Chapter 3

Jack was right, the process was very tiring and Sam spent most of her time sleeping. The times she was awake were either spent with Jack doing her exercises or with SG-1. Everyone seemed to fall into a place. Jack and Cassie just talked, Daniel and Teal'c told her news from off world and missions, Janet relayed the gossip and Hammond brought news of the Tok'ra. To make sure Sam was getting as much help as possible, Jack had pulled leave and did her exercise everyday. There had been embarrassment on both sides when he'd had to stretch her legs, but soon they just accepted it, both secretly enjoying it. It was something a husband might do for his wife.

3 weeks into the program, and Sam could move her eyeballs. As soon as it had been discovered that the Tok'ra device was working, she had been transferred to the base infirmary. By now her hands, arms and legs were showing signs of returning to the fetal position. To combat this, Jack brought in puzzles, manipulating Sam's hands to put the puzzle pieces together. Then he would stroke down her arm and palm, pushing her elbow out and stretching her fingers. This particular session they were quiet, as Jack had put her favourite CD on. By slightly stiffening, Sam was able to get Jack's attention. She looked a far as she could to where he was stretching her hand and then looked up.

"You want me to stop?" He asked, pausing. She blinked once, and then stared and where her hand was. "Your hand?" Sam blinked twice then looked up twice. "You want me to move your hand so you can see it?" She blinked twice. Jack manovered himself so that Sam was sitting between his legs, and continued to stretch her fingers. She watched their hands with fascination; Jack saw this and began to do the same, unconsciously resting his chin on her shoulder. This didn't go unnoticed by Sam, who found the gesture very intimate. Her breathing quickened slightly and she was afraid that Jack would notice, but he was staring intently at their intwined hands, as he gently massaged hers. Suddenly he dropped it, realizing what he was doing, "I-I'll leave you to get some rest," he stuttered and quickly left the room. Tears slid down Sam's cheeks; she would have slept better if Jack had stayed. This is how Janet found her ten minutes later. She'd run into a very flustered O'Neill in the hall, and guessed instantly that something had happened between the two.

"Oh honey," Was all she could say as she finished Sam's exercises and wiped her tears.

After that, Jack tried to keep professional during his visits, never getting as close to Sam as he had that day. This only distressed her more and soon she blocked out everyone, including Jack. She was confused then, when she woke at night, he was always there, watching her. Always kissing her cheek before leaving.

As the months passed Sam's progress sped up and she now had complete control from the neck up. With her voice back Sam was talking non-stop and soon requesting to be let to talk technicians through problems at the SGC. However, things were becoming more and more strained between her and Jack, especially now she could talk. Finally, Sam had had enough. If someone didn't break it, it was going to backfire real bad. That decided she waited for her next session with Jack.

After helping Sam sit up on the side of the bed, Jack began to stretch her legs. This was very painful and the fact that Sam could now vocalize her pain made it even worse.

"AHHHHHHHGGGGG!" She screamed after one particular stretch, and she tried hard not to cry, but the tears fell hard as her leg burned.

"Ah shit Sam, I'm sorry." Jack quickly lifted her back onto the bed and leaned over her, rubbing her leg. "I'm sorry Sam I know it hurts. Why don't I stop and-"

"Jack?" He looked up concern in his eyes.

"Yeah?" He replied.

"I don't want you to stop."

"But-" Sam cut him off.

"Ever." She whispered, heart pounding, and lowered her gaze to her hands. Suddenly she felt a pair of warm hands tilting her chin up. She looked up only to find a pair of chocolate eyes full of concern and was it? No, it couldn't be. How could he feel the same way?

"Sam…" She felt her insides melt; he said her name so gently, caressing it. "What are you afraid of?" Her eyes shot to his and he could read her panic. "Are you afraid I don't feel the same way? That I don't love you?" Sam choked back a sob.

"How could you?" She started. "Look at me. It's going to take me at least two and a half years to get out of this, learn to walk again, get my coordination back and be fit for fieldwork. How could you love me?" She was again looking at her hands.

"Because you're beautiful and you're you. I don't care what's happened. This doesn't change who you are. You can kick ass just with technobabble." Sam smiled. "I love you Sam, no matter what." She searched his eyes only to find confirmation in their depths.

"Jack, help me up." Sam tried to heave herself into a sitting position.

"Easy Sam, what is it?" She just smiled.

"Now put my arms around your neck." She blushed somewhat at this request and Jack looked puzzled, if not a bit pink himself.

"You want me to help stand you up?"

"No. I can't say I love you without a kiss." Jack stared and Sam just laughed. "I love you Jack" and with that, she kissed him. The shock quickly wore off and Jack responded passionately. When they finally parted both were smiling sheepishly.

"I'll take that as a yes to my next fishing invitation." Sam just smiled and kissed him again