*Waves* Thanks to those who encouraged me to finish this one and to continue writing. :) Much appreciated. :)
Stardust is nearly complete so I'll post the final chapters shortly. Enjoy.

Possible tissue alert :)

Title: Stardust
Author: CindyRyan
Pairings: Sam/Cam established.
Notes and summary: See part one

"What the hell do you mean you have nothing!"

The clone of Carson Beckett did his best not to wince at the venom and anger in Cameron Mitchell's voice.

Carolyn took a step towards Mitchell as the rest of SG-1, O'Neill and Landry hung back by the far wall of the infirmary.

Cameron ignored Carolyn's gentle hand on his arm.

"Mitchell, let the man talk."Jack ordered quietly

"I never said….."Beckett began once more but Mitchell's angry step forward cut the Scott off.

"Sure sounded like it!"Cameron shouted his hands clenching at his sides. He was beyond caring about his career at this point. All he could see was Sam and the pain she was in. Having Sam in his life and healthy was the only thing that mattered.

"You've been here for over twelve hours you should have something more than a theory by now!"

"Cam."Carolyn said gently as she tugged lightly on Mitchell's arm.

Finally Cameron looked down at the dark haired doctor and nodded grimly allowing her to move him to the side of the room.

Carson paused for a moment to gather his thoughts. He was used to dealing with John Sheppard or Rodney when they were upset and angry so Cameron Mitchell's reaction was nothing new.

"Colonel, we are making progress I assure you."Beckett stated quietly.

"Not enough."Mitchell muttered.

"We've determined that this is a completely unique strain than from what infected Atlantis. It has become something new which means starting from scratch with the anti-virus. We don't know why Colonel Carter was affected this way and right now it does not really matter.

Dr. Lam and I are working to come up with a new anti-virus that will work on this strain. We've had several successful simulations."

"But."Jack prompted from his spot between Landry and Daniel.

Beckett met the General's gaze. "But when we run the successful simulations against a mock up of Colonel Carter's blood the anti-virus fizzles. It's almost as if the cells in Colonel Carter's body have created a shield keeping any enemies out."

"How do we break the shield?"Daniel asked quietly his arms folded across his chest.

Lam and Beckett exchanged a glance.

"Unfortunately all we can do at this point is trial and error."Carolyn replied knowing it wasn't what they wanted to hear but it was all they had.

Cameron stalked to the center of the room and stood toe to toe with Beckett.

Everyone tensed; Jack, Daniel, Landry and Teal'c all moved away from the wall waiting to intervene.

"Colonel."Landry warned.

Carson met Mitchell's gaze unwavering waiting for Cameron to speak.

Cameron kept his hands carefully at his sides.

"You're supposed to be the best."Mitchell stated quietly each word controlled and even. "You're supposed to know Michael's work inside and out. You fix her….you make her better."

Cameron spun on his heel and left before anyone could say another word.

O'Neill cleared his throat as he looked at the doctors. "I want an update every hour."

"Understood."Carolyn replied as Carson nodded.

The group dispersed leaving Beckett and Lam alone in the empty infirmary.

Carson moved quickly to the bank of computers that had been set up.

"I want to run that last simulation again."Beckett stated quietly. "I think we had the most success with that."

Carolyn joined him hoping against hope that they might win this one.

*********

Cameron placed his right hand against the glass of the isolation room. He'd come straight here after the meeting in the infirmary.
Needing to see Sam.

A nurse had recognized him and had offered to help him into the bulky suit once more. Cameron had shaken his head not trusting his voice.

The nurse had nodded in understanding and left.

For some reason the nurse's departure had made Cameron feel guilty. It wasn't as if he didn't want to be as close to Sam as he could.
He did….God he did.
More than anything Cameron wanted to be in that room suit or no suit and hold Sam's hand…touch her face.
Tell her that she was the most important thing in his life.
To beg her to hold on

Mitchell felt tears sting his eyes and he blinked them away. He stared at Sam's beautiful face…….her skin was paler now if possible. She almost blended into the white sheets.

Cameron heard his breath catch and he rested his forehead against the glass almost even with the hand that still rested there.

He knew now…..what love was. How much it captured your soul.

Cameron thought he'd been close to love a few times before but he realized now that had been nothing more than over heated lust…..nothing that compared to what he had with Sam.

The friendship.
The trust.
The forever thing.

"Don't you quit on me, Sam."Cameron whispered though he knew she couldn't hear him through the thick glass. "I know I was a fool for not acting on what we had sooner. I know I've wasted too much time…..but you promised you'd always be there and I'm holding you to that."

After a long moment Cameron composed himself and pushed away from the window. He stared at Sam once more before turning and leaving.