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Dr. Lam's eyes searched, looking for bleeders, severed cords, anything that would explain the seizure that had unexpectedly started then stopped just as quickly. She looked up, seeing Dr. Warner also assessing the reason for the unexpected movement.

He shook his head slightly, there was no explanation.

"The organism is almost detached. I don't see any damage. I'm going to continue the operation. I'm beginning to cut the last few ganglia," he said, his voice holding a modicum of concern. He cut into one of the thicker ganglion and immediately a thick black liquid began filling the spinal canal and Colonel Carter's heart rate plummeted.

"Damn it!" Warner cursed. "I need suction over here. Get as much of this fluid out of here as possible," he instructed. "I'm going to get this thing out of her as fast as I can."

Daniel looked down at Jack's sleeping form in disbelief.

It was medically impossible.

Jack had been moving, thrashing to be more exact. Teal'c had told him that Jack had been restless, even impatient in his movements.

Daniel had raced to Jack's side, not truly believing what Teal'c had said until he saw it for himself. Daniel stood slack jawed, for the first time in a long time not being able to find the words.

"Sam." Daniel's eyes snapped to Jack's face.

"Did he just say …" Daniel began.

"Sam," Jack moaned, the sound barely a whisper.

"Her heart rate is decreasing," the nurse said worriedly, her eyes never leaving the monitors rapidly decreasing numbers.

"More suction," Warner cried, trying to cut the last thread holding the creature to Colonel Carter's spine.

"I've almost got it," he grunted. "It's trying to hold on." He looked up briefly, catching Dr. Lam's eye. "Get ready to cut on my mark."

Dr. Lam nodded grabbing the scissors off the tray and clutching them in her hand. Dr. Warner lifted the creature, exposing the last of the creature's feelers.

"Cut," he shouted to Dr. Lam.

She severed the organism's hold and Dr. Warner lifted it into the waiting container, snapping the lid shut.

They all turned to look at the monitor, each one holding their breaths to see what direction the Colonel would take. Doctor's and nurses alike breathed a collective sigh when the numbers on the screen evened out.

"Alright," Dr. Warner said feeling a tremendous amount of relief flood through him. "Would you close Dr. Lam?"

Jack lay motionless, his expression peaceful. If Daniel hadn't seen the events that had happened only moments ago, he would never have believed it.

Jack had been frenzied, calling out for Sam with increased volume. His thrashing so intense that he'd ripped the IV right from his arm.

Daniel and Teal'c had to physically restrain him, afraid that he might harm himself. As abruptly as his outburst had started it stopped.

Daniel looked up at Teal'c, bewildered. "What just happened?"

"BP's holding steady, heart rates normal," the nurse reported.

Dr. Warner smiled. "Good work everyone."

Dr. Lam pulled the last stitch closed and let out a long held sigh of relief. She pulled off her mask and gloves, turning towards the door.

"You did magnificent work Dr. Lam," Warner called out as she was leaving. She turned back to face him, her eyes wet with tears, and gave him a short nod before turning on her heel and exiting.

Jack groaned, raising his hand to his head. "Ouch," he grumbled hoarsely. His head felt like it had survived a run in with a cement wall, and his arm throbbed painfully. "How are you feeling General O'Neill?" Dr. Lam asked, leaning over the bed, shining her penlight in his eyes. He waved her away impatiently. "I'm fine," he groused.

"What happened?" Jack questioned.

"What's the last thing you remember?" Daniel asked.

"I went to the planet, to rescue you guys …" Jack said, his voice trailing off.

"Do you remember anything that happened after you got there?" Daniel coaxed.

Jack swallowed. "I remember a firefight with a bunch of Jaffa," he answered, his eyes closing briefly. He clenched his teeth as pain shot through his chest.

Memories suddenly darted through his mind. He saw and felt everything he had on the planet. It all came rushing back into focus with alarming clarity.

His eyes snapped open. "I remember," he said softly. "Damn Jaffa shot me," he grit out, his voice growing rough with anger.

Daniel smiled.

"Nice to have you back Jack. You gave us quite a scare there," Daniel confessed.

"It is indeed good to see you well again O' Neill," Teal'c agreed stepping closer to the bed.

"Any excuse to get out of paperwork," Jack joked, smiling distractedly at his friends, his eyes searching the room for her. Not finding her his eyes settled back on Daniel.

"Where's Carter?"

Against the strongly voiced objections of the doctors Jack climbed out of bed.

His legs protested at the sudden weight as he stood, his legs wobbled nearly sending him to his knees. Teal'c caught him, his reflexes lightning fast, and helped him to his feet.

"Jack, maybe you should take it easy," Daniel appealed. "Sam's fine."

Jack shook his head. "I don't need to take it easy. I need to get out of this damned room," he responded irritably, taking a few trembling steps.

He sat beside her bed, his eyes locked on her face. He was still processing what Daniel had told him about what had happened. He was furious that he hadn't been there for her. She had gone through hell and he slept right through it.

"I'm sorry Sam," he whispered to her, gripping her hand in his.

He heard someone come up behind him and clear their throat.

"Excuse me sir," a voice said.

Jack turned his head a little and saw that the voice belonged to a mousy Liuetenant whose nametag read O' Halen.

"What is it?" He asked, his tone hostile, making it abundantly clear he didn't want to be bothered.

"I'm sorry sir, but there are some men here from Washington. They're in your office," she said in a small voice before turning and hastily retreating.

Jack sighed, a deep heavy sigh.

He knew he'd have to answer for the actions he'd taken. He just hadn't thought that it would happen so quickly. He'd expected to have more time.

He held on to her hand, pulling it to his lips he gave it a quick kiss before dropping it to her side. Jack rose to his feet, resigning himself to the fate he knew awaited him in his office.

Sam woke, groggy and disoriented. Her eyes felt heavy, her body throbbed with pain, and her mouth felt like it was filled with cotton. She slowly forced her eyes open, smiling slightly when she found that she could. She saw Daniel and Teal'c by her side and her smile brightened.

"Hey guys," she croaked, her head protesting intensely to the sound. She groaned loudly. "Bad headache," she whispered, struggling to get herself into a sitting position. Daniel placed a hand on her elbow, gently helping her sit up.

"How are you feeling Colonel Carter?" Teal'c asked.

Sam raised her arm experimentally, bringing her hand in front of her face then dropping it back down to her side. "Much better," she told him with a small smile.

She looked up at Daniel. "How's General O' Neill doing?" Sam asked hoping she didn't sound as desperate as she felt.

Daniel exchanged a look with Teal'c and Sam's heart fell into her stomach.

"What?" She asked, her voice worried. "What happened?"

"Maybe it's better if we tell you when you're feeling better," Daniel evaded her question. Her heart was beating so fast in her stomach and she felt like she might be sick. Her head felt dizzy and she was weak with apprehension.

"Just tell me Daniel," she pleaded, her eyes moist with tears.

"Jack's gone," he told her.

Daniel saw the panic spread across her face. He heard the sharp intake of breath, witness her eyes fill with shimmering tears, and realized he'd chosen the wrong words.

"No Sam," he said quickly. "He's fine, he came out of the coma just fine. Clean bill of health," he said.

Sam breathed a sigh of relief, suddenly feeling weaker than before.

"Then where is he?" Daniel took a deep breath before continuing.

"He retired."

Jack sat on the dock, trying to untangle hopelessly tangled fishing wire. After a few more failed attempts he gave up, throwing the fishing line to the ground with a snort.

"You left," her voice called. He turned to see her approaching, sheilding his eyes against the sun.

"You didn't even say goodbye. I just woke up and you weren't there," Sam said, her voice tinged with sadness.

Jack raised the beer to his lips, taking a long pull off it. "Yeah, sorry 'bout that," he said evenly. He downed the rest of his beer and stood up, heading for the cabin to get another one, Sam following him.

"What happened? Why did you retire?"

He stopped in his tracks, his back to her, and he heard her stop too. Jack didn't want to have this conversation.

"I was just tired of all of it. I was never cut out to run things," he said.

He could almost hear her shaking her head. "I don't buy it sir," she said quietly.

Jack chuckled, a sad smile kissing his lips. "Drop the sir Sam. I'm retired," he said softly.

"Why?" She asked coming up close behind him.

"Why Jack?" She put her hand on his arm, gently urging him to look at her.

He turned and looked into her eyes. She saw it there in his eyes, the truth unspoken, the truth she should have seen but had been blind to.

"They asked you to," she said, the reality hitting her like a semi.

"Because of the rescue mission," she stated pulling her hand from his arm.

"Because of me," she whispered.

Jack took a step forward, closing the distance she was slowly putting between them.

"No! It was because of my decisions. Because I went against direct orders one too many times," he said grabbing her shoulders.

"Look at me Sam," he prodded gently. She raised her eyes to meet his.

"This is not your fault. I made those decisions. I did. And if I had it to do over, knowing the consequences, I wouldn't change anything," he said tenderly.

He looked down at her, a spark of humor flashing in his eyes. "Except maybe, getting shot. That, I'd do over. That hurt like hell," he said flashing her a smile.

Sam smiled up at him, her hands molding themselves against his chest. She looked down, her hand only inches from the shot that had almost cost him his life. The smile slipped from her face. She traced the spot with her fingers, tears springing into her eyes.

"You really scared me," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "When I saw that staff blast hit you…," she said, her voice choking with emotion. "And I couldn't find a pulse," she said, her voice breaking.

"Come 'mere," he said pulling her into his arms. She wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder. Sam felt the tears streaming down her face.

"I love you so much sir," she whispered breathily.

The words she whispered, so quietly he almost hadn't heard her, sent tremors of happiness through him. He pulled back, gazing into her eyes.

"I love you too Sam," he said lovingly, a smile ticking at the corners of his lips. "But could we lose the sir?"

Sam smiled brilliantly. "Absolutely … sir," she said in mock-sincerity, her eyes dancing with amusement.

Jack pulled her to him, their faces only inches apart.

"Colonel," he said warningly. "Don't make me discipline you," he cautioned cheekily.

"Promises, promises," Sam grumbled as Jack pulled her face to his, capturing her lips in an intense kiss, all the pent up emotions of the last eight years boiling to the surface.

END

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