Title - Fever
Author - Gabiabi
Spoilers - none
Summary - okay, Sam's sick and only Jack's there to help. crap summary I know but...

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"Hey Carter, wait up."

Major Samantha Carter halted at the sound of her superior calling her and waited patiently as he jogged up the corridor. Colonel O'Neill grinned at her slightly irritated expression at having been made to wait on him. Her features immediately softened into a half-smile and she motioned for him to continue walking as they talked.

"On your way up to the cabin sir?"

"You betcha! I'm gonna relax, have a beer, go fishing...it'll be great."

"It sounds it."

"Why don't you come with? You're more than welcome to join me."

"Sorry sir - I'm still working in the lab with the..."

"Stop stop! I know. You'd rather be here messing with all your little metres and computers. Just thought I'd ask."

"Thanks anyway. ...What's up Colonel?"

"Oh...nothing."

"Nothing? C'mon sir - I know that look, there's something on your mind. What is it?"

"I just was wondering if you're alright. Please don't shoot me for this - but you're not looking great, are you feeling okay?"

"I'm fine Sir."

"You sure? I mean, this IS our down-time. You could be tucked up in your bed if you needed to be - you don't need to be here slaving over that thing day and night. It will still be here if you took a couple of days."

"Thanks for your concern sir - but I really am okay."

The pair had reached the elevator and Jack swiped his keycard through the security lock. As they waited for the doors to open he took the time to study Carter more closely to try to find out whether she was telling him the truth or not. She looked away from his intense gaze and examined her hands to escape his eyes. She quickly let her hands drop back down at her side though when she realised that they were shaking and sweaty. He didn't miss the action and, as they got on the elevator her grasped her hand gently to see why she had wanted to hide them from him.

"Sir it's nothing. I'm just a little warm."

"Carter you might be running a temperature - I want you to go see Dr Fraiser. Have her check you out."

"Sir I really feel that's unnecessary."

"Humour me Carter - go get checked out. When she tells you you're fine then you can get back to work. Please?"

"Sir I...fine, I'll go by the infirmary on my way to the lab."

"Thanks"

Carter dropped her head to hide her flush of awkwardness at his concern, unsure of what to say or do. The corner of her mouth turned upwards as she was unable to quell the pleasure that bubbled up within her when she glanced up to see his concerned gaze. The two of them stood in almost comfortable silence, waiting for the elevator to reach its destination and the doors to open. As they neared level 24 though, they heard a loud screeching noise and a bang before the car was plunged into darkness and they stopped between levels.

"Carter...what was that?"

"Sir the elevator just stopped."

"Thanks Carter - I knew that! I meant why - why did it stop?"

"I don't know Sir. It could have been a power failure, it might have been equipment malfunction or..."

"Okay Carter - I get the picture."

"Sorry Sir but without more information I don't know why. Hopefully it's something simple and we'll be back on our way shortly. We should use the phone and make sure they know about us though."

"Of course."

With that, O'Neill picked up the red receiver hanging on the wall and informed the airman on the other end of the phone of their situation. After a five-minute discussion with first one then another airman, he finally managed to explain the circumstance. Ten minutes later there was a group of people standing outside the elevator doors on level 24 and another group on their way to find out what had gone wrong. Frustrated at being patched back to talking to the first airman again, Jack hung up the phone. Taking off his cap, he flung it at the floor annoyed at being stuck on base when he could be on his way to his cabin to go fishing.

"Umm...Sir?"

"Sorry Carter - I'm calm. Just a little...irritated, that's all."

"That's not what I was going to say"

"What is it Carter?"

"You know how I said I was feeling fine..."

"Yes. You gonna tell me you were lying through your teeth, cos I gotta tell you Carter, I already knew. You can't fool..."

Jack stopped mid-sentence as he turned to face Carter for the first time since he had picked up the phone. The look on her face and her flushed cheeks stopped any more words from coming out of his mouth. She stretched out her hand and made as if to take a step towards him but, before she could, her eyes closed and her arm dropped to he side. Hurriedly taking the small step needed to bring him to her side, he caught her just as her knees gave way.

okay, this is my very first Stargate fic -so it might suck big time. let me know if I should continue with it or if shouldn't. please.