look at yer wounds,” she said changing the subject.
Sam saw the pained look that passed over Meg’s face when she said Korin was her grandson and let the subject change slide. She untied the blanket and pulled it from around her upper body. Meg handed her a bowl that had been sitting on the bench next to the cot, while she moved to look over Sam’s back.
“Ya put that on yer front,” Meg told her, “while I do tha back.”
Sam scooped a bit of the creamy substance onto her finger, bringing it up to sniff; it had no smell. She shrugged and began rubbing it over the cuts on her arms. Meg reached around and scooped a handful out of the bowl then applied the cream to her back. Sam winced when the woman hit a few tender spots, but other than that, the pain was not bad now that she had stretched the skin by moving around some.
“Yer healing up nicely Sam, a few more days and ya will never know ya were hurt; ya might have a few scars but not many,” Meg told her as she finished putting the cream on.
“A few days? I know my back was hurt worse than that Meg,” remarked Sam.
“Ya have been asleep for three days Sam,” commented Meg.
“What?” Sam said turning slightly until she could see the woman.
“Ay…Ya were running a high fever…so I kept ya dosed,” replied Meg, “tha cream helped pull tha infection out; it also helps ta stop scarring.”
“Wow…I bet Janet would love a sample of this stuff and whatever you used to knock me out,” she said rubbing more of the cream on her chest.
“I’ve heard that name often these past few days, from you and Daniel; who is this Janet?” asked Meg, moving around to sit next to Sam.
“Umm…from me? A confused look was on Sam’s face as she asked the question.
“Ay…ya spoke it often in yer sleep,” Meg said with a grin.
Sam ducked her head blushing; clearing her throat, she spoke softly, “She’s someone very special to me Meg.”
“Ay I gather that from the way ya just acted,” Meg commented, “is she also the healer Daniel speaks of?”
“Yes…Janet is a healer and she would love to meet you I just know it,” Sam told her and then grinned, “Probably because she wouldn’t be the shortest person in the room.”
This made Meg laugh loudly and Sam joined her; the tiny woman helped her to wrap the blanket back around her body, still chuckling. Korin walked back into the room then, only because he carried a tray with Sam’s food on it; he brought it over setting it on the bench. He picked up the bowl and gave it to Sam; she took a spoonful, testing it with her tongue, it was sweet. She began eating spoonfuls, forcing herself to eat slowly. Korin broke off a piece of bread, handing it to her; she smiled at the boy and he ducked his head. Sam glanced over at Meg who was silently chuckling at the boy’s actions.
Sam soon finished the porridge and most of the bread; accepting the cup from Korin she drank several large swallows and then sighed, “Oh I feel much better now, thank you Meg and you too Korin.”
“Tis nothing…girl, ya need to eat more but we shall wait a bit longer, let that settle first; Korin…take tha tray back and get ta yer chores,” Meg said.
The boy started to protest but a stern look from Meg sent him out of the room, head hanging low and feet dragging again.
Sam chuckled softly, “That was a look worthy of Janet and it got the same results hers’ usually do.”
“Now…tell me more about yer Janet,” said Meg as she made herself more comfortable on the cot.
Grinning, Sam began telling the old woman about the doctor and her life; for some reason Sam felt she could just talk to her about anything. It helped her to get her mind off the problems faced now. She cocked her head glancing at the tiny woman, “You’re doing this on purpose aren’t you?”
“Ay…ya figured me out…I’m trying ta get ya mind on better things for a moment,” replied Meg, “Because I have questions ta ask ya.” The old woman’s tone took on a serious note.
“I’ll try to answer what I can Meg; I owe you that much for your help,” replied Sam.
“Good…was Jarvis the only one who did this ta ya or did he have help?” she asked.
“It was just him,” replied Sam softly, her face growing blank.
“Where there any other girls with ya?” the old woman asked.
“No…I was alone,” Sam told her.
Med nodded, “Why did he let you go?”
“Because I stood up to the bastard; I wouldn’t let him have the satisfaction of hearing me beg for him to stop,” Sam said, giving the woman a hard stare, “Why?”
“We haven’t seen him since ya came here,” Meg told her.
Sam laughed loudly, “I knew it! I broke the bastard’s nose!”
Meg gave her an odd look, “Ay…that might be why, he would have a hard time explaining an injury like that ta his men; especially since he tries ta show no weakness around them,” the woman mused.
Sam thought for a few moments, “Why did you want to know if there were other girls?”
Meg sighed, “Many have gone missing in tha past few years; I had hoped maybe they were locked up somewhere.”
“Someone you knew?” asked Sam, her voice concerned.
“Ay girl…my daughter was one that went missing,” the old woman replied.
“I’m sorry,” Sam said reaching out to grasp the woman’s hand.
Meg wiped a tear away from her eye and looked up at Sam, “Nothing for ya ta be sorry about girl, tis just a hope she still lived.”
Meg stood up, she looked down at the seated woman before her and spoke, “I’m glad ya stood up ta him; maybe it will make a difference. Now ya need yer rest, lie back down and I’ll send Daniel ta ya when he returns.”
Sam began to protest but a yawn convinced her to do as Meg said. She stood and then lay back down on her stomach, resting her head on her arms once more. Meg placed another blanket over her and with a pat on the shoulder left to let Sam rest.
Her thoughts were in a whirl as she lay in the quiet room. It seemed her suspicions were correct; Jarvis had taken other girls and tortured them in his little chamber of horrors. At least she escaped but Sam had a feeling there would be retaliation for her injuring him; just what she did not know. She closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep thinking of how they could make it home. She had a promise to keep.
***********************
Sam grew silent…her story ending there. Janet glanced over at her lover; Sam’s eyes were growing heavy. The doctor watched her head nod a couple of times and smiled.
“Sweetie, why don’t we stop there for the night; you’re about to fall asleep where you sit,” she said rubbing Sam’s arm.
Sam yawned, “Yeah…I am getting sleepy, blaming the wine on that,” she said grinning at Janet.
“Well you said no pills so…” the doctor let the sentence trail off, returning the grin.
“Yeah yeah, I know,” grumbled Sam, fluffing up the pillows and lying down to burrow into them; she motioned for Janet to lay next to her but the doctor shook her head.
“Let me go change clothes first,” she said, leaning forward to place a kiss on Sam’s lips, “be right back.”
Janet stood up and left the room leaving Sam to lie in the faint light, staring up at the ceiling her body tired but her mind still going at warp speed; ‘ I really don’t know why I tried to run away…should have known Janet would stand by my actions; guess it was just the whole re-telling of it all that made me so jumpy,’ she thought to herself. Closing her eyes, she waited for Janet to return.
Janet padded down the stairs, her footfalls falling softly on the carpeted floor. She went to the kitchen, turning off the overhead light but leaving the one over the stovetop on. Walking back into the living room she stepped on the cushions next to Sam’s stretched out body. The doctor looked down at her lover, her eyes were closed and her breathing slow; she was asleep. Smiling Janet picked up one of the blankets and sat down next to Sam, she spread the blanket out covering her lover’s body. Glancing down at the sleeping woman, she reached a hand out brushing the bangs away from her forehead and leant down placing a kiss there.
Turning around she lay down next to Sam, facing away from her. As she settled the blanket over her too, an arm was thrown over her waist and she was pulled up against Sam’s body, spooning against her. She chuckled as a few mumbled words escaped from the body behind her.
“I love you too Sam,” she said grasping the hand on her stomach; Janet closed her eyes, snuggling down into the cushions and against Sam.
Author: elfcat255
pairing: Sam/Janet
rated: PG-13-language
spoilers: Nope
Warnings: nope
Summary: as usual I pick up from the last chapter..see a pattern to my writing..hmmm
AN: more to come in a couple of days...
She sat frozen in shock, for how long she did not know but the sound of an engine roaring to life snapped her out of it making her jump up from the floor, “No!”
She ran towards the door leading to the garage, the engine gunned a few times as she reached it, turning the knob and throwing open the door, “Sam!” she yelled as loud as possible.
The helmeted woman either did not hear her or was ignoring the cry, gunning the engine once more. Janet ran to the opened garage door and grabbed the strap, pulling the door down as fast as she could blocking the attempt at escape. She turned around to face the motorcycle; the engine cut off and Sam sat there, shoulders slumped and helmeted head bowed.
“Well…at least you put the helmet on,” remarked Janet as she walked to stand beside the motorcycle, “What are you doing?”
Sam shrugged her shoulders; reaching up she pulled the helmet off, “I needed some space,” she said softy.
“No you were running away; tell the truth. You just told me you killed a man and you were running so you wouldn’t have to face me,” Janet said, trying to keep her voice calm.
Sam refused to answer, she just sat on the bike, fiddling with the chin strap on her helmet letting the buckle clink against the gas tank; the metallic noise echoed in the silence of the garage. Janet couldn’t take it any more she reached up pulling Sam’s head around to face her; she looked into glassy red eyes, the pain and anguish evident on her lover’s face.
“Come back inside, I don’t think you’re through telling me the whole story yet; are you?” the doctor said in a low voice.
She took the helmet out of Sam’s hands and placed it on the floor then took hold of her lover’s hand, tugging until Sam placed the kickstand down, letting the Indian rest. She slowly swung her leg over the bike and allowed Janet to pull her into the house.
They walked into the kitchen where Sam sat on a stool while Janet went to the sink, grabbing a clean dishtowel she wet it and then returned to where Sam sat; she took her lover’s tear streaked face in her hand and cleaned the marks from it. Once finished with that task she turned away to open a cabinet, pulling out the bottle of wine from earlier and setting it before her lover, “Open that,” she told Sam as she went for glasses.
“I thought you didn’t want to drink tonight,” Sam said giving the doctor a confused look.
“Sam you just scared the crap out of me trying to pull that stunt; I need something to calm down my nerves and besides I know if you drink some you won’t try to run off on the bike again, “ Janet said setting the wine glasses down.
Sam just sighed then nodded and found the opener; she pulled the cork out of the bottle then poured some wine into the glasses set before her. Janet picked up her glass taking a large swallow, she looked at Sam with a raised eyebrow and she too took a drink from her glass.
“Is this what you were talking about with Daniel this morning: when I overheard you say I would hate you? Janet asked softly.
Sam sighed, “Yes,” she whispered, taking another sip from her glass and then set it on the counter.
Janet stood there for a moment then placed her glass down; she reached across the short distance separating them and grabbed a hold of Sam’s t-shirt pulling the taller woman towards her. When they were inches apart she looked up into Sam’s eyes, bringing a hand up she cupped the back of her lover’s neck and pulled her head down to meet her lips. The doctor tried her best to pour every ounce of love she held for this woman into the kiss; it was long and slow, breaking only when both needed to come up for air.
Janet smiled, “I told you I could never hate you; didn’t I say I wanted to kill him too after hearing what that man put you through? Would you hate me for doing it?” she asked, her gaze never breaking from Sam.
“Oh God no…I could never hate you…you’re the best thing in my life Janet,“ Sam said in rush of words as she wrapped her arms around the doctor hugging her tight.
“And I feel the same way about you,” said Janet as she pulled back from the hug, “now that we’ve gotten that clear I think you need to finish telling me what occurred; unless you don’t want to finish tonight.” She gave Sam a questioning look as she finished the sentence.
“No…I can finish, not all of it but more that will help you know why I had to do what I did,” answered Sam.
Janet nodded, picking up her glass and Sam’s, “Grab the bottle,” she said walking towards the living room.
“Are you trying to get me drunk?” Sam asked but picked up the bottle and followed the doctor.
“If it keeps you from running away again then yes…unless you want more pills,” remarked Janet, sitting down on the cushions and leaning against the pillows.
“Give me my glass,” said Sam; she filled up the glass handed to her and added some more to Janet’s then sat next to her lover leaning against the couch.
Taking a drink of her wine, Sam took a deep breath and spoke, “Daniel already told you what happened when he found me so guess I start with the next time I woke up…..”
*****************************
Sam slowly regained consciousness, she tried to move but her body protested and she let out a low groan. Turning her head slowly her eyes connected with two brown ones not more then a foot from her. Startled for a moment her head jerked back, until she remembered about the two boys; she laid it back on her arms and cleared her throat.
“Which one are you?” she asked in a raspy voice.
“Korin…do ya need some water?” he replied.
“Yes please,” she rasped.
He jumped up and ran across the room, coming back with a small bucket; scooping a cup into the water he held it to her lips letting her drink her fill. After two more cups, she told him she was fine now. He set the bucket off to the side and resumed the position he had been in when she woke.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Daniel told me ta keep a close watch on ya; so I am,” Korin replied.
Sam chuckled, “You don’t have to sit that close,” she told the boy, “Where is Daniel?”
Korin moved back some and replied, “He’s with Jared, taking tha morning meal ta tha mines. He said ta watch ya and if ya needed anything ta help ya.”
“My own personal errand boy…lovely,” Sam said giving the boy a smile.
Korin perked up at the smile, returning it to her, “Do ya need me ta fetch Meg?”
Sam thought for a moment, now that she was awake her bladder was starting to scream, “Uh yeah… can you get her for me?”
Korin nodded and jumped up, running out of the room.
“Well Sam…you’ve got another one hooked,” she said to herself grinning at the boy’s enthusiasm.
While he was gone, she tried to sit up; slowly pulling her arms under her chest, she pushed upwards. A flash of pain streaked across her back but she gritted her teeth and fought through it; turning her body until she could slide her legs underneath her and assume a sitting position. Once there she pulled the blanket away from her upper body and began surveying the damage to her arms and chest.
“Fucking bastard,” she muttered when she saw the cuts peppering her arms and upper body, “there’s no telling what my back looks like.”
Tying the blanket around her body, she tried to stand, on her first attempt she failed miserably as a wave of dizziness swept over her. Plopping back on the cot, she took a deep breath and tried again. Just as she was about to stand upright Korin ran back into the room followed not far behind by Meg. Sam started to wobble and the boy ran to her side, supporting her as much as he could while she stood up.
“Here now…what do ya think yer doing,” Meg admonished as she walk to stand beside Sam, supporting her other side.
“Trying to stand up so I don’t wet the bed,” joked Sam.
Meg shook her head, “Korin go stand outside tha door; I’ll call ya when I need ya,” she told the boy.
He looked up at Sam and then Meg, “I’m ta help her Meg, Daniel told me.”
“Go outside Korin; you can help me in a little while…okay,” Sam said ruffling the boy’s hair.
He grumbled but walked towards the door, dragging his feet. Meg chuckled at the boy’s actions, “Here…walk this way if ya can,” she told Sam.
Sam took small steps, holding onto the small woman as Meg directed her towards a screened off area. Once they reached it, Sam saw a crude stool and bucket set-up; Meg helped her to sit down and then gave her some privacy. She sighed in relief as her bladder emptied, looking around she found a pile of scrap cloth; after she finished with her task Sam tried to stand.
A throat cleared and she looked up to find Meg watching her attempt, “Daniel was right; ya are a stubborn one,” remarked Meg as she walked over to help Sam stand.
Sam marveled at the strength the tiny woman possessed as she practically pulled her larger frame upright, “You sure are strong for your size,” she commented as they walked slowly back to the cot.
“Ay…hard work does that for ya,” the old woman replied a bit sarcastically but looked up and gave Sam a wink.
Meg helped her back to the cot and then called Korin back into the room; the boy skidded to a stop before them, “Now…ya go ta tha kitchen and bring back a loaf of bread and a bowl of porridge for tha lady,” the tiny old woman told him.
Korin nodded and took off at a run again; Sam laughed, “Does he run everywhere?”
“Ay…ya should have seen em when he was a little one, had ta tie him ta a table ta keep track of em,” Meg replied in a wistful voice.
Sam saw the look on the old woman’s face it was if she was remembering happier times, “Is he related to you?” she asked.
“Ay Sam…he’s my grandson,” replied Meg,”now let me look at yer wounds,” she said changing the subject.
Sam saw the pained look that passed over Meg’s face when she said Korin was her grandson and let the subject change slide. She untied the blanket and pulled it from around her upper body. Meg handed her a bowl that had been sitting on the bench next to the cot, while she moved to look over Sam’s back.
“Ya put that on yer front,” Meg told her, “while I do tha back.”
Sam scooped a bit of the creamy substance onto her finger, bringing it up to sniff; it had no smell. She shrugged and began rubbing it over the cuts on her arms. Meg reached around and scooped a handful out of the bowl then applied the cream to her back. Sam winced when the woman hit a few tender spots, but other than that, the pain was not bad now that she had stretched the skin by moving around some.
“Yer healing up nicely Sam, a few more days and ya will never know ya were hurt; ya might have a few scars but not many,” Meg told her as she finished putting the cream on.
“A few days? I know my back was hurt worse than that Meg,” remarked Sam.
“Ya have been asleep for three days Sam,” commented Meg.
“What?” Sam said turning slightly until she could see the woman.
“Ay…Ya were running a high fever…so I kept ya dosed,” replied Meg, “tha cream helped pull tha infection out; it also helps ta stop scarring.”
“Wow…I bet Janet would love a sample of this stuff and whatever you used to knock me out,” she said rubbing more of the cream on her chest.
“I’ve heard that name often these past few days, from you and Daniel; who is this Janet?” asked Meg, moving around to sit next to Sam.
“Umm…from me? A confused look was on Sam’s face as she asked the question.
“Ay…ya spoke it often in yer sleep,” Meg said with a grin.
Sam ducked her head blushing; clearing her throat, she spoke softly, “She’s someone very special to me Meg.”
“Ay I gather that from the way ya just acted,” Meg commented, “is she also the healer Daniel speaks of?”
“Yes…Janet is a healer and she would love to meet you I just know it,” Sam told her and then grinned, “Probably because she wouldn’t be the shortest person in the room.”
This made Meg laugh loudly and Sam joined her; the tiny woman helped her to wrap the blanket back around her body, still chuckling. Korin walked back into the room then, only because he carried a tray with Sam’s food on it; he brought it over setting it on the bench. He picked up the bowl and gave it to Sam; she took a spoonful, testing it with her tongue, it was sweet. She began eating spoonfuls, forcing herself to eat slowly. Korin broke off a piece of bread, handing it to her; she smiled at the boy and he ducked his head. Sam glanced over at Meg who was silently chuckling at the boy’s actions.
Sam soon finished the porridge and most of the bread; accepting the cup from Korin she drank several large swallows and then sighed, “Oh I feel much better now, thank you Meg and you too Korin.”
“Tis nothing…girl, ya need to eat more but we shall wait a bit longer, let that settle first; Korin…take tha tray back and get ta yer chores,” Meg said.
The boy started to protest but a stern look from Meg sent him out of the room, head hanging low and feet dragging again.
Sam chuckled softly, “That was a look worthy of Janet and it got the same results hers’ usually do.”
“Now…tell me more about yer Janet,” said Meg as she made herself more comfortable on the cot.
Grinning, Sam began telling the old woman about the doctor and her life; for some reason Sam felt she could just talk to her about anything. It helped her to get her mind off the problems faced now. She cocked her head glancing at the tiny woman, “You’re doing this on purpose aren’t you?”
“Ay…ya figured me out…I’m trying ta get ya mind on better things for a moment,” replied Meg, “Because I have questions ta ask ya.” The old woman’s tone took on a serious note.
“I’ll try to answer what I can Meg; I owe you that much for your help,” replied Sam.
“Good…was Jarvis the only one who did this ta ya or did he have help?” she asked.
“It was just him,” replied Sam softly, her face growing blank.
“Where there any other girls with ya?” the old woman asked.
“No…I was alone,” Sam told her.
Med nodded, “Why did he let you go?”
“Because I stood up to the bastard; I wouldn’t let him have the satisfaction of hearing me beg for him to stop,” Sam said, giving the woman a hard stare, “Why?”
“We haven’t seen him since ya came here,” Meg told her.
Sam laughed loudly, “I knew it! I broke the bastard’s nose!”
Meg gave her an odd look, “Ay…that might be why, he would have a hard time explaining an injury like that ta his men; especially since he tries ta show no weakness around them,” the woman mused.
Sam thought for a few moments, “Why did you want to know if there were other girls?”
Meg sighed, “Many have gone missing in tha past few years; I had hoped maybe they were locked up somewhere.”
“Someone you knew?” asked Sam, her voice concerned.
“Ay girl…my daughter was one that went missing,” the old woman replied.
“I’m sorry,” Sam said reaching out to grasp the woman’s hand.
Meg wiped a tear away from her eye and looked up at Sam, “Nothing for ya ta be sorry about girl, tis just a hope she still lived.”
Meg stood up, she looked down at the seated woman before her and spoke, “I’m glad ya stood up ta him; maybe it will make a difference. Now ya need yer rest, lie back down and I’ll send Daniel ta ya when he returns.”
Sam began to protest but a yawn convinced her to do as Meg said. She stood and then lay back down on her stomach, resting her head on her arms once more. Meg placed another blanket over her and with a pat on the shoulder left to let Sam rest.
Her thoughts were in a whirl as she lay in the quiet room. It seemed her suspicions were correct; Jarvis had taken other girls and tortured them in his little chamber of horrors. At least she escaped but Sam had a feeling there would be retaliation for her injuring him; just what she did not know. She closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep thinking of how they could make it home. She had a promise to keep.
***********************
Sam grew silent…her story ending there. Janet glanced over at her lover; Sam’s eyes were growing heavy. The doctor watched her head nod a couple of times and smiled.
“Sweetie, why don’t we stop there for the night; you’re about to fall asleep where you sit,” she said rubbing Sam’s arm.
Sam yawned, “Yeah…I am getting sleepy, blaming the wine on that,” she said grinning at Janet.
“Well you said no pills so…” the doctor let the sentence trail off, returning the grin.
“Yeah yeah, I know,” grumbled Sam, fluffing up the pillows and lying down to burrow into them; she motioned for Janet to lay next to her but the doctor shook her head.
“Let me go change clothes first,” she said, leaning forward to place a kiss on Sam’s lips, “be right back.”
Janet stood up and left the room leaving Sam to lie in the faint light, staring up at the ceiling her body tired but her mind still going at warp speed; ‘ I really don’t know why I tried to run away…should have known Janet would stand by my actions; guess it was just the whole re-telling of it all that made me so jumpy,’ she thought to herself. Closing her eyes, she waited for Janet to return.
Janet padded down the stairs, her footfalls falling softly on the carpeted floor. She went to the kitchen, turning off the overhead light but leaving the one over the stovetop on. Walking back into the living room she stepped on the cushions next to Sam’s stretched out body. The doctor looked down at her lover, her eyes were closed and her breathing slow; she was asleep. Smiling Janet picked up one of the blankets and sat down next to Sam, she spread the blanket out covering her lover’s body. Glancing down at the sleeping woman, she reached a hand out brushing the bangs away from her forehead and leant down placing a kiss there.
Turning around she lay down next to Sam, facing away from her. As she settled the blanket over her too, an arm was thrown over her waist and she was pulled up against Sam’s body, spooning against her. She chuckled as a few mumbled words escaped from the body behind her.
“I love you too Sam,” she said grasping the hand on her stomach; Janet closed her eyes, snuggling down into the cushions and against Sam.
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