After a week in the infirmary Frasier released them both with strict instructions to take it easy. Lalia had been assigned one of the many guest rooms the base had to offer, but Jack took her back to his own room. He had gotten used to sleeping next to her and wasn't inclined to stop now, especially as with each day that passed without contact from the Asgard he became more and more worried that at the end of the two weeks the NID would take her away. Hammond had also 'suggested' that he should get some of his unfinished paperwork done while he was unfit for active duty. So he would be spending the next week shut up in his office and would be unable to spend a lot of time her. He wasn't about to give up the nights spent with her in his arms.

He worried slightly about leaving her alone for so long during the day, but the rest of SG1 had rallied and had offered to spend time with her while he couldn't. Teal'c had even offered to bring down his TV and DVD and show her how to use it. Hammond had given him a strict 'no' when he had broached the idea of taking her outside to show her some of Earth, so he had asked Daniel to bring in some documentaries so that she could at least see some of the planet, even if it was only on the TV screen.

He was touched that his team mates were showing such affection for Lalia, they were really making an effort to make her feel welcome. Jack knew that Daniel had blabbed about his feelings for her, but that didn't make their efforts any less heartwarming.

He lay on the bed next to her on their first night out of the infirmary and kissed her fiercely, holding her as tightly as he could.

"You don't think the Asgard will come to help you?" she asked.

He shook his head "No, I'm sure they'll come, they always do. I just don't know if they'll get here in time"

"I still don't understand how they will be able to help"

"I'm not sure that they will, but it's the only thing we've got. The Asgard are a very technologically advance people who used the Gods from Earth's Nordic legends to communicate with us. Daniel is guessing that because there are signs of Asgard involvement on your planet, then maybe they have something to do with your, our, ability"

He rested his forehead against hers and sighed, enjoying having her body pressed against his. He was glad that they were finally alone.

"Lalia, if this doesn't come out as planned I won't let the NID take you away. We're gunna have to get you off this planet pretty quickly and I don't know if I'll be able to come with you. I'll try, but when the time comes, you might need to someone here to watch your back."

She stroked his hair and kissed him gently.

"Everything will be okay Jack"

He looked deeply into her eyes and took her face in his hands.

"But if it doesn't, I want you to know" he paused, his voice cracking slightly with emotion "I want you to know that I love you"

She laughed lightly and clasped his hand between her own.

"Jack, I have know that for some time"

He laughed too.

"I love you too Jack"

"I know" he laughed, truly happy for the first time in as long as he could remember.