Chapter one
CAR CRASH. The words repeated over and over in her mind. Sam sat on the edge of her bed, panicked. She had received a call from Penrose Hospital just moments ago. Her fingers dialed the buttons on the phone she held in her hand.
"Hello," a sleepy sounding Daniel answered.
"Car crash," Sam managed to say.
Daniel, obviously more alert, replied. "Sam, who was in a car crash?"
"Jack, he is at Penrose. I have to go."
"Alright, I'll make the calls and meet you there." Daniel's voice trembled.
Sam stood off the edge of the bed; she dressed and ran out to her car.
Sam approached the main desk, "Just a moment mam."
Sam sighed, quickly becoming impatient. The woman finished talking to the elderly couple and turned to Sam. "I'm looking for Colonel Jack O'Neill." Sam sputtered before the woman could open her mouth.
The woman checked the computer, "I'm sorry but there is no Jack O'Neill here."
"How about a Jonathan O'Neill?"
The woman rechecked the computer. "Yes, there is a patient by that name. Go over to the ICU."
Sam nodded and followed the signs to the ICU. A nurse directed her to Jack's room. She opened the door to find Jack laying on a cot unconscious. The elderly couple she had waited in line behind occupied the chairs.
"You're not another nurse are you?"
"No mam, I'm Major Sam Carter."
"I'm Lucy this is John."
"It's a pleasure to meet you. Do you mind me asking what your acquaintance to the colonel is?"
"Sam, if I may." John spoke, and Sam nodded. "We are his parents. Now what is your relation to our son?"
Sam cleared her voice, "We work together, and we're friends."
Lucy scowled, "I think it would be best if you left."
"No mam."
Jack's doctor walked into the room to give an update ten minutes later. "He has what we call a TBI."
"Traumatic Brain Injury," Sam verified.
Jack's doctor nodded, "He may have memory loss. Or loss of basic motor skills, worst case scenario however is permanent paralysis."
Lucy began to sob and John tried to comfort her. "When is he going to wake up?"
"That is impossible to predict. It may be possible to wake him by talking to him though."
Sam nodded then walked to Jack's bed side. "Hey Jack, Colonel, sorry," she paused a moment. "Jack I need you, now!" Sam placed her hands on Jack's shoulder as she yelled.
He began thrashing and convulsing. Sam stepped back. When he finally stopped, his eyes popped open. Jack took a good look around the room, his eyes stopped on Sam. "S…Sam,"
Sam took his hand, "It's okay I'm here."
Jack's face tightened, "What?"
"You were in a car crash." Jack nodded.
A month later, SG-1 sat in Jack's doctor's office along with John and Lucy. "I think it's time to release Jack," his doctor announced. "That causes a problem though. It seems that the only person he will talk to is Sam."
Lucy, infuriated, interrupted the doctor. "You're not sending my son home with her." Lucy glared at Sam.
"She is the only person I would recommend sending Jack home with."
"He won't be a problem for me to take care of, and John and Lucy if you want to move in for a little while that is fine." Sam replied.
Lucy huffed and hawed. "Fine."
Sam nodded, "So when can I take him home?"
Two hours later, Daniel and Teal'c helped Sam move Jack out of his wheel chair and into her car. The boys and John and Lucy followed Sam back to Jack's place. Lucy stared at the house in front of her. "Your place is a dump." She sneered.
Daniel snorted, "Actually this is Jack's place."
Lucy's face tightened. She followed SG-1 into the house.
After moving him into the kitchen, Sam knelt down in front of Jack. "You're home. I know it's a little cleaner than when you left it but it's where we're staying."
Jack nodded and wheeled himself into his bedroom. "Well obviously he's regaining some memories." Daniel leaned against the counter. "I'm going to order some pizza."
Sam nodded and went to check on Jack. "Hey," she peered into Jack's bedroom.
Jack waved her over and pulled her into his lap. "Am I ok?"
"Yes Jack, you're perfect."
"I still…love…you. Love me too?"
Sam smiled, "Always. Daniel ordered pizza, are you hungry?"
Jack nodded. "Pizza's here," Daniel yelled from the kitchen.
Jack rolled himself into the kitchen, grabbed a beer out of the fridge, and wheeled over to Sam. Sam handed him a plate with two large slices of pizza on it. Jack lifted the plate slightly, "The…anks."
The guys stayed long enough to watch the movie, and then departed. "Lucy, John," Sam took them aside, "The guest room is upstairs."
"Thanks," John said. "Where are you sleeping?"
"Probably the couch. Now goodnight."
John and Lucy made their way to the guest room. Sam came up behind Jack and wheeled him away from the Simpsons. "No bath," he said.
"Alright, let's get you to bed then." Sam wheeled Jack to his bedroom. "I'm going to take off your clothes, is that ok?" Jack nodded. After fighting with Jack to get him into pajamas, Sam helped him into bed.
Sam stood and walked toward the door. "No, S…Sam."
She turned around, "What's wrong?"
"Please do…don't leave." Sam smiled and sat down on the bed next to Jack. He lifted himself up on his arms and laid his head in Sam's lap. "Love you."
"I love you too Jack," Sam rubbed his back until he fell asleep.