For those that like a bit of chemistry between S&J, this bit is dedicated to you, I like the chemistry between them, but I like subtlety, more so than full on. I like the suspense of the will they won't they – hence the love for cliffhangers.

I just watched an episode of MacGyver, and guess what, he was running up a sand dune – lol.  How's that for coincidence.

Spoilers as usual from Season 2

Rating: PG

As usual Stargate is not mine, but wait till I win the lottery.

Chapter 11 – Lost for words

Jack and Jacob had never run so fast in their lives, unable to believe what Daniel had told them until they saw it for themselves. Sam was awake. They never thought in a million years that the ancient spell would work.

As they ran headlong into the structure Jack slightly faster than Jacob, he descended down the stone steps first.  Jack, in his eagerness to see Carter, tripped over his own two feet, and ended up freefalling down the last couple of steps landing on his backside.

All Jacob heard was 'bang.. bang.. thump," then a nasally whine "oooooooowwwwww, crap!"

Jacob speeding up slightly frowned as he saw Jack flat on his butt.  "Jack! You ok?"

"Do I look ok?" he asked slightly embarrassed.

"Wait till Sam hears about this!" Jacob laughed as he tried to compose himself long enough to pull Jack up off the floor.

"Jacob…you wouldn't?" Jack asked worriedly, he'd never live it down

"Can you stand?" Jacob asked holding back a smile.

"Dumb question Jacob" he stated miserably looking at his now swelling ankle.

Jacob biting his top lip, trying hard to control his laughter held out his arm and told him to use him as leverage as they hobbled the rest of the way towards Sam.

As they entered the room, hearts in their throats with anticipation, they saw Sam surrounded by her friends; both Teal'c and Daniel each holding a hand, but neither were smiling.  They both noticed that Sam was lying flat on the ground not looking at either of them, as they slowly moved forward.

Daniel was the first to spot them, "What took you guys so long?"

Jack looking slightly sheepish said, "Had a little trouble on the way."

Daniel frowned, what possible trouble could he have gotten himself into this time, he only had to get from the surface to here. "What.."

"I'll explain later." Jacob said simply waving his hand dismissively, ignoring the look the Colonel was giving him, then asking the question. "How is she?"

Both Teal'c and Jonas moved out of the way first, swiftly followed by Daniel, thereby allowing Jacob and Jack to be near her. Jacob lowering the injured Colonel gently down next to Sam, then went round to the other side of her; seeing his daughter for the first time since her return.

The two men looked at each other strangely. Something wasn't quite right; Sam hadn't even turned her head towards either of them.  Her bright sapphire eyes were glazed over slightly, just staring straight ahead; only occasionally blinking.

"Sammy, can you hear me?" Jacob asked with concern clearly evident in his voice. He took her hand in his, rubbing it ever so gently, he continued, "It's Dad Sammy. Can you speak to me?  Blink your eyes for me Sammy if you can hear me!"

Not getting any response from her, Jacob motioned for Jack to try, and with more confidence than he felt spoke softly. "Hey Sam, how ya doin."

Both men trying desperately to at least get her to acknowledge that she knew who they were. Thoughts were going through Jack's mind…this wasn't how it was supposed to be, he wasn't expecting her to be up and about, babbling on about what she'd seen in the Afterlife, but he expected…something.

With panic starting to set in, Daniel pre-empted what the pair were about to say. "She's been like that since she woke up, she hasn't said a word."

"Daniel…" Jacob asked with concern still holding Sam's hand tightly.

Daniel, shifting from foot to foot trying to find the right words. "I don't know Jacob, it might be just a case of Sam readjusting, it took me a while to get used to things when I came back."

Jack looking intently towards Daniel said his voice full of warning, "Well, how long Daniel?"

"I don't know Jack, this is all new to me to, we just have to be…" Hesitant to use the word patient to Jack, thinking he might blow another fuse.

Jack sensing what he was gonna say felt that overwhelming urge to scream, and gave him that look that said, "I warn ya, I'm gonna flip if you say it."

Trying to act as peacemaker one last time, he told them all that it might be a while before Sam recognised where she was, and that her catatonic state appeared similar to that of a waking coma.

With his eyes squinting and a slight shake of his head, he wished people would talk normal instead of using fancy words. Still puzzled he had to ask "A what?"

Daniel explained that sometimes when the body has been placed under physical stress, especially something like this, they can appear to others as if they are awake, but when in fact, they're still in a coma.

"Soooo…what, we wait, is that what your saying?" Jack enquired.

"I'm sorry Jack, but yes.  Talk to her as you would normally, discuss the weather, tell her what your hopes and dreams are. Another thing that might help is for her to be in surroundings familiar to her."

Jacob not quite believing that they had to wait a while longer, was worried that she might never return. But he had to believe that there was still a chance, he had to keep positive. He wasn't ready to give up quite yet, especially as they had come this far.

Daniel turning to Jacob asked. "Jacob, do you have a ship nearby?"

"Yes, it's only a short distance away." Jacob replied knowing where Daniel was headed agreed to go and get the ship.  He knew that this would also give Jack and Daniel a bit of space and some time alone with Sam as he had held her for most of the night. He looked at Teal'c and Jonas asking;  "Why don't you come with me?"

"Very subtle Jacob." O'Neill informed him.

With a slight smile he replied, "Thank you, I thought so." Then left with the others, leaving just Sam, Daniel and Jack.

"Um.. Jack, I'm just gonna go upstairs to get and get some um.. fresh air."

Jack just looked at him with a stoic expression. "Uh Daniel, I hate to break it to ya, but your…dead. You don't need fresh air."

Daniel smiled serenely, "Yeah I know." Then blinked out of existence once more leaving Jack muttering "subtle Danny, real subtle."

With all of them gone, Jack felt lost, hell he was never good in these situations, that's why he loved having Carter along on these missions; she was good with feelings when someone was hurt, and usually it was him.  Running his fingertips through his thinning hair, he moved closer to her, lifting her head and placing it in his lap, with his legs now fully outstretched. With Sam's arms lying closely by her side, he picked up her arm placing her hand across her chest, then very discreetly slipped his hand in hers. Strangely, he felt it very comforting holding her like this; as if it was always meant to be this way; them being together.

Sighing slightly, he didn't have a clue what to say, and for the first few minutes talked about the weather, and the fact that Daniel had returned. He hoped to see some kind of reaction, but she didn't even acknowledge him holding her hand.

Knowing that Jacob would be due back shortly, he *wanted* to tell her how much he cared, but he couldn't find the words. Stroking her hair gently, he said, "Ya know what Sam?  I've been held prisoner, shot at, tortured, nearly died god knows how many times, gone off to Alien worlds… but you are the only person I have ever met who makes me lost for words. Here we are alone, and I still can't tell ya how I feel."

He sighed inwardly, this was not gonna be easy!

It was the weirdest sensation she had ever felt, her body felt light as a feather. It was if she were floating. Not knowing if she could move or not, she tried to feel her fingers, Yep, they were definitely there. Now all she needed to do was move them ever so slightly.

Her senses started to return slowly, and the first thing she noticed was that someone was definitely here with her; she could tell that much.  It was as if someone was holding her, and whoever it was, they were very comfortable. She felt a touch going across her face and through her hair. It felt so soothing that she could almost fall asleep again, trying hard to remember if she had been asleep before. Sounds; she definitely heard someone talking. Trying to think of who the voice belonged to, she concentrated hard, but she couldn't think properly. All she felt was disorientated; she couldn't remember where she was or what had happened.

Trying not to panic, she concentrated on her breathing, thoughts now starting to come together as she tried to control her rising panic. "Good Sam…. real good, breathings good…in, out, in out." at least she knew she was alive, she just needed to let whoever was holding her know that.

Jack was exasperated with himself for being so inadequate; he knew he had to tell her. More so because Jacob knew, and knowing that when Sam did eventually come round, he *would* tell her. Not wanting it to come from him…well, would it really be that bad if Jacob told her, he mused?

 Then berating himself for being such a coward, he took a deep breath and decided that this was it!  He was just gonna blurt it out to her.  "Okey dokey Jack, you can do it…" he told himself. "…quick and fast, just like pulling off a plaster."

Still he sat in silence holding her gently. So preoccupied with his own thoughts that he hadn't realised Sam's fingers had begun to move.

 Thoughts were whirling round his brain, "Humph, no sound comin out of those lips there Jack…anytime now would be good!"

"Ok, Sam, no more stalling, I'm just gonna come out and say it!" He blurted out suddenly.

Sam, hearing his voice for the first time since she had woken up, realised that it was Colonel O'Neill.  Now she was even more confused.  What was she doing lying on the Colonel?  Nice as it was, she mused. It just didn't make sense to her. She knew that she wasn't in the infirmary, so where was she? And why did the Colonel sound so desperate?

"Sam… I've umm wanted to tell you something for a long time now.  I umm know this isn't exactly the best time to tell ya… you being unconscious an all, but, ahem, well I…umm." Jack cringed inwardly, he was babbling like a brook. No matter how hard he tried, he *just* couldn't say it out loud, and prayed that the others didn't walk in on him at this moment.

Major Samantha Carter was now thoroughly confused, she didn't have a clue about what he babbling on about, but thinking it was more important that he know she was awake, tried to speak. The first time she tried, nothing came out, but Sam was determined as she whispered "Sir."

Unfortunately it couldn't even be classed as a whisper, and taking a deep breath she tried even harder. "Sir." She couldn't believe it, he wasn't even looking at her, his eyes were darting all around the room, everywhere but on her. Sam was now well and truly frustrated.

Jack, not wanting to look at Carter, really was determined that he was gonna say it this time.  What had he got to lose…. everything and nothing he thought.

"Right!" and as he said it, he squeezed her hand a little too tightly, and she moaned in pain.

Jack not missing a beat said "Sorry Sam, guess I squeezed too hard eh!"

Then it hit him like a ton of bricks, did he hear right?  No, he must have imagined it.

Now looking directly in her eyes; movement, there was definite movement. She wasn't just staring; she was looking directly at him with a pained expression on her face. "Sam…" He asked uncertainly.

Confused and sore, she replied "Sir."

In Jack's excitement, he forgot about his dodgy ankle, and Sam's head laying on his lap, and nearly jumped up for joy. In the process nearly dropping poor Sam's head and damaging hi sore ankle further.

 "Oh my God Sam, I'm so sorry, it's just that…. you're awake? And.. your awake!" He stuttered. He just couldn't stop himself; he'd never been so pleased to hear that voice again.  He had to tell the others. Right…. noone's around, typical, he thought. Ok, get Daniel back first.  That was good, but how the hell did he do that…. yell!  Yeah that would work, and so he began shouting.

"Daniel…Daniel" where the hell are you, he thought, "Daniel!" he shouted more persistently.

"Ow, Sir. Do ya mind not shouting down my ear." She asked softly, now regaining the use of her voice.

"Ooops, sorry Carter it's just that you're…"

"Awake Sir…thank you, I got that." Then she realised who he was shouting. Daniel?  Daniel was dead though wasn't he? Seeing her confused look, Jack told her to wait and see. 

Then he appeared beside her, breathlessly she said "Daniel!"

The Colonel getting more and more excited, said "Danny, look, Carter's…."

Daniel finished the sentence for him smiling contentedly at Sam "…awake, yes I know!"

The Colonel just shook his head raising his arms up in gesture. "Isn't anyone gonna let me finish a sentence round here."

Sam, seeing Daniel right there in front of her, thought she would burst with happiness. Her smile went all the way up to hers eyes, and said. "You're back, I can't believe it?" her eyes questioned, hoping that she wasn't dreaming.

Daniel continuing to smile, said simply "I could say the same about you Sam." Seeing the confused expression on her face, he told her not worry and that he would explain later.

Jack just sat there grinning like a Cheshire cat, with her head still in his lap. She was back, and that's all he cared about.  Now that he held her and she was awake, he was never gonna let her go.

End of Chapter 11

Well I promise, we are getting near the end, probably a couple more chapters and that will be it…unless I do a sequel.  As usual all those who usually review, thank you for comments.  I really do love reading them, and get excited every time my in box say's "You Got Mail!" So please keep on reviewing.