AN: Thanks so much for the reviews. I'm working on getting this out as quickly as possible!

Chapter Six

Somehow, despite all of the chaos around him, the night fell deathly silent. Jack's mind alternated between the pain in his knee and the fear that they wouldn't find Carter. He focused on Carter, letting everything else slip away. He didn't hear the call Daniel made to Teal'c to inform him of the situation. He didn't hear the argument that broke out when the police department finally decided to see what the Air Force was up to. He only thought of Carter and wished he could find her as easily as he'd known she was in trouble.

Although he was paying no attention to the noise, he did notice when it abruptly stopped. The background sounds of chatter died away. Jack looked up at the same moment Daniel grabbed his arm. The medics were being summoned, the shock of having found something stunning everyone into silence. The two friends glanced at each other, moving swiftly to chase the medics down the hillside. Jack was too scared to feel his own pain at that point; Daniel was too surprised to think better of letting Jack damage himself further. Despite their actions in getting the search going, they weren't really ready for the news. They hurried through the woods with Jack stumbling more than once as his knee tried to give out.

She was lying unmoving against a tree trunk; her body facing it. Her legs half wrapped around the obstacle as if to say they would have been happy to keep falling had the tree not interrupted the process. Her left arm was tucked against her stomach; her hand pressed against the bark. Her right arm splayed out underneath her at an awkward angle.

The medics discussed the pros and cons of getting a back board versus evacuating her immediately; Daniel stayed back a step, wincing involuntarily at her wounded condition. Jack wasn't shocked; he was actually relieved they had found her finally. His world narrowed to only her again. He dropped to his knees beside her. He wanted to take her in his arms and hold her close, to touch her skin and feel the warmth of life in her. But he couldn't. He didn't want to cause more injury by touching her or moving her. He didn't know if they'd let him - one of the medics was watching her closely, using his stethoscope to listen to her body while the debate about moving her continued.

Heartened by the fact that the man appeared to be listening to something which translated to her still breathing, Jack was able to breathe himself. His eyes fell on her bare hands, pale and torn and bleeding. He remembered the gloves she'd wished for, the ones that would have prevented some of the jagged slices through her skin. Her hands had been so cold from the wind and rain. He reached out, gently cradling one of her freezing hands in both of his. Her skin was so icy to the touch that it sent shivers through him, but he didn't let go. He tried to infuse warmth into her, hating the limp way her hand rested in his. He wished he could feel her hand caressing his, their fingers lacing together, even the motion of her pulling away would have been welcome.

Evidently, the team decided using a back board was the best way to get her to safety. All but one of the men abandoned them to get more equipment. Someone spoke softly to Daniel, just to let him know, and he, in turn, explained it gently to Jack. Jack didn't hear a word. He was staring at the dark helmet that obscured Carter's face and head. He was so confused at that point he didn't even know how to feel about it - he was thankful that she'd been wearing it because it was certainly one of the few factors about the crash in her favor, but he hated it at the same time because he was desperate see her face.

The medic who remained answered Jack's prayer. Having finished with the cursory exam and unable to do much for her until she was stabilized to prevent any new or further damage to her back, he asked for Jack's help. He needed to put the C-collar on her, to keep her neck supported. He wanted to do it as quickly as possible because he was concerned the weight of the helmet could exacerbate any existing injury. The helmet would have to be moved to fasten the collar properly. He moved carefully to unhook the chin strap and helped Jack position his hands to support her neck and keep her head from moving until the collar was secured.

Jack tried to keep his hands from shaking while he assisted. He told himself it wouldn't do to cause her more pain, so he forced his hands still. Although he'd known the helmet protected her, he was glad to see her unblemished face. She didn't look hurt or sick; she only looked like she was sleeping. He leaned over her as he cradled her head and neck the way he'd been shown, wishing the situation was very different. Had she been well, or even conscious, he knew it would have been so easy to slide his fingers through her hair, to let his weight press into her, to kiss her lips the way he'd always wanted.

And it was as the medic tossed the helmet to the side and opened up the collar that Jack saw a brief, but brilliant, flash of blue. Her eyes fluttered open for one magnificent moment, meeting Jack's. He didn't even have time to react or feel embarrassed for the tears still pouring down his face. Her eyes closed again immediately, leaving Jack feeling deflated. Daniel was the only one who saw the faint smile quirk the edges of her mouth.

With the collar closed and the return of the better prepared medics, Jack was more or less shoved out of the way. He told himself it was more important for them to be close to her at that moment, that he'd done all he could. But he still hated that he'd been right. He would have much preferred an irate Carter, snapping at him for checking up on her. He would have much preferred her demanding the transfer and threatening to report him to someone or other for being unfair if he tried to refuse. He even would have much preferred seeing her throw her resignation in his face and storm out of his life forever.

Instead he watched a team of men he'd never seen before carry her battered, unconscious body back up to the road. Only a few steps behind them, he was still too late to insinuate himself in the group that crowded into the helicopter which stole her away. He stared motionless as the chopper lifted off, unable to do anything.

Daniel coaxed Jack back into his truck, taking the driver's seat from his dazed friend. Concern for Sam allowed him to push the truck much harder than he ever would have, taking turns so fast that he half feared they would wind up in the same shape. He didn't stop or even slow down as he careened through the city, ignoring red lights and stop signs and the occasional car. He couldn't stand the thought of losing even a moment; he needed to get Jack to the hospital as soon as possible. He was convinced that Jack's presence, such as it was, would make a huge difference in how Sam made out. And even if Sam would be fine without Jack there, Daniel knew that Jack wouldn't be.

There was a police cruiser tailing them, lights on and sirens wailing when Daniel finally pulled up to the emergency room. Jack raced inside while Daniel slowly climbed out of the truck, ready to face any punishment the officer felt he deserved. Luckily, the cop let him go with only a warning once he'd heard the story of the crash and the helicopter rescue.

Daniel caught up with Jack just as the nurse was explaining that they didn't have any information yet. She'd arrived and was being assessed, but there was nothing useful at all for

them to know. When pressed, she could only offer up a seemingly endless list of tests and things that might have to be done to determine the extent of her injuries. She pointed out that it would be much easier, of course, if Sam woke up and told them what was hurting.

Daniel spoke up. "She was awake for a moment when we found her." Jack looked up, appearing alarmed for not having mentioned it himself.

The nurse was encouraged by that. "Was she talking? Did she indicate anything about her injuries?"

Jack's shoulders drooped. "She only opened her eyes for a second."

The nurse's disappointment did not go unnoticed by either man. "While that might seem like a promising sign, her eyes opening may have been an involuntary response to pain or another stimulus."

Jack nodded, refusing to hear what the nurse was saying. But Daniel had seen what Jack hadn't. "But she smiled. She looked at Jack and then she smiled."

Jack looked at Daniel in surprise. "She did?" The nurse glanced between the two men, waiting as eagerly for Daniel's response as Jack was.

Daniel nodded. "It was only a second, like I said, but she looked at you and smiled. She was awake. She recognized you."

The nurse put a reassuring hand on Jack's shoulder when he slumped back against the wall with a sigh of relief. "I'll mention it to the doctor. You guys have a seat and I'll make sure you're notified of anything we find out."

After the nurse left, Jack turned to Daniel. "Are you sure?"

Daniel nodded. "Definitely."

"I guess she's not mad anymore."

"I think after what she's been through tonight she probably doesn't even remember being mad. She was just glad you were there. She was happy to see you."

Jack slowly lowered himself into a chair, realizing the pain in his knee was steadily getting worse. Daniel left, returning a few minutes later with a doctor to check on Jack's knee. As they helped Jack to a treatment room, Jack turned to his friend. "Thank you."

Daniel knew he wasn't talking about getting the doctor. He simply nodded. "Any time."