Part Eight/Conclusion. See disclaimer in part one.

***********

Sam was startled when a mug appeared in her line of vision. "Here, Sam, I brought you some coffee," Daniel said softly.

She nodded to him gratefully, taking the cup and taking a welcome sip. They had been waiting in the hallway outside the infirmary, alternately pacing, then sitting glumly staring at their hands. Jack had been in surgery for hours, and Sam wished someone would just tell them SOMETHING.

General Hammond would come and go, checking on Jack's status, but he had a base to run as interim commander, so he could never stay long. Sam envied him having something to do while he waited for word.

Teal'c, as usual, remained calm and serene throughout. He didn't pace, or mainline coffee like Sam and Daniel. He meditated, only opening his eyes when someone came down the hallway in their direction.

Sam sighed. During the whole trip back Jack had not stirred once, gave no sign of life, and she had to admit that terrified her. What if they'd found him too late? She firmly pushed the thought aside and took another sip of coffee.

Finally the door to the infirmary opened, and Dr. Brightman appeared. Sam, Daniel and Teal'c all shot to their feet immediately. Dr. Brightman was dressed in green surgical scrubs, with mesh booties covering her shoes and a matching covering for her hair. She removed the cap and ran a weary hand across the back of her neck. "General O'Neill is out of surgery. He's very weak. He bled internally for a long time before we got to him, but… I'm cautiously optimistic."

They all breathed a sigh of relief. "When can we see him?" Sam tried to keep the tremor from her voice.

"He's in recovery right now. I'll let you know when we move him to a bed in ICU."

More waiting. Great. Sam didn't think she could stand much more. Her feelings must have shown on her face because Dr. Brightman reached over and squeezed her arm. "Colonel, it's going to take some time to make sure he's stable enough to be moved out of recovery. I suggest you all go about your normal duties, and I promise you I'll let you know as soon as we transfer him to ICU."

Easy for her to say, Sam thought, but merely nodded to the doctor. Dr. Brightman returned to the infirmary and closed the door. Daniel ran a hand over his face and huffed out a sigh. He turned to Sam with a weak smile. "Well, that's good news. I suggest we all go to the commissary and get something to eat. I've had so much coffee that I think I slosh when I walk. What do you say, Sam? I think it's Italian today. I know how you love the zucchini lasagna."

Sam glanced at her two friends and realized they were both watching her with varying degrees of worry on their faces. Teal'c's, of course, was much more subtle, but still, after knowing him so long it was clearly evident to her. She mustered up a smile and held an arm out in the general direction of the commissary. "Lead the way."

*****

Sam couldn't remember the last time she'd actually eaten anything, but even so, all she could do was push her lasagna around the plate. Every bite she took tasted like sawdust in her mouth. Daniel and Teal'c, however, didn't seem to share her lack of appetite. They ate heartily while she watched and picked at her food.

Even her blue Jell-O didn't appeal to her. Probably because it was something she and Jack usually shared. He'd have red and she'd have blue and they'd grin at each other over spoonfuls. She pushed it to the side and sighed.

"Sam," Daniel had apparently been watching her. "At least TRY to eat something. It's been a while since you've eaten and your blood sugar's low. You'd feel a lot better if you took in some nourishment."

Sam took in Daniel's worried face, and noticed Teal'c had stopped eating to observe her, too. She nodded reluctantly. "I know, I just can't seem to do it." She took a small bite of the lasagna to appease them, but couldn't manage more than that.

"So," Daniel said briskly, apparently deciding a change of subject was in order. "Do we know if anyone has heard from Major Davis? Any news on the baby?"

Sam and Teal'c shook their heads. "No. General Hammond might know something, but he hasn't said."

"General Hammond might know what?" The man himself appeared at their table.

"We were just wondering if there was any news from Major Davis," Daniel clarified.

"Well, Major Davis has called a few times to check up on Jack, but so far there's no news about the baby. Apparently he and Mrs. Davis are doing fine. They are staying in quarters at the Air Force Academy. Understandably, neither one wants to fly home right now." The General huffed out a sigh. "Dr. Brightman sent me to tell you that General O'Neill has been moved to room number twelve, just off the infirmary." When they all moved to get up, he held out a hand. "I want you to be prepared, people. He's still unconscious and he's been through a lot, the surgery included. I looked in on him just before I came to get you, and I have to say he's very frail right now. Dr. Brightman says it's just going to take time for him to improve, all right?"

Frail. Sam couldn't wrap her head around the word in reference to Jack O'Neill. They'd seen him injured before, but 'frail' was never how she would have described him He was always so vital and full of life, even when sick or hurt it seemed to emanate from him. She braced herself for how she might find him, and followed Daniel and Teal'c from the commissary.

**********

As they came through the door, Sam stopped in her tracks in shock. Jack was lying in his bed hooked up to so many tubes and wires she could barely see the man himself. He looked smaller than usual in the bed and he was so still she found she could barely take a breath.

He was hooked up to a respirator that hissed in and out, a heart monitor beeped in time to his heart, and an IV tube stuck out of his forearm. He had several monitors also hooked up here and there monitoring all his vital functions. His leg was encased in a cast and raised in traction.

It must have been like this at McMurdo, she thought. However, that time she wasn't able to see him for a few days because they had held her for observation before she finally took the initiative and snuck into his room one evening after supper. He'd been awake then, and had teased her weakly about not following orders. That had made her feel better immediately, that he could joke around. Now, the way he looked scared her, made her feel that they hadn't really gotten him back, hadn't saved him. His position was still precarious and they were powerless to do anything to intervene.

She approached the bed, and leaned over to brush his hair back from his brow. His hair was a bit longer than he'd worn it before becoming General, and she liked feeling its silkiness under her fingers. His skin felt cool to the touch. He didn't react at all. She pressed her lips to his forehead, and said softly, "Hey, Jack. It's Sam. We're all here for you. You're back at the SGC, and you've just come out of surgery. You're going to be fine. You're safe now." No response, but she really didn't expect one. She continued to smooth his hair back from his brow, just watching him until she felt a hand on her back. It was Teal'c. He'd pulled a chair up to the bed for her. She smiled gratefully at him and sat down, clasping Jack's hand in hers. Daniel took a chair on the other side of the bed, and Teal'c took one at the foot. They all hunkered in for the duration.

*****

Days later there was virtually no change and Sam was starting to worry. Dr. Brightman said Jack's vitals were improving and he'd wake up in his own time, but Sam couldn't stop the anxious feeling she had that Jack was standing on a precipice that would either propel him forward, or drop him inexorably backward.

"Talk to him, read to him, give him some stimulation," Dr. Brightman advised. "Many patients report being able to hear being talked to while unconscious or in a coma. It might just do the trick."

And so it began. Sam would hold his hand, stroke his arm or forehead and talk to him about nothing, really. Teal'c would advise him to be strong, and Daniel would read to him from his archaeology journals, figuring it would drive Jack so crazy he'd be forced to wake up to escape it.

The only improvement was Jack began mumbling a bit. It was made all the more unintelligible coming from under the oxygen mask, but every time he did it, they'd all jump up and remove the mask a little trying to hear what he was saying. Dr. Brightman's opinion was that this was an involuntary response and told them not to take too much stock in it.

Sam had a TV/VCR brought into the room and played the Simpson's for him, Teal'c had found a copy of Moby Dick in Jack's office and began reading it to him. Sam and Daniel sat transfixed, listening to Teal'c's powerful voice reading the words so eloquently. Daniel brought in a boom box and played some of Jack's opera CD's for him, but nothing seemed to make much difference.

General Hammond would look in on them occasionally. They knew he could order them all back to duty anytime now, or order them off base, but he never did. He let them continue their vigil at Jack's bedside without comment, and they were all grateful.

One day Sam was left alone in the room with Jack. Daniel had gone for a shower, while Teal'c offered to go fetch breakfast for them all. She sat, as usual, right next to the bed with Jack's hand in hers. She stood, and once again stroked the hair back from his forehead. "You and I need to talk, you know," she began. "Before all this, before the plane crash, I was very angry with you. I couldn't see how you could do that to me. Undermine my authority with my team, but I think I see all that very differently now. I understand that your feelings for me made you want to protect me more than you usually do. I see that because I know if the positions were reversed and I could have done anything to prevent what you've just gone through, I would, no matter how angry it made you toward me."

She brushed a tear aside, and sniffled. "I love you, Jack, and I know I'd do anything to protect you. Which means, I am NOT letting you go, you hear me, Jack O'Neill? I expect you to be around to see our grandchildren grow up, so you have some recovering to do, you got that, mister?" She kissed his forehead, and was surprised when Jack mumbled something.

She pulled the oxygen mask away once again. "Jack, can you hear me?" Nothing. Sam sighed in frustration and replaced the mask again.

Soon Daniel and Teal'c returned. Teal'c took the seat on the other side of the bed and opened Moby Dick, preparing to continue with the story. Sam held up a hand. "Not today, Teal'c. I think we need to take a different tactic.'

Teal'c closed the book and looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Sam?" Daniel sounded doubtful.

Sam held up a finger. She went to the VCR and turned on the latest episode of the Simpson's, but only let it play to the first commercial break. She then turned it off abruptly. Daniel and Teal'c both looked confused. Sam went back to the bed and took Jack's chin between her fingers. "That's it, Jack." Her voice was firm. "You're getting a little too comfortable, I think. No more story, no more Simpson's, and no more talk from us until you wake up, you hear me? You need to make a better effort here, General."

She retook her seat, and looked at Daniel and Teal'c. They nodded their understanding, and settled down to wait.

**********

Jack's consciousness had retreated to a place deep within himself. It had hidden itself away in this manner many times before and was very familiar here. All he knew was that in this place he was warm and dry and most importantly, he was safe. As long as he stayed here he was completely removed from a situation he found intolerable. Jack O'Neill was a fighter, but he knew this was the end and he chose to spend it as removed from the fear and pain as possible.

Sam. The thought rose up unbidden, and he tried to push it away. If he thought of Sam he couldn't do this, couldn't maintain his place here. He could almost hear her voice, feel her touch, but he couldn't let that wear him down.

He instead focused on his current dwelling. He felt familiar vibrations almost speaking to him, comforting him, and it fed his soul. It had become quite pleasant here, and he had settled himself down in contentment.

However, lately, all the comforting vibrations had ceased. It was too quiet now, and he wondered why. His consciousness, the one who had been retreating further and further into itself, stopped, hesitated and listened. Wondering why things had become so quiet, so isolated, so…lonely. And because of this, Jack's consciousness turned and retraced its steps to investigate this unwelcome change.

*****

Something roused Sam from a doze a little while later. She frowned, trying to identify the source of the sound she was hearing until she realized it was Jack mumbling again. This time the mumbling went on longer than usual. She leaned in trying to hear what he was trying to say, but couldn't catch the thread of it. "Jack?" She put a hand on his cheek, but there was no response. He did, however, continue to mumble.

Teal'c was leaning close trying to hear him as well. Daniel woke up and stood at the end of the bed trying to listen, but shook his head indicating he couldn't catch what was being said, either.

Finally Teal'c looked up at Sam. "It appears he is lamenting the fact that he has never been able to travel to Spain…possibly Oklahoma as well."

Sam frowned, but Daniel barked out a laugh. When Teal'c and Sam looked at him, he explained, "It's a song, you know, 'Well, I never been to Spain, but I've been to Oklahoma…" He sang a few bars.

Sam grinned and nodded, and Teal'c raised his head in understanding. Sam stood and cupped Jack's cheek in her hand. He continued to sing softly. "Hey, Jack, are you trying to come back to us?"

The singing stopped abruptly. Jack's eyes fluttered, but fell shut again. From the confines of the oxygen mask the word, "Carter?" could be clearly heard. Sam, Daniel and Teal'c all exchanged delighted grins. "Yes, Jack, it's me. Daniel and Teal'c are here, too."

Jack's breathing seemed a bit more labored, but he nodded weakly. "Tell Daniel…" he stopped. Afraid Jack might slip backward away from them again, Sam put a firm hand on his shoulder trying to ground him there. "Tell Daniel what, Jack?" When there was no response, Daniel came around the bed and put a hand on Jack's opposite shoulder. "Tell me what, Jack?"

Jack's throat worked as he swallowed. "That's not right." His voice was very weak.

Daniel frowned. "What's not right, Jack?"

"The words…I got them wrong…It's not Spain and Oklahoma…It's…something else. I always…get that part wrong."

Daniel grinned. "Okay, Jack, we'll straighten that out later, okay?"

Jack nodded. "Gonna go back to sleep now." This had obviously taken a lot out of him.

Sam smiled, and wiped away a tear. "Okay, you go back to sleep now. We'll be right here."

************

Jack came awake slowly, cracking an eye open to find himself in the infirmary of the SGC. Ah, home. He glanced to one side to behold Daniel asleep in a chair next to the bed. His glasses were askew, and his mouth was hanging open, emitting a low snore. Teal'c was sitting on the floor doing his meditations. He didn't need to Kel-no-reem any longer, but he found meditating beneficial and familiar, so he continued. Sam's chair was pulled right up to his bed, clasping his hand in hers. Her face was turned away from him on the mattress, but he could tell from her even breathing that she was asleep. He smiled and lifted his other hand to stroke her hair back from her cheek. She awoke instantly, and turned to him, sleepy blue eyes trying to focus. "Jack," she said softly. "You're awake."

Teal'c was immediately alert, and Daniel blearily sat up, adjusting his glasses. "Hey, Jack, we were wondering how long you'd sleep."

Jack tried to answer, but found his throat wouldn't work. Sam poured out a glass of water for him and held it to his lips. He took several long sips, cleared his throat and said quietly, "So, when do I get the rest of my story?"

*********

Two days later Sam was feeding Jack some ice chips from a plastic cup, while Teal'c continued to read Moby Dick. The door opened and General Hammond stuck his head inside. "How are you doing, Jack?"

"Better now I'm home, General. Won't be up and about for awhile, but doing better every day."

"Good to hear." Hammond beamed. "I have some good news for all of you. I just got a call. Miss Samantha Noelle Davis was born this morning at 4:12 a.m." He held up a piece of paper. "She weighed 9 lbs, 8 ounces, and is 20 inches long. Mother and baby are doing just great, according to Major Davis. The family is currently at the Air Force Academy hospital, but Davis said they'll bring the baby around as soon as they can."

Everyone made sounds of happiness at the news. "Hey, Carter, you have a namesake," Jack grinned at her.

Sam looked astounded. "Wow. I don't know what to say."

"Major Davis said his wife told him what a help you were to her during this ordeal and they wanted to name her after you. Noelle was already picked out because she was due to be born so close to Christmas." Hammond said.

"Christmas," Daniel said as if just being reminded of it. "Well, that came and went without notice this year, didn't it?" It was currently December 29.

"We'll have to have a late celebration," Sam said.

"Christmas at New Year's," Jack grinned at them all. "Speaking of Major Davis, sir, I need to talk to you about recommending him for about a dozen medals and perhaps a promotion or two. He went way above and beyond for me out there, putting himself at risk over and over again in the process."

"Already in the works, General. I expect he'll be Colonel Davis before we get much past the new year."

"Good to hear, sir. I'd like to volunteer to pin him, when the time comes."

Hammond grinned. "I thought you might say that. That's already in the works, too."

Hammond only stayed a few more minutes, then excused himself to get back to work.

"Well that's good news. Things are looking up, no?" Jack's smile encompassed them all. He made a beckoning gesture at Teal'c. Teal'c raised an eyebrow. "Story." Jack clarified.

*********

Sam entered the room quietly, pushing the door slowly shut behind her. It was a week later, and Jack was recovering nicely. It would take a long time for him to be 100%, but it was a start. Everyone had gone back to work, letting Jack sleep through the day. Teal'c had finished Moby Dick and would come back in the evening to read him Ernest Hemingway's "For Whom the Bell Tolls."

In the meantime, Sam gauged Jack's recovery by his restlessness in the infirmary. She had caught a couple of the nurses commenting that it had been so much nicer when he was unconscious, and he was definitely back to his old self. They had looked shocked to see Sam standing there, but she just gave them a smile of understanding and carried on.

Jack was sleeping right now, or so she thought. He opened one eye when she approached the bed and held a hand out to her. When she placed her hand in his he kissed the back of it and held it to his chest. "Did I ever tell you that you are a sight for sore eyes…and head, and ribs, and leg?"

Sam made sympathetic noise and kissed his head. "Painkillers not doing the trick tonight?"

Jack looked sulky. "I'm tired of painkillers, and I'm tired of lying in this bed. And I'm mostly tired of bossy nurses."

Sam bit back a smile. "Well, you're just going to have to give it some time."

"It's had all the time I want to give it."

Sam sighed. "I don't think it works that way."

Jack grumbled. "Don't suppose we have a spare sarcophagus in storage, do we?"

"Nope. Sorry."

Jack squeezed her hand. "Hey, when I finally get sprung from this place, what say you and I go on a trip together, like we planned before?"

Sam raised an eyebrow. "What did you have in mind, General?" Her lips hovered over his.

He ran a thumb across her chin. "Someplace I can get you alone and have my wicked way with you--someplace warm," he amended.

"Sounds lovely, but I don't think they'll be any wicked-way-having for a while longer. You have some healing to do."

"You're sure we don't have a sarcophagus around?"

"Pretty sure." When Jack scowled at her, she added, "but I'll check."

She went down to the commissary and found Daniel eating rice pudding and reading a large, old book.

"Hey," she said as she sat down opposite him.

"Hey." He put the book down to give her his full attention. "How's Jack doing?"

Sam huffed and dropped her chin on her hands. "Grumpy."

"So, better then. Good to hear." When she didn't respond he added, "Hey, you wanted to get him back."

Sam made a face at him. "We wouldn't happen to have a sarcophagus lying around anywhere, do we?"

Daniel gave an exaggerated shudder. "God, I hope not. Even if we did, it would be sent to Area 51, anyway."

"Yeah. Jack wanted me to ask."

"Getting restless, is he?"

"You could say that."

Daniel picked his book up again. "Well, better hope Teal'c has a LOT more books to read to him."

*********

Two days later the Davis family appeared for a visit. Jack got to meet Jess, who looked radiant and so happy, and he'd gotten to hold little Sam, which seemed to raise his spirits considerably. The baby had dark hair, like her parents, and when she opened sleepy eyes to them Sam could tell they were her mother's green."

"Scrounger, you did good," Jack addressed Davis.

"Well, I didn't do it all by myself, you know."

"I wasn't talking about the baby--although she is pretty spectacular."

Davis's smile faded. "Yes, she is. I was glad to do it, sir. And I'm glad you're so much better."

They'd left soon after. Jess had given Sam a big hug on the way out. "I guess we both got what we wanted, right?

Sam sniffled and blinked away moist eyes. "Yeah, I guess we did."

*****

Sam was reassessing all this a day later when Jack reached maximum grumpiness. She was toying with the idea of smothering him with a pillow, a thought she was sure the nurses wholeheartedly seconded, when Daniel and Teal'c joined them. "I'm telling you, if they don't let me outta here soon, I'm going to go freakin' nuts!" Jack groused.

Sam held back voicing the thought that he was taking the rest of them with him, when Daniel said, "Gee, Jack, don't hold back. Tell us how you really feel."

Suddenly there was a flash of light and Thor appeared before them, looking around in mild interest.

"Thor! Buddy!" Jack was suddenly smiling.

Thor nodded. "O'Neill. I apologize for the delay in coming. Our fleet has been in deep space for the last few months. I see you are recovering."

Jack shrugged. "You could say that. It will take some time to mend , but I should be up and about in a couple months."

Thor's large eyes grew even larger. "That long? I believe I may be able to help." Without warning he and Jack disappeared in another flash of light.

"Thor!" Sam and Daniel shouted. Teal'c looked skyward.

They were all at a loss as to what to do, when the flash of light appeared again, and Jack appeared standing in front of the bed he had just vacated. Daniel, who was behind him said, "Uh, Jack…" and gestured towards Jack's back.

Jack started to turn, realized what Daniel was referring to and quickly grabbed the back of his hospital gown, closing the gap. He scurried back into bed and pulled the covers over himself.

"Jack, your cast is gone," Sam looked from where his leg was hidden by the blanket, back to his face, and then back to the leg again.

"Healed. All of me. He pulled back the covers and turned his leg from side to side. "See? Good as new. Thor felt bad he wasn't here to assist in the rescue." He explained.

Dr. Brightman confirmed his recovery a while later. She said he could be released the next day, but wanted to keep him overnight for observation. To Sam's surprise he took it very well, explaining he wanted to have Teal'c read the end of the Hemingway book before he went home.

*******

The next day Sam, Daniel and Teal'c all drove Jack back to his house, although he pointed out that he could drive himself. They ordered pizza and Sam allowed Jack one beer. "I'm healed, I tell you. Healed!" Jack protested. No one paid any attention to him.

Sam was going to stay with Jack that night, so a while later, Daniel and Teal'c said their good-nights and went home.

Sam stood at the front door until they got into Daniel's car and backed down the driveway. As she closed the door, two arms came around her from behind. "Ah," a voice said in her ear. "Alone at last." Sam smiled and leaned back against Jack, reveling in the warmth of his body. She wrapped her arms around his where they encircled her waist, and tilted her head to the side to allow him to kiss her neck.

"We need to get you into bed," Sam murmured. Jack pressed his hips against her, letting her feel his very evident arousal. "I'm up for that, no pun intended, as long as you come with me."

"Jack," Sam turned in his arms. "I think you need to rest tonight. There's plenty of time for us to be together when you're better, stronger."

"Sam," Jack took her face in his hands. "What part of healed do you not understand? Thor made me good as new, remember? I don't need to get better or stronger. Already better, already stronger. What I NEED is you, in my bed, right now." He pulled her to him and kissed her with all the passion he was feeling.

When he finally released her, she looked up at him in a daze. "Wow."

"See? That's what I'm talking about." Jack took her hand and led her to his bedroom.

Much later Sam curled up next to him, resting her head on his chest. "I missed this." Her voice was sleepy.

"I missed you--and this," he murmured around a chuckle. "I gotta send Thor a 'thank-you' note you know?"

Sam grinned. "I was so afraid I'd lost you." She kissed his chest and returned her head to his chest. He stroked her hair.

"I was afraid I'd lost you, too, you know." Sam felt a catch in her throat. She raised her head to face him. "Did you mean what you said, you know, in the cave, when you thought we weren't going to get you out?"

Jack held her eyes steadily. "Every word of it."

Sam's eyes filled. "I want you to know, I feel the same way. I don't know what I would have done if I'd lost you."

Jack wiped a tear from her cheek. "Well, we're here now, and we're good, right?" Sam gave him a watery nod. "Well, you know, you could marry me and then our trip to someplace warm could be a honeymoon. What do you think?"

Sam's mouth dropped open. "Married? Really?"

"Well, only if you say 'yes,' then really, yeah."

"Okay, yes. Yes!" Sam kissed him soundly.

****

Four months later Jessica Davis sat on the patio of her Georgetown Town home, the one she'd selected for Paul but ended up sharing. Spring was coming quickly and she looked at all the trees and flowers preparing to blossom. She was nursing baby Sammie, rocking her back and forth while she nursed. Sammie was just about asleep
and Jess gently stroked her head, smiling gently.

She heard the phone ring inside the house and called out, "Paul? Can you get that? I can't get up right now." The ringing stopped and Jess figured that meant Paul had answered.

Soon Paul came out onto the patio and handed Jess the phone, reaching down to run a finger down his daughter's nose. "It's Sam Carter for you. She has some news."

"Sam? Hey, it's Jessica. How are you? We got your postcard from Hawaii"

Jess handed the baby to Paul and while holding the receiver between shoulder and ear, managed to refasten her bra and shirt. "You what? Oh Sam! I'm so happy for you!" Paul, apparently not privy to the 'news' looked at his wife quizzically. She continued to talk to Sam for a few more minutes, then ended the call. Jess turned to her husband with a delighted look on her face. "Okay, what? What?" Paul opened his hands expectantly.

"Sam's pregnant. She's and the General are going to have a baby." She gave her husband a hug.

"Well, that's great news. Just great." Paul grinned. Jess pulled back a little to add, "Sam says to expect a little Paul or Paula in your future."

"Really? No kidding." Paul beamed.

"Both Sam and Jack are so grateful to you for all you've done for them, and after all, we named our baby after Sam."

"Well, I'd say I was richly rewarded already." Davis was now Colonel Davis, and he'd received a few medals for his efforts on that mountain. Jack had pinned his new rank insignia and the medals at a ceremony a few months ago. Davis certainly hadn't expected anything else.

Jess took Sammie from Paul and cooed to her, "You're going to have a new friend to play with soon, little girl."

Fin

*************