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A Time to Heal Adult version

Saturday: The Calm Before The Storm

Sara was woken the next morning by a whisper of warm breath on her neck and the smell of coffee wafting under her nose. She moaned dozily, curling and stretching her legs sleepily against the quilt as she felt gentle lips nibbling her earlobe.

"Sara," Jack's soft voice breathed against her hair, "You know, sooner or later, you have to wake up, no matter how good your dreams are!"

She murmured again, burying her head deeper, trying to escape his tickling lips. "It can't be morning already," she said with a muffled groan, snuggling down into the blanket that she noticed had somehow found its way over her body during the night.

"Almost afternoon actually!" he informed her in amazement, still somewhat unable to believe for himself that he had slept so soundly and for so long. Jack couldn't remember the last time he had been in bed that late on a Saturday morning, or any morning for that matter. He certainly felt refreshed for it, apart from the expected ache in his ribcage.

"Do you want any breakfast?" he asked, smiling as he tried to tempt Sara out from under the covers with the aroma of her favourite beverage, but she wasn't buying it and simply responded with a negative grunt.

With a twinkle in his eye, Jack changed tack, "I have to go out soon, I have a date!" That got Sara's attention at last, her head reappearing from beneath the blanket and her eyes flickering open with a brief hurt look before he grinned at her. "With a twelve year old!" he added quickly, leaning down to gently kiss her lips now that they were accessible to him.

He offered her the steaming mug of fresh coffee that he knew she would need to kick start her day. "You don't have to get up yet if you don't want to. You can stay here as long as you like," he said almost shyly, not really knowing what reaction to expect from her after the night they had shared. "But I have to go out, I promised Cassie."

Sara gave him a quizzical look, noticing that he was already showered and dressed in blue jeans and a black t-shirt as he sat on the bed beside her, his hair still damp and sticking up in that loveable way that made her want to run her hands through it. Curiosity growing, she shifted to a sitting position to look at him properly, moving up to squash her back against the pillow. She flushed pink when she caught Jack gazing appreciatively at her naked body where the blanket had drifted down to her midriff. Pulling it up to cover herself again bashfully, she took the hot coffee from him and began to sip it. Watching him from beneath lowered eyelashes, she waited for him to explain.

Jack tried to remember what he had been about to say, his mind wandering off on an erotic tangent as he desperately tried to convince himself that there really was no time at all to entice Sara into a repeat performance of the previous night's escapades. If he didn't leave in the next half hour he would be late and this time he was determined to keep his promise.

"Oh, yeah, Cassie!" Jack shook his head to refocus his thoughts, "She's Doctor Fraiser's daughter, well adopted one anyhow. I owe her a Saturday afternoon." He shrugged, "I broke off our last 'date' when I went to Egypt. I was going to teach her how to play ice hockey," Jack wiggled his fingers, now strapped back up into the injury support, none the worse for their ad hoc exercise. In fact, he could swear they were moving a little easier than before. "I guess I won't be able to do that for awhile yet. I have no idea what she's got planned instead, but you know me," he grinned lasciviously at her, his words full of hidden meaning, "I love surprises."

Sara blushed again, scarcely able to believe how bold she had been, but knowing she had loved every moment. She couldn't help feeling disappointed that she had reached a decision point already. She had known that sooner or later, she would have to go home, she just hadn't expected it to be now. "Can you do me a huge favour?" she asked in between swallows of the deliciously hot coffee. Jack nodded. "In the back of my Jeep there's a sports bag. Can you get it for me? My keys are in the kitchen somewhere I think. If I can just have a quick shower, then I'll be out of your hair."

Jack frowned, "You don't have to leave."

She gazed at him for a long moment, knowing what she truly wanted to do and realising that she didn't need to hide her feelings from him anymore, so apparent were his own. "I have a few things I ought to do," she said hesitantly. "Why don't I drop you off on the way? When you get back home later, give me a call," she suggested, leaving it open, the choice up to him, hoping he would make the correct one. "Please?" she added, suddenly unsure that he would.

"You bet!" Jack smiled, taking the now empty mug from her hands. He reached across her to place it on the nightstand. On his way back he paused, drinking in the sight of her. His hand moved to stroke her cheek, trailing down her jaw and around to the nape of her neck, tangling in her mussed blonde hair. Sara held her breath, her eyes fixed on his liquid brown gaze, as he leaned closer, pulling her to meet him.

The touch of his lips was electrifying, a soft gentle kiss that he quickly turned into something more passionate, his mouth moving on hers, controlling the deepening intensity until she was breathless, her heart racing. He pulled away gradually, his lips lingering, brushing against hers. A smile curved the corners of his mouth when he saw the look in Sara's eyes, the rosy pink flush of her cheeks and the quiver in her intake of breath and Jack knew he had obtained the desired effect. A promise of things to come, that left him feeling assured that she would return to him that evening.

"Shower!" he whispered against her face as he slowly pulled away, "I'll go grab your bag." He leaned back across to collect the empty coffee mug, unable to resist dipping his lips to kiss the soft rise of her breasts where they now peeked out from beneath the blanket that had slid down again slightly as he moved on the mattress. Then Jack bounced gingerly off the bed and sauntered nonchalantly from the room. He licked his lips, appreciating the taste, grinning softly to himself when he felt her wide eyed stare follow his exit.

Sara watched him go, a smile playing across her lips as she admired the way he moved. The way his faded blue jeans hugged his backside gorgeously. The way his black leather belt pulled in at his slim waist to accentuate endless legs and an equally long, slim body. Sara caught herself thinking about being entangled with those naked legs. She shook herself back to the present and jumped off the bed to grab a shower before she made Jack late, knowing she could have him to herself again that Saturday night, if they so desired.

Sara arrived downstairs, dressed, refreshed and raring to go exactly twenty minutes after Jack had woken her up. She carried the sports bag on her shoulder and jangled her keys in her hand expectantly. Jack looked up from where he was sitting on the edge of a chair pulling on his boots. "You were quick," he laughed, noticing her still damp hair dripping slightly onto the collar of her white t-shirt, she had a pale blue v-neck sweater on over the top, along with her washed out blue jeans and brown leather ankle boots.

"Practise! It comes from being called into work at a moment's notice," Sara told him, deciding there was one other thing she needed to explain, "And before you get any ideas about the bag, I'm not so calculating as to plan what happened last night and pack a bag beforehand!" she said worriedly. "I always carry it in the Jeep just in case I get stuck working late somewhere and have to make an overnight stop."

Jack smiled slyly, "You mean you didn't set out to seduce me? Oh, now I'm hurt!" Boots zipped, he stood up and caught an arm around her waist, pulling her into a hug. "Guess there's always tonight!" he whispered into her ear, grabbing his door key off the hall table and whisking her outside, before he changed his mind completely about going anywhere.

~~~~~~~~~~

Exactly seven weeks to the day when Colonel Jack O'Neill had been forced to break a promise to a young friend, he arrived at her house to accept his due punishment.

"You will at least stay long enough to meet them, won't you?" Jack asked Sara hopefully as they pulled into the driveway. He wasn't sure why, but he knew that he really wanted Cassie and Janet to meet her. Sara took one look at the eagerness on his face and nodded agreement, switching off the engine and waiting for him to get out before she opened the driver's side and did the same, leaning on the top of the door as she watched him curiously.

The moment Jack stepped from the unfamiliar car that had delivered him to her door, Cassie ran out of the house and jumped up to give him as restrained a hug as her usual overexuberance could manage, trying to be careful of his healing left side. "Jack! How are you?" she cried happily.

Janet Fraiser watched the display of hugs and laughter from the porch step, surprised by the presence of a blonde woman driving the vehicle. She was even more surprised when Jack introduced her, holding out his strapped up right hand towards her, gesturing for her to come around from the driver's side to join him.

"This is Sara," he said with a smile Janet didn't remember ever seeing in his eyes before. Then she recalled the woman's face from a picture on his mantle of some long ago family celebration.

Sara smiled brightly. "Don't worry, I'm not going to encroach, I just offered to drop him round as I was passing," she explained.

Both members of the Fraiser household raised eyebrows in tandem. Janet wondered curiously how Sara happened to be in Jack's neighbourhood in the first place. But it was Cassie in her usual uninhibited manner, who actually said what she was thinking. "So you're Sara!" She grinned knowingly, "Jack says you're the best lock picker he knows!"

Sara withered slightly under Janet's shocked gaze. "I've just had a lot of practice!" she told the young girl, turning to her mother to explain, "When you've locked yourself out as often as I have, it comes in useful! I think it was one of the first tricks Jack taught me when we met!"

"Are you sure?" Jack's questioning grin echoed with hidden meaning that caused Sara to blush furiously.

Cassie watched the two of them, a mischievous smile forming on her face, "Why don't you join us, Sara? Then maybe Mom will come along too if she's got someone to gossip with. She doesn't have many Saturdays off and I think we should get her out of the house for a change! Besides," Cassie declared confidently, "This is going to be fun!"

With that, Jack grabbed Cassie around the waist with his left arm and lifted her off her feet tipping her horizontally until they were both giggling so hard that Jack's ribs were starting to hurt even worse and he had to put her down. He ignored the way Janet was glaring at him with doctorly concern and turned back to Cassie, "So what punishment do you have in store for me?"

"Well since you're not allowed to play ice hockey yet, I figured maybe simple ice skating would do."

"Really?" Jack looked as excited by the prospect as she was. "Cool!" He glanced towards Sara, hoping she would stay, but reluctant to pressurise her into doing something she didn't want to.

Before he could say anything, Janet solved the dilemma for him. The petite doctor turned to Sara and smiled, deciding this could be a prime opportunity to finally get to know a bit more about what made Jack O'Neill tick, "So what do you think, Sara? I'm game if you are."

"Yes, okay," Sara flashed a smile, she didn't quite feel ready to leave yet. She was enjoying the sight of Jack interacting with kids again after so long, he always was so great with them, she thought wistfully.

Janet saw the look in her eyes as Sara watched the laughing pair. "How about a coffee first?" she asked, already certain she was going to like this person.

~~~~~~~~~~

Together the two women leaned on the barrier watching the pair whizz round and round the ice rink. At times Jack hauled Cassie along, the fingers of her small right hand wrapped in his left, or tucking her under his arm like a football and racing so fast that her hair streamed out behind her, or simply skating in tandem at a less frenetic pace that her much shorter legs could keep up with and which gave his aching ribs a sorely needed rest.

Janet and Sara chatted like old friends, it had been a fun afternoon for them too even if neither had felt up to tackling the ice, or maybe they simply didn't want to encroach on the intense father daughter type bonding that was going on before their eyes.

Now they watched Jack standing with Cassie in the empty centre of the rink, teaching her to spin around on the spot. He twirled her by the arm, using his right hand only for careful support as his left did all the work.

Janet chuckled at the pair on the ice, trusting Jack implicitly with her daughter's safety despite their antics. Still she couldn't help holding her breath every time he did something that might overstress his damaged ribcage. At least his stitches were all healed now, she didn't have to worry about him bursting any, and the fun form of exercise Cassie had come up with seemed to be doing him the power of good.

"He looks so different to two weeks ago," Sara eventually said with a shy smile.

For a long moment, Janet studied the laughter on Jack's face and the look in his eyes and it finally occurred to her just what the difference was.

"He looks free!"

"Thanks to you and Daniel," Sara said softly after awhile.

Janet looked at her, surprised by her words, a slight smile curving the sides of her mouth as she realised that she really was learning a lot more about the Colonel in that one afternoon than she had thought possible, considering how greatly he valued his privacy. It seemed she had finally met someone whom Jack willingly confided in and Janet found that simple fact somewhat astonishing, deciding she really did want to know more. "Jack told you about that?" she asked curiously, noticing how Sara never took her eyes off him as he messed about on the ice.

Sara nodded. "Some of it, you know. Not all of it, not yet," she said meaningfully. "But I know he only survived because of what you and Daniel did for him. We both owe you a great debt." She paused timidly, wanting to ask a question, but uncertain whether she really wanted to hear the answer. Besides which she wasn't too sure how the doctor would react, after all they didn't really know each other.

Finally, she took a deep breath and asked anyway. "Jack told me about the drugs they injected him with," she said, a slight quiver in her voice. "I know there can be long term effects, but I wondered if I could ask you honestly," she trailed off and Janet patted her arm reassuringly, urging her to continue, whatever it was, to get it off her chest. "Well is he in any danger from the after effects?"

"No, not physically," Janet looked at her, trying to walk the fine line between patient confidentiality and telling a family member any truth that would aid recuperation. "Jack will recover from all his injuries eventually. He needs to take it easy on his ribs and hand, but everything else is more or less healed already. It's the psychological effects that could be most damaging."

Sara finally turned her gaze away from Jack to look directly at the doctor, "What do you mean?"

"He went through a lot, Sara, stuff that will be hard for him to face himself sometimes let alone explain to others." Janet paused for a moment, trying to gauge the strength of this woman before her, wanting to be sure that what she said would not scare her off. "He talked to Daniel about what happened, but you know what men are like, even when they're as close as those two. They never really get down to the deeper issues."

Sara smiled slightly, "Yeah, I told him about as much myself last night."

"Well it's good that you're talking about it with him, because that's the only thing that will help him completely recover. If Jack can work through the trauma of everything that happened then any recurring flashbacks as a result of the drugs he was given will have a lot less impact, whether they happen twenty five days from now or twenty five years."

"How likely is that?" Sara asked, digesting the possible length of the term, a significant amount of time compared with Jack's nonchalant mention of long term effects the night before. Sara was beginning to wonder what else he wasn't telling her, suspecting a great deal judging by what the doctor was and was not revealing.

Janet shrugged, "It's hard to say. Studies have shown recurrences of flashbacks that much later, but usually only in extreme cases of drug overdose."

"From what Jack said, it sounded like the amount they gave him was an extreme case," Sara argued quietly.

Janet grimaced uncomfortably, realising that Sara perhaps knew a little too much. "Admittedly, the amounts in his system and the speed with which he was dosed up, combined with his weakened state, could be categorised as extreme. But let's not get hung up on 'what ifs', Sara. The fact is that Jack survived and he's recovering far better than could have been expected given the seriousness of his original condition, not to mention the additional injury he sustained less than two weeks ago."

"In the last few days he's come along in leaps and bounds. Now if he can only deal with the deeper issues, there will be no reason to expect any permanent or long term backlash. But it's not going to be easy. I mean, we're talking about psychological effects Jack probably hasn't even noticed himself yet."

"Like the trouble he's been having eating," Sara murmured.

"You spotted that?" Sara nodded. "Yeah, getting him back on a proper food intake would definitely be a help to his recovery. An active man like Jack can only stay healthy for so long on protein shakes. It's all a question of finding the real root cause of the problem, why he's developed this aversion to what was perfectly normal food to him before."

"I managed to get him to eat my vegetable lasagne last night," Sara said almost shyly.

Janet smiled encouragingly, "That's definitely a good start and that could be all it will take, just one step at a time."

Sara agreed with her choice of words, but a worried frown creased her forehead. "Seems like a lot of steps still to go," she said quietly.

"Worth it though, don't you think?" Janet turned her gaze back out onto the ice rink where Jack and Cassie were currently ballroom dancing.

Jack's left arm was wrapped around Cassie's waist, her skates two feet above the ice. Her small hand lightly held Jack's strapped wrist, as he skated in slow circles to the waltz that was being played on the speakers surrounding the arena. He had a wonderful look of mock seriousness on his face as Cassie giggled hysterically.

Sara smiled at the sight. "Yeah, I guess it is," she said, trying to quash the nagging voices in her head. The ones that were telling her that she still had no real idea what Jack had been through and that maybe they would both be better off if she got out before it was too late, before she was completely sucked back into Jack's frightening world. Before they both got badly hurt again. Trying to ignore the voices that were telling her that she was barely strong enough to survive her own life, let alone help him to survive his.

~~~~~~~~~~

Jack and Cassie finally skated towards the barrier to exit the ice rink and Sara and Janet went along to meet them. Both skaters looked rosy cheeked and happy. "Colonel, I trust you enjoyed that," Janet gave him a stern look.

"Uh-oh," Jack grinned to Cassie, talking out the side of his mouth as he leaned towards her, "I think your Mom's about to put her doctor's hat on!"

Cassie giggled as Janet frowned at him. "I seem to recall giving you a list of rules on what not to do with that hand and those ribs, Colonel. I can't actually remember any that you didn't break this afternoon!"

Jack looked truly chagrined, the smile leaving his face totally for a remorseful moment as he recalled his promise to himself to not do anything to worry Janet further about his health. "I'm really sorry. I guess I got carried away," he said apologetically.

Janet was taken aback by his unusually meek response, regretting sounding quite so harsh. She flashed a smile, "Don't worry, Jack, no harm done I hope. Just promise me, if you wake up tomorrow with more pain than normal, you'll call me, okay?" Jack nodded obediently.

"So, anyone for a milkshake?" Sara asked, trying to lighten the mood as the two began to take off their skates, or at least Cassie did. Jack realised he couldn't actually bend over double to undo them. Instead, he lifted one foot onto the bench and blinked at Janet with big brown puppy dog eyes until she gave a long suffering sigh and leaned over to begin unlacing the boots, lowering her head to hide the smile she couldn't stop from appearing on her face.

"Yes, please!" Cassie grinned at Sara's question, pulling her sneakers on quickly. "I'll come and help," she offered, grabbing the opportunity to get to know Sara a little more.

As the two of them headed over to the burger bar, Jack watched them go, admiring the unobstructed rear view of Sara as she walked away. His lips curved into a soft smile as he heard Cassie begin to chatter, her first question drifting back towards him before they moved out of earshot. "So what do you do, Sara?"

By the time Sara and Cassie had reached the back of the line, Cassie had reached the point of her conversation, "Are you and Jack getting back together?"

Sara was beginning to understand why Jack so obviously doted on the youngster, she had none of the usual false airs of a twelve year old girl. Instead, Cassie was honest and forthright, polite and genuinely friendly, and her mutual affection for Jack was apparent. She smiled at the question, replying with equal openness, "I honestly don't know Cassie."

"Jack really loves you, you know?" Cassie grinned, "Besides he's cute, funny and the bravest human I've ever met. What's not to like?"

"It's not that simple," Sara said, wishing it was.

"Why not?" Cassie asked directly.

But before Sara had to answer they reached the front of the queue and there ended that line of conversation. Instead they began to discuss favourite milkshake flavours.

Cassie and Sara returned to find Jack alone with their coats, leaning on the rail and staring out onto the ice. Janet had apparently gone to return the hired skates.

Seeing the distant look in his eyes, Sara wondered what Jack was thinking about, but she didn't get a chance to ask. He sensed their approach and looked around, returning to the present, a grin creasing his features. "All my favourite things together! Talk about spoilt for choice!"

He accepted the banana milkshake Sara offered, tucked his right hand around her waist and drew her towards him for the sweetest of soft kisses, his eyes sparkling at the look of surprise on her face. Then he let her go and sat down next to Cassie on the bench. Lowering his head to the straw, the two of them proceeded to begin a contest on who could make the loudest sucking noises.

Janet returned to find Jack and Cassie giggling and snorting like kids. Sara was standing with her hand over her eyes, shaking her head in mock disgust. She passed Janet her favourite chocolate flavour shake and picked up her own banana one.

"What do you reckon?" Janet asked, "Shall we show these kids how it's really done?" Sara's laughing eyes met hers in agreement and they both joined in.

By the time all four milkshake cartons had been noisily drained of every last delicious drop, the four of them were breathless from sucking and laughing and were hard pushed to decide just who had been the loudest.

Janet looked at her watch realising how late it was already and wondering what to suggest for food. Remembering what Sara had said earlier about Jack's eating habits, she made a decision, "So kids, how about we all go back to my place and I'll cook us something? I don't know about you, but I've been eating at work all week, I really need a decent home cooked meal tonight, rather than eating out. If that's okay with everybody?"

Sara smiled, "Well maybe I ought to be getting on home myself, I don't want to overstay my welcome."

"You can't go yet, Sara," Cassie objected, "Not at least until you've sampled Mom's cooking. She's really good!" The youngster added loyally. Besides she wanted Sara to stay with Jack for as long as necessary to make her realise they really were made for each other and that it was that simple.

"Yeah Janet's cooking is great," Jack joined in with a grin, "Just watch out if she serves chicken. Don't break the wishbone or she'll try and put a splint on it!"

"Actually, Colonel," Janet said disapprovingly, "I've been experimenting with vegetarian lately and I've got a great recipe I'd love to try out on somebody." She caught Sara's eye and winked at her.

Jack reached out his hand to tangle with Sara's nearby, looking up from his seat on the bench next to Cassie. "So, how about it?" he asked softly.

It only took one look into those eyes for Sara to give in. She nodded, holding his gaze as she replied, "Okay, why not. So long as you really don't mind Janet."

"Good, come on then, let's go," Janet said, watching closely as Jack stood up, wanting to see how his ribs were faring after that afternoon's exercise. Jack held his right hand to his chest as he rose to his feet, wincing slightly at the deep ache in his ribcage. He smiled to himself, knowing it was worth the pain for the fun he'd had with Cassie, not to mention that he finally felt like things were getting back to normal between them after everything that had happened.

Janet saw the shadow pass across his face and could almost imagine what he was thinking at that moment. She was relieved to see the look quickly replaced by a smile, but she didn't like the second wince as he straightened upright.

Jack turned to find Janet staring at him and he quickly dropped his hand away from supporting his chest. With a sheepish grin he realised it was probably too late when he saw the frown of concern on her face.

Cassie saved him from a telling off when she jumped up and down beside him. "Can we go skating again next week Jack, please?"

"I think you'll have to ask your Mom that, honey," he told her, still looking at Janet.

The petite doctor saw the look of sheer happiness on her daughter's face, the first time in a long while that there wasn't a slight pensiveness to her expression. Then she saw the sparkle in Jack's own eyes and realised that perhaps this was one of the best forms of therapy they would ever find. "I suppose so," she said reluctantly, "So long as Jack takes care of his ribs in the meantime."

"Yippee!" Cassie yelled excitedly, grabbing Jack's arm and dragging him out towards the parking lot.

Janet watched them go, her smile fading as her mind automatically went back to the cause of all her worries. It was odd because she wasn't usually one to dwell on things, but somehow she couldn't get what had almost happened to Cassie out of her mind.

It was understandable really, after all, she cared more about her daughter than she had ever cared for anyone else in the world, any world for that matter. Janet didn't know what she would do if she lost Cassie. Well actually she had a feeling she did know, because she had two examples of what could happen right in front of her in Jack and Sara. And somehow Janet didn't think she could possibly withstand the pain they had gone through and survive. At least they had each other again. Or did they?

Janet frowned to herself, from what Sara had said that afternoon it seemed like the jury was still out on that one. Well she would personally do everything she could to ensure Sara made the right decision. Janet certainly did not want to see Jack go through the pain of losing the one woman he obviously truly loved a second time.

Although Sara may be undecided on what she wanted, Janet did not believe Jack had any such problem. >From the expression in his eyes every time he looked at Sara, Janet knew that he was already captivated again, hook, line and sinker. If Sara gave up on him now, Jack would be devastated and the effect on his recovery and his mental state would be appalling. Janet frowned again, wishing she had a crystal ball to see what was going to happen. Oh well, she thought to herself, just another thing for you to worry your little head about.

It was hard to believe that one man could cause her more concern than the rest of the world put together, more even than her ex-husband ever had. Maybe she could understand it if she was attracted to him, but it was more like Jack brought out the maternal instinct in her. From the first time they had met, the first time he had been under her care, Janet had been sucked in along with just about all the other females on her medical team.

There was a side to the Colonel that most people never got to see unless they had to treat him when he was sick or wounded. The vulnerability in his eyes, the deep sadness that was always there, but remained suppressed all the time he was being his usual witty tower of strength. The boyish look on his face when he slept, not to mention the ease with which he charmed all of her nurses until they would do anything for him, including bringing in a television so he could watch the hockey game, or letting him wear pyjamas so he didn't have to wander around in one of those awful hospital gowns that barely covered his long torso and flapped open at the back.

Little did the Colonel realise that the nurses had long since decided it was much more pleasing on the eye to see his naked chest all the time he was in the infirmary hooked up to all those monitors, than it was to get a brief glimpse of his butt on the rare occasions he was allowed up and about. Especially since most of them had taken their turn to give him the regular vaccination shots and had already seen that part of his anatomy.

Jack was so self-effacing, he was completely unaware of the effect he had on her nurses, never noticing the fact that it was always a different one who administered the injection. The female staff in the SGC infirmary had drawn lots to see who went first right from the beginning, acting with the stereotypical manner of military nurses as they discussed the entire male population of the base with their usual ribald humour. The conversation turned to Colonel O'Neill and the other two male members of SG1 on a more regular basis than any other, debating the finer points of the human anatomy until Janet had to flee the room in embarrassment.

Perhaps it was simply because she had gotten to know the person before she had to examine his body. Janet had become privy to Jack's overly large medical file almost as soon as she had transferred into the SGC, since his growing number of unscheduled attendances to the infirmary had already put him at the top of their hitlist, for albeit minor wounds up to that point. Unfortunately, Doctor Fraiser's arrival seemed to herald a new era of more serious injury as Jack seemed hellbent on damaging every part of his body, internally or externally, in one way or another.

So Janet probably knew more about what the Colonel had been through during his lengthy military service than he could possibly imagine and it all simply added up to one thing, a doctor who had grown to understand the real reason behind every one of his flip comments or his insubordinate actions. A doctor who greatly admired Jack's strength of character, his principles and his depth of compassion, his resilience and his courage. A doctor who never ceased to be amazed by the Colonel's perpetual sense of humour and the way he instilled a positive attitude into the people around him. And a doctor who worried constantly about the chinks in his armour and the intensity of the pain buried within him.

The level of understanding grew between them each time Jack came under her medical care or whenever they talked about Cassie and their lives in general. Not that Jack talked about himself much, he always found a way to avoid discussing himself at any length. Still, for Janet it had all served to provoke the deepest mothering instincts imaginable for another man and given her a friend whom she valued and loved and certainly didn't want to see get hurt. Yet she knew that sometimes there was nothing you could do to stop it, you just had to be there for them if the worst did happen.

With a deep troubled sigh Janet turned to pick up her coat as Jack and Cassie headed out of the exit into the parking lot. She found Sara watching her curiously, trying to comprehend everything she had seen in the interaction between Jack and Janet and the consequent reaction on the doctor's face.

Janet flushed red, hoping Sara couldn't tell what she had been thinking. "Ready?" she asked with an innocent smile and they followed Jack and Cassie out to the Jeep.

~~~~~~~~~~

Janet certainly was a good cook and a tactful one at that. She made them all a delicious vegetarian nut loaf along with roasted vegetables and a sundried tomato and basil sauce. Tasty, but not too rich, and decidedly healthy.

They had all eaten hungrily with lots of pleased looks passing between Janet and Sara as they watched Jack empty his plate. Sara even caught herself wondering what she could cook him tomorrow that would be equally as enticing to his feeble appetite, then she stopped herself short with the realisation that she still wasn't sure there would even be a 'tomorrow'. One step at a time, Sara, she reminded herself, uncertain what the rest of the evening held in store.

Janet and Sara offered to clear the dishes when Jack and Cassie started yawning in unison. It wasn't late, but they had both had a lot of excitement and exercise that day.

When the two women took their cups of coffee into the living room they found Jack asleep on the sofa with Cassie curled up beside him, his arm wrapped around her shoulders and her hand lightly hugging him as she dozed against his chest. The breeze from the open window behind them ruffled his tousled hair as he rested tiredly.

Sara and Janet grinned at each other. "Seems like we might have finally found a way to ensure the Colonel gets a decent night's sleep for a change!" Janet said softly.

"I slept fine last night too," Jack whispered, surprising them both with his wakefulness. He opened his eyes and grinned meaningfully at Sara, who immediately flushed red and hid her face behind her mug of coffee.

Jack shifted slightly on the sofa, his ribs beginning to ache even more than normal in his present position. Cassie stirred sleepily, lifting her head up to frown at him accusingly as if to complain about him moving her pillow. "Hey sweetheart," Jack smiled lovingly at her, brushing her long hair away from her face. "How about I take you up to bed?" he asked softly, "I promise I'll read you a story if you can get ready for bed and brush your teeth before we both fall asleep again!"

Cassie nodded dozily, murmuring incoherently and nestling deeper into his chest. Jack scooped her up gently, lifting himself gingerly off the sofa using all the power in his strong legs. He held Cassie around the base of her back as she wrapped her arms around his neck, her legs around his waist, and rested her head on his shoulder, her eyes still closed.

Janet put her cup down and went ahead of them, knowing the only way Cassie was going to avoid sleeping in her clothes that night was with a helping hand from Mom. Judging by the tired look on her face there would be no need for any story telling either, in fact it was touch and go whether Cassie would even notice that Jack's shoulder had been exchanged for her bed.

Jack returned downstairs a few minutes later, leaving Janet to put Cassie to bed properly. "So what are you going to do now?" he asked Sara directly, a question he had desperately wanted to ask all day, but this was the first time they had been alone.

"Well," Sara hesitated indecisively, but before she got a chance to continue Jack gathered her into his arms and planted a kiss on her lips that dissolved all sensible thought from her mind. When he eventually pulled away he looked at her questioningly, licking his lips nervously.

"I need to get some things from home on the way to your place," Sara said bashfully, feeling like a teenager being seduced for the first time. Jack nodded, an odd shadow on his face, which Sara knew was due to his reluctance to go anywhere near that house and all the memories it held for him.

Sara had thought about selling, after all she didn't need anything nearly so big, but she couldn't do it, anymore than she could change anything in Charlie's bedroom or get rid of any of his stuff. Even his bike still rested where he'd left it all those years before when he had arrived home on that fateful day. It was leaning up against the side of the house, rusting with age now, the same way that she had felt about her heart until the last twenty four hours.

"Look, you're tired, rather than make you wait about at my place, how about I drop you off first? I can pop back out and pick up a few things and then meet you back at your house," Sara offered.

"No really, it's okay," Jack assured her quietly, but his eyes told her differently in the way they would not meet her gaze.

Before they had time to get into a debate over it, Janet came back down the stairs. "Anyone want another coffee?" she asked, stifling a yawn herself.

"No thanks, Janet. We really ought to be going, before Jack falls asleep again," Sara smiled at her, "It's been really great to meet you and Cassie. And thanks for a lovely meal."

Janet nodded happily and followed them both out into the hall. Sara headed on out to the Jeep and Jack was about to follow, when Janet touched his arm lightly. He turned to look at her, a quizzical expression on his face. "Be careful, Jack. Look after those ribs, okay? I don't want to see you get hurt again," she said meaningfully.

"I'll be fine, honest. I'll take care, don't worry," Jack assured her quietly, knowing exactly what she really meant. He leaned in and kissed her cheek. "Thanks Janet, you're a good friend. Thanks for everything." With that he turned and walked down the drive.

Janet watched him climb into the passenger seat of Sara's shiny black Wrangler, unable to stop herself from saying a silent prayer for them both.

~~~~~~~~~~

Jack fell straight to sleep in the car as Sara drove through the dark tree lined suburbs. She headed directly to his house, parking in his driveway and practically having to haul him from the vehicle to send him inside. She took his doorkey, promising faithfully that she would be back within the hour, before he would let her go.

True to her word, the black and chrome Jeep arrived back outside Jack's home an hour later. Sara retrieved an overnight bag from the passenger seat and let herself in through the front door using his key. The house was peaceful as she wandered up the stairs to find him.

The bedroom light was on and a window had been opened to cool the stuffy room where it had been shut up all day in the summer heat. Sara leaned on the door frame, a soft smile on her lips as she regarded the sleeping figure curled up on the bed, recalling all the lustful thoughts about his body that had been preying on her mind throughout the day.

Jack looked like he had fallen asleep as soon as he sat down. His boots were still on his feet, his jacket half heartedly pulled down off one shoulder, before he had succumbed to the temptation of the comfortable bed.

Silently, Sara entered the room and put her bag down on the floor, unzipping the top and lifting out a small case of toiletries. She headed into the bathroom, quietly shutting the door behind her. When she emerged, she sat down on the sofa and removed her boots, then she undid the belt of her jeans and slid them down her legs. Finally, she pulled her sweater over her head, shivering slightly beneath the open window in just her white t-shirt and underwear. She reached up and pulled the window closed, leaving it slightly ajar. Then she turned to face the bed, a slow smile creeping across her face as she considered her next move.

Crossing to the bed, Sara sat down on the edge to unzip Jack's boot, pulling them off so gently that he barely stirred. Dropping them quietly to the floor, she crawled across the mattress to tackle the removal of his jacket. Knowing the difficulty of easing the cuff over the strapping on his right hand, Sara decided to undo the Velcro support and take that off first. The touch of her hand on his fingers was so light that Jack continued to sleep undisturbed until she had his left arm out of his jacket and needed to move him in order to slide it off his other shoulder too.

Knowing there was no easy way to achieve that, Sara dipped her head towards his, stroking her fingertips through his greying temples. She nuzzled against his neck, her lips closing on his earlobe, nibbling softly. Breathing against the fine hairs on his neck, she watched them stand on end in response.

Sara paused to whisper seductively into his ear, "Jack, sooner or later you have to wake up, no matter how good your dreams are!" she repeated his own words from that morning, kissing his neck and gradually working her way along his jaw towards his lips.

"Hmm, I was dreaming that a beautiful woman was trying to seduce me," Jack murmured softly, his eyes still closed as he finally began to stir, turning his head slightly towards her approaching lips.

"And what happened?" Sara asked, willingly taking the bait as she continued kissing her way towards his mouth.

"I had to fight her off because I knew my ex-wife would turn up any minute!" Jack opened his eyes, a sly smile creasing his face as he wrapped his left arm around Sara and pulled her down onto the bed beside him, covering her yelp of indignant surprise with a breathtaking kiss.

His mouth smothered hers passionately with the hunger of one deprived of everything but a fervent imagination for far too long. Their jaws began to work together, pressing against each other ardently, tongues tasting, tangling until they both ached for more than the joining of their lips could provide.

Eventually releasing Sara from his clutches, Jack pulled away, breathing hard. He licked his lips and regarded her with a pleased smile. Sara stretched out comfortably, lying parallel to him on her left side, propping her head up with her hand, her back arched. She smiled at him boldly, her expression clearly inviting him to take his best shot at seducing her.

Jack soaked up the view of her luxuriating on his bed, his initial surprise to see her wearing just a t-shirt rapidly replaced by intense appreciation. The soft material nestled against her body, highlighting the curve of her waist, the rise and fall of her breasts, barely concealing her panties as it rested on her hips, giving way to a pair of long, slim legs. Her feet were covered by fluffy white ankle socks that simply added to the endearing sight.

Pushing up on his elbow, his right forearm resting flat against the bed, Jack stroked his left hand along Sara's smooth legs from the back of her knees to her pelvis. His fingers moved languorously over her silky thighs, an inexorably slow progression, tracing circles and lines with his fingertips, massaging the firm, strong muscles and imagining the feel of them wrapped around him, pulling him inside her deeply.

Sara watched him, holding his gaze with dark eyes, heavy with desire, allowing him to take control and knowing she would enjoy every move he made. A part of her hoped that his lovemaking would be somewhat less drawn out than her interminable efforts of the previous night. She had struggled to stop thinking about it all day, vividly recalling the sensations and feelings he had provoked within her, desperately needing to feel them again, just to be sure they were real.

Jack's fingers dipped over the front of her right thigh, trailing along between the soft skin where her legs met, rising slowly higher until he brushed against the front of her lace panties. Sara swallowed a shiver, her eyes closing as his fingertips rubbed against the fabric erotically. She relaxed her legs, allowing them to part slightly, letting his hand stroke deeper.

Searching for the edge of her panties, he slipped a long sensual finger beneath the lace and shifted his body from its resting place to move towards her. Jack's mouth met hers in a crushing kiss, pushing Sara down onto her back in a calculated motion, her legs parting as she rolled under the weight of his lips. His fingertip slid easily inside her, rapidly surrounded by the heat of her desire, his hand rubbing and fondling her into new heights of ecstasy.

Sara moaned breathily against his mouth, shuddering with the intensity of the sensations he was so easily arousing within her, clutching the back of his head to draw him deeper into the kiss. Jack shifted his hand, withdrawing it from the side of her panties and pulling the fine lace material down her thighs.

Tangling his hand back within the depths of soft fine hair, Jack began to massage and rub, his fingers dipping and sliding inside her, loving the feel of her increasing wetness as he pushed her towards the brink.

Knowing she had neither the willpower nor physical strength to stop him, Sara gave in to his persistent manoeuvres. Her pelvis began to move in response and she pulled him even harder into their ardent kisses. Her hands grasped his back, tugging at his t-shirt, wanting to feel his bare skin beneath her fingertips. Her lips smothered his, tongues tangling fiercely as her arousal neared its peak.

With one more movement of his sensuous fingers, Jack expertly pushed her to a climax. Sara gasped against his mouth, letting out a soft whimper, her body shuddering. He continued to stroke every exquisite sensation from her orgasm, until she sank back onto the bed limply, pulling him down on top of her as she breathlessly softened the kiss.

Jack finally withdrew his hand, placing it against the mattress beside her head to lean on it, holding his left side above her body as he pressed soft kisses to her warm red lips.

When her breathing had returned to normal, Sara moved against him, sitting upright, forcing Jack up with her. She reached for the jacket that was still tangled around his right arm and gently eased it over his hand, tossing it onto the floor. Shifting closer, she nudged him off the edge of the bed and stood beside him, her panties dropping loosely from her thighs to the floor. Sara stepped out of them and raised her head up to find his mouth once more, pressing her lips against his hungrily as her hands reached for his belt.

Slowly undoing each button of his jeans, Sara pushed the blue denim down over his hips, releasing it to fall around his ankles. She stroked her hands against the waist of his boxer shorts, gradually lowering them to drop on top of his jeans, leaving Jack captured by the confining clothing around his feet.

Moving his hands to the curve of her hips, Jack's long sensuous fingers trailed goosebumps on Sara's soft skin as he raised the bottom of her white t-shirt. Brushing against her silky breasts, his thumbs caressed her hardened nipples, lingering until Sara lifted her arms for him to pull the shirt over her head.

She leaned in close, wrapping herself around his slim torso, her naked body nestling against him in a perfect fit. Jack closed his eyes, absorbing every erotic sensation as Sara moved to his right side, nuzzling against him provocatively and rubbing her inner thigh against his groin. Her hands raised the bottom of his black t-shirt lifting it high until she had to stand on tip toe to pull it over his arms, still pressing firmly against him, feeling his arousal growing beneath her seductive motion.

Finally almost naked together, Sara slowly lowered herself down his body to crouch at Jack's feet, pushing the bundle of clothing from his ankles, along with his socks, so that he could step out of it.

Slipping off her own socks, Sara raised her gaze to meet his dark brown eyes, her suggestive smile clearly revealing her intentions as she leaned in towards him again. Rocking forward onto her knees, her fingers trailed languorously up Jack's endless legs, dawdling leisurely to caress the firm muscles of his thighs.

Sara stretched her body higher, her lustful eyes focused on his erection, so far untouched by her fair hand that night. As she edged inexorably closer, Sara laid a whisper of breath against him, her fingertips stroking the base of Jack's abdomen, watching him quiver to her touch before she took him into her mouth.

The catch in his breath made her smile as she teased his engorged tip with her tongue, spreading kisses over his stiffened shaft and working her lips around him sensually. Her hands continued to stroke his long legs, his thighs, the curve of his hips and around to his buttocks, loving the feel of his muscles clenching tightly against her exquisite ministrations.

Jack groaned deep in his throat as she toyed with him wickedly. His hands pushed into her blonde hair, reaching to caress the silky skin of her neck. His sensuous fingers stroking her collar bone, brushing against her shoulders and down her arms as far as he could reach without bending over, a move that Sara knew he could not easily manage without inflicting pain on himself from his healing ribs.

Her lips curved into a sly smile as she increased the fervour of her motions, her mouth closing around his erection. The movement of her hands increasingly erotic, more sensual with every touch until Jack could stand it no more, the intensity of his need and yearning becoming overpowering. He gripped the top of Sara's shoulders, lightly but firmly, urging her to stand. She released him reluctantly, but with a growing eagerness to feel the pleasure of his hardened length inside her and a craving to feel his hands and mouth on her bare skin once again.

Sara stood up slowly, snaking her body against his own until their eyes met, their gaze heavy with desire. Jack licked his lips, regarding her lustfully for a moment as he moved towards her, closing his mouth over hers, tasting himself on her tongue as they tangled ardently. He nudged her towards the bed, letting his carnal instincts take over, pushing Sara down onto the quilt, their eyes maintaining contact until their lips parted breathlessly and Jack began to move down her luscious figure.

His mouth found first one nipple then the other, nibbling them, biting her naked flesh, pushing against the boundaries of fiery passion to expertly stimulate pleasure without pain. His sensitive fingers stroked every curve of her body, leaving a trail of fire in his wake as their ardour reached boiling point. He massaged and caressed the firm peaks of her breasts, the silky skin of her thighs, dipping into the soft damp hair to rub against her pubic bone.

Sara responded equally, arching her back against his mouth, drawing his naked body down to meet hers, wrapping her legs around him as he moved closer onto the bed. She moaned rapturously as he pulled his mouth slowly away from her breast, his teeth biting her nipple into an erect red point, sending ripples of exquisite sensations through her.

Their arousal reaching new peaks, Sara drew Jack towards her, entwining her legs with his own, clasping him tightly against her body with increasing fervour. Finding his mouth, she pressed against him ardently, sharing heated kisses until their lips were swollen and their jaws ached. She ran her fingers through the soft brown strands of his hair, her hands kneading his strong shoulders, her fingertips raking down his back as Jack repositioned himself, using his left arm to support his weight.

Fixing him with her lustful gaze, Sara wrapped her legs around Jack's body holding her breath as he poised to enter her. His brown eyes, dark with intense desire, maintained contact with hers as he slowly penetrated her, the tip of his hardened erection rubbing against her tantalisingly. Sara wrapped around him even more tightly, drawing him within her, shuddering deliciously as she finally felt him plunge deeply inside her, filling her with his length.

Jack slowly began to thrust into her, the overwhelming sensation overriding the pain he could feel emanating from his rib cage with each rhythmic movement. Breathing shallowly, he dipped his head to kiss Sara's mouth, brushing hot lips against her cheek, her neck, her collar bone, allowing his right hand to softly caress the curve of her breast. The firm point of her erect nipple rubbed against his palm, eliciting an increasingly passionate response as Sara's arms embraced him, her pelvis moving beneath him.

The intensity of their ardour grew more overpowering with each thrust until Jack slowed down the pace. He pulled away slightly, drawing almost all the way out to rub his stiff shaft against her pubic bone teasingly, thrusting the tip of his erection in and out until he sensed Sara nearing the brink by the quiver of her inhaled breath, the frenzied movement of her hands over his body.

With a deep lungful of air, Jack plunged fully inside Sara once more, letting himself be swallowed up in the heat of their passion. With mounting speed and intensity, he thrust deeper and deeper, their bodies intertwined, breathing and moving as one.

Captivated by desire, they panted in unison, their rhythm building until they came together as one in a blossoming burst of immense pleasure and emotion. With a shuddering cry, Sara clasped Jack even more tightly, letting the incredible sensations of her powerful orgasm overwhelm her as he plunged inside her climactically, thrusting repeatedly until they were both completely spent. He sank against her soft body bonelessly, puffing and gasping with a mixture of intense pleasure and pain.

Eventually, Jack withdrew from her, lifting himself off Sara's body to roll onto his right side, unable to suppress a gasp of pain as the ache in his ribs suddenly intensified with the movement.

Hearing his sharp intake of breath, Sara turned her head to face him, lifting her hand to caress his cheek. "Are you okay?" she asked, her concerned voice soft and seductive.

"Yeah," Jack murmured huskily, "Just need to catch my breath!"

"Are you sure?" Sara regarded him with a frown, adding worriedly, "Guess I shouldn't have let you overdo it. Janet won't be happy with either of us if you damage your ribs again."

"Well I won't tell her about it, if you don't!" Jack panted, grinning lasciviously and slowly rolling onto his back.

Sara matched his smile, holding his gaze as she pushed up onto her left elbow. Nestling her naked breasts against his body, she leaned in to kiss him softly before pulling away slightly. Sara studied him carefully, waiting for his breathing to settle down, her fingers playfully tangling in the soft fine hair on his sweat dampened chest.

Eventually, Jack's pulse slowed and he stopped gasping for air, the agony in his overstressed ribcage waning to the more normal everpresent dull ache. He tilted his head to meet Sara's lips, kissing her mouth before shifting higher to place whisper soft kisses against the tip of her nose, her cheekbones, her forehead. Finally he pulled back, gazing into her deep blue eyes almost shyly. "You know I love you, don't you?" he said, hesitant to voice the truth for fear she would not want to hear it.

Sara nodded, a smile spreading slowly over her face to reach her eyes until she positively glowed in the realisation of what she had just heard. A few simple words that until two days ago she had never expected to hear from Jack's lips ever again. "I love you too," she responded sincerely, leaning in to kiss him once more, before lowering her body back onto the bed and nuzzling against him happily.

Jack shifted on the mattress, pulling the quilt out from under him so that they could snuggle down together beneath the sheet. He watched Sara doze off as quickly as always, studying her peaceful smiling face. For a long time he marvelled at this beauty sleeping in his bed, and the way she was completely turning his life around, until eventually he closed his eyes and dared himself to dream.

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