Title: End of the line (part eight) Faith

Rating: PG-13 WARNING: CHARACTER DEATH

Spoilers: The Devil you Know, Meridian

Summary: Following on from part seven, Sam finally finds peace with an old friend. (NB: 'Divide and Conquer' never happened, Martouf is still alive!)

Disclaimer: All publicly recognisable characters and places are the property of MGM, World Gekko Corp and Double Secret productions. This piece of fan fiction was created for entertainment not monetary purposes and no infringement on copyrights or trademarks was intended. Previously unrecognised characters and places, and this story, are copyrighted to the author. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

~ End of the line part eight: Faith ~

Copyright © 2003, Ruth

**********

The trip back to Earth was not a pleasant one. Because there was no Stargate on the Tok'ra homeworld as of yet, they had to travel by ship.

Jack sat by himself looking out at the stars. The news was hard for him to take in. His 2IC, his former lover, was dying. What was worse was that it was happening fast, and she was running out of time. A tear slid slowly down his cheek as he realised that the last things he'd said to her had been unkind.

Getting to his feet, Jack walked over to the door to see if Sam was alone. He sighed when he saw that Martouf was already in the room with her. He'd been in there for ages.

**********

Martouf was crying. Sam held his hand in hers and tried to quiet him.

"It's okay," she whispered.

"I…I love you Samantha!" said Martouf, bowing his head allowing Lantash to speak.

"As do I."

Sam was stunned. It was rare for a symbiote to share the same sexual emotions as the host, and she had not been expecting it at all.

**********

Outside the door, Jack looked away, holding back more tears. Marty loved her. He was a better man than Jack would ever be. Younger, more caring, more handsome…

Stop putting yourself down.

"Daniel? Why do my friends always end up dying and leaving me?"

I count two, Jack. They don't always leave you!

"Yeah, and there's a third about ready to leave here, too."

You still have Teal'c.

"I know that, but I miss you, Daniel. I miss Charlie."

I'm still here, Jack. Anyway, I'm sure Kawalsky's kicking butt in heaven.

Jack allowed himself a small grin at the thought of Charles Kawalsky in a white dress playing a harp.

Have you spoken to her yet?

"I haven't had a chance! Marty's still in there with her."

Ask him if you can see her. She's your friend too!

"I don't deserve to be called her friend, Daniel."

Maybe not, Jack, but you are her friend. Besides, that 'don't deserve' crap is a matter of opinion. One I don't share with you!

"Okay, Daniel, I'll talk to her."

I'll be back.

"Where are you going?"

I have to speak to someone. Bye Jack.

**********

The door opened, and Martouf looked up to see Jack.

"Yes?" he asked.

"Could I speak to Sam, please?" Jack asked. "Alone," he added a moment later.

Martouf nodded, got up and walked out of the room.

Jack walked slowly over to Sam's side. He was shocked when he looked at her. Her face was pale, there were huge bags of exhaustion under her eyes and a scar across her cheek from a Jaffa staff weapon.

"Hey Carter," he said softly.

"Colonel," she smiled.

"Couldn't ya at least call me Jack?" he asked, choking back a sob.

"Jack," she corrected herself.

"Listen," said Jack, "I know I've been a real ass these past few days Sam, and I just wanted to say…I'm so sorry!"

Sam took his hand in hers and pressed it against her face.

"I forgive you!" she smiled, "And I'm sorry too. I…I said some bad things."

Jack finally allowed himself to cry.

Sam was incredibly moved by this display of emotion from her CO, and pulled him closer to her. She felt his arms move around her back and sighed deeply. She was going to miss him so badly.

Remembering what Martouf had told her, Sam took the chance to whisper in Jack's ear, "I love you."

He pulled away from her a little to look into her face.

"What about Marty?" he asked.

Sam sighed. "I….i've known you longer, Jack. I've always felt safe with you, I've…"

She got no further, because Jack placed a kiss on her lips. She returned it.

Jack looked deep into her eyes. How he was going to miss the blue shimmering eyes of his 2IC, admired by many.

Sam looked deep into his eyes, how she was going to miss the soft brown eyes of her commanding officer, the sarcasm, the jokes and the general childish behaviour.

They held each other close for many minutes. Jack didn't even notice when the door slid open and Teal'c entered.

"Teal'c," Jack said, with mild embarassment.

"I merely came to see you, Major Carter," he said.

"Come to say goodbye?" she asked.

"You do not appear to be dead yet, Major Carter," said Teal'c. Sam smiled.

"It has been an honor to serve alongside you," said Teal'c, bowing his head and placing a kiss on her forehead.

"Same to you, Teal'c," said Sam, looking up at him with tired eyes.

**********

Two hours later, they were all together in the small room where Sam lay. Her condition had deteriorated, and they knew that it was time to say goodbye. Jack still held her in his arms, oblivious to the edgy glances from Martouf.

Jacob had said his goodbyes to her earlier, and sat next to Jack with her hand in his.

"Say hi to your mom for me, kid," he said between sobs.

Sam nodded. She could feel everything growing dark around her, and squeezed Jack's hand in fear.

Suddenly, the room was filled with a bright, white light. Jack shielded his eyes, and when the glow disappeared he was relieved to see Daniel.

Daniel looked at Jack, and Jack slowly laid Sam down on the bed again. He moved away from her a little.

Daniel looked down at his dying friend in distress. There was nothing he could do to prevent this, to help her to remain on Earth, so there was only one other thing he could do.

"Jacob, with your permission, I'm gonna take Sam with me," he said.

"And Oma won't mind?" Jacob asked.

Daniel shook his head. "That is what I asked her earlier. Sam is welcome to join Oma Desala's people."

"In that case, it's okay," said Jacob.

"We will see you again, right?" asked Jack.

Daniel grinned. "Of course. After a while you might even get tired of us hanging around."

"Never," whispered Jack.

"Ok," said Daniel, "You might want to cover your eyes again."

"Bye, Sam," said Jack, "I'll see you again soon!"

"Love ya, kid," said Jacob.

"I will be seeing you again," said Teal'c, wiping a tear from his normally dry eyes.

"Goodbye, Samantha," whispered Martouf.

Daniel took her weakened body into his arms, looking down at her closed eyes. She was barely alive - he didn't have much time.

"Bye," he said.

Slowly, the room filled with a bright light again. Jack strained to keep them open as he saw his two friends enveloped in a soft white blanket of light. Then, they were gone.

I'll see you soon, Colonel…I mean Jack!

THE END

What do you think? Send feedback to jm-webmistress@fsmail.net

More stories following on from this coming soon! Check my website for updates!