I woke up to a very pleasant surprise: Sam was still curled up against my side, her head on my shoulder. I breathed in her scent deeply, she smelled faintly of peaches but more of a fresh warm smell that I knew could only be her, and her alone. I looked down at her, a small smile on her face as well as mine: I wished briefly that I could always wake up with her in my arms. Even if that wasn't possible I still had this moment in time to savor.

Looking over at the clock I realized it wasn't a feeling I could savor for much longer, I had a few errands to run this morning that wouldn't wait no matter how much I wanted to stay in bed with my second in command. Reluctantly I slipped out of her grasp, gently kissing her forehead as I got up from the bed. I watched her feel out with her hands in the area I just vacated, the smile falling away from her face and a moan of loss coming from her lips.

I sighed and whispered to her, "I don't want to leave you either sunshine, but duty calls, I'll be back soon." I watched her as I got dressed noticing how empty her arms looked, searching out for me. Suddenly an idea clicked in my head, I opened my closet and dug around until I found what I was looking for. I smiled as I held it in my hands, when Charlie was born I bought him a large stuffed teddy bear. As he grew older he took it with him everywhere; Sara had given it to me after...he passed on, telling me it was best if I had it.

I walked over to the bed and gently placed it in Sam's hands, immediately her arms wrapped around it and she tucked its head under her chin. My heart clenched slightly as I realized that Charlie had named the bear Sam when he was three. I wrote it off as one of life's little coincidences as I went to find a pen and paper to leave Sam a note. I placed it on the bedside table along with one of the white roses my neighbor had given me the previous day. I had to remember to thank Mrs. Halliworth when this was all over. With one final lingering look I left Sam, hoping she'd still be there when I got back.

I woke up abruptly realizing there was something missing. I looked around and immediately noticed Jack was gone, in his place was a soft teddy bear with big black eyes staring up at me. He was adorable but not who I wanted to wake up to this morning. I looked toward Jack's bedside table for the time and saw a rose and a small slip of paper. I put the teddy down at my side and brought the rose up to my nose; it smelled beautiful. I turned over the paper in my hand and read his note:

Hey there

I hope Sam keeps you company while I'm gone. I had a few errands to run. There's coffee above the stove if you want some. I should be back in a couple hours, stay if you want. I'll make pancakes! If not I'll see you later Major.

Jack

I smiled, as much as I wanted to stay and have him cook for me, I knew I had to get home. As soon as I got some coffee in my system that is. I made my way out to the kitchen and started the coffee right away, I noticed absently that he had both his favorite brand and mine in stock. While the coffee was percolating away I took the time to look around Jack's place. It was cozy with a warmth my apartment seemed to be missing. He had a few photos scattered around, a couple of Charlie and his parents; a few of just Charlie and a teddy bear. It dawned on me why that bear looked familiar, I had woken up with him.

Tears sprang unbidden to my eyes at the thought that Jack trusted me with his son's teddy bear, probably one of the few things he had left of him. I poured my coffee and went back to looking at his photos, catching sight of a photo of SG-1. I remember that day vividly, we had gone to a planet that seemed dry and dusty, that was until it started pouring rain. Suddenly we were all covered with mud, sloshing through it as we made our way back to the gate. Just before we got home Daniel manage to convince the Colonel to stop for a 'Kodak moment', we all stood together trying to smile despite the mud caked on our faces. I moved on seeing a photo of myself I didn't remember being taken. It looks like it was taken at the party SG-1 threw to celebrate my promotion from Captain to Major. I had changed into my civilian clothes and was obviously smiling at who ever took the picture. I knew it wasn't Jack, I wonder whom he had to charm to get this picture. I couldn't keep the smile off my face as I deposited the mug I used in the sink. I called for a cab on my way out of the kitchen then went to write him my own note.

After I had written it, I couldn't help but read over it:

Jack

I have to get home but I'll take you up on the offer of pancakes another time. Thank you for last night, for more than just the bedtime story. I don't think I've ever slept as well as I did last night in your arms. Thank Sam for keeping me company, he's not exactly who I pictured waking up to in the morning but warmed my heart all the same. See you soon Colonel.

I smiled and placed the note in the teddy bear's arms, sitting in the middle of Jack's bed. I quickly got dressed knowing my cab would soon arrive, as I placed his hockey jersey on the bed I silently wished I could take it with me to sleep in. It still smelled of Jack's musty scent, and would be a momento of the night I spent in his arms. Reluctantly I left it, walked out to the porch to wait for my cab. Maybe I could convince him to let me borrow it next time I see him.

The cabby pulled up right on time and I slipped in to the backseat and tried to make myself comfortable for the ride to my place. I originally planned on going straight to my apartment after I left Jack's but about two blocks from my street the mild chest pains I had been feeling all morning started getting much more painful. Janet had told me to come see her if I had any problems so I redirected the cabby towards the base.

I was on my way home, finally finished my errands when I realized I still had to hand in my report to General Hammond. And I had left the stupid thing at home. Oh well, hopeful I'd have a hungry Major waiting for me when I got there.

Unfortunately when I got to my house only the furry Sam was left, but he was holding on to a note for me. A grin spread out on my face as a read it. Maybe I could convince the Major to have another sleep over with me, this time with no teddy bear taking my place and lots of pancakes.

I quickly grabbed the report and made my way towards the base.

As soon as I got to the infirmary I found Janet in her office working on some left over paper work.

"Janet?" I called hugging my chest from the pain.

She swiveled around in her chair and took in my expression, "What are you doing back so soon?" she asked guiding me to one of the hospital beds, "I thought I got rid of SG-1 for a while."

"Sorry." I mumbled.

"Chest pains?" She asked removing my arms and gently probing to see which area exactly was hurting.

"Yeah it started a while after I got up, nothing serious though but it got worse as the morning went on. I think it's letting off again, I can breath a lot easier now."

"Let me do a chest x-ray and do a blood test and we'll see what's wrong with you." She smiled at me as she went to get a needle.

"Oh great..." I sighed and waited for the tests to be over.

"All done, Sam. I'm going to give you a shot, painkiller and a strong sedative. It'll put you out for a couple hours, and when you wake up your blood tests should be done and I'll fill you in. Okay?" She gave me another caring smile as she pumped me full of drugs.

"Thanks Janet, I'll buzz you," I pointed to the call button beside the bed, "if I need anything else."

She chuckled, "You'll be out before you can count to twenty, Major."

On my way to the General's office with my report I realized I'd better stop by the infirmary about the chest pains I've been having this morning. It was really just more of a mild ache when I woke up. I figured it was due to the fact that for the first time in a long time I had someone sleeping on my chest. But as I was finishing up my errands it started to get bad, really bad. I even had trouble breathing for a while, but on my way back to the house it got easier. Now it was just a dull throbbing, but worth getting checked out as long as no needles were involved. Keeping that in mind I made my way to the infirmary.

"Hey Doc?" I called into the empty room.

"Come on in Colonel, I assume you're here to check on Major Carter?" It came muffled from the back, where I knew her office was.

"What the hell is wrong with Carter?" I shouted. I couldn't help it, when I left her this morning she was fine, peaceful... what could have happened to her in so short a time?

Janet came into sight, "Calm down, it's nothing serious she was complaining of chest pains this morning."

"Chest pains?" I swallowed suddenly feeling all was not right with the world.

Something must have shown on my face because Doc Fraiser looked at me with concern on her face, "What's wrong Colonel?"

"I came in for the same reason. They started when I woke up and got worse. Up until a little while ago that is." I told her sitting down on the bed beside Sam. My eyes were glued to hers. Except hers looked a little too hazy to be natural.

Doc Fraiser didn't notice our exchange, instead just took my blood and said, "I'm going to do the same thing I did with Major Carter, blood test and then a chest X-ray." Bringing the machine towards the bed.

"Could this be something we caught on P35X9?" I asked her, becoming more concerned as the moments pasted.

"I doubt it. I just saw Daniel about half an hour ago, we had coffee together and chatted. There was absolutely nothing wrong with him. More likely Sam is worn out from her electronic ordeal and you've probably pulled a muscle or strained it some how." She brought a needle up to my arm, "Here's a sedative, painkiller mix. I gave a shot to the Major as well. You'll both be out for a couple hours, then I'll come check on you with the results of your tests. Sleep tight." She smiled at me, I would have smiled back except I was too busy cringing over the needle.

I watched as she left the room, then turned my attention back to Sam. Even though the Doc had given her a sedative she was still awake, looking at me through glassy eyes.

"Carrrterrr...?" I called, my words slightly slurred as the drug started to take affect.

"Jacckkk, can't sleeeeppp..." she murmured to back to me, her words coming out as drunkenly as mine were.

I grabbed the edge of her bed a pulled it towards mine. I opened my arms and called to her, "C'mere Saaammm."

She came willingly, curling up in my arms as she had the previous night, her head on my shoulder. I heard her sigh as I breathed in the smell of her and we both drifted off to sleep.