A shiver ran down Sam's spine as she slowly woke up. She was getting cold, she realized. Her top was sticking to her body, her back cold and slightly damp and she frowned internally as she realized the front of her top was wet too. It would have been better if she'd changed clothes after her nightmare, she mused. But she'd hardly been able to sit up, let alone go to the bathroom and change. She swallowed hard as she remembered the panic she'd felt when she woke up from her most recent nightmare; the flashes, imprints and feelings had been stronger and she actually remembered some of it, in contrast to the nightmares she'd had the last few days.

She cuddled closer to the warmth next to her when she felt another shiver go through her body and felt goose bumps appear. Must be the air conditioning, she thought, knowing hospitals – and apparently infirmaries too – always had a cool temperature. Not wanting to wake up yet, Sam kept her eyes closed and pulled herself flush against… Jack! He was still holding her, she realized. He'd stayed with her the entire night, keeping her warm and safe. One of her hands still had his shirt in a death grip she was almost embarrassed to admit and tried to relax in his arms.

"You awake?" Jack whispered in her hair when she went completely still after pressing her body against his side. He couldn't remember the last time he'd slept this good, even if it were only a few hours; he'd rested more with her in his arms than he remembered sleeping the last eight months with her missing. She didn't answer, but he saw her eyes screw shut and her nose scrunched up a bit with the movement. "Sam?" He tried again, gently squeezing her hip where his hand had sneaked under her top during the night. Her flesh was cold and he silently chastised himself for not getting her in clean clothes after she had woken up earlier that night. Instead, he'd just replaced the covers, which probably didn't do a lot of good considering they'd slid down to her waist.

Heat shot through Sam's body when his hand moved against her skin and she couldn't suppress the shudder that went straight down her spine when his rough, calloused thumb slowly caressed her hip. Cold completely forgotten, she nodded slowly, her cheek rubbing against his black shirt. It was a welcome sensation as she felt the heat of his skin burn through it, urging her to move higher and nuzzle his neck. His tanned skin warm against her cold nose and she heard him hiss at the contact. "Sorry," she mumbled and reluctantly pulled back slightly, letting her cheek rest on his chest near his collar.

"It's okay," Jack mumbled, after clearing his throat. Better than okay, he mused. He couldn't help it; his body reacted to her presence as it had throughout the years of working with her by his side. After they'd gotten together she had told him that – for some weird reason – she liked his neck and he'd discovered he really liked her liking his neck, too. The way she would nuzzle against his skin, kiss it, nibble on it, lick it… he could go on, but considering his BDU pants were getting uncomfortably tight around a certain area with her just lying against him, in his arms – and it only got worse after she nuzzled his neck this time – Jack realized it was time to stop this sweet torture before he got too carried away. "You should probably eat something," he mentioned and tried to get up.

"I'm not really hungry," Sam replied, the fist holding his shirt tightening as he tried to scoot up the bed – and probably get out to leave her – to keep him in place. "Sorry I fell asleep on you," she lied, ducking her head so he couldn't see the blush creeping up her neck. "I'm sure you would've preferred sleeping in your quarters."

Yeah right, he almost huffed but instead just shook his head. "No, I slept just fine," he grinned but she didn't see it with her face cast downwards. "Sam," Jack grabbed her chin and gently forced her to look up at him – before her eyes would trail lower because he was pretty sure she could see the effect she had on him. "Stop apologizing."

"Sorry," she automatically mumbled, closing her eyes and biting her lip the moment the words left her mouth. "A genius you said?" she inquired softly as she dared a glance at his face, hoping she hadn't upset him.

Jack smiled at her and his smile grew even wider when she responded in kind. The uncertainty in her eyes, however, threatened to kill his joyful mood. Reaching down, he caressed her cheek with his fingers before pressing a kiss on her crown. "Yeah, a real genius when it comes to rational, logical things and science."

She giggled at his reply, how he evaded hurting her feelings and instead chose to elaborate on her genialness and once again found herself wondering what their life together had been like. His presence was comforting to her and he was easy to get on with, even if she wasn't sure about her own feelings. She liked how he tried to make her smile when she was feeling down. She didn't remember him but still felt like she knew him somehow. "Jack?"

"Hum?" He asked, looking at her face as he finally got up and she settled on her side. Her bed hair was adorable with the long tresses curling slightly and those clear blue orbs underneath her bangs – or what was left of them now that her hair had grown so much. Resisting the urge to kiss her sweet lips, Jack slipped from underneath the covers and got up from the bed, quickly closing his BDU jacket and pulling it down to cover his arousal. "What is it, Sam?"

"Never mind," she shook her head and sat up, pulling the sheets with her. She'd been about to ask him about their life, their marriage but she wasn't sure if she wanted to hear it. Later, I'll ask him later, once I finally get out of here….

Squinting at her, Jack tried to read her. "You sure?"

"Yeah, sure you betcha," she smiled mischievously, showing the dimples he loved so much.

"Okay," he drawled out, nodding slowly still not convinced. "Looks like breakfast has been here a while," he mentioned, feeling the coldness of the cup of coffee.

Hugging her knees under the blankets, Sam shrugged. "Like I said, I'm not hungry."

"You have to eat something," Jack replied in a soft tone, not feeling very hungry himself either. "Did you at least sleep alright?"

"Yes," she beamed at him. "After… you know, I slept really well."

"Good," he responded in kind, before glancing at the clock. Crap! He had a meeting with Landry in fifteen minutes! For the love of all things holy he couldn't remember what it was about – he was sure it wasn't something Earth shattering – not that he was very surprised about that, since he hadn't been able to keep Sam out of his mind since she'd gotten back. Not that he had been able to do so before, when she'd been missing but now he knew she was close and just wanted to sweep her up in his arms and never let go. "Look Sam, I have a meeting with Landry in a few," he sighed, not wanting to leave her yet.

"I understand," she nodded, "you go."

"I wouldn't if I didn't have to," he muttered before he could help himself. Glancing back at her, he wasn't sure if she had overheard him or not – her face gave nothing away. "You should probably take a shower too," Jack motioned towards the bathroom and tried to keep his dirty mind focused on the situation instead of thinking of her glorious body in the shower and all the things he'd- shaking his head, he tried to clear it and groaned softly. "I need to shower and get some clean clothes, I'll be back later."

Giving him a small smile, Sam waited for him to leave before she slipped out from under the covers and went into the bathroom. He was right, she needed a shower too! Quickly divesting her body from the damped clothes, she jumped under the shower, enjoying the warmth.

"Don't give me such an attitude, Ryan," Mark scolded his young teenage son, wagging his finger in warning.

"Oh, come on, Dad," he protested, throwing up his arms in a helpless gesture.

Shaking his head, Mark pointed towards the kitchen. "Go clean out the dishwasher and then you will help your mother outside-"

"Can't Amy help her? She's not doing anything," Ryan petulantly stated, rolling his eyes in annoyance at his little sister that never had to do anything.

"She's just a kid!"

Ryan was about to protest that he wasn't that old either, before he changed his mind; if he were to use that excuse now, there was no chance his Dad was going to let him go to the New Year's party! "So? I always have to help!"

"She's turning eleven next month," Mark exclaimed, not believing that he was actually going into discussion with the teen. "You can't expect her to shovel the paths clear of snow!"

"But-"

Holding up his hand, Mark glared at him. "Go, now! Or there will be no more internet, computer games or cell phones for the next two weeks!" he was actually surprised to see his son jump up, once again he'd underestimated the boy's need for social networking, or whatever it was called. It was obvious Ryan was really turning into a young man now, which apparently caused him to be reluctant to help out around the house, have a bad mood most of the time and to hide out in his room. Mark couldn't remember ever being like that when he'd been fifteen. Or… Well, he'd had an excuse to be fighting with his father at that age, after his mother had died.

Dragging a hand through his hair, he decided this was not the time to think about this. His father had died about thirteen months ago – under rather secretive circumstances – just when Sam, Mark himself and their father had been getting along great. Then Sam had broken up her engagement to Pete – he was still puzzled over that – and he and Sam had a little fallout. Nothing serious in his opinion, they had both been emotional over losing their Dad and Sam not wanting – being able, he corrected himself – to tell him about what had happened to him, let alone explain about Pete… they both said things in the heat of the argument and he hadn't meant to hurt her. He'd call her later, to apologize and make things right again he had told Laura, his wife. After all, after losing their parents Sam was all he had left, together with his wife and two kids.

Mark plopped down on the couch, glancing at the pictures above the fireplace. He'd tried calling but Sam hadn't been at home or at work, apparently she actually left that mountain once in a while for her deep space radar telemetry. The holidays had been around the corner and he wanted to make up, invite her over to spend Christmas with him, Laura and the kids. He didn't want her to spend them on her own, not after losing Dad and breaking up with Pete. But, he didn't have a say in it as he'd been sent on a four-week business trip to Japan. Laura and the kids had been excited and he'd been able to take them with him – it had taken some arguing with the kids' school but it would be a great experience – and they spent the holidays in Japan of all places. It had been strange, but they had enjoyed every minute of it.

Until he'd gotten home and found a handful of messages on his answering machine by Sam. Apparently, his little sister wanted to tell him something… no, scratch that, she told him in the next message; she was engaged. Or no, she'd gotten married already she told him in an apologetic tone in her last message. She wanted to talk to him – that had been mutual – to explain her sudden marriage and if he wanted to call her he should try her new number, because she was stationed in Nevada! He couldn't believe what had happened in the time he'd been gone and he was getting worried; had she married some illegal immigrant for a green card? She didn't seem like the type… hell, he didn't think she knew any immigrants! Certainly not some pool boy, because she didn't have a pool and there wasn't anything worth tending for in her garden. Not to mention she was stuck in a mountain all day – or apparently a desert these days – so it wasn't like she met people or lived an exciting life!

He knew he worked late, he hardly saw his kids or his wife anymore, but Sam took workaholic to a whole new level! There were days he didn't get home until 2100 hours and when he tried calling her she was still at work, so eventually he'd left her a voicemail and then she left him one telling him she was going to be in DC and he should call her cell phone. The three hour time difference was interfering and they kept up their little game of phone tag and then apparently she was back in Nevada again. He was tired when he got home, couldn't stay up to talk to his sister on the phone and in the weekend she was either busy, in DC and busy or in Colorado and busy! Then he'd gotten the scare of his life when he finally got home early for once and walked in on Laura talking to two AF officers in their living room. Sam had gone missing! He didn't remember much from the conversation, only that he'd gotten real frustrated when they couldn't exactly explain how the hell she'd gone missing when she was working day and night! Eventually, one of the men had told him she was going to give a presentation about an aircraft she'd been working on when she was abducted! Not missing, but abducted!

Mark sighed and leant back against the couch. When his mother had died, he'd blamed his father and the Air Force but once they had finally reconciled – six years ago – he'd been able to forgive him. His father was like an entire new person, one he actually liked and Sam had been the sister he remembered her to be, before she went and joined the AF. He'd slowly come to the realization that perhaps it wasn't the AF that had caused the misery in his family. It had brought Sam and their Dad closer and eventually all three of them. Now, all he knew was that the AF had taken his mother, his father and even his sister from him! About a month ago, an officer came by his house. At first, Mark had been startled but he realized that if Sam was really dead there would have been two of him, right? They always came in pairs, right? The man had identified himself as Major Davis and regretted to inform him that the status of Lieutenant Colonel Samantha Carter, PhD had been changed to killed in action. A memorial service was planned – next week, which was why he had taken the rest of the week off – and the President himself was going to be present, which was why Davis had been sent, or something…. For a minute, Mark had wondered how the hell his father and sister knew the President – Hayes had been at his Dad's service to show his sympathies – but knew they would never tell him and had dejectedly accepted the invitation, finally letting the loss of his sister sink in. They hadn't found a body but according to the Major they had good reasons to assume she was gone. He'd broken down in tears and Laura had held him until he got himself under control. Mark had been about to apologize for his behavior when he noticed the tears in the Major's eyes… the man told him he'd known Sam too and had worked with her on several occasions and that they – whoever they were – were all upset over her loss.

"Honey, are you okay?" Laura looked at the broken form of her husband.

"Yeah, I'm good," he nodded, glancing over his shoulder and gave her a small smile. "I was just thinking about Sam and Dad."

"Oh," she walked up to him, squeezed his shoulder and planted a kiss on his head. "Want to talk about it?"

"No," he shook his head, deciding he'd been dwelling long enough for today. "Did Ryan come out to help you?"

Realizing he needed a change of subject, Laura bobbed her head. "Yes, he's gone to the neighbors to help clear their path as well. I was going to make hot cocoa."

"I'd like that," Mark smiled at her and got up from the couch when the doorbell rang. "I thought he went out back?"

"Me too," she mumbled, ready to open the door for her son.

Making a dismissive wave with his hand, Mark shook his hand. "Go make the cocoa, I'll get it."

Looking through the peephole he was shocked to see the dress blues and a cap and immediately opened the door. "George!"

"Mark, I'm sorry to show up on your doorstep like this," George Hammond apologized, "but I thought this visit was done best in person, son."

"What?" he gasped, his heart beating in his throat. They had found the body!

Gesturing with his hand, George looked at the young man he'd known since he was a teenager. "Can we take this inside?"

"Of course," Mark mumbled, stepping aside and letting the old family friend inside. "What happened?"

"We found Sam-"

"Oh, God!" his knees gave out and he plopped ungraciously on the couch.

"She's alive, son," George gave him a small smile and waited for his news to sink in.

The pale face of Mark Carter finally regained some color after a few tense moments and the silence was only broken when his wife came into the living room, having heard the two men in the kitchen.

"Mark, what is going on?"

"They've found Sam," he repeated, still not completely comprehending. "She's alive."

Gasping, Laura ran to him and drew him in a hug. "Oh my! What wonderful news!"

"Wait, where is she? Why isn't she here?" Mark's brain finally kicked in. He may not be the genius in the family, but he was smart enough to realize that George Hammond was holding back. Oh God, what had happened to Sammie?

Clearing his throat, George looked at his hands before glancing up at the couple in front of him. "We found Sam and physically she is stable, but-"

"What happened?" he asked, fear gripping his heart.

"We're not sure, we don't have the details… Sam doesn't remember anything."

Swallowing, Mark nodded, processing the information. "Well, that could be a good thing, right?" He didn't want to think about what could have happened in eight months to a young, attractive woman who had been abducted by God knows who! "Where did they find her? Who found her? Wh-"

"Son, just hear me out, okay?" George looked at him, gauging his reaction, before continuing. "She was found by a recon team in the Middle East," he lied, "she has been in Colorado Springs, recovering for the past few days."

"Days? And you didn't think it was important to tell me? I want to see her!" Mark almost yelled, getting angrier by the minute. His sister had been safe for days and the AF didn't think it was necessary to tell him up until a few days before her supposed memorial service?

George winced at the accusation. He'd known Mark would react like this, he'd told Jack to tell Mark but he'd refused saying there was no use in telling him until Sam had recovered from her withdrawal and then there had been the lack of memory. The President had agreed with Jack and eventually George had offered to be the one to inform Sam's brother, even if he was officially retired. It would do no good for Mark to know the details about Sam's recovery, especially not that it had been a little bit more than a few days…. "Mark, we didn't inform you yet because her recovery was rough," he frowned. "She doesn't remember anything," George emphasized the word. "She doesn't know who she is, son, what happened or what her life looks like. That is why we didn't tell you sooner, she was very difficult to handle, didn't recognize anyone… we were hoping it was temporary but so far there has been little progress."

Fighting the tears welling up in his eyes, Mark glanced at Laura who squeezed his hand in silent support. "She didn't even ask for me?"

"I'm sorry," he shook his head. "She didn't ask for anyone nor remembered her own friends… not even her husband."

He had totally forgotten about the husband since George had come knocking on his door and Mark frowned at the mention of the man. "He went to see her?"

"Yes, he's been by her side most of the time," George explained, "but she still doesn't remember him. There are some little things she seems to remember and recognize."

Well, he couldn't really blame his sister… after all, she had only been married for a few months and how long had she known the guy, really? She'd only broken it off with Pete in October and gotten married to whatever his name is in December! "Where is she now?"

"Still in the infirmary, but the doctor is hopeful that she can be released in a few days, after which she'll go home with Jack. I haven't spoken to him yet so I don't know if they'll be staying in your father's old apartment in Colorado or if they are going to their house in DC, but I'll make sure to tell them both that you want to see her."

"What, I can't even visit her?"

Letting out a deep sigh, George rubbed his hand over his bald head. "We don't want to upset her at the moment, her state of mind is very fragile according to one of the specialists we called in."

Mark bit his tongue and tried to calm down somewhat. At least she's still alive! "I can get on the next plane to visit her, I really have to see her George… I thought she was gone, that-"

Laura hugged him closer when he broke down and rubbed his back soothingly, letting her own tears flow over her cheeks. Her and Sam had never been really close, but they got along whenever they were visiting. Maybe if they had seen more of each other they could have become good friends, but she did like her sister-in-law and the kids loved her. Mark loved her, despite their differences. She knew he'd been torn over what had happened since they had last seen each other before Sam had gone missing. He would never admit it, but she could tell. He kept blaming himself, thinking that their argument at their father's memorial service would be the last thing Sam would remember about him. She had tried telling her husband that he and his sister had been trying to make up, it had just been proven difficult with their hectic schedules. She suspected Mark would have been able to take off a couple of days to visit Sam, but her sudden and unexplained marriage had held him back. Or so she thought, he was still friends with Pete after all and their friendship had suffered under Sam's decision and Mark couldn't understand how his sister had been able to marry someone else that soon. He hadn't even met the guy! Didn't even know his name… Well, apparently it's Jack, she thought to herself, still holding her husband. "Mark."

"I understand son," George clasped the younger man's knee and squeezed it gently. "We all thought she was gone, everyone but Jack and her former team. We are all hopeful she'll remember in time, but at the moment her mind is pretty much blank when it comes to her, ah…." He rubbed his chin as he tried to think of what the specialist had called it again. "Her autobiographical memories, but there appears to be no brain damage. She still knows a heck of a lot more about physics than most of us," he chuckled softly and was glad to see Mark relax. "Look, I will give you my number and I will talk to Jack as soon as I get to Colorado," which would be in a few minutes considering Prometheus was in orbit and had beamed him over here. "I'll talk to him and the doctors and give him your number, so he can contact you, okay?"

"Sam can call me," Mark protested, not wanting to talk to some stranger he never even met.

George shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Mark, the specialist doesn't want us to put words in her mouth, I don't know if we can just tell her about you and then force her to call you. He said that forcing the issue may cause a major step backwards and possibly even damage her more."

"Oh," he nodded, understanding dawning on him. He didn't want to be responsible for that. "So, that's it? I'll just have to wait until I get a damn phone call from the brother-in-law I never even met?"

"I'll make sure he calls you soon and I, he or some of Sam's friends will update you on a daily basis, Mark."

"Janet," Sam said as a greeting when the doctor entered her room.

Janet smiled at her. "Sam, good to see you up and running. How are you feeling?"

"Good," she replied, getting up from the chair in which she'd been reading the paper and walked over to her. "You really shouldn't have to do that," she motioned towards the bed, which Janet started changing after setting a tray with lunch on the side table.

Janet simply nodded as she kept working. "I know, I have nurses for it. But it relaxes me, just don't expect me to do the entire infirmary," she winked at her friend.

Chuckling, Sam plopped down in a chair and grabbed the apple lying on the tray. The breakfast brought when she – and Jack – had been asleep hadn't looked very appetizing when she finally woke so she was feeling a bit hungry. "Janet, do you think that maybe I can leave this room today?"

"Look Sam," Janet sighed and sat down in the other chair, turning to her patient and best friend. "Even if you don't know us without your memory, I still know you; I know you're probably going stir crazy from doing nothing all day, but I can't release you just yet–"

"I know, I understand," she replied honestly. "But just let me walk around for a bit? It would be good for me to stretch my legs, right? Maybe something will jog my memory? At least let me breathe in some fresh air!"

Thinking about it, Janet had to admit she had a good point. She was even yearning for some fresh air. "Alright, I'll ask General O'Neill or Daniel to show you around, okay?"

"Thank you, Janet," Sam beamed at her. "And when can you release me?"

"Well, as I was about to explain before you interrupted me," she rolled her eyes mockingly, "I have to talk to the General about it first."

"Jack?"

Janet nodded, a slow smile creeping up her face as she remembered what she'd walked in on earlier this morning. They had almost been married for a year now but hadn't spent a lot of time together with Sam missing for almost eight months and the time they did spend together was usually in DC or Nevada, so Janet – or others at the SGC – had never really seen them be affectionate towards each other. Well, more affectionate than the frat regs would've allowed. It had warmed her heart finding two of her best friends cuddled up together. There was no doubt in her mind that Jack wouldn't object to taking Sam home with him, even if it was going to be difficult for the two of them with her missing her memory and it seemed like Sam wouldn't make an objection either, but she still had to talk to him – instruct him – before releasing Sam. "Yes, as soon as I can get a hold of him I'll talk to him about your release."

"Why would you need his permission?" Sam frowned, not liking others making her decisions for her.

"Not permission per se," she shrugged, deciding not to share her thoughts with Sam. "I need to know I can release you into his care," seeing Sam's eyes widen Janet made a vague hand gesture, "he is your husband after all. Besides, I need to instruct him on several things, make sure he can be there for you with the hours he makes…."

Hearing her voice trail off, Sam simply nodded, finally understanding. She hadn't thought about Jack… well, she had of course, but not that he'd be bringing her home – wherever that might be. Her heart started beating faster at the prospect; how would it be to have him around her 24/7? Would there be things in their house that would jog her memory? How would he behave towards her? She shifted uncomfortably in her seat as she wondered if he had certain… expectations. He'd been thoughtful, kind and nice to her for the last week, but how long would that last? What if she never remembered anything again? What had he said again… that she'd make her own memories? Whatever the hell that meant! Would that be memories without him? He'd file for a divorce and just leave her to get a new life?

"Sam? Sam, honey, what's wrong?" Janet asked as she noticed Sam's hands started to shake in her lap, her eyes focused on a vague point on the grey walls of the infirmary room. She reached out and grabbed her – very cold – hands and squeezed them slightly. "Sam?"

"What?" Snapping out of it, Sam looked in the concerned hazel eyes of the petite woman sitting across her. "I'm sorry, I was just thinking. I'm fine, what did you ask?"

Giving her a last inquiring look, she shook her head. "Nothing."

"Okay," Sam swallowed, not allowing herself to think about what if she didn't remember. Jack wouldn't just dump her like that, right? God, I don't know, she told herself, frowning slightly. She barely knew the man. Yes, he'd been sweet and supportive now, but she didn't know anything about their marriage and yet she trusted him. If he left her, what would become of her? She would have no one left. Well, Janet and Daniel seemed to like her and that other guy, Teal'c, but that was only because they knew her from before… if she didn't turn out to be the same Sam as before they didn't know her at all. No, she shook her head slightly, this is getting depressing! "So, that means I can get out of here soon?"

"Yes," Janet smiled at her and patted her hands before letting go and leaning back in her chair. "Your blood work hasn't changed much, are you taking the pills I gave you?" she asked as she grabbed the file lying next to Sam's lunch on the tray.

"Yeah, sure you betcha."