Chapter Nine

With a loud grunt the lid slowly began to slide open. Jack awoke with a start at the noise and was instantly on his feet trying to pry the lid open faster. He didn't yell for help, his only thought was getting Sam out of there. Finally he heard her, gasping for air.

"Sam! Sam! It's ok baby, I'm right here. I'm gonna get you out." He reached in, lifted her out and held her for dear life. "Jesus Carter, don't you ever, EVER do that again!" Sam's arms were flailing over her neck and stomach and suddenly Jack realized she couldn't breathe properly. He hit the alarm so hard he was surprised later that he hadn't broken it. "JANET! MED TEAM! SHE'S BACK! SAM'S ALIVE!" The next few hours were a blur to Jack as Sam was rushed to the infirmary and hooked up to nearly every monitor in the place. She awoke five hours later.

"Jack!" Was the first thing she yelled.

"I'm here Sam, I'm right here." He cupped her face in his hands to calm her. The moment her eyes met his, she threw herself into him and sobbed her heart out.

"I was so scared. Something went wrong, the lights flickered and the air started to run out. I knew I had to come back to you, I called out, I tried…" She was sobbing even harder now.

"It's ok Sam, you're back now, everything's going to be alright. You were in there for three days Sam. You scared the hell outta all of us. I thought I was going to lose you." He kissed her then and she responded urgently. When they parted she held out her hand.

"Your yoyo…I didn't let it go the whole time…" they gazed at each other a while when Sam suddenly gasped ". Jack look!" she cried. "Look Jack, my arms! I can move them!" She threw the bed sheets back. "And my… my legs! I can move them too!" She laughed then and started a little jig. Janet was overjoyed to she her friend awake and well, and quickly called everyone down to the infirmary. Cassie came that afternoon and was very happy to see Sam completely mobile and with a chess game ready. Janet insisted on keeping Sam in for a week to monitor any side affects she might have. Sam protested loudly but everyone overruled her. As a result she refused to talk to any of them. They just laughed.

AN: Almost there now, keep going. Don't you just love my moral support?