Arriving back at the SGC in awkward silence, the three humans were immediately ushered to the infirmary for a thorough examination.
"Oh, for crying out loud, I'm fine! And if you even think of flashing that damned thing in my eye again you'll wish you hadn't."
Despite his unease at the sudden tension between Sam and Jack, Daniel struggled not to laugh at Jack's usually bedside behavior. As much as he had missed his friend, he was certain the nurses hadn't missed his attitude.
"What are you smirking at?" Jack growled at him.
"Nothing. Just glad to have you back."
Daniel was about to comment again when Teal'c entered the room.
"Teal'c! Hey buddy, nice of you to join us. We're almost done being poked and prodded, so how about we go grab take out and rent Star Wars?"
Teal'c took in the strained atmosphere of the room at a glance, Observing Sam's position on the outside of their group. Taking note of the discomfort inherent in her stance as she stood with her arms hugging herself in an unconscious attempt at comfort. He resolved to prevent the situation escalating further. Whatever had transpired between her and O'Neill, he would not let him push her away. It was an unhealthy course of action for both of them.
"I do not believe that MajorCarter would enjoy another viewing of that particular selection. She has stated that she would rather remove her hair from her scalp than repeat the experience."
Sam started at his words, looking uncomfortable at her sudden inclusion in the conversation. She hesitated, shooting a quick look at Jack as if reluctant to reply without his permission to join the conversation.
"Carter?" Jack queried. His tone friendly, but the friendly of acquaintance and colleague, rather than close friend and confidant.
"Shave my head, Teal'c. I threatened to shave my head. Besides, whichever movie the Colonel wants is fine with me."
Feeling more comfortable thanks to Teal'c's support, Sam stepped into the curtained area and smiled at Daniel's amused expression, more grateful than ever for their friendship.
"As long as we get food and some Diet Coke, I could really care less what we watch."
Jack gave her a long look, then nodded his head brusquely. "Fair enough."
He turned away, effectively dismissing her as he bounced on the balls of his feet. Waiting for the CMO to grant the all clear, release them and hopefully grant them some much needed down time. When the doctor returned, she instructed the impatient Colonel and Major that if they had any delayed side affects of the transfer, they should return to the SGC immediately.
"Sure, Doc, no problem. Can we go?"
At the woman's nod, Jack headed straight for the exit.
o0o
It was an hour later when the team finally settled in at the house, plates laden with food and the TV showing the opening credits of the rented movie.
They all sat around the room eating in silence. Daniel pondered the events of the past week, Sam rehearsed her internal mantra of "He's my C.O.". Jack stewed on the repercussions of the whole 'download' thing and her subsequent rejection of him, while Teal'c simply observed his friends as stoically as ever.
The theme from 'Casablanca,' wafted through the air causing Sam to glance up in surprise.
"What's this?" She asked, looking around the room in confusion.
"Uh, I thought you picked it." Daniel answered, flitting his gaze from Teal'c to Jack and then back again. "It's not yours?"
"No. I got that new Sci-Fi release. Teal'c?" Sam inquired of the Jaffa.
"I did not select this film. I chose the fourth installment of the Star Trek saga."
"Oh."
Sam promptly turned back to her plate of food and pretended to ignore the obvious discomfort her questioning had caused.
"Oh, for cryin' out loud, it's mine. Okay?" Jack huffed loudly.
"Indeed." "Sure." "Yessir." Came the immediate response from the room.
Sam stared at her egg roll and forced herself not to cry. She knew exactly why he had chosen that movie. And it hurt. Just as she reached down to pick up the morsel, the film was silenced much to her relief and Jack's indignant "Hey!".
Daniel cleared his throat. "Let's watch something else, okay?"
"If you didn't like it Daniel, you just had to say!" Jack snapped.
Sam got the feeling the comment was not really aimed at Daniel. Merely a week ago, she had been certain that nothing could tear her team apart. No wars, no Ancient devices, no feelings would separate them. She wouldn't let them.
Now she wasn't so sure.
o0o
EpilogueStanding to attention in front of the massive circle, Sam raised her right hand and swore the oath of a higher office. For a split second, the man before her beamed with pride and friendly affection as the carefully erected walls between them came crashing down . She chose to ignore the stirring of emotion that came with the sorely-missed sight, conspicuous by it's absence in recent weeks.
As she repeated the solemn words back to him, she reaffirmed to everyone in the room and also to herself that she was willing to sacrifice her life for the good of all. She accepted the responsibility of the personnel under her new command with slight fear and trepidation, but with the belief that it would be rewarded.
She focused her mind on the task that lay ahead. A year, she decided. She would give it a year. They would win the war; it was only a matter of time. But until then, she would give her entire being, for however long it took, to secure a safe universe for those innocent lives across the galaxy. And if it didn't happen within the year? Well, then she'd make some long-overdue changes in her life. By then she would have spent eight years putting her life on hold. Eight years. She was more than entitled to change her priorities.
And after that, who knew? Maybe, perhaps, if she was lucky and hadn't completely destroyed whatever feelings he held for her, she would still get the chance to finally say aloud those words which echoed in her heart:
"I need you, Jack. I always have and I always will.
End.