It looked pretty hopeless. She was too far away from him to be able to physically stop him from walking into the pit. She fumbled in her vest pocket, looking for the only thing she thought had a chance of stopping him now – a tape deck.
Months ago, at that fateful high school reunion, Sam and Jack had danced to You're the Inspiration, the first time they'd ever danced together. Since then, that song had taken on special meaning for the both of them. Sam had it on tape, and occasionally they'd dance to it at her house, gazing into each other's eyes as they thought about how it was sort of this song that had brought them together.
Sam had that tape loaded into the tape deck, ready to play. She'd brought it with her, just in case, not even really knowing why. Now she took it out, and pressed play. She turned up the volume as loud as it would go, the music echoing off the crystalline walls; You're the meaning in my life, you're the inspiration. You bring feeling to my life, you're the inspiration. Sam watched him, fingers crossed, desperately hoping it would work. Jack kept walking.
Jack paused, something changing in the sounds around him. The sweet, enticing music was being overpowered by something else. Something familiar. And Charlie – Charlie was disappearing, becoming dimmer and dimmer. Wait a minute – that was their song, Sam's and his. That meant, Sam- He looked around, wondering where he was, and how he'd gotten there. Where was Sam? She had to be there. "Sam?" He asked, normally, then he yelled it. "Sam!" Oh God, now the memories were rushing back. He'd hit her, hit her hard, Charlie, he was there, but he wasn't real, Charlie's dead, Jack, he wasn't here…
"I'm here, Jack," Sam croaked, fighting to stay conscious after his vicious backhand.
He crawled over to her, barely able to stand after what had happened to her. He cradled her head in his arms, rocking her, saying over and over, "I'm sorry, Sam, I'm so sorry!" He didn't know how long they stayed like that, just holding each other, before Sam looked up at him, tear in her eyes.
"It's alright, Jack. I'm fine. But, we can't find the Stargate. Daniel and Teal'c both have earplugs in their ears, so they can't hear us over the radio. There's no way for us to get home. Unless…" She looked around, thinking. She struggled to her feet, the concussion making her dizzy, but finally managed to stand with Jack's help. "Hey!" She yelled at the ceiling. "Sirens, listen to me! We don't want your treasure! We just want to go home! You can't get to these men anymore, we've found ways to counteract your songs! Just let us leave, and I promise you, we'll never bother you again!" She went silent, the blood roaring in her ears. She didn't know if her yelling at the Sirens would do any good, but it was her last option.
"She's right, sisters. She has defeated us, and saved her companions."
Thelxiepi, Aglaope and Pisinoe all looked at one another. They thought, unanimously, "It is done," and they began to sing.
"Sam, what are you…" Wow, he suddenly felt really sleepy. So sleepy, in fact, he thought he'd just lie down and take a nap right there.
Jack slumped to the floor. "Jack? Jack!" Sam shook him, trying to wake him up. "What have you done to him?" she shrieked into the air.
You have won, human. The sound didn't come from human throats, or indeed any kind of throat. It resonated in Sam's mind.
"Who are you?" she demanded out loud.
We are the immortal ones, the ones you call Sirens. A pause, as though the 'speaker' was embarrassed. You have beaten us. You are free to leave. Close your eyes. Sam was too tired to do anything but comply. She felt a deep, overwhelming sleepiness overwhelm her, and she sunk to the floor next to Jack.
