Setting: Directly after „The Line of Duty"
Cassandra had gone home with Janet, Daniel had gone to bed, Teal'c did Kelno'reem and the infirmary was silent. Only one bed was occupied when Jack entered. There she was, laying in the sheets, facing the wall. "Carter?", he asked. No answer, she didn't move at all. There was no sign that she even heard him.
Slowly he came closer and sat on the edge of the bed. Her eyes where open but it seemed like she wasn't there. What did this slimy snake do to her?
Softly he put one hand on her upper arm, still no movement.
"Carter…" It almost broke his heart to see her like this.
"Sam..." She moved just an inch and closed her eyes for a moment before she continued to stare at the wall. At least she had noticed him and knew he was here.
"Sam", he began again, gently caressing her arm. Oh, how he wished to hold her in his arms, now even more than ever, now that he saw her suffering and fighting with herself and the new memories which were now suddenly in her mind. How he wished to crawl under the sheets with her, put his arms around her and pull her gently close to him, feel her heartbeat.
But now, more than ever, was not the moment to do it.
"Carter… Sam… You know I'm not good at this… talking… thing... especially in situations like this. To be honest with you, I don't even know..."
He stopped when she suddenly turned the head and looked him right into his eyes.
"Hey", he said, smiling.
She didn't smile back, tears filled her eyes and she looked away, looked again straight to the wall.
"I guess I let you sleep." Jack said and got up. "Try to sleep, Sam, okay?.
He started walking for the exit when she spoke for the first time after she told him and Janet that the Goa'uld gave it's life for her.
"Stay." It was not more than a whisper through tears but he heard it as if she stood directly beside him. "Please...", she added.
Without hesitation he turned around and sat in the exact same spot he was before. She was shivering and he pulled the cover up to her chin, accidentally brushing her cheek. She closed her eyes as if it was a contact she liked.
"I'm not going anywhere", he said in a low voice with his hand again on her arm. "I'm here", he whispered but he was sure that she heard him. Her eyes stayed closed and after some time her breath became slow and steady.
When Janet entered the infirmary the next morning she found them. Still sleeping, his arms in a tight hug around her.