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Title: The Beginning of Something New..part 3
Author: elfcat255
Pairing: Sam/Janet/Vala
Rating: PG...sorry..did you think I was just gonna write smut with them all the time..sheesh
Spoilers: Umm...my Season 10 world
Warnings: picks up where second one left off..sorry for the wait
AN: And I'm not through by a long shot..grr..I think I let this one get away from me again..it has a mind of its own..probably have at least three more parts to write..*headdesk*..oh well hope you enjoy this one!
Vala rushed out of the infirmary, her brain on auto pilot, the hurried steps leading her to the elevator; running her card through the reader and entering the car she pushed the level for the locker rooms then once the doors opened strode towards them. The rest of the team were just walking out of the door and when Daniel saw her approaching spoke, “Hey…how’s Sam doing?”
Ignoring the question she blew past him into the locker room, slamming the door behind her; Daniel gave the closed door an odd look, turning to the others he said, “Ohhhkay…I wonder what’s up with her?”
Cam shrugged, “There’s no telling Jackson, come on let’s go check on Sam,” he said and turned to walk towards the elevator, Teal’c not far behind him.
Daniel scratched his head and began to follow them then turned back to switch the sign on the front of the door from men to women, “Not like it would bother her,” he muttered then followed after the other two men.
*****************
Inside the locker room Vala paced back and forth, muttering to herself and shaking her head, finally she came to a stop then dropped down on the bench in front of the lockers. She sat there for a few minutes, grasping her head in her hands then a choked sob escaped from her throat;‘Why am I so worked up over this?’ Vala thought as tears dripped from her eyes,‘Sam told me it wasn’t my fault but I still feel responsible…’ letting out a frustrated growl she stood up, wiping her eyes and began stripping off her dirty clothing. Letting it fall into a pile at her feet she turned around to grab her shower bag from the locker space and made her way to the showers…the whole time trying to figure out why she let Sam’s reaction make her so upset even though deep down she knew why but didn‘t want to admit it to herself.
***************
Meanwhile in the infirmary Janet walked out of her office to discover the three male team members of SG-1 gathered around Sam. Walking over to the bed she overheard the end of Cam’s conversation, “Don’t worry Sam…in three or four weeks you’ll be good as new. We’ll try not to have too much fun without you.”
“Oh like I’m sure that’s going to happen, “Sam replied sarcastically.
Janet stopped behind Daniel, tapping the archeologist on the shoulder she slipped past when he turned around, “Oh hey Janet,” he said to her as she moved to stand beside the head of the bed.
“Gentleman if would you please excuse us…I need to speak with Sam for a few minutes,” the doctor said to them.
“Sure Doc…we need to head to the staff room for the de-briefing anyway,” Cam told her.
“Tell the General I’ll have a report written up for him just as soon as I can,” Sam said to Mitchell.
“Will do Sam,” Cam told her then with goodbyes from Daniel and Teal’c along with promises to keep her in the loop the three men left the infirmary.
Sam watched them walk out the door then she turned her head to look up at her partner, “So…when can we get this over with?” she asked the doctor.
Removing the icepacks from around the injured knee Janet saw that the swelling had reduced significantly, “This afternoon if that’s alright with you,” she said glancing at Sam.
“The sooner the better…means I’ll heal faster,” Sam replied.
Janet took a deep breath and nodded; Sam gave her a questioning look, “What’s wrong?” she asked recognizing the look on her partner’s face.
Pulling a nearby stool over Janet sat down beside the bed, “You’re not going to be happy with what I have to tell you,” she remarked.
Her tone had Sam worried now, “What?”
“You’re going to have to stay on base during your recovery,” Janet said quickly.
“What?” Sam asked her voice pitched slightly higher, “Stay on base…why?”
“Because I’m the only doctor the base has for a month,” Janet replied then explained the situation to her partner whose face grew twisted as she frowned with displeasure over the news.
“I’ll be fine at home by myself Janet,” the blonde said rather forcefully.
“Maybe after a week or two Sam but not right after surgery; you won’t be able to bend or put weight on that knee for at least that amount of time,” Janet told Sam in a stern voice, realizing this was about to become a battle of wills with her stubborn partner.
“But…” Janet raised a hand, cutting off Sam’s retort, “No buts…I’ll barely be at home and when I am it will be to sleep probably…you can’t stay by yourself. If I have to I’ll make it a medical order…you can’t disregard that,” she told her partner.
Janet watched as several emotions played across Sam’s face, she waited for what she knew was about to happen; finally with a little pout on her face Sam spoke, “But Janet…I’ll go nuts stuck in the infirmary…please,” there it was...the whine.
“Well I’d rather have you go stir crazy then re-injure the knee trying to make your way around the house Samantha…this is the only solution I could think of; after you heal some and start physical therapy then I’ll see about letting you stay home alone,” Janet replied, crossing her arms and giving Sam her best glare.
Sam matched her glare then with a frustrated growl pulled the pillow out from behind her head and covered her face. Janet heard the muffled explicative coming from under the pillow and couldn’t help but grin…it looked like she had won this battle; ’Well that was easier than I thought it would be,’ she thought to herself as she squeezed Sam’s hand and rose from the stool to go prepare things for the surgery but as she turned to walk away Sam spoke, “Vala.”
Stopping and turning back around Janet gave her a confused look, “What about Vala?” she asked.
“She can stay with me at the house,” Sam told her with a pleading look, “I won’t be alone and she can help me around.”
Moving back closer to the bed Janet replied, “I don’t know Sam; do you think she’d be willing to give up her team time just to baby sit you?”
Sam groaned, “Don’t say baby sit…that sounds like I’m completely helpless and besides didn’t we say we wanted to figure out where this whole thing was headed between the three of us,” she said, keeping her voice lowered.
Janet thought for a few moments, “I guess you’re right…it would give us a chance to get to know her better…well you at least, I’m only going to be around at night probably,” the doctor said.
“I promise to be on my best behavior Janet…no fooling around…unless you’re there too,” Sam told her with a crooked grin thinking her partner would worry especially after the weekend they’d shared with the dark haired woman.
“Oh I’m not worried about that,” Janet told her, brushing the bangs out of Sam’s eyes, “I trust you Sam.”
“Well then it’s settled…do you want to ask her or do you want me to?” Sam asked the doctor.
“I’ll do it…I think you upset her with that little tantrum you threw when I told you about your knee,” Janet replied with a frown.
Sam closed her eyes and sighed, “Yeah…I need to apologize to her for that… again…I was just frustrated,” she admitted.
“I know sweetie,” Janet said, “you get some rest, I’ll go ask her and then we’ll go ahead with the surgery.”
“Sounds good to me,” Sam said, flashing her partner a big smile as she looked around the infirmary and then crooked a finger at the doctor.
Janet grinned and moved closer letting Sam tug her down for a small kiss then she stood up, with a smile to her partner she turned away to go find Vala and propose the idea to her.
************************
Standing under the hot spray from the shower head, Vala was finally beginning to realize why she was so upset; she had feelings for Sam…Janet also…not just friendly feelings either. The blonde’s actions after learning the extent of her injury made her think that there was no way Sam would feel anything for her now and if Sam wouldn‘t then surely Janet wouldn‘t either. After overhearing the conversation between the two this morning Vala thought this had probably ruined any chances of her wishful thinking about the two women from coming true.
‘Although Janet did tell you to just ignore Sam you idiot,’ she thought as she ran her hands over her face, ‘but still…it’s hard not to when it cuts into me seeing her in pain and angry.’
Sighing she turned the water off and reached out of the stall for her towel, pulling the curtain back she jumped slightly upon finding Janet sitting on the bench outside the showers; “Sorry…didn’t mean to startle you, I called out your name but I guess you didn’t hear me,” the doctor said.
“Water in my ears,” Vala told her with smile, “Was there something you needed?” she asked as she dried off and walked towards the lockers.
“Actually yes, I have a question to ask you, “ Janet said as she followed Vala back into the locker room, taking a seat on one of the benches the doctor watched as the dark-haired woman dropped the towel and began to dress; ‘Lizard part of my brain please shut up,’ Janet thought as she cleared her throat to speak.
“What‘s the question?” Vala asked.
Janet glanced down at the floor, “Would you like to stay at the house with Sam and help out while she recovers from surgery?”
Vala stopped in mid-tug of her pants, “What?”
Janet quickly explained the situation and told her the only other options regarding Sam’s recovery; Vala thought for a few minutes as she finished pulling on her pants, she took a t-shirt out of her locker and with her back turned to the doctor replied, “I don’t think I’m Sam’s favorite person right now.”
Standing up Janet moved until she could grasp Vala’s arm, turning the dark-haired women around she looked into dark blue eyes and spoke, “I told you to ignore her…you’ve never seen her when she’s injured; she’s a totally different person and it takes a little getting used too actually besides, it was her idea to ask you.”
“Really?” Vala asked in a soft voice.
“Yes, really and I think it’s a good idea too…it’s time you learned to live off base anyway, think of this as a trial run,” Janet told her with a grin.
Vala sat down on the bench, t-shirt still in her hands, “Let me get this straight…you want me…irresponsible me…to move in and take care of Sam while you work?”
Janet looked down at her and smiled, “Personally I think that whole irresponsible act is a defense mechanism, the same with you acting all flighty and flirty all the time,” she said, reaching out and smoothing a strand of hair over Vala’s ear.
Vala turned her head to look up at the doctor, “How did you know that?”
Chuckling softly, Janet replied, “I’ve lived with the master of hiding her true self for a very long time…you should have seen Sam when we first met, she was a totally different person.”
“Really?” Vala asked as she pulled the now remembered shirt over her head.
“Oh yeah…you think you have walls…she had a castle and moat to get past,” Janet replied with a grin.
Laughing softly Vala tugged her still wet hair out from under her collar, she stood up, pulling Janet into a hug, “I’ll stay with her…and you’re right about the defensive walls,” she whispered in the doctor’s ear.
“It will be good for you…for all of us actually,” Janet said and this made Vala’s heart leap; pulling back from the hug Janet cleared her throat, “Well I need to head back to the infirmary and get ready for Sam’s surgery, don’t forget to come have your cheek x-rayed.”
“Give me a minute and I’ll walk back with you,” Vala said, sitting down and pulling clean shoes from her locker.
A loud knock sounded on the door along with a muffled “hurry up in there” and Vala gave Janet a confused look; “Oh I forgot about them, “ Janet grumbled, “There are eight very dirty marines waiting outside to get in here.”
Vala raised an eyebrow and gave Janet a crooked grin, she tugged on her shoes and stood up, strolling towards the door then with a wink at the doctor threw open the door; “Well boys…you could have come in and shared the shower with me, sorry I took so long but it might have gone quicker if I’d had some help reaching the dirty spots,” she purred to the men standing in the hall.
Janet rolled her eyes but laughed softly at her friend’s actions, she walked up behind Vala, “Stop teasing them and go to the infirmary,” she said giving the dark-haired woman a little push.
Vala smirked at her and with a bounce in her step strolled past the waiting men; “Locker room is all yours now gentlemen and stop drooling,” Janet remarked as she walked past them, following Vala to the elevator.
When the doors opened they walked into the elevator where the doctor burst out laughing when they closed behind them, “Oh you are so bad,” she said in between laughs.
With a tilt of her head Vala gave her a wicked grin, “Thank you…it took lots of practice,” she remarked but soon joined the doctor in laughter as they rode the elevator up to the infirmary.
********************************
The two walked into the infirmary where they found Sam sitting up in the bed with her arms crossed, she gave them a questioning look and Vala moved to stand beside the bed, “Hello roomie,” she said with a smile.
Sam sighed in relief, “So you’ll stay with me?”
“Yep,” Vala told her, “but we have to work on your attitude.”
Rolling her eyes Sam glanced over at Janet, ”You’ve been talking about me haven’t you?”
“I had to explain you weren’t like this all the time my dear and she has my permission to knock you upside the head if you get out of line,” the doctor remarked, winking at Vala.
“Okay…staying in the infirmary is sounding pretty darn good right about now,” Sam said sarcastically but she stuck her tongue out at her partner.
“Don’t worry…I’ll be gentle with her Janet,” Vala said to the doctor but the whole time she grinned at Sam.
“Well you two talk while I get changed, the nurses will come get you in a little bit Sam and we can get that knee fixed,” Janet told them as she turned to head to the infirmary changing rooms.
“Hey!” Sam called out, making Janet turn around; “Yes?” she asked.
“You remember which knee it is don’t you?” Sam asked with a crooked smile.
“Let me see,” Janet’s face scrunched up in thought as she pondered the question, “I do believe it was the left…no the right one,” she said and rolled her eyes at her partner as she turned to leave the room.
Sam chuckled and Vala gave her an odd look, ”What was that all about?” she asked.
“Just something I do to bug her, it actually helps her not to worry about the fact it’s me she’s operating on but you’ll have to get her to tell you the story about her first year in residency sometime,” Sam told her.
“She didn’t…” and Sam waved a hand in the air interrupting Vala; “No but one of her friends did and it’s a pet peeve of hers’, she tells it better than I do though so ask her sometime.”
“Gotcha,” Vala said, “So…you’re not mad at me?”
“No…I’m not mad at you and I’m sorry about that, you’ll have to forgive me but I’m not exactly the best person to be around when I’m injured; I either mope or turn into a total ass,” Sam told her.
“Okay then I forgive you for making me feel bad but you seem fine now,” Vala said giving Sam a questioning look.
“Morphine,” Sam replied with a grin, “turns even the unruliest patients into silly putty,“ and then she giggled.
“Are you going to remember this conversation?” Vala asked, worried they would have to go through it all over again.
“I’m high but not that high and I really do feel bad about upsetting you, don’t let my grumpy moods ruin your stay at the house…okay?” Sam said giving Vala a puppy dog look she usually reserved for Janet.
“Oh I think I can handle your moods, after all, I have your doctor’s permission to dole out suitable punishment,” Vala said with a wink at the blonde.
Sam groaned letting her head fall back as she stared at the ceiling, “I have the feeling you’re going to enjoy this way too much, “ she muttered.
Before Vala could reply, two nurses came in to get Sam prepped for surgery, “Colonel Carter…they’re ready for you now,” one of them said.
“Fun times, “ Sam replied sarcastically then with the nurses’ help, eased off the bed and sat down in a wheelchair with her injured knee propped up on a rest, “Well, see you when Janet gets done with me,” she said to Vala with a little wave as she was pushed towards the door.
Vala watched them wheel her away and shook her head, “This is either going to be the best thing that’s happened to me or the worst…and I hope it’s the best,” she said to herself softly. With that said she walked out of the infirmary to go begin packing her things for the trip to the couple’s house whenever Sam was ready to be discharged.
****************************
Sam groaned softly, she was beginning to wake from the fog left behind by the anesthesia. She heard voices coming from beside her and then a voice whispered in her ear, “Sam…sweetie…open your eyes for me,” it said.
She shook her head slightly and groaned again, not opening her eyes yet she heard another voice ask, “Does this happen all the time whenever she has surgery?”
Her brain began firing again as she finally recognized Vala’s voice and then she heard Janet’s voice reply, ”It’s the naquada in her system…it takes a lot of anesthesia to put her under so she’s always hard to wake up…I imagine you’d be the same way actually.”
“Water,” Sam croaked as she finally made her vocal chords work; a straw placed on her lips provided the requested liquid and she sucked it down greedily.
“Hey…slow down, you’ll make yourself sick,” Janet told her as Sam finally cracked open her eyes and with her vocal chords now wetted rasped, “Hey pretty lady; am I all fixed now?”
Janet smiled in response to her partner’s usual post surgery question, “Yes…you’re all fixed now,” she replied, brushing the bangs out of Sam’s eyes.
Sam turned her head to look up at Vala, “Oh…another pretty lady…I’m special,” she said with a lopsided grin to the dark-haired woman, “Did you know you have beautiful blue eyes?”
Blushing slightly, Vala glanced towards Janet who just smiled at her, “Why yes…I do know that and yours are rather beautiful too,” Vala replied smiling at Sam.
“Uh huh…they are aren’t they…but Janet’s are better…so soft and warm….” Sam’s voice drifted off as her eyes closed again.
Vala looked up at Janet, ”Is she okay?”
“She’s fine…she normally drifts in and out after she first wakes up, she’s also on some very strong painkillers right now,” Janet told her, easing the worry from Vala’s face, “she might not make any sense for a little bit.”
“I think she makes perfect sense,” Vala said softly and Janet raised an eyebrow upon hearing the soft remark, her lips curling in a small smile.
“You can sit here and watch her if you want, I have to finish up the post-op report,” Janet told her as she leaned over to place a kiss on Sam’s forehead causing her to mumble and smile in her sleep; Vala nodded and took a seat on the stool next to the bed, watching Janet move away from them and towards her office.
Hearing Sam mumble something Vala leaned in closer, trying to make out what she was saying; “pretty eyes…so sad though…wish we could make her happy…” and she drifted off again.
Vala sat up, a stunned look on her face, ‘She’s talking about me, could she actually be serious about that or is it just the drugs talking?’ she thought.
“Have to get to know her better…find out what makes her happy,” the dark-haired woman heard Sam mumble and then she began to move.
Sam’s eyes shot open when she tried to move her knee, “Oww,” she groaned and then her eyes focused on Vala, “Hey sexy,” she said with grin that turned into a grimace as she tried to move again.
“Will you stop trying to move or do I have to call Janet back out here?” Vala said, placing a hand on Sam’s shoulder to hold her still.
“Nope…I’ll be good; why are you so sad?” Sam asked out of the blue.
“What…I’m not sad, I’m perfectly happy thank you,” Vala told her.
“No you’re not…I can tell; I used to look like that before I met Janet,” Sam said softly.
“I don’t think this is a good time to be talking about this; do you need me to get Janet?” Vala said trying to get Sam off the subject.
“No…and you’ll talk soon…I know, it eats you up inside until you have to; you can’t run forever Vala,” Sam said, her blue eyes locked with Vala’s and she smiled.
“You’re not making any sense, it’s probably the drugs talking,” Vala said to her as she stood up from the stool, “Try and sleep it off some, I’ll be back later,” with that said the woman walked away from the bed quickly and out of the infirmary.
Sam grinned, “Oh you can run but you can’t hide…you’ll crack eventually,” she said softly to herself and lying back in the bed closed her eyes again, the grin still on her face.
********************
A short time later Janet came out of her office to check on her partner, she saw no sign of Vala but Sam was awake and she had a grin on her face, “Where did Vala go and what’s with the grin?” she asked Sam as she raised the sheet to check her knee.
“She ran away,” Sam replied.
Janet gave her a confused look, “What did you do?”
Shrugging Sam told Janet about her conversation with their friend, “She thinks it was the drugs talking; you didn’t tell her how fast I snap back did you?”
“No…I may have left that part out but I did tell her you might not make sense for a little while,” Janet said with a tilt of her head.
“Oh I made perfect sense to her, that’s why she ran off,” Sam said rather smugly, “I hit a nerve.”
Janet shook her head as she peeled back the dressing on her partner’s knee, “You shouldn’t have done that Sam,” she said checking the stitches.
“Why not…you did it to me if I recall correctly,” Sam said, crossing her arms and giving Janet a knowing look.
“Yes…but I wasn’t so blunt about it, you really need to work on your subtlety Samantha,” the doctor scolded.
“Hey if it works to make her begin thinking and maybe even actually talking to us then we’ll get to the bottom of whatever this is a whole lot sooner; ow…stop poking my knee,” Sam griped when Janet felt around the incisions.
“But wasn’t that why you suggested she stay at the house; well other than so you didn’t have to stay here…to try and figure this out?” Janet asked as she covered the knee back up and placed the sheet back over it.
“Maybe I just wanted to get the ball rolling a little faster,” Sam said as her partner moved to sit on the abandoned stool.
Sitting down Janet propped her feet up on the bed frame and with an elbow on her knee, rested her chin in her hand just looking at Sam; finally she sighed and spoke, “So, you’re sure there is something there and you want to pursue it?”
“Yes…I‘m sure but I‘m leaving it up to you; you know I love you and I‘m willing to find another solution if you‘re not sure about it,” Sam told her in a serious tone.
Sam watched as the doctor’s brow furrowed as what she had said was mulled over and finally Janet spoke, “I still can’t believe this is happening but I know it’s not just a physical attraction Sam and the fact we both feel the same towards her makes me think it was meant to be in some sort of weird cosmic way,” Janet said waving a hand in the air at the end of her remark and letting her head drop; “I love you and I’m beginning to love her too…the question is…do I have enough love in me for the both of you?”
Sitting up Sam reached over and pulled Janet’s chin up, “You have enough love in you for the entire universe Janet Fraiser; it’s what makes you the best doctor, the best mother and the best partner for this crazy soldier. I know you do and I have enough for both you and her, if you really want to make Vala a part of our life together then I do too.”
“But in the end it’s really up to her Sam,” Janet said, taking the hand that held her chin into her own and squeezing it tight, “let’s just see how this plays out.”
“Alright then, we sit back and wait, if she talks to us then we tell her our true feelings…no pushing the subject,” Sam told her.
Janet gave her a look, “Sam.”
“Promise…no pushing…honest,” Sam said raising her free hand.
“Somehow I don’t believe you but I sure can’t stop you since I’m going to be here most of the time,” the doctor said with a sigh, ”but go easy on her…please.”
Sam just grinned, nodding her head she lay back in the bed and yawned, ”Okay I think I’m crashing again.”
“Yes…it looks that way, you get some rest and when my shift is over we’ll take you home; I plan to spend my nights there, in my own bed unless emergencies pop up but I still need to show Vala around the house, you’re not going to be able to move around comfortably for at least a week,” the doctor said and when Sam began to protest she added, “A week Samantha…I don’t want you ruining my work, it will take that long for the grafts I had to make on the tendon to set. So please stay off the leg unless you absolutely have to…that means only moving to go to the bathroom or for showers.”
Sam huffed out a breath making her bangs fly up, “Fine...no moving but you’re going to have to make sure Vala knows what to expect; I already warned her about me being an ass.”
Janet grinned at her partner, “And what a cute ass you can be at times,” she quipped which earned her a grumble and a tongue poked her direction.
“Rest…I’ll be back later,” Janet told her and moved away to finish her reports for the day.
Sam settled into her bed, looking up at the ceiling she began running a plan of action through her mind, ‘No pushing huh…she didn’t tell me I couldn’t nudge,’ she thought and with a smile on her face she closed her eyes then let sleep overtake her.
Author: elfcat255
Pairing: Sam/Janet/Vala
Rating: PG...sorry..did you think I was just gonna write smut with them all the time..sheesh
Spoilers: Umm...my Season 10 world
Warnings: picks up where second one left off..sorry for the wait
AN: And I'm not through by a long shot..grr..I think I let this one get away from me again..it has a mind of its own..probably have at least three more parts to write..*headdesk*..oh well hope you enjoy this one!
Vala rushed out of the infirmary, her brain on auto pilot, the hurried steps leading her to the elevator; running her card through the reader and entering the car she pushed the level for the locker rooms then once the doors opened strode towards them. The rest of the team were just walking out of the door and when Daniel saw her approaching spoke, “Hey…how’s Sam doing?”
Ignoring the question she blew past him into the locker room, slamming the door behind her; Daniel gave the closed door an odd look, turning to the others he said, “Ohhhkay…I wonder what’s up with her?”
Cam shrugged, “There’s no telling Jackson, come on let’s go check on Sam,” he said and turned to walk towards the elevator, Teal’c not far behind him.
Daniel scratched his head and began to follow them then turned back to switch the sign on the front of the door from men to women, “Not like it would bother her,” he muttered then followed after the other two men.
*****************
Inside the locker room Vala paced back and forth, muttering to herself and shaking her head, finally she came to a stop then dropped down on the bench in front of the lockers. She sat there for a few minutes, grasping her head in her hands then a choked sob escaped from her throat;‘Why am I so worked up over this?’ Vala thought as tears dripped from her eyes,‘Sam told me it wasn’t my fault but I still feel responsible…’ letting out a frustrated growl she stood up, wiping her eyes and began stripping off her dirty clothing. Letting it fall into a pile at her feet she turned around to grab her shower bag from the locker space and made her way to the showers…the whole time trying to figure out why she let Sam’s reaction make her so upset even though deep down she knew why but didn‘t want to admit it to herself.
***************
Meanwhile in the infirmary Janet walked out of her office to discover the three male team members of SG-1 gathered around Sam. Walking over to the bed she overheard the end of Cam’s conversation, “Don’t worry Sam…in three or four weeks you’ll be good as new. We’ll try not to have too much fun without you.”
“Oh like I’m sure that’s going to happen, “Sam replied sarcastically.
Janet stopped behind Daniel, tapping the archeologist on the shoulder she slipped past when he turned around, “Oh hey Janet,” he said to her as she moved to stand beside the head of the bed.
“Gentleman if would you please excuse us…I need to speak with Sam for a few minutes,” the doctor said to them.
“Sure Doc…we need to head to the staff room for the de-briefing anyway,” Cam told her.
“Tell the General I’ll have a report written up for him just as soon as I can,” Sam said to Mitchell.
“Will do Sam,” Cam told her then with goodbyes from Daniel and Teal’c along with promises to keep her in the loop the three men left the infirmary.
Sam watched them walk out the door then she turned her head to look up at her partner, “So…when can we get this over with?” she asked the doctor.
Removing the icepacks from around the injured knee Janet saw that the swelling had reduced significantly, “This afternoon if that’s alright with you,” she said glancing at Sam.
“The sooner the better…means I’ll heal faster,” Sam replied.
Janet took a deep breath and nodded; Sam gave her a questioning look, “What’s wrong?” she asked recognizing the look on her partner’s face.
Pulling a nearby stool over Janet sat down beside the bed, “You’re not going to be happy with what I have to tell you,” she remarked.
Her tone had Sam worried now, “What?”
“You’re going to have to stay on base during your recovery,” Janet said quickly.
“What?” Sam asked her voice pitched slightly higher, “Stay on base…why?”
“Because I’m the only doctor the base has for a month,” Janet replied then explained the situation to her partner whose face grew twisted as she frowned with displeasure over the news.
“I’ll be fine at home by myself Janet,” the blonde said rather forcefully.
“Maybe after a week or two Sam but not right after surgery; you won’t be able to bend or put weight on that knee for at least that amount of time,” Janet told Sam in a stern voice, realizing this was about to become a battle of wills with her stubborn partner.
“But…” Janet raised a hand, cutting off Sam’s retort, “No buts…I’ll barely be at home and when I am it will be to sleep probably…you can’t stay by yourself. If I have to I’ll make it a medical order…you can’t disregard that,” she told her partner.
Janet watched as several emotions played across Sam’s face, she waited for what she knew was about to happen; finally with a little pout on her face Sam spoke, “But Janet…I’ll go nuts stuck in the infirmary…please,” there it was...the whine.
“Well I’d rather have you go stir crazy then re-injure the knee trying to make your way around the house Samantha…this is the only solution I could think of; after you heal some and start physical therapy then I’ll see about letting you stay home alone,” Janet replied, crossing her arms and giving Sam her best glare.
Sam matched her glare then with a frustrated growl pulled the pillow out from behind her head and covered her face. Janet heard the muffled explicative coming from under the pillow and couldn’t help but grin…it looked like she had won this battle; ’Well that was easier than I thought it would be,’ she thought to herself as she squeezed Sam’s hand and rose from the stool to go prepare things for the surgery but as she turned to walk away Sam spoke, “Vala.”
Stopping and turning back around Janet gave her a confused look, “What about Vala?” she asked.
“She can stay with me at the house,” Sam told her with a pleading look, “I won’t be alone and she can help me around.”
Moving back closer to the bed Janet replied, “I don’t know Sam; do you think she’d be willing to give up her team time just to baby sit you?”
Sam groaned, “Don’t say baby sit…that sounds like I’m completely helpless and besides didn’t we say we wanted to figure out where this whole thing was headed between the three of us,” she said, keeping her voice lowered.
Janet thought for a few moments, “I guess you’re right…it would give us a chance to get to know her better…well you at least, I’m only going to be around at night probably,” the doctor said.
“I promise to be on my best behavior Janet…no fooling around…unless you’re there too,” Sam told her with a crooked grin thinking her partner would worry especially after the weekend they’d shared with the dark haired woman.
“Oh I’m not worried about that,” Janet told her, brushing the bangs out of Sam’s eyes, “I trust you Sam.”
“Well then it’s settled…do you want to ask her or do you want me to?” Sam asked the doctor.
“I’ll do it…I think you upset her with that little tantrum you threw when I told you about your knee,” Janet replied with a frown.
Sam closed her eyes and sighed, “Yeah…I need to apologize to her for that… again…I was just frustrated,” she admitted.
“I know sweetie,” Janet said, “you get some rest, I’ll go ask her and then we’ll go ahead with the surgery.”
“Sounds good to me,” Sam said, flashing her partner a big smile as she looked around the infirmary and then crooked a finger at the doctor.
Janet grinned and moved closer letting Sam tug her down for a small kiss then she stood up, with a smile to her partner she turned away to go find Vala and propose the idea to her.
************************
Standing under the hot spray from the shower head, Vala was finally beginning to realize why she was so upset; she had feelings for Sam…Janet also…not just friendly feelings either. The blonde’s actions after learning the extent of her injury made her think that there was no way Sam would feel anything for her now and if Sam wouldn‘t then surely Janet wouldn‘t either. After overhearing the conversation between the two this morning Vala thought this had probably ruined any chances of her wishful thinking about the two women from coming true.
‘Although Janet did tell you to just ignore Sam you idiot,’ she thought as she ran her hands over her face, ‘but still…it’s hard not to when it cuts into me seeing her in pain and angry.’
Sighing she turned the water off and reached out of the stall for her towel, pulling the curtain back she jumped slightly upon finding Janet sitting on the bench outside the showers; “Sorry…didn’t mean to startle you, I called out your name but I guess you didn’t hear me,” the doctor said.
“Water in my ears,” Vala told her with smile, “Was there something you needed?” she asked as she dried off and walked towards the lockers.
“Actually yes, I have a question to ask you, “ Janet said as she followed Vala back into the locker room, taking a seat on one of the benches the doctor watched as the dark-haired woman dropped the towel and began to dress; ‘Lizard part of my brain please shut up,’ Janet thought as she cleared her throat to speak.
“What‘s the question?” Vala asked.
Janet glanced down at the floor, “Would you like to stay at the house with Sam and help out while she recovers from surgery?”
Vala stopped in mid-tug of her pants, “What?”
Janet quickly explained the situation and told her the only other options regarding Sam’s recovery; Vala thought for a few minutes as she finished pulling on her pants, she took a t-shirt out of her locker and with her back turned to the doctor replied, “I don’t think I’m Sam’s favorite person right now.”
Standing up Janet moved until she could grasp Vala’s arm, turning the dark-haired women around she looked into dark blue eyes and spoke, “I told you to ignore her…you’ve never seen her when she’s injured; she’s a totally different person and it takes a little getting used too actually besides, it was her idea to ask you.”
“Really?” Vala asked in a soft voice.
“Yes, really and I think it’s a good idea too…it’s time you learned to live off base anyway, think of this as a trial run,” Janet told her with a grin.
Vala sat down on the bench, t-shirt still in her hands, “Let me get this straight…you want me…irresponsible me…to move in and take care of Sam while you work?”
Janet looked down at her and smiled, “Personally I think that whole irresponsible act is a defense mechanism, the same with you acting all flighty and flirty all the time,” she said, reaching out and smoothing a strand of hair over Vala’s ear.
Vala turned her head to look up at the doctor, “How did you know that?”
Chuckling softly, Janet replied, “I’ve lived with the master of hiding her true self for a very long time…you should have seen Sam when we first met, she was a totally different person.”
“Really?” Vala asked as she pulled the now remembered shirt over her head.
“Oh yeah…you think you have walls…she had a castle and moat to get past,” Janet replied with a grin.
Laughing softly Vala tugged her still wet hair out from under her collar, she stood up, pulling Janet into a hug, “I’ll stay with her…and you’re right about the defensive walls,” she whispered in the doctor’s ear.
“It will be good for you…for all of us actually,” Janet said and this made Vala’s heart leap; pulling back from the hug Janet cleared her throat, “Well I need to head back to the infirmary and get ready for Sam’s surgery, don’t forget to come have your cheek x-rayed.”
“Give me a minute and I’ll walk back with you,” Vala said, sitting down and pulling clean shoes from her locker.
A loud knock sounded on the door along with a muffled “hurry up in there” and Vala gave Janet a confused look; “Oh I forgot about them, “ Janet grumbled, “There are eight very dirty marines waiting outside to get in here.”
Vala raised an eyebrow and gave Janet a crooked grin, she tugged on her shoes and stood up, strolling towards the door then with a wink at the doctor threw open the door; “Well boys…you could have come in and shared the shower with me, sorry I took so long but it might have gone quicker if I’d had some help reaching the dirty spots,” she purred to the men standing in the hall.
Janet rolled her eyes but laughed softly at her friend’s actions, she walked up behind Vala, “Stop teasing them and go to the infirmary,” she said giving the dark-haired woman a little push.
Vala smirked at her and with a bounce in her step strolled past the waiting men; “Locker room is all yours now gentlemen and stop drooling,” Janet remarked as she walked past them, following Vala to the elevator.
When the doors opened they walked into the elevator where the doctor burst out laughing when they closed behind them, “Oh you are so bad,” she said in between laughs.
With a tilt of her head Vala gave her a wicked grin, “Thank you…it took lots of practice,” she remarked but soon joined the doctor in laughter as they rode the elevator up to the infirmary.
********************************
The two walked into the infirmary where they found Sam sitting up in the bed with her arms crossed, she gave them a questioning look and Vala moved to stand beside the bed, “Hello roomie,” she said with a smile.
Sam sighed in relief, “So you’ll stay with me?”
“Yep,” Vala told her, “but we have to work on your attitude.”
Rolling her eyes Sam glanced over at Janet, ”You’ve been talking about me haven’t you?”
“I had to explain you weren’t like this all the time my dear and she has my permission to knock you upside the head if you get out of line,” the doctor remarked, winking at Vala.
“Okay…staying in the infirmary is sounding pretty darn good right about now,” Sam said sarcastically but she stuck her tongue out at her partner.
“Don’t worry…I’ll be gentle with her Janet,” Vala said to the doctor but the whole time she grinned at Sam.
“Well you two talk while I get changed, the nurses will come get you in a little bit Sam and we can get that knee fixed,” Janet told them as she turned to head to the infirmary changing rooms.
“Hey!” Sam called out, making Janet turn around; “Yes?” she asked.
“You remember which knee it is don’t you?” Sam asked with a crooked smile.
“Let me see,” Janet’s face scrunched up in thought as she pondered the question, “I do believe it was the left…no the right one,” she said and rolled her eyes at her partner as she turned to leave the room.
Sam chuckled and Vala gave her an odd look, ”What was that all about?” she asked.
“Just something I do to bug her, it actually helps her not to worry about the fact it’s me she’s operating on but you’ll have to get her to tell you the story about her first year in residency sometime,” Sam told her.
“She didn’t…” and Sam waved a hand in the air interrupting Vala; “No but one of her friends did and it’s a pet peeve of hers’, she tells it better than I do though so ask her sometime.”
“Gotcha,” Vala said, “So…you’re not mad at me?”
“No…I’m not mad at you and I’m sorry about that, you’ll have to forgive me but I’m not exactly the best person to be around when I’m injured; I either mope or turn into a total ass,” Sam told her.
“Okay then I forgive you for making me feel bad but you seem fine now,” Vala said giving Sam a questioning look.
“Morphine,” Sam replied with a grin, “turns even the unruliest patients into silly putty,“ and then she giggled.
“Are you going to remember this conversation?” Vala asked, worried they would have to go through it all over again.
“I’m high but not that high and I really do feel bad about upsetting you, don’t let my grumpy moods ruin your stay at the house…okay?” Sam said giving Vala a puppy dog look she usually reserved for Janet.
“Oh I think I can handle your moods, after all, I have your doctor’s permission to dole out suitable punishment,” Vala said with a wink at the blonde.
Sam groaned letting her head fall back as she stared at the ceiling, “I have the feeling you’re going to enjoy this way too much, “ she muttered.
Before Vala could reply, two nurses came in to get Sam prepped for surgery, “Colonel Carter…they’re ready for you now,” one of them said.
“Fun times, “ Sam replied sarcastically then with the nurses’ help, eased off the bed and sat down in a wheelchair with her injured knee propped up on a rest, “Well, see you when Janet gets done with me,” she said to Vala with a little wave as she was pushed towards the door.
Vala watched them wheel her away and shook her head, “This is either going to be the best thing that’s happened to me or the worst…and I hope it’s the best,” she said to herself softly. With that said she walked out of the infirmary to go begin packing her things for the trip to the couple’s house whenever Sam was ready to be discharged.
****************************
Sam groaned softly, she was beginning to wake from the fog left behind by the anesthesia. She heard voices coming from beside her and then a voice whispered in her ear, “Sam…sweetie…open your eyes for me,” it said.
She shook her head slightly and groaned again, not opening her eyes yet she heard another voice ask, “Does this happen all the time whenever she has surgery?”
Her brain began firing again as she finally recognized Vala’s voice and then she heard Janet’s voice reply, ”It’s the naquada in her system…it takes a lot of anesthesia to put her under so she’s always hard to wake up…I imagine you’d be the same way actually.”
“Water,” Sam croaked as she finally made her vocal chords work; a straw placed on her lips provided the requested liquid and she sucked it down greedily.
“Hey…slow down, you’ll make yourself sick,” Janet told her as Sam finally cracked open her eyes and with her vocal chords now wetted rasped, “Hey pretty lady; am I all fixed now?”
Janet smiled in response to her partner’s usual post surgery question, “Yes…you’re all fixed now,” she replied, brushing the bangs out of Sam’s eyes.
Sam turned her head to look up at Vala, “Oh…another pretty lady…I’m special,” she said with a lopsided grin to the dark-haired woman, “Did you know you have beautiful blue eyes?”
Blushing slightly, Vala glanced towards Janet who just smiled at her, “Why yes…I do know that and yours are rather beautiful too,” Vala replied smiling at Sam.
“Uh huh…they are aren’t they…but Janet’s are better…so soft and warm….” Sam’s voice drifted off as her eyes closed again.
Vala looked up at Janet, ”Is she okay?”
“She’s fine…she normally drifts in and out after she first wakes up, she’s also on some very strong painkillers right now,” Janet told her, easing the worry from Vala’s face, “she might not make any sense for a little bit.”
“I think she makes perfect sense,” Vala said softly and Janet raised an eyebrow upon hearing the soft remark, her lips curling in a small smile.
“You can sit here and watch her if you want, I have to finish up the post-op report,” Janet told her as she leaned over to place a kiss on Sam’s forehead causing her to mumble and smile in her sleep; Vala nodded and took a seat on the stool next to the bed, watching Janet move away from them and towards her office.
Hearing Sam mumble something Vala leaned in closer, trying to make out what she was saying; “pretty eyes…so sad though…wish we could make her happy…” and she drifted off again.
Vala sat up, a stunned look on her face, ‘She’s talking about me, could she actually be serious about that or is it just the drugs talking?’ she thought.
“Have to get to know her better…find out what makes her happy,” the dark-haired woman heard Sam mumble and then she began to move.
Sam’s eyes shot open when she tried to move her knee, “Oww,” she groaned and then her eyes focused on Vala, “Hey sexy,” she said with grin that turned into a grimace as she tried to move again.
“Will you stop trying to move or do I have to call Janet back out here?” Vala said, placing a hand on Sam’s shoulder to hold her still.
“Nope…I’ll be good; why are you so sad?” Sam asked out of the blue.
“What…I’m not sad, I’m perfectly happy thank you,” Vala told her.
“No you’re not…I can tell; I used to look like that before I met Janet,” Sam said softly.
“I don’t think this is a good time to be talking about this; do you need me to get Janet?” Vala said trying to get Sam off the subject.
“No…and you’ll talk soon…I know, it eats you up inside until you have to; you can’t run forever Vala,” Sam said, her blue eyes locked with Vala’s and she smiled.
“You’re not making any sense, it’s probably the drugs talking,” Vala said to her as she stood up from the stool, “Try and sleep it off some, I’ll be back later,” with that said the woman walked away from the bed quickly and out of the infirmary.
Sam grinned, “Oh you can run but you can’t hide…you’ll crack eventually,” she said softly to herself and lying back in the bed closed her eyes again, the grin still on her face.
********************
A short time later Janet came out of her office to check on her partner, she saw no sign of Vala but Sam was awake and she had a grin on her face, “Where did Vala go and what’s with the grin?” she asked Sam as she raised the sheet to check her knee.
“She ran away,” Sam replied.
Janet gave her a confused look, “What did you do?”
Shrugging Sam told Janet about her conversation with their friend, “She thinks it was the drugs talking; you didn’t tell her how fast I snap back did you?”
“No…I may have left that part out but I did tell her you might not make sense for a little while,” Janet said with a tilt of her head.
“Oh I made perfect sense to her, that’s why she ran off,” Sam said rather smugly, “I hit a nerve.”
Janet shook her head as she peeled back the dressing on her partner’s knee, “You shouldn’t have done that Sam,” she said checking the stitches.
“Why not…you did it to me if I recall correctly,” Sam said, crossing her arms and giving Janet a knowing look.
“Yes…but I wasn’t so blunt about it, you really need to work on your subtlety Samantha,” the doctor scolded.
“Hey if it works to make her begin thinking and maybe even actually talking to us then we’ll get to the bottom of whatever this is a whole lot sooner; ow…stop poking my knee,” Sam griped when Janet felt around the incisions.
“But wasn’t that why you suggested she stay at the house; well other than so you didn’t have to stay here…to try and figure this out?” Janet asked as she covered the knee back up and placed the sheet back over it.
“Maybe I just wanted to get the ball rolling a little faster,” Sam said as her partner moved to sit on the abandoned stool.
Sitting down Janet propped her feet up on the bed frame and with an elbow on her knee, rested her chin in her hand just looking at Sam; finally she sighed and spoke, “So, you’re sure there is something there and you want to pursue it?”
“Yes…I‘m sure but I‘m leaving it up to you; you know I love you and I‘m willing to find another solution if you‘re not sure about it,” Sam told her in a serious tone.
Sam watched as the doctor’s brow furrowed as what she had said was mulled over and finally Janet spoke, “I still can’t believe this is happening but I know it’s not just a physical attraction Sam and the fact we both feel the same towards her makes me think it was meant to be in some sort of weird cosmic way,” Janet said waving a hand in the air at the end of her remark and letting her head drop; “I love you and I’m beginning to love her too…the question is…do I have enough love in me for the both of you?”
Sitting up Sam reached over and pulled Janet’s chin up, “You have enough love in you for the entire universe Janet Fraiser; it’s what makes you the best doctor, the best mother and the best partner for this crazy soldier. I know you do and I have enough for both you and her, if you really want to make Vala a part of our life together then I do too.”
“But in the end it’s really up to her Sam,” Janet said, taking the hand that held her chin into her own and squeezing it tight, “let’s just see how this plays out.”
“Alright then, we sit back and wait, if she talks to us then we tell her our true feelings…no pushing the subject,” Sam told her.
Janet gave her a look, “Sam.”
“Promise…no pushing…honest,” Sam said raising her free hand.
“Somehow I don’t believe you but I sure can’t stop you since I’m going to be here most of the time,” the doctor said with a sigh, ”but go easy on her…please.”
Sam just grinned, nodding her head she lay back in the bed and yawned, ”Okay I think I’m crashing again.”
“Yes…it looks that way, you get some rest and when my shift is over we’ll take you home; I plan to spend my nights there, in my own bed unless emergencies pop up but I still need to show Vala around the house, you’re not going to be able to move around comfortably for at least a week,” the doctor said and when Sam began to protest she added, “A week Samantha…I don’t want you ruining my work, it will take that long for the grafts I had to make on the tendon to set. So please stay off the leg unless you absolutely have to…that means only moving to go to the bathroom or for showers.”
Sam huffed out a breath making her bangs fly up, “Fine...no moving but you’re going to have to make sure Vala knows what to expect; I already warned her about me being an ass.”
Janet grinned at her partner, “And what a cute ass you can be at times,” she quipped which earned her a grumble and a tongue poked her direction.
“Rest…I’ll be back later,” Janet told her and moved away to finish her reports for the day.
Sam settled into her bed, looking up at the ceiling she began running a plan of action through her mind, ‘No pushing huh…she didn’t tell me I couldn’t nudge,’ she thought and with a smile on her face she closed her eyes then let sleep overtake her.
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