I've recently decided, so it's my first story…review if you like…

I do not owe anything.

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Sam was moving slowly through the base corridors. She was so deep in her thoughts that she had almost forgot another important person in her life, who came back not so long ago. She stopped and turned around; Sam just could not leave.

It was fascinating peace of some artifact, related to an equally fascinating culture. Daniel was sitting in half-light, pointlessly staring in his notes, trying to think of something different. Suddenly he slowly raised his head from papers. He didn't need to look to know who was standing on his doorstep. He just kept eyeing his gray wall.

She was silently watching him. One threatening thought popped in her mind "He saw her dying….He was there…" She had to bite her lip and try to stop tears from coming. She could not utter any words or make some move. Sam just stood there frozen when sharply Daniel twisted his head and she met his eyes filled with pain, sorrow and unspoken question "Why her…?"

Sam swallowed hard, what she could possibly say to him. She laughed bitterly at her thought, "Nice going Sam, this is Daniel and you can't say even one single word! What, say sorry? Yeah, right…" They were staring at each other for couple silent minutes, neither of them talking. Sam made first step closer, then quietly approached him not loosing the eye contact. There she stood beside him no words were needed. Sam gently put her hand on his shoulder and whispered:

"I am going to pick up Cassie…You want to come?"

He smiled. That smile never reached his eyes, but she had seen what she needed. He thanked her for just being here, being a friend. He whispered back:

"Yeah…I think she shouldn't be alone now…"

Daniel slowly stood up; Sam was biting her lip again, hard, and said:

"I am just glad you….you are back…"

"Me too…"

He smiled again and hugged Sam tightly. She was holding him, her friend who rose from the dead, lost so much, but was here. This time they both lost someone, someone very important. It will take much more time for the wounds to heal, but they will manage, because neither of them was alone. Sam pulled back, brushed her cheek with her sleeve and spoke:

"Come on, grab your coat and let's get out of here…"

"I could definitely use some fresh air…"

They looked at each other again, smiled sadly and started walking to the exit. "Somehow….someday…it will hurt less…" Daniel thought. "Someday…but not now…" Then he watched his friend moving silently with him. They were not alone in this.