It was the same room. The one he recuperated in after Janet had died. It was how he told time: after joining the Air Force, after he married Sara, after Charlie's death and the divorce, after the Stargate, after losing Janet, after being kicked upstairs.

He walked into the room and the people there parted like the Red Sea. They were all here for the same reason he was, to reassure themselves that she was alive. Leaning over the woman in the bed her he scooped her into his arms burying his face into her neck and he didn't let go. He couldn't let go if his life depended on it. Her fingers digging into his shoulders would not have let him if he tried. And for a few moments time stood still.

She was sure she felt two drop reach her neck before his lips did and was afraid to look at his eyes, her composure barely holding together as it was. Not letting her go he slid around and sat on the bed pulling her almost into his lap. He looked to see all the former company had mysteriously disappeared and the door closed behind them. They better have if they knew what was good for them. He picked her up and did place her in his lap, running his hand up and down her bare back.

"Did I ever tell you how much I love these hospital gowns?"

"As I recall you hated them."

"Yeah, I hate the whole god damned thing." He said vehemently as if to himself.
To her he said gently "Can you go home?"

"We debriefed on board the Odyssey, I just have to write up my report."

O'Neill had gone back to kissing her neck.

"I kind of had it all worked out in my head but all that's gone now."

"Why don't you get dressed and I'll take you home. Maybe I'll go see your commanding officer about a little down time; I think I heard the CMO say something about Medical leave."

"Jack this might not be a good time…"

"Never is"

"Just don't ever let go."

"Couldn't if I wanted to…Let's go to Vegas and you can make an honest man out of me."

He made her laugh and the terror and the pain of the battle and its cruel aftermath subsided. She kissed him full on the mouth.

"Tomorrow, I'll take leave tomorrow …can you get a hop?"

"Carter, didn't you see the stars on my uniform?