"...as you can see, sir, the mineral survey of SG-7 indicates a large deposit of naquada over in the Northeast Sector," said Major Hartwig, using a laser pointer to indicate the spot on a large ariel photograph projected onto the small screen in the briefing room. "Given time, it has excellent potential as a mine."

Jack, while pretending to study the folder in front of him, was only half listening. His mind was still in the Infirmary with Sam, as was his heart. He unconsciously drummed his fingers on the table with impatience. Every briefing had just increased his aggravation, and once more he found himself glancing at his watch. He's been prattling on about rocks for an hour. "Anybody or anything around that a mine would annoy? Goa'uld? Unas? Native people?"

Major Hartwig's mouth twitched with amusement. "No, sir. No traces of civilization whatsoever. Not so much as a ruin."

Come on, come on...Jack forced his common sense to override his impatience. After this briefing was done, he was going to check on Sam. That, of course, did not negate his responsibility to his officers. "What about large predators? Lions, tigers, bears?"

"Oh, my," mumbled Colonel Shanks, who looked rather bored with the proceedings. He had a mouth on him but he never missed a shot...actually his personality was similar to Jack's, which was why he'd made him the leader of SG-13.

Lieutenant Jennifer Haley, the youngest member of SG-13, shook her head. "None that the thermal imaging cameras on the UAV could pick up. SG-7 didn't report any traces of large predators, either."

It sounded too easy. Jack let his folder close and he sighed. Experience told him to be cautious...then again, they could never have too much naquada. "All right, you're clear. But SG-16 goes with you. Watch each others' backs. If everything comes back all clear in 24 hours, you can start setting up for a mine."

The team seemed satisfied with this. Major Hartwig in particular was grinning. "Thank you, sir."

"Dismissed." Jack leapt up from his chair, taking the folder with him, and strode for the spiral staircase.

"General?" called a young feminine voice from behind. It was Lt. Haley.

"Lt. Haley?" Jack bit his lips with annoyance and looked again at his watch. "Something you forgot?"

"No, sir. I realize you're in a hurry, but I had to ask about Colonel Carter." The young blond grimaced. Sam had introduced her to the Stargate program in the first place. "How's she doing?"

Jack sighed and shrugged. "No change."

Lt. Haley nodded sadly. "Well, tell her everyone's pulling for her."

Jack's mouth threatened to twitch into a smile. She's a good kid. "I'll tell her." After saluting the young lady, he headed back toward the stairs.

As soon as it has begun, it's over. The Ancient weapon has worked. The light around the chair fades, and Jack goes limp. Sam hurries over to him. "Sir?" Jack doesn't move. "Sir!" She puts her hand under his jaw, worry rising. He can't die...not now. "His pulse is erractic," she reports to Teal'c and Daniel. She turns back to Jack. "Don't you dare leave us now. We won." Nothing. Her hand moves to hold his lower jaw tightly. "Colonel!"

Jack's eyes are only half open. His jaw moves slowly, as if he's trying to speak but can't find the strength.

Sam's heart breaks with each passing moment. Her throat closes. "Please...Jack..."

He says something that sounds similar to the Latin word for 'sleep', and Daniel mentions the hibernation device they saw earlier. Gently Teal'c gathers the lifeless Colonel in his arms and carries him over to the tall device. It looked far too much like a coffin. Jack stands there, almost held in by magnetism as the blue lights come on. Sg-1 looks on in sadness.

"Now, what?" Sam wants to know.

"Aveo...ama cus..." breathes Jack. The others look at Daniel for a translation. Daniel's face is drawn as he stares at his friend, and translates 'goodbye'. The lights on the device brighten, and Jack in enclosed in what looks like ice.

Sam's heart is crying out against this fate. It's not fair...he just saved the planet and the thanks he gets is lying in there forever? She blinks hard and protests this treatment. "We can't just leave him like this. There has to be a way to reverse the process...the answer has to be here somewhere."

But Daniel says there isn't...this place isn't Atlantis. It's too small to be a lost city. Where is it? No one has the answer.

Blue eyes misting with emotion, Sam approaches the 'ice/glass' and presses her hand against it. All else fades away in that moment. The rest of the planet...her teammates...even Pete.

So it isn't just an attraction or emotional closeness Sam feels. For the first time, she realizes what she's been feeling for Jack for the past four years, as much as she's tried to deny it. The truth is crushing.

She loves him...and she may never get to tell him...

Jack was not surprised to see both Daniel and Teal'c sitting by Sam's beside when he entered the Infirmary, nor were they surprised to see him. The men were united in their concern for one they all cared about very deeply.

Daniel rose from the chair he'd been sitting in to give Jack a turn. "No change," he said unnecessarily. "She was dreaming a minute ago..."

Remembering what one of the dreams had done to her, Jack's head snapped around to check the heart monitor. His relief showed when he saw that it was 60 BPM. Atta girl, Carter. Fight it. He turned back to gaze on her. Something about her was different. But what was it? She was still asleep, but...

That was it. Her facial expression was different. Instead of the usual look she had while sleeping, Sam's face had scrunched into a slight grimace. She must have been feeling the pain, even in her sleep.

Aw, Sam...Jack sighed heavily, staring at the clean white sheets. With everything in him he wished he could take her place. This feeling redoubled upon seeing some kind of moisture emerging from under Sam's eyelids and sliding down her cheeks.

"She's crying," Daniel said softly, his own voice close to breaking.

Jack closed his eyes at the confirmation and vigorously fought the sting in his own eyes, intensifying with every second he didn't shed tears. When his eyes opened, he sniffed and reached for Sam's hand. Wake up, Sam. Wake up...I love you.