'S is for...' Series

By Sam I Am –

Rating: PG-13 (can't honestly be more than that)

Warnings: Sam/Jack (that's a warning for anyone who don't like that) also Daniel/Janet, but not in great detail. Violence (not a lot and not that bad!), slight language!

Category: Sam/Jack Romance, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Drama. (If there's anything I missed out someone tell me!)

Spoilers: Bits and Bobs from Seasons 1-4!

Time frame: About Season 4!

Summary: S is for... Selfless Sacrifice - ­While visiting a planet, Jack is accused of stealing a valuable weapon belonging to the planet's people. When he is sentenced to death, the rest of SG-1 have to struggle to get him free.

S is for... Secrets Shown – Jack learns to live with his disability and finally gets the one thing that makes him happy... But not before having an unfortunate encounter with an old 'acquaintance', the O'Neills and Mark Carter!

S is for... Second Sight - What happens when the nightmare ends? The final (and shortest!) part. Every S/J shipper's dream comes true! Sam gets her own back on Kinsey or more precisely his son and we see a few familiar faces. And, finally, they all live Happily Ever After!

Disclaimer: Stargate SG-1 and its characters are the property of Showtime / Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. No copyright infringement is intended. No money is being made. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author. Not to be archived without permission. If you want to archive my story TELL ME, or, to borrow a phrase from our beloved Colonel, I am SO gonna kick your ass!

Author's Notes: My longest story yet and it's quite a biggy! It's taken me a year or two to write it and I've just kept adding bits of detail here and there for ages so it's taken a LONG time. I hope it was well worth it. If you have any comments on the story or just feel like being nice to me, send me some FEEDBACK. I'd really appreciate it.

Dedications: As always to my Best pal/Editor. If there was an award for patience you would be an Olympic competitor! Honestly, how you manage to put up with me I can't even begin to understand. Love you Baby! Also to my other Best Pal, Yasmino! You are fabulouso, Honey. Always keeping me company during the lonely summer holidays (and if the truth was to be known, preventing me from writing my fics, but your company was needed all the same!) To anyone who's sent me feedback so far. It was nice to get some support from you guys. And finally, to any sci-fi geek that's out there! Live long and prosper!

Abracadabra... S is for... Second Sight!

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S is for... Second Sight

4 months later

"Jack...? Jack! Teal'c, he's not waking up..."

"O'Neill, it is essential that you wake up IMMEDIATELY!"

Jack sat up straight with shock as the person he was too tired to identify, bellowed in his ear. He spoke dozily, "What?"

He felt hands on both his shoulders shaking him and heard a voice he recognised say, "Jack, you're getting married in 5 hours!"

Jack tried to rub the sleep from his eyes as he yawned, "What?"

Another deeper voice he recognised said loudly and clearly, "It is today that you are to marry Major Carter, O'Neill. I believe her brother and Jacob Carter would be most irritated if you were absent at the ceremony!"

When the words registered with his brain, Jack jumped. His eyes were wide as he yelled, "WHAT! Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God!"

The voice he now recognised as Daniel's chuckled, "I think he's taking it well!"

"Indeed," replied the other voice of Teal'c, sounding pretty amused!

"What's the time?" Jack said still in a panicky frenzy.

Daniel squeezed the man's shoulder gently, "Relax, Jack. You have 5 hours; it's just gone 9am."

Jack took a deep breath and let out a small sigh, "OK."

Daniel's responsibility as Best man surprisingly kept him calm in the knowledge he was 'in control'. He spoke gently, "Breakfast is downstairs and once you've eaten you can get changed..."

Jack's face suddenly went very pale as he whispered, "God, I'm getting married..."

Daniel continued speaking, not even hearing Jack's whisper, "Jacob said he'd drop in later just to see how you were doing. We're gonna eat some lunch at about 12:30 and then your brother, Darren, is driving us down to the church at 1..."

"I'm marrying Sam..."

"...but of course Sam won't be there as it's tradition for the Bride, that's Sam, to make the Groom, that's you, wait and think you've been rejected, so Jacob's leaving here at 1:10 to go with her in their limo..."

"Daniel..."

"Janet called me at 8 saying they were all off to get pampered at a salon and that Sam woke them all up this morning at 5am, like a kid at Christmas...!"

"Daniel!"

Daniel looked at Jack when he raised his voice, "What?"

The green pallor of Jack's face spoke volumes, "I... I think breakfast is a bad idea. And lunch. In fact, anything other than water is a bad idea."

Teal'c spoke smiling knowingly, "Are you apprehensive, O'Neill?"

Jack looked up at his alien friend as he spoke his voice quiet, "Teal'c, I am marrying the most wonderful woman I think I've ever met. I'm blind, old and not good enough for her. God, no-one is good enough for Sam...!" He sighed and then let out a nervous laugh, "Wouldn't you be slightly apprehensive?"

Teal'c spoke kindly, "Indeed, during my marriage to Drey'ac, a ceremony that lasts for over 2 months on Chulak, I was extremely agitated as I was not allowed to see Drey'ac during this period. I believe that you have it unproblematic!"

"Teal'c, the phrase is 'You have it easy', not 'You have it unproblematic!'" Daniel chuckled and then spoke comfortingly to Jack, "And anyway, Jack, like I said before, Janet called this morning. Sam woke them up at 5 this morning absolutely, and I quote, 'bouncing off the walls with excitement and grinning like some kind of psychotic children's TV presenter!' Janet says she's never seen Sam like that before," Daniel chuckled, "Anyway, after an hour or so of 'bouncing' Sam suddenly became nervous as hell, like you, wondering if you were going to show, worrying that she'd end up a jilted bride!"

"She... She thinks I'd... just leave her standing at the Altar?!?" Jack said in shock.

Teal'c spoke, "It appears that your fears of Major Carter not loving you as much as you are in love with her are incorrect."

"Teal'c's right," Daniel said with a smile, "Sam loves you. Loves you enough to be scared that you'll leave her."

A small smile came to Jack's face as he murmured, "I guess you're right."

"Good," Daniel said, suddenly getting back into Best man mode, "Now get up! We need to start getting ready!"

Jack almost sprang out of bed although this caused his to wobble precariously before his friend's led him downstairs for food although Jack didn't go anywhere near it and just sipped a glass of water, silently sifting through his thoughts.

He was marrying Samantha Carter...! He was marrying Samantha Carter...!

"Jack? You OK?"

Jack's voice was strangely high-pitched as he mumbled, "Yeah. Sure. You betcha."

"I believe you are giving false testimony!"

"No, I am. Really," Jack began to grin, "I'm getting married."

"I had observed this fact, O'Neill," Teal'c said smiling, but with an evil tone, Jack couldn't understand, "I have also observed that the time has just gone 10am and that Jacob Carter is due to arrive any moment!"

"Ah CRAP!!"

Å

Jacob rang the doorbell to the house and almost immediately it was opened by Teal'c grinning evilly. The Jaffa spoke loudly, "Jacob Carter!"

The man jumped from shock as his symbiote laughed at him, causing him to frown. He then spoke pleasantly, "Hi Teal'c. Where's my son-in-law?"

"Getting properly attired," Teal'c said opening the door wider so Jacob could step inside out of the cool November sunshine.

He had been grinning all week and all the Tok'ra had found his appearance very odd, but Jacob was excited, happy and all in all content for the first time in a long while.

Selmac was thoroughly enjoying herself, eager to 'see' a Tau'ri wedding having only experienced Jacob's memories of his own wedding and Mark's. She was almost as excited as he was which must have been difficult for a symbiote of her age!

About two seconds later, Jack, dressed in a navy blue suit complete with matching tie and shiny navy shoes, a white flower pinned to his breast pocket, stumbled out onto the landing. He was followed by an irritated Daniel who was loudly reprimanding Jack about not letting him help him down the stairs. The blind man put his hand on the banister defiantly and slowly began to walk down the stairs, grumbling about Daniel sounding like his mother!

Jacob chuckled, causing Jack to almost loose his footing as he gulped, "Jacob?"

"Hi Jack. Don't worry! I'm not here to kill you."

Jack breathed a sigh of relief at the statement and at the fact he'd just reached the bottom of the steps. He smiled in the direction on his father-in-law and Jacob could immediately see the anxiety in the man face.

Jacob held out a hand taking Jack's arm, causing Jack to jump slightly although he was beginning to get used to it, "You look as though you need to sit down for a minute."

Jack grinned cheekily, obviously trying to deflect attention from his nerves, "Thanks Dad."

Jacob chuckled again as they stepped into the living room, "You've been calling me Dad for years. I guess I should've known you'd end up marrying my daughter!"

Jack's knees went weak, luckily, where he stood before the sofa and he collapsed into as he spoke quietly, "I am SO nervous."

Jacob smiled comfortingly at his son-in-law, "So, was I when I got married. I thought there was no way Megan could be as nervous as I was, but she told me afterwards she was in hysterics for over 3 hours before the ceremony!"

Jack gave a small smile, "There's no way Sam will be like this! She's always calm. She'll be sat there ready and waiting to go to the church!"

Jacob chuckled, "I wouldn't be so sure if I were you. I'm supposed to go visit her at 1, once they're back at her house from the beauty salon her and the bridesmaids are all being pampered at! They have it lucky! Men are made to suffer on the wedding day!"

Jack snorted, "The whole female sex is just one huge conspiracy!"

Daniel stepped into the room laughing, "Well, amen to that! When I married Sha're, I had to have this scented water poured over my head. It was freezing cold! It is the job of the bride to heat the water, but, of course, someone failed to mention to me they never do! Something to do with trusting the Bride!"

Jack laughed, happy that Daniel could now share stories of his time on Abydos and, more importantly, his marriage to Sha're when just over a year ago it was almost physically impossible for the man to even listen to someone say the beautiful Abydonian's name.

Jacob's eyes trailed over Jack from head to toe as he spoke truthfully, "Nice suit, by the way."

Jack gave a sigh that showed much suffering, "Janet and Daniel dragged me out to get it 4 days running! We went in each shop at least 20 times and every time came out with nothing until the Doctors finally stopped arguing on day 4 and picked one! I swear if Sam hadn't told me how they'd kept her and the bridesmaids dress shopping for over 9 days I would've gone nuts!"

Daniel blushed sheepishly and then glanced at his watch. He gave a small grimace of guilt before he spoke quietly, "Jack? I have a confession to make..."

"Daniel?"

The man cleared his throat, "You know when you woke up and I told you it was 9 o'clock...?"

"Daniel...!"

"Um... well, I lied... to stop you from panicking too much!" He added hurriedly as if in the hope it would calm the man down.

"Daniel...!!!"

"It was actually 11 and it's about 12:30 now. So... Lunch?"

"DANIEL!!"

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"Sam?"

"No!"

"Don't be like this! Come on!"

"NO!"

Janet gave a sigh of frustration and was about to slide down the door when she realised she was in her dress and it would get all creased if she did. She shook her head and turned back to face the door, "Sam, your Dad is going to arrive here in 10 minutes. The limo is going to be here at the same time to take us to the church."

"I'm not coming out!"

Cassie came up the stairs and Janet couldn't help but smile. Her daughter looked beautiful in her pale blue bridesmaid dress. She pulled on the white lace gloves over her hands as she said, "Mom? She still locked in there?"

Janet sighed again with a look that said 'what do you think'. Cassie nodded and then said quietly, "I'll have a go. You go sort out Emily and Kerry."

Janet looked at her adolescent daughter and the look of determination in her hazel eyes and knew if anyone was going to get Sam out of that bathroom it was her!

Janet nodded and then murmured, "Good luck."

Cassie smiled as she pulled a curl of her hair from her face and watched the small Maid of Honour walk back downstairs. Sam had come to stay at their house last night after the Hen night where Sam and her Mom, and a few of their friends had gone for a drink. Sam had been so happy. In fact, she was up at 5 in the morning prancing around excited and practically screaming 'I'm getting married! I'm getting married!' That was obviously the honeymoon period. Sam had now locked herself in the bathroom refusing to come out and working herself into a frenzy for the past hour and a half. She was supposed to be stood at the altar in 15 minutes!

Cassie stepped close to the door and spoke quietly, "Sam?"

"I'm not coming out!"

Cassie sighed and rolled her eyes in true teenage fashion, "Oh come on! We both know you are!"

There was a pause...

"I'm not!"

Cassie sighed again and then spoke gently, "Sam, you've got to come out. You're getting married soon. Jacob's going to be here in 5 minutes!"

"I can't do this, Cass. I can't!"

Cassie spoke gently, hoping Sam didn't cry, "Do you love Jack?"

"What?" Sam spoke quietly, "Of course I love him. I love him more than anything."

"Then what are you worried about," Cassie said, "You're going to marry the guy you love. Don't you want that?"

There was no reply and Cassie knew Sam was getting closer to unlocking the door and realising how silly she was being. Cassie cleared her throat and then smiled, "You're going to the church, where Jack is going to be stood at the altar, waiting for you. Think what it's like for him. Daniel said he's scared as hell that he's going to be stood up, not to mention the fact he can't see a damn thing which must be difficult anyway, but he's going to be there. Are you?"

There was a long pause and Cassie bit her lip anxiously as she heard a car pull up outside. The front door opened and Cassie could hear Jacob and Janet having a hushed discussion.

The sound of the lock clicking loudly made Cassie jump. Slowly the door opened and Sam was stood in the doorway shaking slightly, but with a smile on her face. She stepped outside and spoke in an undertone, "Thank you, Sweetie."

Cassie grinned and lifted up Sam's train as she walked down the stairs...

Å

Jacob stood in the kitchen, fidgeting, as the small doctor tried to calm him, "I'm sure Cassie will convince Sam to come down any second now."

"Cassandra can get to Sam, I know," Jacob said tapping his foot lightly on the tiled kitchen floor, "But I don't want to keep Jack waiting at the church to long. He is terrified she's not going to show. Mark's there and he called me on his cell to say that Jack keeps asking everyone for the time. He thinks his bride isn't going to..."

"Show?"

Jacob looked up and he grinned in relief at the sight of his daughter before he was stricken speechless and felt his jaw drop slightly.

Sam's sparkling blue eyes never left his as they began to brim with tears. He looked her up and down. Her silky wedding dress was a hypnotising white and the train flowed out behind her elegantly. It was strapless and was hemmed with sparkling sequins that glittered in the cool November light that streamed in through the window. Over her shoulders she had a jacket that covered her shoulders, which was made of the same material as her dress. In her hands she held a beautiful bouquet of white roses and the pale blue flowers Jacob had seen pinned to Jack, Daniel and Teal'c's jacket pockets.

He looked back up at her face. Her flawless fair skin seemed to glow with her excitement and anticipation. Her blue eyes mirrored the colour of the almost completely clear November's sky. Her short golden hair had been styled and looked neater than it usually did although Sam's unruly tresses that fell over her eyes refused to be conformed! Settled amongst her hair was a circlet of white roses and the translucent white veil that currently hung over the back of her head.

He took a deep breath feeling tears of his own rising in his eyes as he ran two steps and hugged her tightly as she hugged him back with a small giggle. He pulled away and stared at her. He spoke in a state of awe, his voice a proud whisper, "You look so beautiful."

Sam smiled a watery smile, before Janet came over also near tears, "Will you too stop it! Jacob don't be so sentimental, you'll ruin our make-up!"

They all began chuckling before Jacob sniffed and fished in his pocket, "Have you got everything... Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue...?"

Sam nodded, "Well, I have a blue garter, new dress, borrowed Janet's silver bracelet..."

"And here's your something old," Jacob said holding out a small box. He opened it and pulled out a long silver chain with a silver heart shaped locket on the end. Sam let out a soft gasp as her father spoke with a sad smile, "It was your great-grandmothers, passed to your grandma and then to your mother on her wedding day. Now it comes to you."

Sam held a hand to her mouth and stared at the pendent as it slowly swivelled around from the position it hung from his fingers. Jacob's other hand lifted as he walked behind her and gently pulled the delicate necklace around her neck fastening it at the back.

With trembling fingers, Sam slowly prised open the heart-shaped locket and let out another gasp although this one was laced with tears. The picture of her mother smiled back at her and Sam felt her heart yearn for her. She missed her more than ever today, wishing she could've been here to see her marry the man she loved.

A tear rolled from her eyes as Jacob spoke worried, "Sweetheart, I didn't mean to upset you!"

Sam smiled through her tears, "You didn't. I... I just wish she was here, you know?"

"I know, Sam," Jacob let out a small sigh before he smiled and murmured, "Come on. You're fiancé is waiting."

At that Sam grinned, Janet speeding past to the living room, pushing Cassie and Sam's two nieces out of the front door out into the bright but chilly November day. Jacob took her arm and helped her hold up the train as they made there way to the white limo complete with ribbons and flowers. Sam looked at the almost cloudless sky and the way the leafless trees gently swayed in the nippy breeze and couldn't stop smiling as she was bundled into the back seat and Janet reprimanding Kerry and Emily for arguing, while Cassie rolled her eyes like a true adolescent and her father sat stiff as a board trying not to look more anxious than her, which Sam realised he was. The smile never faded as they pulled away from Janet's house and down the road towards the church where she was to be married. Nothing could be more perfect.

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"Daniel, what's th..."

"Jack! Will you stop it?!? She's coming!"

Jack stopped his incessant bouncing on the balls of his feet and realised he was being very irritating. Well, he had a right to be this irritating! He was scared, completely and utterly scared, that the woman he loved more than anything, loved so much that the word no longer applied, would not show. Would leave him alone and blind.

As a hand touched his shoulder, he jumped a mile. Daniel gave a soft chuckle, "It's OK, Jack. I'm sorry to snap at you."

"S'okay," Jack mumbled and promptly began bouncing again. Being blind he had no idea of what actually surrounded him, but his imagination told him that before him was an altar and behind him were a hell of a lot of guests! From somewhere nearby, music was playing, an organ slowly playing out notes that brought Jack back to bad memories of Sundays in church with his mother.

"Jack."

He turned at the voice of his sister as the woman tiptoed up to him and clasped his hands. He smiled, "Hey Flick."

She spoke quietly, "A little bird just told me that they're outside."

"Really?" Jack gulped and whispered, "She's here?"

Flick laughed softly and kissed his cheek gently, "No, Bro. She's marrying some other guy in Nepal! Oh course she's here."

Jack couldn't help it. A pleasantly surprised smile came to his face, "I'm getting married."

Flick, the sibling he loved the most, spoke in a whisper as she hurriedly kissed him on the cheek, "Oh! I better sit down before I get kicked out of my brother's wedding! Love you!"

He heard the woman retreat to her seat and turned back to the vague position of him facing the altar. Daniel spoke, "Take a deep breath, Jack."

Suddenly, the organ's tune changed to something definitely more familiar and Jack suddenly found that his deep breath came in handy as he was suddenly unable to take another!

Ever since yesterday evening when they'd gone through the wedding step by step, Jack had been anticipating this one moment. The one moment when his heart migrated north to get lodged in his throat. The one moment when blood pounded in his ears. The one moment when his body utterly froze. The one moment when his stomach lurched strangely and he suddenly realised... she was here.

Jack's, now more powerful, hearing could hear a faint murmur of voices in the audience as he heard his sister mumbled to his mother, "She looks beautiful!"

Daniel's hand had found its way back to his arm for a moment. Jack's imagination took over and he could see her. For the first time since his blindness, she looked so real and flawless in his mind that he wondered if he really could see. She was all he could see in the blackness as he sensed her stand beside her, Jacob on her right side, smiling.

The priest began to speak, the words washing over Jack like warm sea water gently lapping around him as he tried to concentrate.

As everyone began to sing the first hymn, Jack felt Sam's delicate fingers gently brush against his. He felt himself smile slowly as her fingers slowly entwined with his. The softness of her skin against his was all that seemed real in that moment. As far as Jack knew it could've been a seriously potent dream. He'd had this particular one so many times it easily could've been!

He felt a gentle pressure from her fingers as the song finished and he felt comforted, thrilled and utterly loved. He had never thought he'd feel like this again. Not after Sara and Charlie. Sara had been unable to come as she was currently in hospital having given birth to a little girl two days earlier. She had been married for 4 years to a Orthodontist from Maine who she'd met when visiting her sister there. He moved to Colorado two months later and they were living together a week after that. Jack had realised four years ago that if Sara could learn to love again, as she so obviously had after the tragedy that had befallen them, then so could he.

And here he was. Marrying a woman he had seen as Mount Everest. Beautiful, strong, tempting, treacherous, but almost certainly beyond his reach!

"... take Samantha April Carter to be your lawful wedded wife?"

They were here already!!! Jack found his jaw move and words leave his mouth and realised the same thing had been happening for a good few minutes before now.

The Priest repeated the question to Sam, "And do you, Samantha April Carter, take Jonathon Charles O'Neill to be your lawful wedded husband?"

Another voice spoke softly and sweetly after a moment, her voice seeming to rip a whole in his darkness for a split second and replace it with a soft light, "I do."

Jack felt Daniel place Sam's wedding ring in the palm of his hand and Jack gently took Sam's hand in his as his voice continued to speak of his own accord as if it was completely separate from his body. He gently slipped the ring over her slender finger before her fingers gripped his hand gently and squeezed slightly before she did the same, slowly pushing the golden band over his wedding finger as he smiled inanely and her words mirrored his own.

When she'd finished, the Priest spoke, a smile clear in the tone of his voice, "Now I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the Bride."

Jack didn't need to be told twice! Sam lifted his hand to cup her cheek before he leant forwards and pressed his lips against her. The half of the SGC who'd gotten the day off to witness the occasion were clapping and cheering, but Jack never noticed. In fact, all he noticed was the taste of Sam's lips, the feeling of her fingers touching his cheek gently, the smell of her perfume. She pulled back and he grinned as she whispered to him in a tone no one else could hear and in a voice that made his knees go weak, "We finally did it, Jack. We finally got here."

Jack just chuckled softly in a shell-shocked kind of way before he replied, "Finally."

Å

As Sam and Jack stepped into the hall where their reception was being held, everyone began to cheer. She squeezed his hand gently, as she led him through the crowd, towards the small ensemble of instruments and their musicians that were playing softly. Once they arrived at the stage, Sam helped her fian... husband up the steps. She noticed the ecstatic grin on his face and realised her expression was no different as he gently squeezed her hand.

The music stopped for a moment as Sam spoke loudly, "Now it's time for me to throw this bouquet so you ladies better all be ready."

Suddenly everyone was ready and listening a burble of chuckling filling the room for a moment. Sam didn't release Jack's hand as she turned slowly and closed her eyes. In a swift fluent moment, the bouquet was spiralling through the air towards the guests...

There was a squeal of laughter and excitement as Sam turned back to face her friends, colleagues and family again. Sam began to laugh loudly as Jack murmured, "Who...?"

Sam spoke so she could be heard by the crowd, "It looks like Kathy is going to be married!"

Everyone began laughing again as Jack's mother let her disbelief on the subject known to everyone, announcing it as loudly as she could.

Sam whispered something to Jack, "Now you have to chuck my garter for the guys."

Jack wiggled his eyebrows before he growled in an undertone, beneath the chatter of their guests, "How could I forget?!?" He gently kissed her on the lips before he spoke to the male members of their party, "OK, Guys. It's your turn! Get ready to catch it!"

Sam lifted her skirt revealing a long perfectly shaped ankle, calf and thigh, the flash of the baby blue garter causing the men to wolf whistle and the Father of the Bride to glare at any one of those men near him. She grinned as Jack, with surprising ease, managed to remove the garter in one purposefully slow but fluid movement. Sam blushed, but called to the men as their cheers and whistling got louder, "Sorry Guys. I'm a married woman!"

There was yet more laughter before Jack cried, "Heads up!"

The small circlet of lace was caught as there was a loud cheer from the guys and Sam began to giggle uncontrollably. Jack whispered again, "Who...?"

"O'Neill, I do not understand why it is that we were ordered to attain possession of this garment and yet, I am currently being mocked for my ownership of it."

Teal'c low confused rumbled sent everyone into hoots of laughter and the Jaffa's eyebrow to the heavens in absolute puzzlement.

Sam spoke softly in his ear, "Come on. Let's get the Congrats over and done with!"

Jack chuckled as the woman, whose hand hadn't left his since they stepped into the reception party, led him back down the steps where they were promptly ambushed by hundreds of near-bloodthirsty guests.

After many congratulations, the people they really wanted to talk to, appeared in the queue of relatives, including Jack's family who weren't that bad, and acquaintances that were shaking Jack's hand so hard he wondered if you could lose your hand from excessive shaking. He felt the next hand grab his and shake as the voice said, "You look happy. I'm glad."

Jack smiled gently, "Thanks Danny." He could tell the man was smiling, as he let go of Jack's hand and turned to Sam. He gave her a peck on the cheek and murmured, "You look beautiful."

"O'Neill..." Teal'c said softly, as Jack turned to face him.

"Teal'c, buddy! How do you like Tau'ri weddings?"

"They are most interesting. I have now become aware of the significance of myself catching the azure undergarment." The Jaffa let out a loud bellow of laughter which promptly stopped as he continued, everyone now watching him peculiarly, "I understand why the action is amusing."

"Good," Jack said with a chuckle.

Suddenly, he felt the Jaffa pull him into a manly hug. Jack just patted the guy on the back, as he heard Sam say chuckling, "Glad you could come, Teal'c."

"I would not avoid it for the planet, Major Cart... O'Neill..." Jack could hear the Jaffa smiling, as he released him and crushed his wife in his overly-fond embrace.

The next person gave him a gentle peck on the cheek. It was undoubtedly Fraiser as he could hear the woman crying gently, as she murmured, "Colonel."

"Doctor."

"Call me Janet. Thank you for inviting me. That was beautiful. I can't stop crying!" Jack gave a small smile at the tearful woman, as she pounced on his bride, "Oh Sam! I hate you! You look fantastic! I took SO many pictures...!"

Jack waited for the next guest to shake his hand and give their congratulations. He stared forward for a moment, as no one came. In the short break, Sam whispered, "How many people did we invite?!? This line seems to be going on forever!"

Jack chuckled softly as he heard someone else approach. He faced forward a small smile on his lips, as a man spoke softly, "Well, Son, what can I say?"

Jack felt a grin came to his face at the familiar voice, "I think it's customary to say 'Congratulations', Sir!"

He heard his old CO laugh heartily and he grabbed Jack's hand and shook it, "Well, then. Congratulations, Jack."

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General Hammond began congratulating Jack, who she watched lovingly. She'd never seen him smiling so much. He looked perfectly normal. There were only the odd signs that he couldn't see. The way he grabbed people's hand when he shook, the way he always flinched slightly when someone spoke to him and the way he stared past everyone. She sighed gently; this must be so hard for him.

General Hammond stepped up to her. He was smiling and Sam realised for the first time that she hasn't stop grinning since Jack had kissed her at the altar.

General Hammond hugged her and she hugged him back. He pulled away and smiled, "Major."

"General."

"I suppose I'm going to have to change your name on everything now."

"Yes Sir," she said giving him a small salute with a huge grin on her face.

He laughed, "There is someone here who wants to speak to you..."

"Oh, who?"

General Hammond nodded to someone in the crowd. He pushed towards her and before she had a second to think he'd thrown his arms around her tightly. She smiled, as he pulled away and murmured, "My little girl. Getting married."

"Dad!" Sam said happily, "I still can't believe you got the day of from the Tok... from work!"

"I couldn't miss my Kid's big day, could I?" She stared into Jacob Carter's face with a watery grin, as tears filled her eyes. She saw him wipe his eyes quickly before hugging her again, "You look so beautiful," he kissed her cheek softly, "I still can't believe it. From the moment you stepped into the kitchen this morning. God, it only seems a minute ago since you and Mark were kids."

She smiled, "About a thirty year minute..."

He laughed heartily, "Yeah... oh Selma says 'Congratulations.'" Sam frowned for a second before it occurred to her that by Selma he was in fact referring to Selmac, his symbiote.

Sam smiled, "Uh... thanks Selma."

Jacob let out a sigh of happiness, his face filled with the expression of a joyous father before he turned to Jack, "Well Jack..."

Sam saw Jack jump visibly and gulp when Jacob addressed him. He stood so still Sam wouldn't have been surprised if he suddenly jumped to attention! She laughed quietly, as Jack stammered, his voice strangely stretched and high-pitched, "Jacob?"

Before Jack could escape Jacob grabbed him in a hug. The look on Jack's face was a mixture of surprise and relief and Sam felt herself laughing as her Dad said, "You look after her. Else I'm gonna kill you!" Jacob spoke laughingly, but Jack's expression was that of a terrified rabbit caught in headlights!

"Yes... Sir!"

Sam moved over and clasped Jack's hand in hers, "Dad!" Jacob laughed as she squeezed Jack's fingers. He turned to face her. She stared into his eyes and felt her heart twinge sadly at the expression in his eyes. He wanted to see her. To be able to stare into her eyes instead of staring off into darkness. She glanced at her Dad who stood beside her, nodding her head towards her husband as if giving him a hint. He winked and turned around, "I'm not here!"

Sam gave a small laugh and found herself staring back into Jack's eyes. He smiled slightly as his hand gently brushed against her cheek and he leant forward slowly, Sam doing the same...

"Major... O'Neill?"

Teal'c prodded and poked by an eager Janet and Daniel stepped forward. He'd already congratulated her and Sam wondered what was going on. Especially when she was slightly preoccupied with her husband... Man, that sounded good!

"Yeah, Teal'c?"

"Is it not customary that the Bride and Groom have the first dance?"

Before Sam could answer, her and Jack were being shoved to the dance floor. She could hear Jack saying, "Oh no no no! I can't dance!"

She realised she'd been saying the same thing to the people prodding her. They stepped onto the barren floor, encircled by ferocious vultures, a.k.a. wedding guests, and she heard music start up. Jack was looking very bewildered and she distinctively heard him murmur, "Ah crap!"

Sam stepped towards him and grabbed his hands in hers, trying to 'humour up' the situation in true O'Neill fashion. 'If I'm going to be an O'Neill better get used to the traits' she thought to herself as she said mock-pouting, "Am I that bad to dance with?"

He immediately put one hand around her waist, as she moved one hand to his shoulder. He smiled, "Oh no. It's not your dancing I'm worried about!"

They began to move slowly, Sam very aware of the eyes watching them and the many flashes of cameras. She ignored them and closed her eyes. Suddenly she felt like they had a link, her and Jack. In the darkness, she felt as if she could understand. Even though light still penetrated her eyelids making them red, she realised how awkward she suddenly felt. She had to open them again and stared at the man holding her close to his chest as they danced on the empty dance floor, surrounded by countless friends and relatives, crying, taking photos and 'aww'ing in equal amounts. She could distinctly see the O'Neill brothers rubbing their eyes hard and muttering the usual O'Neill excuses for watery eyes!

Jack was actually a very good dancer. They hadn't really danced before. She knew how uncomfortable he was about it, but as the music played, romantic and soft, he moved slowly with surprising grace and self-belief that made Sam realise how much she loved her husband. In all respects, he was doing this for her and as long as it was for her, he was happy.

"I don't see why you are so worried! You're a great dancer!" Sam whispered gently in his ear as she moved closer to him, his hands moving further around her back and waist.

"Ever tried dancing blindfold!" Sam looked at him relieved to see him smiling.

As the song finished, everyone clapped and Sam was whisked off to dance with Jacob, while Teal'c escorted Jack to safety from the stampede of guests, scrambling towards the dance floor. Daniel had been dragged away by Janet and was dancing with her. Apparently General Hammond was dancing with his mother, Jacob was dancing with his grandchildren and, even Cassie was dancing with Kieran, the sulky and miserable teenage nephew of Jack's, who had suddenly become a lot more pleasant since he'd met Cassie at their engagement party, or so Mike had informed him!

Jack and his mainly silent companion now sat somewhere. Somewhere... Jack almost snorted at how ridiculous that sounded. He didn't even know where he was sat. He sighed, as Teal'c spoke first breaking the silence that had covered them since Teal'c had come to rescue him from the human stampede that had occurred, "Are you feeling excluded, O'Neill?"

"A little."

"I believe you are untruthful..."

"OK, a lot!" He sighed, "It's... ridiculous! I can't even see how beautiful she looks."

There was a pause as if the Jaffa were assessing the situation in the way he did on missions for the past 4 years. After a minute, he spoke quietly and in a comforting tone as his hand squeezed Jack's shoulder, "If you are referring to Major... O'Neill, I believe you can."

"Teal'c, what are you talking about?" Jack said despairingly, "I'm just some old blind guy, who can't even see the woman he loves. It's my goddamn wedding and I can't even see the bride!"

"A wise and most treasured friend of mine once told me that losing his sight was insignificant compared to the lose of the woman he loved. He told me that even without his sight, he would always be able to see her, whether with just his imagination or his other senses." Jack knew Teal'c would be giving him that pointed look the Jaffa had down to an art, "My wise companion told me that love itself does not need to be seen and therefore the loss of his vision was no real affliction for as long as he had the woman he loved, he could still see.

"You sure have some sentimental friends, Teal'c!"

He could almost see his friend's confusion as he stated, "He is you, O'Neill."

Jack gave a small snort, "I know, Teal'c. I was just... being... me."

Teal'c spoke again gently, the Jaffa's strong digits gripping his shoulder with surprising gentleness, "If I describe her as looking exceedingly beautiful, you will undoubtedly know what she looks like as in your eyes I believe she has always appeared so."

Jack frowned slightly puzzled. He just nodded gently, "Thanks Teal'c."

"It was no task, O'Neill."

Jack smiled and shook his head. He had the greatest friends.

Å

Sam had spent the last half hour trying to escape from her hundreds of relatives, saying again and again how they remembered her crawling around in a diaper and how grown-up she looked which was absurd! She was a 37 year old woman, for crying out loud...! That reminded her of why she was trying to escape her guests.

She wanted to go to Jack. He was now sat on his own as Teal'c danced with her cousin Madeline, who seemed to be quite taken with the Jaffa. A small smile twisted Sam's mouth at the thought that wedding bells may truly be in the air, and not just her own! She fought back the grin as she escaped from dancing on the account of 'needing the loo' and made a B line for her husband.

When she reached him she sat down beside him quietly, the man sitting up straighter when he realised he had company. She saw him look slightly confused and his hand rose and gently touched her thigh, the silky material of the dress beneath his fingertips. She immediately lifted his fingers into her hand, massaging the back of his hand with her thumb. She saw the loving smile grow on his lips, "Sam?"

She laid her head on his shoulder and murmured, "I managed to escape from your brother, Will. He insisted on waltzing me around the whole dance floor eight times before his wife took him away. I'm surprised he didn't need to be surgically detached!"

Jack chuckled, "Sounds like Will!" He sat in silence again, obviously indecisive about something. Sam was about to ask what was the matter when he turned towards her and spoke quietly, "Look. I know I've got two left feet and that if I tried to dance I'll probably kill someone, but... it's just so boring sat here and..."

"Jack?"

"Yeah," he said slightly worried, as Sam felt a grin grow on her lips.

"Shut up and dance with me!"

He grinned widely as she took his other hand as well and helped him up. He pulled her close and Sam laid her head on his chest as he wrapped his arms around her. He kissed her hair softly and then rested his chin on her head. They swayed slowly at the edge of the dance floor, as Sam murmured, "Why do you love me?"

Jack looked up shocked and turned towards the woman whose head was resting on his shoulder, "What? Are you kidding me?"

"No," she asked seriously. Even though he was blind he knew the expression she had on her face, as she whispered, "Why do you love me?"

"Because you are beautiful and not just on the outside. If anything I was amazed by the outside Sam, but I was dazzled completely by the inside Sam," he smiled and pulled her into a tight hug, "You are the reason, I haven't lost my mind yet. You've kept me sane. It's just so frustrating! It's like walking in a pitch-black room and you've forgotten your night vision goggles. You're searching for the light switch, but you just can't find it."

He sighed and Sam turned to him, speaking with a soft smile, "I'm just glad you love me," she kissed him gently, "It means a lot to me."

"Really?" Jack grinned again, "OK then. Why do you love me?"

"Because you're beautiful and not just on the outside," she said with a small giggle, as Jack glared at her.

"There's no need to take the piss! I was being sincere!"

Sam smiled warmly, the tone showing clearly in her voice, "So was I, although I think beautiful is probably the wrong word. Handsome, strong, brave, loyal, funny... I could go on forever, but then you'd probably get bored."

"Oh no! I love hearing how wonderful I am!"

Sam snorted and rolled her eyes with the equivalent 'tch' sound as she faced him. They continue to sway subtly to the song that seemed to flow beautifully from a hundred different tunes. Each one filling her senses and spinning her consciousness around and around until it felt as if her very soul was dizzy and breathless. She stared into his smiling, happy face as she kissed his lips adoringly and whispered, "I love you, Jack."

The small smile returned, "Thank you. I'll take that as a compliment, Mrs. O'Neill!"

She laughed softly and kissed him again, but this time she didn't pull away. She pulled her arms around his neck as he cupped her cheek in one hand.

Å

"Daniel," Janet whispered as she slowly turned him so he could see, "Look."

Daniel smiled and spoke in an 'aww'ing tone, "They're dancing."

Janet sighed softly, "Don't you think it's about time they got together. I know before Sam finally cracked and told him she loved him that he was convinced she was just visiting out of pity. Sam even had to ask the guy to marry her!"

Daniel snorted gently, "Jack has a lot of self hatred and he doesn't believe in himself either. I suppose it didn't help Jack's old and bitter side by becoming blind. He wouldn't have had enough guts to ask Sam, especially at the momen... Whoa! Now that is something to look at!"

Janet looked at the newly wed couple to see them kissing ardently. She was surprised steam wasn't rising from them! Janet immediately grabbed her camera that hung from her wrist and let go of Daniel. She began to click the camera taking at least a dozen pictures, until her camera ran out of the third film she'd put in that day.

She sighed watching the couple, before she turned around to speak to Daniel, their noses bumping awkwardly. She hadn't realise he'd been standing so close behind her. He took a small step forward, blushing gently as he stared at her. Janet realised for the first time how much she'd come to like the archaeologist since he'd turned up at the SGC and by his bashful expression the feelings were mutual.

Before Janet realised what she was doing, they were kissing.

Å

As Sam pulled away from the lingering kiss, she pressed her forehead against his and murmured, "Wow."

A quirky grin appeared on Jack's face as he chuckled, "What?"

"I wanna know how I got landed with such a great guy?"

Jack just shook his head and spoke softly, "I was asking the same question. Except not about me! And take the bit about 'guy' out and that's what I was aski... Ah crap! Scrap the whole thing!" Sam laughed as Jack spoke again, "I love you. And that's all there is to it!"

Sam's swoony smile turned to a gasp and she whispered, "Oh my God!"

"What? Sam, you're gonna have to tell me!"

"Janet and Daniel are... well, kissing!"

Jack spun around, but of course he still couldn't see and let out a frustrated and irritated huff, "Damn! I'll just have to take your word for it! Daniel and the Doc? Since when?"

"Since about now," Sam said slightly stunned. She immediately found her camera hidden in a concealed pocket in her dress, specially placed for such a purpose. She began snapping away. After about twelve pictures she ran out of film and decided she was definitely giving these to Janet, maybe keeping one for bribery purposes...

Her pearly white teeth showed in a mischievous smile at the thought as she shoved the camera back in her pocket and pulled herself back beside Jack. He smiled slightly relieved. She realised he must have been disorientated and made a mental note not to do that to him again...

"You're not smiling. What's up?"

Sam blinked at him shocked, "What?"

"I can always tell when you're not smiling... call it a sixth sense, if you will," he spoke seriously and she could see the anxiety in his face, "Now tell me. What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

Jack gave her a doubting look, but didn't push further with the question.

They continued to dance as yet another song began to play. Sam spoke gently, "Jack?"

"Uh huh, Angel?"

The mischievous grin returned as she whispered into his ear, "What's say we make a get-away and head back home to start our Honeymoon."

Jack pulled away looking at her with mock-outrage, "Samantha Ca... O'Neill! I'm surprised at you! I'm the one who's supposed to suggest such things not you!"

Thrilled by his mistake in her name and by his joking tone she asked, "So is that a 'yes'?"

Jack grinned and wiggled his eyebrows, before repeating Teal'c's words from earlier, "I wouldn't avoid it for the entire planet, Major... O'Neill!" Sam laughed, feeling the happiest she'd felt in along time as he spoke quietly, "Let's go! But... you might have to lead the way!"

Before he could even think, Sam had seized his hand and was weaving through all their guests, heading for the Fire Exit!

Å

1 Year Later

Jack frowned. That word couldn't be right. He read it again, his fingertip moving slowly over the paper. Oh... Carp! He sighed. This was difficult. Braille was hard to learn. Sam, of course, said he was doing well, but Jack had to disagree.

He was practising in secret while Sam was out. She'd had to go to some party thing for all the snobby politicians. He hadn't wanted to go and she'd asked Daniel to come 'baby-sit'. Where was he anyway? He was at least two hours late. Jack was beginning to worry. Daniel was usually late for most things, but he was never late for things like this. Jack wondered if Daniel might have hurt himself when there was a knock at the door.

"Come on in!" Jack called; as he heard three pairs of footsteps come through the door.

"Jack?" Daniel voice came from the hall.

"About time, Space monkey. For a moment I thought those men in white coats had finally taken you away for experimentation or something!" Jack called back as the three people entered the living room. "Who else is here?"

"Ha bloody ha, Jack! And I got two aliens with me."

"O'Neill," Teal'c's low voice spoke hurriedly, "I am present, as is the Alien, Nyan." He said the name with emphasis, although he didn't need to as that particular alien's name was firmly stuck in Jack's mind, unlike Melon, Alvin and Hugo... uh Molem, Aldwin and Urgo!

Jack sat bolt upright on the couch staring around blindly, "The guy with the healing device?"

"Yes, Colonel. We have retrieved it from Area 51," Nyan spoke cautiously.

The room plunged into silence, a tense silence as Jack stared blindly forwards obviously in complete shock which was understandable. After a minute or so, he asked, "But... but how?"

"Well, uh..." Daniel disguised his words with a cough, "We stole it!"

Jack just gawped as Teal'c said, "General Hammond gave me, Nyan and Daniel Jackson permission to recover the device."

Daniel saw the absolute shock on Jack's face, "You're kidding me?" His voice was choked and strangely high.

"No," Daniel moved the pile of papers covered in Braille to one side and sat next to him. He took Jack's hand and put the device in his palm. It chinked as it touched his wedding ring.

Jack stared down as if he could already see the device he felt gently. He shook his head and looked up again trying to 'look' at his companions, "I-I-I don't know what to say."

"I believe 'I wish to use the device immediately' is most appropriate," Teal'c said seriously, as Jack let out what must have been a small sob/laugh.

"Do you want to use it?" Daniel asked gently, as Jack turned to him.

He blinked a few times and gave him a look as he said sharply, "Are you joking? Of course I want to use it! What are you? Stupid! Do it!"

Daniel smiled at Jack's onslaught as Nyan perched on the edge of a table, still very wary of the Colonel, "Now this will hurt slightly and I'll have to perform the treatment in doses every half hour." Jack just nodded dumbly and kept his eyes wide open, as Nyan switched on the device.

Jack felt the pain in his eyes and wanted to close them, but kept them open. He kept telling himself it didn't hurt as much as that light. The piercing light that had screamed agony through his body and had taken away his sight, taken away his world. This would make him better. He'd be able to see again. See the world, see his friends... see his Sam.

As Nyan finished, Jack blinked, squeezing his eyes shut waiting for the pain to evaporate. When it had he inhaled slowly and opened his eyes. He let out a small gasp as pale light and shadows appeared before him. He looked up and around his eyes focussing on the silhouette of someone stood in front of the pale light Jack assumed was the living room window.

His jaw dropped and he could feel his voice shaking as he murmured, "I can... I can see someone. There!"

His finger shook as he pointed it towards someone. The darkness shifted before the light, "You are correct, O'Neill. I am indeed in the position."

Jack felt as if he could cry... but he wasn't going to! Not in front of an alien, Daniel and... another alien, Teal'c. He just sat there as a smile came onto his lips, "Oh my God! Th-This is..." he shook his head, "You stole it?"

"Well, in a manner of speaking..." Daniel spoke, the shadow Jack guessed was the archaeologist shifting uncomfortably, "We had direct orders from Hammond. He's been trying to persuade the assholes from Area 51 to let us borrow it since Teal'c told us. Hammond was getting very annoyed so Teal'c and me went and... took it."

"Thank you," Jack murmured, "How can I... even begin to... You're all risking your butts for me..."

"Don't sound so surprised, Jack," Daniel said modestly, "You'd do the same for us. In fact, you would have done it a long time before Hammond ordered you to!"

Jack smiled, "It's nice to be appreciated," his face became serious as he stared at the patch of darkness that was Daniel, "Thank you, Danny. You shouldn't have."

"I believe you are incorrect. I believe it is most necessary we did. It has become most frustrating without a leader in SG-1."

Jack looked at Teal'c in surprise from the sentiment, "What's that supposed to mean? You've had replacements..."

"All of whom have not survived more than ten missions, a record set by Colonel Warner. It seems you are the only Colonel capable of leading SG-1. Your relationship with Major O'Neill is accepted now that you are married therefore if you were to become Colonel O'Neill again there would be no problem. I urge you to rejoin the SGC, O'Neill. Your assistance is required..."

"What Teal'c is trying to say, is that we need you. Jack, all the other Colonels have been awful. I doubt Sam told you, but Warner was an absolute sexist. I didn't realise at first, but after a while I began to notice the way his nose wrinkled in disgust when she said something smart, the way he'd totally ignore her sometimes..."

Jack realised he must have been the guy, Sam had been talking about when they'd been sat on the bench in the park months ago, "Why did he leave? Was he given a Court Martial?"

"Uh... no. He was impaled on a spike," Daniel gave a small wince and continued, "Sam tried to help him, but he died. While she was trying to save him he just stared at her and asked why she was helping him. Sam replied, 'Just because you're an absolutely asshole, doesn't mean I'm going to treat you like you deserve!'"

"Sounds like my Sam," Jack said quietly, "Any other COs from hell that I should hear about!"

Daniel sighed knowing now Jack knew of Colonel Warner he was going to give Sam an interrogation when she got home. Not out of anger for her not telling him, but just wanting to know. Jack was that kind of person. He missed the SGC dearly, knowing there was no way he could come back so any news from there was like treasure to him. Not to mention he'd want to know who'd been giving his wife grief!

Daniel continued, "There was Colonel Bracknell. He was so strict that we found ourselves standing to attention for at least 23 hours in a day..."

"What happened to him?"

"He's now a permanent resident in a mental institution," Daniel said, "His brain was scrambled by a ribbon device and I mean well and truly scrambled."

"Ouch," Jack said flinching slightly.

"Uh... there was Colonel Daniels. He was a jerk and... well..." Daniel's voice trailed away.

"What? What did he do?" Jack didn't like the sound of Daniel's voice, "Daniel, what did Daniels do?"

That just had a great ring to it!

"He yelled at Sam a lot, for talking when she wasn't spoken to and stuff..."

"He what?!? Tell me something bad happened to him or... once I can see the bastard, something will!"

"He didn't just yell at Sam. He yelled at everyone. Including me. He yelled at the rookies, he yelled at the technicians, he yelled at the nurses, he yelled at Janet..." Daniel's voice was very angry and annoyed, especially, Jack noticed, when he said the Doc's name.

"I get the point! He yelled a lot! But what happened to him?"

"Oh," Jack could hear satisfaction in Daniel's voice as his shadow moved slightly, "Let's just say we lost him."

"Care to elaborate?"

"He became a Goa'uld," Teal'c interrupted.

"Ah."

"That's not all of it," Daniel said again. Jack gave him a look that said 'And...?' Daniel gave a small sigh, as he launched into an explanation, "Well, we were on an abandoned mother ship at the time. Daniels wandered off alone. Sam followed just to keep an eye on the guy. He went into a cargo bay and knocked over a jar. It had a symbiote inside..."

"Let me guess! Osiris all over again!"

"Yeah... I guess you could put it that way," Daniel paused as if debating what to say next, "Uh... He tried to hurt Sam..."

"He what?!?"

"Jack, let me finish. Me and Teal'c arrived and somehow we locked him in the garbage disposal..."

"Garbage disposal?"

"All Goa'uld ships have a compartment which is sealed off. It is capable of allowing waste to be ejected into space," Teal'c stated."

"He... went out with the trash," Daniel said, as Jack muttered.

"Serves the bastard right!"

"That's exactly what Teal'c said," Daniel said seriously...

And the house filled with laughter.

Å

After the fourth treatment Jack blinked, he looked up and sat in front of him biting his lip was Daniel. He was still slightly fuzzy round the edges, but...

"I can see you! I can see you! Oh my... Sweet Jesus!" He jumped up and literally threw his arms around Daniel and then Teal'c and finally a shocked Nyan. He whooped for joy, as Daniel watched smiling. Teal'c was smiling as wide as you were ever gonna see. Oh my God... See! He could see!

Nyan nodded, "It will take up to fifteen minutes for you eyesight to totally clear and for the next couple of days your eyesight will sometimes cloud over temporarily, but that's a result of Area 51 tampering with it," the anger and hatred in Nyan's voice was unsurprising as he mentioned 'Area 51'. He let out a breath before smiling again, "Still slightly unfocused?"

"Yeah, but... oh God! I can see!"

Jack collapsed in the armchair and pulled a hand through his hair. He stared at his hands and then looked around the living room. His expression was that of someone who was completely shell-shocked. His life, his future, had completely changed.

"Welcome back, O'Neill," Teal'c said, a small smile on the Jaffa's lips, "It is most excellent that you have regained your vision."

Jack felt his eyes blur even more as he hurriedly swiped at his eyes with his sleeve.

Daniel smiled, "I think we better leave. Sam will be home soon."

Jack looked at the clock on the mantelpiece beside pictures of Sam and him, their wedding and the picture of Charlie Sam had placed up there. He thanked God that he could look at the clock! It's only when you suddenly become blind that you miss small things like that. Reading the time or a newspaper and, of course, watching TV! He sighed as his eyes took a while to focus on the watch face. Jesus! She'd be home in an hour!

"Holy... Hannah!" Jack couldn't believe it. He'd finally see her face again!

He looked up as Daniel smiled and nodded and Teal'c inclined his head. Nyan gave a little wave as Daniel began shooing them out the door in front of him.

As the front door shut behind Daniel, Jack felt a shocked tear touch his cheek. He wiped it off, as his eyes wandered the room. The sun had set some time ago and Jack could feel darkness drawing in... and he hated it.

He had to get up and turn on some lights. He never wanted to be in the dark again. He'd been in the dark for almost a year and a half and now all he wanted was light.

He walked swiftly through the house switching on lights, his mind racing and his heart pounding. He ran upstairs, his fingers still automatically feeling his way up the walls, and began to switch the lights on as fast as he could. He needed light. No more dark. Light. No more endless darkened sight of a blind man, no more nightmares, just light. It wouldn't sink in. Jack kept physically pinching himself praying that in a few seconds he wouldn't wake up to the endless darkness alone in that hospital bed. That he wouldn't reach over for the clock and listen to the digital voice dictate the time waiting for Carter to come and pity him.

"Please say I'm not dreaming," Jack murmured, as he flicked on the last lamp in the entire house. He stood staring at the switch for a second as he whispered, "Please."

Å

Sam adjusted her skirt slightly as she stepped out of the car. She looked at the building. She watched as some women in long party dresses with sappy and smug looking men attached to their arms entering the huge building. All she needed. A bunch of arrogant couples, dressed richly, drinking champagne and making jokes about people less fortunate than themselves.

Sam took a deep breath and walked towards the building.

And there she'd be, stood in the corner in her dress blues all alone. She knew Jack found it uncomfortable at these things and she hadn't wanted him to come because of that, but she didn't want to be there alone. She would be easily noticeable and would probably be probed into dancing with some extremely old diplomat!

She stepped through the door and, as she stepped into the room, she felt eyes on her. She spotted General Hammond, who gave her a small wave. He was talking to some senator, no doubt, who had a young woman strapped to his arm and was sipping a glass of champagne.

Sam made her way over to the General. He was the only one here she knew... and liked. She knew a lot of people here. They were all politicians, but she did know quite a few of them.

The minute she stepped over she heard the man laugh. General Hammond gave her a reassuring smile, "Ah. Major O'Neill. This is the Polish Senator, Derek Polofski and his wife, Serena."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir. Ma'am."

The man's eyebrows rose as he saw her. He spoke with a fairly strong accent, "It is also a pleasure to meet you, Major O'Neill."

The woman was watching her, a look of disgust on her face. The woman must have thought she was one of the servants around here. I mean even General Hammond was wearing a suit. She knew she should have worn something dressier than her dress blues, but she didn't want to display herself like a Barbie doll!

She forced a smile as General Hammond spoke to her, "Let me get you a drink, Major. Champagne?"

"No thanks," Sam tried to think of an excuse, "I'm driving."

General Hammond nodded and muttered, "Champagne's terrible here. That's my excuse as well!"

Sam grinned as the General continued speaking with the Senator, "Major O'Neill is an astrophysicist. She is one of our top scientists at NORAD. Thanks to her Deep Space Telemetry is becoming more and more advanced."

Sam smiled, "I don't do all the work, Sir and you know it!"

General Hammond chuckled and turned to the Polish Senator, "Derek had been Senator of Poland for ten years. He represents Poland at most get-togethers."

Sam gave a forced smile at the man praying that General Hammond would stop talking to them soon...

"You are here alone, Major?" The woman asked sweetly in her soft, Polish accent, but Sam could hear the sharp ridicule in her voice.

General Hammond looked at her worried and she could almost hear him saying, 'Don't pick any fights, Major.'

Sam's false smile was back as she said, "My husband doesn't like these kind of things. Not really his cup of tea. He's waiting at home."

"Ah yes. Colonel O'Neill?"

Sam smile became a little more real as she said, "Yes."

The Polish Senator said something to his wife in Polish and Sam found herself hating the woman as a smirk appeared on her lips.

"Are you sure you don't want something to drink, Major?"

General Hammond saves the day! She gave him a look that said, 'Thank you,' and murmured, "I've changed my mind. A small one won't hurt."

"Senator. Ma'am. Have a nice evening," General Hammond said politely, as Sam followed him away from them. They made their way to the other side of the room. General Hammond spoke, in a low tone, "Are you OK, Major?"

"I hate that. I hate people talking behind our backs!"

"I know, Major, but just think if Jack was here, that Senator would be leaving in an ambulance and his wife would have a champagne soaked dress and running makeup!" Sam laughed, as General Hammond said, "Right, Major. Time for the grand tour!"

General Hammond pointed out all the people in the room and told her what to say to keep them happy. She was laughing. She told him she'd much prefer to piss them all off, that way she could convince herself she'd had an awful time and tell Jack about it when she got home. General Hammond had smiled sadly at that.

General Hammond began to talk with some other snobby couple. Sam could feel people still staring at her as she pushed her way through the crowd to the Ladies room. That room was so full of people there wasn't room to breath.

She flushed and was about to unlock the cubicle door, when she heard some women step in.

They were cackling to themselves as one of them said, "General Hammond introduced us. She is a funny thing! She's not even wearing a proper dress. She comes alone, in uniform and won't touch the champagne making an excuse that she's driving."

Judging by the familiar Polish accent this was the Polish Senator's accessory, Serena. The other two women laughed as one said, "That name rings a bell. You say her name's Major Samantha O'Neill."

Then a voice Sam recognised spoke, cold and hating, "Yes. She's General Jacob Carter's daughter, Gloria."

It was Rosanna Morgan! Sam could tell immediately, by the hatred in that voice Sam would never be able to forget. Sam let out and inward groan before listening to the conversation again.

Gloria spoke again, "General Carter? My husband knows him. We've met before. Major Samantha Carter. I know her! Who's her other half?"

Serena gave a snort, "She's married to some old fly boy! Her ex-CO!"

"Colonel Jonathon O'Neill," Rosanna said her voice filled with disgust.

"No, you don't say?" Gloria said shocked, "I know him. Sara O'Neill. He's her ex husband. The one who left his gun lying around. Their son died because of him."

"That was then. Did you know a year and a half ago he came back from a mission totally blind," Rosanna said as the other two gasped, "He can't see a thing!"

"Does he know who he's married to?!?" Serena snorted, "She's plain. She strides in here in those tiny heeled shoes, wearing her uniform, barely any makeup and it doesn't look like she's brushed her hair in a month!"

Sam stepped out of the loo and walked to the sink. She began to wash her hands as the women continued talking. They obviously hadn't noticed her yet.

"Well, have you met the guy she's married to?" Gloria said laughing cruelly, "His hair is grey and very uneven. He doesn't smile. He's attractive I'll admit, but he's a walking car wreck! He's sarcastic, rude and has the temperament of a wild bull. He's at least a few decades older than her..."

Sam had had enough. Anyone could insult her and she would ignore it, but nobody was going to insult Jack. She gave a loud attention-seeking cough as the women turned and gawped at her, their bloated lips and makeup caked faces gaping at her stood there glaring.

"Pardon?"

"Major O'Neill!" Serena said surprised, "Uh... This is Major O'Neill."

Sam just raised an eyebrow slightly, "Don't need to introduce me, Sweetie. I think these ladies know who I am by your vivid description. And besides me and Rosanna have already met after I stole 'her Jonathon'."

She glared at Sam angrily, as the other two just gaped.

Sam whispered dangerously, "You see unlike you, I'm a person and I have a character. You're just accessories who hang around men for their money and because they are VIPs. I know you aren't that bright so I'll tell you what VIP stands for. Very Important Person. Now those men out there might be VIPs, but so far only one man out there comes anywhere close and that's General Hammond. You want to insult Jack, then go ahead, but you can't compare him to those diplomatic assholes out there because he kicks their asses hands down."

Gloria let out a snort, "He's less than normal. He's barely adequate as husband material. He hardly gets enough money in a year to support a family. Now he gets barely anything and you have to do all the work. He's just an average man. I highly doubt he could beat the men out there."

Sam pulled her handgun out of her jacket and swung it around her finger, "Well then, Honey, I suggest you fall in love with an average guy sometime. It might open your eyes to what the world is really like. Just because Jack isn't a multimillionaire, doesn't mean he's worse off than the men in there. For a start his wife actually loves him, which is more than I can say for you. "

The women looked seriously offended, if not slightly guilty, as Serena said, "Has your husband ever bought you expensive clothes? Has your husband ever taken you out to expensive restaurants? Has your husband even seen your face since you got married?" They all laughed at her, as Sam stayed silent. Serena spoke, "No, I didn't think so."

Sam walked to the door and then turned to them again, "Have your husbands ever saved the world? Have your husbands ever sacrificed themselves to save someone else's life? Have your husbands stayed with you when you were trapped and almost certainly going to die, even when it meant they would die too?" The look on the women's face was a Kodak moment and Sam knew as she smiled that Jack would be proud of her, "No, I didn't think so."

And with that Samantha O'Neill left the lavatory in a surprised and stunned silence.

Å

Sam stepped out into the room and saw that everyone was dancing, even General Hammond who seemed to be not enjoying the experience. Sam sat on a chair at the edge of the room.

Within a second a few men were making their way over to her. Oh God! She got up and was about to find somewhere to hide when someone said behind her, "May I have this dance?"

Sam turned hesitantly, expecting some ancient hypocrite in a top hat and high collar of lace, but was pleasantly surprised by a young man. He was quite handsome and couldn't have been much older than herself.

She could see women staring in her direction. It was obvious this guy was well favoured by the ladies and that they didn't think she was worthy.

He gave her what he must have thought was a debonair smile and said, "My name's Warner. Warner Kinsey."

Sam gasped, "As in Senator Kinsey?"

He smiled pleased, "Yes. My father is Senator Kinsey. He's in the running for the White House in the next elections."

This Guy had a big head! Well, he was Kinsey's flesh and blood what did she expect!

"You are Major Samantha Carter," he smiled, "We've met before."

'Probably at some other overly dressed party with cheap champagne and awful music!' Sam thought. He did look familiar and she remembered the last time they'd met. Her and Jack had been at an award ceremony where General Hammond was awarded an honour for his work from the President. Warner had been there, following her everywhere. Jack had almost become so pissed off he hit the guy. At the time Sam had had no idea why...

"So, are you going to dance with me? You deserve only the best," he took her left hand and kissed it, winking at her slightly.

Sam laughed. She didn't know she had until she did and everyone was staring at her. She smiled, "Sorry, Warner," she lifted her hand a little higher so he could see the engagement ring and gold band on her finger glistening, "I already have the best and he's waiting for me at home."

His face was a picture. He'd obviously been too used to getting what he wanted and to be turned down publicly must have been quite a shocker. She looked at the crowd who were all staring at her as if she'd lost her mind, except for General Hammond who was fighting back a grin.

"You can't be serious," he stared at her hand.

"I am," she said smiling happily, "I'm Major Samantha O'Neill."

"O'Neill? O'Neill...? O'Neill!" He said shocked, "As in Colonel O'Neill?"

"Is there another?" Somebody in their audience muttered and the other's laughed.

"Yes, actually there is," Sam said smiling, "But he's O'Neil with one 'l' and has absolutely no sense of humour."

She dumbfounded everyone, except General Hammond who was chuckling softly, and they didn't know what to think of this woman who was turning down probably the richest and most good-looking man in the country. Well, to them at least!

Warner looked angry, "Colonel Jack O'Neill. You're married to..."

"Colonel Jack O'Neill!" Sam said exasperated before speaking sarcastically, "My, for a spoilt brat you do catch on quickly."

Sam could actually see General Hammond shaking from suppressed laughter among the sea of people goggling at her, like children goggling at an animal in a zoo. People all around her were murmuring in utter disbelief.

The man spoke in indignation, "How dare you speak to me like that? I am Senator Kinsey's son, you know?"

"Yes, I know. That's why I'm speaking to you like this."

She could see the anger in his eyes. He'd turned an interesting red colour from embarrassment. He hissed menacingly, "You are nothing! You will never know fame or fortune! You're a nobody!"

"Well, if a 'somebody' is someone like you, I'd much rather be nobody, thank you very much."

"Who do you think you are?" Warner said angrily.

"Major Samantha O'Neill, we've already been through this!"

Sam was surprised to hear soft chuckling come from their audience. Warner looked at them angrily and turned to her, also glaring, as he spoke dangerously, "I'm warning you, Major. Insult me and you'll insult a lot of people. My father..."

"Oh I see," Sam said angrily, "Every time something goes wrong take it to Daddy. He'll fix everything! Well, you listen to me. He can't do a thing to me, not with all the info Jack has on him. All his filthy money and dirty jobs, Jack could get him thrown in the slammer quicker than you can say 'Scum bag'!"

Shocked murmurs and gasps circled the room. Warner knew she was winning, but it only made him angrier.

"You dare insult my father and you'll pay!" He growled angrily.

Sam shrugged showing it didn't faze her at all, "Does it look like I care?"

He spoke again through gritted teeth as he grabbed the front of her jacket and shook her, "You will, you stupid bitch. I'll make you and your husband's life a misery! I'll make you wish you were dead!"

She spoke calmly, "Don't mess with the O'Neills. I'll warn you now. It's a really bad idea. You'd be better to let go and walk away now."

"Oh really!" He said irefully, "What are you going to do?"

Sam gave a small smile and picked his hands off the front of her jacket before reaching for the almost full bottle of champagne lying on the table beside her and pouring it over the man's head.

The audience was laughing and gasping in equal amounts. She could hear a few cheers amongst them and when all the champagne was gone she placed the bottle on the side and watched the man. He looked up at her, the golden liquid still dripping down from his face and off his nose to the floor. She spoke with a small smile, "Like I said, don't mess with the O'Neills!" He pulled a hand through his champagne soaked hair, his jaw wide open in shock as she patted him on the cheek, "I did warn you."

He just stared after her as the crowd parted in silence; she gave him a small wave and strolled through the gap. After a second someone began to clap and slowly the clapping got louder and louder as almost everyone joined in.

She heard a few women she past murmur things like 'At last, someone who can answer back to the brat!'

Sam strolled out of the room a satisfied grin on her lips. The butler who'd taken her coat, hesitantly held it out at the entrance as Sam pulled it over her shoulder with a small thank you and left the party with a resounding bang!

Å

The noise of keys clicking and scraping in a lock made Jack freeze. He felt a flourish of goose bumps cover his skin, as he heard the door open and then close.

"Jack?" The beautiful voice rang clearly through the house, her smile clear in the sound of her voice. Jack couldn't speak. The only way he didn't know his wife was by sight and he wanted to run to her and finally see her again, but he froze and couldn't move, as he heard her walk in. Slowly at first, but then her footsteps became faster as he heard her raise her voice, "Jack? Jack?" Her voice was becoming frightened and anxious. He heard her running around downstairs and murmuring frantically, "Oh God! Jack? Where are you? Jack?"

Jack tried to say 'I'm here', but it came out barely above a whisper from his shocked voice.

He heard her footsteps run up the stairs towards him. His breath caught in his throat as he stood facing the doorway. He was trembling as the loose floorboard on the landing clanged as Sam sped across it. His heart was thumping away at his ribcage as time seemed to stop.

Suddenly, Sam appeared in the doorway and looked inside. Her dark blue eyes were wide with fear and anxiety. When she saw him, she ran to him, "Jack! Are you OK? You're shaking," she whispered. Her soft fingertips stroked the side of his face as she stood before him. He stared at her, as his eyes began to water at the sight of the woman he'd wanted to see for almost 2 years.

Her golden hair was windswept and messy from the gusty wind outside, but still made her look stunning. Her eyes, her gorgeous blue eyes, the colour of Mediterranean seas, were still fearful and now scanned his face anxiously. Her cheeks slightly flushed from speeding around the house and from the chill outside. She was wearing her dress blues and looked fantastic. Her fingers were cool against his cheek as she murmured, "Are you alright? Jack? Can you hear me?"

He just stared at her face. He couldn't rip his eyes off her. Sam. His Sam. The woman he loved with everything that made him up. If you could ever feel 'eternity' Jack was sure it was the tingly feeling that had engulfed his body when he saw her. The indescribable feeling of pleasure that suddenly made his knees go weak, his mouth become dry and his heart stop beating.

"Oh God! Jack, say something!" Sam looked close to tears with fright.

He took in a shaky gasp and whispered, "Sam..."

She let out a relieved sigh, "I'm here, Baby. It's OK," her eyes searched his face frantically in search of anything that could be wrong. "Jack, what..." she stopped, as her eyes connected with his. As she looked into the familiar brown eyes, she realised something was different. His pupils were dilated from what she guessed was shock, but there was something else. There was recognition in the depths of his eyes that she hadn't seen for a long time.

She pulled away slightly and watched as his eyes followed her. They roamed all over her face, but instead of the usual aimless meandering, she could see the intention in his eyes.

Her voice sounded uncertain as she whispered, "Jack?" She then realised something for the first time and stared around the room, "Why are all the lights on? Did Daniel turn them on?"

Jack shook his head slowly as he murmured, "I did."

Jack watched as that small frown appeared on Sam's face, "You did?"

"I can see," he spoke quietly, his almost inaudible voice carried on his quivering breath, "Sam, I... I can see you..."

"Jack, you're blind. You can't see," he could see the serious anxiety in her eyes as she said it cautiously. She was obviously worried that her husband had lost it. That he was a delusional wreck and that he thought he could see when he couldn't, but he could see.

"I can see, Sam," he said. She shook her head and reached for her cell phone in her pocket, "Who are you gonna call?" The minute he murmured the question, Sam dropped her cell phone with a gasp. She stared at him almost trembling as violently as he was.

She spoke her voice nothing but a tearful whimper, "Jack? Honey?"

He took a step forward and pulled her into a fierce hug as she heard him let out a small cry of happiness. Sam hugged him back tightly, as he choked on tears, "God, I missed you! I missed you so much!"

Sam felt tears of her own on her cheeks as she pulled back and stared into his eyes thanking God he was staring back. She grinned widely as he stroked her hair with his hand and squeezed her to him as tight as possible.

"You really can see! H-How?"

"Daniel, Teal'c and Nyan. Hammond gave them orders to steal the device. They came earlier and... now I can see."

Sam couldn't stop sobbing with joy and shock and they stood there holding each other for a long time. She pulled back as he stared at her face. She saw more shocked tears welling in his dark eyes as he pulled a hand through his greying hair, his eyes never leaving her, as he whispered, "God, I can see you. I... I can see you."

She stroked his face with her silky fingers as she began grinning overjoyed, her forehead against his, their noses touching. She swiped away his tears as she whispered, "You're back."

He smiled in return, "I'm back." His expression became serious again as he murmured, "Look, I just wanted to say... I love you, Sam. I... really, really love you. And I wanted you to know... I'm really sorry for everything you've had to go through."

"What do you mean?" Sam asked softly.

Jack blushed slightly, "Everything. Me mostly. You having to care for me, having to look after me, all the bullshit people gave you because of me, having to work to support me..."

She placed a finger on his lips, sending shivers though him as she whispered, "Why are you sorry?" Jack guessed it was a rhetorical question because the second she finished talking, her finger moved and was replaced by her soft lips making him involuntarily shudder. She kissed him tenderly and Jack left it at its slow pace although he felt a serious desire welling within him. She pulled back after a few seconds and stared into his eyes as she whispered, "Through thick and thin, remember? Through sickness and in health. I promised I'd be there for you... forever."

"It wasn't just a pity thing...? I mean I was already blind before we promised..."

"No, Jack," Sam whispered sincerely, "I promised myself those things long before any of this. I promised that no matter what, I'd do every damn thing in my power to be a good 2IC, to be a good friend... and then I realised I never wanted to be either of those. I wanted to be so much more." Sam dropped his gaze as she murmured sadly, "You still think it was pity?"

"No," Jack murmured, "But if it had been I would've been heartbroken."

"Is that why you asked?" Sam spoke slightly angry, "You thought I'd just pack up and leave?"

Jack spoke with a smile trying to hide his fears and failing miserably before the gaze of his wife, "Beautiful girls like you usually don't stick around with guys like me." She looked at him surprised as he continued the fear in his voice plain to hear, "Whenever you went out I used to sit and wait, I didn't eat unless I had company. I was... terrified."

"Of what?" Sam said finally finding her voice.

He looked up at her his eyes fixing her where she stood, "I was scared that you wouldn't be coming back. That I'd be left alone... in the dark. That in about a week of me wandering around the house... falling over... and... and... bumping into stuff... that... some... people would come and... and take me to some kind of... care home... and I'd have to live there... forever... with nurses force feeding me... and keeping me well and truly doped up with... drugs and sedatives." Jack's stuttering and shaking made Sam's heart clench painfully as he told her feelings. Jack rarely shared some of his feelings, even with her, and fear was one of them. She knew what it cost him to tell her that now and the images of Jack sat helplessly at home, praying she'd come back brought tears to her eyes.

"I... I had no idea..."

Jack's mouth just opened and closed a few times as he continued to quiver visibly before her stammered, "I hate the dark."

Sam spoke equally as shaken, "The lights?"

She saw tears in Jack's eyes and he hurriedly swiped at them angrily, as he mumbled, "I never want to be in the dark again." He turned away from her sharply, unwilling to let her see any more of his emotional vulnerability.

His back shuddered and Sam stepped forward slowly, "Jack?" He didn't reply and all she could hear was the man stifling his pain. She spoke again softly, "Jack?" She laid a hand on his shoulder and he released half a sob before he held his breath again. She walked before him. His face was screwed up and tears had begun to fall from his beautiful brown eyes.

She pulled him close cradling his head close to her as he began to shake and let out a choked sob. She gently walked him over to the bed and sat down with her back propped against the headboard. She held him close and gently whispered lovingly to him, "I'm not going to leave. I would never leave you. Never."

Å

What felt like hours later Sam stroked a tuft of his greying hair softly. His head lay in her lap as he slept lightly, his breakdown earlier now rendering him unconscious. Sam sighed gently. She refused to lose control herself. Right now, she had to be strong for him. Sam couldn't even begin to comprehend what kind of emotional turmoil her husband was going through. He'd had a really rough day where his emotions were concerned.

She sighed softly, lifting his head from her lap and placing it on a pillow gently as she climbed off the bed. She looked at the clock. It had just gone 11pm. She felt a small yawn nagging at her jaw although she held it down. She opened the wardrobe silently and got changed out of her dress blues and into one of Jack's old T-shirts she used as a nightdress and her dressing gown.

She wandered through the house turning off all the lights. Literally, every single light was on. Sam sighed again, swiping a tear from her cheek and pulling her dressing gown around her tightly. She wandered into the living room and lifted a picture off the mantelpiece. One of the ones Janet had taken at the wedding of her and Jack kissing passionately while they danced. It had been just before they'd made a break for the Fire Exit to go off and enjoy their Honeymoon.

Another tear rolled down her cheek as she smiled at the happy memory, her finger trailing over Jack's worn face. To say that she loved him was an understatement. She couldn't even explain the feeling she had when he touched her or kissed her. It was like being kissed for the first time every time and Sam knew deep in her heart she'd still feel the same when she was 85!

She turned at the sound of breathing behind her. Jack stood in the doorway, just watching her. The expression in his eyes showed a mixture of different emotions. Pain, Anger, Misery, Happiness, Hope, Lust, Fear, Memory, Love... most especially Love. His eyes roved over her body and her face slowly, like he'd just seen her for the first time, as if trying to remember ever single millimetre of her.

The expression on his face made her close her eyes and let in a shuddery breath, before opening them again, tears beginning to fall. Jack stepped forward slowly, until he was bare atoms apart from her. Sam tried to stop crying, but she couldn't. Everything that had happened to them in the past two years finally hit her all at once and she began to let out shuddery whimpers, trying to blink back the onslaught of salty tears rolling down her face.

Jack's gentle fingers cupped her face in his hands as he began to caress her skin in the way he had when he'd been trying to 'see' her. She stared into his face although his eyes, full of tender concentration, followed his fingertips as they ran along her jaw and brushed past her ear and a few strands of golden hair. They continued to meander over her face, as he meticulously took in every single pore of skin.

Suddenly, his eyes connected with hers, slightly blood shot and watery. He glanced over the tired grey semicircles beneath her eyes and the paleness of her skin. She looked exhausted, not smiling with tired tears trailing down her cheeks. He spoke softly as his voice was hoarse from crying, "You look so tired, Sam."

She stared at him, as she continued to weep, "I've been so worried about you. You were always so depressed and..."

"Shh," he calmed her slightly; his clever fingers moving back to press gently against her soft lips. He sighed and murmured, "This is all my fault," he looked at her and smiled, "But I'm back now. I'm not going to be like that any more."

Sam smiled beneath his fingers and Jack felt that beautiful smile blow him away. Like a moth to a light bulb, he began to kiss her fervently, all the while whispering words of love to his Sam. She let out a soft laugh of happiness as she began to echo his words, pulling his head closer to hers while his hands held her around her hips.

Jack pulled away, opening his eyes, as Sam's tears continued to fall. His embrace around her tightened as she smiled and let out a tearful chuckle, as he continued to touch her face and stare at her. He could see her. He could see his Sam again. He just smiled, wiggling his eyebrows comically as he lifted his wife into his arms. She let out a small whoop of surprise as he stepped towards the door, "Let me carry you over a threshold. Now I can do it."

He stepped out of the living room and into the hall before Sam poked him hard in a manner that screamed 'Put-me-down-this-instant' although she was smiling so hard she couldn't say it.

When her feet were firmly back on the ground, she let out a small shiver, the cold November temperature filling the house. Jack immediately took her hand leading her upstairs to their room, before turning swiftly.

Before he could, Sam pulled him into a zealous kiss, more tears finding their way out of her eyes. She continued to kiss him as she untied her dressing gown and let it drop to the floor. Jack glanced at her in his t-shirt and let out a small chuckle. She glared at him, "What?"

"Nothing." He spoke sincerely, his voice choked with emotion, "I love you, Mrs. O'Neill."

Sam grinned as he pulled her into another heart stopping kiss as she spoke to him in actions rather than words, 'I love you too, Mr. O'Neill.'

Å

Epilogue

The next day

Jack stood outside the house staring at it. It hadn't changed a bit. He glanced at Sam stood beside him, she gave a reassuring smile and took his hand in hers giving it a tiny squeeze. Jack smiled in return before stepping up to the door and staring at the doorbell for a second before he took a deep breath. He lifted his hand up and it hovered in front of the small button.

He glanced at his wife again as she whispered, "You OK?"

"5 years, Sam."

She smiled and gently took his trembling hand in hers, "I know, Baby. You ready?"

He took another deep breath and nodded as Sam gently pushed his hand forward until it touched the doorbell. A shrill ring erupted and Jack jumped slightly, Sam giving a small chuckle before they waited expectantly.

The door opened and Flick grinned, "Hey Guys, glad you could make. Go out to the garden and I'll say hel..." Flick paused staring at Jack as he watched her... watched her?

Flick stared back her jaw dropping as he spoke quietly, but with a smile spreading across his face, "You look different to I remember. You done something to your hair?"

Flick just blinked confused as she stood still holding the door. What? She didn't underst... As it finally registered with her brain, she shrieked with shock and ecstasy, "Oh my God!"

Jack grinned as she threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly as she shouted, "Mom! Mom! Come quick! It's Jack!"

Kathy O'Neill sped into the hall with a smile, "Hello Dear. How are you...?"

She watched as her son detached his sister from him and stepped towards her with a smile. She frowned confused before he gave her a small wink and said, "Hi Mom."

She let out a small sob and pulled him close, "Oh Jack! You... How... When?"

"It's a long story, Mom, so I'll only tell it once," he took Sam's hand in his smiling at his wife as he put an arm around his little sister's shoulders and said with a grin, "Let's go out to the garden and see the guys, huh?"

Tears brimming in her dark eyes, Kathy looked at her son adoringly and he looked right back...

FINIS

Author's Notes: Phew! That took a LONG time! But I think it was well worth it. Another one of my favourites. After that you probably want a good long rest, after writing it I know I do! But of course I won't, don't have time to rest! Thank you for reading this, please please PLEASE send me some feedback! I must deserve it!

Copyright © 2004 Sam I Am