"Something's happening Thor." Daniel was looking at the pod and could see a series of lights flashing.

"I know Dr. Jackson." Thor was busy at the controls. He then hurried over to the medical chamber and touched something on it. Daniel and Teal'c stood by nervously, not wanting to disturb him but desperate to know what was going on.

Eventually Thor stopped, simply looking at the pod. Teal'c approached quietly.

"What is happening? Is O'Neill alright?"

The Asgard turned to the two men, almost as if surprised at their presence. He had been so intent on what he was doing that he had forgotten, for a moment, that they were there.

"Colonel Carter is showing signs of life - " Daniel moved over to the pod quickly, before Thor had had a chance to finish what he was saying.

"What! Are you telling us she's alive?"

"It appears so, although her life signs are weak. I was attempting to assist with the work of the medical pod and she seems to have stabilized. She should heal, although it may take some time."

Neither Daniel nor Teal'c were able to respond, both of them shocked and relieved. It took a couple of minutes before either was able to speak.

"What about Jack?" The news about Sam was so good they were sure everything was now going to be fine.

"He is fading." Thor answered shortly.

"What? Fading? What do you mean by 'fading'?" Daniel sputtered.

"His life force, it seems to be weakening. I have tried everything but nothing seems to help. I do not understand it." Thor shook his head and again walked over to the pod. He again attempted to adjust some controls but clearly to no effect. As he glanced down at the two humans in the chamber he realized that the pendant was glowing brightly – more brightly than he had ever seen it before.

"Look", he showed the two men standing behind him. "The stone, it is glowing."

"What does that mean?" Teal'c was frustrated, wanting to do something, anything to help.

"I believe it connects Colonel Carter and O'Neill. He may have used it to bring her back to life and now to heal her."

"But what about himself? Why isn't he healing?" Daniel thrust his fingers through his hair, wanting to scream at the unfairness of everything.

"Do you not remember Daniel Jackson?" quietly asked Teal'c. "The Ancient ones can heal others – but not always themselves. I believe too that he is using his life force for Colonel Carter."

"We can't let him die. We've got to save him."

"I am afraid the only way to do that would be to separate them, but Colonel Carter is not yet well enough to survive without his help." The three looked on, not knowing what was going to happen – but each praying, in his own way, for a miracle.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

The last thing Sam had remembered was collapsing in agony, too tired and in too much pain to go on. She had thought that it was truly the end – that if she hadn't been dead before, she was now. It was a surprise, therefore, when she started to regain consciousness. She could feel the soft thump, thump under her ear and it only took a moment to realize she was lying with her head on someone's chest. She slowly lifted her head and was unsurprised to find out it was Jack's. With a soft sigh she put her head back down, enjoying the closeness and the lack of pain.

It was only as she lay there that she began to notice that the heart beats under her seemed to be growing softer and farther apart. What was going on?

She finally lifted herself completely and sat back, feeling weak but much better. She looked down and was amazed to see that her chest was almost completely healed – how, she didn't know. Next she glanced around quickly to discover that they were still in the same 'void' they had been in before her collapse – but she did notice it seemed a bit lighter – as if there was something ahead.

Looking down at Jack he simply appeared to be asleep until she noticed how slowly he was breathing and how pale was the color of his skin.

"Jack", she touched him gently. "Jack", she spoke a bit more loudly but still he didn't wake up. She started to worry, concerned that something was terribly wrong. What if he had saved her only to die himself? The thought was too horrible to contemplate.

This time she reached down and shook him, again calling his name. His breathing stopped and then started again. She was debating what to do when his eyes began to drift open. She could tell they lacked focus and that he didn't have a clue where he was. Soon however, she could see his expression change and he looked directly at her.

"You …kay?", he asked.

"I think I'm fine Jack. What about you?" She was increasingly worried. He looked awful and was clearly having trouble focusing.

"- kay." He answered, although the word was so slurred she could barely tell what he had said.

"We've got to go Jack. Come on, we have to get you back."

"Ba-?"

"Yes, we've got to get back."

" – kay", he answered again, but his eyes began to close. There was no way she could carry him and she looked frantically for some other way to help him.

"Jack!" she tried again to wake him up. He opened his eyes for a second time but it took even longer for him to respond to her. She began to wonder about the wounds in his head – he was reacting almost as if he'd had a severe concussion.

"Jack, you have to listen to me." She spoke slowly and clearly. "We have to move. Can you get up? I'll help you."

"Up?" he glanced around, confused.

"Yes." Sighing, she reached behind his back and attempted to pull him to a seated position. He let out a short scream and tried to push her away.

"No… hurts!" He wrapped his arms around his stomach. It was only then that she noticed that his abdomen was distended and the skin looked hot. God, he had internal injuries. Why hadn't the idiot told her? Suddenly she had a terrible sense of déjà vu.

"Jack, I know it hurts – I'm sorry – but we have to go, you have to get up." He shook his head, refusing to move. He didn't understand what was happening.

"General! Chris needs you. Daniel and Teal'c need you. You have to get up." That did it of course. If there was anything that would make Jack O'Neill do something he didn't want to it was the idea that those he cared about were in trouble and needed him.

With a groan he rolled over to his side and slowly pushed himself to his knees. She helped as much as she was able until he was standing upright. Well, in actual fact it wasn't quite upright. He was listing to the side pretty dramatically. She knew if it weren't for her he'd have fallen right over.

"That's it Sir. We've got to move – I'll help you okay?"

"Mmmm" he managed to start moving and hobbled along at her side, much of his weight leaning on her. God, she didn't know if she was going to make it. She could tell the moment he began to droop, the weakness beginning to overtake him.

"So help me Sir, if you die I'm going to kill you! And remember, I'll follow you and next time it'll be my version of heaven. Just remember those itsy, bitsy little Speedo's!"

For some strange reason that seemed to motivate him enough to get him to move. As she walked with him, supporting him the whole way, her free hand snuck up to grab the pendant, her good luck charm. Oddly it seemed to give her a surge of energy and she was able to take more of his weight and hurry them along a little faster.

Time had lost all meaning. She felt like they'd been moving forever, with no clear idea of where they were going. It therefore happened suddenly, without her realizing. One moment they were walking in a dark space with no end in sight – the next they had come to what looked like some kind of gossamer curtain. She reached out and touched it. It was like touching a cloud – it moved but she could feel nothing. But she could hear sounds – it was as if people were talking distantly, through thick cotton. She didn't know what they were saying but somehow she knew she had to reach those voices.

"I think this is it Sir." She looked at Jack and he looked back at her, confused, unfocused, but with a look of total trust. He didn't know what was happening any more – but he believed in her, believed that she would save him. That was enough for her. She reached out and together they walked through the curtain.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

She opened her eyes to see Daniel and Teal'c – and Thor – all looking down at her. Daniel had tears running down his cheeks and Teal'c looked – emotional? What was going on?

"Jack!" she squeaked. Her throat was so dry she could barely talk.

"Do not worry Colonel Carter, he is with you. He is fine at the moment." She felt silly as soon as he said the words because Jack was clearly wrapped around her, his arms holding her tightly. In fact, she was having a little trouble breathing.

"Uh, help guys?" she scratched out. Looking startled, Teal'c reached down and pulled Jack's arm away, allowing her to take a deep breath. He looked somewhat surprised at how easy it had been.

"How are you feeling Sam?" Daniel reached out as if to touch her but then pulled his hand back as if unsure as to whether she'd welcome his touch. She smiled and reached out to him, taking his hand.

At that instant Thor showed up with a container of water, which she drank greedily. Handing it back she smiled.

"Uh, not too bad Daniel." She looked down at Jack, concerned that he hadn't as yet opened his eyes. "Uh Thor, when will the General wake up?"

"I do not know Colonel Carter. His wounds have not yet healed. I am working on it but the medical pod seems to be experiencing some difficulties." He continued to fiddle with various controls.

"Sam?" She turned to look at Daniel. "Sam, do you know you were ah - "

"Dead?" When he nodded she smiled. "Yes, we figured that out."

"We?" both of her teammates looked confused.

"Jack and I. We were together – he'd taken us to a beach - " at that she suddenly gasped and looked down. Thank God! She was dressed in regular clothes, although someone had removed her shirt and had covered her upper body with a sheet. She quickly peaked beneath it to make sure the wound was still gone.

"A beach?"

"Yeah – I think it was kind of his 'heaven' at least that's what we thought. We realized that I'd been killed and Jack – well, he followed me. We were going to stay there – it was beautiful Daniel, Teal'c; but we both knew he wasn't supposed to be there, that he wasn't dead. I, I tried to send him away, to send him back but he wouldn't leave without me. He dragged me most of the way back even though I was dying. I don't know what happened. I remember not being able to go on and then the next thing I knew I'd woken up and I was healed. Jack was in bad shape though; we barely made it back." She looked down again at the man she loved. He looked so ill.

"We figured Jack would save you." Daniel began to speak. "Thor says he has some of the Ancients powers again. It turns out that Angrboda activated them a few months ago. That's probably what's been giving him the headaches. Anyway, his powers, combined with your necklace, allowed him to heal you."

"My necklace?" she reached down and grasped it unconsciously but instantly noticed it was no longer warm or glowing.

"It is a special stone, Colonel Carter. When touched by an Ancient it will bring protection to whomever it is given. We believe it assisted him in making you well."

"But what about him? Can't it help him?"

"Sam, you know that the Ancients' healing power could be used on others but not on themselves. I don't think Jack can heal himself, with or without the necklace."

"No! There is no way he's going to bring me back and then leave me here." With determination Sam moved around until she was kneeling beside the General, in the very cramped space of the pod. She reached down and put her hand on his face. She couldn't help but notice the terrible wounds which still covered him.

With her other hand she reached up and held the pendant. She closed her eyes and reached out, with everything she had.

"Jack." she called in her mind. "Come on, you're here somewhere. Get your butt over here and talk to me!" She was going to call again when she heard a noise.

"What? What do you want Carter? I'm trying to sleep here."

"No you're not – you're lying there planning to die. I know you! You think you've brought me to safety so now you can just slip away. Well, like you so recently said to me 'it ain't gonna happen or I will so follow you!'

There was silence for a minute or two and then a hesitant voice said "Speedo?"

"You're damn right. I'm gonna make you prance around the beach dressed in nothing but that – and I'm gonna make sure that beach is filled with women!"

"Sam?" he asked, still unsure, still hesitant.

"What?" she answered quietly.

"I'm afraid."

"Afraid? Why?"

"I – I think she did something to me."

"Who?"

"Angry – that Asgard. I think she's caused some permanent damage. I don't wanna live like that."

"Jack, we can deal with whatever has happened. Thor is here – he can help, the Tokra can help – hell, maybe we can even get the Nox to help. Whatever happens I'll be right by your side so please, come back to me."

"I don't want to be a burden." he sounded so broken she wanted to cry.

"A burden? Jack O'Neill, you will never be a burden. A pain in the ass – maybe – but a burden, never. Even if there are some effects we'll deal with them together. We can both retire and spend the rest of our lives up at your cabin, fishing."

"I know this great little beach ….." She laughed, not quite sure how she felt about that place. Somehow she thought that was a place for later, years and years later.

"So, are you going to come back to us now? Daniel and Teal'c have been waiting for a long time – and you know what Teal'c is like when he's impatient!"

"Okay – will you hold my hand?"

"Of course."

"Will you give me a kiss?"

"Of course."

"Will you love me even if I'm a vegetable?"

"You're not going to be a vegetable – and I'll always love you."

"Will you cook my meals and wash my clothes?"

"Don't push it General!"

"Okay", he sighed, "I guess I'll come back." There was another long silence. "Sam?"

"What Jack?"

"Uh, how do I do that?"

"I'm not sure. I think maybe you just open your eyes."

"I don't have to click my heels together three times and say 'there's no place like home?'"

"Well, you can try, although you've lost your red slippers – and what about Toto?"

"I don't look good in red anyway – and Daniel can be Toto."

"Alright General – on the count of three let's both open our eyes. One, two, three."

The first thing Jack saw were Sam's eyes – they were as beautiful as always, but now they were swimming in tears. He reached up weakly and cupping her face with his hand, rubbed a tear away with his thumb. She closed her eyes and leaned into his hand.

"Hey Jack, how ya doing buddy?" He slowly moved his eyes to the side where he could vaguely see Daniel and Teal'c. He attempted to smile but felt too weak, too listless. He knew something was still wrong, but at least he was back. The next thing he knew he felt Sam's lips touching his.

"I promised to give you a kiss. You're going to be okay Jack, don't worry." Smiling, he closed his eyes and slept.

Over the next couple of days Sam refused to leave Jack's side. Thor had a cot and some chairs transported up and made sure she had adequate food. Daniel arranged for her suitcase to be sent up so at least she could change her clothes.

The two men returned to the planet to update Davis and let Molly and Chris know what was going on. They downplayed how sick Jack was, although Daniel had a suspicion that Molly had figured it out. As far as Chris was concerned his 'best friend' would be back soon.

With Thor's assistance they were able to discover details of the plot against O'Neill. Angrboda had kept everything on her ship – and Holler was able to add quite a bit of information. It turned out that four of the High Council were involved. Thor contacted the High Councilor and word was soon sent back that the guilty ones had been arrested and were awaiting trial.

As for the humans who had been kidnapped, it turned out that they were being held on a small, uninhabited planet. They had been provided with enough to keep them alive but many of them were still very frightened, not having understood what was happening. The government was going to provide assistance to all of them.

As for Jack, his condition had not changed much. He was no longer in danger of dying, but he didn't seem to be improving either. Thor had not said too much but Sam could tell that things didn't look good. The internal injuries were healing, although slowly. It was the trauma to his brain that was worrying everyone. There had been quite a bit of tissue damage and they had no way of knowing what, if any long-term effects there would be.

She sat, hour after hour, holding his hand, talking to him, telling him how much she loved him. Thor was keeping him in a coma so she didn't know if he heard her or not – but it didn't matter. She had told him she would be there for him and she meant it. She was never, ever going to leave him again.

"Sam", Daniel's voice came to her softly. "You have to rest." She just shook her head; there was lots of time for rest when Jack was better.

"Come on, you'll make yourself sick and what good will you be to him then?" As she continued to ignore him Daniel walked up and put his hands on her shoulders. "Sam, you know he might never come out of this? He might never get any better." As much as he didn't want to say it he knew she had to face reality. He'd spoken with Thor who had said as much.

She turned on him swiftly, anger written across her face. "I thought you'd learned Daniel."

"Learned what?" he asked in surprise.

"I thought you'd learned to trust him, to believe in him. We gave up on him too quickly last time, drugs or no drugs. I will not do it to him again. I believe in him Daniel. I believe he's going to get better – that our Jack will come back to us – and I'm not leaving here until that happens."

"Sam, this isn't about belief or trust – this is about a man who was seriously injured and who may not get better. I believe in him, I trust him, I just don't think there's anything he can do about this. It's beyond his control."

"No. No it's not. You see, I know Jack O'Neill. I know he'll never give up. If he wouldn't let a little something like 'death' stop him then he sure as hell isn't going to let a brain injury keep him down. He'll be back, I promise you."

"Sam!"

"Hey, can't you … two … keep it down? How's a man to … sleep?" the voice was soft, so soft that the two standing over him, arguing, almost missed it. Two pairs of eyes turned towards him swiftly, unsure whether or not they had imagined him speaking.

"Jack!" both voices shouted at once. "You're awake!"

"Yeah – surprise, surprise! You two could wake the dead." He was still having trouble getting the words out, but that was due more to weakness and a dry throat than anything.

"No Jack", Sam spoke quietly, "Waking the dead is your gig. I just give the living a good swift kick in the butt."

He slowly grinned up at her, acknowledging the truth in her words. If it hadn't been for her he would have given up. He looked over towards Daniel, who was still sporting a shocked look on his face.

"Good to see you Danny Boy. How's everything?"

"Oh God Jack", he walked over and reaching down, clasped Jack's hand. "It's so good to see you. We all thought you and Sam were finished." There was so much he wanted to say to his friend but he could tell that the man was tired. Jack's eyes began to droop but still he gave a small smile.

"Good to see you … too – both of you."

"Sleep now my love", she gently stroked his hair. "Sleep and everything will be fine." Closing his eyes he rested, safe and secure and surrounded by the love of his friends.

Now everyone should be happy! More to come however … hope you're still enjoying!