The Al'Kesh clawed its way up through the atmosphere, engines straining at maximum thrust to escape the planet's gravity. A swarm of Death Gliders chased after it, cannon blasts bouncing harmlessly off the larger ship's shields.

Inside, Teal'c sat alone at the ship's controls, straining to draw every last bit of power from the engines; Matthew knelt next to Daniel in the cargo hold, holding his father's hand while Daniel administered what first aid he could. Even Matthew could tell, though - his dad would require better care, and fast, if he were to have a chance of surviving.

But first they had to escape the planet.

And they were nearly there. Just a few more seconds and they would be able to activate the hyperdrive.

Then, just as success seemed certain, a Ha'tek swept out across the planet's horizon, directly in front of them. Teal'c swerved, sending Matthew and Daniel sprawling across the cabin floor, and pushed the engines still harder, sending the ship toward the only escape route still available, but the engines, already overstrained, had nothing left to give. The Ha'tek easily outmaneuvered them; they were cut off.

There was no escape.

Then, in a flash of white, shuddering under the force of its rapid deceleration, a Daedalus-class deep space carrier swept out of hyperspace, coming to rest directly between them and the other ship. It glowed with the strength of its shields; its sides bristling with open gun ports.

But those were nothing compared to the voice which came clear and cold as ice over the open communications channel. "This is Colonel Samantha Carter, of the USS George Hammond, to the unknown Alliance Ha'tek. I'd suggest you stand-down immediately. Unless, of course, you'd like to find out just how quickly this ship - which has access to an Asgard core - can reduce your ship to ashes."

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

He drifted slowly out of deep, drug-induced sleep.

His mouth was dry. His head felt like it had been stuffed with cotton.

He opened his eyes. He was lying in a hospital bed in a darkened infirmary - an earth cruiser infirmary. He couldn't tell which one, but he could make a pretty good guess.

His left side hurt. Badly. But his right…

Matthew, freshly washed and wearing a clean ACU undershirt that dwarfed his small frame, lay sleeping soundly in the bed next to him, curled against Jack's right side. He carefully tucked the blanket back up around his sleeping son.

And let the drugs carry him back to sleep.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

The second time he woke, his head felt a bit clearer. His side hurt a little less badly. But Matthew still lay asleep next to him.

"Hey."

He looked away from Matthew to find Sam sitting in a chair next to his bedside. "Hi." She was dressed in her duty uniform, a few hairs fallen loose around her cheeks. She'd come directly to his bedside at the end of her day.

"How do you feel?" she asked.

"It hurts like hell."

She pointed to the switch on the IV line next to him. "They've got you on a PCA. Again. Morphine."

"Mhmmm… Morphine."

She smiled slightly at his Homer impression, but grew quickly serious. "This is getting old, Jack." There was no accusation in her tone, simply deep exhaustion.

"I know." He followed her gaze to the child sleeping tucked against his side.

"He wouldn't leave you."

"I'm glad you didn't make him."

"Never."

He looked back up at her, at the worry etched into her face which even having them both back couldn't completely erase. "We need to talk," he said.

She smiled then, not with joy but relief. "I know…"