All info is in chapter one.

A/N: Thanks to all those who have reviewed. I hope you'll still be enjoying this after this chapter :-) Sorry it's taken so long to post, I've been ill and my mind couldn't focus on writing, and my body couldn't sit at the computer. It was very annoying. Anyway, on with the story...

Chapter Four

The wormhole deactivated behind them as the three male members of SG1 headed for the nearby village. It was visible from the gate and would only take them twenty minutes to get there. Although, at the speed Jack was walking, they would get there in half that time.


Meanwhile, Sam was smiling, Janet noticed as she drew blood from the sleeping Major's arm. Despite her deep concern for her friend, Janet couldn't stop the smirk that appeared on her face, or the thought that leaped into her head: "Having sweet dreams, Sam?" She laughed a little to herself, actually pleased that Sam appeared to be dreaming. At least, whilst whatever had afflicted her had its hold on her, Sam was happy.

Janet removed the needle from Sam's arm and placed cotton wool onto the small spot of blood left behind. She had collected her things and was leaving to check on Siler – who had broken two toes when he dropped his wrench on them – when she heard a familiar voice.

"Janet?" Sam asked quietly.

Janet retraced her steps with a wide smile on her face. "Hey, sleepyhead!"

Sam looked around the blurry room. "What am I doing here?" she asked, trying to think back and remember for herself. She could remember going to the briefing for their next mission, but, after that, it was very hazy. "Did something happen on the mission?"

"You never made it to the mission," Janet explained, her face still light, as she checked Sam over. "You fell asleep during the briefing."

Sam's eyes widened in disbelief. "I remember feeling tired, but - ... What did General Hammond say?" It was now fear that filled her still tired eyes.

Janet smiled reassuringly. "We believe you may be suffering the effects of whatever happened to you on your last mission, so I think your job's safe."

Sam laughed slightly as Janet was speaking, so Janet frowned. "What?"

" 'Suffering'," Sam laughed again.

Janet's mouth pursed into a smirk again. "Aren't you... suffering?" she grinned with a knowing look.

Sam gave her a playful glare. "I meant," she emphasised, "I just fell asleep... It's hardly life threatening."

"We couldn't wake you up," Janet said seriously. "That's not normal. We don't know how else you might be affected... Do you remember anything about what they did to you?"

Sam had been settling herself back against her pillows, and now, suitably comfortable, she sat still and thought for a moment. "There were a lot of machines... lights... scanning me."

Concern slipped onto Janet's face as Sam's speech became slower and quieter. She was falling asleep again.

"Sam? Stay with me... The dreams, do they tell you anything? Is there anything strange about them?" she reeled off her questions quickly.

Sam's eyes began to droop more and more. "They're... They're just dreams, Jan," she said before her eyes closed fully.

"Sam?" Janet said, shaking her gently, but it was the same as earlier, there was no response. She sighed and stepped back. It had been a good sign that Sam had woken up, but it wasn't good that she had fallen asleep again.


The aroma of coffee stirred Sam's senses as her eyes fluttered open. It took her a second to get re-orientated then she looked at the bed, empty beside her. She smiled as she heard footsteps coming towards toward the room, and looked towards the door in anticipation of his entrance.

A few seconds later Jack appeared, carrying a tray containing various breakfast foods, coffee and orange juice.

"Good morning," he smiled upon seeing that she was awake.

She was already grinning from ear to ear, and replied, "Morning... You should have woken me."

He placed the tray on the bedside cabinet and sat on the bed beside her. "You look so cute when you're asleep."

Still smiling, she raised an eyebrow, and he quickly continued.

"Not that you don't normally look cute," he smiled, leaning forwards to kiss her gently on her lips. "What are you smiling about anyway?" he asked as he sat back.

Sam shrugged.

"What?" he asked when her smile didn't subside at all.

"I'm just happy," she offered finally. "Something wrong with that?"

Jack shook his head snuggling underneath the duvet with her. Then he looked at her as if he was deep in thought.

"What?" it was her turn to ask.

"Nothing," he said quickly, reaching over to take a slice of toast from the tray.

"Jack?" she persisted.

He swallowed his bite of toast and dropped the remainder back onto the plate. "Nothing," he repeated.

She didn't speak. She didn't need to. She was still smiling, but her eyes told him she wanted an answer.

"Well... It's just... If you're happy forever, are you gonna smile like that forever?" he smirked.

Her eyes widened and she slapped him playfully across his chest. "Yes I am! Can you not handle that?"

He caught her hand, and pressed soft kisses to the palm. "Oh I can handle it..." he responded, trailing the kisses along her wrist and all the way up her arm. Then looking into her eyes, caressing her cheek with his hand, he added, "In fact, I will dedicate my life to making sure you always have that goofy expression on your face."

He wouldn't have thought it possible if he hadn't witnessed it for himself, but as Sam blushed, her smile widened.

"I love you," she said softly.


Three children playing just outside the village saw their visitors as they approached. Recognising the uniform, they hurried to the leaders to tell them who was on the way.

Seeing the children run away, Jack increased his walking speed, almost to a run. Teal'c increased the length of his strides to keep up, and Daniel actually was jogging.

"Jack?" he asked as he trotted alongside him.

"They know we're coming. I'm not giving them chance to prepare," Jack explained, his focus hard on the village; his pace still increasing.

The leaders, one male, one female – introduced to them last time as Tilan and Mikla – were walking out of the Meeting Place as SG1 entered the village.

Watching him intensely, Daniel could see the anger building in Jack. His muscles were tight, and his face was reddening. He quickly scurried to be ahead of him, and noticed that Teal'c had done the same thing. It was obvious that Jack wasn't in the mood to control his anger but, if they wanted these people to help them, somebody would have to.

Jack didn't notice that he had fallen to the back of their small group, he was too intently focussed on the people in front of him. It was only when he was about to set on them, and demand they tell him what they did to Carter, that he realised Daniel had got there first.

The archaeologist was explaining to the leaders why they had returned – in much too calm a way for Jack's liking.

"I'll handle this, Daniel," he said, stepping forward.

"Jack – " Daniel began to protest but was drowned out.

"What did you do to her?" Jack demanded, actually more calmly than the others had expected.

The two leaders exchanged concerned glances before Tilan faced Jack.

"Is Major Carter unwell?" he asked.

Jack glared at him. "Yes she is!... What did you do to her?" He stepped closer as he spoke; Daniel and Teal'c instinctively moving with him to stop him going any further.

Mikla stepped in between the two men. "Colonel O'Neill, the procedure used on Major Carter is highly successful – "

"Procedure?!" Jack yelled. "What procedure?"

The woman was not phased by Jack's anger and continued.

"If you would explain what has happened to Major Carter, I can establish if it's the result of our procedure – "

"Well it started right after we left here – "

"Colonel O'Neill," Mikla spoke up to interrupt him. "I understand that Major Carter is very important to you, but if you don't tell me what has happened to her, we can't determine how to help her."

Jack saw honesty in Mikla's eyes so he backed down, yielding to Daniel to explain Carter's condition.

Mikla looked to Tilan once Daniel had finished and asked him to call for someone named Ji-Rel. Tilan left to do so, and Mikla turned back to SG1.

"Ji-Rel is our lead scientist. He'll be able to reverse the procedure. If you bring Major Carter – "

"Whoa!" Jack cut in, emphasising it with a wave of his hand. "We're not gonna let you 'reverse' anything until we know what you did in the first place."

Mikla studied Jack for a moment then nodded. "We never intended to cause her any harm. We have never had any problems with the procedure – "

"What procedure?" Jack asked impatiently, earning him a glare from Daniel, and a slightly raised eyebrow from Teal'c.

Mikla smiled to the others to show that O'Neill's behaviour was not offending her.

"Colonel O'Neill, have you ever imagined a different life for yourself?..."

Jack frowned but continued to listen.

"...A life which, for whatever reason, you cannot have?"

Instantly Jack's mind screamed yes, flashing with images of a life without regulations – a life with Sam.

Seeing Jack's eyes deep in thought, Mikla smiled a little. "I see you have... Well, we developed a procedure that allows you to live that life whilst at rest."

Daniel's eyes were bright with interest. "You mean, like in dreams?"

Mikla nodded. "Yes... The procedure stimulates the mind to conjure up images of our deepest desires and wishes, bringing them to the front when we sleep... The dreams continue from one another, it is as if we live a different life when we are asleep... It allows our people to experience what they otherwise could not."

"So that's what's happened to Carter? She's living some other life when she's asleep?" Jack asked.

"That was our intention... Major Carter appeared sad. It was clear from her eyes that there was something missing from her life..."

Jack's brow creased with concern hearing this. He hadn't noticed that Sam was sad. His chest ached as his mind ran through possible things that could have happened; how Sam could have been feeling; and he wasn't there for her.

"...We meant only to give her the opportunity we all have," Mikla had continued. "But she should only dream when she goes to sleep, it shouldn't be causing her to sleep all the time... Something must have gone wrong."

They all expected Jack to have a sarcastic comment here and, when he remained silent, all eyes turned to him.

Still lost in his thoughts of Sam, he suddenly became aware that everybody was looking at him. "What?" he asked quickly.

Teal'c raised an eyebrow, concerned that Jack had appeared distracted.

"Are you okay?" Daniel asked quietly.

Jack nodded.

"Don't you have anything to say?" Daniel frowned.

Jack took a breath and looked at Mikla. "Can you reverse it? Safely?"

Mikla nodded, but didn't look so sure. "Normally the procedure is easily reversed... But, given that something appears to have gone wrong, we should examine Major Carter first to find out what happened before we try to undo it. Or else we may end up harming her further," she explained.

Jack absorbed everything she was saying silently. She seemed to be being honest, and seemed genuinely apologetic that this had happened. But this was Sam's life, he had to be sure before he entrusted it to these people.

"Would you excuse us?" he smiled to Mikla who nodded and walked a little away from them.

"Jack...?" Daniel asked curiously.

"Do you think we can trust them?" he asked his friends.

"I would say yes. She seems genuine," Daniel replied.

"How do we know she's telling the truth? They kidnapped Carter once, this could just be a plot to get her back."

"Jack, they explained that. It was a misunderstanding between two different cultures. She really does seem sorry that Sam's 'ill'."

Jack thought quietly for a moment then looked Daniel straight in the eye. "What she told us about the procedure, do you think that's true?"

Daniel knew what he meant. He was actually asking him to tell him about Sam's dreams. "Yes," he answered evasively. Answering the question, but not giving Jack what he wanted. He knew he wouldn't leave it there though.

"The dreams she was having were a life she wished she could have?"

Daniel shifted uncomfortably, and hesitantly responded. "She didn't tell me anything specific, but, I understand that they were, yes... Jack, it's likely that the procedure went wrong because we took Sam from them before they'd finished."

That had occurred to Jack, but he hadn't wanted to think that it might be their fault that Sam was indisposed now.

"Right... We'll bring her back... And we'll bring Doc Frasier and a medical team. They can learn about the procedure – and its reversal – before we let them near Carter."


The infirmary was quiet, the lights dimmed for the night, when Jack arrived, finally having a chance to check on Sam. It had been the first thing he had wanted to do when they got back, but Janet had assured him she was fine, and Hammond had ordered him to shower, change and attend a debriefing. That had taken a lot longer than expected as he had to convince General Hammond that the people who had previously kidnapped Carter, and admittedly carried out a procedure on her without her consent, could be trusted to cure her.

Now he stepped quietly across the room, stopping beside Sam's bed. She looked so peaceful, lying still, breathing softly. And she was smiling. To see her smile made him smile, and he sat down in the chair beside her bed.

"So, you like your new life?" he asked quietly, a hint of sadness in his tone. "I'm sorry I didn't realise you weren't happy in this one," he added at barely a whisper.

For a couple of minutes he just sat looking at her, absorbing the beauty of her features, the apparent smoothness of her skin, the softness of her hair. It was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore his feelings for her. When she was lost on the Prometheus, his heart had been breaking at the thought of never seeing her again. He had vowed that when she came back he would tell her how he felt; he would figure out some way for them to be together. But he didn't. He couldn't. He had sat beside her – much like now – waiting for her to wake up, waiting to tell her. But when she opened her eyes, he was overwhelmed by his fear of losing her. In that moment it convinced him that it was better to have her in his life as a friend; as a possibility, than to know that she didn't feel the same way. Yet every day since he still longed for her to return his feelings. Every time she was in the room, his attention was captivated by her. She smiled, and he melted. She stood close to him and he wanted to move closer. Right now he wanted to reach out, to hold her hand and tell her that everything would be okay. To promise to dedicate his life to making her happy. To tell her he loved her. With all his heart he loved her.

So lost in his own thoughts, he hadn't noticed her eyes open. "Jack?" she said quietly.

He jumped up from the seat – partly so that she could see him properly, but mainly with guilt over his thoughts. "Hey," he smiled.

"What happened?" she asked, her eyes staying open for only seconds at a time before they drooped closed again.

"Oh, nothing serious... You'll be fine," he replied.

She opened her mouth to speak then licked her lips. He noticed she was trying to force her eyes open, and she was looking towards the jug of water beside the bed.

"Are you thirsty?" he asked.

She nodded once, then her head fell back onto her pillows.

Jack poured her a glass of water and handed it towards her. She went to take it, but with her eyes refusing to stay open, her hand missed it completely and fell to the bed heavily.

She sighed. "I'm sorry. I'm so tired," she whispered.

Jack smiled. "It's okay... Can you sit up a little?" he asked, placing his other hand just behind her shoulder and helping her sit up. Feeling her weight leaning on his hand, he slid it to support the centre of her back, then held the glass up to her lips.

At first she just sipped the water, then as her body cried for more to quench her thirst, her hand automatically moved to the glass, covering Jack's hand. He actually shivered at her touch, immediately cursing himself for it.

When she'd finished drinking, Sam tried to look at him. "Are you cold?" she asked slowly.

Jack shrugged. "A little... You finished?" he asked nodding towards the water.

Sam nodded and Jack moved his hand to allow her to lie back down. She did so, her eyes closing again, but she didn't release her hold on his hand. He moved it, but she didn't let go. So, instead, he took the glass with his other hand and placed it back on the cabinet, allowing his other hand to fall with hers, coming to rest on her stomach, where she adjusted her grip to hold it more tightly.

Feeling a little uncomfortable at how comfortable that felt, Jack cleared his throat. "I should get a doctor to check on you – "

"No!" she said, holding his hand tighter still. "Stay here... Please?"

Still uncertain that he should allow himself to do this, Jack acquiesced and perched on the edge of the bed to make it more comfortable for his arm.

A silence followed. Sam eyes drifted open occasionally and she would focus on Jack and smile, but then they would close again, and she would look like she was sleeping. Janet had told him that Sam had woken up a couple of times, but not for very long, and – as each time she appeared to be tired - it was probably best to let her sleep. Jack just watched her, subconsciously stroking his thumb along her fingers – until he realised what he was doing. He stopped abruptly, his guilt tripling. He shouldn't be indulging in this moment.

"What's wrong?" Sam asked him, her eyes still closed.

"Nothing," he said, standing up. "I should go... You need to rest... I'll see you tomorrow." He prised his hand out of hers and turned to walk away when she spoke again.

"Jack?"

He turned back. She was still lying with her eyes closed as she continued.

"Don't I get a kiss?"

TBC...