Author's Note: Since I posted this chapter the same night as chapter 3, there was no time for anyone to review so I can only repeat my thanks to the people who have reviewed and urge you all to review. Please.

Darkness. That was all she could see. The darkness that was surrounding her. Trying to make her give up. Trying to make her stop fighting and give in to death. But Samantha Carter never gave in. she never failed. Sam Carter got what she set out for no matter what. And she didn't want to die. Sam pushed and pushed against the darkness. Trying to stop it from taking over her mind and will. She succeeded in stopping the darkness but not completely. It crept forward. Bit by bit. Closer and closer. Sam became desperate as she struggled to fight. She couldn't leave Cassie alone again. What about Dad, Daniel, Teal'c? What about her friends? What about Colonel O'Neill. All of a sudden, Sam could hear his voice, it was saying something. She concentrated fiercely. She could just make the words out, 'Don't you dare give up Sam. I love you and don't you dare leave me." Sam gritted her teeth and pushed the darkness away. She did not know if she had imagined his words or he had said them but she didn't care. This time Sam was able to hold the darkness at bay. She was soon swamped by pain but she knew pain was good. That meant she was alive. Alive and going to get better. As long as she held the darkness back.

Jack stared at his angel. His angel who was dieing. Her face was still as pale as it was before. Her body still lay still, unmoving. Ever since she had began to struggle offworld and he had whispered the forbidden words to her she hadn't moved. Was she getting better? Or was she getting worse? He had lost track of time and every single time Daniel or Teal'c had come looking for him. Trying to get him to eat. He had ignored them. He just stared down at Sam. Whenever he slept, it was only for a few hours every couple of days and it was on the uncomfortable chair in the corner of Sam's room. The only thing that kept him company was the knowledge that had struck him offworld while they were captive. It was running around in his head while he watched his sleeping angel fight for her life.

Jack looked up when he heard someone cone into the room. It was General Hammond. Jack jumped to his feet then winced at the pain that spread through his stiff muscles.

"As you were Colonel." Hammond gestured to the chair while dragging another one over. The squealing noise that the chair made against the floor did not disturb Sam at all. "How is she?" Hammond asked once he had sat down on the other side of the bed.

"The Doctor's are saying they've done all they can and now it is up to her. But she hasn't moved ever since we came through the gate. And she hasn't shown any sign of improvement." Jack whispered, his voice cracking.

"I'm sorry Jack. I don't know what else to do. It's up to her now." Hammond said quietly.

Jack had a sudden thought, "What about Jacob?"

"I've sent a message to the Tok'ra but he was on a mission at the time and since then I sent another saying we had found her and Jacob was relieved but he couldn't get away from his duties unless it was an emergency. At the time I was acting on Major Smith's analysis that given time, Major Carter would heal but it's changed now."

"No, I meant couldn't we call him and get him to heal her. I know whatever he is doing is important but this is an emergency. His daughter is dieing." Jack put emphasis on the word daughter.

"And he could use the gou'ald device to heal her. I'll call the president." Hammond said thoughtfully. He stood up and walked away. Jack didn't bother getting up but when Hammond stopped by the door and said, "It may not work Jack. If her injuries are to great for the device then I don't think we will be able to save her." Jack stood quickly. Hammond left and as the door shut with a slight bang, Jack thought through Hammond's words. If this didn't work, then he would have to find another way to heal Sam. Nothing would stop him.

Jack fidgeted as he waited for Jacob Carter to come through the gate. He was getting impatient. He had wanted to met Jake personally but now Jack was regretting that decision. When Jacob stepped through the shimmering surface, Jack thought, finally.

"Jack. Where is she?" Jake asked, stepping off the ramp. He ignored all the formalities because of the seriousness of the situation.

"This way." Jack said. His heart was hammering unevenly and Jack was scared at what it would mean if Jacob failed this. Would he lose his angel?

Jack and Jacob arrived at Sam's room and Jake went straight to her bed. Jack walked around slowly until he was at his chair. He sat down and watched closely.

"Jack, you understand this may not work?" Jack nodded. "OK. You also know this thing can only do so much. The rest is up to Sam."

Jack nodded and said, "I understand. Now hurry up before she gets worse."

Jake nodded and held the device over Sam's body. Jake concentrated and the device began to glow. He held it over her body for the longest minute of Jack's life.

Jake broke his concentration and fell backwards into a chair. He looked up at Jack and grinned. Jack took that as good news and looked back down at Sam on the bed. She stirred and opened her eyes. She shook her head to wake herself up and then, wincing, pushed herself up into a sitting position. When she saw her dad, she called out, "Dad? Are you OK?"

"Right as rain Sam. You've been sleeping for a while now." he said, "that took a lot out of me to fix you."

"Fix me? What do you mean?" Sam said, confused. She looked around and saw Jack. "Ja-Colonel. What happened?"

Jack didn't notice her slip and smiled at her, "we got captured. Tried to escape. You got shot in the shoulder with an arrow. Then the captees..."

Sam interrupted to say, "captors"

"whatever," Jack said, continuing his story, "then our captors decided to punish you for some unknown reason and cut your arms three times on each with a heated blade. Then to escape we had to jump down a waterfall and when I hit my head on a rock and fell unconscious you pulled us to shore where I then carried you to where Danny and T were with SG teams 6 and 7 who then helped me get you back here. Since then you have been asleep."

"Oh. I remember listening you talk to Daniel but not walking to Daniel. Why?" Sam said, still confused.

"You collapsed. Your arm and shoulder wounds were infected." Jack said, he then looked at his watch and said, "excuse me. I have to go see a certain General. Carter. Jacob." Jack got up and left. His feelings were going hay-wire and if he knew that if he stayed in the same room as her any longer, than he would not be able to control his actions. He wondered away to go find Hammond to fill him in and then to go have a shower.

Sam watched Jack's retreating form and tried to ignore the whirlwind of emotions that seemed to surface whenever he was in the room. Her dad watched her face carefully, then said, "So, kiddo. You scared us all. Don't do it again."

"Sorry Dad. I was trying to wake up. I remember trying to wake up but I couldn't and-"

Jacob cut her off, "It doesn't matter. You are healing and will get better. Now, I'm really sorry but the Tok'ra are in the middle of finding our next home. We have reason to believe we have been compromised. They only let me go because you were going to die. But I have to go back now. I am truly sorry."

"That's OK Dad. Thanks for saving me." Sam said, smiling at her dad.

"that's OK. It's my job to save you." Jake leaned forward and kissed Sam on the forehead. He then paused and said, "Sam. I don't want you to die unhappy. I know you. If something is in your way, you find a way around it. What's stopping you this time?"

"What do you mean? I am happy. I'm happy I'm alive. I'm happy with my job." Sam said, confusion clouding her eyes and voice.

"You could be happier. You could be happy with the man you love. Don't let rules stand in your way. I know that you want to have a family. Don't let anything stop you." Sam tried to say something but Jake cut her off, "I know you don't want to love anyone because you don't want to be hurt like I was when your mum died but all those memories I have with your mother are some of the best of my life. I would give up anything to be with her again. It is worth it Sam. Promise you will think about it."

Sam swallowed and nodded, then spoke, "You're saying I should go for it?" Jake nodded, "I'll think about it. I love you."

"Love you too. See you round Kiddo." Jake said, before departing with a happy wave.

Sam settled back down in the bed as the doctors came in and did tests and things. She thought hard and long about what her dad had said. And by the time she fell asleep. She had only come up with two options.

Daniel knocked on the door and heard a quiet 'come in' before pushing the door open and stepping inside. In the centre of the room was a bed with Sam in it. Daniel knew Sam was sick and tired of being in bed so he had come to cheer her up.

"Hey Sam. Thought you might want some distraction from all this." he said, gesturing to the empty room.

"Good guess. How are you Daniel?" Sam asked, putting a smile on her face that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"pretty good. What about you?" he asked, watching her reply closely.

"Getting better." Sam said, looking away from Daniel.

"Liar." Daniel said softly. Sam flinched so Daniel continued, "You aren't getting better. Why?" when Sam refused to meet his eyes, Daniel spoke firmly, "Samantha Carter. Tell me what is wrong and I will help."

Sam looked up at him and whispered, "I don't need help. I just need the courage to do it."

"Do what?" now he was confused.

"something." Sam said, looking away. The moment of truth had gone and Sam was back to avoiding people. "I'm tired. Please leave Daniel."

"Sam." Daniel sighed and said, "night. Remember, you don't need to go through whatever it is alone. Teal'c, Jack and I all care about you. We will help you through it." Daniel got up and left Sam alone with her thoughts.

She loved him. And to be with him there was only one option. Quit the Stargate Program. She would have to give up all that she had worked for in the last 10 or so years. Everything. But her dad said it was worth it. Every time she looked at him, her locked up feelings struggled to break through. Every time he looked at her the feelings broke through. Whenever they touch, accidentally brush each other, shake hands, anything, her feelings break free and threaten to do things that were against the rules and she wanted that to happen so much but the stupid rules. She loved him. And to be with him there was only one option. Quit the Stargate Program.

Sam was deep in thought. She did not realize she had a visitor until he cleared his throat and Sam jumped and looked up to see Teal'c. "Teal'c. How are you?" she said, smiling at him.

"I am well, Major Carter. How are you recovering?" he asked in his usual way.

"Recovering well. What are you doing here?" she asked, wondering what could bring her big friend to see her. He had visited but she was about to be discharged so her number of visitors had grown less once everyone knew she was getting better. She liked that because she could think uninterrupted.

"I came to visit you. Daniel Jackson thinks something is bothering you and I agree. I came to see if you would share."

She silently yelled 'does everyone know I have a problem!' while she said normally, "I have a problem yes, but I am figuring it out and I am touched that you two are concerned for me but I need to figure this out on my own. Thank you Teal'c." she spoke truthfully. She didn't want to admit having a problem but lying was easier said then done around Teal'c.

"Of course. So you know, Daniel Jackson and I are here for you Major Carter. When you decide to share." he stood up, getting ready to leave

"Thanks Teal'c. I know you are both there for me. Just like you know I am here for you two." he bowed his head politely and walked out. Leaving Sam lost in her thoughts once again.

Sam was sitting on the picnic blanket while Cassie fished through the basket to find something. The place they were at was beautiful. It was a grassy hill that overlooked land that was plain bare except for grass and trees. Sam hadn't even known this was here but Cassie had surprised her by showing her this place on the internet. Sam knew this was the perfect spot to talk to Cassie, Sam needed to tell someone her thoughts and since Janet had died, Cassie was the only one who would understand.

"So. You're probably sick of people asking you this but are you better?" Cassie asked, smiling at Sam.

she smiled back and said, "I am extremely sick of people asking me that but since it is you I will make an exception. I am much better. Healing." Sam rubbed her arms unconsciously and paused before saying, "Cassie. I need to tell someone this and your that someone. Is that OK?" Cassie nodded and smiled encouragingly at me. "I'm just thinking aloud but, I nearly died. And I realized that there are so many things I want to do and one of those things is marry the perfect man. And I've already found that man." Cassie watched Sam, already guessing at what was about to come out of the older woman's lips. She had watched the two of them while she grew up. Until Daniel had explained it, she had never understood why they didn't hook up. "The problem is, I can't be with that man while I work at my current job."

Cassie interrupted Sam to say, "So? Quit. I know you love your job but you two were made for each other. Literally."

Sam smiled at Cassie, "That's what I thought but he isn't going to exactly be jumping up and down at the thought of me quitting this job. And then there's the whole task of getting our feelings on the table and I don't know if I could deal with it if he didn't love me back." Sam ended up whispering the last sentence. It had taken a lot to voice that concern. Now she could only wait to see what the teenager had to say.

"Well. Love is a risk. But I think it is worth it. Even if he says no. you can learn to love another. The feelings between you and Jack are pretty solid because if it wasn't the real thing it would've gone away by now. Or if it were just lust then you two would've acted on it by now." Cassie said thoughtfully.

"How'd you know it was Jack I was talking about?" Cassie gave Sam a 'As If' look and Sam snorted. She thought for a minute then said, "I'm going to quit. Thanks Cassie. I had no idea who else to talk to. I mean, Daniel and Teal'c are pretty close but not in that way. You understand?"

"Oh yeah." they both cracked up laughing. They enjoyed the rest of their picnic lunch, laughing and telling each other stories of their past.