I glance at the clock one more time. It's nearly two in the morning. Daniel and Teal'c have both come and gone. I wouldn't let them relieve me of my duty. I can't leave her.
There's a small, weak flitter under my hand, and I immediately lean forward. "Sam?" I whisper.
Her head rolls to one side, then the other, and finally her eyes flutter open and rest on me.
She's alive.
She's awake.
Thank god!
"Sam!" I whisper urgently. She blinks at me.
"S –" she coughed hoarsely, and I ran to snatch some crushed ice chips from the freezer. I spoon a small bit and gently prod her lips with the spoon. She opens them very slightly, but I manage to slip the spoon inside. I feel her mouth contracting around the spoon weakly and I gently remove it to let her tackle the chips.
"Sir," she breathes, voice whispery and sore-sounding.
I press a hand to her cheek. "No. Jack."