TITLE: WHEN THE WORLD HALTS - Chapter 11
AUTHOR: WITEZON PARING: S/J friendship/romance
RATING: PG-13 or R (depending on how you feel about swearing) DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything but what my mind thinks up. SUMMARY: JACK CENTRIC - What happens when the universe is at stake, Hammond is missing, and everything rests on Colonel O'Neill's shoulders.
4 HOURS LATER
After Maybourne had been removed to the Infirmary and Security had redoubled its efforts for his security, O'Neill had finally gotten to sleep. He tossed and turned thinking about Hendrikson and his daughter. Every time he dreamed, Charlie's face replaced the the daughter's face. Eventually he slept uninterrupted for a few hours, then the door to his quarters opened and his black ops senses took over.
He didn't open his eyes, he just listened, anticipating the violater. He figured his security team had been somehow been neutralized – for a second time today. Either that or he was gonna to kick their collective asses. Or let Teal'c do it.
Now he was alone. Too bad. For the intruder.
His mind focused even further and could count the breaths coming from the intruder and they're good attempt at being quiet. Finally the intruder made their way to his bedside. He could feel the air pressure change as a hand made its way to head and he reacted – he deflected the hand and his legs moved taking out the intruder's legs. The intruder landed on his bed as he moved up and his hands roughly clasped the intruder's throat, O'Neill's body weighed down heavily and kept the intruder from trying anything else.
O'Neill was slowly killing the intruder when a gasp sounded, "S..i..r" Another gasp, weakeningly sounded, "Jack…"
Jack looked down in horror as he realized that he was strangling Sam. Immediately the pressure was gone and Sam choked in great lung fulls of air. She looked up at Jack, and found him still staring at her in horror. He got up on his arms and knees.
"Sam!" He couldn't believe he had tried to kill Sam of all people. 'God, what did I do?'
For Sam the terror was slowing ebbing as she got more and more oxygen back into her system, she became concerned with him. She reached up grabbing his collar, and tried to get out, "Jack." He didn't say anything, so she tried again to get his attention, "Sir…"
Closing his eyes, "God, Carter." He took a breath, "God, Sam, I'm so sorry." He hated himself at that moment. Normally he treasured his black ops skills, but now. He took another breath, "Sam."
She pulled down on his collar and he slowly lowered until he held himself over her body. His elbows took the weight of the top half of his body while he gently laid his lower half on hers.
"Sam." He couldn't say more. He knew he was a killer, but had always known the difference before. He had never, ever, ever, hurt Sara, and now here he was, looking at Sam's neck knowing that tomorrow she'd have deep tissue bruises, testifying to his stupidity.
Sam saw the thoughts chase through his expressive eyes. At first his eyes were cold and deadly and she knew she was going to die, then she was able to choke out a few words and they changed, recognizing who she was and he immediately let up. Now they were filled with self-loathing as they gently caressed her face and then neck.
"Jack." She pulled at him again. At first he didn't respond, but after her third tug he let himself down on her chest, but still holding up so he didn't steal her breath again.
Sighing, "Sam, I am so sorry."
Sam leaned up at kissed his chin, and got out, "I know. I understand."
He closed his eyes, then opened them again knowing he had to always know the truth.
The truth was that Sam loved him and it shown in her eyes and that she knew he would never have hurt her. She knew that his life was constantly in danger, especially now, and he had pulled up his senses to takeover unconscious thoughts. She had made the novice mistake she knew not make when Jack was in these types of situations. She should have made some noise, then walked over to him, not entered as silently as she could so she didn't wake him.
He leaned down and kissed her neck, then her lips. "God, Sam, I am so sorry. I promised myself I would never hurt you like this."
"Why?"
He frowned down into her blue eyes, not sure of the question, "Why?"
She nodded, "Did you ever hurt Sara? Or any woman like this?"
Frowning, "No, never!"
"Did you mean to hurt me?"
He stared into her eyes, he let his body drop further onto hers, "Never, Sam. I'd never do that."
"Why?"
"Because I love you."
A smile let up her face, "I love you, too."
Knowing she was hurt, as he did his job extremely well, he kissed her gently and then slowly got up. "C'mon, let's go to the Infirmary. Let's let Janet look at you."
She let him pull her up, "She's probably asleep now."
Keeping a hold of her hand, "Ah, that would be no. She's in the Infirmary with Maybourne, setting him to rights."
Staring at him, "Bad night?"
"Yeah."
He didn't let go of her hand once they got into the hallway. Ignoring any and all looks, he kept her close to him and his security team ignored the handholding. Their concern was his safety and this wasn't anything close.
Janet looked up as everyone entered the Infirmary and saw Sam's neck.
She charged over, "Sam, what happened?"
Jack immediately took responsibility, "That would be me, Doc."
Frowning in confusion, "What?"
Swallowing painfully Sam interjected in the silence, "I thought he was asleep and tried not to make any noises when I went to see him."
Janet shook her head, and exhaled, "Sam, that was a stupid mistake, and General, maybe she should get her own room."
"No," immediately exploded from Sam and both Janet and Jack looked at her.
Janet stared at her, "Okay, let's get some x-rays." She pulled a reluctant Sam away from Jack. He stared after her for a moment before a wave of exhaustion filled him.
Teal'c spoke suddenly from behind him, "O'Neill, lie down and rest. You are overtired and need rest to regain your sense of self."
O'Neill jumped and turned around, "Jesus, Teal'c, you scared the shit out of me!"
Knowingly, "Indeed." He stared at O'Neill and finally Jack nodded.
"There are many beds here to use, while you wait for MajorCarter."
He stared at Teal'c. Brother to brother – warrior to warrior – killer to killer. "You know what happened tonight?"
"Yes."
Jack stared at him in pain, "Teal'c."
Staring back, "I know, O'Neill. You did that to protect yourself. Normally you would not have done that, but you are overtired. And this was the second time this evening. Neither one should have happened and I will work with the security force to ensure it does not again." Staring at him, he repeated, "You need rest to ensure you do not do it again."
They exchanged another look, "Yeah, I guess I do."
He looked around and found bed in the corner. He looked back at Teal'c, "You'll…" He gestured around the room with his hand.
Teal'c nodded, "Yes." He wouldn't leave O'Neill unless he was dead.
O'Neill nodded and suddenly the heaviness of having the world on his shoulders showed momentarily. He heaved himself up on the bed and was asleep before his head fully settled on the pillow. He knew that Teal'c would provide the security he needed to sleep.
Thirty minutes later, Sam and Janet emerged from x-ray. While Sam's neck was going to be a livid reminder of exactly how dangerous Jack could be, she was going to be fine.
They walked out to find half of the Infirmary was shut down. Security guards were layered around the room and doors, and finally Teal'c stood in front of O'Neill's bed, fully armed, preventing anyone from interrupting his sleep.
Sam stopped at the sight of O'Neill sleeping. "Teal'c?"
He nodded, "He would want you there with him. He has not allowed himself to fall fully asleep yet."
She nodded while Janet sighed and applied some cream to her neck. Sam slowly made her way to Jack and stood a little back from the bed.
She watched as he slowly smiled, but didn't open his eyes. He lifted the blankets and waited. Smiling Sam got rid of her boots and climbed into bed with him.
"Night, Sam." He kissed her neck.
Still smiling, "Night, Jack." And snuggled back against him.
THE NEXT MORNING
Jack took a deep breath and smelled something he hadn't before or for a very long time. Oh sure, he had shared very close quarters with Sam before, but usually not the same bed or even sleeping bag. He was on his back and Sam had her head on chest. This he liked, however, the slight noise in the background – that he could do without.
He knew where he was and what he had done. He'd never forget again, he'd train himself to know this smell, so even when he wasn't expecting it he'd never react like that again. He never really fully slept off-world, so when anyone entered the tent, his brain registered who it was and whether or not they were friend or foe.
He opened his eyes to watch Sam sleep on his chest. He could just see the bruising, something he'd feel guilty about for a long time. He'd done a good job, his instructor would have been proud as the bruising proved that even asleep he knew where to strike. It was just too bad it'd been Sam. F
"General?"
Frasier's soft voice called out, she knew when he was awake after all the time he had spent in the Infirmary.
He looked up at her, and asked just as softly, "What time is it?"
"Just before 6."
"Thanks." Smiling, she nodded and left them alone. Well, as alone as they could be with Teal'c about 2 meters away and 5 members of the security team around the room, but what the heck, he had the beautiful blonde genius sleeping with him and she said she loved him.
He had to get up for his first meeting, so he slipped quietly and gently out from under Sam, leaving her sleeping soundly. She must have been exhausted. He watched her sleep for a moment, the bruising was more prominent, and again he was reminded he was a killer.
"O'Neill." A deep voice sounded behind him. Teal'c knew what he was thinking. He too had done something similar after a particularly vicious attack that Apophis had commanded him to undertake. He had woken from a nightmare when his wife had come to bed and had nearly killed her.
"T." With his hands stuck in his pockets, he turned around. Looking at Teal'c, he could see the same guilt in his eyes, and knew he understood what he was feeling. He nodded at him, relieved that someone else knew and understood what he did and felt, and how he had to move on, but always remember.
Looking around the room, he saw Mayborne laying on a bed in the corner. Coming closer, he saw Harry was awake.
"Harry."
"Jack." Maybourne knew what O'Neill had done and actually felt some sympathy for him. Hell, he actually like O'Neill most of the time and knew he'd carry this for a long time.
"Bad night?" Harry figured due to O'Neill's background he'd have nightmares. He'd had a few himself and he never even had a kid.
Nodding, "You okay?"
"Yeah. Your doctor has great pain killers."
Smirking, "Yeah, she does." Looking around the room, uncomfortable, because he, in a very weird, uncomfortable way, actually liked Maybourne. Sorta.
"You gonna be okay?"
"Yeah. You're leaving her here?"
Narrowing his eyes at him, "Yeah."
Looking at Carter, "Okay."
Studying him, looking deeply into his eyes, O'Neill finally nodded. "Okay."
O'Neill turned away and as he walked in front of a security agent, he grabbed his pistol and quickly tossed it to Maybourne. Maybourne grabbed it, and it disappeared just as quickly in his bedding. It happened so fast, the security team almost missed it.
"Sir?" The SP asked.
"Its okay, Synkowski."
0900 HOURS
KNOCK
"Enter."
Daniel quietly entered, watching Jack closely. He found out what happened from Janet, but only getting a few words from very closed mouthed Teal'c and a reluctant Sam who had quickly disappeared in Jack's quarters. He needed to see Jack.
"Jack?"
O'Neill stared at the reports on his desk, and closed his eyes. He knew what Daniel wanted to talk about.
"Daniel."
"Something happen last night?"
Jack looked up at him and Daniel saw the pain in his eyes. Jack was his best friend, and he would help. He said he needed him to be his conscience and he would be.
"How's Sam?"
Looking down, "Bruised."
Pulling teeth, "Ah, yes. How did that happen? She didn't have any bruising there when we got back."
After a moment, "Bad dreams."
Daniel stared at him, he knew the terrible dreams that Jack experienced and he came away bruised himself one night. He learned to always give Jack space and announce himself after that as Jack had scared the shit out of him before he came to himself.
"You okay?"
Glancing at him, "Someday." After a moment, "You see Sam yet?"
Nodding, "Yeah. She didn't say much then barricaded herself in your quarters."
Frowning, "Barricaded?"
"Yeah." He studied Jack, "You need to talk to her."
Sighing, "Yeah."
"I'll walk with you."
Grimacing at him, "Thanks." But he was actually glad Daniel was making him face this. He needed to talk with Sam – to help them and help him focus on his responsibility.
O'NEILL'S QUARTERS
With a look at Daniel, he knocked at his own door.
The door opened, "Jack? What…" She saw everyone standing around the door, and became more formal, "Sir?"
He grimaced at her, "Can I come in?"
Frowning at him, she pulled him in, and quickly closed the door.
Looking at him, "What are you doing? Of course, you can come in your own quarters."
He studied her, seeing her red eyes, "Sam, are you alright?"
"Why?"
"Ahmm, because Daniel said you barricaded yourself in here and your eyes are red?"
She didn't say anything, and he forced himself to continue, "And because you've got the bruises from where I tried to kill you last night?"
She closed her eyes, and got mad. "Damn it, Jack! I knew better than to do that, I knew it. No one ever gets close to you when you're sleeping when we're off-planet, we all learned that when we got your hand on our throats."
With dark, fathomless eyes, "But we're not off-planet."
Still mad at him and herself, "No, but we're under attack and I know that you're watching even in your sleep."
He closed his eyes, he didn't deserve her, "But I almost killed you last night, your neck…"
Sam stalked over to him, "I shouldn't have tried to creep into your quarters! You know that, you've told us that in the very beginning and how many times did Daniel have to learn that lesson?"
Shrugging and putting his hands in his pockets, "I don't know."
Angry, "Yes, you do! Yes, you did this to me, but I know you! When you're under stress, and God knows how much stress you're under this time, we need to make noise. We, I, always make noise! Why didn't I make noise last night?" This ended on a choking sob.
Jack couldn't stand it and tentatively gathered her in his arms, "I'm so sorry,
Sam. I never meant to hurt you."
She quietly cried in his arms, "I know, Jack, I really do know."
He tightened his arms around her and in a low voice, "I love you."
She smiled, swallowed, and pulled him to her even more closely, "I know, Jack, and I love you, too."
They stood there in each other's arms for awhile. Jack pulled back, "I'm sorry, Sam, please forgive me."
Shaking her head, "Of course, if you forgive me for putting us both in this position."
She looked so enticing, so lovely with her love shining out of her red eyes. He leaned down and kissed her deeply, thoroughly, rising the passion between them.
KNOCK KNOCK
O'Neill pulled back, he growled, "That had better not be Daniel."
Sam, equally as aroused and angry, "I'll kill him."
Jack smiled, and with Sam still in his arms, shouted, "Yeah?"
The door opened, and Jacob walked in, "What the hell???"
Dropping his head on hers, "I'm gonna kill Jackson."
"I'll help." Sam whispered back.
Jacob nearly took Jack's head off when he saw Sam's bruised neck. He knew O'Neill had almost killed her. Hell, Sam knew it, too, yet he found her in his arms looking – well, in a way a father should never see his daughter, even when she's fully dressed.
As they both took turns explaining what happened to Jake, Sam finally learned that Jack had found Maybourne laying on her bed only a few hours earlier and what he had told him.
Shocked, "Jack, its no wonder you reacted like that. Oh my, God."
"Yeah, but I didn't try to kill Maybourne."
Jake watched them argue this out, and said nothing.
She grabbed his arm, "But you were wide awake and knew what was happening. I came in deliberately trying to not make any noise."
Jake snorted in shock, "Damn it, Sam! Even I know better than that and I haven't gone on many missions with him."
Looking down, "I know." Looking back up at Jack, letting them both see the love in her eyes, "I forgive you and I will always trust you."
Jack just stared at her, devouring her with his eyes, becoming almost feral in his regard of her and her response was breath-taking. They both forgot Jake was sitting there, getting very, very uncomfortable.
"Ah, Sam, Jack. At least wait until I leave the room." He quickly did so, as Jack reached for his daughter.
Daniel and Teal'c were waiting outside the room.
Daniel asked, "Well?"
Staring at him, "What you just did could have been very dangerous, Daniel. What if I hadn't stopped to listen? I could have killed him."
"No, you would not have."
They both stared at Teal'c. "You may have a strength advantage, but he is also strong and has many abilities he has honed over time fighting with Jaffa."
Jake glared at him, "Oh, really? He's trained with you, too?"
"Yes. He also is never unarmed on base. He said he had learned his lesson."
Stunned, "Jack's armed?"
"Yes."
"He was armed last night? With what?"
Arching an eyebrow, "He normally carries at least 3 different weapons. As do I."
"You do? Does Sam?"
"No."
Daniel looked at Jake, "Do you approve?" He gestured at the door.
Blinking at the turn of the discussion, "Yeah. I don't like the bruises, but I don't think he'll ever do it again. I've actually been waiting for this, and if he doesn't get us all killed, I'll probably be a grandfather again."
Pulling them from the door, "Let's leave, I'm trying not to think about what's going on behind that door."
TWO DAYS LATER
24 missions later, hundreds of troops had been disbursed on planets around where Heur'ur thought his impregnable planet was safe. More troops were being staged at the Alpha site, the Land of Light with the Jaffa, and the Tok'ra had given them an uninhabited planet that had a stargate for movement of their troops. The Tok'ra and the Asguard provided transportation for more troops to take out his ship. All in all, things were going well before the attack. This was to going to be a bloodbath, a lot of good soldiers, Free Jaffa, and Tok'ra were going to die. He just hoped they took a lot of Heru'ur's Jaffa went with them. He personally was going after Heru'ur. He hadn't said it outloud yet, but they all knew it and just watched him. He needed only a few more pieces of information and he would release the attack.
1 DAYS LATER
SG-1 was off-world again doing more recon. Jack and Sam were officially a couple and no one was sleeping on the cot, and Sam always made a noise when she entered their room and he always knew her scent.
It was 2300 hours and he working away in his office trying to make his tired brain work. Barking into the phone, "Get Quince and Stemke in my office now!"
Three minutes later they appeared.
Seeing his irritation, Quince and Stemke immediately stood at attention, "Sir, Colonel Quince and Captain Stemke reporting as ordered."
He frowned at them, "Yeah, yeah, at ease. Come over here and take a look at this. Tell me what this means to you."
O'Neill got up from his desk and opened the door, "Wo'tac, get in here. I want you to look at this, too, and tell me what it means to you."
Wo'tac stared at him, then nodded. When O'Neill backed away from the door and leaned against the wall farthest from his desk, Wo'tac locked the office door and went to stand next to Stemke. The three of them read the documents and then reviewed the maps on O'Neill's desk.
Quince read everything a 3d time, then stared up at O'Neill. In a very serious, quiet tone, "General, you've got it. This gives us the codes and location for Heur'ur's ship and his planet."
Stemke added, "But it's going to be dangerous, we could lose a lot of people."
Wo'tac finally took his eyes off the charts, "I am going with you, O'Neill of the Tauri."
Quince and Stemke stared at Wo'tac and then at O'Neill.
Quince asked, "General?"
Still staring at Wo'tac, "Yeah?"
"What does Wo'tac mean?"
O'Neill glanced at him, "What it sounds like, Colonel."
Stemke, "You can't go anywhere, you've got to lead the force. Sir."
Shrugging, "Sure I can."
As Quince and Stemke began to talk, O'Neill touched a button on the bracelet he always wore.
A light flashed over the room and everyone stopped talking. They looked at him.
Waving in the air, "It's a shield to stop anyone from overhearing us."
Another light flashed and Thor and Mayborne appeared.
Thor quietly asked, "You have found it?"
Equally as quiet, "Yeah. I want you to look at it."
Maybourne didn't say anything, he just picked up the papers and started reviewing them and handed them to Thor as he finished.
Finally he looked up, "How many fronts do you have out there?"
At everyone's glare, he added, "Sir."
Shrugging, "6."
Surprised, he nodded. "Yeah, that might do it."
Mayborne glanced down again, "As stupid as it is, sir, I know you're going out there. Whose remaining behind?"
He nodded at Quince, "He is."
Shocked, "Sir? I have to lead SG-12."
Shaking his head, "SG-12 is staying back. You know we'll need your team closer to the end."
Suddenly furious, "Goddamn it, General! We need to be out there, to get our teams out when the shit happens!"
Nodding, "You will be, but I'll need you here to run operations and work with Zembowski."
Stemke asked, "Me and my Seals are coming with you, that's why we've been going to the ships and different planets."
O'Neill nodded in confirmation, "Wo'tac is coming, as is SG-1."
Thor finally spoke up, "As am I."
O'Neill kneeled down in front of Thor to make them equal, "I need you to come in an hour after we're on his ship. First, I need you to take Bra'tac's Jaffa to the planet to go in with the Special Forces and infantry troops. I need you to put them on the planet using those codes, and then come to the ship. I'm hoping you'll be able to pull us off, before…"
Thor finally nodded, "Agreed."
CONTINUED IN CHAP 12