One Hour later - Sam's bedside - Infirmary at Cheyenne Mountain

Jack clutched her cold hand, as she lay so lifeless, so still. Dr. Lam had managed to stop the contractions -- at least for the moment - and while they waited for Dr. Emerson to arrive, she had allowed him some time alone with her. How had this happened? His mind was desperately trying to comprehend the radical change that had taken place - from his inquisitive, hungry wife that had been by his side only a brief hour before - to this silent shell.

He bowed his head and tried to dredge up prayers that he half remembered from his Catholic school days and his spirit faltered when he realized that the last time he had prayed in this way was outside the ICU room where Charlie had eventually died. Shuddering, he pushed the torturous memories of his son's horrific death back down into their dark places inside his tormented mind.

His courage always there, came through for him once again, even if he didn't realize it, as he resolutely overcame the darkness and fought for his wife and child once again. Softly, he addressed her still form, as he stroked her cold hand,

"Sam, if you can hear me, wake up...or... squeeze my hand. Come on, Sam." He waited, studying her for any change but saw nothing but stillness. He released a heavy sigh and studied her hand in his, noticing the calluses and scars that were a testament to her unusual life. He gripped it in sudden fear and muttered softly, "God ... This is hard." Before adding, "I'm not good at this Sam --you know that better'n anyone." Rubbing her hand convulsively, he softly continued, "If you hear me, don't give up Sam. Come back to me -- to us." His voice shook a little as he tried to talk around his closed throat.

Frustration filled him and along with it a little of his fighting spirit returned. Clearing his throat he spoke again, the voice of a General speaking to a subordinate as he then gave her his orders, "Carter, fight this." If she heard him, she would obey. She was the consummate professional.

His dark eyes filled with unshed tears as he realized that he was bordering on losing it' and wondered what anyone would have thought if they had been in the room to hear him as he softly continued talking to his comatose wife, "Come on Sam... You can do this - You're a fighter -- Fight for our child. Please." Finally, he could say not more.

Daniel did hear him. Silently he stood in the darkness at the door as he listened to his friend plea for his life'. No one knew better than he, what the two meant to each other. He had been a witness for the past nine years to their complex relationship.

He loved them both as closely as a blood brother and his heart felt as if it might explode as he witnessed this very private man, plea for his soul mate to come back to him. He waited a few moments after Jack had finished talking and then clearing his throat to give warning, he approached the bed. Jack seemed not to notice Daniel until he was right upon him - a testament to his frame of mind as normally he had a seventh' sense about his surroundings.

"Jack, Dr. Emerson's arrived. You'll need to come out now. I told them I would come get you."

Jack nodded, even in this situation; he appreciated Daniel's protectiveness towards his privacy. Taking a moment to regain his composure, his indomitable Jack O'Neill' persona back in place he led the way out of room.

Sam's fight - Infirmary Cheyenne Mountain

Swirling, whirling, the wormhole loomed endlessly on. Looping right and sweeping left; it was a forever, endless ride. Sam felt the icy nothingness of subspace - and understood that this journey may never end. Something was different, eerily bizarre about this mission -- how far was she going and where? Her memory was clouded as she tried to recall the events that led up to this journey and nothing was clear. Almost there, then gone again, cloudy swirling loops continuing on.

Then she remembered something - something important but before she could comprehend - it too was gone, swirling away into misty mindlessness. What was wrong with her? Silently she screamed out, trying to break through - wanting to know - needing to know. What was happening to her? Why wouldn't this journey end?

Eventually she grew more and more tired - the swirling loops grew tighter and tighter. She felt torn and tossed about -- was the destination finally near? The loops and swirls grew even smaller. Eventually she understood that she wasn't going to end this journey as she had begun it -- and she mourned. What she mourned she still couldn't recall, but knew it was important. It was everything.

Then, she heard him. She knew that voice even as she couldn't recall a name. A voice that she instinctively knew was somehow vital to her survival and she held on to it and pulled it around her and kept it in her mind - the words were meaningless, but the voice was enough. It wanted her to fight and keep the journey going - so she resolved to try. It wanted her to come back - but hopelessly she knew - this was a wormhole, the trip was one way. How could she? Yet, the voice was her only comfort and she clung.

Two Hours Later - Hallway outside Infirmary -Cheyenne Mountain

The five Asgards huddled in the hallway quietly talking; their large heads close together in an alien parody of a football team. Every now and then one would raise his head and glance toward O'Neill who now sat between Daniel and General Landry in the hallway. Finally, Felspre the tallest of the Asgards and known to be General O'Neill's personal medical technician approached the silent trio.

"General O'Neill, may I have a word with you?"

"What is it Felspre?" Jack O'Neill was not a naturally patient man, yet somehow over the past year he had developed a form of patience when it came to the Asgards. He was delving into this new talent now as he stared at the alien in front of him.

"The others wanted me to tell you that they should be with Colonel Carter at this time. They are in fact her personal medical team." Felspre was nervous - hard to spot -- but O'Neill, who had dealt daily with him over the past year, could see it. Tersely he answered,

"Dr. Emerson and Dr. Lam are her Doctors, Felspre. That's why we came back here."

"There is a grave concern..." Felspre argued when suddenly, Jack flew up from his chair and towered over the gray Asgard, his hard earned, newly developed patience lost as he bellowed,

"Listen! Dr. Lam informed me of your unacceptable directive towards my wife - BACK OFF."

Daniel stood and put his hand on Jack's shoulder in comfort as well as to possibly hold him off the frailer being if needed. "Jack, Calm down."

Shrugging his shoulder loose from his friends grip, Jack abruptly sat back down. Elbows on his knees as he leaned forward, clasping his hands.

"GOD!" He said in complete frustration.

Landry laid a comforting arm on his shoulder as he leaned back in his own chair, while Daniel hesitantly sat back down - and felt helpless.

Finally the Infirmary door opened, Dr. Emerson and Dr. Lam emerged still wearing their examination gloves. Dr. Emerson looked too young to have the reputation he was credited with, slim, medium height, dark hair with gray at the temples, crinkling, friendly brown eyes that for some reason reminded Daniel of a collie he knew as a child.

The three men rose immediately as the Doctors' approached. Dr. Lam spoke up,

"Sirs, let's do this in the briefing room."

General Landry nodded his assent and all followed as he led the way with the Asgards trailing behind, bringing up the rear. Once there, General Landry motioned everyone to sit - and all did, with the exception of the Asgards, who took their customary stance behind Jack against the wall. It was apparent to all that Doctor Emerson was trying and failing to not stare at the five aliens in their midst.

As usual, Jack took the matter into his own hands and clearing his throat spoke up,

"Doctor Emerson, let me introduce the Asgards to you, Felspre, Buddy, Eyvind, Kaln and Sveni."

As he said their names, each one took a small step forward and bowed their head in greeting then stepped back, their large eyes unwavering.

Jack continued, "They're Asgards' version of Doctors... and have been caring for Sam on Othalla - and followed us here, as you can see." Jack finished with a small grimace.

Doctor Emerson seemed awed by their presence as he said, "This is truly an honor to meet you. I have heard great..."

Impatiently Jack jumped in again, "Yeah, well, we're not here for a meet and greet of the Asgards - can we get this show on the road?" And effectively put a stop to whatever conversation the Doctor had intended with the entourage of aliens.

"Of course." Doctor Lam spoke up for the first time, her solemn glance took in the whole room and something in her attitude prepared everyone there for bad news. She nodded at Doctor Emerson to begin. With a visible change of gears, Dr. Emerson's face grew serious as his gaze roamed around the tense table,

"First, off, we've stabilized and stopped the contractions. She's just at 34 weeks gestation and even though that's considered premature, the baby should be just fine. We'll have to see how long this will last but for now, the baby's vital signs are good so we'll put off delivering as long as possible to give the lungs as much development time as possible."

As this was said, Sveni and Kaln exhibited a bit of Asgard excitement as they nodded in a brisk fashion and exchanged a long glance. This did not go unnoticed by Jack, who quelled their actions with a dark glance.

Dr. Lam then spoke up as she opened the folder in front of her to expose MRI readouts. She seemed reluctant to begin; her normally inscrutable expression on her pretty face was gone and replaced by an anxious frown. Taking a deep breath, her eyes finding her fathers' and then seeking out Daniels' as she relayed the facts,

"Colonel Carter is in a comatose state - and we've not been able to bring her out of it. Instead it appears to be deepening. We ruled out aneurysm and stroke early on. With this last MRI, we found something..." She abruptly rose and efficiently set up the viewer with the film so that it displayed on the larger screen.

Using a pointer, Dr. Lam indicated a tiny dot on the scan of Sam's brain,

"The MRI is showing a tiny formation in her brain that wasn't there a year ago in her last checkup. The scan indicates that it is comprised of the element Naquedah and given the location of this mass, we think it has to be the cause."

Finally her dark eyes found Jack's and sympathy was relayed through them. She paused to let the facts sink in and waited for the inevitable question. The question she did NOT want to answer.

He sat as he normally did, slouched back; hands moving in some sort of nervous hand game, but no one in the room thought for a moment that he was relaxed as all the while his intense, brown eyes burned with the force of his concentration as he listened to the report that was going to say whether he had a life or not -- whether he would know joy again or not. Abruptly he leaned forward in his chair, his eyes on his fidgeting hands - then looking sideways at Daniel as if to draw some sort of strength from him before taking a deep breath and asking,

"So... What are her chances Doc?"

There it was - floating in the air - that QUESTION that she knew was inevitable but still had dreaded. The answer that would devastate both this legendary Air Force General and also someone she had grown to care deeply about, Daniel Jackson.

In her gentlest voice, she answered, "General O'Neill, it's inoperable and fast growing. I'm afraid..."

He held up a hand to silence her, and closed his eyes briefly and then nodded.

Daniel clutched his arm in support and quietly asked Dr. Lam,

"Have you contacted the Tok-ra? Possibly they may have some expertise...?"

Harshly Jack spoke up, "Tok-ra! Yeah RIGHT - They're always soo helpful." Sarcasm flavored every word, and then he visibly tried to control himself and added,

"Forget what I just said... Yes, Do contact the Tok-ra. Daniel, why don't you do that - talk to Anise."

"I'll do it right now." Daniel said and immediately rose and left.

General Landry spoke up then. "I appreciate your coming so quickly Doctor Emerson. Let us know if there is anything you need."

"My pleasure. Uhh, General, If I may, I would like to talk to talk to the Asgards?" Dr. Emerson asked, and General Landry nodded his consent.

Jack stood abruptly and asked in the general direction of both Doctors,

"Can I go to her now?"

Dr. Emerson spoke up then, "You may General. We have moved her into a private room, just ask the nurse to show you."

Jack was already on his way out the door. "Thanks."

SGC Infirmary - Private Room

Jack sat for once in complete stillness - his whole being focused on the quiet inert form that was his wife and child. Could he survive losing her? Of course. He'd survive it as he had survived all the hideous realities of his past -- did he want to? No.

Guilt laid heavy on him, guilt that had nothing to do with reason -- only emotion that ate away at him like acid through his heart. He wanted his vibrant, intelligent Carter' to live - to experience life to the fullest, not to die young having his child. He should have known his horrible karma would work against them - why hadn't he just stayed away from her and denied his longings? He should have.

He thought of when he had first met her - how spunky she'd been; a young, confident spitfire ready to take on a room full of skeptical officers and she had done it -- easily. In no time, she had won over hardened, seasoned soldiers with her professionalism, intelligence and abilities - he included.

He remembered how in the beginning she'd fed his ego with her tiny crush that he never deliberately cultivated' but also never deliberately rooted out'. When had he started feeling more for her? He couldn't quite remember a specific moment but gradually it had happened and then not so gradually, like a snowball rolling toward the inevitable avalanche end.

Then the misery of denial became a part of his world, the constant effort to pound feelings deep into dark holes of his psyche. To deny' so he could allow himself to send her out into the violence that was part of their existence.

The world needed her more than he did. Why hadn't he known that happiness was not his to have for any length of time? He should have.

End of Part 4 – Change Happens Again