Collectively they all drew a sigh of relief, no one more so than Jack who practically shoved Daniel over, he'd slapped his back so hard. Their joy was short lived though when Sam came back on the radio.

"I'd really appreciate it if you guys didn't take too long in finding me" Smiles quickly turned to frowns and Janet was first on the radio back to Sam.

"Sam it's Janet, can you tell me what's wrong?"

"Just on the receiving end of a staff blast Janet, nothing major right?"

"Absolutely" replied Janet, keeping the tone light for Sam's sake.

"Can you walk?

"Not without losing the contents of my stomach" replied Sam with a feeble laugh, "if it's alright with you I'd rather just stay where I am, turns out the ground is quite comfy" Janet and Jack shared worried glances, they both knew Sam would never willingly sit around.

"OK Sam, I only need you to do one thing, stay awake OK? I can have the General here make it an order if that helps"

"S'not funny Janet" Sam slurred in response, before her radio clicked back off.

"Dammit" growled Jack, "anyone got any clue where she might be?"

"Wherever she is, we need to find her and fast" replied Janet.

Sam hadn't meant to drop her radio but it fell out of her hand when a pain shot up her side, she was pretty sure she hadn't passed out but considering she had lost the ability to stand, she was pretty sure anything was possible at this point. Deciding that laying around on the floor was probably not how she wished to be seen when rescued, Sam slowly pulled herself to a sitting position and leaned back on a rock, taking a moment to steady her breathing, she picked up the radio and hoped the others were still in range.

"Sir, Janet? Can you still hear me?" The shock of hearing Sam's voice come across the radio nearly caused Jack to drop his, Daniel threw him a smirk as he watched his friend regain his composure earning him a glare in return.

"We're still here Carter, do you think you can stay on the radio this time?"

"I'll do my best Sir"

"Great because Teal'c is missing the sound of your voice and you know how disappointed he gets"

"Ugh" hissed Sam

"Sam! What's wrong?" asked Jack, his voice laced with concern.

"Don't…..make…..me…..laugh" she panted.

"Jeez Sam, I'm an old man, don't do that to me OK?"

"Sorry Jack"

"Just keep the radio open, we'll do the rest" Jack told her, he'd split up the group to cover more ground with Teal'c and Daniel together and he with Janet.

They continued to sweep the area with no luck, just when Jack was beginning to lose hope that they'd find her before nightfall, he spotted her lying against a rock. From a distance he couldn't tell if she was alive or not, yelling at Janet, he broke into a run before skidding to a halt on the ground next to her. Grabbing her face with his hands, he realised he was trembling, the next few moments would determine his future, their future together.

"Sam, it's me, Jack. Can you open your eyes for me?"

"Mmmm kay" she replied before briefly opening her eyes and closing them again, "tired, wanna sleep" she mumbled.

"Not at the moment Sam" replied Janet having joined them both, "I need to check you over first and then you can rest OK?" Not getting a response, Janet gently shook Sam's arm until she eventually opened her eyes and looked back at her.

"Sir, I need you to sort out some form of stretcher, there's no way she's walking out of here" Nodding in understanding, Jack squeezed Sam's hand before standing up and radioing Daniel and Teal'c as to their location.

"Right Sam, can you tell me if anything else hurts?"

"Aside from feeling like utter rubbish, just my side I think" replied Sam, "and I'm pretty sure I'm not going to like what you ask next"

"Glad to see you haven't lost your sense of humour and yes, you know I'm going to need to take a look at your side" Groaning as Janet gently helped Sam lay down, she slowly peeled off the bandage and it took all of Sam's strength to not pass out there and then.

"Just take some deep breaths Sam, I'm going to wrap this back up now" Grimacing as she did, Sam struggled to remain conscious.

"Jan….are you done"

"Almost" replied Janet as she tied off the bandage, " I'm going to set up an IV now and then how about we get you home?" asked Janet.

"Kay" mumbled Sam. Realising she was fighting a losing battle in trying to keep Sam awake, Janet concentrated her efforts on getting her ready to be taken back through the gate.

"General, are you ready?"

"Two minutes Doc and we'll be with you" replied Jack, "hows Carter doing?"

"She's sleeping Sir, we need to get her back to the SGC as soon as possible" Jack didn't miss the urgency in the Doctor's voice.

"Understood" he replied, clicking off his radio.

Janet had Sam ready to go by the time Jack and the others returned with a makeshift stretcher, since the three of them looked rather pleased with their efforts, Janet sincerely hoped their attempt at a stretcher would actually make it back to the gate in one piece.

"Sir, Daniel, help me lift her up," ordered Janet. Doing as asked, the three of them carefully lifted Sam and laid her back down on the stretcher. Jack looked at her in concern when she failed to stir.

"I've given her some painkillers Sir, she probably won't wake up for a while" Janet told him in an effort to reassure him.

"Teal'c and I will carry Sam, Daniel you're on point. When we get close to the gate, radio Reynolds and let him know to expect us" Lifting Sam up as carefully as they could, the four of them started a slow walk back to the gate, all hoping it would be as trouble free as the journey out.