Hello all,

Sorry for the delay everyone my beta had a major RL crisis and my computer diskdid not want to give me my orignal back so had to wait for her to send it to me. Here's the last part of the series. Hope you all enjoy might do an epilogue will see what everyone thinks.

Might even inspire me to write a sequel...

Enjoy!

Unbroken Nightmares Cease In Reality

Pt 23

How can I just stand here and not be moved by her words.

She is wise beyond her years, way smarter than me.

Her simple words could teach grown men how to run countries and rule worlds. Her simple logic makes sense. I think to myself that for one so small, she has a knowledge of the world that is far beyond my own.

I look around the room and see our family there, waiting.

Daniel, my friend, my savior. If he had not pulled me from the self appointed cell in my head I would have died long ago. He had come to me at a crossroad in my life and showed me the right path, for which I am grateful. Without him, I would never have gotten to meet the woman that would change my life.

Teal'c, my brother the warrior, wise and faithful. I could always count on him to watch out for our family. He had sacrificed everything he knew and followed me on my words that I could save those people, so long ago. He saw something in me. What, I would never know.

Janet, 5 feet of spit and fire the only person other than Sam that understood me and accepted me. She was there for the nightmares and would do everything in her power to pull us from death's door. Her love and compassion ran deep and I would forever be grateful that she cared enough to save my sorry ass time and time again.

Jacob, the man I admired for all that he had done. He had the faith to ask me long ago to watch out for his daughter, knowing I would do everything in my power to make sure she was safe. I would die before I would let any harm come to her. My angel's father had accepted me and said I was worthy of his daughters love.

George, General Hammond, my CO, my friend. He had put up with all of my insubordinate behavior, knowing deep down it was all an act. An act that he knew too well, he had given me so much leeway but always stood behind me when things got tough. I could count on him to get me out of any trouble. I would lay my life down for him because I knew he would do the same. My surrogate father always in my eyes and hopefully he felt that I was the son he never had.

Karina, my tiny protector. She saw something in me and would not let go. She had a pure spirit and believed in fairy tales. Her smile could light up the sky and her tears could crush any man's heart. She reminded me of Sam, smart, kind hearted and full of hope. Hope for a better future, hope for a happy ending.

My family, no our family, here for what I hope is the first step to our future.

They wait, but will not rush me, knowing I will not fail at this mission.

I smile and comment, "This isn't exactly how I pictured our first kiss. But, I am happy you'll all be here to witness this. It's been a long time coming."

They are all smiling.

I am nervous, as terrified as my first time. I remember that kiss behind the bleachers in the schoolyard. Mary Jean Myers, the pitcher of our baseball team. I thought I was in love, but she left me for the first baseman and my heart took its first beating, with many more breaks to come.

I snap out of my memory and lick my lips.

I focus on her. Her eyes are closed, the bruising starting to fade, but as always she takes my breath away.

I have to be careful. She has a slight cut on her lower lip and don't want to hurt her.

But she still looks beautiful to me. Beauty is more than features, it is what's inside the person that makes them beautiful and my Sam is beautiful inside and out.

No wonder every alien fell in love with her when they met her. I chuckle. I bet even Thor has the hots for my angel.

"Jack, what's so funny?"

I turn to Daniel with a smile.

"I'll tell you later, Danny boy."

I whisper so that she is the only one that can hear.

"Sam, I'm going to kiss you now. This is our first true kiss, no alien viruses, no time loops…

Oh, I'll explain later about that, but know this kiss is from my heart. Please wake up, princess, so we can live happily ever after."

I move closer, shut my eyes and think of all the things we have been through. It is like a walk down memory lane, good and bad flashing before me.

Her walking through the door of the briefing room, challenging me to arm wrestle and the comment about reproductive organs got my attention and I knew she was different. The awestruck look as she stood at the top of the ramp before stepping through the gate for the first time. My first time hearing her technobabble took my breath away. Her ability to prove she could take care of herself against Turghan. Our first kiss initiated by her during the touched virus, her anguish when we found out we had left Daniel behind and me comforting her in my arms. Her loving way with Cassandra and her devotion to her that showed me the compassion that was inside of her. The time we almost died together in the Antarctica, her not leaving my side after she found out there was no were to go. I remember whispering Sara's name but it was Sam I was thinking of. Hearing her say my name and not colonel would forever be a memory in my heart and mind. Her warmth on top of me assuring me it was okay to sleep and I did knowing she did not leave me behind that she cared enough to come back. Her loyalty and not questioning what had to be done to save the earth from Apohis's invasion. Us blowing up the motherships and floating back to Earth on the disabled gliders. Her description of Earth as it passed above us. She said it was beautiful I looked at her and agreed never letting her know I was talking about her.

When she was taken over by Jolinar the pain my heart experienced thinking I had lost another of my close friends to a gou'ald. She survived but not without a price. The nightmares of not being in controlled kept her up weeks. Being there to wake her and tell her she was safe had been my job. I made sure I was always nearby when these images came to haunt her. She knew she could count on me and thanked me for being there for her.

The time I thought she was dead when we were being held by Hathor. I had felt alone thinking my team was dead that I alone had survived and then finding her alive hooked up to the same machine I had been in. Her coming back for me when I thought I was to become a jaffa warrior for that bitch. Watching her hurt Sam and try and take her life and finally killing her for trying to kill Sam. Feeling her in my arms afterwards was heaven. The warmth I felt, the peace I never wanted to let her go.

Having the Sam from the alternative universe come and tell me we were married blew me away. My pipe dream had become a reality in another world. I tried to separate my feelings but I couldn't I knew I hurt her when I kissed the other Samantha, but it felt it would be the only time I would ever get to experience this. I knew better after I came back and saw the hurt in her eyes and I had the seed of hope was planted.

My time on Endora with Lara, I thought I had been left behind that she would not wait that they would have all moved on, little did I know she had worked herself to the bone to get me home. Daniel letting it slipped one night after 2 beers, another time I had hurt her. I vowed never to lose fate in her if there was a way she would rescue me. The time I had yelled that I had not been acting like myself since I meet her was closer to the truth then I would admit at the time. My life had been turned upside down by a beautiful blond and here I was yelling at her to make her hate me. It had taken time to mend that fence but after a piece of chocolate cake and a private apology she gave in to my relief.

Our time as superhero's and going into destroy Apohis ship, when she was on the other side of the force field and we both heard the Jaffa coming my heart grew cold. I was to witness another of the people I held close to my heart killed before me. Struggling to open the panel to try and free her. Sam pleading me to go and me finally snapping yelling I would not go. Looking at those eyes that lay bare to me her love, I stopped as did my heart. I wanted to hold her and tell her I loved her and that now that I had found my true love she was going to be taken away. I whispered I love her and she smiled. Having to confess what we truly felt for one another with witnesses to boot. I knew it was a dangerous game we were playing and I would never do anything to tarnish her reputation. I stepped back retreated but not to far back getting stuck in the loop turned out to be a godsend I got to kiss her time and time again. That memory always put a smile on my face since each time she was a willing participant.

Our time beneath the ice when we were allowed to follow our feelings I know she remembers those moments. Holding on to each other when the others weren't looking the talks we had when we didn't know we weren't allowed to feel what we did. We grew more apart then, I stepped back. My heart ached knowing I had her but could not continue to have these feelings for her that it was wrong and I was being selfish. She saved me again after my trip with Teal'c to space. She had gotten dad to come and save us. I thought I was dreaming when I heard my angels voice asking me to wake up and her yelling that she didn't come all this way to bring me home in a box. She was my beacon that guided me back to the living. She had ensured that I would be around for another day.

What I thought was the second worse day of my life. The day I had killed my angel the day I thought I had sealed my fate. I had to kill her to ensure that entity would not escape. I wanted it dead for taking her from me I wanted it to suffer. I was going to plead with the General to send thousands of probes to take our revenge for it taking my Sam away from me. I had done it with my own two hands extinguished the love of my life only to have her returned to me. The killer inside of me cried knowing I still had a chance at everything I ever wanted but was more determined to stay away. How could she ever forgive me? This action of stepping back almost got her killed, being kidnapped and gone for 48 hours before anyone had known weighed on me. If I had just called her she would not have had to battle the nightmares of being taken, my angel had been through enough and she was there for me after the bullet was removed she did not move from my side till I woke and she assured me I was safe.

Having her voice be my anchor as I flew the stargate into space and hoping I would get a chance to tell her she keep me sane up their alone. After ejecting from the X-302 I closed my eyes and imagined her sitting on the other end wondering if I would survive. I asked to speak to her the minute I was retrieved to hear her voice and imagined the million dollar smile she always saved for me.

Watching her fight to live after Nitri scrambled her DNA. Her head on my shoulder trying to rest but I knew deep down she was afraid but would not say anything, thinking I would not understand, if she only knew I was scared out of my mind trying to find a solution to this and finally getting her back in one piece. The urge to pull her to me, hug her and never let go and to finally tell her what I had held back for so long.

My month away with Harry, I didn't give up hope I knew she'd find a way for me to get home. The smile on her face after we were brought back to earth spoke volumes it said she still cared and that was all I needed to know.

My lips touched hers. They were cold and I was hesitant and pressed down on them.

I didn't pull back I could feel the breath she was exhaling. I tried pressed down again this time giving her a more fuller kiss when all chaos broke loose.

The machines started to buzz whine as the alarms started to sound off. She started to convulse.

I stumbled back as doc came running forward.

"No Sam please not now. Daniel get me some help now Teal'c come help me hold her down she 's having some type of seizure".

Jacob rushed by me to see if he could help his daughter. Karina was crying and the General held her in his arms.

It was my fault I caused her this and no one could say no that I wasn't at fault. My luck could not last I had finally sent my angel to heaven.

I turned and ran. I needed to get away. I could not be witness to her final moments on earth. I was not worthy of this.

I kept my head down not wanting to see anyone I went to the only place I could be alone were I would not be found. If I was not told she was dead then she would still be alive in my mind.

I went into her lab and hid. Sitting on the floor and biting my lip to keep me from crying out. I covered my face with my hands and berated myself for actually thinking I could wake her up with a kiss.

The only thing I had ever known was death and destruction, good things happened to me sporadically but they were always taken away.

I was one of those people that would always be looking through the window of happiness with my nose pressed against it and wishing it was me that was on the other side.

I held myself feeling a chill run up my spine. I was destined to be alone.

They would come looking for me to tell me the news. News that I knew was inevitable. I heard my name being called through the halls I made sure the door was locked I did not want to be found.

I adjusted to the dark and started to walk around her lab.

I felt close to her here. I picked up the doohickey she had been working on before we left. Before her death and rising from the dead only to be taken from me again.

I pulled open a drawer that held her secret stash of chocolate. I smiled she had told me that Daniel had found out where she had hid her chocolate so she had to move it to another place or she would never get a chance to eat it.

I moved the bag of M & M's and found a white envelope. I picked it up and turned it over. It had my name on it and it was opened.

There was a letter and pictures of me with the guys and me with my Sam.

I remember the picture it was the same one I had found in her vest. The smile that could stop my heart, the sparkle in her eyes that held so much joy I stared and wished for this time again.

I put down the envelope. Why had she written me a letter?

I was hesitant but finally pulled it out of the envelope

It started with the line, My Dearest Jack.

I stopped reading I couldn't do this not here. If this was a letter for me to read after she was gone then I couldn't do this here. I needed to breath I needed some air but I would not be let out of this mountain until one of them had delivered the news.

I put the letter in my pocket with the pictures and headed for the door.

I needed to cause a diversion and knew exactly what to do.

I looked out the hall and it was quiet, I looked at my watch it was almost midnight and there would not be much personnel around.

I closed the door quietly and walked to the door that opened to the ladder that would take me out of the mountain.

I picked this door on purpose this door had the alarm on it and would alert everyone to this spot they would think it was me and would come here to try and stop me. I would then take care of the guard and leave.

I opened the door and the alarms went off. I slipped through the hall way and stepped onto the elevator. Just have to knock out the airman and get on to the next elevator.

The doors open and the airman looks up. He picks up the phone and I order him to put it down. He hesitates and I come over and grab it from his hand. He's stunned and I whisper I'm sorry before knocking him out.

I go and press the button for the next elevator and it is taking an eternity to get here. I look back over my shoulder and feel bad for what I did. But there was no other way they would not let me leave. I'd take one of the fleet vehicles and go off to be alone. I don't hear the elevator opening behind me or the footsteps. The doors open in front of me when I hear her voice.

"Stop! Where do you think you're going?"

I drop my head and try to move forward. Two steps that's all and I would be gone.

"We've been looking for you. You can't leave, please Colonel Jack come back I promise it will all be alright."

I tried swallowing the lump that has formed in my throat.

Karina.

I turned around to see her behind me and T trying to revive the airman.

I turned back around. I hated to disappoint her but this fairy tale would not have a happy ending.

I moved forward one step all I needed to do was move one more and I'd be safe.

I move forward to get into the elevator and her tiny hand clasps onto mine and pulls me back.

"Don't go, you can't I wont let you. Please don't run away Colonel Jack."

I move forward but she wont let go.

"If you wont stay then I'm coming with you."

I turned and yelled, "Karina you can't go with me stay here go back to your parents leave me alone. You don't understand! If I start caring more about you something bad will happen. It always does. I will always be alone. I'm not allowed to care. I am destined for this type of life and everyone I care for either gets hurt or dies. So go leave me alone I don't want your help."

Teal'c moves forward and Karina turns and nods her head.

"He doesn't mean it Teal'c, he's just mad."

I look up at Teal'c and he is not happy with me. Disappointment crosses his face but I don't care anymore.

"He left before he saw what he did."

My heart grew cold. I tried to suppress the sob that escaped me. I moved forward onto the elevator. She was going to tell me my angel had gone. I let go of her hand I needed to get away now.

I moved inside the elevator and the doors almost closed when Karina spoke again.

"He doesn't know she woke up and is looking for her prince."

Her words echoed in my mind.

She woke up.

My hand flew forward to stop the doors from closing. She was still standing there waiting.

I fell to the floor and asked her to repeat what she had just said.

She cupped my face with her tiny hands.

"You did it, she woke up but when she didn't see you she thought it was a dream. She thought Dr. Janet was lying to her that you were not dead. She cried for you. I tried to explain that you kissed her to wake her up like the story but she wouldn't listen. She asked if that was true were where you. You see Colonel Jack she needs you she doesn't believe us so please come back. She needs you."

I was speechless.

My princess had woken and I wasn't there. She must have been terrified and would not believe anyone that I was alive.

I scooped Karina up into my arms and kissed her. She laughed.

I walked over to Teal'c and the airman.

"Do not concern yourself O'Neill I will tend to him. Go and reassure Major Carter that you are indeed alive. I will come soon."

I pressed the button for the elevator and stepped in. Karina had laid her head on my shoulder.

"Why did you run Colonel Jack? I told you she would wake up. Uncle Jacob, Daniel Uncle George me and Teal'c have been looking for you but you hid yourself really good. When the alarm went off they went to stop you but Teal'c went to the elevator and I followed him. He told me you would do something to divert our attention and he was right."

I whispered that I was sorry but I thought I had hurt Sam.

"You did by not being their when she woke up. She was so scared that you were gone that she was crying. Dr. Janet tried to give her something but she said no not until you were brought to her. She had a … I can't say it but it starts with an "s" Colonel Jack but Dr. Janet took care of her and she started to calm down. She called out your name and was looking for you."

If this was a dream I didn't want to wake up I would be with my angel in minutes. Karina was scolding me for running away. I just wanted the doors to hurry up and open.

When they did I ran out of them and to the room that held her.

Jacob and Daniel were outside and both were relieved that I had comeback.

I handed Karina over to Daniel and Jacob was a little mad.

"I should really kick your ass for this Jack. She thinks were lying to her and she's been crying and wont listen to any of us. I swear if you ever make her cry like this again I will kill you."

Jacob was not someone to mess with but he had every right to be upset.

I was about to speak when he nodded his head and pointed to the door.

"Go to her please make her see you are alive, that's what she needs. That's what you both need go and start your happily ever after."

Karina clapped her hands and pulled Jacob over for a kiss.

I looked at Daniel and he shrugged.

"Go Jack will wait here, Janet is with her now. You better pray she doesn't have any needles with her."

I opened the door and Janet looked up. She was at the end of her rope.

She was angry but when I heard Sam sob I lost it. My face crumbled and I started to step back.

Janet came forward grabbed my hand and pulled me to her bed.

She came close and whispered, '"make her happy sir or I swear I will bring back the biggest needle I have and make you pay for her unhappiness."

I looked at doc and nodded. I kissed her on the cheek and she whispered she'd be outside.

I moved forward and sat at the edge of her bed. I wanted to reach out for her but was afraid I would hurt her in some way.

Sam was clutching a pillow and was crying.

She must have felt the bed dipped because she started to speak.

"I swear Janet just tell me the truth, if he was alive he would be right here next to me when I woke up! We have this unspoken bond that we would never leave the other one alone when we wake and the only thing that would keep him from me would be death or he is unconscious. Stop playing games with me, tell me he's gone so I can try and mend my broken heart."

I choke up and my words come out hoarse.

"I'm sorry princess I thought I had lost you can you ever forgive me for leaving you. Can you forgive me for not being here when you woke up? I swear I will never let you wake up alone as long as I live."

She gasped and let go of the pillow and turned around.

The look of surprise and shock mirrored in her face, she closed her eyes and opened them thinking she was dreaming.

She opened her mouth and closed it again I reached out for her and she hesitated.

I stopped not wanting to frighten her.

She had tears streaming down her face the IV was still hooked up to her as was the machine that was taking her blood pressure. I wanted to make sure she was not in any danger.

She whispered, "is it really you? Or am I just having a dream."

I got up gathered her into my arms carefully and whispered it's me.

She pulled back.

"I thought you had left me I thought you were dead."

I held her as she cried. I felt her shake and I had tears streaming down my face. I was holding her I was here with my angel.

"You weren't here when I woke up? You're always here when I wake and only you being injured or dead would keep you away. I wasn't in the infirmary and you weren't in the same room so I thought you had left me."

I pulled back and she reached up and wiped the tears from my face. I grabbed her hand and held it to my cheek.

"I thought I had hurt you, that you were being taken away from you. So I ran I couldn't deal with you leaving me. Please Sam never leave me I don't think I can survive without you."

She kissed my forehead. It was a balm to my tattered mind and my wounded heart.

"I thought I had lost you when she shot you. You were leaving me on the ramp I thought my life was over when it was just about to start. I was thinking of all I wanted to say to you and your life was slipping through my fingers. Please Jack don't ever leave me again. My heart stopped when yours did. I broke down I didn't care who knew I loved you. Jack please just hold me and never let me go. Promise Jack when I'm out of here we will have our talk me, you and the fish at your cabin alone."

I smiled and nodded.

She smiled back and laid her head on my shoulder.

"I promise Sam as soon as they release you we'll do more then talk."

"No I'll talk you'll listen okay? Jack I heard you. I heard your voice and started to follow it away from this beautiful light. I was following it and the louder your voice got the more I wanted to wake up. I thought I was dreaming. Dreaming that you were talking to me and pouring out your heart. I heard your confession, I heard you make jokes and I felt you kiss me."

I wondered how much she had really heard. I was about to ask when she started to repeat everything I had said.

She intertwined our hands and asked me if I loved her.

She would not look at me. How could she sit there and think after everything we had been through that I was not utterly insanely in love with her. That my life had never been the same since I met her and that I was grateful, grateful that she cared to show me there was more to life.

How could she not see the sun rose and set on her in my eyes. That she was the perfect match for me. She loved the cranky side of me, the soft side, the sentimental side, hell she loved me. I could never hide anything from her.

"Sam, I love you more then you'll ever know. There are not enough hours in the day to express to you what I feel. You're my soul and with out you I am nothing."

She looked up and smiled.

"Even now that you have more hair then me, you still love me?"

I snorted and cupped her face.

'You are beautiful inside and out. This new look gives you that helpless imp look and I will be more then happy to defend my imp to the bitter end. If not I have this great cap that I wont be using you could have."

Her smile turned into a frown.

"What do you mean? Your lucky cap, Jack you didn't do anything stupid while I was napping?"

"That was napping? No sweetheart that was more then napping you scared me but this little angel you left behind guided me to you helped me see the light. She showed me that fairy tales do come true."

She looked at me and was puzzled till it dawn on her.

"Karina."

I nodded yes.

I told her how she had helped me find the words to bring her back about the story she had told me when I was at the end of my rope. The patience and hope she inspired in me to complete my mission to kiss my princess and bring her back us.

Sam wiped the tears from her face

"She's precious isn't she Jack. I heard this tiny voice and felt these tiny hands holding me. She was telling me the story wasn't she."

I told her what I had done when I had awoken to find her in a coma. She held me close and whispered it was not my fault. I told her about dad and our conversation. I told her what I had done regarding us.

"I'm sorry you had to go through this Jack. I don't think I would be strong enough to have done what you did. Wait you talked to dad and you're still alive?"

I laughed out loud and kissed her temple.

She started to giggle and it was music to my ears.

I kissed her she held me tightly I was lost.

We heard the doors open and throats being cleared and coughing. I moaned as did Sam and we looked up.

Karina had moved forward and had her back to us.

"Are you guys all sick? Oh no get out of the room right now. Uncle Jacob, Daniel Teal'c, Uncle George have Dr. Janet fix you. We don't want to get Colonel Jack and Major Sam sick they just woke up!"

The laughter started with Daniel and it continued till every single one of them where laughing.

"From the mouths of babes," Dad mused.

"We heard laughter and well we wanted to know if everything was alright."

I looked at Daniel and said everything was peachy.

"Major Carter it is indeed good to see you awake we were worried O'Neill would not complete his mission".

She snorted and Karina came to sit on our bed.

"He did it! I knew he would he was so scared Major Sam but I told him all he had to do was look inside his heart that it would all work out."

Sam pulled her between us and she put her arms around both our necks and kissed us.

"You're right Karina that's all he had to do with those words he brought me back and with his kiss he woke me up."

"Just like the story. So you'll live happily ever after right?"

Sam looked down and a blush started to creep up her neck.

Jacob moved forward.

"Yeah Jack are you gonna make my little girl happy, or is Selmac gonna have to get rough?"

Janet shook her head.

"No sir I don't think we'll need Selmac's help if he doesn't fulfill his mission I have a nice big needle that's been waiting to meet him. Just hadn't had the right opportunity."

They were serious I had to put a stop to this.

"Easy all of you, jeez we haven't even gotten out of the room let alone up to the cabin and no none of you can come along. Sorry dad."

Dad came forward and I moved out of the way taking Karina with me.

He hugged his daughter and she whispered that she was fine. She held my gaze over his shoulder Jacob whispered something and the tears started to flow.

Janet came next to me and I put my arm around her and said she deserved a raise. She giggled again and Karina joined her. Doc kissed Karina then me and went to hug her friend.

Daniel hugged Sam and didn't want to let go. Teal'c came forward and engulfed her in a bear hug. She kissed both of them and thanked them for keeping me in line while she was napping.

Karina whispered in my ear that Sam had been sleeping not napping because a napping princess didn't sound right.

I agreed with my protector and watched our family together again.

I kissed her nose, hugged and thanked her.

She asked me for what and I told her for everything.

She rolled her eyes and said that everything was always there for me that she had just helped me see it.

"Never forget Colonel Jack you are good here and in there."

She touched my forehead then my heart.

I closed my eyes and whispered, "I know that now. I deserve to be happy and so do you. You've done your job my guardian angel I think we'll be okay now."

She smiled.

A smile that reminded me of my Sam.

"So my mission is complete I can leave you in good hands. Right?"

"Yes ma'am".

We moved closer to our extended family. Sam patting the space next to her and Karina asked to be put down. I sat next to my angel and kissed her again.

Happiness at last.

You bet!