A Hidden Threat

Chapter 4

Carter visited with Amiri as much as she could. Amiri slept for days as if she had never slept. She slowly started to regain her coloring, and the bruises had gotten lighter. Between gate repairs and diagnostics Carter was quite busy. But she made it a point to see Amiri every-day. She knew the road ahead of her was going to be a tough one.

Carter sat in her lab running her usual diagnostics. She was extremely tired, more than her usual tiredness. She attributed it to the stress she was under with Amiri and wanting her to be ok.

KNOCK KNOCK- "Carter" O'Neill stated. He walked in to see a sleeping Carter. She had drifted to sleep in her lab. Her head was down, lying on her arms.

"Carter" O'Neill stated again, but she didn't respond. He leaned into her cheek, and whispered "Major Carter".

"Hmmm...mmm" she slowly awoke. When she realized she had drifted to sleep, she immediately sat at attention. "Sir...I'm sorry Sir...i guess I fell asleep?" she said, still groggy.

"I guess you did Carter." O'Neill stated with concern in his voice. As she tried to gain her focus, she placed her hands on the desk, with her arms stretched out straight.

"Carter you o.k?" O'Neill said seeing she was trying to regain her balance.

"I'm fine Sir...just a little dizzy" Carter admitted.

"Carter, when's the last time you ate something?" He asked.

"Sir...I'm really not that hungry". Carter said. The thought of food made her stomach turn. For the past several weeks, she was not able to even think of food.

"Carter we are going to the mess hall, and we are getting you something to eat" O'Neill stated.

"Sir, please! you don't understand," Carter said as she tried to fight the wave of nausea that was suddenly creeping up on her.

"Carter I am not asking. That is an order" O'Neill stated as he grabbed her arm and started escorting her to the mess hall.

"Sir" was all Carter was able to get out before she threw up all over Colonel O'Neill.

"God Carter!" O'Neill said as he was bathed in vomit.

"I'm sorry Sir, I tried to warn you." Carter said as she tried to steady herself.

"Carter, what is going on with you?" O'Neill said. He helped her back into her chair and went to grab some towels to clean themselves up.

"I'm sorry Sir, I just haven't been feeling myself lately" Carter admitted.

"How long has this been going on?" He asked, wondering if this had anything to do with Amiri.

"It's just been a couple of days..." Carter said.

"Carter?" O'Neill said knowing she was lying remembering her episode in the briefing room.

"o.k. it's been a couple of weeks, but Sir, it's ok...it's probably just a bug. It will pass" Carter stated trying to convince her CO she was fine.

"You and I are headed to the shower's" O'Neill said, "well separate showers of course" he restated. "You are then to report to the infirmary".

"Sir..I am fine, please" Carter tried to convince him.

"Carter, I can make it an order, but I'd rather not" O'Neill stated trying to not throw his rank.

"Fine, Sir" Carter agreed reluctantly. They both made their way to the showers and changed out of their soiled clothes. When they reached the infirmary, Dr. Frasier was their adjusting Amiri's medication.