Sorry guys – the story continues.
"Jack … we need to find out what's going on. Enough with the Simpsons already." Most of the time Sam appreciated Jack's humor. There was the odd time, however, when it really annoyed her – and now was one of those times.
Looking over at Carter, he realized that he had better get back on track. It was a small breather – a little release of tension for him – but he knew she was pretty anxious and that his wandering into cartoon land wasn't helping.
"Yeah I know Sam, I'll talk to them, don't worry. So folks – we can discuss the Simpsons after all this is over – for now, please, keep explaining. Both of us are tired and have had enough.
As one, the aliens stopped their journey into earth humor and looked again towards the two humans.
"Yes, we are sorry O'Neill", said the little scholar. "We will continue – you have a right to know." The 'Professor' as Sam called him, floated over to Jack and reached out to touch him.
"Boy", thought Sam, "these aliens really have a thing about touching Jack. I'm wondering if I should start to get jealous?"
Jack glanced over at her, almost as if he knew what she was thinking.
"Don't worry, it just makes it easier to communicate", he said.
Okay – so he did know what she was thinking. That was kind of weird, although it had happened in the past, even before this whole bizarre adventure. Maybe it just proved that they did have a special connection.
Jack turned back to the alien who began to speak.
"The next trial was also one in which you had to relive much pain and we do regret that. We know that your time with Baal was another instance that has defined your life since it happened. We also know that you were never willing to share with your friends the anguish you experienced. For much of your life, O'Neill, you have walked a solitary road. You have refused to let others into your life even when they wished to help you.
This was so true, thought Sam. After they had rescued Jack, with the help of Yu's forces, he had said very little about what had happened. They knew, from his severe addiction to the sarcophagus, and from his clothes, that it had been bad. He had never said much – only a couple of jokes about 'Bocce Baal' and what a smarmy snake he was.
They all were aware that he was doing his typical Jack O'Neill trick of hiding from his feelings when they tried to reach out to him. Janet had had some success – she hadn't let him get away with it completely. She was also present during his withdrawal when he was more vulnerable, and therefore more willing to talk. But even with Janet he had been unable to completely let himself go. That was the Jack they all knew but couldn't change.
Sam realized something though. On this 'adventure' – actually since the other evening when she talked with Jack about Charlie – he had been different, more open. He had told her things, personal things, and shared his feelings more than anytime since she had known him. In fact, he had told her he was scared, in pain, and that he loved her. This was so out of character for him that it almost threw her off. The one thing, however, that kept her grounded – that was truly the Jack she knew, was his sense of humor. When things got bad you could count on him to make some sarcastic comment.
"This time", the alien continued. "you were alone. You had no one from Earth or from your team to help you defeat the enemy and to save Samantha Carter. But you knew you could not do it yourself. After all these years you have finally seen that your friends are necessary in your life. You had complete faith in them, and they were there for you, just as you have been there for them. A great man is not one who can do everything alone – a great man is one who knows when he is weak and when he needs others."
Yeah, well, this all sounded good, Jack thought – but the truth was he had known it for a long time. He had never thought he could do things alone. He knew that it was his team, his friends who were his strength. He just hadn't realized that they were with him even when not physically present. He thought he was truly alone, that they had moved on (or that he had) and were no longer part of his life. He found out today (or was it yesterday?) that that wasn't the case – they were with him always. That to him was the real learning.
With all that he had been through in the last few days, he realized that whatever happened, he had learned a vital lesson. He reached over to Sam and took her hand. Looking down at her he smiled.
"I know I need you in my life Sam."
She smiled back at him. This Jack O'Neill was one she could really, really get to like!
"Okay Professor" (all right – this was extremely weird, Sam thought – Jack was reading her mind) "what next? What was this last test about - why was I 'tempted' and did I pass or fail"?
" This was not about a temptation of power and position. We know that is not important to you O'Neill" (okay – mostly true, he thought. But, to be honest, there was a moment there when he felt like he'd won the lottery!). Whatever choice you made today would have been the right one. There was no right or wrong decision in the grand scheme of things – only a right and wrong choice for you. What is important is whether you feel you failed?"
Hard question, very hard, he thought. He felt deep in his heart that he had made the only decision he could. He knew that his life and Sam's were inextricably linked and that he could not move ahead without her at his side. But did he fail? Did he let down his world, his duty? He wasn't so sure about that one. He had lived too long giving things up for the greater good and, in fact, his decision did feel selfish.
"It was not selfish Jack. You did not fail", (okay, this was getting weird, he thought, I think Sam is reading my mind!) "The choice you made was right, not just for you or for me. It was right for the world, Jack – for the universe."
"How do you know that Sam? And what does that mean," Jack asked her.
"I don't know how. I just know it's true. When you first turned the President down I was shocked Jack. I thought you were making a huge mistake. So help me, for a second even thought you were turning your back on your duty. But you know what?
"What", he smiled?
"I felt something at that moment – a rightness, a peace. It was as if the very air around me was telling me that what you did was right, that it was the only possible answer. I don't know why but I still feel it. I believe the universe it telling me that you – or we are heading for our true destiny"
At these words the aliens began to gather together. It was almost as if a collective sigh went around the room. Suddenly, the colors started to swirl again, faster and faster. The aliens began to disappear – to dissolve.
"Hey – where are you going? What's happening? Why are you leaving?", Jack shouted. They didn't stop and soon, Jack and Sam were again alone in the room. This time the colors, the movement was so intense the two had to hold on to each other to keep from falling.
"What's happening Jack? Why did they leave?"
"I don't know Sam. Somehow your words seemed to affect them. I wish I knew what was happening."
The colors began moving faster and faster. Suddenly a piercing sound rose up from all sides of the room. The two friends collapsed in pain, writhing on the floor. It was as if every sense, every feeling was being stimulated beyond what their bodies could bear. The sights, sounds, feelings, smells – even the tastes – were too much for them to handle. Slowly, they both fell deeply unconscious, their bodies unable to handle any more.
Silence. Absolute, utter, complete silence. That is all Sam was aware of. She lay there for a moment, comforted by the lack of sound or feeling. It was as if she were cocooned in a soft, protective blanket where nothing and no one could hurt her.
"Jack", she whispered. "Jack"
No answer – only the silence.
She opened her eyes, slowly. Still she felt relaxed and at peace.
"Jack, are you here?"
Still nothing. She began to let her eyes wander, to see if she could see anything, or to see Jack. Nothing. She was in a space, she couldn't even call it a room as she could see no floors, no walls, no ceiling. It was lit, from where she couldn't tell. There was no color but it wasn't white. She couldn't quite describe what she was seeing. All she realized, however, was that she was definitely alone – no Jack anywhere.
"Hello? Can anyone hear me?" she called.
A soft presence began to fill the space. Soon a gentle voice came from … somewhere.
"Samantha Carter?"
"Yes"
"Samantha – you came on this journey of your own free will. You were not chosen but rather you have joined yourself to he who was chosen. As of yet your true journey has not begun. The choice is now yours – to continue with the Chosen One – or to make your own path. Know that once you choose you cannot go back."
"I love Jack. I want to stay with him. It's not a hard choice."
"It may be Samantha. You do not yet know what you choose. It is more than simply being with the man you love. If you decide to follow his path you will no longer be one. Already you begin the joining. Soon you will not be able to turn back."
"What do you mean, "the joining". What are you saying?" (She knew now how Jack felt about 'Mumbo Jumbo')
"You are a strong woman, Samantha Carter. You can go far as one. You will lose that chance if you continue the journey you have started. Do you want that?"
"I still don't know what you mean? Please, can't you just tell me what you're talking about? I don't … no, I won't lose Jack. He is my life."
"Watch Samantha … and choose wisely."
Suddenly, Samantha Carter was seated behind a desk. Standing in front of the desk, speaking to her was a young Air Force officer.
"General Carter, Ma'am. You wished to see me?"