Author's Note: Thank you for reviewing. I am happy to post this chapter to you guys to enjoy. If this keeps up we should be all done in no time. After this chapter there are only eight chapters left. So sit back and enjoy.
SG4ever (): Well I never said you would and thank you for understanding why I have decided to do this. Almost 250 people read the last chapter and I don't think asking for 25 of you folks to give me a quick thought about it was too much to ask. Samwin:() and Sanfan:() Thank you for your nice comments the two of you made my day.
Setbacks and Decisions
Jack watched the fight end and Sam's arrival on the dais from his position in the line of slaves. He knew as soon as Sam began to sway that she was hurt. Forgetting his place and just who he was supposed to be, Jack came forward and caught her in his arms as she collapsed.
Ignoring everyone, he assessed the seriousness of her wounds. He found the deep gash along her ribs. Grabbing a towel from the nearest slave, he pressed it to the laceration. The towel quickly turned red and he grabbed another one covering the first one and applying more pressure.
"You've grown attached to my pet, have you?" Jack looked up to find the Caesar standing over him and Sam. He chose to say nothing as he made sure the laceration was the only serious wound.
"I wonder does she care for you as much, or is it one-sided?" Caesar's finger tapped his lips as he studied Jack.
"You'd have to ask her. May I take her to her rooms? Your 'pet' needs medical attention or she will die." Jack couldn't help but hear the worry and sarcasm in his words. he was a slave and he needed to remember that or it would get him and Sam killed. He bowed his head and said, "My lord."
The Caesar's brow arched. He motioned to the guards. "Let this man take Angeles to her rooms. He may stay with her until he knows she is out of danger." Turning back to Jack, the Caesar said, "I am a benevolent God."
Not giving the snake a chance to change his mind, Jack lifted Sam in his arms carrying her into the tunnel.
He had not gone far when Anea raced up to him. "How is she?"
"She's losing a lot of blood. We need to hurry," Jack replied not pausing to allow Anea access to Sam's wound. "You can see when we get her back to her rooms."
Nodding, Anea fell into step beside Jack, terrified that now after all this she would lose her friend and her one chance for freedom.
Jack laid Sam down on her bed and stepped back, allowing Anea to see to the wound. Hovering in the doorway, Jack wished that he could help, but had no idea how.
After a few moments, the young woman called, "She will be fine." Pointing to the bathroom she instructed, "There is a green bag under the sink. Bring it to me."
Nodding, Jack headed into the bathroom and grabbed the bag. He placed it on the bed near Anea and stepped back out of the way once more. He couldn't help but feel a thread of panic surging through him. It seemed that every time they got close, the world ended or something like that. They had seen it a few times in alternate universes. Would he have to stand here watching Sam die?
From the bed Sam moaned as Anea treated the wound. Crossing to the opposite side, Jack sat down taking Sam's hand. "Shh shh.... Sam sleep. That's an order."
A slight smile crossed her lips. "Yes, Sir." And she slipped back into unconsciousness.
After what seemed like hours, but was in reality only minutes, Anea stood up. "She has lost some blood but I have closed the wound. After a good sleep, she will be fine." Holding out a packet she asked, "Can you mix this in a glass of water? I will wake her while you are gone."
Jack took the packet and headed into the bathroom.
When Jack returned, he sat down beside Sam helping her sit up as she drank. She tried to fight him, but he held the cup to her lips as he said, "Sam, drink this. It will help you heal, it's from Anea."
It was then she stopped fighting and drank. When it was all gone, Jack helped her lean back against the pillows. "What happened?"
"You passed out on the dais. I was able to carry you to your rooms. Anea treated your wounds. You will be alright," Jack said, taking her hand.
Drawing Sam's attention, Anea said, "I will bring you soup. Jack, you must stay until I return. Keep her awake until she eats," Jack nodded as Anea left the room.
Sam turned to Jack. "Are you my wish?"
"No, I caught you as you fell." He shrugged. "The Caesar allowed me to bring you to your quarters. I will have to leave as soon as the guards come. About last week. I-" He stopped, unsure what to say.
"I know, Sir. You're my superior and it shouldn't have happened. So you just want to pretend that it didn't happen." She turned her head away so he wouldn't see how much it hurt to say those words.
Jack was silent for a moment before he caught her chin turning her face to look at him. "Stop putting words in my mouth. You did that with the Za'tarc incident and I let you, but not this time. I meant what I said. I love you, Sam."
She tried to interrupt, but he put his finger on her lips taking her hand with his other one. "No, I'm going to finish this or I might never say it. I want you in my life and by my side as my wife. Whatever needs to be done when we get home I'll do it, but always starts now." He looked down at Sam unsure. "That is if you want to."
"Are you sure about this?" Her voice was full of trepidation.
"You betcha. Never been more sure about anything." He kissed her lightly on the lips.
Sam smiled her mega-watt smile. "Then yes, I will marry you Jack O'Neill."
Smiling in return, Jack bent his head and kissed her gently. "You need to rest, I'll go." He made a move to stand but Sam held on to him.
"Stay with me until I fall asleep, please." There was a noise out in the main room and Anea came back before Jack could answer.
"Can you help Sam eat this? I have told them you need to stay for a while longer. You have until she falls asleep again which will be soon. Get as much of that into her as you can." She held out a tray with bowl of soup. "It is easiest if you have her drink it right out of the bowl."
Jack bullied her into eating before he would tell her what he had learned in the last week. "So Remus plans to act before the next fight day. Do you have everything?" Jack asked, holding the bowl of soup to her lips.
She spoke between mouthfuls not knowing how much time they had together. "Yes, we do. Have Anea give you your pack before you leave. I even found you a knife. It's not as good as yours, but it will have to do. When the time comes, we'll meet you at the rendezvous point. Don't be late."
"I wouldn't miss it for the world. Remember Sam, we will get home."
"I know, Jack, I know." Her voice was slurred as she was falling back to sleep, but the smile in her voice was unmistakable. "I love you."
Allowing himself to smile in return, he brushed her cheek with his fingers. "I love you too, Sam." He removed the pillows so that she was lying down once more, and with one last look at her, he was gone.
Three days later Jack woke to the sounds of pounding feet. Someone stormed into his room yanking him from his bed. He was dragged out into the hallway and left there. Looking around, he saw the rest of the house slaves standing around speaking in hushed tones while guards pointed spears at them.
Getting to his feet, he asked, "Hey guys what's going on?"
Immediately he was shoved to the ground with a knee on his back. "Remus and all his household are traitors to their God and you will all die." The man grabbed Jack by the hair, pulling him to his feet and sent him in the direction of the rest of the slaves.
This was so not good. He had to get out of here and meet Sam, Jack thought as he came up with a plan on the fly.
He made himself stumble near one of the guards. As he went down he managed to grab a spear from him. Catching the man by surprise, Jack slammed his fist into the man's face, knocking him unconscious as the guards head connected with the wall. Using the spear, he managed to knock out a few more of the guards as he headed to the door.
He managed to avoid the slaves clogging the hallway and began to make toward the patch of daylight. It was getting closer, but a spear between his legs tripped him. Turning his fall into a roll, Jack was on his feet ready to face his attacker.
The man who tripped him was one of the captains of the guards and his smile was unkind. "Ah, a runner. Let us see what Caesar thinks of you...Maybe he will keep you alive for the arena? He does enjoy a good fight."
The man swung his spear as though it was a quarterstaff striking Jack's spear. They traded blows for a while but the guard saw an opening and kicked Jack in the gut. Doubling over in pain, Jack never saw the next blow coming. The man hit him in the face with the end of the spear.
Jack hit the ground hard. As his world fogged over, his last thoughts were for Sam. He fought to stand but the spear caught him across the face, the blackness swallowed him.
Sam was at the rendezvous point waiting for Jack. He was supposed to be here already.
As soon as the chaos in the streets began, earlier that morning, she sent Anea to find out what was happening. The girl returned a few minutes later saying that there had been a coup and the city was in panicking. The guards had left their posts earlier to either check on their families or join the looting.
People were running around unsure what to do or where to turn. The Caesar was nowhere to be found and people were gathering at the arena in hopes that they would hear from him there.
Using the pandemonium, Anea and Sam slipped out of the compound merging with the crowd until they reached the abandoned hut near the spaceport where they were to meet Jack.
It was hours later and Jack was still not here. Worried that something had happened to him, she sent Anea to Remus' compound to see if there was anyone there who knew what had happened. Looking out the window, Sam wondered if she should go after Anea now that the streets had calmed down. There were less people on the streets and less chance that she would be recognized. Angeles was a little to famous here to be walking the streets.
Pulling the hood of her cloak over her head, Sam was ready to step in the street when Anea came around the corner. Pushing Sam back inside she said, "All the Remus' slaves have been taken to the arena where they will be executed at sundown. No one knows what happened to Remus, there are rumors that he is a fallen god." Anea sighed, "Jack was among them, and he never had a chance to leave the compound before the Caesar's soldiers arrived."
Sam whirled around. "How do you know that for sure?"
"One of the guards who was there told me that they caught Remus' Lotar, even though he tried to escape." The girl wrung her hands. "What are we going to do?"
"Give me a minute. I need to think." Her mind racing, Sam thought of and discarded many ideas before she chose the one she thought might work.
A few minutes later, Sam's plan had solidified in her mind. Grabbing Anea's hand, she said, "Come, we have to return to the complex. Tell me again how I claim a mate."
How was that? More on the way tomorrow if you guys drop me a line. Thanks for all your comments. I am glad that so many of you are enjoying this story and taking the time to let me know.
There is the end of this chapter. Remember the rule. 25 reviews gets you a chapter tomorrow. I know that I am evil I did do this one on purpose but you all should be able to guess what will happen....