Title: Breathe
Rating: PG
Summary: A universe, a fate, a heart hung on her choice.
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It was like some kind of macabre fairytale, Sam thought as her breath froze in the air. She could feel them, the Dre'noc, all around. Watching. This was their entertainment; this was their pleasure: watching her dilemma.
Some kind of twisted, sick fairytale.
And yet, here he was, pale, still, and deathly, deathly silent. The Major knew what could save him- all it would take was a kiss to reactivate the machinery connected to the cryo chamber, and he would wake.
But what delighted the Dre'noc, what kept her from rousing her commander, was the knowledge that that kiss was poisoned.
Yes, they had promised that he would walk away alive if she woke him.
They had never said anything about her.
So which one? Whispered the ghouls all around her. Which one would live?
Never leave a man behind.
What it came down to was who was worth more, could give more to the SGC. She- she had the brains, the 'know how' to do whatever was needed, an open mind that absorbed information readily. He- he had the heart.
She knew she couldn't walk away.
"Carter, you know they need you more than me." Was that her imagination? Surely it had to be, to torture her so. "So get back to them, before they lock out our code."
And yet she couldn't move.
"Sam. Please."
Samantha Carter hesitated… and then closed her eyes.
Just enough poison coated her lips; just enough that it would not kill her; just enough for Janet to find an antidote; just enough to chill her heart into stasis with him.
One hand took off the tiny shield generator and placed it on his chest- now they could not reach him, murder him, take him away.
"Touch him and I will kill you." And then steps, through the fog, to the DHD. Through the wormhole, down the ramp, only to stop and meet their eyes with tears in hers.
Never leave a man behind.
And she wouldn't.