Title : What friends are for

Author : Marita (marita42@voila.fr)

Season : any season, except season 6 for Daniel’s here and Jonas isn’t

Spoilers : Solitudes, and allusions to this or that

Rating : G

Category : humour ; hurt/comfort

Pairing : Sam/Jack ; team

Disclaimer : they’re not mine, never will, yadda yadda…

Summary : just a little something that popped into my head one night. I was feeling blue, so I took my pen and started to imagine what the guys would do if Sam needed some comfort. And yet another pointless fic was born.

P.S. : I feel much better now, in case you wonder. The guys are really great at cheering one up !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She was feeling bad. Depressed. Melancholic. Blue. Really not good. Did she mention bad ? The worst thing was, she hadn’t a clue as to why. The day had not been any worse than the previous one or the rest of the week. She wasn’t ill. She wasn’t injured. She wasn’t trapped on an icy planet, chased by Jaffa or held prisoner by some Goa’uld. She hadn’t been shot at or zatted, nor had she found herself in any kind of dangerous situation recently. No over-zealous Goa’uld had tried to destroy the planet. Her friends and family were all fine and safe. As far as she knew, everything was just fine. And yet there she was, sitting alone in her lab, blindly staring at the dark screen of her computer, on one hell of a downer.

Sighing loudly, she resolved to get up and left the room.

 

The commissary was empty but for a couple of SF’s who were finishing a cup of coffee before going back to their duty. She nodded to them and sat at a distant table with her bowl of Jello. Plunging her spoon into the dessert, she brought some to her lips – and froze. Glancing down at the bowl, she realized she had picked red Jello instead of her usual blue. She hadn’t even noticed. “Geez, I’m really tired”, she thought. “Now I don’t even make the difference between blue and red.” Then she gave it a little more thought and admitted that maybe the unconscious choice of red Jello had not been that innocent and fortuitous. Just as the thought crossed her mind, a certain man known for his taste for red Jello entered the commissary. “Talk of the devil !” she thought.

He took the seat opposite her and gave her a questioning look.

–Carter ?

–Sir.

–You okay ?

She looked at him and titled her head, thinking about it for a moment.

–I’ll tell you that when I know for sure, she answered after a fleeting moment of hesitation.

That answer, coupled to the fact that she was sitting alone in the commissary at 08 : 30 PM, did nothing to reassure him. Glancing down at the hardly touched bowl in front of her, he frowned.

–Carter ?

–I know, sir, she sighed. I’ve just realized I had picked the wrong colour.

–Uh-huh. That bad, uh ?

She lowered her gaze on her hands and shrugged.

–Apparently.

–Anything wrong in particular or is it just one of those days when you feel like crap without a reason ?

–Second solution, I’m afraid.

–Ah. Well, in that case, I think staying here eating a bowl of Jello that you don’t even like isn’t really going to help.

–Or maybe it will.

He frowned at her, more and more confused and worried.

–Care to elaborate ?

–I don’t really know how to explain it, it’s just… I don’t know.

She shrugged, letting the explanation unfinished.

–Okay, well then, do you mind sharing ? he asked, pointing at the bowl.

–Help yourself, she answered, pushing it a little towards him.

–All right, just need a spoon.

He stood up to retrieve the said item from the basket where the cutlery was kept, and resumed his place.

–So, did you find anything interesting in that thingy SG-16 brought back today ? he asked, bringing a spoonful of Jello to his mouth.

–Not yet, sir. I haven’t been able to make it work so far. I even fear something might be broken or missing in the mechanism.

–Well I’m sure you’ll manage to fix it eventually.

–Yeah, I guess, she shrugged, toying with the Jello with the tip of her spoon.

–Is it a lack of enthusiasm I’m hearing in your voice, Major ? Isn’t that thing fascinating ?

–Yes, sir, it certainly is, I’m just not in the right mood to get all worked up about it, that’s all, she answered with an umpteenth sigh.

 

–Hey guys ! What are you doing here ? the familiar voice of one nosy archaeologist suddenly asked, interrupting the conversation.

–Hey, Daniel ! Join in ! Jack invited him, gesturing for him to come. Carter and I were just having a woolly conversation over a bowl of Jello.

–Oh. Sounds fun, the young man answered, joining them with a spoon. Can I play ?

–Sure, the more the merrier, Sam answered, placing the bowl in the centre of the table so that it was within reach for each of them.

–Thanks. So, uh, why are you guys here that late anyway ?

–Carter’s feeling blue, Jack explained. I was trying to cheer her up with talks of techno-thingies, but it doesn’t seem to work.

–Ah, really bad, huh ?

Jack nodded vigorously, casting Sam a sorry look.

–Do you mind if I try ? Daniel replied, not discouraged by Jack’s lack of success.

–No, please do !

–All right. So…Sam, he began, turning a serious and compassionate look towards her.

–Daniel, she answered sternly.

–What’s wrong ? he asked in his best paternal tone.

Sam just stared at him for a moment, and then burst out laughing.

The two men started at her in shock, which just increased her hilarity.

–What have I said ? Daniel asked, confused and a little mortified by his friend’s reaction.

But Sam was laughing too hard to produce any intelligible answer other than “Daniel” and “God”.

The young man turned to Jack for a better explanation, but he just shrugged, not understanding any more than his friend but not really caring.

Finally managing to catch her breath and control herself, Sam wiped her eyes and gave Daniel a look of apology.

–Oh, Daniel, I’m sorry, I really didn’t want to upset you. It’s just… When you looked at me with that Sigmund Freud expression, it was just too much ! I’m really sorry. Ow ! Geez, my ribs ache !

–Well, I’m glad I could help.

–You did. I feel better.

–Great.

 

At that moment, the commissary doors opened on an intrigued looking Jaffa.

–Hey, T, grab a spoon and come over here ! Jack shot him.

Teal’c lifted an eyebrow, but made no question and did as he was told.

–I have heard laughter, he said as he sat next to O’Neill. Have I missed one of your jokes, O’Neill ?

–Nope, T. That was all Daniel’s fault. I did nothing.

Teal’c turned a surprised look towards the archaeologist.

–I didn’t know you were such a good teller of jokes, Daniel Jackson.

–I haven’t cracked any joke, Daniel sighed. Sam just found my air funny.

–It was, really, Sam insisted.

–Well, Jack hasn’t laughed.

–Oh, c’mon, that doesn’t mean anything ! The colonel never laughs.

–That’s wrong ! Jack protested indignantly.

–Oh, and when was the last time you laughed then ? Sam replied.

–Well…this morning. In the gym, when Daniel tripped over a skipping rope.

–No, sir. I was there and I can say that you didn’t laugh. You just smirked and made fun of him as usual. That’s not laughing.

–I concur, Teal’c said. You do not laugh very often, O’Neill.

–Oh, ‘cause you do ?

–No, not very often. We are very much alike on this point.

Jack frowned, thinking about it, then just shrugged.

–What does it matter anyway ? I don’t laugh, that’s no big deal. Always better than giggling anyway, he added, looking pointedly at Sam.

–Sir ! she exclaimed.

–You “giggle” ? Daniel asked her, genuinely surprised –and amused.

–No I don’t. Well, at least not often, she corrected as Jack shot her a look of disapproval.

–No, only when you’re half-frozen and put under quite a lot of stress, he commented with a slight grin.

–I thought we had agreed not to mention that again ?

–Sorry. You shouldn’t have said I didn’t laugh.

Sam sighed and rolled her eyes.

–Huh, guys, care to explain ? Daniel asked. Or is it a private conversation ?

–It’s just something that happened in Antarctica when we accidentally discovered the second gate, Sam explained. I was cold, the colonel was badly injured and I couldn’t find a way to make the gate work, so I was really pissed, anxious and tired and cold…

–You said that already, Daniel pointed.

–Yeah, well I really was very cold !

–And so she started giggling on my shoulder, Jack finished.

–Well that was your fault ! If you hadn’t made that silly comment about you know what, I wouldn’t have ! Sam retorted, blushing ever so slightly.

–Uh, what comment ? Daniel asked, curious to know the bottom of the story.

–Nothing interesting, I don’t even remember really, Jack answered, not really willing to reveal quite that much.

–Something about a sidearm, Sam added, cautiously not looking at Jack.

–Something about a sidearm ? Daniel repeated, frowning in confusion. And that was giggle worthy ?

–Well, with the context and all, yes it was. But not for long because it hurt the colonel.

–It hurt Jack when you giggled ? the young man asked, feeling more and more confused.

–Yes. We were, uh, trying to share body heat, you know, so…

–Oh ! I see ! Daniel replied with an amused smile, suddenly remembering what their position had been when they had found them with the rescue team.

Of course he still didn’t know what that stuff about the sidearm precisely was, but he could imagine the general tonality. That explained that neither Jack nor Sam seemed very willing to go into details about it, and that Sam was blushing and avoiding Jack’s gaze.

–Yeah, anyway, Jack replied, clearing his throat, that little incident is was brought to the decree known as “no giggling rule”.

–The “no giggling rule” ? Are you serious ? Daniel asked.

–Oh yeah, Sam confirmed. “A member of SG-1 does not giggle”, that’s what it says in substance.

–Exactly. Under no circumstance will a member of my team giggle.

–Why not ? Daniel asked.

–Because I’ve decided so. And because it wouldn’t look serious. Do you imagine us, about to kill some snake-head and the guy, suddenly recognizing us, exclaiming “oh, yes, I know you, you’re the giggling guys from Earth !”. How good would that look ? And I’m saying nothing of our dear allies. How could they treat us seriously if we giggled like little girls ?

–Well, I don’t think either you or Teal’c are really the giggling types anyway, the archaeologist answered. And neither am I. So actually this rule mainly applies to Sam.

–Which is why she was the only one to know about it until tonight, Jack confirmed as Sam rolled her eyes in despair.

–Like you never behave like a ten-year-old ! she retorted.

–What ? Major !

–Oh, please ! I’ve seen you playing hide and seek with Cassie a hundred times at least ! That wasn’t very manly either !

–I concur, Teal’c added. Even the greatest warriors need to relax with their loved-ones from time to time. Laughing or playing with children is nothing to be ashamed of.

–I’m not ashamed of it, Jack replied, annoyed. What I’m saying is that we shouldn’t show too many weaknesses to our allies if we want them to trust us.

–Do you think the Tok’ra do not laugh or play with their children ? the Jaffa asked.

–Teal’c, the Tok’ra don’t have any children !

–Huh, hello ! Sam interrupted, waving her hand.

–Yes, well, unless the hosts already had kids before, Jack corrected. But even that is considered a weakness by some of them, they don’t hide it.

–True enough, Sam admitted, all too aware of that fact.

–And you’ll admit that they’re not the funniest people in the galaxy ! I mean, how many times have you seen Anise laugh ? Or their great councillor Persus ? Does this guy even know how to smile ?

–I believe Selmak has a strong sense of humour, Teal’c replied.

–Yeah, I know. There are always exceptions, but generally speaking, all those guys aren’t exactly what I’d call merry jokers !

–Well, I’d say that most of them just don’t understand your sense of humour, Daniel answered. That doesn’t mean they can’t have fun.

–I agree with Daniel Jackson, Teal’c nodded. I believe the Tok’ra can be very amusing people.

–Are you serious ? Jack asked, incredulous.

–Jack, just because they have a different sense of humour doesn’t mean they have none at all, you know.

–I suppose you agree with that ? the colonel asked, turning to Sam.

–Well, sir, I have effectively witnessed some of what must be called Tok’ra pranks, she answered with a smile.

–Pranks ?

–Yes. I remember, or well, Jolinar remembered a few times she played tricks on Martouf, or vice versa.

–Really ? Daniel asked, interested.

–Yeah. Like the time she hid his shoes. Poor Martouf looked for them for hours, running bare feet all around the base, before she finally revealed that she had them.

–And that was fun because…? Jack asked.

–The Tok’ra base was set on an icy planet at the time, sir. Martouf literally froze his feet running bare feet in the corridors. But Jolinar found it fun because she knew that Lantash would prevent him from really getting harmed. And he had been mean to her just the night before, so it was actually some kind of revenge. A funny way to make him pay.

–Ah. Very funny !

–And apparently sometimes the symbiote makes fun of the host, or vice versa, or well, that’s what my dad says anyway, Sam continued, ignoring Jack’s sarcastic retort.

–What, Selmak gives poor Jacob hard times ? Jack asked, suddenly a lot more interested.

–Seems so, sir. Though dad wouldn’t tell me what it’s about.

–Guess he doesn’t want you to find out, so that you can’t give Selmak a hand to make fun of him, Daniel answered.

–Yes, certainly. Which is just too bad. I don’t have that many occasions to annoy him any more !

–Well, maybe he’s not so sad about that, Jack replied. If Selmak makes fun of him, he certainly doesn’t need you to make it worse.

–No, but I’d like that, she smiled maliciously, bringing a spoonful of Jello to her lips.

 

Here we must note that Jack O’Neill was a lot more interested in Sam Carter than he was in the conversation. Seeing her eat red Jello (his Jello) produced very funny sensations in his stomach. And the fact that she kept toying with his spoon with hers before absent-mindedly swallowing a spoonful of the red dessert didn’t do much for his concentration. The worst thing (or maybe the best, he wasn’t sure) was that she seemed absolutely unaware of the effects her behaviour was having on him.

Luckily, Daniel was too engrossed in the conversation to notice anything, but Jack suspected his unease had not escaped Teal’c’s ever alert eye.

If Carter only stopped brushing her hand against his over that damn bowl, it would certainly help him divert his thoughts from her. “Okay, way to stop, Jack, he thought. Calm down. Breathe in. Breathe out. Fine. Now concentrate on what’s Daniel’s saying.”

–…and I’m sure that’s all. What do you think, Jack ?

“Oh, oh. What was it that he was talking about ?” Why did Daniel have to do that all the time ? Ask him questions when he hadn’t been listening ?

–Uh, sorry, Danny. What do I think about what ?

Daniel rolled his eyes in despair.

–Never mind, I guess we don’t really need your opinion, he answered.

Good. He got out of this one rather easily. Without thinking, he turned his gaze to Carter again –and froze. She was staring at him with her eyebrows slightly frowned. Uh-oh. That was bad. And she didn’t turn her eyes away when he met her gaze. That was really bad. After a couple of seconds when they stared into each other’s eyes, her expression softened and a hint of a smile graced her lips. She dig her spoon into the Jello and slowly, cautiously brought it to her mouth, watching him straight in the eyes.

Jack swallowed hard. Oh crap. Now she was playing with him, and a certain part of his anatomy began to stir up in response. He knew one thing for sure : that woman was evil !

Luckily, Daniel chose that moment to yawn noisily.

–Time to go to bed, Danny ! Jack shot him with just a little too much enthusiasm, as he saw Sam trying to hide a grin from the corner of his eye.

–No, no, I’m not tired, the young man protested.

–Tut, tut, Daniel. Don’t try that little game on me. I don’t buy it.

–But we were supposed to cheer Sam up, and…

–And I’m sure she’s perfectly fine, now. Aren’t you, major ?

–Yes, sir, she smiled. I feel a lot better.

–See ? Now go to bed before you collapse on the table.

–Okay, okay, if you’re sure you’re gonna be all right…

–I’m sure, Sam smiled. And it’s for the most part thanks to you. You’ve been great.

–I have ? Daniel asked, frowning in surprise as he stood up.

–Yes.

She stood up too and gave him a bear hug.

–Thank you, Daniel.

–Uh, you’re welcome, he answered, a little confused by this unusual show of gratitude and affection.

Sam gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and waved her hand at him.

–Go, now. Good night.

–Good night everybody, he replied, waving at his friends with a yawn.

–And don’t forget to brush your teeth before going to bed ! Jack called out to him as he reached the doors.

Daniel stuck out his tongue to him over his shoulder, and left.

–If my presence is not needed any more, I believe I will imitate Daniel Jackson, Teal’c said.

–All right. You go and make sure Danny has a pee before going to bed, Jack answered.

–I think Daniel Jackson can take care of that himself, Teal’c replied with a lifted eyebrow.

–Yes he can, Sam answered with a smile. Good night, Teal’c.

She hugged him briefly and kissed his cheek the way she had Daniel, only she had to stand on tiptoe because the Jaffa was taller than her. Teal’c affectionately bowed his head to her, then he wished them both a peaceful night and left the commissary.

 

Jack turned to Sam. She was still staring at the doors with a little smile.

–Carter ? You gonna kiss those doors too ? he asked.

–No, sir, she answered, the smile not leaving her face. I was just thinking how lucky I was to have you and the guys. You’re so much of a family to me.

–Well, we’re always glad to help, he shrugged, a little embarrassed by all this sentimentalism. Turning to him, her smile broadened.

–Well, I think I will call it a night too, she said, walking closer to him. It’s been very nice. Thank you sir.

With that, she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. Overcoming his surprise, he hugged her back, sliding his arms around her waist and back.

–Anytime, Sam, he whispered in her ear, sending delicious shivers run up her spine.

 

She felt great in his arms. So safe and warm and just where she belonged, even if it sounded so clichéd. She didn’t want to let go of him, but she also knew they couldn’t stay like that too long. Not because hugging was wrong in itself, but because it could very easily lead them to something more, which would be very wrong. She regretfully unclasped her hands and pulled back a little, planting her gaze into his eyes. Her right hand softly brushed his cheek as she gave him a little smile. Then she leant forward and brushed his lips with hers in a ghost of a kiss, making him shiver.

–Thank you, Jack, she murmured against his mouth.

With a last peck, she turned on her heels and left without looking back.

 

Jack stood still for a moment, staring blindly at the commissary doors. Then he turned back to the table they had been sitting at. There stood an empty bowl of Jello and four spoons. He took the spoons and put all four of them into the bowl. Then he took one last look at the place and left, smiling happily to himself.

 

 

Very early the following morning, Major General George Hammond walked into the commissary for his first coffee of the day. It was only 06: 10 and the personnel had not yet taken their service. So he went to the coffee machine and fixed everything himself. As he waited for the machine to finish its job, he turned and looked aimlessly across the room. Everything was clean and tidy, waiting for the first customers of the day. As he pursued his inspection, he spotted something on a table. Taking a few steps towards it, he saw that it was an empty bowl with four spoons in it, each of them turned in the direction of one of the four chairs encircling the table. The General looked thoughtfully at the objects for a moment, before a little smile formed on his lips. Four spoons and empty bowl of what had certainly been Jello, left there in the middle of the night… He didn’t need to ask who had been sitting at that table the night before.

Smiling, he shook his head slightly and returned to the coffee machine. It was finished. He poured himself a cup of the steaming liquid and silently raised it in the direction of the deserted table.

–God bless you, SG-1, he murmured before leaving the room, a little smile on his lips.

 

 

 

Finis.