Disclaimer - The usual, I own nothing. Just borrowing.

Post Season 10 Line in the Sand. Sam and Jack because of all the episodes for him to not be in... ugh.


Jack's Escape Plan


His heart sank when he got the call. He was on a plane within an hour. For the first time he was full of regrets about leaving. About not being there to protect her. He was also grateful someone else had been. Four hours later he arrived. He knew he couldn't see her. Too many rumors would start. But he'd been told she would be okay in time. They'd likely discharge her in a few days as long as there were no complications. Then she was to be home resting. He'd be there to greet her. To take care of her.

It was late at night and she was bored of staring at the same infirmary walls when her phone alerted her to a video call. She smiled as she answered.

"Hey."

"Hey yourself."

She could tell he'd been worried, eyes a little puffy from tears she would have shed if the situation were reversed. Tears she had shed for him many times through injury and loss.

"Where are you?" she asked.

"Home."

Her heart fell. Still in DC. "Oh."

"Sam, I'm home. Here." He moved the phone to show her he was sitting in her living room waiting.

Samantha Carter grinned. "Oh."

"I hate not being able to visit you there but…" Jack O'Neill ran his hand over the back of his neck, something he always did when he was nervous or annoyed.

"I know. I wish you could, too, but I'll be out of here in a few days or less if I drive them crazy and now I have an incentive for early release."

But he didn't smile at her light-hearted comment.

"Jack, I'm okay. I'm going to be fine. And you'll be there to make sure I don't do anything stupid."

"Mitchell filled me in on the details left out of the report, Sam. By all accounts you should have di… shouldn't be here right now."

She saw his eyes begin to glisten and wanted nothing more than to be there with him, in each other's arms. "But I didn't." She paused. "Do you know what really kept me holding on?"

He met her eyes through the screen.

"You. Every time I just wanted to give in I saw your face, heard your voice, felt your kiss and I knew I had to come back. For you. For me. For us."

Jack's voice caught as he tried to speak. He swallowed then whispered. "Thank you."

She smiled at him. "Always. Now, about getting kicked out of here early, that was something you perfected so any suggestions?"

He grinned. "Oh, I have an extensive list."