Chapter Seven

"Jack! For heavens sake just put me in the wheelchair!" Sam said exasperatedly.

"I want to carry you Sam. Once you go in that thing…"

"Hey, I told you I was coming back." Her tone softened. "Ok, you can carry me."

"I just want to hold you." He whispered.

"And I don't want you to stop. Ever." She replied her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"Right," Jack sniffed, regaining his composure. "Let's get this show on the road."

He carried Sam down to the isolation room, where Janet, her team, Hammond, Jacob, and SG-1 were waiting. Jack let everyone have their last words with Sam before he carried her over to the sarcophagus. She looked down at it and for the first time, Jack saw the uncertainty in her eyes. Janet and her team busied themselves with equipment and the others knowingly left the room and walked very, VERY slowly to the observation room.

Sam looked up at Jack.

"I'm coming back." She said with a hint of uncertainty.

"Yes, you're coming back and then we're going fishing." She looked back at the sarcophagus and then at Jack.

"I love you...with everything that I am."

"I love you too Sam, more than life." Then he kissed her, taking her breath away. "I'll be right here the whole time ok?" He sniffed as he lay her down. "I love you," he told her again and kissed her forehead. "Keep this with you…" He slipped his yoyo into her hand. "See you when you wake up." With that Sam told Janet she was ready and the lid slid shut. Jack pulled up a chair and sat.

"I'll bring him his meals," Daniel said. "You know he won't move." Everyone agreed and Hammond turned to Jacob.

"You can stay as long as you need to, I'll organise a VIP room for you. We need to talk." He stood up and Jacob followed.

"Indeed we do." He smiled and the two chuckled as they walked off to the commissary.

"I'll get your lunch."

"Dan-"

"Yes I know you're not hungry Jack, but at least have some coffee or something ok?" Jack opened his mouth to protest, but quickly shut it at Daniel's glare. Throughout the day, Janet checked the monitors and Daniel brought in food. Hammond and Jacob came in the afternoon and Teal'c placed Kelnoreem candles in the room to help with the healing. Jack was starting to doze off at about two am when Janet came in and gently stirred him.

"Only five hours to go Colonel." He nodded and she left.