AN- Tissues at the ready, even I cried writing this one. It's been a long time since I did that when I wrote something so that gives a clue to how it's going to play out.

"As leaves fell from the trees,

She became a memory.

To a man who lost everything.

Forever doesn't mean anything,

It's just a promise that we make."

"Sleepless In Seattle." by The Strive.

Stepping up to the bed he looked down at the woman who lay covered by the blankets. She looked pale and her eyes didn't have their normal sparkle. He knew deep down this day was coming, his happiness was never meant to last. It was a universal constant, he was either dead of she was in the other realities, why should this one be any different.

"Hey you, you look a little better today." He smiled down at her when she opened her eyes and turned to him.

"Jack O'Neill, you're a rubbish liar but thanks for trying." Taking his hand and trying to squeeze his fingers without much success.

Just then the doctor stepped up to the bed and looked between her two most frequent patients. They didn't deserve this, neither of them. They had fought too hard and too long just to have it all snatched away by a chemical toxic. All of SG-1 had been affected, yet Cam, Daniel and Vala had all recovered with treatment. Sam was different, her body rejected the treatment the others had and all others had failed. No matter what they pumped into her it was no good. They had contact their allies but without success. The Tok'ra had said a symbiont would work but they were none available. Even if they did it was probably wouldn't arrive in time, hell it wouldn't arrive in time.

"Sam, how would you like to go home?" The doctor asked as she locked eyes with Sam and told her all she needed to without speaking.

"Why not, least I will be home when I," but didn't finish the sentence when she felt Jack's vice grip on her hand.

"I will arrange everything, give me half an hour and you can be on your way. Sir, you may want to make them calls now." Carolyn suggested as she looked at the sad eyes of the man opposite her.

Jack just nodded his head and looked at Sam. Watching the doc walk away he looked around the room before looking back at Sam.

"Let's go home, beds all made and we have ice cream." Jack choked out as he let go of Sam's hand and reached for the bag of clothes under her bed.

After helping her dress and into a wheelchair, he turned and found a row of blue as far as he could see. Men and women lined the corridor to the elevator all standing at attention. Moving slowly towards the elevator Sam smiled at each person, her final goodbye to them before leaving. The ride home was silent, Sam sat in the back with Daniel and Teal'c. Arriving at home Jack carried into the house and to bed, the boys as her honour guard. Daniel said goodbye first, Teal'c next. Jack lay down beside her and kissed her lips, pulling her close as she settled against him and gave up fighting. Her last breath ghosting his cheek as she left him for the last time.