Chapter 2: Relief
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A/N: This is an extremely short chapter…I am very sorry! Thanks to all who reviewed! Next update soon!
Jack felt her cool hand slip into his and struggled to lift his head; to look into her eyes and tell her. Tell her everything. He knew things weren't looking that great and had a sinking feeling that she was coming to tell him that there was nothing they could do.
Even Carter gets stumped sometimes…right? He hoped not.
He had complete faith in her, but if she had been ordered to let him go…there was nothing she could do.
Her thumb flicked over his skin in a soft, caressing manner. Her voice was low, gentle…and afraid. "Sir?" she paused. "Sir…I don't know if what we're about to try is a good idea or not…but you have a right to know…you might not survive."
The words killed her. She kept her voice carefully even, but she knew her expression belied her. He couldn't die. He just…couldn't. What would she do? Would she be able to even look at the stargate again without bursting into tears? Would she even be able to keep doing her job…pretend like he had never existed? 'No way.' Sam thought adamantly to herself. He looked so fragile…so broken with that damned disease thing running through his veins. His hand burned hers, but she didn't let go. She would never let go.
She loved him, dammit. 'And it's about time I acknowledge that.' The thought surprised Sam. Where had that come from? Yes, she knew she cared for him…ah hell, she loved him. Loved him more than life and if he died she would too. She knew that.
Her heart jumped into her throat when she felt a slight squeeze on her hand as his thumb moved across her skin. He was trusting her. He had given her his trust a long time ago. She only wished that she trusted herself just as much.
Swallowing tears, she nodded; more to herself than anyone else. Inside she was screaming that she would never let him go; she would stay right there until he woke up and she saw his eyes. Bright and alive.
Making the hardest decision of her life, Sam squeezed his fingers one more time before stepping away and taking a few steps back. She didn't trust herself not to leap on him and rip that damn thing from the wall herself.
'Please…please let this work.' Sam thought as she ordered Teal'c to fire. Then again. And again.
Struggling to keep her pace steady and her voice even she pushed her fingers into his neck. "No pulse." She waited, desperately hoping that something would happen. She could feel a lump rising in her throat and the tears brimming in her eyes…waiting.
And then he spoke and Sam never knew that she was capable of feeling such relief.
………………………………………………………………………………………….
Sam bolted from the control room as soon as the general nodded his permission. Barely breathing she knelt down next to the colonel, her hand resting lightly on his knee. She heard Teal'c and Daniel saying something, but it didn't register.
"Thought you were gone for good, sir." Sam knew her voice was breathy, but she didn't care. He was alive…he was gonna be okay.
Jack looked around at his teammates…his friends…but his eyes crashed heavily into Carter's. He was secretly glad that he was already sitting, 'cause he was pretty sure his knees would have given out.
Glancing down briefly to the hand that was resting on his leg, he held her gaze and gave her a slight smile. "Wild horses, Captain."
They helped him up and she held her hand firmly against his back, as though afraid he would disappear if she let go.
And he wasn't complaining.
TBC
A/N: Short chapter…mucho sorry! Please R&R!