On the way to recovery

Thea threw open her front door roughly, eager to be inside somewhere familiar. She paused in the large living room and took a deep breath, wincing slightly as she felt a pain in her side. Still not completely healed, she thought as she watched Teal'c carrying in their luggage.
'You can dump them on the sofa.' Thea called over her shoulder as she rushed to turn the air conditioning on. The apartment was hot and sticky in the summer heat, and shrugging off her jacket Thea headed to the kitchen, kicking off her shoes on the way.
She felt better already. Just being in her home and soaking in it's atmosphere and familiar smell made her feel less fraught, less on the edge. By the time she had shown Teal'c to his room, and he had settled himself she was seated in her favourite armchair holding a long glass of cold lemonade. She offered one to Teal'c and he took it with a nod and the merest hint of a smile.
Thea pressed her head back into the worn material of the sofa, sucking in it's smell and savouring the cool feeling that the lemonade left in her stomach, and promptly she fell asleep.


Thea was dreaming, her mind seized between fear and bitter remembering. Hands were grabbing her, pulling her down. Her mouth was open and though she could hear the panicked sound of her heartbeat and breathing, the screams she longed to release from her lungs went unvoiced.
The pain was blinding, travelling up and down her body. She could hear cruel laughter in the background, people shouting in a language she couldn't understand.
'Please, please!' Her voice was a shattered shout, her throat dry and sore.
'God help me!' She tried to struggle against the binds that held her, and she felt as they cut into her wrists, the blood trickling slowly down her forearm. Her fingers were numb.
Then she saw a flash in the darkness, it looked similar to a scalpel, but it was bigger, the edge lethal sharp. Strong arms clamped around her and now Thea did scream; long, painful, agonised screams that were ripped from her lungs and caused an aching in her chest.
'NO, NO!' She threw her head from side to side, her wide eyes never leaving the edge of the blade as it came closer and closer. Her shirt was ripped open, her vest cut from top to bottom, and then the blade was lowered to her flesh. She watched as a deep line of blood rose up and poured out. Her screams grew louder.

'NO. PLEASE!' Thea's voice tore through the quiet apartment. She threw herself from the bed, hands up to cover her face, her body colliding painfully with the wall.
Her breathing was coming in deep, panicked breaths and her eyes were wild as they scanned her surroundings. As she took in her large, comfy bed with the deep green sheets which she knew felt good around her, the familiar creamy walls and the springy carpet beneath her feet, Thea began to cry. Teal'c must have carried me in last night, she thought even as the silent tears burned down her face.
The door opened with a quiet swish, and Thea knew it was Teal'c even before he came to her, wrapping her in his strong arms and lifting her gently onto the bed. She turned her face into his chest, stretching her body out next to his so that as much of them touched as possible. She needed this heat of another, needed to feel the soothing beating of his heart and the steady rise and fall of his chest.
She gripped onto the t-shirt he was wearing, soaking it with tears, and he wrapped her in his arms, his hands gently stroking her back in brief, soothing motions.
When the sobs were wrenched from her, his arms tightened around her and he started murmuring against her hair. It was only later as she began to quiet that she realised he was talking in his mother tongue, but unlike the guards who had scared her with their difference, Teal'c managed to soothe her.


Thea awoke to bright sunlight hitting her face. She rolled over in bed and squinted in annoyance at the gap in her curtains that was allowing in this invasion. She stretched out her arms and realised she was alone in the bed. The events of the night came back to her and she shook off a flush of embarrassment. Even she knew that everyone needed to be comforted sometimes.
Stretching she eased off the bed and scratched her belly. In bare feet she padded to the kitchen. Teal'c was staring intently into the open fridge, his face a picture of concentration. Thea laughed, and Teal'c's dark eyes rose up to meet hers.
'Good morning, Captain Simone. What is so amusing?'
'You.' Thea said as she gently pushed him out of the way and examined the contents of the fridge herself.
Teal'c raised a single eyebrow at her long back. He took in the line of ribs on each side and the bruises that could be seen where her tank top rode up. At least she seemed in better spirits this morning.
Thea emerged form the fridge her arms filled with food. She knocked the door closed with her hip.
'You like bacon and eggs?' She enquired, her hands already working away.
'Indeed.' Was Teal'c's reply, and Thea laughed again before pushing him into a seat at her kitchen table and preparing them breakfast.
When the bacon, eggs, grilled toms and toast had all been washed down with a cup of fantastic coffee, which Teal'c had insisted on making, Thea locked her hazel eyes on Teal'c's dark ones.
'Thank you.' Her voice was serious. Teal'c nodded.
'I have known many men who suffered as we have, and few survived. Fewer ever returned to their previous selves.' He attempted to hold her gaze but Thea looked away. His hand reached out and covered her own.
'You are a strong woman, Thea. And a superior warrior. You are most welcome.'
Looking into Teal'cs eyes and seeing the respect and warmth there, Thea smiled a genuine smile before getting up to clean the kitchen, Teal'c standing to give her assistance.