Ch. 7 Waiting

Sam glanced at Daniel, who was now resting somewhat comfortably. She had been as gentle as possible when tending to his leg, but he'd reacted much the same way Jack had all those years ago.

Jack. Sam sighed. This was supposed to be a short and simple mission. But evidently, fate had other plans. Did fate have something against them? All she wanted was a few days with him before he left. Was that too much to ask? The last month with Jack had been wonderful. And to think of what lay ahead, after the regs were history, sent chills of anticipation down Sam's spine.

She wasn't going to dwell on what happened with Pete, and she wasn't going to be afraid to move forward with Jack. She was not going to fear this relationship and worry she'd fail this one too. Sam knew that if their relationship had survived the past year, they would be okay. They had talked and sorted through a lot of things in the last month. That needed to be done. For the first time, they'd come completely clean with each other. While it had been easier to do than she'd expected, it certainly hadn't been simple. But now they were better than ever, and for that she was thankful.

"Daniel, Carter, can you hear me?" Sam practically jumped out of her skin as her radio crackled to life.

"Sir?"

"Carter, thank God. Are you and Daniel okay?" Jack asked.

"We're okay."

"Good. Look, we just came through the gate. We're going to get you out."

"Yes, sir." Sam turned to Daniel, who was now wide awake. "Looks like we're getting out of here."

Jack and Jacob sat a short distance away from the temple. The extraction team was surveying the area and conferring with Daniel and Sam. SG-3 was keeping watch, which left the two men to talk to Teal'c. However, not much was being said.

Teal'c studied the two men in front of him. He knew they were both concerned for the safety of both DanielJackson and ColonelCarter. He also knew ColonelCarter played a much different role in their lives than DanielJackson did.

"ColonelCarter will be fine," he stated.

Jack looked up sharply. "I know. I ju-hey! I care about them both, Teal'c." He almost seemed hurt.

"It is not an accusation, O'Neill. I know that you and ColonelCarter care for each other."

"Look, T, I care for Daniel too," Jack replied.

"Not in the same capacity." A small smile tugged at the Jaffa's lips. "Do not make this more difficult than it has to be, O'Neill."

Jack rubbed his forehead. "She's gonna kill me," he muttered. This would be the second person he told without her. "Well, we're together, but not together-together. I mean we can't be-"

"O'Neill. There is no need to explain. I am happy for you and ColonelCarter," Teal'c bowed slightly.

Jacob, who had been silent, cleared his throat. The trio noticed Major Turner, a member of the extraction team, approaching them.

"What have we got?" Jacob wondered.

The Major displayed a hand drawn map of the building. He went on to detail the rescue operation, talking animatedly. "From what the Colonel and Doctor say, and what we see, going in here is the best way," he finished, pointing to the map. Before anyone could speak, he continued. "I also feel it important to say there's always the possibility of a cave in. No matter how careful our team is, the building's old and compromised," he warned.

The other men nodded.

"Okay, then. Teal'c, will you assist us?"

"Indeed," he replied without hesitation.

Jack and Jacob trailed behind them. They were more along for the ride than anything else. But a close proximity was better than being at the SGC worrying. They'd gotten to hear their voices. Though they sounded weary, it was comforting all the same.

Daniel and Sam sat quietly, listening to the sounds of the people above. Grating, scraping, and drilling.

Finally Daniel spoke up. "Hey, Sam?"

"Hum?"

"Um… I know."

Sam's eyebrow arched. "'I know?' Know what?"

Daniel pursed his lips. "About you and Jack." He wasn't sure in the lighting, but he thought Sam was turning red. "I'm right, aren't I?"

"Daniel, we were going to tell you last night. We weren't trying to keep you in the dark, the right time just hasn't come up," Sam told him apologetically.

"Hey, it's alright. I'm glad you two finally got your acts together," he replied.

"Well, not totally together."

Daniel looked at her expectantly, waiting for an explanation.

"We've had the talk, but we're holding off on anything serious until he retires. Whenever that will be."

"I don't think that will be too far down the road, Sam. He loves you too much." Yes, he decided, she was blushing.

"He still wants to be there for us, Daniel. And if Homeworld Security is the only way he can, then he's going to do it," Sam said.

Daniel reached out and grasped Sam's hand. "I know. But he wants to be with you. That man deserves some happiness. True happiness. Sam, he's such a different man now than he was when I met him. You wouldn't even know he's the same person. I think you're largely responsible for that."

"We all are, Daniel. Not just me. We're a team, a family. None of us would be who we are today without each other."

Daniel lightly squeezed her hand. "You're right about that," he agreed.

Sam squeezed back, nodding.

They both became stock still as a few rocks tumbled down from above.

"Uh, guys? You almost got us out of here?" Daniel radioed.

"Affirmative. We are getting closer," came the response.

"Hurry," he muttered under his breath.

"Could they go any slower?" Jack complained, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"They're doing the best they can, Jack. You'll just have to be patient."

"You know, Jake, that's not one of my strong points."

Jacob sighed. He knew that all too well. They were right outside the temple. Close enough to know what was going on, but far back enough to be out of the way. As much as Jacob wanted to jump in and start yanking rocks out of the way with his bare hands, he knew that wasn't his place.

"So, are you ever going to give me that speech that all fathers give unsuspecting boyfriends?"

Jacob cast a surprised glance in Jack's direction. "No. No, I think you know my daughter better than even I do. But I do have some juicy tidbits of information from Sam's childhood you might want to hear about."

"Oh?"

Jacob crossed his arms, remembering fondly. "Oh, yes."

"Colonel Carter? Dr. Jackson? We're about to break through."

Sam got to her feet as the message finished. "This is it," she smiled, wandering towards the area they were about to penetrate. From a distance, she watched and waited. No sooner had the team above broken through the rock than the building began to crumble.

TBC in 'Rescue Me'