'God I hate it when this happens, I'm in here, just not. This is when I regret not saying what I wanted to say. What needed to be said? To all of you, to everyone.' Jack felt life seeping from him, literally, it was a strange experience, and he'd felt it for a moment when he lay on the floor of the Asguard homeworld. When it all became too much. He could just focus on her; Sam was calling for him, trying to get his attention. So much to say and no way of saying it.

"Sir? Sir."

Jack could feel the warmth of her fingers pressing into his neck. 'Hey I'm still here'

"His pulse is erratic. Don't you dare leave us now. We won"

Jack tried to open his eyes, something was happening, they had won but it was too late for him, he'd played his part it was up to them to ride out the rest. He focused on Sam, she was close calling to him, they'd won.

'Of course we won, we always win' thought Jack 'that's our job. Wish I could see the end of it; wish I could tell you all the things that need saying. Will I ever get the chance? You know don't you Sam, deep down we both know. We just need to be courageous enough to say it aloud. We can kick ass saving the world but we can't be two adults and admit what's between us'

"Please Jack"

She was close, so close, Jack begged for the strength to lift a hand and comfort the loss he could already see in her eyes as she looked on him, pleading in her voice for him to hold on. She still had hope, still had faith that something could be done.

"Dolmata" he whispered, there was something, not the best option, but it would stop him from slipping away, he didn't want to ebb away. It wasn't going to go down like that.

He lost sight of her as Tealc overtook and lifted him, setting him safely inside. He could feel the powers seeping through him, activating the device. He focused again on Carter; another moment he could never have again, the last moment as life suddenly became still.

Finis