lyssie: (Ficbutton stolen from A.j.)
lyssie ([personal profile] lyssie) wrote2005-04-09 03:58 am

SCAM: SG-1, The Brightness In Her Smile

Disclaimer: Not mine. Rating: Angsty, nothing graphic.
Spoilers: Entity. Post-episode.
Pairing: ...er, if you look REALLY HARD there might be Sam/Jack. Mostly gen.
Archiving: Please ask (since this has become such an issue)
Notes: Erm. Ok. Someone was talking about post-Entity fluff, and, I was trying to write fluff, and it really wasn't fluff, it was this. I fully blame Claira for writing post-Entity not-fluff. And, dude, now I'm wondering, how DO you end up with post-Entity fluff?
Title: stolen from Greenwheel's "I Don't Believe"

The Brightness in Her Smile
by ALC Punk!

He's holding a donut. From her bed, she can smell the sugar, it makes her mouth water, but she doesn't really want a donut.

"Hey."

The voice definitely cascades across her mind like wine across a palate. Sam thinks this is a bad idea. Thinking always gets her in trouble.

"Sam?"

He's moved closer, peering at her, she can feel his gaze. Not like before when there was nothing, nothing, nothing, and pain.

"So, uh..."

She thinks they've all gotten good at not communicating. She thinks they'll continue at it.

The bed sheets are slightly scratchy on her skin, but she doesn't want to move. Not just yet (silk would feel better, but cotton-blends are probably less of a risk for her skin in the long run).

"Jack and Teal'c came by earlier, said that you needed cheering up."

He's trying so hard to sound cheerful.

She wonders how bad it is, that they have to have this enforced cheer. As if reality might fall into tiny pieces around them if they let it go.

Breath blows across her face, and she can taste the ten-day-old coffee on his breath and wonders if wrinkling her nose is allowed. The donut is still there.

"So, um..."

"Daniel."

"Hey."

"Go brush your teeth."

Shuffling, his feet moving against the floor, and she can hear a muscle pop in his back. Not as relaxed as you want me to think you are, are you, Dr. Jackson?

"Sam--"

"I'm fine."

The dismissal is almost enough, but she can hear him stop at the door. "Sam, I--"

"Teeth."

The scent of the donut lingers for several minutes until it dissipates, overwhelmed by the starch and concrete and antiseptic smells of the SGC infirmary.

-=-

She doesn't have to ask him to know he's guilty.

Maybe not as much as he assumes, but that's neither here or there. And Sam doesn't see why she's supposed to be the one to absolve him of blame.

"Carter."

So hesitant, and she wonders if he'd run if she told him to go. "Sir," too many years of training are ingrained into her, though. She can't quite buck that authority. None of the words that parade across the surface of her mind seem appropriate.

"I..."

His hands run over his face, and she can hear them scrape on his stubble. He hasn't shaved. From the scent of stale sweat, he hasn't showered, either.

"Spit it out, sir."

The silence stretches. And Sam wonders if Janet knows that the autoclave has a crack in one seal that makes it whistle softly when not in use. She feels no compunction to fill the silence. She might once have. But that was then.

"I'm sorry, Carter."

Such magical words. Three days ago, she would have accepted them. Moved on and just assumed in the absolute fairness of the universe.

Sam Carter's a little wiser now.

"Okay." No sir. One habit broken.

Silence again. He doesn't know what to say. That's all right. She doesn't know what she wants to hear.

"I should..."

Shoes squeaking on the floor, making little clicking noises the closer Janet gets. And Sam wonders if Janet wears the heels to be taller or because she likes them.

"Colonel."

"Hey, Doc."

Hesitancy, uncertainty on both their sides, and Sam wonders if that's ironic or merely just another sign of the evolving times.

"I'm here to check Sam."

"So, I should go."

"Yes, sir."

His shoes don't squeak as he walks away, and he pauses in the door for a moment as if there's something else he wants to say, but doesn't say it.

"You should..." Janet stops.

"What, Janet?"

A waft of the floral scent Janet likes to wear washes away the Colonel's sweat. Sam remembers that Cassie bought it for her. "Do you know what it did to him?"

Sam can hear tears in her voice, something that might be anger. Something else that might be guilt. She figures there's more than enough guilt to go around for all of them. "No, Janet. Do tell."

"Damnit, Sam. He's barely gotten used to you being alive, can't you--"

"No." Sam closes her eyes. "If that's all?"

"Fine." The clicks as Janet stalks away are harsh and jarring.

-=-

His step is calm, methodical, careful. At some level, he's always expecting an enemy. Even here, where he should be safe. Sam thinks it's almost ironic.

"Major Carter."

And his voice. She could bask in his voice for ages, until there was nothing left but water in the wide wide world. She thinks the drugs Janet are giving her might be a little bit too much.

Fingers slide across her cheek.

Instinctively, she reaches out, and his other hand wraps around hers. Tactile sense. Warm skin folding over hers, and she thinks this is what the others missed. "Hey, Teal'c." She pretends her voice isn't breaking.

Sam continues to pretend as he slips his arms under her, lifting and shifting until she's cradled against his shoulder, one hand gently stroking her back. There aren't tears soaking the shirt beneath her cheek, the softness speaking of many washes.

"You are wounded."

It's something she knows, something that she isn't going to be able to hide from forever.

"And yet, you are still exactly who you should be."

There shouldn't be comfort in such simple words.

"Major Samantha Carter."

Sam chokes on a sob and tightens her grip on Teal's shirt.

"And you will survive this, as you have survived previous injuries."

The supreme confidence in his words is too much, and she breaks in his arms, too tired to stop resisting the bitter tears that soak his shirt.

"No, I won't," she eventually manages, voice raw from suppressing her sobs.

"I have faith that you will, Samantha Carter."

At least one of them does.

-f-

[identity profile] nakedtoes.livejournal.com 2005-04-09 10:40 am (UTC)(link)
Aw! It's so good to read post-Entity anti-fluff, w/out S&J falling into each other's arms, and D being wonderfully insightful and applying mental bandaids all round.

Plus, Teal'c and Sam make such a cute couple :p

[identity profile] fallenbelle.livejournal.com 2005-04-09 11:03 am (UTC)(link)
This was lovely. I loved how you made Sam so real, instead of some perfect, two dimensional character. I love Sam, and I think she is entirely entitled to her bitchy moments-thanks for letting her have one!

The part with Teal'c was great. Why don't we see more Teal'c/whomever friendship fics?
ext_18106: (Alistaire - Happy Geek)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2005-04-09 01:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Sam is human. And fallible. Damnit. *g*

And there is never enough Teal'c, as RSR is wont to say.

Thank you =)
ext_18106: (Alistaire - Happy Geek)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2005-04-09 01:54 pm (UTC)(link)
*snerk* It wasn't anti-fluff. It was just supposed to be fluff, and then it wasn't. And I still want to know how you can write post-E fluff...

And I figured Daniel was too close. He's too much like Sam. Jack is too wracked with guilt. Janet knows how to fix bodies, but not minds. And Teal'c, well, Teal'c has had to fix his own soul before...

Thank you. =)

[identity profile] nakedtoes.livejournal.com 2005-04-09 06:24 pm (UTC)(link)
I still want to know how you can write post-E fluff...

Badly. But if you think about it, Entity's actually terribly romantic - since Jack is willing to kill Sam, he doesn't have to worry about the reasons behind the existence of the anti-frat regulations, and they can just be cute little snuggle puppies together. *shippers all round the world cheer*

Why the script writers chose not to follow that plot arc, I have no idea
ext_18106: (Sam - I make this look good)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2005-04-09 06:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Probably because they didn't want to.

Erm.

But this is Jack and Sam, who are Dedicated to their jobs, and wouldn't think of letting it out of the room...

[identity profile] nakedtoes.livejournal.com 2005-04-09 08:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Probably because they didn't want to.

*shoots L for the sacrilege*

insert SJ shippers snark, blah blah blah. I've said it all before and there's not point.

But this is Jack and Sam, who are Dedicated to their jobs, and wouldn't think of letting it out of the room...

But they're meant to be... *whimpers*
ext_18106: (baal - new black)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2005-04-09 11:08 pm (UTC)(link)
*snerk* I go back and forth on tptb following the arc.

Erm. Anyway.

Lyssie Secret #3: I don't like True Love and Meant To Be. For that way lies overblown romantic claptrap, and Romeo and Juliet.

[identity profile] nakedtoes.livejournal.com 2005-04-10 03:29 am (UTC)(link)
Damn, I meant to put caps in on the MTB. Oh well.

Lyssie Secret #3: I don't like True Love and Meant To Be.

*cries* But they are, they are!

Also? Not so much of a secret :)
ext_18106: (Default)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2005-04-10 06:24 am (UTC)(link)
Also? Not so much of a secret :)

I know. That's why it's #3. It gets outed a lot. Especially after reading theories on teh List...

*flops*

[identity profile] nakedtoes.livejournal.com 2005-04-10 06:27 am (UTC)(link)
I would ask for 1 & 2, but I suspect that might be missing the point
ext_18106: (Default)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2005-04-10 06:30 am (UTC)(link)
*laughs*

#1 runs something like "Lyssie is so shallow, she's actually pseudo-deep"

#2 is "Lyssie is a virgin"

None of them are very well-kept.

Maybe they're more Rules of Lyssie. hrm.

[identity profile] nakedtoes.livejournal.com 2005-04-10 07:22 am (UTC)(link)
Being shallow is great! You get to have fun, and then if you behave out-of-character, it means you're surprising people in a good way!

Maybe they're more Rules of Lyssie.

I like it! You could post them in your user info and then set pop quizzes to see if people have been paying attention or not!

OK, I'm going to stop being scary now and go and find some breakfast. Uh huh.

[identity profile] wenshar.livejournal.com 2005-04-09 11:11 am (UTC)(link)
((((Teal'c)))

Often overlooked but so needed.
ext_18106: (Alistaire - Happy Geek)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2005-04-09 01:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Yep. He tends to be an outside observer, and get things from a different angle. Thank you =)

[identity profile] katcorvi.livejournal.com 2005-04-09 12:17 pm (UTC)(link)
No fluff, yet still sweet.

Excellent fic.

Now, why don't I have a Sam/Teal'c icon?
ext_18106: (Alistaire - Happy Geek)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2005-04-09 01:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you. =)

I don't know. There should be more Teal'c love...
anr: (Default)

[personal profile] anr 2005-04-09 01:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Ouch. That was good.
ext_18106: (Alistaire - Happy Geek)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2005-04-09 01:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you *eg*

[identity profile] liminalliz.livejournal.com 2005-04-09 02:56 pm (UTC)(link)
TEAL'C!!! YES! this is a PERFECT way to detail the Teal'c/Sam relationship -- ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. *gets annoying plot bunny, ARGH* OH man, yay! Jack SENT AWAY and Teal'c does it RIGHT by CUDDLING.

CUDDLING ALWAYS WINS!!!!!1!!
ext_18106: (Jo - it's the job)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2005-04-09 06:39 pm (UTC)(link)
*feeds the plotbunny* I always end up using Teal'c for things like this. Because he's Teal'c, and an observer, and he *gets* stuff that other people miss.

Not just cuddling. Touch. None of the other three touched her. Daniel didn't think about it, Jack was too guilty, Janet was probably too frustrated...

I'm also vaguely disappointed that I was apparently much too subtle, and no one caught the fact that Sam is blind

[identity profile] liminalliz.livejournal.com 2005-04-09 06:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Nah, I think we're just too stupid. ;) OMG! SHE R BLIND!!! *panics*
ext_18106: (Jo - it's the job)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2005-04-09 07:39 pm (UTC)(link)
*eyes*
ext_962: (Default)

[identity profile] surreallis.livejournal.com 2005-04-09 09:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Awesome. No one's ever perfect in your snippets. And I love your Sam. So much.
ext_18106: (Alistaire - Happy Geek)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2005-04-09 11:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you. =) I... don't get perfect people. There are no perfect people in SG-1. They all have their faults... *smooches*

[identity profile] stars-like-dust.livejournal.com 2005-04-09 10:37 pm (UTC)(link)
This is SO NOT FLUFF.

But I'll happily take the blame. This hurts, man. I love Sam when she's not dealing.

And you blinded her omg! That's worse than me! (You did, right? You have all this tactile stuff all the way through, and no actual 'sight' references, and so I figured...)
ext_18106: (Vir - squee)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2005-04-09 11:06 pm (UTC)(link)
I know! It was supposed to be, and then Daniel had a donut, and it wasn't!

*hands over the blame, and there's lots of it* Sam... sometimes deals. Sometimes doesn't. Er. In my head, at least.

And when she doesn't deal, Teal'c seems the natural fit to prod her.

I did! And I am not! You took her memory away! (and I am so pleased someone caught it, because I hadn't intended to do it, and then I did, and I'd forgotten how hard it is to do movement and description without sight)

*ravish*

[identity profile] livilla.livejournal.com 2005-04-11 05:04 pm (UTC)(link)
*tackle hugs Teal'c* Damn, he's good. Daniel and Jack just have no clue. *sigh*
ext_18106: (Kitty Pete java love)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2005-04-11 06:42 pm (UTC)(link)
*nods* They do not know all! And Teal'c is a good observer, and *gets* it. *loves Teal'c*

*smooches*

[identity profile] livilla.livejournal.com 2005-04-12 01:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, it was kinda Teal'c's job for a long time to be an observer. But he's so sensitive *heh, in a way* that it works in his favour as a friend.

Wow, Teal'c is way cooler than I thought! (Which was a lot, anyway.)

*smooches back*