A/N: Thank you all for your great feedback, bookworm37 your right about the category this storywas going one way but I couldn't find it in my heart to fullfill it and the beginning chapts were towards the tragedy/angst part but if I do change the categories it might upset some that haven't read it So the rest of this fic is romance/happily ever after category (don't think they have one on fanfic) lol thanks again for reading and drop me a line whether you like it or not.

Thanks to feb04, froggy0219,Zeilfanaat, Revvie S for stickingit out and the wonderful feedback thanks y'all.Stargatefan, maggie eaton, SA, Sid Su Frued, LCTCmy fellow As the stargate turns pals thanks for the kind words and encouragement (cough) Nagging trish) Special thanks to Jean. Thanks hen for the beta and helping hand when I got stuck you're the best!

Part 21

I am at the cabin and Sam is there with me, asleep on the hammock by the dock.

I'm watching her sleep. She is smiling and I just sit with my fishing pole, watching her breathing.

I could do this for hours.

She looks so young and no worries can be seen on her face. The weight of the world lies elsewhere for this brief moment.

I get up and as I step closer the urge to kiss her is unbearable.

I lean down and move the hair from her forehead. She scrunches her face and I try not to chuckle.

I come so close to kissing her when I hear whispering.

"Shh, you'll wake Colonel Jack. He needs his rest. So go away and come back later."

My eyes snap open and I'm staring at General Hammond, who is smiling at Karina.

He looks at me and his facial expression changes. His face is turning red and I know it is all directed at me.

Oh boy. I'd seen that look once before and I know I am in big trouble.

I close my eyes and he clears his throat.

"Colonel, I know you're awake, so stop pretending that you're not. We have some things to discuss and I mean now!"

I open my eyes again and try to smile, but know it is of no use when he folds his arms in front of him.

Karina sees the change and stands up on the bed between me and the General.

"Uncle George, I don't want you to be mad at Colonel Jack. He just woke up and is only feeling a little better and if you get him upset he won't get better. So I can't have you do this. Can you please leave and come back when you're not so mad at him? It's not his fault, really, he was angry that Major Sam was hurt and he blames himself for it. We've been telling him its not his fault, but he says it is and then he sent me to get him some jello to make him feel better and when I came back I heard him yelling at Daniel, uncle Jacob and doctor Janet. He's sorry for yelling at them and throwing the tray across the room. He told me. He said he was sorry for frightening me. You see I was afraid and left but I came back because I knew he was just hurt thinking Major Sam wouldn't wake up. But he didn't know that she just needed to be…."

I pull Karina down and onto my chest before she lets the cat out of the bag.

Telling everyone around us about the story was fine. Telling my commanding officer that she expects me to kiss my second in command to wake her up is a totally different situation.

General Hammond gives me a look and I shrug.

"Kids, even ones from other planets, they're all the same, General. I told Daniel she is like a sponge, she absorbs everything around her."

He nods and I whisper to Karina not to say anything about the kiss.

She looks at me and whispers. "Why? It's nothing bad, Colonel Jack. It's done all the time by my momma and poppa. So it can't be wrong."

She is digging me deeper into the hole, but I can't be angry at her. She is just an innocent bystander to the car wreck that is my situation and life.

"George, give the man a break. He's not fully recovered. I still have a session or two left with him and then he can be all yours."

We look over to see Jacob sitting up, looking rested.

"Uncle Jacob, you're feeling better? Good, can we fix Colonel Jack now? He has a job to do."

She looks at me and asks quietly if it is okay to call it a job instead of a kiss.

I close my eyes and groan. General Hammond would have to be deaf not to have heard her.

Jacob moves over to my bed and takes Karina's hand in his.

"Come on, Karina, lets give Uncle George and Colonel Jack some alone time. They need to get some things settled."

Karina looks at me and the General and shakes her head at Jacob.

"I'll go only if Uncle George promises not to hurt Colonel Jack. He needs someone to watch out for him till Major Sam wakes up and that's my job, so Uncle George, promise me you'll be nice to him or I can't let you talk to him."

Jacob coughs to hide his laughter, I bite my lip and look at a shell shocked General. I never thought I'd ever get to see him speechless.

"Well, do you promise to not upset him, please?"

He promises and she gets up, putting her arms around his neck and kissing him on the cheek, whispering something that makes him laugh.

Jacob escorts my "protector' out of the infirmary.

He tries to hide the smile, while looking at the doors, as she walks out.

"You have a way with children, don't you, Jack? She hasn't left your side since you came out of surgery. I've been down here a couple of times when I've had the chance. It's hard to see my people hurt."

"Kids, like pets, have no sense of who's good or bad. I guess I just know how to talk to her on her level. If she was older she'd know what a mistake I am."

He sits down and comes closer. I wait for him to continue.

"I hate when you act like this, as if you are not worthy of our concern. You are a huge part of this program. Everyone looks up to your team for guidance and tries to emulate your camaraderie, your devotion to one another and your faith. But when you start acting out and start to hurt others, that's when I have to step in. Before you say anything let me get this out. You are my second in command here. I expect you to act better than most and I understand your feelings when one of your teammates gets injured. Jack, I give you lots of leeway. But, with you throwing a tantrum screaming at my CMO, a senior officer, and your other two teammates, then I have to intervene. This has already traveled all the way to Washington. The walls have ears and I've been on the phone with all the top brass defending my second in command. So Jack, what is this nonsense I hear, about you wanting to retire and be left alone? I see you've apologized to young Karina, but what about the others? That's what concerns me now. I should give you a reprimand, but I know there is always a reason for your actions. There always is and I know you wouldn't intentionally hurt anyone."

He knows me so well.

I whisper that I have asked forgiveness from Jacob and doc, but that I haven't had a chance to talk to Daniel and Teal'c yet.

"Do you want to tell me what happened on the planet? Or do you want to wait till you feel better, Jack? I've heard Daniel's version, Teal'c's and what Doctor Fraiser reported, but I want to hear your report, since I don't know how long Major Carter will be unconscious."

I look over to Sam. Lying there in bed, my throat constricts and I close my eyes. Will you ever wake up, my princess?

I turn back to General Hammond.

"This is going to take a while, Sir."

"I've got all evening for you, son."

I start from the beginning. I don't leave any detail out. Before I get to the important stuff, I ask if I can speak off the record. He nods.

I tell him of my feeling helpless, as I saw Sam's life slip through my fingers. The anger I felt when she was just discarded like yesterday's trash. I speak of my responsibility for Daniel's injuries, but he interrupts, telling me that Daniel said he deserved it for what he had said. I shake my head and say I was responsible and that Daniel was right. I should have said something to her sooner.

"What did he say, son? What made you attack Dr. Jackson?"

I look at my hands and wonder how many lives I have taken and how close I had come to really hurting Daniel. My blind rage in the face of the truth could have cost him his life back there.

I speak softly and tell him what Daniel had said. I look up to see what his reaction is. But he is still there, just listening, no emotion showing on his face.

I tell him of our pact to destroy Ba'al and my plans to stay on the ship.

He stares at me and it is finally dawning on him. He look at Sam and back to me.

"Sir, I know its wrong to say this to you but I can't help it. I fell in love with my second in command and when I saw her die before my eyes, I died. I felt the blood drain from me as I saw her gasping for breath. It was a fate worse than any punishment I could ever be forced to endure. I know you're disappointed, but I don't care anymore. I promised to get her home in one piece and I almost lost her again. I can't fight these feelings anymore. I've never done anything inappropriate before, neither has Carter. We knew where the line was, but these last days the line has gotten fuzzy and well, that's the reason I want to retire. Somebody gave me a second chance and I'm not going to screw it up again, if she'll have me. I appreciate you taking the heat for me, General, but I can't go back to the way things were. Jacob knows my intentions and has giving me his blessing and I'm asking you also for your wisdom on how to go about this. I don't want Sam's career harmed in any way. I'll be the fall guy."

Everything is out in the open. Doc has walked in and I know she has heard most of what I've said. She smiles at me as she checks on Sam then she stops and asks how I'm feeling. I tell her I'm fine. She walks back to her office and I turn to finish my conversation with the General.

"I've given my life for this program, as has Carter. I'm through risking my life and I hope she is too. Sir, you've got to understand that I don't want to ever feel like I will lose her again and every time we walk through that gate, it's a crap shoot. We've been lucky, but I think our luck has run out. So with all due respect, Sir, I would like to formally put forward my intention to retire."

He stares at me and stands up.

"Well, Jack, I don't know what to say, but one thing is for sure. You are not retiring. I can't accept it and neither will the president. You are too valuable to the program. Neither will Major Carter be allowed to retire. Her contribution to the program is vital to the survival of the planet."

I feel my heart sink. They aren't going to allow us to be together.

"I'm sorry, Sir, but I don't think I can agree to that. I never intended to fall in love, but I have and I can't say that I'm sorry. I've been given a second chance. I wont let it slip thru my fingers again. Reassign me if that's the only step. But know this, George, I am going to ask Carter to my cabin and we will have the discussion that we've been avoiding for too long the one about us. Things have changed. I can't bottle up my feelings any longer I need to get them out in the open. Don't you think we deserve to be happy?"

Jacob clears his throat and we both turn to see that Daniel and Teal'c are with him.

"You're right, son. You do deserve to be happy and I will see what I can do. I just wanted you to talk to me before you do anything hasty."

He takes my hand.

"Get better, son, I hear you've got a mission to complete."

I look at him surprise and he motions to Carter.

"The little lady expects you to wake Major Carter up and if I recall, it involves a kiss."

There are only a couple of times I have ever blushed and this is one of them. I turn crimson red and try to speak, but he raises his hand to stop me.

Jacob moves forward and saves me.

"Jack, lets get you better, like George says you have a mission to accomplish."

"Yes, Sir, but first I need to talk to my team alone, if you don't mind."

The General's leave Daniel and Teal'c move forward.

I don't know what to say. I was wrong for venting my anger at them and I need to make amends.

"Guys, I want to apologize for acting like a jerk."

"Stop it, Jack. We told you before, we understand it was done in fear more than anger, you don't need to apologize and Karina told me you had asked for forgiveness. That was my main concern. We know you, she doesn't and when I came in and saw you two asleep, I knew you had straightened everything out."

Daniel squeezes my shoulder and I am in awe of the man. His compassion and his level of forgiveness is never ending.

"I, too, understand your anger, O'Neill. Yet, as I have stated before, we are brothers. We may fight and try to break our ties, but we are bound together through thick and thin. We stand together. You have found your path and I believe this path will be beneficial to both you and Major Carter. I am overjoyed that you two have finally seen the love you each have for one another and the depths of this love. I have seen this love grow and I am happy to see it come to fruition."

My Jaffa brother. He always speaks the truth and could probably give me some pointers in the love department. I look over to Sam and nod.

"Now that everyone knows my intentions, I just have to let her know. Guys, I hope she wakes. I don't know what I'll do if she doesn't. I feel hollow without her close by. I miss her smile. The twinkle in her eye and the never ending technobabble that comes out of those soft, full, luscious lips."

"Hey, that's way too much information, Jack! But I understand. She does have full lips".

I playfully swat him and he chuckles. Karina comes running through the door and climbs up onto the bed.

"Daniel, is it true? Poppa says we have a new home and we will be leaving soon. Colonel Jack, you haven't woken Major Sam yet and I told him I won't leave till she wakes! So come on, Colonel Jack, come on, get up and kiss her!"

I look at Daniel for help and he grimaces. It will take more than a kiss to wake up our princess.

"Karina, Jack is still recovering and Sam needs to heal a little bit more before a kiss will help. Lets go talk to your dad and find out how much time you'll have here."

"I won't leave. She has to wake up. Colonel Jack needs her. I'm only here to fill in till she wakes up."

Karina is upset. My tiny, self-appointed protector will not leave until her job is done. I pull her into a hug.

"Hey, you've done a great job and you're right, its my turn now. I've just got to get a little better, but Karina, you've got to understand, this might take more than a kiss. She's been hurt badly and as much as we want her to wake up, it will be hard."

She pulls away and picks up my chin.

"Have you've given up on her, Colonel Jack? She needs to wake up. You won't be happy till she does and I don't ever want to see you sad or upset again."

I take her hand and kiss it.

"No, I'll never give up. You're right, Karina, I won't be happy till she's better, but I"ll promise not to get upset anymore. My friends won't let me."

She smiles and kisses my cheek.

"I'll be right back. Come on, Daniel, lets go talk to my poppa."

Daniel smiles and takes her hand. Doc comes back and says they'll be moving Sam. I try to hide the panic from my face, until she explains that it is to give us more privacy.

Jacob comes back and asks Teal'c to bring him the healing device.

"So, Jack, another session and I think you'll be good as new. Then you can start on your mission."

"Yeah, Jacob, I've got my work cut out for me. Jake, what if they don't let us be together? What if all of this is for nothing? I can't go back to the way things where, I won't."

"Hey, let me worry about George. He's on your side, you know. Really, he's seen the tension between you two and he asked me what I thought. I won't lie to you, he was a little worried about what the president might say, but Selmac talked to him and said the Tok'ra would rethink their position with Earth if things did not change. Oh, and don't forget you do have a buddy that would move planets for you. He's a great bargaining chip as well. You're not going to get away that easily, not from finally making my daughter a happy woman."

I look at Jacob and see he is serious.

"That's all I want, Jacob, to make her happy, to settle down and hey, you never know, maybe give you some more grandkids."

"Hey, one thing at a time, O'Neill! I was just getting use to you kissing my daughter and then you have to spoil it with this…"

I chuckle and he says it isn't funny.

Teal'c comes to save me from his response and Jacob quiets, starting the next treatment.

I feel myself getting stronger. Jacob staggers a bit and T catches him.

"It's done. If you rest, you should be up and about soon. I'm going to rest as well. I need to contact the council and see what the death of Ba'al has caused amongst the system lords."

I nod and close my eyes.

I awaken again with a start. The nightmares have returned, but at least I can feel I am better. I open my eyes to check on Sam, but see that she is gone.

I panic.

Teal'c is there and grabs me before I fall on my face.

"O'Neill, they transferred her to a more private room. She is safe. I will inform Dr. Fraiser that you are awake. How are you feeling, my friend?"

I let out the breath I am holding.

"I forgot, Doc did tell me. I'm feeling better. Go, call her, so I can be sprung from this bed. I have a mission to accomplish."

Doc comes over and checks me out. She gives me the okay to leave and tells me that Sam is in iso room 1.

"Daniel and Karina are there to make sure she is not alone. She is one bossy little lady, I tell you. Kinda reminds me of me."

I snort, "That's an understatement."

"I still have needles that you've never seen, Colonel. Keep this up and I'll be more then happy to introduce them to you. Now go, shower up. I"ll see you later."

T helps me because I still feel a little stiff. Jacob has woken before me and has been summoned back to the council. He has already assured T that he will be back.

I change quickly, anxious to see my Sam.

I walk into the room and I'm taken aback. She is still hooked up to the machines and Karina is positioned to one side of her bed, while Daniel sits on the other. Karina is telling her the story she had recounted to me.

Daniel looks up and smiles.

"Sam, there's someone here that's been anxious to talk to you. Me and Karina are leaving, but we will be back. Come back to us, Sam, we miss you."

Karina turns around and claps.

"Major Sam, it's almost time for you to wake up and when you do I'll tell you how the story ends. Me and Daniel will be back, I promise."

She moves forward and kisses Sam's cheek, before crawling off the bed and running to me.

I pick her up and she hugs my neck.

"You're up, so soon Major Sam will be as well and then we can all live happily ever after. Go to her, Colonel Jack, tell her you miss her. Tell her what's in your heart."

I hug her back and put her down, with the promise that I will.

They leave and I am finally alone with my angel.

I pull up a chair and sit.

I take her hand and kiss it, intertwining her fingers with mine.

I think to myself. How am I ever gonna reach her? But then Karina's words ring in my head.

Tell her what's in your heart.

I take a deep breath and look inside myself for the words that will bring my princess back to me, for the ending of our story.

True love will conquer this. I have faith that it will.

We will have our happily ever after and be together for eternity. Two souls finally found, two hearts beating as one.

TBC