Whisper – Jack
**********
I feel guilty – just laying here like a doll while Carter's working her fingers down to the bone trying to get the DHD to work. She's been trying for hours, and I can see her breaking down.
It's happening slowly, and I can tell that she won't admit it to me, but she's tired. She's cold, wet and hungry, and worried about me.
I'm an old, grumpy Colonel with a dodgy knee and she's stressing about saving me. I watch her now as she fights with the large pieces of ice, her small frame not quite a match for it. She'd kick my ass if I said that to her.
It'd be nice to see her mad at me again – back at the SGC, in the warm.
Her shoulders are slumped and she's making her way back towards me.
"I'm sorry," she whispers, broken.
I just want to pull her into my arms and hug her, but to be honest the pain would kill me! Instead, I put on my brave soldier act and try to hide the fact that I'm dying. Slowly, and painfully.
But she knows.
As I'm sitting here, a dreadful pain builds up in my chest. I try to hide it from her but she's noticed.
Those blue eyes of hers are close to tears, and I wish I hadn't got on at her so badly for splinting my leg. She was only trying to help, of course.
It's then that I give her the order - go on without me. She's shocked and afraid, but I know she can do it.
As I watch her slowly disappear up the cavern wall, I feel empty. I know she's my 2IC, my officer, but she's my friend. And I'm feeling about her a way I haven't felt since I met Sara.
She's so strong, smart and funny. She's the best second-in-command I've had. Sure, Kawalsky was a laugh, and there was the added bonus that I couldn't fall in love with him, but she's different.
I just felt a kind of spark when I met her for the first time.
She's long gone now. The pain in my chest worsens, and I slowly reach for the radio.
"Carter?"
"Yes, sir?"
My aching lungs manage to whisper to her, one last time.
"It was an honor serving with you."
THE END
Story Notes: Whisper – Spoilers: Solitudes
Copyright © 2003 Ruth
Copyright © 2003 Ruth
DISCLAIMER: All publicly recognisable characters, settings, etc, are the property of their respective owners. Any original characters and plots are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended. ... [ read more ]