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

Cameron had just taken a bite of his club sandwich when the call came over the PA making his blood run cold.

"Lieutenant Colonel Mitchell and Dr. Jackson please report to the infirmary. Lieutenant Colonel Mitchell and Dr. Jackson please report to the infirmary."

Mitchell swallowed the food and leapt to his feet. The little bit he'd consumed already turning to a painful knot in his stomach as his heart rate accelerated.

"It could be good news."Daniel stated as he walked around the table.

As Mitchell took off at a run Daniel wasn't sure he'd even heard him.

********

Cameron entered the infirmary to find everyone already there. His heart hammered almost painfully in his chest as he looked from Beckett to Lam and back again.

"What's going on?"Cameron asked doing his best to keep his voice calm and even and failing miserably.

"We just finished the new anti-virus."Carolyn explained as she motioned to the hypodermic needle Carson held. "We've been given the go ahead to administer it."

"It'll work?"Cameron inquired as he exchanged an anxious glance with the rest of his team

"It's our best chance, lad."Beckett replied as he moved away from the table.

"Do it."O'Neill ordered quietly.

Beckett nodded and everyone followed the two doctors to the isolation room.

For the first time in a long time Cameron sent off the only prayer he knew.
The one his grandmother had taught him so many years before.

Cameron could only hope it'd be enough to keep his family intact.

*********

It took an excruciatingly long ten minutes for Beckett to get suited up.
So long that Mitchell volunteered to go in without the suit which earned a warning glare from Landry.

Cameron retreated to his familiar spot by the window. He felt the rest of his team gather behind.
Out of the corner of his left eye Cameron saw and felt Vala place a hand on his shoulder.

Cameron swallowed hard as he saw Beckett prick Sam's skin and inject the anti-virus. He winced in sympathy as he saw Sam's body convulse sharply and rise off the table. Sam convulsed again and Carolyn moved to help Beckett steady their patient.
From the monitor by Sam's bed Cameron could see that her heart rate was erratic.

"It's not working."Vala whispered.

Daniel who had been reading the body language between the two physicians shook his head. "No, it is. From what I read people on Atlantis had a violent reaction before it took hold and moved through their system."

"The cure is worse than the illness."Jack commented from Daniel's right.

Jackson nodded. "Something like that….except of course in Keller's case."

Cameron swallowed hard his right hand forming into a fist as he watched the two doctors for any sign.
Waiting for any sign that it had worked.

Finally Sam's body relaxed. Her head lolled back against the pillow.

Carson met the group's anxious gaze and nodded.

Cameron sagged with relief as he leaned against the window sill for support.
He smiled at Beckett.
Silently conveying his gratitude.

Beckett and Lam stepped through the protective doors and out into the hall
They had already changed leaving the suits in the small segway

"The anti-virus has worked."Carson confirmed as he approached the others. "She's not out of the woods yet. Once her vitals become more stable and her body has a chance to heal we'll be able to bring her out of the coma."

Cameron stepped forward extending a hand to Beckett.

"Thank you."Mitchell stated sincerely as the Scott gripped his hand.

"You are welcome, lad."Beckett replied just before his legs gave out.

"Doc!"Mitchell exclaimed with concern as Carolyn moved to the other side of Beckett to catch him.

"I'm alright."Carson assured them as Teal'c moved to the take Beckett's weight from Lam and Mitchell. "Just tired."

Carolyn glanced at Teal'c. "Help me get him to the infirmary."

The former Jaffa nodded and followed Lam out into the main hallway.

The others followed except for Cameron who lingered by the window.

Jack moved to stand next to the younger man.

With a sharp intake of breath Cameron decided to bite the preverbal bullet.
He knew Jack wasn't hanging around for nothing.
The man suspected he was just waiting for confirmation.
If this was Cameron's last day in this uniform it'd be worth it.

"Sir, I….."

"You'll take care of her?"Jack asked quietly the faintest hint of sadness in his voice.

"Always."Cameron promised not risking a glance away from the window.

"Good."Jack replied as he stepped away. "She's been an important part of my life and deserves some happiness."

"General."Cameron called as he turned away from the window halting Jack a few feet from the doorway. "What about the regs?"

Jack cast a sideways glance. "It's not interfering with gate ops is it?"

"No, Sir."

"Make sure it stays that way."Jack replied as he moved once again toward the door.

"Yes, Sir."Cameron acknowledged as he let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

Cameron looked back at Sam's still form and smiled. For the first time in a long time hope for the future worked it's way into his heart.
It wasn't going to be easy....Cameron knew that.
Anything worth having never was.....but they'd endured this far they'd weather whatever else life threw at them.

"I love you, Sam."Cameron whispered as he rested his hand on the glass briefly before turning and walking out into the main hall.

epilog to follow :)