I've tried to put more obvious breaks between transitions (thanks for the suggestion) but sometimes it got tough. It doesn't help that I am picturing all of this in my head and it doesn't always end up as smooth on paper! Many of you have questioned where Jack has been hiding. If I were you I'd be asking the same thing. Don't give up on me (or Jack or Sam)if you don't like the direction of this chapter. There's much more to come. My mother was right when she said one day I'd wish I could type. My fingers are much slower then my brain!

By Daniel's third monthly visit Sam was standing using braces. She was beginning to feel some sensations from her legs. Timor was devoting more time to Sam's healing sessions, which included drinking some horrible tasting liquid followed by a sensational massage where Timor's hands actually spread heat and pinprickles everywhere he touched.

"Hey, Sam. It's good to see you up." Daniel grinned at her.

"It's good to be up. How are things back home?"

"Fine. Good. Actually I mean really good." Sam tilted her head in amusement. Daniel seemed downright excited. "I just found out yesterday I get to go to Atlantis. I leave next week." Sam kept the smile plastered on her face even as her heart dropped.

"How long will you be there?"

"It's a permanent move." Sam could no longer keep the fake smile in place. Daniel saw her face drop.

"I'll miss you Sam, but I can't pass this up. You'll still have a visitor next month. I'll send messages and have them delivered to you. We'll stay in touch." Sam lifted her head and fought back her tears.

"Of course we will. I'm not worried about that. I want you to take care of yourself. Try and stay out of the infirmary."

"Look who's talking." Daniel grinned at Sam and she smiled back. Daniel gave her a hug and helped her sit back down in her chair. Daniel excitedly told her about some of the new discoveries coming in from Atlantis and then told her he had to go because there was so much to do before he could leave. Sam watched the sun set after Daniel left. Timor found her sitting in the garden long after dinner. He sensed her feelings of abandonment and loss.

No one came to see Sam the next month or the one after. Her progress began to slow and Timor was concerned. He continued to provide her with daily treatments, even though she didn't seem to care. Three months after Daniel's departure Captain Withers appeared in Sam's room.

"Colonel Carter, it's good to see you looking so well Ma'am." Sam looked at his uniform closely. She recognized his face but she needed help with his name.

"Captain Withers, what brings you to my side of the galaxy today?" Sam sat straight in her chair, glad she'd decided to forgo with the braces for the afternoon.

"I've been ordered to deliver these materials to you and inquire about your health." Sam took the packet of letters from the captain. They were all addressed to her.

"Please sit Captain. Please tell me what's been happening. How did you end up getting assigned to visit me?" Sat waved towards a neighboring chair. "I don't mean to be rude but I'd expected Teal'c or Colonel Mitchell or maybe even General O'Neill to come and visit."

"Ah, well sorry Ma'am. Colonel Mitchell's now the commander of the alpha site. Teal'c left the SGC almost a month ago."

"He left? Why?"

"Officially I'm not sure. Unofficially word has it that he left because General O'Neill retired, you weren't here and Dr. Jackson left for Atlantis."

"General O'Neill retired? When?"

"A couple of weeks before Teal'c left."

"Why?" Sam was working hard to control her breathing and remain sitting upright.

"Well scuttlebutt has it that it wasn't a coincidence he retired the week before his wedding."

"Wedding? General O'Neill's married?" Sam breathed the words out and slumped back against the chair.

"Yes ma'am and from what I heard the misses is expecting but no official word has been released yet." Sam visibly paled. "I hate to do this to you ma'am but I was requested to be sure you read the top two letters in the pile before I left so I can carry back your official response." Sam placed a shaky hand on the small stack of letters and picked up the top envelope. It was the thickest envelope in the stack.

Sam read quietly while the nervous Captain tried to find something to occupy his wandering eyes. He finally settled on looking at the top of the tree outside the window. He didn't look at Sam when he heard a small sniff. He knew the letter informed her that she'd been honorably discharged with full retirement. She'd been gone for almost two years and the Air Force was tired of waiting for her to return. Sam didn't respond to the letter but picked up the next note.

This one was from her brother. He wanted her permission to put her house up for sale. Sam was shocked and angry. Everyone had forgotten about her and abandoned her.

"Do you have a pen Captain?" The Captain refocused his attention on Sam and stood.

"Yes Ma'am." He handed her a pen. Sam began writing a message to her less then wonderful family and friends.

"Uh, ma'am?"

"Yes, Captain." Sam looked up and the nervous young man.

"I'm afraid I can't read what you're writing and I'm not sure how long it would take to get it translated." Sam looked down at the paper and realized she'd been writing in Atonian. She sighed and crumpled up the paper. She started over in English.

Sam gave her brother permission to sell her house but not her bike or car. She asked that half the money from the sale of her house go into an account for Cassie with the remainder being saved for Sam's return. She also stipulated her retirement pay should enter the same funds, with half going to Cassie and half staying for Sam's future use. Sam folded the letter with shaky hands and gave it to Captain Withers.

"I'll make sure this gets into the right hands, ma'am."

"Thank-you Captain."

"I'm sorry I had to be the bearer of bad news."

"I don't blame you."

"Thank-you Ma'am. I'll return in six months to check on your progress."

"Six-months, huh?"

"Yes ma'am. We've had some serious budget cuts recently. We're down to eight teams total now. I'm sure that's the main reason for your discharge."

"You can go now Captain." Sam turned her head away from him to hide her tears.

"Yes, ma'am." He wasn't fooled but he also wanted to let her keep her dignity so he left without another word. He never glanced back so he didn't see her lean forward and clutch her face as her shoulders shuddered with the strength of her tears.

Sam's people had last visited three weeks prior and Timor felt as if She'd given up all desire to heal herself. He'd explained that his healing methods required the patients desire to be healthy but she no longer tried. He hated seeing how her spirit had withered and decided it was time to set things right.

Timor showed up for his daily healing therapy but instead of lifting her legs like usual he moved behind her chair and pushed her out of the hospital. It was a beautiful warm morning but Sam didn't notice. The climate on this part of Atona seemed to be without seasons. It rained a couple times a week and occasionally large storms floated in off the sea but there was no real fall or winter.

Timor pushed Sam into a large building a couple blocks down from the hospital. He refused to answer any of her questions until they entered the complex.

"This Samantha is our leading university. I understand from our many discussions that you are a scientists and once attended such an institution."

"Yeah, but that was a lifetime ago."

"Once a student always a student. I've seen your interest in our math and science. You read more books a week then most of the professors in this complex. I want to introduce to the head of the science department. I've told her about you and she is eager to meet you." Sam felt a brief patter of excitement in her heart and stomach. She missed doing science and couldn't help but look forward to talking with someone about the discoveries occurring right now in this very building.

Timor left Sam with Professor Erings. The Professor gave Sam a complete tour. Sam shared with the professor some of the readings she'd completed. Professor Ering gave Sam some texts to begin reviewing and told Sam to visit often. Within a week Sam was attending graduate courses in physics and chemistry. Timor was pleased to see her spirits begin to rise.

By the end of Sam's first month in graduate school she'd impressed several professors, including Professor Erings. She was quickly made a graduate lab assistant. Timor often had to come over to the university and drag Sam back to the hospital. Her healing sessions were improving and after just three more months she was able to briefly stand on her own legs without support. She begged Timor to let her get her own apartment.

The government was nervous about letting Sam get her own place. She was earning a small salary as a graduate assistant but they worried if anything happened to her Earth would blame them.

"Samantha, I hoped we could talk. Do you have some time?"

"For you...always." Sam smiled up at Timor.

"I would prefer to sit in the garden, if that is acceptable to you." Sam grinned wider.

"Perfect." Timor allowed Sam to steer herself. She'd regained as much of her independence as possible since beginning her work at the university. Timor followed Sam outside to a quiet spot at the far end of the garden. The benches looked out over a babbling brook.

"The government has not approved your request to get your own dwelling." Sam's face fell.

"But I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself." Sam whined slightly.

"I agree and I would like to propose an alternative, one to which I think the government would agree."

"Ok." Sam looked at Timor who seemed quietly nervous.

"I have a three bedroom home not far from the hospital. I usually keep those rooms for guests but I have in the past allowed boarders to rent space for short periods of time. I can assure you I would be a good roommate and I would allow you ample space. This arrangement would also make it easier for us to have our healing sessions at times more convenient for us both." The words were slipping out of Timor mouth quickly.

"Timor...Timor. Take a breath please." Sam watched Timor take a slow stuttering breath. "Why does making this offer make you so nervous?" Timor looked away.

"I will not lie to you Samantha. I have grown quite fond of you but I promise I will never do anything to make to feel uncomfortable in my presence." Sam's eyes widened. "I would not have told you if you had not asked but I could not lie to you."

"I'm glad you told me. I'm not ready to pursue a relationship but I would love to have a roommate. I accept." Timor was shocked. He was sure once he revealed his feelings she would turn her back on him, both as a friend and her healer.

"You do?"

"Yes, how soon can I move in?"

"How does today sound?"

"It sounds great. Let me tell the professor where I'll be spending the rest of the day and possibly tomorrow." Sam backed up her chair.

"I'll be waiting for you in your room. Would it be alright if I begin packing some bags for you?"

"That would be great. Any chance we can go shopping tomorrow. I know there are several things I'll need."

"I'll see if I can get the day off." Timor smiled and left Sam. There was a definite bounce in his step. Sam watched him walking away and thought about his declaration. She hadn't thought about him in that way until now but she found the thought didn't repel her. She went back to the lab and relayed the details of her move to Professor Erings.

It took a little adjusting to get use to living with Timor but within a few weeks Sam was glad she came home to a warm dinner and a friendly companion. In the evenings Sam would relax on the couch while Timor worked on Sam's legs. The warmth from his hands always relaxed her and she usually fell asleep before he finished.

Mornings usually included a hot breakfast before she left for the university. Most of the time Timor walked with her as far as the hospital. Sam quickly grew comfortable in her new life. She was able to stand on her own and Timor helped her walk around the room at night. She began swimming at the university pool and lifting weights to improve her upper body strength. Timor would meet her in the gym twice a week and help her work on her legs and walking.

More then six months had elapsed since Captain Withers visit but Sam hadn't spoken of him or Earth. Timor knew Sam realized the date had passed but she quickly rebounded her spirit and kept working. Professor Erings surprised Sam by announcing she would be ready to take her oral graduate exam in a month. Sam was eager to prove she was prepared to join the ranks of the university faculty. She'd published several papers based on the research she'd done as a graduate assistant and felt prepared to take this next step towards independence.

She passed her oral exam with flying colors. Timor took her out to dinner to celebrate. Sam bought a beautiful soft green gown and pulled her now long hair up with a floral clip. Her beauty floored Timor. After dinner they returned home and Sam asked Timor for a dance. She'd introduced him to Earth music, thanks to the MP3 player she'd received from Daniel and Cassie a couple months after arriving on Atona. She stood from her chair and held her hands out to him. He wrapped her in his arms and helped her glide across the floor. Sam wasn't able to finish the first song but she enjoyed every moment. Timor helped her sit on the sofa but as he reached towards her legs for her therapy Sam stopped him.

"Sit beside me." Timor cocked his head to the side and blushed. He hoped he wasn't reading her wrong. He scooted closer to Sam and she leaned into his embrace. She looked up at him. "Thank-you for tonight. It was very special. I've missed going out. I've missed being treated like a woman."

"I can assure you I have never once failed to notice you are a woman, an extraordinary woman." Timor caressed Sam's cheek, much as he had done years ago when she first awoke. Sam looked up at Timor and brought her face close to his. Her eyes closed and Timor didn't hesitate to close the gap, possessing her lips with his own.