Chapter 4

It had been another couple weeks, Jack & Teal'c had talked her into starting more personal protection training in the gym. Jack was always making her laugh as he would show up with head, knee, elbow, and groin protection. He was of course stronger than her but she was quicker and there had been a couple times she threw him to the ground and didn't pull the kick or punch fast enough making Jack crumble to his knees.

By the end of the training Sam had resumed life as usual. She was much more confident of herself and more comfortable being alone. She had been staying home and driving herself back and forth to the SGC. General Hammond had received a report from Dr McKenzie releasing her to minimum duty. He didn't want her deployed off world as of yet but there was no reason she couldn't work in her lab or help SG-1 figure things out over the radio. She could talk someone through the toughest of tasks so her place at the SGC was always needed.

By the end of that month, she was able to be released to a full schedule and allowed to accompany SG-1 on short day missions before they worked their way into their normal off world missions. The first few were hard but Sam never freaked, even when they came across new "beings". The confidence building exercises Jack & Teal'c had taught her definitely worked.

While they had been on their downtime, Jack had also made sure Daniel had time at the range to be comfortable with the larger weapons and he had been teaching him some tactical scenarios. Between Jack and Teal'c training him, Daniel had actually become quite good so when they returned off world with Sam, Jack felt more confident that Daniel didn't need so much cover. In fact the three had discussed their new tactical positions of Teal'c covering Daniel and Jack covering Sam whenever possible which didn't surprise the other two men. It wasn't that Jack wasn't completely confident that Teal'c couldn't cover Sam but at this point, at least for now, he wanted to be sure she was ok before letting her move off alone.

One night they were on their first overnight mission since Sam had returned, so they had set up tents. Teal'c took the first watch so Daniel was in his tent and Jack & Sam in another. Jack had just started falling asleep when he felt Sam staring at him. He laid still for a moment before speaking, "What's up Carter?" She flinched knowing she had been caught. "Nothing sir, I was just thinking. I can't thank you enough for everything you did for me since my attack." Jack rolled over in his sleeping bag and looked her in the eyes for a moment. "Carter, there is nothing I wouldn't do for you and I know if I were the one hurt, you would've done the same for me, it's what we do."

Sam thought for a moment, "true. But I think you went above and beyond on this one and you made sure I didn't feel anymore embarrassed having you help me than I would have if it were Janet." Jack chuckled a bit, "Carter, are you saying I am one of your girlfriends now?" She smiled, "No, I am saying you are a man with a heart of gold. I know there were times you had to have been blushing but you powered through it and never left me when I told you I needed you."

He started shaking his head, "Sam, always…. I will always be there for you. Don't EVER doubt that. I don't care what the situation is, I am here for you." Jack reached over and put his hand on hers for a moment while they spoke only through their eyes.

When Jack began feeling like he wanted to do more, he turned onto his stomach, "Night Carter." Sam wanted to cry but she didn't, knowing that's all there could be for now "Good Night Sir."

End