"Holy shit!" Screamed Jack as he felt Shelby tap him on the shoulder. Seeing who it was he relaxed. "Jeez you scared me, don't you EVER creep up on me like that again!"

"Sorry sir." Shelby smiled sadly. "Sir, you've been sitting there for five hours. Shouldn't you go and get something to eat?"

"I'm fine Captain."

"Sir, with all due respects, if you don't have something to eat soon, you'll end up in a hospital bed with them."

"Good point." Jack stood up. "Watch them for me?" He asked. If anyone had been listening, they would have cried. Jack's voice was so sad. He had never sounded s alone, so desperate. It was heart breaking.

"Of course Sir."

Jack left and went in search of nourishment. He returned with a bowl of what appeared to be soup. Shelby stood up from the chair where a few minutes earlier, Jack had sat. Jack reclaimed his position, watching over Sam. He wasn't going to let anything else bad happen to her. He wasn't going to let her out of his sight. He was going to sit here and watch her, watch her struggling to breathe but with every breath, continue the fight to live. Even when unconscious, Sam was determined and of that, Jack was glad. He couldn't loose her. He wouldn't loose her. He placed the soup on the table and gazed at Sam while waiting for it to cool. Staring at her, willing her to get better. He was so focussed on her that he didn't see Shelby draw the knife.

*I is evil I know, but if no one suggests a better title, I'm going to be even crueller than that!*