Note: Because a few of you asked, I'm giving you guys another chapter tonight. Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays. :)

Changes

Chapter Fourteen: Good Different

It was morning when it came to be time to take Jack to the gate room. Jacob had arranged things with the Tok'ra at the base where the pod was, and they were all just about ready to ship out. Janet had given Jack a check-up before he was to leave, and she insisted being contacted if there were any problems, since the General wouldn't allow her to go with them. Standing at the bottom of the ramp with Daniel, Teal'c, and General Hammond behind her, Janet handed Sam an ampoule filled with sedative. "Just in case he gets overly anxious," she explained softly, concern in her dark eyes.

Sam nodded with a small, grateful smile as she tucked the ampoule away in her pack. She turned to Jack, who was standing at her side, dressed up in the familiar olive drab BDUs. It was obvious to her how tense he was, still not quite certain what was going on. He'd latched onto her arm, and her father stood at Jack's other side, a hand on his shoulder to keep the younger man steady.

Daniel and Teal'c stepped up to Jack. The archaeologist forced a smile as he patted his friend lightly on the shoulder. "Take care Jack, we'll see you soon, okay?"

"'Kay," brows furrowed a little in confusion, Jack nodded absently, his eyes flicking toward Teal'c as Daniel backed away.

Teal'c bowed his head regally and clasped Jack's arm. "My thoughts are with you, O'Neill,"

Glancing briefly up into the control room, General Hammond nodded to the technician, his gaze sweeping across the people at the bottom of the ramp who had become his family over the years. With an encouraging smile, he waved Sam, Jacob, and Jack through the gate as it activated with a kawoosh and a bright flash. "Godspeed,"

Jack had stiffened a little more as the gate activated, and Sam felt him grip her arm tighter. She gently patted his hand in an encouraging manner, then turned to look back as they started up the ramp. "We'll be back," she assured them with a steadying smile, turning once more to face the gate as they approached the event horizon. "Okay Jack," she took in a deep breath, urging him forward still. "Let's do this,"

The three were swept away into the wormhole, then a moment later the energy fizzled out and the gate shut down. Dorothy could be heard barking from where she was being held by one of the SFs in the control room. Silence descended upon the room briefly, then activity returned and Daniel, Teal'c, Janet, and Hammond were forced to turn away and continue with their duties, thoughts of their friend filtering through their minds.

-

The Tok'ra lab where the medical pod was housed was not at all what Sam expected. She thought there would have been the underground crystal tunnels she was so used to the Tok'ra having. Instead, the lab was somewhat underground, concealed inside a grassy hill. However, there was more security protecting that hill that she originally would have thought. It was entirely encased within a protective shield, in which only the Tok'ra carried remote devices to deactivate it. They didn't even have to use transportation rings, which also surprised her.

Jack had been clutching onto her arm ever since they'd gone through the stargate. Much to Sam's surprise, he hadn't thrown up when they made it to the other side, but he did look a bit queasy. She guessed it might have been due to nerves. He seemed really anxious, and as they walked with her father through the underground corridors of the maze-like base, she continued trying to convince him that everything would be okay.

Sam glanced at her father questioningly as he led them into the lab room. There was a flat, metallic table in the center of the room, surrounded on either side by what appeared to be two large, connecting consoles. One of them had a screen with some symbols of text on it, and the other had leads and wires, with another screen that seemed blank for the moment. "Is that it?"

Jacob nodded at her, guessing that it wasn't quite the 'pod' she'd been expecting. He gestured toward a Tok'ra standing beside the table. "This is Tel'vak. She'll be operating the pod for us,"

Smiling tightly at the Tok'ra, Sam gave a short, appreciative nod. "Thanks for your help,"

Surprisingly, the woman seemed very personable and friendly for the normally-reserved Tok'ra. "I am pleased to meet you, Samantha, and honored that you would accept my help. Jacob has told me much about you," she smiled warmly, her hazel eyes twinkling with genuine warmth in an oval face that was framed by wavy, shoulder-length locks of auburn hair.

Sam's eyes shifted to her father curiously for a brief moment, then she gave Jack's hand a reassuring squeeze as she felt him tense at her side. "It's okay, Jack," she soothed in a gentle voice. "She's here to help,"

Tel'vak waved a hand at the table. "If you could get him to lie down here and remove his shirt, we can begin right away."

"Sure," Sam nodded somewhat-tentatively, guiding Jack closer to the table. Now that the time had come for the procedure, she realized that she was way more nervous about putting Jack through this than she cared to admit. "Okay Jack, would you sit down for me?" she asked him gently with a smile, patting a hand on the table.

Jacob moved off toward a concealed cabinet in the corner of the room, then brought over a blanket to lay across the cold metal surface of the table. He could see Jack tensing up more as he sat and warily eyed the machines on either side of him, as well as the unfamiliar Tok'ra woman. "Sam," he began softly, waving a hand at the pack she carried. "I think you might need to give him the-"

"I know," she nodded in agreement, cutting him off. Slipping her pack off her shoulders, Sam pulled the ampoule of sedative from a side pocket and set the bag on the floor. She waited until Jack had taken his shirt off and dropped it to the floor, then held the needle out to him. Telling Jack what she was going to do before sticking him would make things a whole lot easier. She already knew that he wouldn't react well if she just injected him. "Jack, listen," she sighed, taking in a nervous breath. "I need to give you this to help you relax, alright?"

His brows furrowed slightly, eyes shifting warily to the unfamiliar Tok'ra standing close by, but he nodded, completely trusting in Sam.

Trying hard not to let her unease show, Sam slowly brought the ampoule to Jack's upper arm and injected the measured amount of sedative. She grimaced in sympathy when he flinched as the needle pierced his skin. "I'm sorry," she whispered, bringing up a hand and smoothing back his unruly hair. "Will you lay down for me now?" When Jack slowly complied, Sam took his hand and squeezed it reassuringly as Tel'vak began attaching leads and wires that connected at either of his temples and on his chest, going back to the machines. "Just close your eyes, and try to sleep," she soothed, still holding onto his hand.

When Jack was all hooked up to the machines, Tel'vak pressed a button and the equipment whirred to life. A plastic-looking shelf-like thing emerged from the machine over Jack's head and began to glow.

"I'm going to begin now," Tel'vak announced in a calm, almost-motherly voice.

Sam chewed on her lower lip and her eyes flicked hesitantly toward her father, who had moved to her side. "Is it going to hurt him?" she asked with concern.

"He may experience some discomfort," Tel'vak explained, pressing more buttons on the machine, "But the procedure is very quick, I assure you,"

Nodding, Sam looked down at Jack, gently rubbing her thumb over his hand and watching his eyes moving beneath closed lids. If the sedative hadn't been taking effect, she doubted he would have even closed his eyes. She knew the reassuring contact of her hand on his was relaxing him as well.

"Here we go," Tel'vak adjusted some knobs, then flicked another switch, and the glowing part that hovered over Jack's head began to pulse, multi-colored beams of light flickering over his face.

Sam tightened her hold on his hand as his face twisted with discomfort, chin jerking upward as his head started to thrash from side to side. Her eyes shot to her father, somewhat alarmed. "Dad, is this normal?"

He nodded slowly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay Sam, just try and keep him still," Jacob moved around the table to the other side, placing firm hands on Jack's shoulders to keep him from moving too much.

Sam kept squeezing Jack's hand, her gaze fastened suddenly on the screens of the machine that displayed readings and something in a language she couldn't determine, which suddenly made her wish Daniel was there so she'd know more of what was going on. The pulsing light slowed, and she watched Tel'vak carefully reading the monitor before switching a few more dials as the humming of the machine quieted. Suddenly, the machine seemed to be shut down, all that was left on being the screen that appeared to be taking readings from Jack's heart and brainwave patterns. Sam turned to the Tok'ra sharply. "Is it all done?"

Tel'vak nodded at her with a comforting smile. "It is,"

Realizing that Jack's hand was totally slack in her own, Sam's brows furrowed worriedly. "He's okay, right?"

The Tok'ra checked him over, reading the monitor again and then detaching leads and wires. She nodded again. "He'll rest for awhile now." Her friendly green eyes traveled over to Jacob. "We can take him somewhere more comfortable until he wakes,"

Jacob nodded, knowing what she meant. Carefully sliding his arms beneath Jack's shoulders and under his knees, the Tok'ra easily lifted the younger man. He'll be alright Jacob, came Selmak's voice inside his head. Glancing briefly at his daughter, he assured her with his eyes that he was fine taking Jack's weight, and began carrying him from the lab with Sam right by his side. I know, Jacob mentally conversed with his symbiote. But will he be any better? That's what I'm worried about.

Selmak didn't respond to his thoughts for a moment, and Jacob had to wonder at the Tok'ra's hesitance. Then he spoke again. I cannot be certain Jacob, you know this takes time. Any changes in his recovery may not seem apparent until later.

Nodding as he turned into a room, Jacob tilted his head towards his daughter as the artificial light flicked on in the room. "He can rest in here, Sam. When he's awake and feeling up to it, I'll go with you back to the SGC and you, Fraiser, and the others can monitor the changes in his condition from there,"

"Okay," Sam nodded slowly as she observed the room they'd entered. There was something of a cot in the corner, and not much else. She watched her father carefully lay Jack on the cot, still finding it a little strange that he could lift her friend with such ease, knowing that Selmak was the one that gave him the strength to do so.

Turning slightly, Sam thanked Tel'vak for all her help as the Tok'ra went to make a retreat from the room, giving them some privacy. Sitting down on the edge of the cot, she took Jack's hand again and gently smoothed back his hair.

Knowing that Sam would want to stay with Jack until he woke, Jacob didn't even bother asking his daughter if she wanted to leave him alone to rest for awhile.

-

Jack didn't wake for a few more hours, and when he finally did, Sam had snapped to alertness, having dozed off while sitting with him. She realized, suddenly, that she'd wound up laying down beside him on the narrow bed, still holding onto his hand. There was a blanket covering them, which could only have been her father's doing. Offering a tentative smile as he opened his eyes and looked at her, Sam slowly sat up, hanging her feet over the side of the bed and moving the blanket so that it still covered his bare chest.

Watching his eyelids flutter as confusion flashed across his face, Sam could tell he was disoriented. "Jack?" She hadn't really expected him to immediately show signs of improvement, because Tel'vak and her father had both assured her that changes in his condition may not be apparent right away, but she did expect something.

His brows creased even more, and Jack opened his mouth to speak, but only a croak came out. When he cleared his throat and tried again, his voice was barely audible. "I'm here,"he said slowly and softly. "I'm...here,"

Sam felt herself smile. His voice actually sounded clearer, and he seemed more confident as he spoke, but she couldn't be certain anything was really different at the moment. However, she had a strong feeling that his condition was already improved. Feeling a surge of hope, tears of joy sprung to her eyes, and she reached out a hand slowly so brush back his unruly hair. "That's good, Jack," she sniffed, feeling all choked up with emotion, "That's really good,"

His lips twisted into a crooked smile, and he dragged his free hand up to his forehead, his other still holding Sam's. Jack's eyes closed and he moaned softly. He felt a rush of memories and feelings that had been locked to him before, only emerging previously at random times, and suddenly felt overwhelmed.

"Jack?" Sam called to him with concern, squeezing his hand. "What is it? Are you okay?"

"Mm," he murmured with a slow nod. "Head...hurts... I-"

Smoothing his hair back gently again as he tried to sit up, Sam eased him back down coaxingly. "It's alright, you just rest,"

Jack shook his head slowly and went to sit up again, shoving the blanket aside. "I'm d-done..resting," he murmured, smiling a little as she gave in and helped him up. "Don't..wanna sleep..anymore,"

"Okay," Sam smiled back at him, pleased with how much he was talking to her. He already seemed a bit different than before, in a good way, and it made her hopeful and happy. Her hand moved to his bare back and began rubbing in slow, soothing circles.

With his legs hanging over the side of the bed, Jack began swinging his feet back and forth slowly. It felt good having Sam's warm hand rubbing his back, and as emotions and memories came to him, Jack felt a surge of love toward the woman at his side. He blinked, eyes clenching shut as memories of her resurfaced in his mind.

His eyebrows widened in shock as Samantha Carter yanked him away from his locker to pull him to her fiercely, claiming his lips with her own.

Cocking his head to the side, Jack studied Sam with mixed feelings of yearning and confusion.

"Jack? Are you okay?" She dropped her hand from his back and grasped his hand gently in her own, rubbing slow circles with her thumb.

His eyes clenched shut once more as another memory came to him.

Sam was there, holding his hand in that exact same way. He was pinned in the gate room, some weird alien rod pierced through his shoulder and into the wall behind him. Jack felt hot and weak. Really, really hot. And he hurt. A lot. Sam had explained something to him; a way to get him free, but it was all hazy. All he knew was that he trusted Sam, and knew she wouldn't let any harm come to him if she could help it.

Sam's eyes widened in concern as Jack started, his dark eyes snapping open as his head jerked up. She felt his hand grip hers tightly as he swung his gaze toward her. Brows furrowed in confusion as she watched him turn to look at his left shoulder, poking at it with his free hand as though he expected something to be there, or to feel something different. "Jack?" she tried again, gently.

Eyes drifting up to hers once more, Jack nodded slowly and somewhat distantly. "I'm okay..." he murmured distractedly.

Brushing a hand through his hair, Sam leaned into him and affectionately kissed his cheek. "Think you're ready to head back home now, to the SGC?"

"Yeah," his lips quirked into a hesitant smile. He started to get off the bed, but his legs felt weak and didn't want to hold him right away. Jack clutched at the bed to keep himself up, but Sam already had a good hold on him, one arm wrapped firmly about his waist.

"It's okay," she assured him quickly, helping him stand. "Just take it easy Jack, go slow. I've got you,"

"I'm fine," Jack said softly, getting his feet under him again. "I got it," he reassured her confidently, his legs feeling able to take his weight now.

He had sounded so much like his old self just then, that Sam's mouth gaped open. Then she smiled, not allowing herself to get her hopes up yet. He still had a lot of recovering to do, she knew that. The procedure he'd just had wasn't a cure-all, it was just a boost to his system to help things along. Forcing her mouth shut, she relaxed her hold on his waist, but didn't let go just yet. Together, they took a tentative step forward and slowly headed out of the room.

Jacob wasn't hard to find, having just been sitting patiently in the lab room just down the hall. He'd been going over things involving Jack's procedure with Tel'vak and another Tok'ra, but the other two were gone now. He got up from his chair and offered a smile when Sam came into the room with Jack, her arm still around his waist. "Hey, look who's up," he said cheerfully, grinning at Jack.

"Hey...J-Jake," the younger man returned the friendly greeting with a slow-spreading smile and a wave.

Eyebrows raised slightly at the surprising greeting he received, Jacob was forced to wipe the shock off his face when Selmak gave him a gentle, inward nudge. He saw the happy expression on his daughter's face, and immediately knew that things were well. "So, I suppose you two are all set to head back home?"

Sam nodded happily while Jack was being quiet. She felt him shiver, and her eyes went back to her father. "Dad, could you get Jack something to wear?"

"Oh, of course," Jacob could see the half-naked younger man trembling slightly in his daughter's arms. Finding Jack's previously discarded shirt and a blanket, he brought the items over to his daughter, handing them to her.

"Thanks," Sam smiled gratefully, then awkwardly helped Jack into his t-shirt before draping the blanket over his shoulders. "Better?" she asked Jack softly.

"Mrm-hrm," he murmured, apparently feeling less talkative again. Jack pulled the blanket tighter around himself.

Leaving Jack's side for a moment, Sam picked up her pack and other gear, grabbing Jack's jacket as well. She turned to her dad, ready to get going. Jack seemed like he was getting tired again, and figured that he'd be more compliant to rest once they were home. Janet would surely want to check him over, so they wouldn't be able to go straight to his house, though she figured if Jack stayed on base and rested in his quarters, then the doctor would examine him later and then send him home.

-

Their return to the SGC had been met with a small group of their 'family', keeping the crowd of well-wishers and concerned co-workers to a minimum. Hammond was there of course, along with Janet, Teal'c, and Daniel, who was holding back an eager Dorothy.

Jack remained at Sam's side as they descended the gate ramp, her arm hooked around his. He'd lost the blanket, and had gone through with his jacket on instead, savoring the warmth it provided. Managing a small smile for the familiar faces that greeted him, Jack slowed with Sam as they came to a stop at the bottom of the ramp.

"Welcome back," Daniel greeted his friend with a warm, welcoming grin. Janet was at his side, holding onto his arm. It was for his comfort, not her own, he knew. The archaeologist was well aware that she could tell how anxious he was, his worry for Jack not unnoticed by the doctor.

Daniel released Dorothy before she yanked his arm off, and the German Sheppard strode right up to Jack and nudged his hand with her big head before giving it a lick.

Sam stayed beside Jack as he reached down at patted the dog's head, gently scratching her behind the ears. She was surprised that Dorothy hadn't jumped on him like she had so many times whenever they returned home from somewhere, but thought that maybe Dorothy got the sense that she needed to be gentle with him right now.

With a hesitant, unsure smile, Jack's eyes flickered around to each familiar face.

Unable to hold back any longer, Daniel was the first to step forward and engulf Jack in a warm embrace, Janet following suit, along with Teal'c and even General Hammond, though in a more sedate manner.

Dorothy sat back as her owner was swamped with hugs, patiently waiting and wagging her tail. She knew these people well, and she wasn't afraid that they'd hurt him.

"I am glad you are well O'Neill," Teal'c said lowly, giving his brother-in-arms a pat on the back before removing himself from the group hug.

Slightly taken aback by the sudden embrace by everyone, Jack's eyes immediately sought out Sam until the others pulled away. Seeing their smiling, comforting faces put him ease, and he felt loved, relaxing again. This felt right.

Sam's hand went to his back, and her eyes sought out Janet's for a moment, seeking permission to get Jack out of there. It was very late now, and he was still tired from the procedure.

Janet smiled encouragingly back at her. "It's alright Sam, go on and take Jack to his quarters. I can give him the once-over later, or even tomorrow."

"Thanks," Sam sent her a tight smile in return, then nodded toward the General, sent a look toward her father, and left the gate room with her hand on Jack's lower back, guiding him.

Dorothy loped after them without hesitation, and no one stopped her.

"Jacob?" Hammond addressed the Tok'ra, "Debrief in my office?" he suggested in a quiet, kindly voice.

Jacob nodded and followed him out, smiling back at the rest of SG-1 and Dr. Fraiser.

-