Days Most Cherished

By Kibeth5/Silver

Summary: Set between seasons 8 and 9: S/J. An offworld civilisation is under threat of destruction from an unfamiliar Goa'uld system lord, namedly 'Geb'. Earth immediately offers its assistance, and the disastrous and emotional chain of events to follow leads Sam and Jack to new discoveries—to follow feelings that have been brewing for eight whole years… only it may just be too late.

Author's Note: My muse decided it wanted me to write a Stargate story, so here goes. The theme is Sam/Jack (a little later on, at any rate) and so it will become quite romantic and very angst-orientated as things progress. Bear in mind, I'm just going along with the ride; I have yet to see how this story unravels itself. :)

Constructive criticism is always highly appreciated.

Spoilers for season eight's 'Threads'.

Chapter 1 – A Debriefing and Concerns

"It's SG-1, sir."

Jack raised his eyebrows, glancing down at Walter Harriman with both a bemused and an amused frown.

"Y'know, it's so weird to hear folks say that," he said wryly, and tapped his ear as if it was dysfunctional. Absently he looked down at the control desk, bored, and simultaneously fiddled with a spare pen. Why did people need pens when they were surrounded by computers?

"General," prompted the Sergeant.

Jack cocked his head to the side, then blinked and snapped to attention.

"Yes," he acknowledged, nodding. "I agree. Having my favourite team pelted against that iris would so not be good… even if Daniel did win last week's bet." Jack punched the air with his fist. "Dang. I forgot." He sighed in mock defeat and then suddenly looked at Harriman as if he was stupid. "Walter… buddy? You gonna open that iris some time soon?"

"Yes, sir."

Harriman placed his hand flat against the palm-reading device, and as Jack turned on his heel to go greet his ex-team members the shimmering pool that made up the Stargate's incoming wormhole appeared, illuminating the gateroom's familiar concrete walls. The General stood waiting on the foot of the ramp, and grinned broadly as Sam, Daniel and Teal'c emerged from P30-4991, very wet and by the looks of things, very cold.

Very, very cold.

They were absolutely soaked.

"Ah, these are the missions I don't miss."

Smiling, Jack turned to Sam. Her eyebrows were raised in a manner that definitely indicated she wasn't in the mood for his teasing. Her hair was plastered to her forehead and, like Daniel and Teal'c, her clothes were completely drenched.

"Everything all right, Carter?" he asked smugly as she removed her sopping hat.

"Oh, we're just great, sir. Wonderful. " She smiled wryly. "Thanks for noticing."

"Meaning, of course… the mission?"

Sam and Daniel both glared at Jack and his dry sense of humour, whereas Teal'c predictably raised an eyebrow, unphased.

"The planet's climate seemed to provide extremely wet conditions, O'Neill," he informed his friend. "The rain did not stop at all while we were there."

"Yeah…" Jack folded his arms. "Well. I guess we won't be having fish tonight… unless you see me as a cannibal, which I'm… not."

There was a pause as Jack seemed to contemplate this.

"Jack?" said Daniel. He removed his glasses and wiped away the rain with his sleeve. "Thanks for being so obviously considerate… And we're really glad to be back with you and all, don't get me wrong – but, ah…

"But…?" Jack urged with his hand.

"But, I think we'd really like to get warm now."

"Yes!" Jack agreed seriously, for he and Sam was beginning to shiver violently. He gestured for them to leave. "Apologies, Daniel. All of you - go ahead and get showered. Briefing's at 1700."

Teal'c bowed his head, and then they were gone.

Jack chewed his lip as they trailed a pool of water out of the embarkation room. Truth be told, he missed these missions very much – a lot more than anyone seemed to realise. 'Maybe next time, Jacko,' he thought to himself as he followed his dripping team, feet heavy with the thought of all the paperwork still untouched on the surface of his desk. Great. That's what he'd be doing for the next hour.

"Well, they seem strange people really. In some ways the Hetorians seem incredibly advanced – more advanced than we are, if it was to be put into our perspective – but they seem to have a few problems concerning things we as a race conquered long ago. For instance…" Daniel clicked the interactive remote and photographs of one of the villages appeared. "Housing, architecture… They have absolutely no idea how to set up a structure that lasts more than a couple of years! I mean, looking at this alone you'd think them almost primitive."

Jack gazed at the images flashing in a slideshow across the screen, chin in hand. The houses were made of mud, dirt and straw – and he'd seen plenty of those before.

"Daniel," he said lazily, "didn't medieval houses used to look like that?"

"Yes, exactly like that in fact… Why?"

"Well, number one," said Jack, "we used to be like that once, when we were… less primitive than we are now. Two…"

Daniel, Sam and Teal'c looked at him expectantly as he stopped, tongue tied.

"Okay, scrap the two – it doesn't matter." He frowned. "My point is: why are you telling me these people are more advanced than us when we're obviously miles ahead?"

"That's what I was saying, Jack, that it's only in this aspect they seem to have a problem," said Daniel, looking confused. "You weren't listening?"

Jack yawned loudly and covered his mouth with his hand. "What?" he asked.

Daniel closed his eyes in exasperation.

"Oh, right. Yeah, I was listening, why?"

"Never mind. Just… never mind."

Jack pressed his lips together and looked sideways at Daniel, who appeared a little annoyed to say the least. The General opened his mouth to comment, but Sam jumped in instead, and Daniel sat down in his empty seat.

"The Hetorians are highly advanced in terms of medicine, sir. We're not sure, but we think they've discovered a form of antibiotics unknown to us on earth. I brought some back for testing."

"Good. That's good," said Jack, running a hand through his hair and looking around at his former team. "Now, let's cut to the important stuff. Are they able to fight the Goa'uld?"

"From what we determined, sir… no," Sam replied, glancing at Teal'c who sat opposite her.

"No?"

Teal'c inclined his head in agreement. "Their weapons are limited," he told Jack solemnly. "They have not nearly enough to claim a victory in a Goa'uld attack. They would most certainly all die, O'Neill, or otherwise be taken as hosts."

"That would be a cliché," remarked Jack with a smile of grimace. "Not a very pleasant one, albeit, but a cliché nevertheless."

"Sir, they are a big population. We were informed that there are over three hundred villages at least on their side of the planet. The one we visited was the biggest, yes, but it's home to approximately five hundred people. Now, that's a lot."

"They should expand it," said Jack. "Make it into a city."

"Well, we figured that its size is due to the Stargate," said Daniel. "They have a mine under a mountain on the village's outskirts so we think they used it as a means to trade their resources with other planets. They, uh, wouldn't say much about that..."

"Hmm. Secretive bunch, are they?"

"Unfortunately," added Daniel, "the Stargate is the central point."

"That's unfortunate?" asked Jack uncertainly.

Teal'c raised an eyebrow. "If the Goa'uld choose to send jaffa through the gate as well as in ships, the Hetorians would be overrun. They would not have a chance to escape."

"But you told 'em they're comin', right?"

"That is correct," confirmed Teal'c.

"Yi, yi, yi, yi." Sucking in his cheeks, Jack asked, "How'd they react to it?"

"They were unphased, to tell you the truth," answered Sam, shrugging. "Apparently they've never encountered any alien threats before. They've never been afraid, sir; they don't know the meaning of the word. And I don't think they know what they're up against."

"All right. Well, Carter, I suggest you get those antibiotic thingies tested out. In the meantime, we'll contact the Tok'ra, irritate them a little more than is necessary and see if they've got any more vague, unhelpful details concerning this attack. Maybe we can establish when it's meant to happen this time… And, ah, SG-1 can go back in a day or two with the recent updates." Jack stood up and put the lid back on his pen. "How's that sound?"

Daniel shook his head. "I don't think they'll accept any help, Jack."

Reluctantly, Jack slid back into his seat and narrowed his eyes at his friend. "Daniel, you're usually the one saying, 'We can't abandon an unprepared civilisation and leave them at the hands of the Goa'uld'. If they don't want help, it's tough, but they're getting' it whether they wanna co-operate or not."

"Maybe the Goa'uld are after the resources the Hetorians get from their mines," mused Sam thoughtfully. Everyone turned to look at her.

"Yes," teased Jack, smiling, "one can always count on Carter to prolong a debriefing…"

Sam returned his smile. "Sorry, sir."

"Oh, that's okay, Colonel. Daniel… and Teal'c," he added quickly, following an indignant glance from the jaffa, "what do you think they're after?"

Teal'c and Daniel simultaneously opened their mouths to speak, but then Jack raised a finger at the archaeologist and Daniel stopped abruptly.

"Ah!" Jack warned, giving Teal'c a free rein.

"Thank you, O'Neill," said Teal'c, looking uncharacteristically smug as he bowed his head in gratitude.

"Hope it's worth it," grinned Jack, punching the air in front of him.

"I was prepared to say… that I agree with Colonel Carter."

There was a pause as Teal'c leaned back in his chair and, very nonchalantly, smiled. Of course, a follow-up of further words was something that never came with Teal'c. Jack eventually raised his eyebrows and chewed the inside of his cheek, before leaning forward a little on the table. He coughed briefly.

"No elaboration on that… statement, Teal'c?" Jack asked hopefully. "No ands, ifs, buts...therefores?"

Teal'c turned to him, deadly serious. "No."

"Maybes?"

"Indeed not."

"Ah. Well." Jack gestured at their surroundings with his hand, smiling. "The SGC wouldn't be the same without your… insightful contributions, T."

"Thank you, O'Neill. Am I correct in the belief that I should accept such a comment as a compliment?"

Sam looked down at the table as a huge grin spread across her face, whereas Daniel just stared in disbelief.

"Sure. You betcha, Teal'c." Jack stood up, mouth twitching, and looked at his rather put-out archaeologist and friend. "Daniel, for once in your life you've permission to call me tonight if you, like Teal'c, feel the need to… express your opinions concerning the planet Hetora…" He made the mistake of glancing at Sam who immediately looked away again, biting her lip. "But, briefing's over. Time to go home, kids."

"Bye, Jack," said Daniel, quite sarcastically.

With that Jack strolled into his office, intending to grab his truck keys and get the hell outta here. The Simpsons was on TV in less than an hour, and he'd be damned if he was going to miss it for the second time this week.

"Sir?"

Turning around, he found Sam stood in the doorway of his office, leaning on the frame and no longer smiling. He sighed inwardly.

"Carter, look," he began heavily, "if this is about the Hetorians…"

"No, sir, it's nothing like that."

Jack stuffed his keys in his pocket and straightened up.

"Okay, what is it then?"

"I was just wondering," said Sam quietly. "Did Cassie contact the SGC while we were offworld?"

Jack looked at her, troubled. "Something wrong?"

"No… well, yes, actually, sir, but I just…" She swallowed, noticeably - "…wanted to know."

"Close the door," he said after a moment's quiet. She did, and Jack lowered himself into his chair, grimacing as his bad knee objected to the movement. He searched her closely with his eyes.

"Sir?"

"Carter, did you mention to Cassie you had a mission this week?"

Sighing, Sam dropped her gaze, her arms protectively curling around herself. She looked vulnerable, standing there, and something was definitely wrong. It was unnaturally silent in Jack's office.

"Carter," encouraged Jack gently. "I won't bite, if that's what you're worried about."

She exhaled softly then in a half-laugh, half-smile, and glanced at him.

"Not worried, sir."

"Then talk to me."

"Cassie hasn't been the same since Janet… fell." Sam broke off.

"I noticed," Jack very quietly said. "It's understandable, Sam."

"I know that, sir. But it's like… I can't explain it… like she's gone back to being that timid little girl we found hiding in the bushes. She barely speaks. She's really, really clingy. When I'm with her, she won't let me walk away from her, not for a minute. And I don't mind that, but it's – it's a bit of a problem concerning work."

Jack slowly nodded. "She, uh, did call… yesterday. She was asking for you."

"Did you speak to her?" Sam asked anxiously.

"Briefly," replied Jack. "I kinda just told her you'd see her soon." He shrugged helplessly. "Not very good at stuff like that, I'm afraid."

Sam closed her eyes. "I told her I was going offworld, but… I don't know. I keep saying I'll always be there for her, and every time I do I know it's stupid because it's a lie – and I guess this just proves it." She sank down into a chair on the other side of the desk. "I made her a promise and while I still work here, I can't keep it, can I?"

There was a pause. Jack chewed the inside of his cheek, wishing he was better in these situations. Daniel would have been more appropriate, he could comfort Sam without predicament whereas in his own shoes it was a different scenario altogether.

"Listen, Sam," he said finally. "Cassie knows you can't always be available – she knows the nature of your job – and she was just a little upset. That's not your responsibility all the time. You're doing the best you can for her. And she knows you are. That's all that matters." Sam looked at him directly, her wide eyes sheeted with glassy tears. "She knows that, because the person she cares most about in this world is you. One of the reasons she loves you is that you make her feel cared about and wanted."

"That, Carter, deserves a more than a medal. You are making that girl feel loved and if she craves more of it by ringing up and asking for you, it isn't anything to feel guilty about. Believe me when I say, it's a sign of your achievement."

They say in comfortable silence for a few moments as Sam tried to get her emotions into check. When she raised her head, Jack knew she was all right. He stood – as did she – and they crossed to the door.

"Go on," he encouraged, "for cryin' out loud, get back home and relax for a few hours."

She looked at him questioningly.

"In other words, stop worrying," he implored, and she gave a small smile.

"Thank you, sir," she said quietly, and nodded to him. "And goodnight."

"G'night, Carter."

She began to walk away.

"Hey," he called softly.

She swivelled round expectantly. "Sir?"

"Cassie'll be fine," Jack told her. "You've got enough on your plate. Trust me, you don't wanna be adding more weight to your shoulders. Just… bear that in mind."

Sam blinked and nodded.

"Thanks."

Jack was fully aware, as she left the briefing room, that she knew he was talking about the loss of Jacob, which is why he hadn't spelt it out to her. It had been three weeks since the Tokra's death and since the incident itself, she hadn't mentioned it to anyone. Daniel had tried approaching the subject several times; he'd been unsuccessful. As for Jack, he'd left Carter to herself. He'd told her moments before her dad had died that he would always be there for her. As long as she knew that, it was okay.

He'd only try and interfere if he recognised noticeable changes in her mannerisms and her work. True, she'd seemed a little tense lately – perhaps more sensitive, too – and she looked more tired than usual. But for the moment, Jack felt she was handling things in the way she saw best. And by the looks of it she was handling things well. She would be all right, given time.

"In a way, Selmak gave me the father I never thought I'd know."

A moment's pause. He looked at her, troubled. Then…

"C'mere."

He put his arm around her shoulders and she reached up to take his hand, warm and reassuring. She brushed her thumb over his skin gently; her hand shook with suppressed tremors, but he felt her relax more in his simple hold, and knew that the emotion would have to emerge at some point. Just not yet.

"Thank you, sir."

"For what?" He spoke quietly.

"For being here for me."

Always, Sam.

"Always," he whispered.

She looked at him then, softly and gracefully, though there was also warm affection in that gaze. And although she appeared afraid and vulnerable and sad all at once, she was beautiful. Not just her face, but her heart and soul. And she smiled, or tried to, and Jack watched her even though she turned back to her father in the infirmary room, just for a few precious moments. Rarely were they so open with one another, so close. Even though it's what they had wanted for many years, it was only in times of despair they could break down their defences, and find each other there – just there as a steady lifeline.

And it was the first time he'd told her. He hoped she'd been aware already, but now she knew. He promised, not just to her but to himself, that he would always be there for her; no matter what. And as she glanced at him, afraid, then slipped from his grasp to say goodbye to her father, he decided that it was a promise he intended to keep.

With a small sigh, Jack closed his office door and strode away, ready for home.

Author's Note: If you like it, look for chapter 2 very soon. And it would be wonderful to know what you think! Good? Bad?