Downtime-Epilogue
Cameron Mitchell eased his legs over the side of the bed and sat up. Carolyn Lam had just finished examining him and had finally agreed to let him recuperate in his own quarters. The only stipulations were that he was to check in with her on a daily basis and that if he considered trying to return to duty before she signed his release she'd have him confined to the infirmary for an extended period of time.
"So, what's the verdict?" Vala asked upon entering the room and finding Mitchell sitting on the bed.
"She's signing the papers right now," Mitchell answered.
"How long did it take you to convince her you were ready?"
"I didn't have to convince her of anything," the colonel told her.
"I don't think so," Mal Doran said and folded her arms across her chest as she stared at the man she cared so much about. He'd been through so much in the last six weeks and was finally cleared of the effects of the Regala. Unfortunately the mental aspects of the intrusion far surpassed the physical in the amount of time it would take for him to heal. She would be here with him in every way, shape, or form he wanted her to be.
"Vala," Mitchell said softly and stood up as he reached for her. He could see the stubborn set of her shoulders and how her eyes seemed to darken when he touched her and forced a smile to his face. "Dr. Lam wouldn't release me if she thought something could go wrong. I'm fine…and besides I'll have my own private nurse with me…right?"
"Cam…"
"Come on, Vala…I just want to hold you."
"Sure you do and I'm thinking that's about all you'll be able to do for a long time," Mal Doran said with a mischievous grin.
"Hell, Vala…"
"I could probably make your life a living hell, but I'd prefer we concentrated on other more important things like…"
"Making love…"
"No," she said and gently swatted his shoulder. "More like making sure you get rest and eat properly."
"How…you keep that up and I'll end up back in here," Mitchell said playfully. It felt like it had taken forever to be free of the effects of the Regala, and it felt good to smile and joke, especially with this woman who was now such an important part of his life. He looked into her eyes and felt lost in the emotional tide that washed over him. "Vala, I'm okay…I really am."
"I know, but you still need to take it easy. I want to take you away from here for a few days and Sam arranged for a special surprise for us. I've already spoken with Dr. Lam and she's agreed to it as long as I make sure you behave yourself."
"Me…behave…are we going to be alone?"
"Yes," she said and leaned in to whisper in his ear. "Think of a secluded cabin in the mountains with a serene lake and surrounded by trees so tall they reach the sky."
"I'm game…"
"No, but you will be the prey and I'm the hunter," Mal Doran told him.
"I promise I'll only put up a token resistance," Mitchell breathed softly against her neck and felt the excitement in his body at the thought of some time alone with Vala Mal Doran.
"Promise?"
"You bet," Mitchell said and broke away when the nurse entered and eyed them with a hint of a smile.
"Colonel, I have your discharge instructions and medications here," Cindy Wallace told him.
"I'll take those," Mal Doran said and reached for the papers.
"Dr. Lam said I should give them to you and make sure you understand what Colonel Mitchell's limitations are," Wallace said and handed her the papers. "Colonel, you can get dressed and leave as soon as you're ready."
"Thanks," Mitchell said and waited for her to leave before reaching for the clothes he'd placed at the foot of the bed.
"Do you need some help?" Mal Doran asked with a grin.
"Not if you want to leave here today," Mitchell said and grinned cockily, swatting her backside as she left him alone in the room. He waited until the door closed and slowly began pulling on the clothing, relishing the feel of it against his skin, glad that it was no longer the infirmary issue pajamas. It wasn't long before he was dressed and had his shoes on and was ready to leave. He opened the door and stepped outside, linking his arm through Vala's before walking out of the infirmary. "So when do we leave?"
"I took the liberty of packing an overnight case for you and a car is waiting for us," Mal Doran explained.
"Colonel Mitchell, it is good to see you outside the infirmary," Teal'c said as he joined them.
"Thanks, Big Guy," Mitchell said and smiled as Jackson and Carter joined them.
"Vala, everything is ready for your arrival," Carter assured her.
"Thank you, Sam," Mal Doran told her.
"Okay, is everyone in on this conspiracy?" Mitchell asked.
"What do you think, Mitchell?" Jackson asked with a grin.
That's just it, Jackson…I don't know what to think," the colonel answered sheepishly.
"That's good…it'll keep you on your toes," Carter teased.
"Indeed," Teal'c said, dipping his head a mock salute before Vala and Cameron got into the elevator.
"Man, I'd love to be a fly on the wall of that cabin," Jackson said.
"It would be interesting, but I don't think Cameron or Vala would appreciate the thought," Carter said and followed the others toward the gateroom.
SG1SG1SG1SG1SG1SG1
"Cam, we're here," Mal Doran said the car pulled to a stop in front of the cabin. The driver would unload the car and then leave, returning in three days to pick them up. Mitchell had fallen asleep during the last leg of the trip and she'd taken the time to study his face. There were times when he seemed to be in such pain and she knew he was dreaming of the Regala. She knew the nightmares would go on for some time, but she vowed to be there to help him face each one.
"Vala?"
"That's right, Sleepy Head," Mal Doran said and kissed his cheek gently, pleased to see no sign of fever. Lam had warned her to watch out for anything that could mean Mitchell was having a relapse, but nothing so far indicated there was anything to be concerned about.
"Hmm…I could use a nap."
"I think you already had one…several hours at that," the woman told him. She opened her door and stepped out, amazed at the beauty of nature surrounding her. Carter had described the cabin, but she'd never envisioned such a spectacular view of the lake and surrounding area. "This place is beautiful."
"Then you belong here," Mitchell told her and moved to help the driver with their luggage.
"You're not supposed to lift anything," Mal Doran warned and pulled Mitchell toward the main door of the log cabin whose front window took up most of the wall and gave a spectacular view of the lake. She opened the door and led him inside as the driver brought their bags inside.
"If you need anything else just call the number I gave you," the driver told her and left the two people alone.
"Are you hungry?" Mal Doran asked.
"Starved," Mitchell answered softly.
"Sam said the cabin was well stocked…"
"It's not food I'm starving for, Vala," Mitchell said and pulled her tight against his body. He kissed her long and deep, smiling at the intoxicating scent of the woman he held. "God, Vala, you feel so good."
"I…Cam, I was so worried…I didn't know what to do…I thought I'd lost you."
"I'm not that easy to get rid of," Mitchell said with a soft smile as he looked into her eyes. "I'm sorry."
"Why are you sorry?"
"It must have been hell for you."
"Hell for you, Cam," she whispered against his ear. "It's over now and we have three full days to spend together…just the two of us."
"Hmm…why don't we take this into the bedroom and get this vacation off to a good start," Mitchell suggested and smiled when she took his hand before leading him into the bedroom and closing the door behind them. The only sound in the quiet solitude was of two people renewing their feelings for each other.
SG1SG1SG1SG1SG1SG1
Two long months had passed since Colonel Cameron Mitchell's rescue from the Regala and he stood with his team ready to step through the stargate. Carolyn Lam had finally given him the okay to go back to his duties and he smiled as he looked at the woman beside him.
"Are you okay, Cam?" Mal Doran asked.
"I'm fine, Vala, why don't we go see what's out there?" Mitchell asked with a grin as he took a deep breath and led his team forward into new adventures, new dangers, and hopefully new friends.
The End!!