Jack came out of the anesthesia slowly, like coming out of a thick fog. He felt Sam's slender hand in his and her voice was the first thing he heard.

"Welcome back."

"Oh God, what did they do to me?"

"Just what they intended, it took three men to do it though," Sam said.

"It feels like three men tap-danced on me," Jack groaned.

"After watching it, I can see why."

"Did he say when I can get up in a wheelchair?"

"Today if you want. I can even take you down to the courtyard to get some fresh air."

"We'll have to see about that, I just want to sit up for a while, help me?"

"Jack, maybe you should wait till the anesthesia has worn off completely."

"I'll be ok, just help steady me."

"Now? Right now?" Sam looked amazed.

"Yeah, c'mon."

"Let's at least get a nurse in here so there is someone on each side of you."

He regarded her a moment.

"Is that the only way you'll help me out of this bed? C'mon Sam I've been here two freakin weeks."

"Let me go find a wheelchair," she sighed in exasperation. She came back with one a minute later.

"I think Dolores busted me," she said glancing over her shoulder.

"The doctor said i could, right?"

"Yeah, I just wish you'd wait a little while, Jack."

"I've got to try Sam, I just have to," he said earnestly, "Now please, help me."

She gave in and parked the wheelchair as close to the bed as she could.

Jack sat up slowly, wincing slightly as he did. He eased first one then the other foot to the floor and holding onto Sam slowly stood up, testing his legs. He took two cautious steps in a circle and sat down in the wheelchair with a smirk.

"Told ya," he winked at her.

"Oh God, you will be unbearable today, won't you?"

"You betcha. I have some freedom again. Wanna race down the hall?"

"I think not," came a gruff voice from the doorway.

"Well hello nurse Ratchet," Jack teased with a grin.

"Who got you out of that bed?"

"We did," Sam said softly.

Jack took the brakes off the wheelchair and begin to move around the room popping wheelies here and there.

"I came to tell you that you are now on a regular diet since you can move somewhat. Would you like breakfast?"

"Any kind of food sounds good, even hospital food. Yes, breakfast would be lovely."

Dolores jerked a thumb at him and asked Sam, "Is he always this congenial?"

"You should see him on a really good day," Sam grinned.

Dolores just chuckled and left to get Jack's breakfast try.

"I wish they would let me go home today."

"Frankly, I'm glad you'll be here another day or two, it gives me time to get things set up at the house for you."

"What kind of things?" he asked wearily.

"A wheelchair, a shower chair if you need one, just 'things' you might need."

"You make it sound like I'm an invalid,"

"Jack, you still are. You've got a long way to go and you can't rush yourself."

"We O'Neill's are fast healers, wait and see. I'll be walking again in no time. I have to. I can't very well roll you down the aisle, can I?"

"Walk, roll, I don't care either way, I'm just glad you are still here."

When Daniel and Teal'c arrived that evening Jack did in fact find an opponent for a wheelchair race down the hallway. Daniel.

Much to the annoyance of the nurses and a couple of the patients, they raced down the hallway twice before Jack gave in and declared Daniel the winner.

With Teal'c helping her Sam easily got Jack back into bed.

Two days later they sent him home. Jack was definitely ready for the change in scenery. Two weeks was the longest he'd ever spent in a hospital. He couldn't imagine what it must be like for people who had to spend months there. His first day home was exactly like he had asked for. Pizza, beer, TV and good conversation. We didn't think about how he had to start physical therapy in a few days, he just focused on right now. He had been in a horrifying wreck, and he had come out with a new perspective on things.