EMAIL: demon_faith@btopenworld.com
CATEGORY: Sam/OMC, Sam/Daniel, Angst, Songfic, AU.
SPOILERS: Seasons 1-4 to be safe
RATING: PG-13
CONTENT WARNINGS: Violence, and graphic injury.
SUMMARY: Sam’s found the perfect romance…or has
she?
DISCLAIMER: If they were mine, I wouldn’t have to
write this. Unfortunately, contrary to my mental delusions, they belong to
other people who don’t know how lucky they are. Please don’t sue me: it just
ain’t nice. Lyrics from Evita belong to Tim Rice.
AUTHOR’S NOTES: This was started pre-Meridian, but
I had a little difficulty resurrecting my muse. (She was flattened by an array
of West Wing clones). I only happened to finish it by studiously avoiding MSN –
it isn’t a bad trick.
//I don’t expect my love affairs to last for long
Never fool myself that my dreams will come true//
Sam walked out of the SGC, and scanned the car
park. She was sure he would be there, waiting. He always waited.
She spotted the black jeep after a few moments, and
headed over, her heart beating in anticipation. She slipped into the passenger
seat, and turned to him. Oliver looked over, and smiled.
“You’re early,” he observed, leaning forward to
kiss her.
Sam responded, feeling sensation fill her. She had
never felt this way, so completely elated.
“I booked the table - you can change at my place.”
Sam blushed, the simple statement reminding her of
how lucky she was, to meet Oliver. He was everything she had ever wanted:
caring, passionate and completely overwhelming. His charm could power the SGC
for a year - and he was all hers. Tall, dark and undeniably handsome; he seemed
like a fairytale dream dragged into reality just for her.
When SG14 had been created, just two months
previously, Sam had been assigned to guide them through their first mission.
Colonel Oliver Marshall attracted her attention immediately, with his bravado
and desire to impress. When the supposedly peaceful planet had been revealed as
a Goa’uld stronghold, he had displayed the fearless leadership she had admired
in Jonas and continued to admire in Jack. They had escaped with only a few
scratches between them.
Sam was determined to find out more, dropping into
his office whenever possible. Soon, they were involved, and Sam had never been
happier. When she was with Oliver, he enveloped her, smothered her in a blanket
of love and she was swept along, her feet barely touching the ground. She could
lose hours in his arms, and spent every mission thinking about the next time
she would see him.
They were at his apartment quicker than she had
expected, and he waited outside while she went to change. As she walked in, she
marvelled at how she had changed this place. Everything precious to her was in
that room, moving over time to his place. Sam couldn’t remember the last time
she had been in her own house. As she changed, she looked at the photographs on
the mantle. There were a couple of Oliver and her, a few of his friends and a
picture of SG1. On the edge was a beautiful orchid that Daniel had given her
for her birthday. This was *their* home.
The words made Sam feel warm inside. She hurriedly
pulled on her jacket, and ran down to the jeep. Oliver tapped impatiently on
the steering wheel, and smiled when she emerged.
“You look gorgeous,” he gushed.
Sam smiled back, storing the compliment away in her
memory. It was a long time since she had been called gorgeous, or had been
complimented at all. She treasured every memory, every loving word - almost
unable to believe she was living this dream.
The food was excellent, the wine flowed like water
- but Sam could only study Oliver as he talked about his latest mission.
“The team archaeologist found some ruins to play
with. He delayed our time by five minutes - civilians are a damned nuisance.
What do you think, love?”
Sam was torn for a moment. Daniel was one of her
best friends, he had never been a nuisance to her - but she couldn’t risk her
relationship with Oliver over a petty argument.
“Yeah, they can be a real pain.”
Oliver smiled, and continued to eat. Sam watched
him, justifying her words to herself. She had met annoying civilians,
like…Robert. Yeah, she wasn’t lying, and Daniel…he could be…a pain, couldn’t
he?`
She realised Oliver was talking again.
“…be difficult having an alien on the team. I’ve
always found Teal’c a little wearing myself.”
He looked at Sam, waiting for a response. Sam
forced herself to look away, and continued eating.
“Sam, love? Is there something wrong?”
Sam looked into his eyes, noting the frown and
slight annoyance building in his eyes.
“No, Oliver. You have a…good point.”
The rest of the meal passed silently. Sam kept
glancing up at Oliver, but he kept his head down. Had he believed her? Could
she have ruined everything, with those simple words? And it wasn’t a lie, was
it? Teal’c could be…wearing, sometimes…occasionally, rarely, never? //Why does
he do this to me? I can’t lose him, but my friends…//
Oliver paid the bill, and they walked to the car.
The stars were out and the moon shone brightly down on them. Sam got into the
car beside Oliver.
“Thank you for the meal. It was delicious.”
“Are you coming back to my place?”
Sam hesitated. The question seemed free, but was it
really? She wanted this to work, she loved him so much…
“Sure, Oliver.”
He smiled again, and they drove off.
~
//Being used to trouble I anticipate it
But all the same I hate it
Wouldn’t you?//
Sam woke up, slightly disorientated. She blinked a
few times and then glanced over at the clock. //Okay, I have work in an hour!//
She tried to move, but found herself in a tangle of limbs and sheets. //Ah,
Oliver//
Slowly, she turned to face him, extracting herself
from his possessive grip. She dressed quickly, moving into the kitchen to grab
some toast and a couple of painkillers for her hangover.
Without thinking, she headed out of the door, and
got in her car. Driving to work, she regretted her ‘decision’. She should’ve
left a note - Oliver would worry about her. She fished out her mobile and
called the apartment. The answering machine picked up.
“Hey Oliver; it’s Sam. Sorry about this morning but
I have a mission. See you tonight - I’ll be back about 7. Love you, bye.”
Sam pulled up to Cheyenne, and put her mobile away.
A figure stopped outside the gates, waiting for her. She parked, and then
hurried over.
“Hey Sam - how did it go?”
Sam smiled, ignoring her guilt, instead
concentrating on the large pile of paper in his hand.
“Great. What’s with the paper?”
Daniel frowned slightly, as the gates opened and
they walked in, heading for the lift.
“Just a little research. This is going to be an
amazing planet - you’ll love it. Palm trees, unspoiled beaches and a couple of
temples. Oh, and there appears to be some Naquadah technology dotted around -
we can spend hours on this.”
His eyes were shining with delight and she had to
smile. How could she find him annoying, ever? When he spoke to her with such
enthusiasm?
“I picked this planet for today, cos I know you’re
away next week. We’re going to do the crimson world then.”
Sam almost stopped still. The ‘crimson world’, as
Daniel called it, was every archaeologist’s dream. Daniel had wanted to explore
it as soon as possible, yet he was waiting so she could visit her dream world.
She would never call him annoying again. Even if Oliver…Sam forced herself to
continue walking. Everything came back to Oliver.
“Good morning campers!”
They stepped out of the lift, to meet Jack and
Teal’c. Sam avoided Teal’c’s eyes.
“Hey Jack. When do we leave?”
“Well, Danny, you have half an hour! Get kitted up,
grab your toys and get moving!”
Sam looked up, to see Daniel try and salute Jack
with his arms full of paper. She allowed herself a smile, and went to help him
with the fallen paper. They looked up at the same time and bumped heads,
laughing.
“Sorry, Daniel.”
“No, I’m sorry, Sam.”
They picked up the paper, laughing to themselves.
They hurried to the Store Room and the armoury, and picked up their things,
talking about everything and nothing.
“Where did he take you?”
“Oh, a nice little restaurant in ‘Springs. The food
was great, and the wine…”
“Not feeling too good, then?”
The question threw Sam. How did he know? About all
those things she’d said, the lies she’d told…//Be sensible, Sam. He’s only
asking about the wine//
“A little headache, that’s all. I’ll be fine.”
He frowned. She’d been drinking quite a bit
recently, coming in with hangovers every other day. That worried him.
“Yeah, I know. Come on - we’re getting late.”
They arrived in the Gate room as the last chevron
locked.
“Cutting it a little fine today, kids?”
Sam smiled shyly, and Teal’c nodded to her. She
could’ve sworn he smiled. She swallowed down her guilt, and started up the
ramp. Daniel stood beside her, as always, perhaps a little closer than usual
but she was too wrapped up in herself…
They stepped through the Stargate, and Daniel
bumped into her slightly. She turned towards him, and for some unknown reason,
he jumped away. Then, gently, he prised the gun from her grip. She watched in
astonishment, as he flicked the safety on. He gave it back to her, a little
sheepishly.
“You must’ve forgotten, “ he said, quietly.
Sam stared at the weapon in horror. She could’ve
shot him - Air Force Majors did not forget the safety…
“Problem, kids?”
“No, Jack, we’re fine.”
Daniel took her arm and led her over to the first
set of ruins. She sat heavily on a broken column, shaking.
“Oh God, Daniel…”
“Not your fault, Sam…”
“How can you say that? I almost killed you…”
“But you didn’t, did you?”
Sam looked up, to find that Daniel had set up all
her equipment, as well as his own. She slid off the column, and sat on the
grass.
“What’s happening to me?”
Daniel stayed silent, knowing that Sam had to
figure it out for herself. She absently fiddled with one of her sample
containers, watching Daniel search for important artefacts.
//Why am I such a mess? To forget the safety…and to
be corrected by Daniel, only a civilian…//
Sam stopped herself. *Only* a civilian? //I’m
starting to sound like Oliver…//
And, deep in her heart, that thought scared her.
“Hey, Sam, I’ve got the generator!”
Sam rose to her feet, and moved towards the shout.
Daniel was scraping away at the soil, and she kneeled beside him. The dull
glint of Naquadah shone through the dust, and Daniel looked up at her in
delight.
“This was what the UAV picked up! Isn’t it
amazing?”
Sam choked back a giggle. //He’s been spending far
too much time with me!// She went back for her kit, thinking.
“Yeah, Daniel. This could be an amazing find…”
“D’ya wanna dig it out?”
“Yeah, save time later.”
No alarm bells rung, no thought for the
consequences - Sam was caught up. Not in the reactor - in Oliver. She had to
repay him somehow, a surprise perhaps…
Sam didn’t notice Daniel struggling with the
reactor, trying to disconnect the attached wiring. He pulled at the cable
connector, and the device began to hum. Sam snapped out of her daydream, and
turned.
There was a blinding flash of light, and Sam
shielded her eyes, ducking. She opened her eyes slowly, and gasped. She ran
towards the charred remains, now only concerned with the unconscious
archaeologist lying at her feet. She was about to reach for him, when she
noticed the loose wiring on the sand. //Electric shock? Damnit!//
“Carter! Daniel!”
“Sir!”
Jack and Teal’c thundered towards her, stopping
dead at the sight of Daniel.
“What happened?”
Sam stood perfectly still, the world fading from
her. All she could see was Daniel, limp on the ground. //My fault, my fault, my
fault…//
The words echoed in her mind, sending her to her
knees, sobbing.
“I’ve killed him, I’ve killed him…”
Jack exchanged glances with Teal’c, before moving
towards Daniel.
“NO! You mustn’t touch him!”
Jack looked up at her, as her tear-filled eyes met
his hardened stare.
“He could’ve been shocked. There might be residual
charge…it’s not safe…”
Sam spoke slowly, each word an effort, each thought
a torment. Jack backed away, and motioned to Teal’c.
“Get to the Stargate, and ask for a medical team.
Tell them to prepare for…electric shock.”
Sam buried her face in her hands, not wanting to
believe the reality. She had done this - she might’ve just murdered her best
friend. All because of him, all because of…
“O’Neill! The medical team is on its way!”
//Too late, too late…he’s dead…I killed him…too
late, too late…//
Sam’s mind whirled like a twister, everything
becoming nothing in a single instant. If she had killed him…she had lost
everything. Her confidant, her job, her…life. //But, I still have Oliver. But,
will he want a murderer?//
“What have we got?”
“Carter knows.”
Sam raised her head, as Janet looked at
expectantly.
“It’s a Naquadah reactor. He was disconnecting it.
It must’ve…overloaded, or something. There’s might’ve been a…failsafe. There
are wires…I’m not sure…he might be…”
“Okay, Sam, I can see. We’ll handle it.”
//A polite ‘get lost’. All I deserve//
Sam got to her feet, knocking away Jack’s helping
hand. She turned to watch, ignoring the protests and orders. An airman touched
him lightly with the ‘spark test’, a little metal rod that was held by a wooden
handle.
There was no spark. The medics moved in, checking
vitals and examining. They were busy, working, not declaring, not consoling;
working. //He’s not dead! I didn’t kill him!//
‘But you could’ve done’ a voice told her from
inside her head.
They prepared him for the stretcher, and Sam
watched in silence, noting every move. //It’s bad, it’s bad…I still might kill
him…I might have lost it all…//
They moved towards the Gate. Sam drifted with them,
a few metres away, hugging herself to make it all go away. //But it will never
go away//
They stepped through the Stargate, and she followed
close behind. It felt like a dream, a terrifying nightmare that she couldn’t
leave. She walked through the corridors, ignoring all comments and inquiries,
all people, all time.
She found herself outside the infirmary. She walked
through the doors, pushing aside the orderly who tried to stop her. She stood,
watching from a distance, as Janet finished with Daniel and drew the curtain.
She turned to Sam, who was still standing there, unmoving, paying no attention
to the man asking her to leave.
“Sam? Are you alright?”
“How is he?” she asked, steadily.
Janet watched the expressionless face, the blank staring
eyes and took in the taunt muscles that held her like a marionette.
“It’s bad, Sam.”
A dark black cloud engulfed her, fading the world
away. What had she done? How could she have left him? //Daniel, I’m so sorry…//
“How bad?” she said, shakily.
“He’s in a coma, Sam.”
“How…why…?”
Sam could feel herself closing in, being forced
out, away from Daniel. Janet’s arm on her shoulder barely registered.
“We’re not sure. We think the device did it.”
//The device. The one I should’ve checked. The problem
I should’ve seen. All my fault…//
“Can I…stay with him?”
Janet nodded, and left her. Sam slowly edged
forward, the world in mono, the dark cloud trying to stop her. But she
continued, reaching out to the curtain with a trembling hand. She drew it back
slowly, and stood there for a moment.
He lay very still, pale and fragile. The monitors
beeped slowly, the only indication he lived. He was on a respirator - keeping
him alive, trying to counter her mistake. //A mistake! Daniel could die through
a mistake! My mistake…//
His right hand was covered in bandages, where he
had touched the wiring, and there was a patch on his head. Sam swallowed,
before approaching. She sat beside his bed, feeling the cold metal but ignoring
it, and took his other hand, alarmed at the chill. She pressed his hand into
hers and watched. She had never seen him this still - he was always moving,
talking, laughing. And Sam knew about coma…//He may never wake up. He may never
move again. He may never speak another word. And I took it all away…//
“Carter?”
Sam turned, realising she was crying. Jack and
Teal’c stood by the curtain, watching. Jack took the chair on the other side,
frowning at the bandaged hand. Teal’c took up his ‘sentry’ beside Jack, and Sam
turned back to Daniel.
“It’s not your fault, Carter.”
“But, sir, I should’ve known! I should’ve stopped
him, checked it…”
“Nothing you could’ve done. I always tell him not
to touch stuff…”
The joke feel flat, but Sam smiled weakly.
“It’s alright, sir. I can take it - you don’t need
to humour me.”
They sat in silence, watching.
~
//So, what happens now?
So, what happens now?//
It had been twenty hours, four since Janet had last
tried to remove them. It wasn’t much of an effort, and she hadn’t the heart to
order them away. They sat, drawing strength from each other’s presence. Janet
had plied them with coffee every couple of hours, and General Hammond had
appeared whenever he could. A few bunches of flowers had appeared, and it was Teal’c
who had arranged them in vases.
It was about 5am, when Janet brought another round
of coffee. They took the proffered mugs, thanking her.
“You should rest, you know.”
There was no reply. Janet moved to leave, when
there was a faint sound. They all turned to Daniel. He struggled a little, and
Janet moved in, calling for assistance.
“Daniel, please lie still. You’re on a respirator -
we’re going to take it out. Hang on.”
Sam grasped his hand tightly, and felt her pressure
returned. Janet carefully, removed the tubing, and his breath came in short
gasps.
“Calm down, Daniel. Breathe slowly.”
His breath became regular, and steady, and there
was a collective sigh.
“Welcome back, Space Monkey.”
Daniel lay back, and frowned at Jack. Sam picked up
some ice chips from the table, and he smiled, trying to sit slightly. She
steadied him, and gave him a spoonful. He nodded gratefully, and Janet began to
disconnect monitors.
“You had us worried, Doctor Jackson.”
“Sorry,” he said hoarsely.
Sam smiled, and lowered the cup, still supporting
him. His free hand held her shoulder, as he surveyed the room.
“You look shattered,” he croaked.
Janet smiled, and collected up the various coffee
cups.
“You’ve been in a coma for twenty hours, Daniel.
They didn’t leave.”
He raised his eyebrows, and his face filled with
gratitude and embarrassment.
“Thank you,” he said, quietly.
They smiled warmly, happy and content. He was back
with them. Sam felt relief flow through her. //I didn’t kill him. But I
could’ve, murdered my best friend. How can I live with that?//
“Right, you all need to rest! I don’t want to see
you back for another ten hours! Daniel, I want you here for twenty-four hours
observation, and then no driving for another week. So, get some rest now.”
“Janet, I’ve been asleep for twenty hours…”
“No, you’ve been in a coma. Sleep now while you
have the chance - this lot will be back soon.”
Sam gently lowered him back down, kissing him on
the cheek.
“I’m so sorry, Daniel.”
“Not your fault, Sam. See you soon, right?”
“Of course.”
She left slowly, and he smiled at her. Jack and
Teal’c followed, reluctantly. Jack was already planning how to get back in five
hours, instead of ten.
“Don’t even think about it,” Janet said to him.
Sam smiled, and left for her quarters. She opened
the door, and found the frame beside her desk staring straight at her. In a fit
of rage, she slammed it down. //Why have you done this to me?//
She slept uneasily, her dreams filled with images
of a pale and fragile Daniel and an angry Oliver.
~
//Where am I going to?
Where am I going to?//
It was only 9am when Sam returned. The infirmary
was dark and depressive, and there seemed to be no one present. She moved
carefully, stealthily, like a lioness stalking her prey. Except she was the
hunted, wary of the angry doctor who would eventually chase her away. Sam
smiled to herself. //Extended metaphors - far too much time…//
She slipped into the cubicle, turning to close the
curtains with care. The rail creaked, and she winced.
“I wouldn’t worry. There’s only me, and Janet left
at nine”
Sam whirled round, to see Daniel staring back at
her, smiling faintly.
“You’re s’posed to be sleeping.”
“So are you.”
“Touché.”
Sam laughed softly, and sat beside him. His eyes
followed her, unfocused yet seemingly gazing into her soul. She just resisted a
shudder, and drew his glasses out of her pocket. She bent forward, sliding them
carefully onto his nose. He realised her intent and placed his hands over hers,
guiding the frame. //Unity, common goal, focus…am I turning into Daniel?//
Sam smiled at her own thought, and removed her
hand. Daniel frowned.
“What?”
Sam checked herself, and stared at him. The harsh
infirmary light paled his skin, emphasising his wild cerulean eyes. Her breath
caught, and time seemed to slow. Daniel was beautiful. //Oh, for Heaven’s sake!
I can’t call Daniel beautiful! It’s…weird//
“Nothing, Daniel,” she said, quietly, “nothing at
all.”
He smiled tiredly, settling into the pillow. Sam
rose slowly, and switched off the overhead light. As she turned, she felt his
glasses pressed into her hand.
“Okay, I get the hint.”
“You should rest now. You’ll need all your strength
for the crimson world.”
“Yeah, but that will have to be delayed, I guess.
Maybe SG-11 should take it…”
“Daniel!” cried Sam, in exasperation, “You are
going to that planet. Even if I have to drag you there myself!”
Daniel smiled sheepishly, something Sam found adorable
about him…//Adorable?!? Daniel? When did my wires get *this* crossed?//
“Sleep, now. I’ll be back later.”
“Thanks, Sam.”
Sam left the cubicle, almost colliding with Jack
and Teal’c.
“Major Carter, you are…early. It is not yet 3pm.”
Sam glared at the Jaffa, who smiled with
satisfaction. Jack ignored them, staring at the closed curtains.
“How is he?”
“Sleeping.”
“Ah, okay.”
There was silence for a few moments, and Sam
started to move away.
“Goodnight, Major Carter.”
“Goodnight Teal’c.”
“Goodnight Carter.”
“Goodnight Sir.”
“And John Boy too, for crying out loud!”
They turned towards the cubicle, with registered
shock. Jack opened the cubicle, and they all peeped round. He watched them
through the darkness, obviously exhausted yet amused.
“Who is ‘John Boy’, Daniel Jackson?”
“Don’t ask, Teal’c.”
“I thought you were going to sleep.”
“Yeah, well…”
By silent consensus, they pulled up chairs and sat
around. Sam handed Daniel his glasses, almost glad it had turned out this way.
SG-1, together - through pain and torture, through happiness and celebration -
almost a family.
//Scrap that. We *are* a family//
They stayed until Janet arrived back, at about
midday. She saw them all, the happiness practically radiating from their group.
They played poker, for the IV bags, before Daniel stopped them.
“You can’t let me win like this! Janet will think I
*want* more medicine!”
“I’m sure
that can be arranged.”
They all turned, all guilty smiles and a reluctance
to leave. Janet picked up the medication, and gathered up the cards.
“You can gamble later, when Daniel gets out of
here. Right now, you all should be…”
“Sleeping, eating et cetera, et cetera. Come on,
Doc!”
Janet shook her head, and left the cubicle. Jack
sat back in satisfaction.
“While the cat’s away…”
“The mice will sleep for at least eight hours!”
Jack turned, to see Janet brandishing a needle. He
swallowed guiltily, before standing slowly.
“Who am I to question the Almighty Needle? G’night
kids.”
“It is not yet evening, O’Neill.”
Jack glared at the Jaffa, who smiled. Sam got up
next, looking back at Daniel who was almost asleep.
“Get some rest, Daniel - I’ll take you home
tomorrow.”
“Thanks Sam,” he said, sleepily.
She smiled, and left the infirmary. Teal’c remained
with Daniel, meditating. There was peace for a moment in their chaotic lives.
~
//Time and time again I’ve said that I don’t care
That I’m immune to gloom, that I’m heart through
and through//
Sam woke up slowly, noticing the absence of
sunlight, headaches and…Oliver. She sat up, military-issue pyjamas sticking to
her body. She changed quickly, glancing at the clock. She stopped in shock.
//2am?!? I slept for FOURTEEN hours?!?//
She continued to dress, before heading for the
infirmary. Janet was preparing medication and fresh bandages, causing Sam to
wince. She had almost forgotten why Daniel was in there - because of her, one
stupid mistake…//Of many, Sam Carter. And he’s one…//
Sam shook her head to clear the memory, before
looking towards the cubicle.
“Is he still sleeping?”
Janet jumped, and turned to Sam.
“Yes, for almost as long as you. How are you
feeling?”
“Ask me later.”
Janet nodded with understanding, before moving
away. Sam drifted towards the cubicle, wondering what the answer to that question
truly was. What was she feeling? Anger? Hate? Guilt? She drew aside the
curtain, as another hand mirrored her action. She stood, facing him, and she
felt like she could crawl away and die.
Slowly, he raised his hand and gently wiped away
the tear that fell unbidden from her eye. His arms enveloped her, and they
stood together in silence. Sam felt the pain inside her, the monstrous guilt
and self-loathing that threatened to consume her. She buried her head in his
shoulder, forgetting herself for a moment.
“It wasn’t your fault, Sam.”
“Yes, it was. I could’ve stopped you. Because of
me, you could be dead right now!”
“But I’m not, Sam. I’m right here. Ifs and buts are
not going to change that, are they?”
“No, no they’re not,” she whispered. He held her at
arms length, and smiled. She had to smile back, and his grin widened. Sam felt
better, but she felt as if there was a debt - something she had to make up to
him.
“Daniel, I’m driving you home. And staying, until
you’re better.”
He raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. Sam felt
she had to clarify herself.
“Of course, if you want to be alone, that’s fine,
but I thought…”
“It’s a great idea, Sam. As long as you don’t
mind…”
“No, not at all,” she replied, firmly. Janet walked
towards them, and Sam separated herself from Daniel. Strangely, she felt cold
without his touch.
“I’ve made a list of everything I’ve packed and
when to take your medication, who will check up on you…”
“It’s okay, Janet. Sam’s staying.”
An air of satisfaction appeared on Janet’s face,
but she forced it down and smiled.
“Ah yes, of course she is. Well then, Sam, you can
change the bandaging. I’ll add that to the list.”
She whipped out her pencil, and added some neat
notes at the end of the paper. Looking up at them from the corner of her eye,
she smiled to herself. Sam helped Daniel with his jacket, doing up a couple of
buttons and smiling up at him. Her face looked radiant, and Janet had to stop
herself saying what a lovely couple they would make. Wordlessly, she handed Sam
the instructions and equipment.
“Thanks Janet. Tell Jack I’ll be around some time
next week.”
Janet smiled, still silent; afraid her mouth would
run away with her. When they were safely down the corridor, she sighed.
“A shame about Oliver,” she said, quietly.
~
//But every time it matters all my words desert
me//
They stopped at Sam’s house first, to collect some
of her stuff. She forced open the door, pushing aside the large pile of
unopened mail on her doormat. Daniel said nothing, but observed the gathering
dust and stale air filtering through the now-open doors. Sam had obviously been
nowhere near her house for weeks. She quickly collected a few sundresses
together and the odd pair of jeans. She found some old t-shirts and a beautiful
dress she stuffed away, but Daniel saw it. He soon realised that most of her
clothes were at Oliver’s, where she had been living for the past month or two.
He couldn’t see the orchid either - perhaps that was also at Oliver’s.
Daniel did not entirely trust Oliver - there was
something about him that made Daniel uneasy, and he was sure Oliver was hiding
something from them. He felt almost protective towards Sam - after all, he had
known her for about five years, and they were close. Very close.
He watched her, noticing her as if for the first
time. Her hair fell in soft waves, leading to the gentle slope of her neck. He
leaned against the wall, still watching. Her long, slender arms led to
beautiful, smooth hands, nails short but kept beautifully. The curve of her
hips would put any Greek goddess to shame and her skin was flawless. Her eyes
met his, dancing orbs of wonder. She smiled, puzzled for a moment. Daniel
sighed, and stood up properly.
“Ready?” he said, slowly.
“Yes,” she said, curious but reluctant to ask.
//Reluctant to ask? Story of our lives//
They walked out of the house, Daniel daring to slip
his arm around her waist. Sam started. //Daniel has his arm around my waist!
This isn’t real, this can’t be happening…why do I like it?// Puzzled, Sam
didn’t protest or comment, but made her way towards the car. When he let go,
she felt cold again, like she had in the infirmary. It confused her.
As they were driving, Daniel glanced across at Sam.
She seemed preoccupied. He wondered whether he had over-stepped the mark, gone
too far with a simple gesture. //Simple gesture? There’s no such thing//
They
arrived at Daniel’s place. Sam got out, dragging her bag with her. To any
outsider, they would look like a couple moving in together. //Only for a week.
Just as friends// Sam wondered if it would stay that way.
Daniel followed Sam, mesmerised by the swing of her
hips. He got in the doorway, and was then suddenly overcome with dizziness. Sam
turned, dropping her bags and grabbing hold of his arm and waist.
“Are you okay?”
“Just a little dizzy, that’s all.”
Sam carefully guided him to the sofa, and he sat
heavily.
“I’ll get you some coffee.”
Daniel sat on the sofa, eyes shut tightly, acutely
aware of the room lurching violently at odd angles. He heard Sam approaching,
and he slowly opened his eyes. She pressed a couple of tablets into his hands,
and he swallowed them dry. Gradually, the spinning stopped, and he could take
his coffee cup. His hand shook wildly and he was forced to put it down again.
Frustrated, he hit the arm of the sofa, and rested his forehead in his hand. He
felt Sam’s arm on his shoulder, and he looked up at her. She was smiling at
him.
“What?” he said, tersely.
“It’s okay, you know. You don’t have to act in
front of me. I know you’re ill - so, no pretence, okay?”
He pulled away his arm, and sighed. She smiled
again, and knelt in front of the sofa.
“Okay, coffee.”
She picked up the mug, and held it in front of his
lips. Slowly, she tipped it, and he sipped it carefully. Embarrassed, he pushed
her hand away.
“Daniel,” she said, placating, “This is me here.”
He sighed again, and she gave him the cup, laying
her hands over his. He drank deeply now, her hands steadying his, before he put
the cup down.
“Thank you,” he said, and then yawned.
“You, Daniel Jackson, need to sleep.”
“Sam, I’ve been asleep for 14 hours!”
“Daniel, you can only do so much!”
“But I don’t need to sleep,” he said, stubbornly.
Sam rolled her eyes, and went out of the room. She
returned with a blanket, and covered him in it. He glared at her, but she just
smiled and went over to the VCR.
“If you won’t sleep, we’ll watch movies instead.
What have you got around here?”
She pulled out his collection of Egyptian documentaries
and laid them aside. She passed by his Shakespeare series, and eventually came
to the action movies carefully hidden behind a pile of archaeology magazines.
“Are these Jack’s?” she inquired.
Blushing, he replied, “No, they’re mine. I just
hide them from Jack.”
Sam laughed out loud, before picking up a copy of
The Mummy.
“Egypt, action and romance - perfect!”
“And Brendan Frasier.”
Sam turned and glared at him. He laughed, and she put
in the tape. She moved away and sat beside him on the sofa. He smoothed the
blanket over her, as she leaned into his embrace. Sam had never felt so safe
and secure. It felt like a blanket of love had enfolded her. Daniel seemed to
feel it too. His shoulder relaxed, and they soon lost themselves.
About half-way through the film, Sam stopped the
tape.
"I'm hungry," she declared, "I don't
suppose you have any popcorn?"
"Second drawer on the right."
Sam got up slowly, aware now of sunlight filtering
through the curtains. She was about to grab the popcorn, when she realised that
she was supposed to be looking after Daniel. //Not feeding him popcorn at 6am
in the morning!//