A/n after much consideration and advice from my beta Toomi, I have decided not to continue No Regrets but since everyone begged me I will write a sequel and here it is

Set in season ten following the events of Line in the Sand before the Road Not Taken.

In a Leer Jet on his way to the SGC

Jack squirmed in his seat trying to get comfortable but he soon realized it would be impossible. He took out his PSP that Sam had gotten him for Christmas. "Lets face it, Jack your game boy needs to be upgraded" She said with a giggle. Yep, he reluctantly admitted that it was an ultra cool toy but then he would have expected nothing less from Sam sometimes she scared him a little because she knew him so well." What did I do to deserve her?" He often wondered how he had gotten so lucky. Sam was gorgeous and bright and young, well younger than him and she actually loved him go figure.

Nowadays he had given up trying to figure out why and just accepted the fact that Sam had chosen him to love and he wouldn't have it any other way. God he hoped she was okay. Even though it was a Leer Jet it wasn't going fast enough for Jack. Please let her be okay. Jack remembered that conversation they had before Sam had returned to the SGC.

Flashback

"Jack, I have been talking to Daniel and there is a new threat. He and Vala almost died again."

There was a running tab at the SGC about how many times Dr. Jackson had almost died or died and come back, lets just say he had more lives than a cat.

Jack knew where this conversation was headed, he had received all the reports and contrary to popular opinion he did read them. He knew Sam had only gone to Area 51 because of Cassie and that she was adjusting well to her new college and slowly rebuilding her life and finding happiness once again.

Sam missed the SGC, Daniel and Teal'c but since she had thought they were leaving as well she decided to take the offer in Nevada. Ironically it turned out that Daniel ended up not leaving the SGC and Teal'c was still battling between staying with his newly freed Jaffa or rejoining the SGC and Tauri once again.

"I am enjoying myself at R&D and Cassie is nearby but I can't help but think that the SGC could really use my expertise as well." The Ori are very advanced technologically and most of the scientists can't decipher how any of the technology works."

Sam, "what do you want to do?"

Of all the things to come out of Jack's mouth Sam never expected that. She knew Jack was different from most guys, hell he kept his feelings so boxed up most of the time that when she first met him she wondered if he ever felt anything. Over time she came to realize that Jack did indeed feel things most deeply but his soldier façade kept that hidden to all but his closest friends.

Unfortunately it took the death of her father to make Sam realize she was about to make a grave mistake in marrying Pete. Sam broke it off with him and she and Jack took it "out of the room" and confessed their feelings for each other never looking back. Pete would have demanded that she stay "safe " at the lab job but then Jack O'Neill was nothing like Pete he understood her sometimes better than she understood herself. Sure she followed his orders as his 2IC for years but when it came time for a personal relationship, Jack let Sam be her own woman and gave her the freedom and respect she needed.

"I kind of expected that you would tell me what you wanted me to do, Jack" she said with wonderment. The man continually surprised her in a good way.

"Sam, you know I would never ask you to sacrifice your career for me."

After all they had waited Nine years with increasing feelings of love for each other but unable and unwilling to change the dreaded "regs" they had not pursued a personal relationship until Jack was no longer her CO.

"So, should I call Landry or do you want to surprise him?" Jack asked

In the end, Sam ended up surprising Landry and she and Jack talked about what going back to the SGC might entail.

"You do realize that I won't be there to watch your six don't you"?

"I know Jack but I couldn't have had a better teacher and I can take care of myself" Sam said

"What if…"

Jack didn't finish his words but there was no need they had perfected the silent communication years ago and both of them knew exactly what he had been trying to say.

Sam didn't even have to think about what she was going to say.

"If…Well you know…" she hesitated because she had to make him understand, "I want you to continue the fight… no retiring, no hiding and be there for Cassie."

He nodded and looked at her with warmth in his eyes

Words weren't needed she knew he understood what she was trying to say.

She forged on knowing if she stopped now she would drown in his eyes

"This is too important and know that if anything … well know that I would never regret a moment spent with you Jack and it was worth it…this planet, our future…waiting …"

She continued, "Know that I have the best reason now to live to survive… I would want to get back to you and our lives."

"C'mere" he told her softly and she looked up finally able to drown once again in his chocolate brown eyes. " I know, I've always known and yes I promise." She settled in on his shoulder and enveloped in his warmth she knew he understood.

Sam left the next day and rejoined SG-1. Jack stayed in Washington but every opportunity they got one or the other flew to see each other. Quality time is better than quantity and every minute they spent together was wonderful.

Back to the present day

The plane landed and Jack was so glad he wouldn't have to keep his promise yet but he also knew if that time ever came he would honor the promise. He was just glad it wasn't today.

In the Infirmary

As Jack rounded the corner, he ran into Mitchell.

"How's Carter?"

"Sam just woke up from surgery. She's going to be okay, you know she saved everyone again."

"Yeahsureyabetcha, that's what she does". Jack said with a twinkle in his eyes

"General, you need to talk to her though this one shook her up I don't think she thought she would make it. I had faith but I think her's was shaken. I tired my best to convince her but…I'm not sure"

"If she hadn't …well let's just say my mom would be getting my flag right about now." He laughed somewhat uncomfortably.

"Mitchell, thanks…well for everything. I'm glad you are there to watch her six, I can't think of anyone other than me I would rather have doing it."

"I'm honored you asked me, Sir"

"Well I'd better be getting in there"

Jack turned and entered the infirmary

Jack stood still when he saw Sam, she was so pale and had tubes running everywhere. There was the usual IV and catheter, God he hated those, looking carefully he also noticed a bulky dressing through the thin hospital gown she was wearing and her skin was mottled with angry red stripes and bruising. Two large tubes extended from her side and were attached together in a Y. There were various cuts and scrapes on her arms and legs along with bruises. Clearly there had been a fight and Sam had lost.

He could hear the woosh of the suction machine and the bubbling of the chest tube drain system as it maintained the seal to drain her lungs of excess fluid.

He carefully schooled his features and approached the bedside. She was sleeping. His thoughts were interrupted by Dr. Lam speaking.

"She was awake earlier, I have given her something to help her sleep, a sedative and pain killer. She had a collapsed lung and I had to do emergency surgery to repair the lobe. I put in chest tubes to reinflate the lung. She is very lucky if that blast had been a little bit more to the center I would be giving you very different news, General" She got thrown with the blast and has cracked ribs. She has a slight concussion as well. She will be out of commission for awhile but she should make a complete recovery. I'll need to keep her about 2 days to make sure that lung is okay and then I'll see her back in a week to take out the chest tube."

"Okay Doc".

He knew better than to argue with her, he was reminded of a certain Napoleonic power monger, Janet who he still missed greatly but he was glad the SGC was in good hands with Dr. Lam.

"Can I sit with her?"

Knowing he wouldn't leave anyway she agreed, "She should be waking up soon, the sedative was short acting."

As he took a seat he noticed a brown paper bag sitting by the bedside. He opened it carefully and saw coconut macaroons. He started grinning whoever gave her these probably didn't know she hated macaroons. Oh well shame to let them go to waste he thought as he grabbed one and took a bite.

"Okay well not the best", but he was hungry so he finished that one and put the rest away. Soon he realized that Sam was waking up and he could see her fighting to regain consciousness.

A hint of blue slit appeared and suddenly he found himself grinning in spite of everything

She was alive and waking up he couldn't wait to hug her but for now he settled on squeezing her hand knowing she wouldn't be up for a hug for awhile.