Sam looked at Jack's feverish form lying in the infirmary and was afraid. His condition had been steadily worsening for the better part of an hour. Janet, standing at Jack's side, met Sam's eyes, and the two women stared at each other, communicating almost telepathically.

Janet's expression told her all she needed to know. Sam turned on her heel and marched straight to Hammond's office.

If Hammond was surprised to see Sam, he didn't show it in the least. "Major," he nodded, as Sam sat in the chair across from him without waiting to be invited.

"Sir," she began. "I apologize for the interruption -"

Hammond held up his hand. "I know why you're here... And the answer is no. Not until we get more information on Col O'Neill's condition."

"But Sir -"

"Major," he said sternly, "I am aware of the Colonel's condition, and I know you want to help. But the situation is too precarious." The softness in his eyes tempered his words somewhat. "We can't risk something happening to you as well."

"But, Sir," she pressed, hearing the thin ice she was skating on cracking underneath her. "Returning to Gelna is the only way to get some answers."

"She may have a point, General," Daniel said as he sauntered into the room, Janet not far behind. Sam had never been so glad to see him.

Hammond ignored him and looked at Janet. "Any news, doctor?"

"His fever has been steadily increasing, and shows no signs of slowing down. His temperature is at 103 degrees already. He's moving in and out of consciousness, and I can find no physical explanation for it."

"None?"

"None, as in there is no organic cause for his illness. The best theory I can come up with is that Jack's physiology is too different from the Gelnans for the energy transfer to work properly."

"Is there any way to reverse this, doctor?"

"With no medical cause to account for his symptoms, no. The only thing that could help is going back to Gelna and getting more information on how these crystals work. That may help us find a way to reverse the process." Sam looked at her gratefully.

"General," Daniel said, "Maybe the Shelnars, the opposing faction, could help us."

"How? How do we even contact them?"

Daniel shrugged. "We'll think of something. I know it's not a palatable option to go back there, but I don't think we have much of a choice. If we don't take some sort of action..." He trailed off, afraid to see the horror on Sam's face his next words would've brought.

"I will escort Major Carter and Daniel Jackson and ensure their safety until we return," Teal'c said as he appeared in the room behind Daniel. "It is imperative we leave immediately."

Four pairs of eyes shifted expectantly toward Hammond. He groaned inwardly. But, their devotion to one another was one of the reasons SG1 was his flagship team.

He tried to look stern. "Major Carter. You will contact the SGC every two hours. And if there is the slightest sign of danger, SG1 is to return immediately. Immediately. Do you understand?"

Hope lit up Sam's face, and Hammond suppressed an indulgent smile.

"Yes, Sir! Thank you Sir!" And Sam bolted from the room, followed quickly by her friends.

* * *

She had a few minutes before their departure, so she stole back into the infirmary to check in on Jack. It was unusually quiet and empty at the moment, which Sam was thankful for. The less curious eyes, the better.

Standing inside the curtain that separated them from the world, Sam approached Jack's bed. Sam's heart broke.

He was asleep, face flushed and feverish, fitful in his sleep. He looked so weak, and Sam could not stop herself from gently stroking his cheek. The second she touched his skin, he seemed to calm down noticeably. Jack sighed gently.

She didn't bother trying to fight the tears welling up in her eyes.

Until Jack woke up.

"Carter?" he said quizzically, hoarsely, and for the 2nd time she jerked her hand away from his face as if she'd been bitten.

"Sir?"

"Put your hand back." He squinted at her. "And don't cry for me. I'm going to be fine."

"I know, Sir." She gave him a brave smile. "I'll make sure of it." She stroked his cheek again.

"Oh yeah?" he said dreamily, leaning into her hand. "How do you figure?"

"Because I'm going back."

For as weak as Jack was, he exhibited surprising strength and dexterity when he instantly grabbed the hand that had been on his cheek. For a second he looked crazed. Sam realized it was fear.

"No Sam. No. Under no circumstances are you to go back there."

It was a moment before Sam responded; she had seen her CO enraged, determined, sarcastic. Never once had she seen him afraid until this moment. "Sir. There's a very good chance the Shelnars have the other set of crystals. If I can convince - "

"NO!" Jack said, mustering up all his strength to yell his reply. His grip on her hand tightened.

"Sam. You don't understand. You don't know what's in his head. You don't know."

"Sir - "

"Jack," he insisted, looking pained.

"Jack," she started again.

"He's evil!" Jack started to look panicky. "I felt his emotions every time he looked at you. He'll hurt you if he gets half a chance. Please don't go!"

Tears welled up again in her eyes. She knew he was afraid - she could almost feel it. She briefly considered lying to him, telling him she would stay back. But that was futile, and she knew it. Jack would know she was lying. And even if he wouldn't have, she couldn't bring herself to tell him a lie. Even a merciful one.

"I know you're afraid, Jack," she said softly. "And I'm afraid too. But I'm even more afraid of something happening to you." She choked on a sob, resolutely meeting his eyes. "I can't lose you.... can't."

"Sam." He pulled her down toward him until they were face to face. "Please." His eyes, filled with fever and pleading, were almost more than Sam could take. She leaned forward and put her arms around him, holding him gently so she wouldn't hurt him in his weakened state.

Jack nuzzled his face into her neck and relaxed somewhat. "Promise me you won't go."

Sam squeezed her eyes shut and held him a bit tighter. She didn't respond.

"Sam."

Still no response. He pulled back from her and stared. "Promise me you won't go."

She met his eyes, not bothering to blink back her tears. "I'll be safe," she promised, seeing fresh panic in his eyes. "Daniel and Teal'c will be with me," she said in a rush. "You know they won't let anything happen to me. We have to do everything we can to help you."

"I don't give a damn about myself!" he yelled, voice rising several decibels. "I only care about keeping you safe. Ever since you were injured on that other fucking planet -"

"What?" She couldn't follow.

"I wasn't able to protect you! I should've been able to protect you!" In one quick, swift movement, he managed to sit up and throw his arms around Sam in a vice grip. She struggled against it. "Sir - Jack -"

"No," he said calmly. "I'll be damned if I can't protect you now." His grip was more like a bear hug now. He pressed Sam's head onto his shoulder and relaxed, though his arms were still unyielding.

"It'll be okay now," he murmured. "I've got you. Now you're safe."

Janet appeared from out of nowhere. Sam met her with tearful eyes. Nodding understanding, she approached them and swiftly plunged the syringe she was holding into Jack's arm.

"What the hell are you doing?" he tensed up, fury in his voice.

"I'm sorry Sir, but you need to relax."

Jack looked at the both of them, betrayal flashing in his eyes. "Sam..."

Still in his arms, Sam stopped struggling and allowed him to hold her. "I'm sorry, Jack," she whispered, kissing his hot forehead. "I'm so sorry."

His eyes were already clouding over. "Please, Sam," he begged weakly. "Please don't go." Slowly, his grip loosened as he lost the fight against the sedative. Janet gave Sam a sympathetic look and quietly left the room, giving them some privacy.

"I'll be back. I promise."

"Stay. Please," Jack whispered, the drug taking him under.

Sam held him until he was asleep, then settled him gently back into the bed.

Sam kissed his forehead again. "I love you, Jack," she whispered, overcome with how much she loved this man. "I love you."

Saying it lifted a burden from Sam's heart. He couldn't hear her or understand her, but it was a comfort to say it nonetheless.

Sam walked slowly from the room, but was too far away to hear Jack whisper the same words back to her in his sleep.