Part Two

The mission was supposed to be routine – just a simple scientific excursion to gather soil and mineral samples. Little did they know before they embarked through the Gate that the planet they were going to was a rich source of high-grade trinium… and that it had recently been discovered by the forces of the System Lord, Kali.

A few hours into collecting samples, the Gate had suddenly activated. Jack immediately ordered Sam and Teal'c to take positions behind a group of large boulders to the right of the Stargate. In the meantime, he instructed Jonas to stay with him as they made their way to a position on the other side of the clearing.

Jonas was new to the team and to off world missions in general. He had very little military training and Jack felt responsible for the safety of the younger man. Although Jonas was a quick study, Jack felt the need to keep an eye on him while he was still learning the ropes. Besides, he had to make sure Jonas didn't get himself or anyone else into trouble. Presently, he and Jonas were hiding out in the brush, well concealed by thick foliage, while Sam and Teal'c were completely hidden from view on the other side of the clearing.

The first figures through the Stargate were a couple of Kali's Jaffa. Jack only hoped that the Jaffa party coming through would move on without spotting any of the member his team. More Jaffa came through and the event horizon eventually shut down as the whole group of Jaffa descended the steps leading to and from the Stargate. The entire group was relatively small in number – only nine or ten in total. Jack rationalized that it was probably only a scouting party sent to make sure the planet was safe before more arrived.

The plan that was formulating in his head was to remain hidden until the Jaffa went on their way and then to quickly dial the Gate home before more Jaffa arrived. If all went as planned, they would be able to get back to the SGC without the Jaffa ever knowing SG-1 had been there in the first place.

And everything did go as planned...almost. After visually scanning the area near the Gate, the Jaffa had marched off towards the hills in the distance. Once he was sure they were gone, Jack rose from his position and entered the clearing, remaining vigilant every step of the way in case the enemy returned. Jonas followed dutifully behind.

"Jonas...dial the Gate. We're going home."

Jonas immediately did what he was instructed and went over to the DHD to enter the address for Earth. In the meantime, Jack walked over to meet up with Sam and Teal'c who were now coming out from behind the boulders where they had been hiding.

The Gate activated, sending a bright stream jutting out towards them. Jonas sent their code through and walked up the stairs and stepped through the event horizon first. Teal'c, who had been cautiously scanning the perimeter for any sign of the hostiles, immediately followed him into the wormhole.

Jack and Sam hung slightly back, patiently waiting their turns. They stood next to each other, both very relieved that their team had once more escaped from imminent danger unharmed.

For a mere second, Jack let down his guard and stared openly into Sam's eyes, mesmerized by the love he saw reflected in them. In that moment, he couldn't believe how lucky he was. He had the love of a woman that he adored more than life itself.

He was so entranced that he didn't hear the sound of rustling branches coming from behind them until it was too late. Out of nowhere a staff blast came flying through the air towards them. Before he could react, the blast collided with Sam's back, the force of the blast propelling her body forward into the wormhole. Instinctively, Jack turned around and began furiously firing his weapon in the direction of the threat. He quickly backed into the event horizon, shock and fear gripping him every second.

"Close the iris!" he yelled as he rematerialized on the other side. Only then did he turn around to find Sam's still body lying face down on the ramp in front of him. He rushed to her prone body and gently turned her over. He stared in horror as her bright blue eyes vacantly stared back into his. In that instant, he knew she was gone forever.

Jack pulled her body tightly to his and immediately let out a soul-shattering cry. He rocked back and forth with Sam still cradled in his arms, his face buried in her neck, praying that it was not real – that she was not dead.

A couple of medics soon arrived and tried to pry her body from him, but he refused to let go. It was as if he didn't even realize that they were there. In his anguish, all of the other people in the room disappeared leaving him alone with his Sam.

Tears of anger and grief streamed down his face as his body continued rocking. He leaned his head against hers and began mumbling, "Oh God, Sam...I'm so sorry...it's all my fault...it's all my fault..."

Sophie Richards was conducting her hourly patrol of the main infirmary when she heard a blood-curdling scream. She had never before heard such an anguished sound come from a human being. Through the stillness of the nighttime infirmary, the sound had been even more jolting. Stunned, she quickly moved in the direction of the scream.

What she found was Colonel Jack O'Neill twisting convulsively in his bed. Dr. Frasier had warned her earlier that the Colonel might experience vivid nightmares during the night, but she was completely unprepared for the extent of this one.

Sophie moved steadily to the side of his bed. His head was tossing back and forth on his pillow and tears covered his face. She listened carefully, trying to figure out what he was incoherently muttering, all the while trying to sooth him by stroking back his hair.

She finally made out what the Colonel was saying. He was repeating the phrase, 'It's all my fault,' over and over again.

Sophie's attempts at comforting and calming the man seemed to be unsuccessful, so she decided that it was best to wake him from his dream.

"It's all right, sir," she called out softly as she continued to sooth back his hair. "It's only a dream. Try to relax."

The Colonel's eyes suddenly popped open and stares directly at her. His pain-filled expression soon melted into one that held wonder and amazement.

"Sam?" he asked hesitantly.

Sophie was just about to correct him when he once again spoke, "I'm so sorry, Sam. I love you so much. It's my fault..."

Sophie continued to coo reassuring words to him and soon Jack was again asleep. She left to get some more sedative for him and returned to inject it into his IV as Dr. Frasier had earlier instructed her to do if such an incident took place.

She looked down at the man who was now sleeping peacefully and a profound sadness overtook her. He had been through so much...and he had so much farther to go. Hopefully, she thought, he would feel better in the morning and these nightmares would no longer plague him.

"Good morning, Sophie. How did last night go?" Janet Fraiser asked she walked up to the nurse's station just inside the door of the main infirmary.

"It was quite a night, ma'am," Sophie replied, looking exhausted. "The Colonel had another episode after you left," she explained.

"I'm not surprised. Did you give him the dose of sedative I prescribed?"

"Yes, ma'am. He's been sleeping soundly ever since...so it worked. Thank God," Sophie exclaimed in relief.

"That bad, huh? Do you know what he was dreaming about?"

"Not really. He just screamed. Scared the heck out of me, actually. When I went to check on him, he was mumbling something about it all being his fault."

Janet smiled knowingly. "Well...the Colonel does have a legendary guilt complex. It could have been any number of things upsetting him."

Sophie shook her head. "It was more than that. The dream must have been really traumatic, ma'am."

"Why do you say that?" Janet was now somewhat concerned about the welfare of her patient and friend.

"He woke up for a second...although I'm not sure he was actually awake...and he called me 'Sam.' Then he started apologizing to me and telling me that he loved me. I tried to tell him that I wasn't this 'Sam' that he had been calling for, but he fell back to sleep almost immediately."

Janet was immediately worried by this news. Information like this could fuel base gossip for months if it got out.

"Sophie..." she hesitantly warned, "it would be best if you didn't mention this to anyone else. I don't have to remind you that patient confidentiality extends to nurses as well as doctors here."

"Ma'am, I would never..."

"I know, Sophie. I just wanted to make sure you understood."

The warning peaked Sophie's curiosity. "Ma'am? Who is Sam and why was he so upset about her?" The nurse paused, considering her next words carefully, "Is she dead?"

At these words Janet laughed lightly. "No, Lieutenant, Sam is very much alive. The Colonel was probably confused last night because you look a little like her. You haven't met Major Carter yet, probably because you've been working the nightshift so much."

Janet looked at Sophie with a serious expression before continuing, "The 'Sam' he was referring to is Major Sam Carter, his second-in command on SG-1. As to why he was so upset, I have no idea. It was probably just a very disturbing nightmare. God knows that he has enough real-life experiences to draw on."

Sophie was clearly shocked. She was Air Force, she knew the rules as well as anyone else in uniform. "His 2IC? Is she aware that he's in love with her?"

Janet looked at the young nurse disapprovingly. "That's really none of our business now, is it Lieutenant?"

Sophie looked appropriately chastised.

Janet knew the Lieutenant was curious about Sam and Jack's relationship, especially after witnessing the Colonel's outburst the previous evening. She also knew Sophie Richards to be a by-the-record officer and an excellent nurse. She had been at the SGC for a couple of weeks and in that time, she had never been interested in engaging in idle gossip. Her curiosity, Janet knew, was driven only by her concern for Colonel O'Neill.

Janet decided to alleviate the young woman's curiosity by offering an ambiguous answer to her previous question. "I think Major Carter knows...and what's more I think the feelings are mutual. Though I doubt either would ever act on those feelings. They are both first and foremost officers in the United States Air Force and they take their jobs very seriously. So...that gives you all the more reason to keep what you heard to yourself. We don't want to put two fine military careers in jeopardy simply because of the paranoid ramblings of a man going through withdrawal, do we?"

"No ma'am, we don't. I respect the Colonel too much to ever do that."

"Good girl. Well, you're off duty as of five minutes ago. You better get home and get some rest. I'll see you at your next shift."

"Thank you, ma'am. I hope the Colonel has a better day today."

"I do too, Sophie. I do too."

TBC