In case you were wondering, I don't write Jack/Sam romance stuff. They are good friends yes, but I try to stick to the show, which means any romance stuff is out the plot. Sorry to disappoint
Jack stared at the spot their captor had stood a few seconds previously. Then without looking at his team-mates, he stepped forward and hit the wall as hard as he could. Then again, and again. He'd carry on till the wall was dust and himself with it. He would not be the cause of his teams' death. Never. He slammed his fist into the wall, almost enjoying the pain it caused. He pulled back to attack again, when a dark hand clasped round his wrist stopping him. His friend's intention was comfort, but Jack didn't want to be comforted. How could he be consoled by those he was sentencing to death? He pulled his arm away from Teal'c and sank against the wall, his eyes shut. He heard them moving away, of course they were. They wouldn't want to spend their last moments near him. Not when they spent them because of him.
At a signal from Major Carter, Teal'c stepped back. He understood O'Neill's despair. Had he not felt the same when directing his team-mates to their fate? It would be worse for O'Neill, Teal'c had had hope his friends would return. But from this, there would be no coming back. Teal'c was ready to accept his fate, but he feared O'Neill would not. Looking at the solemn faces of his comrades, he knew they felt the same. Of course O'Neill would not merely be watching them die, he would have to kill them after watching them suffer first. Teal'c could think of no worse fate. He was almost glad he was to die.
At the furthest point from O'Neill they could reach, Teal'c stood with his two friends, waiting for one of them to speak. After a few seconds, Daniel Jackson sighed, "What are we going to do?"
Major Carter shook her head, hopelessness evident in her eyes, "I don't know what we can do Daniel." Her gazed flickered towards the back of the cell, "Except try to make this as easy on the Colonel as possible."
"You can't see any other way?" Their friend shook her head,
"I don't think so Daniel." She replied softly. The anguish on their faces was almost too much for Teal'c to bear. But he had to speak; "We could attempt to endure the discomfort inflicted upon us in hope of a rescue." His companions exchanged sad smiles.
"I think it might be a little hard to just 'grin and bear it' this time Teal'c." Daniel Jackson responded humorlessly.
"The worst pain we've ever felt." Major Carter echoed her face grim.
"And I don't think that means a slight headache for any of us." Daniel Jackson said morosely. "Besides, I doubt a rescue is possible. She had no problems stopping Jack earlier. With her powers, I doubt the whole SGC could get us out of here. At least this way, Jack will survive."
Major Carter sighed, "That's the problem Daniel. I'm not sure he will."
"You're not?"
"Major Carter has a point, Daniel Jackson." Teal'c intervened. "O'Neill has a deep sense of honour. I am not sure he will be able to live with himself after our demise."
"You can't be suggesting-"
"I'm just saying Daniel." Major Carter's face was fearful, but set. "There may be no hope for us anymore, but if the Colonel has a chance at getting out of here alive, we have to make sure he takes it."
Daniel Jackson nodded, resolute now. Teal'c bowed his head. Their friend would survive. Whatever it took.
Jack, still sitting against the wall, heard rather than saw his team return. He forced himself to open his eyes, to look in the face those he would hurt. They'd been about five minutes, so a few minutes left before it began. He was surprised a little when Carter kneeled down in front of him, Daniel and Teal'c next to her. It was his 2IC that spoke first.
"Sir, we've been talking." Yeah I didn't notice Carter. "And we understand what will happen to us, what you'll have to do-" Her voice wavered a little, then returned, a little stronger, "What you will do, for us." Jack forced himself to look directly at her. "And we want you to know, none of us want you to pay for this. You told me remember, it's not our fault. And if you dare-" she caught herself, "if you think punishing yourself for our deaths will somehow make them worthwhile, your wrong. Nothing could lay a greater insult to our memories." Jack began to shake his head, didn't they understand? He was being told to kill them? His 2IC turned away, frustrated, but Teal'c spoke next.
"O'Neill if we are to die for your life, we consider our deaths worthwhile. But if you destroy yourself rather than live on, you do indeed, dishonor our sacrifice!" Teal'c voice was harsh, intense, but no where near as fierce as his eyes, which were fixed upon his. "You will complete this challenge O'Neill. You will return to earth and tell others what happened here, and you shall continue to fight the Goa'uld in our name. If you do not do this, you have failed us." The Jaffa paused, a hand on Jack's shoulder now. "Do you understand O'Neill?"
Jack stared at Teal'c, trying to say something. How could he answer that?
"Jack", Teal'c sat back, Daniel wanted to say something. Please Daniel, just don't forgive me.
"Jack, do you remember the first mission to Abydos?" Of course I do Daniel, it's not exactly something I'd forget. "You were depressed, suicidal even. You'd lost someone you cared deeply about. You thought life wasn't worth living anymore." Every word stung like a knife. God Daniel I don't need to hear this. "My point is you got through it Jack. You got through and saved a lot of innocent people. And whatever happens to us, you can do the same again." Daniel's eyes sparked with a strange vigor in the dimness. Blue and furious. "And you will Jack, because not one of us wants you to die for us, or because of us. If we die now, we die knowing you're saved, not with your blood on our hands." They were all looking at him now; they wanted an answer, an assurance. "Jack don't throw away your life to spite some god-damn alien, please." Almost a plea now. Jack turned to meet the eyes of each of his friends, his team. Together, one last time.
He stood, they rose with him, and he plastered a casual, devil-may-care look upon his face.
He spoke lightly, but the force behind the words scared even him. "If this is the final outing of SG1, we'll go out with a bang that makes the whole blasted galaxy light up." They smiled, a little sadly. He put a hand to Daniel's shoulder, "And I will never forgot any of you. Not for a single day." He turned to face the door of the cell, "In the words of an absent friend, let's further antagonize them, once more for the memories." He felt his team gathering round him, as a flash lit the chamber once more.