I'm happy to know you guys are really enjoying my story. I know you are all gonna love this chapter, despite the angst.

Junior

By Lingren

Previously:-

"Good boy!" she said and led him by the hand into the room. At first sight of his father lying so still in the bed, he baulked with a slight whimper, looking up at his grandma in fright, but Melissa gently encouraged him onwards.

Chapter 14

Jack stirred at the intrusion and couldn't hold back the weak smile when he saw his son approach his bed somewhat tentatively. It was no doubt a frightening sight for the boy to comprehend. Jack pulled at the oxygen mask with a shaky hand but Melissa gently pulled his hand away and replaced it again sending him a motherly scowl.

"Jonathon!" she scolded. "You leave that on. You need it right now." She'd already noticed how breathless he was, and didn't want him to make things worse. "Jon Junior knows all about that and what it's for."

Jon was lifted up to sit on the edge of the bed looking so lost that Jack moved his arm and gestured for him to snuggle up for a hug, showing the boy that he was going to be okay and that he was still there for him. Jon didn't need telling twice and buried his head into Jack's side holding on tightly. Jack's arm cradled him, holding him as firmly as his weakened limb would allow.

"Now there's no need to worry Jonathon. We'll look after him, and we'll bring him along tomorrow to see you again. Maybe you'll feel a little stronger by then."

Jack nodded and muttered a soft breathless, "Sure!"

"Daniel gave General Hammond a ring and he says 'Hope you're feeling better soon. And not to worry about anything. He's got it all sorted.'" John said with a smile. He didn't like the fact that Jack looked rough and pale, with a fine film of sweat over his brow, but he took heart from the fact that he was still alive and should be okay according to the Doctor. "We're gonna leave you now so that you can get some rest. We'll be along later in the afternoon. Bye son," he said, patting Jack's shoulder in affection.

Jack nodded his thanks as Melissa pulled at Junior to make him leave Jack. Reluctant at first, he resisted, hugging his father tighter, but at Jack's soft call of his name he let go and kissed his Daddy who couldn't kiss they boy back, but could only cup his cheek with a clammy palm to show him he loved him. Then when they left the room with a wave, he lay back utterly exhausted by the short visit.

OoOoOoOoO

Later the next day when he was dozing, the door opened to admit someone. He couldn't help but ignore them as sleep overtook him once more, sweeping him away to dream of Sam.

Sam settled herself into the seat beside the bed, wondering if he realised she was there. She held onto his hand and watched him sleep, just waiting for those dark eyes to open up and see her.

It was sometime later, Daniel poked his head round the door; he was wearing the biggest grin she'd seen him on him for months. Trying not to disturb Jack, she released his hand as Daniel beckoned for her to meet him out in the corridor. Sam rose from her seat with a puzzled frown and softly closed the door after her.

Daniel was holding a bouquet of blood-red roses that looked like velvet.

"These came for you Sam. They arrived at the cabin this morning."

"For me?" she gasped. They were gorgeous and smelled so sweet. She took the card and opened the little envelope to read the message inside.

'Sam, Forgive me? I will always Love You. Yours always and forever, Jack.'

Tears sprang to Sam's eyes and she gulped convulsively. Daniel was worried and reached out to hold her, but she shook her head and just handed him the card. A sweet smile made it's way to his mouth and he hugged Sam, offering her a little comfort in the face of recent events. After this, Daniel thought, Jack had better get himself fit again, because if he didn't Sam was gonna be heartbroken all over again.

"Has he woken yet?" Daniel asked still concerned with Jack's condition.

"Not really," Sam sighed, looking back over her shoulder, through the little square of glass in the door.

They were all anxiously waiting for Jack to tell them what had happened to him. Sam guessed that it had something to do with the stranger they'd been trying to avoid. Teal'c had confirmed his theory about the burn on his forehead coming from a Goa'uld hand device but he had never known it to cause this reaction before. They could only assume the mystery man was an Ashrak. A Goa'uld assassin obviously hired to take out Jack. But who had hired him? That was the big question. Both Daniel and Sam had their own theory as to that answer. Teal'c believed it was Ba'al's doing. Though the big puzzle was, How did they find out where Jack was? They had told no-one of their journey to the cabin. They were supposed to be safe there.

Sam sniffed back the tears and smelled the roses once more, thanking Daniel for bringing them to her. She asked one of the staff for a vase and disappeared back into Jack's room, leaving Daniel to amuse himself while he waited for his chance to sit with his friend.

Arranging her flowers, she couldn't help smiling, wondering when he had ordered them; obviously sometime yesterday, before the attack. She resumed her seat and took Jack's limp hand in hers, clinging to that small part of him in the hope that he would wake soon.

When Jack opened his eyes again sometime later, he saw Sam sitting quietly by his side; her nose in a book which he really didn't want to know the title of because it was probably something to do with Astrophysics. Waaay beyond his comprehension and the last thing he needed was a lecture about it.

He coughed pathetically to clear his throat, and Sam shot to her feet in an instant, the book forgotten.

"Jack? You need anything? Water?"

He nodded and pulled the mask aside. He reached out a hand to take the glass but he was trembling too much and had no strength to hold it on his own. She helped him, by holding the straw to his lips while he sipped at the cool liquid.

"Thanks!" he rasped, feeling spent from that little activity. Sam replaced the oxygen mask with a smile, when he spotted the flowers on the over-bed table.

"Jack," she said, taking hold of his hand and holding it tenderly. She brought it to her lips and kissed it. "Thank you for the roses; they're gorgeous. You know, you have nothing for which to beg my forgiveness, but thank you! I love you for always too!"

"I love you Sam!" he managed to gasp out with a smile.

He tried to say something else, but Sam noticed his heart rate had sped up again and she gently shushed him, telling him to relax and let her at least finish. He nodded and gave a tight sigh in frustration; he wanted to say so much to her.

"I didn't mean to hurt you Jack. You know that was the furthest thing from my mind. I wanted to give you time to get used to Jon Junior and I needed to think. I do love you so much. Can you forgive me for being so stupid?"

Jack gave a tiny squeeze to her hand and smiled weakly, but it was all the answer she needed.

"I love you so much," he whispered brokenly. The love he felt for this woman was all-encompassing and he needed it to survive. He didn't want to think of dying or of losing her. "Sam?"

"Yeah?"

"Will you...marry me?" he panted.

"Now, you know you're not supposed to get excited!" she laughed softly. "You really want me?"

He nodded, closing his eyes; he wanted her more than ever; though whether she wanted him now he was effectively a sick man, god only knew.

"If you'll have me, such as I am!" he paused to catch his breath. It wasn't quite as bad as earlier, so he gathered whatever it was the doctors were giving him must be working. "I'm not much of a catch and not worth much now in this state...but I would consider it a great honour."

"God Jack, I want you more than ever." She gripped his hand tighter, running her other hand over his cheek, her eyes locked onto his deep chocolate ones and she knew she could deny him nothing, despite his lack of confidence in the future. "Yes Jack. I want nothing more in this world, or any other. And it's all my honour!" she said determinedly, leaning over to kiss his brow.

Jack let the 'Yes' hang in his mind, savouring it.

"And what about Jon? 'Cause he comes with the package, ya know!"

"Love me love my dog? Only in this case it's your son?" she giggled. Jack smirked.

"Something like that!"

"He's become part and parcel of you Jack. I love him already, he's so sweet."

"I don't deserve you," he paused. "what in the hell would you want with an old wreck like I am now anyway?" he muttered sleepily. He was drifting off again, and could do nothing to stop himself. The last thing Jack registered before sleep claimed him, was a soft kiss on his temple and the words 'Because I love you Jack.' Whispered in his ear from the woman he'd adored almost from the first moment she'd walked into his life.

Sam watched as he drifted off into a contented slumber with a smile on his lips, and she held her palm against his face, careful not to dislodge the mask, caressing him to sleep. She kissed his brow again and whispered 'Because I love you Jack. Get well soon. We all miss you so much.'

She sat back down on the chair and after a while picked up her book again, but the words wouldn't register because her mind was on the future. A future with him and his son; soon to be her son. She smiled at the irony of the situation and quelled the fluttering in her stomach at the thought of becoming a mother for the first time and to Jack's son.

TBC