She began to rock back and forth, holding her beloved securely to her chest.

By now, Teal'c and Daniel were standing directly behind their friends. Their own shock was palpable, the feeling of loss overwhelming.

PART FIVE: GRIEVING

Aware that the immediate danger was far from resolved, with hostile Jaffa still in the vicinity, Daniel knelt beside his friends holding his hand to Sam's back. Teal'c voiced the needed words, "Samantha, we must leave this place; it is not safe to remain". Neither Daniel nor Teal'c was surprised when Sam did not react or acknowledge their presence.

Daniel felt the tears in his own eyes as he watched Sam continue to hold Jack's body tightly to her own, as though by the strength of her love she could will his life force to return. Finally, knowing that all their lives were at stake, Daniel reached for Sam's shoulders as Teal'c gently pulled O'Neill from her grasp.

Making eye contact as best he could, Daniel repeated "We have to go, Sam".

"No…stay…" Sam replied, in a flat, defeated tone.

"O'Neill would not have wanted that Samantha. Your place is with your children. They have great need of you." Teal'c had spoken the only words which could have cut through Sam's grief at that time. Jack was dead and their children would need their mother more than ever.

"We have to bring him home."

"We will, Samantha." With that, Teal'c lifted the body of Jack O'Neill with great care, as Daniel helped Sam to her feet. Teal'c carried the body into the nearby forested area. Sam, with Daniel at her side, was directly behind Teal'c, with SG3 and the Tokra, Bashir, bringing up the rear.

Once safely concealed under the canopy of trees, the Tokra liaison addressed the SGC teams, still so obviously in shock at the death of the Ambassador.

"I believe we may have a more satisfactory solution, Colonel Carter. The Goa'uld reconnaissance station may house a sarcophagus. We have been led to believe this may be one of the last remaining sarcophagi .Our sources suggest it has been part of the Goa'uld research here. If it remains functional, and we were to bring the Ambassador..."

Immediately Colonel Reynolds frowned as though he would protest any suggestion, especially from the Tokra, that would place more members of the team at risk. But before Reynolds could speak, Teal'c offered direction to the group in a tone that allowed for no debate.

"Then we will bring him. But Samantha, you must return through the gate. Daniel Jackson," he continued "I believe Colonel Carter will require your presence."

Daniel silently nodded his agreement, shooting a quick glance at Reynolds, now the leader of this mission, for acknowledgement. On his part, despite his misgivings, the SG3 leader had quickly decided that the risks involved in attempting to revive his good friend and an extremely valuable member of the team, were acceptable. He immediately assigned SG3's Lieutenant Carson to accompany Daniel and Sam back to the gate. Sam made to protest but stopped, realizing she had little voice left in her. After all, they were right. Her primary responsibility at this point was to make it home to her children.

The walk back to the gate was accomplished quickly, but stealthily. As much as possible, the small group remained under cover of the available vegetation, coming out only when necessary to activate the gate. Within minutes, the three returning team members materialized at the SGC, surprising everyone with the rapidity of their return and the tragic nature of their news.

Hammond was in the gateroom along with General Landry as soon as "unscheduled off world activation" sounded through the base.

Sam emerged from the gate flanked by Daniel and Lt. Carson. She was beyond pale, staring straight ahead, tears streaming silently down her face and fresh blood covering the front of her uniform. She walked directly past her two superior officers without so much as an acknowledgement. It didn't take Daniel's warning look as he sprinted off behind her to alert the Generals to the tragedy that had occurred.

"Report, Lieutenant."

"We had just arrived, Sir. Ambassador O'Neill was fatally wounded by a staff weapon blast. The Tokra believe there may be a sarcophagus on the planet and the remainder of the team is attempting to find this, in hopes of reviving the Ambassador. It was felt that Colonel Carter should return for her own safety. Colonel Reynolds requests that I return with reinforcements ASAP".

General Landry found it hard to believe Carter had returned of her own accord.

George Hammond simply nodded. As a father and grandfather, he understood why she'd come back. Her greatest fear had come to pass. Jacob should be here to comfort Sam, but Sam had lost her father long ago. Hammond wondered how he might be able to help his good friend's daughter. Sadly, he realized that though he might be able to help in some way, there would be no real comfort for Sam until Jack O'Neill returned.

Daniel followed Sam to the base quarters she had shared with Jack. He found the door open. At first he couldn't find his friend, but as he walked through the sitting room, he heard a strangled sob. Looking towards the sound, he found Sam curled up on the floor, rocking, clutching what appeared to be a jacket – Jack's favorite leather jacket.

Silently, Daniel slid down the wall and sat next to the grieving woman, so much a sister to him. He shared her grief and understood, from his own loss of Sha're, some of the devastation Sam must be feeling at the moment. Still he had no words for such a time. They sat side by side for what seemed forever, the only sound, the occasionally audible sob from Sam. At last, Daniel broke the silence.

"You know he may come back to us, Sam".

"…and he may not. We saw him die, Daniel. Even Jack can't always beat the odds".

"For now there's hope, Sam."

Sam looked up at Daniel for the first time since he'd entered the room. The vulnerability in her eyes broke his heart, as she asked, "What do I tell our children?" Almost as quickly as she had looked at him, she looked away as though the contact was too much.

Daniel just sat silently for a bit before even attempting an answer. "You tell them how sad you are," he began, looking at Sam's back as she started to rock yet again. After a deep breath, he continued, "you tell them their dad was injured and he's in a special hospital where they have the skill to make him better. Then we wait. And you love them".

At Daniel's words, Sam finally stopped rocking and turned slightly to meet his gaze. "I know you're right. I just don't know if I have the strength right now. I miss him so much already, Daniel. I can't imagine living a life without Jack."

"If that's what you have to do, Sam, you'll do it for your kids. That's how you'll remember and honor Jack." Sensing the compassion and concern in Daniel's voice, Sam allowed him to wrap his arms around her. She leaned into his comforting embrace and she wept.

Thanks for your reviews, more scenes with the children coming up