Next chapter! Thank you to my faithful readers and reviewers. I'll try for one more chapter tonight if people want - please let me know and I'll get it posted.

Sounds and images all rolled into one. Feelings and emotions joined in – one moment happiness, joy – the next sadness and despair. Boredom, irritation, delight, wonder, curiosity – all moving in and out, a fleeting sense of everything coming and going. Sounds of voices, of laughter, tears, anger – all joined with sounds of wind and waves, birds and animals, guns and bombs, screams and shouts. The feeling of flight – of rolling and speeding faster than sound, faster than light through the air, through space; the feeling of stillness, quietness, the rocking of a chair. The sense of wonder in learning; the feeling of joy in the presence of new life. Touching, holding, playing, hitting, grabbing, fighting – the sensations overwhelming.

Making love, caressing and being caressed. Ecstasy, intense physical fulfillment and joy; torture, pain indescribable; humiliation, agony, loneliness – it didn't stop. One feeling, one sound, one emotion all rolling to the next without sense of place or time. It could have been a moment; it could have been a lifetime.

It would have been terrifying, frightening, crushing, except for one thing, except for the presence of the Other.

The Other was always there, always steadying, strengthening, giving courage. The Other loved completely, selflessly and made all bearable. It was impossible to say who the Other was – it was impossible to say who you were. There was a complete lack of sense of self – and yet, at the same time, a completeness, a sense that self was becoming whole. The Other was part of you and you were part of him or her.

Images began to appear – scenes from some other time, some other place. Walking into a room and seeing him sitting at the table – the one you had admired, dreamed about. Instantly it changed, you were the one sitting and in walked the other, a beautiful woman, a scientist – you had no time for them, but she was beautiful.

Being taken over by her, by Jolinar – no, it was Kanaan – the loss of sense of self. Again, the Other was there, helping with the remembrance, the memories and the pain.

The loss of your mother, your son, your wife, your father – the pain almost unbearable – but always the Other was present.

The finding of love, the wonder, the joy – but also the pain. The rules, the timing, the fear all crowding out the love. Looking elsewhere – the man who was kind, but not like the Other – no, the woman, beautiful, fun – but not the Other. Not complete, not whole.

Finally, a sense of peace. Wholeness, completeness, self revealed. Astonishment that life was so good, that life was full of possibilities, of joy, of endless hope and wonder. The beginnings of separateness, but the understanding that to be whole was now to be joined with the Other.

He became aware, once again, of who he was. But now, he knew he was no longer alone. Sam was with him for always, truly a part of him. He had seen and heard and experienced her life, her very being, and she had done the same with him. Never could he have imagined the feeling of joining. It was beyond any human words or comprehension. He knew that what they had experienced, what they had been given was a miracle for which he would forever give thanks.

Now that he knew who he was he reached out to her with his mind and his heart. He called to her although there was still no sound, no movement in the chamber in which they lay.

"Sam, Sam. Are you there?"

"Yes, I'm here Jack. I … I can't, I don't … it's amazing! Thank you my love, thank you for bringing me here, for loving me."

The two lovers continued to communicate with each other, without words, without sounds, because they no longer needed them. They were able to talk with their hearts. What they said does not need to be spoken – it was between them, but it was beautiful – two lost souls coming together.

They shared with each other – simply learning to be together as one, joined for eternity. Eventually, they started to think outside of themselves and wonder what was happening in the world outside their love.

A picture suddenly appeared to both of them. Together they could see, as if they were there – a fleet of ships heading for earth.

"What is it Jack?"

"It's the Ori – heading to earth."

For a while the two shared the vision, watching as the enemy approached.

"What do we do? Can we do anything?"

"I don't know – I guess maybe it's time to return – but I don't want to. I don't want to leave here. I just want them to turn around and go. Why don't they leave earth, leave this galaxy?"

Together they imagined the Ori ships turning and going, heading away from earth.

"I guess we should return?"

"Yes – but Sam – I don't think we're actually awake. I don't quite know how to move, to get out of here."

"Uh – me either. Can you communicate with the aliens?"

"I'll try – but I think we should do it together. I think you can too now Sam – I think you have all the abilities I do."

"You mean I can speak Ancient and everything?"

"Well, let's see," he began speaking to her in Ancient."

"Yes, I love you too Jack and thank you – I'm glad you like my long legs! So I can understand. Does that mean we now have each other's abilities?"

"Yeah, I think so. Hey, that must mean I'm a genius now. Sweet!"

"Oh no!"

"What?"

"I draw the line at hockey and the Simpsons! I will not become obsessed with those."

"Ha! Don't think you have any choice. Hey, this gets better and better. We can have Simpson's Marathons and drink beer and eat pizza. What a life!"

"Yes. But Jack!"

"Whaaaat?", he asked suspiciously

"Now you get to come with me to all my astrophysics conferences and I've got some great magazines you're just going to love!"

"Aack! Okay – you don't have to like the Simpson's that much!"

"So, any ideas on how to get out of here?"

"Let's try it. Together let's see if we can call our alien friends."

So together, with minds in total harmony – they called out to the aliens. There was no answer.

"Okee dokee, so I guess we just stay here for a while. Any ideas on what we can do."

"Jack, I'm starting to feel something."

"What – what is .. wait, so am I. My toes are tingling."

"Mine too – and the feeling seems to be going up my legs. I think maybe we're waking up."

Soon both of them became aware of their surroundings. They gradually (and at precisely the same moment) opened their eyes.

The space in the chamber was tight and the light low. They were wrapped around each other; Sam's arms around his waist, his arms and legs wrapped around her. They looked at each other and both broke into huge smiles.

"Well, I gotta say, that was simply the most incredible, amazing thing ever. I can't believe it Sam – when they mean joining, they really mean joining."

"I agree – this is incredible – thank you! Thank you for not giving up, for making me come with you, for loving me and for joining with me."

"Yeah – well about that ….", and, looking deeply into her eyes for a moment, he slowly moved towards her and gently kissed her.

For a while, the kiss remained gentle and tentative. Soon, however, it moved from there to a whole new realm the two had not yet experienced together. The kiss deepened, their tongues touching, playing.

Jack, his arms still around her, carefully lifted her shirt, feeling her soft, velvet skin. His breathing began to speed up, his heart to pound. Feeling her acceptance, he began to pull her shirt up. Removing it completely, he continued to caress her, feeling the most incredible sensations, like nothing he had ever felt.

For the two humans, now joined, the physical expression of their love became something more. It was as if they could feel each other's pleasure along with their own. The feelings were not just doubled, however. They were so intense, so profound that there were no words to describe them. Fortunately, they did not need words. Their souls and bodies were in harmony.

Although the space was small they were able to maneuver enough to divest themselves, and each other, of all their clothing. They came together – completely – joined together now in body as well as in heart and soul.

Crying out together, in ecstasy, they once again looked into each other's eyes. Smiling, a smile of complete understanding, tenderness, passion and love, they rested in each other's arms, finally sleeping – together at long last.