See Chapter One for full disclaimer and author's notes.
Chapter Twenty-One
As they got closer to the lab, Teal'c and Daniel moved more slowly, afraid they would miss some sign of Sam in the smoke and dim light. As the minutes stretched on and they drew closer and closer to the epicenter of the explosion, Teal'c's cynicism grew. If Colonel Carter had been able to exit the laboratory, they should have found her by now.
The corridor became progressively more smoke filled the closer they came to the lab. Pieces of the stone walls cluttered the floor, the destruction more extreme the further they traveled. Daniel had seen devastation before, but the sight of the walls ripped apart terrified him. If Sam had been caught in the explosion, he didn't see a way she could have possibly survived.
They were nearly to the doorway of the lab when Daniel lay a hand on Teal'c's arm, drawing him to a stop.
"You don't think she's all the way back here, do you? We must've missed her somewhere back there," Daniel said, gesturing over his shoulder back down the hallway.
"I do not believe so, Daniel Jackson. We should have seen something if she indeed was able to fully exit the room. I will enter first, remain here for a count of five and then follow."
"Okay," Daniel replied, raising his weapon to a ready position.
Teal'c brought his staff weapon up, leveling it as he entered the lab. He was stunned to discover the damage outside the room was much more severe than what he found inside. The force of the explosion seemed to be focused around the doorway, which was where he found the armor of two Jaffa lying to either side of where he stood. It appeared as though the weapon worked exactly as they had surmised, destroying flesh and blood but leaving all else behind.
Smoke continued to fill the air as the furniture and equipment the room housed continued to burn. Peering carefully through the thick, hazy air, Teal'c scanned for any indication that his teammate had survived. Easing his way around the debris, the air slowly cleared in front of him and Teal'c caught a glimpse of a pair of SGC issue boots and his heart froze in his chest.
"Daniel Jackson. I have found something."
Daniel was at his side in an instant, disbelief written across his features.
"My God… Sam," he whispered, brokenly. As Teal'c was bending to kneel down, a flash of blond caught Daniel's eye and he gasped aloud.
"Teal'c, look!" Daniel exclaimed, his eyes widening. "She wasn't caught in the blast from the weapon! It's Sam!" But even as he said it, Daniel realized something wasn't quite right. Every few seconds he glimpsed a strange blue and green aura that enveloped Sam's body, fluctuating and dancing across her form like a living thing. Daniel reached out to touch her, but pulled back at the last moment.
"What the hell is that?"
"I do not know, Daniel Jackson. It appears to be a Goa'uld personal shield, but I have not seen one like this before. It is giving off an energy and is differently colored than the one Apophis used."
"You mean a hand device?"
"Indeed." Teal'c slowly reached out, consciously pushing his way through the shield, penetrating its energy barrier to grasp Sam's arm and roll her slowly over. Feeling his way down her arm, Teal'c searched for the hand device he was sure was covering Sam's hand and wrist. His fingers encountered the cold metal of the device and he depressed the jewel at its center.
Daniel watched as the shield winked out of existence, leaving Sam lying on the dusty floor. He moved up by her head, pressing his fingers into her neck, searching for any sign of life. Finding a strong pulse, Daniel breathed a sigh of relief as he ran his eyes over her body, looking for any obvious sign of an injury. All he could see was a liberal layer of dirt and debris and what appeared to be flash burns on the backs of her hands.
"She's alive." Daniel felt the relief wash over him in a palpable wave "Sam? Sam, come on, we need you to wake up so we can get outta here."
Silence met the archaeologists pleas. "How did she survive? It looks like half this room went up in the explosion and somehow that weapon went off. Shouldn't she be dead right now?"
"Ordinarily I would agree with you. But these are not ordinary circumstances."
A low groan drew their attention back down to the floor where Sam was beginning to stir. Opening her eyes slightly, she was relieved and surprised to see her team mates leaning over her.
"Sorry to disappoint. Next time I'll be sure to die like I should."
Her voice came out a bare whisper, but Daniel thought it was the most beautiful thing he'd ever heard.
"Sam. Thank God. What happened?" Daniel asked as he slid an arm under her head and shoulders and helped Sam to sit upright.
Her head spun crazily for a moment and Sam closed her eyes and sat, sucking in deep breaths for a moment.
Daniel's face creased in concern. "You okay?"
"Yeah, yeah. Just give me a minute," Sam replied shakily. "So, I guess the whole room didn't go up when I hit the detonator?"
"It did not," Teal'c replied, "and you are quite lucky."
"I know. Thought for sure I was gonna… well, anyway. I sort of ran into some trouble. Two Jaffa walked in just as I was wiring the last of the charges. I hit the remote, detonated the C-4 by the door, tried to take 'em out. Got one of 'em in the initial blast, but the other one went for some sort of controller he had on his wrist."
"A controller for the weapon?"
"I wasn't sure, but it seemed like a good bet. I guess he figured he was dead anyway and wanted to be sure he'd take me out too."
"So, how did you…?" Daniel began, gesturing absently.
"I figured Ba'al wouldn't want something like that around without protection, so I activated the personal shield on the hand device I'd found. I knew something looked different about it. I just wasn't sure what. Guess now I know. Too bad those damn things don't work against falling rock," Sam finished, rubbing gingerly at the lump on the back of her head. She'd be lucky if she didn't end up at the mercy of Doctor Brightman again once this was all over.
"No kidding. But how…"
Teal'c interrupted hurriedly. "I believe we would be better served by continuing this conversation once we are safely back in the SGC. We must get out of here and detonate the remaining explosives."
Daniel looked around, as though he suddenly realized where they were. "Oh, right. Right." Reaching down, he gave Sam a hand up, steadying her.
Sam watched as the room spun for a few seconds before settling again. "I'm good to go, Daniel. Thanks."
Teal'c nodded, then reached up to key his radio. "Bravo leader to Alpha leader, come in." His call was met with nothing but static and Teal'c tried again, with no success.
"Maybe the explosion or the weapon knocked them out?" Sam surmised. "We'll have to proceed as if they've been compromised."
"Agreed. Do you still have the detonator?"
"Yeah, right here," Sam said, holding up the small apparatus as she slipped off the hand device and tucked it into her pocket.
Teal'c nodded then led the way into the corridor. They were no longer concerned with stealth or secrecy. The entire complex had to know they were there by now. Speed was now their primary mission. Moving swiftly down the hallways, Daniel stuck close by Sam, ready to lend her any support she might need on their way out.
The team reached the outside door and slowed their flight, coming to a halt just to one side of the portal. Teal'c gestured for them to conceal themselves along the wall as he pressed the sequence of buttons that opened the door. As the hatch slid open the sound of weapon's fire filled the air. Sam poked her head out just enough to get a look at what was happening outside.
Jaffa were running across the clearing in disarray as rounds from SGC weaponry seemed to come at them from several directions simultaneously. Some had taken what shelter they were able and were returning fire with zats and staff weapons, but it appeared as though they were outnumbered and outgunned.
"Come, we must take advantage of their confusion and reach the trees," Teal'c ordered, leaving the safety of the doorway and heading for the tree line at a dead run, Sam and Daniel close behind.
They were over halfway across the clearing before they were noticed and staff weapon fire crackled the air near them. Sam slowed her flight, whirling to return fire. Seeing two Jaffa turning on them, Sam smoothly squeezed the trigger, taking the nearest of them down with one well placed shot.
With her attention on his comrade, the second Jaffa had enough time to take careful aim on Sam. Just as she was bringing her weapon to bear on her enemy a sharp report echoed through the air and he jerked violently as a fired round struck him on the side of the head, sending him sprawling into the dust. He was dead before he hit the ground.
Sam immediately searched the tree line, looking for her savior. Spotting a figure, almost motionless standing behind a tree at the edge of the forest, Sam recognized Gunnery Sergeant Walker. Making eye contact with him, she gave him a brief nod of thanks before setting off again, hustling to catch up with Daniel and Teal'c.
Gunny Walker had seen SG-1 exit the temple and make a break for the tree line. As a member of SG-3, he was used to hot extractions from hostile planets, skills he honed as an elite Marine sniper. Walker calmed his breathing and efficiently pulled the trigger, dispatching the target he had in his sights.
Out of the corner of his eye, the Gunny spotted two Jaffa breaking away from the SG troops in front of them and turning to fire on SG-1. As he moved to swivel his rifle toward them, he could see Colonel Carter slow her flight and return fire. Fear lanced through him as he realized he wouldn't be able to take out both targets before one of them would be able to fire on the Colonel.
Gunny Walker had seen a number of selfless acts during his service both to the Marine Corps and the SGC. Watching Colonel Carter stand tall in that clearing, laying down covering fire for her team mates, had to be one of the most profoundly brave. He watched as the Colonel took down one of the Jaffa only moments before he too squeezed the trigger, skillfully taking out the other.
Raising his eyes from his scope, he met the Colonel's eyes, gave her a subtle nod before she broke into a jog toward the tree line where the other members of her team awaited her. He knew there was a reason he had remained with the SGC once his one year tour was up. No where else could he find such a group of people as were a part of the SGC; one of whom just disappeared into the trees.
Sam's breath came short in her chest as she ran through the trees. They had set off on a straight line out of the temple, but were now circling back around looking to link up with the team that had come in after them. Their radios were still non-functional and they were going to have to rely on face to face communication.
Teal'c remained in the lead, his powerful legs churning up the distance and Sam felt the fatigue of the last hour beginning to pull at her strength. Determined not to fall behind, she redoubled her efforts but was pathetically grateful when Teal'c's arm shot up, his fist closed as he called for a halt.
Gesturing toward his eyes and then off to their left, Teal'c indicated he had seen something and was unsure if what he had seen was friend or foe. Sam nodded once, then moved to take up a position a bit apart from him, motioning Daniel to do the same. Leveling her weapon in the direction of the movement Teal'c had seen, Sam nodded to him once, indicating her readiness.
He didn't like announcing their position, but without another means of communication, they had precious few options. They needed to make contact with the SG team and order all personnel out and away from the temple before they set off the charges. They couldn't risk any friendlies getting caught up in the explosion.
Teal'c's baritone voice echoed slightly under the canopy of trees, "Wizard!" he shouted, using the challenge phrase they had agreed upon. They all tensed, waiting for the reply. If the answer was correct, they'd know they had found the SG team. If not, they would open fire.
Lieutenant Kent's voice came back loud and clear. "Oz!"
Sam heaved a sigh of relief and allowed the barrel of her weapon to drop. Thank God. Kent and Garrett must've made it and linked up with Charlie team. Standing on shaking legs she could feel the nervous sweat dripping down her face, stinging her eyes, but didn't move to wipe it off. Daniel came to stand beside her.
Raising an eyebrow at her, Daniel's concern shone from his face. Sam simply nodded then turned to watch the SG team materialize in front of them.
Teal'c approached Colonel Reynolds, shouldering his staff weapon. "Colonel, the charges are set, call for a retreat."
Reynolds wasted no time in keying his microphone and issuing the order. "Disengage. All personnel. Disengage. Fall back to rally point. Thirty seconds. Alpha team, prepare for defense of the 'gate. Dial it up in three minutes."
Acknowledgements rang out from the team as they scrambled to follow the Colonel's orders. Reynolds turned back toward the complex and watched as his team broke off their attack and made their retreat back toward their pre-arranged meeting point. Flipping open the cover on his watch, he followed suit, SG-1 right with him as they dodged through the trees.
Reaching the rally point, Reynolds set up a defensive perimeter to meet the Jaffa pursuit right behind them and then ordered a quick headcount.
"Bravo team all present and accounted for."
"Charlie team all present and accounted for."
Reynolds allowed himself a brief moment of relief before meeting Teal'c's eyes. Teal'c then turned to Sam as she pulled the detonator from her pocket and armed it. He had decided at the outset that she would be the one who was to push the button that destroyed the complex. He would give her that honor.
"Fire in the hole! Fire in the hole!"
Every SG team member tensed in expectation as Sam pressed the button. There was a tiny delay before a rumble of the explosion could be heard rustling through the trees. Ducking down instinctively as the sound rolled over them, the team kept their eyes trained on the trees. Waiting for the Jaffa counter attack. Expecting it.
When answering fire from Jaffa staff weapons wasn't immediately heard, Reynolds decided not to wait for it. They'd be better off with the whole team together and the only way to make that happen was to get back to the 'gate and link up with the Alpha team.
"Move out! Fall back to the 'gate! Bravo team in the lead, Charlie team's got our six. Move it people!"
It was all the incentive they needed. In a flash of green fatigues and Kevlar helmets, Charlie team broke out into flanking positions as Teal'c, Sam and Daniel headed off in the direction of the Stargate. They knew a pursuit would be coming, it was only a matter of when.
Zig zagging through the dense underbrush, they ran as fast as the terrain would allow. Sam knew they weren't far from the 'gate, but the distance seemed impossibly far as her stamina began to give way. She had known this mission would be difficult, on more than one level, and now she was beginning to wonder if she didn't push herself too hard the last two weeks in an attempt to prepare.
Her lungs burning with the exertion, Sam's pace began to slow, simply not able to keep up with Teal'c's long legged running style. She wouldn't stop, but her body betrayed her and Sam realized she was on the verge of collapse when she felt a strong, warm hand around her waist, pushing her gently but firmly.
"Come on, Sam. Almost there."
Daniel's encouragement and support were like a welcome rain on a hot day and Sam put all of her will and determination into running. They were close now, and just as the team broke through the trees a shrieking whine filled the air overhead. Teal'c spun, his staff weapon up and ready as a death glider passed above them, raining down hideous fire on the troops holding the 'gate open.
Colonel Reynolds didn't hesitate. They had known there were death gliders on the planet and had prepared for the eventuality that they would have to face off against them. But now that their mission had been accomplished, he didn't want to chance having to take one on.
Shouting at the top of his lungs, Reynolds gave the orders that would abandon the planet and finish off this mission.
"Alpha and Bravo teams, through the 'gate! Charlie team, suppressing fire! Give 'em some cover!"
Alpha team began to break from their formation, one by one leaping through the shimmering event horizon on their way back to the SGC, safe and relatively sound. Their wounded had been sent through as soon as they had heard the order to abandon the complex and now the others quickly and efficiently followed suit as superheated blasts from the death glider's cannons carved out sections of the ground at their feet.
Teal'c gained the stone steps leading up to the 'gate and then pivoted around and returned the glider's fire. Sam and Daniel reached the steps only a moment behind him. The archaeologist pushed Sam toward the event horizon as he too raised his weapon and began to fire.
"Get through, Sam! We're right behind you!"
Shaking off his hand, Sam pulled up her P-90 and squeezed off several bursts. If the guys weren't leaving just yet, then neither was she.
"All clear!" Teal'c shouted. "Colonel Reynolds, fall back!"
Blasts exploded to his left as Reynolds looked over his shoulder at SG-1 holding the 'gate. He should've known better than to think they would leave without the rest of the team.
"Fall back, fall back! Two by two!"
Displacing from their positions in an efficiently choreographed dance, the members of Charlie team paired off, each giving the other cover as they fell back toward the 'gate. There was no panic, no mad rush for the safety of the wormhole, only an organized maneuver that ensured no one would be inadvertently left behind.
As the first members of Charlie team reached the steps leading up to the 'gate, Daniel left his position, firing right up until the point when he could feel the electric pull of the event horizon at his back. Reaching out, he grabbed Sam's arm and pulled her with him. The fact that he was able to almost effortlessly yank her out of her position and turn into the event horizon spoke of her fatigue. Daniel knew she'd be upset at him, but he'd rather that than she push herself any further. The rest of the team and Teal'c were right with them, there was no reason to remain any longer.
Sam only had an instant to process that Daniel had ahold of her arm and was dragging her into the wormhole before she was swallowed up in its frigid grasp, carried along at dizzying speeds and then dumped unceremoniously on the metal ramp of the SGC 'gateroom. Daniel's grip on her arm tightened as the room spun dizzily and Sam leaned forward, her P-90 dangling from its harness, her hands on her knees.
Daniel stood, one hand on Sam's arm, his other arm draped around her waist. She straightened slowly, looking up and giving Daniel a slight smile.
"I'm okay. Thanks. And if you ever do that again, you're going to find out first hand what they teach women in Level Three advanced hand to hand."
Daniel swallowed hard at the implication. "If that means your alive and well at the end of it, I can live with that."
Sam's smile widened and she laid a hand over Daniel's, patting it lightly before turning toward the control room windows. Catching Jack's eye, Sam nodded once, the silent exchange taking only a brief moment, but conveying a great deal. Mission accomplished. I'm okay. Don't worry. I love you.
Jack had been in the control room when the 'gate had been activated. The word had come through that the team was pulling back, but that they were under fire and would be coming in hot. He hadn't thought it possible to feel even more impotent than he had after Reynolds' last transmission, but as he paced the control room and realized he could do little but stand by and wait, O'Neill realized he was wrong. Nervous anxiety gathered in his belly causing his hands to twitch and he shoved them deep into his pockets to cover the tremors.
They'd received little intel from anyone on -035. Just that Colonel Reynolds had called for an all out retreat. That order could have meant almost anything, from total success to total failure of their mission. Jack could only stand by and wait for Reynolds or one of his team leaders to come through and report. He was dimly aware of Sergeant Harriman putting out the call for a medical team to report to the 'gateroom. Just the words 'medical team' sent a current of dread running through him.
Tense silence filled the room as the support personnel waited for the team to begin emerging from the wormhole. The medical team arrived in the 'gateroom and stood just inside the double doors, close in the even that they were needed yet at the same time out of the way. Doctor Brightman had accompanied the team personally, having been briefed on the mission and the likelihood that her trauma team would be needed.
As the first team members had come staggering through the 'gate, the medical team had gone into action, quickly ascertaining their conditions and then competently moving them to the infirmary. There had been a lull of several minutes after the first two men had come through, during which the entire SGC seemed to hold its collective breath.
Jack had immediately recognized the first two men through the 'gate as the Lieutenants who had been injured in the first wave. The audio channel had been left open and he could hear the shouted orders and weapon's fire clearly over the speakers. Clenching his jaw in frustration, O'Neill willed them to move faster. He could hear the distinctive whine of death glider engines and knew they were out of time. They needed to get the rest of the team through the 'gate in the next couple of minutes if they were going to avoid a prolonged battle with Ba'al's Jaffa.
Jack watched the clock tick away the first minute, then a second before the remaining members of the strike team began arriving on the ramp. He kept careful count as they exited, morbidly waiting for Reynolds to come through and announce that everyone who would make it back was present and accounted for.
The members of Reynolds' Alpha team exited the 'gate looking tired but triumphant and Jack prayed the look indicated their mission had been a success. There was another pause in the shimmering of the event horizon before the next figures exited, stumbling onto the ramp and coming to a halt halfway down the sloping metal.
Jack breathed an audible sigh of relief when he saw Sam, looking battered and exhausted but very much alive, falter then slump forward to rest her hands on her knees, her shoulders heaving. Daniel was supporting her, liberally covered in dirt and grit, but seemingly unharmed. No longer able to simply stand by in the control room, Jack was about to turn and head for the stairs when Sam sharp gaze brought him up short.
In that one look, he saw everything he needed to know. They'd done it. They were safe. Jack nodded in return, then pulled his hands free of his pockets and headed for the 'gateroom, determined to see the rest of the team face to face.
By the time he reached the 'gate room, the members of the Marine assault team were coming through until finally all that was left on the planet was Teal'c and Colonel Reynolds. Knowing both men well, Jack wondered if they weren't each on the other side waiting to be the last one through. Sam and Daniel were standing to one side of the ramp, each with their eyes locked on the event horizon waiting for the last two members of the team to make their appearance.
A stray bolt from a staff weapon blasted through the wormhole and into the far wall of the 'gateroom, sending the team sprawling for cover. As they raised their heads the event horizon shimmered and Colonel Reynolds and Teal'c exited side by side.
"Close the iris!" Jack bellowed, knowing that the Jaffa would continue to fire into the wormhole as long as it remained open. "Shut down the 'gate!" The metal plates of the trinium reinforced defensive iris slid into place with a metallic grinding that O'Neill found to be the most comforting sound he'd heard in a while.
Jack made his way to where he'd seen Sam and Daniel hit the deck, unsurprised to find Doctor Brightman already examining her recent patient. Jack bent low, looking to reassure himself that Sam was indeed alive and well.
"Carter? You doin' okay?"
Sam's eyes jerked away from the penlight currently boring holes in her skull to meet the General's worried gaze.
"Fine, Sir."
"Let me be the judge of that, Colonel," Doctor Brightman responded firmly. "Those burns are going to need some treatment. Anything else I need to know about?"
Sam opened her mouth to protest, but Daniel cut her off. "She got caught in the initial blast. She's probably got a lump on that hard head of hers somewhere. When we found her she was unconscious. Probably had been for at least five minutes."
Sam was indignant. The last thing she wanted was to make it all the way through the mission only to be carried out of the 'gateroom. She was going to go to her post mission physical under her own steam and then attend the debriefing if it killed her.
"Hey now, I said I'm fine."
"Yes well, we'll see after we get you through your physical. Airman, get a gurney for Colonel Carter," Doctor Brightman ordered.
"No, no, really. I don't need it. I'm fine to walk," Sam said defiantly, and to prove the point shook off Daniel's hand and pushed herself unevenly to her feet.
Jack had seen her stubborn streak on too many occasions and knew better after eight years to fight it. Instead, he took up a position beside Sam as the color drained from her face and a light sheen of sweat broke out across her brow. He knew what it was costing her to stand on her own two feet, and he also knew he didn't want her crashing back down again if it was preventable.
"Alright, Colonel. No gurney, but you're going to stay in the infirmary until the Doc says you're good to go, agreed?"
Sam briefly considered arguing the point, but finally decided she was simply too exhausted. "Understood, Sir."
Jack nodded and turned his attention to Colonel Reynolds as the Marine walked down the ramp and stood before him.
"Colonel, report."
"Mission accomplished. All members of Strike Force Galaxy present and accounted for, Sir." A slow smile broke out over the Colonel's face as he delivered his abbreviated mission report.
"Well done, Colonel. All of you. Get yourselves down to the infirmary and then cleaned up. We'll debrief at 1500 hours."
"Aye, Sir. Strike Force Galaxy, dismissed."
Sam knew it would be too much to ask that Jack stay behind while she submitted to the Doctor's tender mercies and so instead unclipped her P-90, handing it off to the Weapon's Sergeant as she exited the 'gateroom. Her legs still felt decidedly unsteady, but there was no way on this planet or any other that she was going to enter the infirmary any way but under her own steam.
Jack remained at her side as Sam and the rest of the team headed for Level 19. He knew there were probably things he needed to be doing in his office or the control room, but just this once he was going to be where he wanted to be, not where he should be. He kept a surreptitious eye on Sam. Despite her protests that she was 'fine', he'd seen the hesitation in her movements and the tiny wrinkles that gathered around her eyes. All telltale signs to someone who'd studied Sam as long as he had that she was in pain.
Daniel and Teal'c weren't far behind as they pushed through the double doors into the infirmary and were steered toward the far corner where the medical team had set up several beds in preparation for them. Jack noted the unusually large staff and amount of equipment nearby and could only thank whatever Gods were looking out for them that they hadn't needed any of it on this mission.
Sam knew she was just about at the end of her endurance, the short walk from the 'gateroom to the infirmary sapping her strength more than she would have thought. She stopped off at the first offered bed and for a moment wondered just how she was going to climb up into it when Jack was at her side, offering her his arm.
"I know you're 'fine' and all, but you look like crap. So how about you let me help you up in the bed before you fall down, huh?"
Sam offered him a wan smile. "Yessir, General."
Jack was shocked at the ease with which Sam gave in to his request and was immediately concerned that she was hurting even more than he realized. Sam unzipped her vest and jacket, handing them both off to the waiting orderly before accepting Jack's assistance and felt herself neatly lifted off her feet and set down gently on top of the scratchy OD green blankets.
Now that she was actually sitting down, the room began a nauseating spin and her vision began to tunnel slightly.
Jack saw Sam's already pale face whiten further and she swayed unsteadily. "Carter?"
"Just a bit dizzy. It'll pass."
"Uh huh. Airman, get Doc Brightman over here," Jack instructed as he moved to support Sam before she pitched off the side of the bed. "Come on, lie down here. Can't have you taking a header off the bed now can we?"
O'Neill tried to sound flip, but Sam's rapid breathing and coloring had him worried that perhaps she'd hit her head harder than Daniel realized. Helping her to ease over onto her back, Jack stepped out of the way as the Doctor approached the bedside.
"I was hoping not to see you back in here so soon, Colonel," she said lightly, pulling her stethoscope from around her neck and putting it to use.
"Wasn't planned, Doc," Sam said, her speech slurring a bit as she allowed her eyes to slide closed, hoping it would slow the spinning of the room.
"Colonel, can you open your eyes for me?"
Sam didn't have the strength to reply. She knew the Doctor was examining her, asking her questions. She couldn't seem to focus her attention on what was happening. The voices and sounds around her echoed eerily, Jack's among them. But try as she might she simply couldn't force her eyes open.
Her last coherent thought before she lost consciousness was how wonderful it was to hear his voice.