Title: Theoretical Astromedicinal Biology

Chapter: 9

Authors: Kiki

A/N: Glad you guys liked the last chapter. This one is short, but it kinda HAS to end here, or it wrecks it. Don't worry, next chapter has already been written. Many thanks to Bekki and her wonderful beta work, and to little Boo for his wonderful inspiration.

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Previously, on Stargate SG-1…

The light through the window of the door was starting to spin, and blackness started to creep at the edges of his vision. The wet weary eyes of the desperate man struggled to focus on the space he knew the object would be. His muscles burnt with the effort of fighting of imbalance as he fought to move forward. His fingers closed around the object; it was still warm, as he imagined the cheek of its creator would have been. His final task accomplished, Jack felt his muscles give way, and he slumped onto the recesses of the gritty concrete floor, his mind desperately clinging to her last words left to him.

"….I love you…Goodbye."

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He fought the blackness he was under. It was much like what one would experience when caught in the minds recess, while trying frantically to escape. Only it was much stronger. He could sense the presence of someone in his vicinity, but he couldn't bring himself to find out who it was. But Jack could almost feel them willing him back for some reason.

The blackness was fading now, first into a dark, morbid grey. He strained to have something else to look at. He could feel his chest constrict as he struggled to free himself from his own mind. Not an easy feat when ones mind and will were still connected. It felt like the gravitational pull of an impending black hole, not that he should have lived to be able to identify the effects of such a feeling.

Something flashed in his mind, and suddenly he felt another presence. He could vaguely hear someone moving to check on him, but he ignored it. Then something flashed again, and this time, he was able to recognise it. It'd been so long since he'd been without it, that it was branded to him like hot iron to flesh. But the image was gone as fast as it had come.

He could hear his name being urged now. This time, a different image lingered; Sam and Charlie, falling….His body jerked violently in response, and his vision was swarmed with blinding fluorescent lights and highlighted cement ceilings.

Lying still, trying to regather his disorientated thoughts, Jack turned his head to hear his comrade's calm baritone voice, "O'Neill. It is good to have you back."

Teal'c was briefly acknowledged with a nod. He had been deeply concerned for his friend, who had slept longer than any of them had anticipated. Worried that something might have gone wrong, Teal'c vowed to lose neither friend if he could help it. He'd stayed vigilant guard, stationing himself in the middle of Carter and O'Neill's beds.

No one dared moved him. No one dared to even suggest it, as they knew it would prove either futile, or unwise in upsetting the Jaffa. So he had remained, his concern simmering beneath the surface. Now, it spilt, letting his worry be known, "I have seen you do this many times before, O'Neill. In belief that it would assist the person in returning to the conscious world..."

O'Neill was flattered, "That's the idea, Tee." Then he added sincerely, "But thanks, I appreciate it."

The colonel darted around, assessing where he was and why. Teal'c recognised it as the traits of a warrior, and answered his unspoken question. "You were to awaken at least 7 hours ago, O'Neill. However, when you did not, Dr. Frasier thought it best to move you here. With Major Carter."

Jack looked over to his left, and sure enough, there was Sam, hooked up to her array of tubes and wires. So that's why I felt her here. He thought. Then he realised. "7 HOURS! We're on borrowed time here! Carters freaking…"

"Of this I am well aware, O'Neill. Daniel Jackson and Jacob Carter are currently examining the object that encased the potato looking device."

"So they found it?"

"Yes. They thought it better to start searching for it soon after you fell asleep, as they did not believe the answers in her computer. Did you find anything of use?" Teal'c explained calmly.

"Her laptop?" He racked his mind, "Actually no. Listen Tee, she left some stuff for you guys, in case she wouldn't make it. But I'd rather give you more details later when…"

Things came rushing at Jack full force. Everything that had happened before he'd falling unconscious. Her words, her secrets, her goodbye, and…

He pushed himself up, creaking several parts of his body in doing so. Teal'c was at his side in a flash. The Colonel frantically searched himself for traces of a piece of paper, only to come up with nothing. "Teal'c. Tell me. Did you find a piece of paper with some suss words on it?"

Teal'c furrowed his brow, before replying, "No. I did not."

"You HAVE to find it. They're combinations to unlock her computer. Go to my quarters and find it. And get the Replicator buster. I'll try getting myself outta this place. Go." He explained hastily.

Nodding quickly, the Jaffa turned on his heel and exited the room. Jack quickly yanked the wires from his body, knowing Janet would have his head once this was all over. He looked for pen and paper, finding it in the form of his patients chart. He hastily scribbled a note detailing he'd awoken, had discharged himself and that they could kill him later.

Thankful to still be wearing his own clothes, he started out the door. He paused at the threshold, before walking to the bed beside his. Now that he knew her secret, it was only fair that she know his.

He reached out a hand to run through her hair, letting it trail down the side of her face, speaking softly to her, "You're not giving up that easily Carter. That's an order. Just hold on a bit longer, I'll get you back."

Cursing himself for being a coward he continued, "But if this really is goodbye. Then you need to know I love you too. The same way. If not more."

He choked back a strangled noise in the back of his throat, trying to maintain control over his emotions. It felt good to have it out in the open now, but it hurt that she might never say them back to him. Throwing caution to the wind, he leaned down to brush a kiss to the corner of her mouth. There wasn't a hint of movement from her, and when he pulled back to look at her, she was still as pale as ever.

So much for the magical kiss of life. Jack thought bitterly. Trembling slightly, Jack braced himself against her bed. "I'll be back Sam. Just hold on a little longer for me. I love you."

Not trusting himself, he turned and fled the room. Not noticing that the sign on the door read: 'Isolation Room 4'.

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Yes. I know… short, short, short, short. But the chapter seemed to end well there. Angsty, angsty! Next chapter all ready written…stew for a bit and it'll be here before you know it.

kiki