Title: "Everything"
Song by Lifehouse-love the lyrics to this song very appropriate
Sequel to: "Here without you"
Disclaimer: in part 1
It had been 48 hours since my life had come to a stand still. We were no closer to finding them then we were when we found out they had been captured. Jacob was blaming himself for not going with his instinct about not trusting Vahe', and that he should have put up more of a fight with the council when they had assigned him to the base. He had only been with the Tok'ra for 6 months, but he had proven himself worthy in the eyes of the council. Ferretti was healing nicely. Having gotten rid of his cast, and despite Doc's objections, he had volunteered to go back to the planet with his team in hopes of finding a clue as to were they had gone. I went along, wanting to know anything they found out.
The base was in shambles. The buildings were destroyed and bodies were strewn everywhere. We started to flag the dead and all but had given up hope of finding anyone alive, until we found some of the Tok'ra had survived and had been living in the mountains away from the base. Anise was among them. Ferretti had told me that Vahe' had shot her point blank and feared she was dead. She was unconscious and her symbiote had been working overtime. We checked the gate and knew without a DHD, we were not going anywhere. Ferretti started to gather the survivor's and I went back to where the attack had occurred. I found Sam's laptop. It had been destroyed by a staff blast. I also found Teal'c's pack. He must have taken it off to give him more mobility. Moving it to the side, I saw something green and moved the pack to see what it was. Underneath was a cap. I picked it up and knew it was Sam's. She had started wearing a cap off world in my honor, saying all SG-1 CO's wear baseball caps and that she was just keeping the tradition alive. I held it close to me and closed my eyes. I heard a noise by the entrance and put the cap in my jacket. I picked up Teal'c's pack and went in search of Ferretti.
We went back to the ship and headed for the planet we had come from to use the Stargate. We had no time to lose. We had to locate Ba'al's new prison. We were coming up with no leads. It was getting frustrating. He could not have disappeared; someone had to know where he was hiding out. We arrived at the Stargate and Ferretti radioed ahead, letting the General know we had survivors and that a medical team should be on stand by. We walked through and were greeted by Jacob, General Hammond and one of the Tok'ra councilmen. We gave them a brief recap on what we had found.
Jacob said that he had gotten in contact with some of the others that had escaped and had told them of the deception of Vahe'. The Council was enraged and were willing to give the Tok'ra's full support in locating Sam and Teal'c.
I snapped and said if the council had paid closer attention to the people they recruited, then none of this would be happening. I would have Sam here preparing for our wedding instead of God knows where, being tortured by Ba'al.
I left without looking back. I had been on edge and the Tok'ra's promise came a little to late for me. Why were we still dealing with these people? God, if Jacob wasn't one of them, I'd suggest we severe our ties with them since they were more trouble then they were worth.
I went to the infirmary. I wanted to check on Daniel and get my post check up over with. Janet was there and looked up with hope, but I just shook my head.
She started to check my pressure and asked when the last time was that I had slept. I shot back and asked her the same thing. She smiled and said that she wasn't out there going through the Gate putting others in danger. I apologized and told her it had been a while. She said she wouldn't let me go through the Gate unless I ate something and got some sleep. I tried to change the subject and asked how Daniel was.
She said he was stable and the burn was healing nicely, thanks to Jacob, and the swelling in his brain was decreasing. He still hadn't regain consciousness, but that was necessary for the body to heal itself. I nodded and asked if she was done. I wanted to go see him. She said that she was and that Cassie was sitting with him. She had been frantic when she had found out that he had been hurt and that Sam and Teal'c were missing.
I walked over towards Daniel's bedside and saw Cassie whispering something to Daniel. She could not see me, but I could tell by the way her shoulders were moving, she was trying not to cry. I put my hand on her shoulder and she turned around and let out a cry, grabbing onto me. I hugged her back and she asked over and over again if this was a dream.
"Uncle Jack, this was supposed to be the happiest time in our lives. You and Sam were supposed to get married and have kids and Daniel was going to propose to Mom. And they'd have kids. I was going to be a big sister and Teal'c a big brother, and we all would live happily ever after."
It all sounded so simple from the mouth of babes. Life hadn't beaten her down as much as the rest of us. We knew how cruel life could be and we try to shelter those like Cassie to the harsh realities of life. I wiped her tears and told her what she wanted to hear, that everything would be alright, that I would find Sam and Teal'c. She then asked how I was. I told her good, and I had just come to check on Daniel. I told her that since she was here, I knew he was in good hands. I left her and went in search of a quiet room.
I always end up in her lab. The lights are off and just the dim light of her computer is on. I sit on the bed she has in here. I rummage under the pillow and find the sweater I had taken from her locker. It still holds her scent and I lay down, holding onto it. I tried to remember the last time she had on this sweater.
It was a couple of weeks ago when the plans for the wedding weren't taking up so much of her time. I had been having a bad day with conference calls to Washington about the new base and not getting the correct figures I needed. She came looking for me in my office and heard me yelling some choice words and then slam the phone. She came up to me and asked if I was having a bad day.
Being my sarcastic self, I yelled at her "you think?" She stepped back and said she was leaving early. I shot back, "That's a switch! No new toys to play with that needs Carter's special attention?" She snapped back and said she forgave me for being such an ass and she understood the pressure I was under getting this new base put together, but it didn't give me the right to vent all my anger on her. With that, she left my office. I groaned and knew she was right. I was letting this get to me, and this was just the preliminary step before the first draft was even made up. I was about to go after her when I saw her sweater on the stool by my desk. She must have forgotten it. I ran up to the elevator and just missed it. I went to the stairs and started to climb, ignoring the pain in my knees. I made it to the checkpoint just as she was signing out. I came up behind her, signed out and took her hand and headed for the elevator. She was still angry, but her curiosity overtook her.
"You ran up the stairs to catch me?"
I handed her the sweater and she made an "oh" sound and looked up at me, saying that she appreciated it, but that she was still mad at me. I told her I knew that, but if she could find it in her heart to forget my grumpiness, I would make it up to her. The elevator opened up and we both walked to the last checkpoint and both signed out. I walked her to her car and leaned her against it and started to kiss her behind her ear. She put her arms around me and said she'd wait up for me. I smiled and she kissed me and said not to stay too long.
Everything went smoothly after I went back down into the mountain. The correct figures were on my desk and I got it finished in record time. I printed up my report and left a copy for the General and headed home.
Arriving at home, I called out to Sam. When there wasn't an answer, I went to the kitchen. There was a pizza on the stove and my favorite beer chilling in the fridge. The woman was a saint and I didn't deserve her. I went in search of Saint Sam and didn't find her in the house. I stepped outside and heard a noise coming from my roof. I walked up the ladder and was surprised by what she was doing. She had what I called her girlie stuff out. She had her foot massager and had her feet soaking in them and she was reading a book. It was still light out, so she was surprised to see me.
"Hey grouchy! You're home early. I thought you had work to do?"
I came over and sat by her gave her a long and seductive kiss that made her moan. I told her that I had finished earlier and I was up here to make up. She giggled and took her feet out of the tub. I stopped and took the towel and started to dry them and give her a foot massage. She closed her eyes and said I did that so well. I said there are a lot of things that I do well and asked if she wanted a demonstration. She nodded yes and I pulled her off the room and to our bedroom.
After my demonstration, we laid in bed. I had my head on her chest, telling her I wanted to hear her heart. I said that someone so beautiful in mind and soul must have a different beat. She chuckled and I could hear that sound echo in her chest. I wrapped my arms around her and started to sing what I was feeling.
Find me here,
won't speak to me
I want to feel you
I need to hear you
You are the light that's leading me
To the place where I find peace again
You are the strength
that keeps me walking
You are the hope that keeps me trusting
You are the light to my soul you are my purpose
You're everything
And how can I stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me
How could it be any better than this
Yeah
You calm the storms
you give me rest
You hold me in your hands
you won't let me fall
You still my heart
and you take my breath away
Would you take me in
would you take me deeper now
And how can I stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me How could it be
any better than this
And how can I stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me How could it be
any better than this
'cause you're all I want
you're all I need
you're everything everything
' cause you're all I want you're all I need
you're everything everything
'cause you're all I want
you're all I need you're everything everything
'cause you're all I want
you're all I need you're everything everything
And how can I stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me
How could it be any better than this
And how can I stand here with you
And not be moved by you
I looked up to find tears running down her face. I reached up and wiped them away and she held my hand and kissed my palm, saying that if she didn't have such a great song to top that one, she'd give up right then and there. She loved it and asked if that was what I felt. I put my head on her stomach and nodded yes. She wrapped her hands around me and started to stroke my hair.
The memory was still fresh in my mind. I held onto the sweater and turned on my side and finally gave into the exhaustion that claimed me, hoping the nightmares of losing her wouldn't come back to rob me of my sleep.
Someone was shaking me awake and I turned to find Jacob. I sat up and wiped my face and asked him how long I had been out. He sat next to me and held out a sandwich and a cup of coffee and said a few hours. I took the coffee and waved the sandwich away. He nodded no and said it was doctor's orders.
I started to eat and Jacob updated me on what had been happening.
Master Bra'tac had returned to the Rebel Jaffa base to spread the word that Teal'c had been captured by Ba'al, and that everyone's help was needed to locate him and Colonel Carter. Word had returned to the SGC that Bra'tac might have found the planet they were being held at but was waiting for confirmation. I nodded to Jacob and told him that was the best news we had heard in a long time. Jacob smiled it was the first one in a long time. The klaxons suddenly went off and we ran to the Gate room. We were met there by Ferretti and General Hammond as we waited to see who would appear.
It was Arla, a Tok'ra operative, with news for Jacob.
"Jacob, we have great news. We located Ba'al's prison and we have two operatives working in the prison, one of which works closely with Ba'al. They got in contact with us to let us know that Colonel Carter and Teal'c had been brought there.
I asked what I knew was on Jacob's mind. "Arla, are they alive?"
She turned to me and said that the only information she was given was the location of the planet, a rough outline of the prison, and that Colonel Carter and Teal'c were being held there. I nodded and looked at General Hammond, asking if we could get the information that Arla had brought set up and ready for briefing in 30 minutes. He agreed, hopeful that Bray'tac would return with more good news. I told him I'd go and let Janet know.
She was alive. I knew it in my heart that she was not dead. I felt it my whole being. I made it to the infirmary and heard Janet talking to Julia. She saw me come in and told her that she would relay all the messages to everyone, and as soon as she knew something, she would let her know. She then said, "Pray Julia. You've taken on this burden of contacting everyone, postponing this wedding till we get Sam back. Praying is all any of us can do right now. Thank you, and I know Jack would say the same thing if he could. Yes Julia, I'll give Jacob your message."
She hung up and waited for me to speak. I told her the news that had been delivered by the Tok'ra and could see the relief in her face. She pulled me into an embrace and heard her say that if anyone could bring her back, it would be me. She said she wished she could come along, but Hammond had already said that she was needed at the SGC. And she also knew that with Daniel still not out of the woods, she would be more of a hindrance then a help to anyone. I told her about the briefing and she said she would be there. We went to tell Cassie and were almost bowled over by her running over to us.
"Mom, its Daniel! He moved his hand and I think he was trying to open his eyes."
Janet pushed Cassie aside and went to check on Daniel. We followed behind and could see Janet talking to him, telling him he had a tube down his throat and that she was going to remove it. He nodded and when she told him to breathe out, she removed the tube. Dr. Warner came in to check out his patient and was informed by Cassie that he was awake. He started to check the monitors and his vital signs.
I stood to the side and caught Daniel looking at me. He grabbed Janet's hand and motioned her closer. He whispered to her and she grabbed the pitcher of water and poured him some. Daniel was still looking at me and called out to me.
I came closer and smiled, asking how he was feeling.
"Jack!" Sam...Teal'c; we left them. Vahe's a spy...ambush...need to go and find them. Ferretti saved me. Where are they?"
Janet tried to calm Daniel down, telling him everything was being taken care of. Daniel shrugged her hand off and grabbed my hand. He started to cough and in a whispered tone, he continued to speak.
"Jack, tell me the truth? Where are they? I remember everything. Sam ordering us to the ship, me getting hit Vahe's betrayal. How long have I've been out? Vahe' was working for Ba'al...so he must have them. I have to help. Jack please tell them I need to go with you."
I told Daniel that he wasn't going anywhere and that he wasn't out of the woods yet. He needed to get better for all our sakes, especially Janet and Cassie's. I told him we had found Ba'al's new prison and we would be launching a rescue mission. It seemed to calm him down and I let go of his hand. He looked at me with sadness in his eyes.
"You'll find her, Jack, I know you will. Teal'c will keep her safe till you do. He'd give his life for her, as would anybody else on this base. Come see me before you leave, and if there's anything you need translated or anything.."
I smiled and told him I'd see him before I left. I told Janet that I'd let Hammond know that Daniel had woken up. I knew she wouldn't be going to the meeting now, and I understood.
"No Sir," she said. "I won't be missing the meeting. I will be there. I want to help, and now that Daniel's on the mend, I might be needed elsewhere. I will volunteer to go. She's my best friend and Teal'c is the closest thing I have to a brother."
I told her I'd meet her there, that I needed to get something from my room. Cassie gave me a hug and said she'd keep Daniel company while we were at the briefing.
I went to Sam's lab and found the picture of us and put it in my breast pocket. I sent out a silent prayer and whispered to the empty room. "Please hold on Sam. I can't lose you, not now, not after all we've been through. Fight him, Sam. You're strong. Please...you know I'd never let you down. Please Teal'c, protect her, keep her safe."
I made it to the briefing room and it was standing room only. I was surprised to see so many SG teams here for the briefing. Janet was talking to Ferretti and I could tell he had just gotten the news about Daniel. Jacob motioned me to sit next to him. General Hammond came in and motioned to Sgt. Davis to hand out the information that Arla had brought back. When everyone had one, General Hammond stood up and spoke.
"I understand you all would like to help in this mission, but I cannot authorize so many teams. I am proud to work at a place that values each person as part of a family because that is what we are here. I know this has been a rough couple of days, more for some then others, but we will do everything in our power to bring our people home."
Hammond looked at me. "No one gets left behind". Everyone agreed and the briefing started. Arla showed the rough blueprints of the base and gave an estimation on how many prisoners were being held there and how many guards were on duty and at what times. It didn't look good. It was nearly impossible to break in let alone get out.
I was about to ask a question when the Klaxon's started to go off. Everyone cleared out and headed for the Gateroom. It was Sgt. Davis who informed us that it was Master Bra'tac. He came down the ramp and straight to me and said he had found the planet and had gained access to the plans of the prison. He handed me a crystal that held all the information. I handed it to Jacob, who explained that the Tok'ra had also obtained the location of the planet, but only a rough sketch of the prison. Bra'tac said these were the actual plans of the prison and he also knew exactly how many guards were stationed there and the times each shift ended.
"O'Neill, we have Rebel Jaffa on the planet waiting for us. They were there to free some of our men when they saw Teal'c and Colonel Carter. I have verified that they are very much alive, at least since the last time I spoke to my source. We must leave at once. Time is of the essence."
I grabbed his shoulders and gave him a squeeze. Janet let out a cry and came up to me and gave me a hug. Over her shoulder, I asked General Hammond what I'd been longing to. "Permission to go with Master Bra'tac to retrieve my bride?"
Jacob smiled. "Permission granted," General Hammond said. "Now go bring them back. We have wedding to attend."