Black Coffee In Bed
by John O'Connor
Disclaimer:  Stargate SG-1 and its characters are the
property of Stargate (II) Productions, Showtime/Viacom,
 MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko 
Productions. This story is for entertainment purposes
only and no money exchanged hands. No copyright
 infringement is intended. The original characters,
situations, and story are the property of the author.
Rating:  PG-13.
Note:  Inspired by the classic Squeeze song of the
same name.
Black Coffee In Bed
(Difford/Tilbrook)

Now she's gone
And I'm back on the beat
A stain on my notebook
Says nothing to me
Now she's gone
And I'm out with her friends
With lips full of passion
And coffee in bed.
Janet Fraiser sat at her desk, her right hand resting
on the stained, warped blue cardboard. Her very wet
eyes were locked on the brown stain that had soaked
into the notebook's cover and many of the pages.
It had been over two weeks. When was it going to stop
hurting?
* * * * * *
Three weeks before...
Janet set her coffee mug down near the top of her desk
as she prepared to add to her notes. She opened the
spiral-bound notebook and picked up her well-chewed
Bic.
Since college, the young doctor had preferred
notebooks to computers. Of course, computers weren't
as prevalent when she was in school. Still, she had
access to them during her medical training and still
preferred to use the old-fashioned method.
She, of course, transferred all the relevant
information into the SGC's Medical Database once she
had recorded the same in her books. It wasn't that she
didn't trust computers, it was just... She didn't
trust computers. Notebooks couldn't get viruses.
Notebooks couldn't crash and delete days of data.
Notebooks gave her a sense of security that she never
felt with the electronic medium. Not that she'd ever
admit that to Sam Carter.
Janet smiled when she thought of Sam and her
fascination with gadgets. The woman was a genius. Even
Cassie, as laid-back as she was becoming in her teens,
said "If Sam was on the island, the Minnow would've
been fixed the first week and she'd have found a way
to make it fly the castaways home!"
Her musings, and her notes, were interrupted by the
announcement that SG-1 was returning with injuries.
Her heart in her throat, Janet rushed into the main
room of the Med Center to prepare for the casualties.
'Please, God, don't let it be Sam,' she prayed
quietly.
But it was Sam. She had taken a knife in her abdomen
and was bleeding internally. Janet took immediate
charge. Shutting off the emotions that threatened to
overwhelm her, she calmly and methodically went about
the process of saving Sam's life.
After several hours, she finally closed the wound and
prepared to wait and see if her work had been
successful. She had almost lost the woman twice due to
blood loss. Fortunately, they had some reserves of
plasma as well as some compatible whole blood on hand.
Finally sitting at her desk, Janet lowered her head to
her arms and quietly sobbed. This was too hard. It
wasn't fair. Not to her. Not to Cassie. Not to Sam. It
had to end.
Six days later, Sam shuffled into Janet's office,
leaning heavily on an aluminum cane. "Hey, Beautiful!
What's the good word?"
Janet looked up and forced a smile. She wasn't looking
forward to this, not at all. "He-ey! How're you
feeling?"
"Ready to get out of here. Don't get me wrong, I love
your hospitality but the decor..."
Janet chuckled and nodded, "Yes, a few paintings, some
color..."
She couldn't put this off any longer. Janet's face
turned serious as she said, "Sam, sit down before you
fall down." Sam took a seat gingerly as Janet rubbed
her eyes, "Sam, I... I, uh... God! This is harder..."
"What is it, Janet?"
"Sam, do you have any idea what it does to me
everytime you come in broken or bleeding? How much it
tears my heart? I just don't know..." Janet paused and
reached for her coffee. Taking a sip, she continued,
"I can't go on like this, Sam."
"Janet, what are you saying?" Sam asked, concern
obvious on her face.
"I can't keep up this facade! The unconcerned doctor
when the woman I love is laying there bleeding, dying.
I just can't take it any more. It's more than I should
have to bear...
"And then, you spend too much time in your lab.
You've... You missed Cassie's first softball game. She
was the starting pitcher and you promised and... Damn
it, Sam. And that wasn't the first time. And it wasn't
the last. You're work means more to you than I do!
Than Cass does!"
"Janet, that's not true! I love you! I love Cassie!
You're both my whole world," Sam cried.
"No, we're only on the edge. That damned Gate is your
world! You're more at home in your lab than in our
house." Janet couldn't look up from where her fingers
were twisted together on her desk.
"Janet, that's not fair! None of this is! You know
what my work entails, how dangerous it is. You're in
danger here too. Almost every day. How do you think I
feel knowing you're handling unknown, and potentially
fatal diseases?" Sam stopped, her breathing ragged,
her voice strained with emotion.
"Then maybe my decision is for the best. For both of
us," Janet said quietly.
"What? I don't understand. Are you talking about
leaving?" Sam's voice was higher in pitch, alarmed.
Janet shook her head, "No. I'm just saying, I can't be
in a relationship like this. I think..."
"Then you're breaking up with me? Janet?" Sam's
confusion was evident. "Janet, please... This can
work..."
"No, Sam. I can't do it. I just can't. It's too hard."
"So, this will be better? Janet, you can't just switch
off your emotions like a light! You can't..."
"Sam, I've been through all this with myself. I think,
in the long run, you'll agree with me."
Sam shook her head, her blonde bangs shaking, "No, I
won't. I love you, Janet. I won't... I can't live..."
Sam covered her face with her hands as her body shook.
'I love you too!' Janet felt her eyes burning as she
said, "Sam, please. Just go home, rest. You'll see
that I'm right."
Sam struggled to her feet, her cane striking loudly
against the desk. "Janet, I..." Without another word,
Sam limped out of Janet's office, her back
parade-ground stiff.
Reaching again for her mug, Janet ignored the shaking
of her hands and was startled when half her coffee was
suddenly soaking into her open notebook.
Soon, tears mixed with the puddle of coffee on the
doctor's desk.
* * * * * *
Now, Sam was gone. Having requested and been granted
convalescent leave, she was spending time with her
once-estranged brother and his family. Janet had no
idea when she was due back. It was going to be hard
but it was necessary, she had convinced herself.
Slapping her hand on the slightly warped cover, Janet
stood and headed out of her office. Daniel Jackson had
repeatedly invited her to join Jack O'Neill, Teal'c,
and he at Siobhan's for drinks.
Well, tonight she would. Cassie was staying at a
friend's house so she wouldn't have to worry about
her. Getting drunk might be just what the doctor
ordered. Janet smiled to herself at the thought.
A short time later, she was parking her Celica next to
Jack's pickup. She saw Daniel's old Chevy on the other
side of the truck.
Stepping inside, she heard rock and roll blaring from
the CD jukebox. Some British pop band from the '70s or
early '80s. Elvis Costello and the Attractions, she
recalled. The song was about wanting to be loved. She
shook her head, hoping that song wasn't setting the
tone for the evening.
Seeing the three members of SG-1 at a table near the
back, she waved and made her way to them.
"Hey, Doc! Jenny, another glass?" Jack said as Janet
got to the table. "And another pitcher too!"
Daniel smiled and said, "Glad you decided to join us.
Have a seat."
Teal'c nodded with a small smile on his face, his
gold-coated brand hidden by a battered Rockies cap.
As Jack poured from the new pitcher of beer, he looked
at Janet, "So, Doc, how're you holding up?"
"What do you mean, Colonel?" Janet asked, genuinely
puzzled.
"Well, with the whole thing with Carter..." He stopped
when he saw Janet's eyes widen in fear and surprise.
"Don't worry, Doc. Your secret is safe with us."
"How did you...? Did Sam...?"
Jack shook his head, "No, but I'm very observant. Have
to be to get to wear eagles on your shoulders..."
"And Teal'c asked us about it," Daniel said with a
grin. He ignored the glare Jack sent him.
"I merely wished to understand Tauri relationships. I
was unaware the situation between you and Major Carter
was a taboo on Earth. I am still unfamiliar with many
of your archaic beliefs," Teal'c explained with a
raised eyebrow.
"Archaic? At least we don't believe some snakebelly is
a god!" Jack protested loudly. Teal'c again raised his
eyebrow while he regarded Jack silently.
"Jack, keep it down," Daniel warned.
Janet sat and smiled at the easy give and take between
the three friends. It used to be that way with Sam,
even before they became lovers. At that thought her
smile dimmed.
"Well, Janet? You never answered Jack's question.
How're you doing?" Daniel asked.
"Fine." Janet took a big swallow from her glass, "No,
that's a lie. I'm... I'm not doing well. It's kinda
like some old joke, I can't live with her and I don't
want to live without her..." She stopped as her voice
threatened to break. Daniel gripped her hand and
squeezed gently.
"Doc, uh, Janet. It's gonna be okay. You'll see," Jack
said.
"Indeed, Doctor Fraiser. Things have a tendency to
work out for ourselves and those around us," Teal'c
said, ignoring the fact that he, Jack, and Daniel had
all lost loved ones in one way or another because of
their careers.
Janet blinked back the threatening tears, "Thanks
guys." Then smiling her radiant smile, she added, "The
next round's on me!"
"Now you're talking, Doc!"
Several pitchers, and a few shots, later, Janet was
clearly feeling little pain. Her blouse's top two
buttons were undone and her tie was in the pocket of
her jacket, which was hanging on the back of her
chair. The others seemed to be in somewhat better
shape. The subject had returned to Janet's problem.
"Y'know th' pro'lem? No? Th' pro'lem ish tha' you
guys're alwaysh comin' back hur'. You're alwaysh
comin' back...hur'. Y'know how ol' tha' gets?"
Jack shook his head, "Nature of the work, Doc. You
knew that coming in..."
Janet squinted and pointed at Jack with her glass,
"Yeah, bu' you're the wors' of th' bunch! I don' have
these pro'lems wi'th' other Sh-G teamsh. I didn'
become a doc'er to nurshe-maid..."
"Come on, Janet. Let me drive you home," Daniel said
as he placed his hand on her arm.
"Nooo, th' nigh's young an' so am I!" She pounded her
palm on the table, "Jenny! Ge' ush an'ther roun'!"
Then turning to Daniel, she winked and added, "She'sh
go' a shexy ash. Y'know?"
"Maybe so Doc, but I gotta get Teal'c outta here.
Junior gets cranky if he doesn't get enough sleep,"
Jack said as he waved off Jenny. Teal'c merely sat and
looked smug.
"Come on, Janet. Let's get you home," Daniel repeated
as Janet stood up unsteadily. Grabbing her jacket,
Daniel propelled her out of the bar and to his car.
"Watch your head, Janet," the young archaeologist said
as he opened the passenger door. He managed to fasten
the seat belt as Janet sat down. He went around and
got behind the wheel. The car radio was playing an
older song as the car started.
"Yer a goo' man, Danyel Jac'son. Yer a goo' man." She
grabbed his head and kissed him, hard.
Too startled to react, Daniel just sat there. Finally
Janet pulled back. "She loved thish shong. I missh
Sham!" she cried, then her head fell forward and the
drunken young woman was snoring.
Shaking his head and smiling, Daniel started his car
and drove towards Janet's house. She wasn't a bad
kisser. Sam was a lucky girl.
The voice on the radio said, "That was Squeeze with
the classic 'Black Coffee In Bed.' Now for something a
little newer from Collective Soul..."
* * * * * *
Janet knew she didn't want to wake up but that
couldn't stop her. Before she opened her eyes, she
blearily took inventory of herself. Dull throb behind
the eyes; thick, acidy taste; upset stomach; physical
fatigue. She wasn't sure if she was sick or...
Abruptly she sat up as she remembered the night
before, the sheet spilling to her waist. Then she
groaned as her head felt like it was going to split
open. "Oh God! What the hell...?" she moaned aloud.
There was a gentle knocking at the door, and Janet
yelled in a dry, crusty voice, "Not now Cassie!" A
fresh spasm of pain across her brow!
"It's not Cassie."
Daniel's voice. Daniel? 'Oh God! I think I kissed
him!' Janet thought. Then, realizing she was naked,
she began to wonder, 'Did he and I...? Did we? Oh...'
"Can I come in? I have coffee and aspirin," the voice
came through the door.
Laying down and quickly pulling the sheet over
herself, Janet finally said, "Yeah, I guess so..."
Smiling brightly, which only seemed to confirm Janet's
fear, Daniel walked in with a glass of water in one
hand and a coffee mug in the other. "Good morning!
Here, take these. I remembered where you kept the
aspirin from that New Year's party..." Daniel
explained as he handed her two white tablets and a
glass of water. He had set the coffee on the night
stand next to the alarm clock. "I think I remember you
take it black?"
Janet nodded as she swallowed. "Thanks, Daniel..."
The young archaeologist nodded, "I hope you don't mind
but it was so late once I got you up here and into
bed. I slept in the other room..."
A wave of relief washed over Janet, she hadn't slept
with someone in a drunken stupor! But her clothes were
scattered all over the bedroom...
Following her eyes, Daniel chuckled and said, "I
didn't do that. I took off your shoe and covered you
with a blanket. What you did in your sleep..."
Sighing, Janet took a sip of the hot coffee. It burned
her tongue slightly and she gasped. "Thank you Daniel.
May I ask you something?" He nodded and she continued,
"Did I do anything last night that might've been...
Did I act like... What I mean is..."
"Nothing happened last night," Daniel said. Then he
cleared his throat, a sure sign of stress (from
lying?) to Janet, "Once I got you awake enough to try
the stairs, you did..."
Alarmed, Janet quickly prodded him, "Yes? What? I did
what?"
"You, ah, started to cry like...well, you started to
cry."
"I did?"
Daniel nodded, then rose from the side of the bed.
"Listen, I gotta get to the lab, I've got some
cartouches to try and figure out from 11's mission.
You going to be okay?"
Janet nodded, "Thank you, Daniel. You're a good man."
"That's what you said last night too." Daniel smiled
from the door, "Before you kissed me." He was gone
before Janet fully comprehended what he'd said.
She fell back on her pillow with an extremely loud
groan.
* * * * * *
A week later in a coffee shop in the more Bohemian
section of Colorado Springs...
Janet sat at the table of the old coffee shop,
wondering what she was doing here. How could she let
O'Neill talk her into this? A blind date? Was she
nuts? It was way too soon. It would never work.
Fiddling with her mug, she didn't see the woman enter
she was to meet. But she was suddenly aware of someone
standing above her.
"Janet? You are Janet?"
Janet looked up into deep blue eyes. Sam! Her Sam!
"Yes, I'm Janet Fraiser," she said as she decided to
play along for a few moments.
"Hi, I'm Sam Carter," the other said as she stuck out
her hand. Janet took it, thrills running up her spine
at the woman's touch.
"Sit down, please."
After Sam ordered a cappucino, she said, "Janet, I..."
"Sam, I was wrong!" Janet blurted out. "I was so very
wrong. I want you back in my life. I..." Suddenly
everything was getting misty.
"So was I," Sam said as she gently held Janet's hand.
"So was I. I should never have given in like that. And
you're right. I spend too much time in the lab." She
smiled at Janet and the brunette's heart felt like it
would hammer it's way through her chest.
"I promise that I won't do that again," Sam said in
all sincerity.
Janet squeezed Sam's hand and smiled at her love. They
both knew Sam would never be able to keep that promise
but as long as they were together, they'd find a way
to handle it.
Janet leaned over and kissed the only woman in the
world for her.
 (c) John O'Conner
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