So sorry everyone; this is a little, teeny, weeny chapter. I really didn't have time to write tonight but I didn't want to leave you hanging (or Jack either for that matter!), so here's something to keep you going. Sadly, I may not be able to update for a while as my family is coming to visit tomorrow!

So - will they or won't they?

Venora

Teal'c sat and watched his friend for hours. Daniel didn't move at all. He was deeply unconscious – so deeply that two or three times Teal'c checked to make sure he was still living.

It was early morning before Daniel began to stir. At first it was a slight twitching of his fingers, then his head started to move. Finally, Teal'c saw his eyelids flutter. A moment later Daniel opened his eyes.

It was obvious that at first he didn't know where he was or what had happened. He looked confused and then worried – until he turned his head and saw his friend sitting there. Instantly he relaxed. If one of his team was present, then everything had to be okay.

He fell back asleep almost instantly although he continued to move restlessly; the pain of his wound beginning to be felt even while sleeping.

It was a couple of hours more before he finally woke up, this time more fully. He looked over at his friend of many years and attempted to speak but his mouth was dry. Teal'c took the glass by the bed and helped him take a sip. Even the small movement sent pain shooting through his abdomen.

"Argh!" he cried breathlessly. "God damn it Teal'c – what happened." He closed his eyes trying to get back his equilibrium. Just the attempt to drink had made him almost pass out.

"Do you not remember my friend? You were stabbed by a woman at the place we stopped yesterday evening."

"A woman stabbed me?" Daniel asked, shocked. "Why would she do that?"

"She did not like your attentions, although she had clearly asked for them."

"My attentions? What are you saying Teal'c? I don't understand." The younger man was looking not only confused, but extremely perturbed at the thought of something that was just out of his grasp.

"Do not worry Daniel Jackson. It does not matter now. Now it is only for you to heal so that we may recover O'Neill"

"Yeah, I guess – and Sam – can't forget Sam either." Daniel's voice was beginning to fade. The pain was exhausting him and it was difficult to think.

"Yes – we must bring Major Carter back to face retribution."

"Huh? What Teal'c? What are you saying? I don't understand." He didn't like this – he didn't know what was happening, but something was clearly wrong.

"Major Carter was responsible for what has happened with O'Neill. She betrayed him."

"No, no Teal'c – Sam would never do that. She loves him, I know she does, even though she's seeing that guy – that – I can't remember his name. Why can't I remember Teal'c?" Daniel was becoming agitated and felt so sick. His head began to toss back and forth and a sweat had broken out on his face.

Teal'c reached over, a damp cloth in his hand, and started to gently wipe Daniel's face.

"Do not worry. Just rest my friend. There is time later to deal with what has happened. Sleep, and when you are better we will talk again."

It took a while, but finally Daniel fell back to sleep. Again, his friend, his comrade watched over him. If he could hold back the fever, the infection – and maybe approaching death – he would do so.

Matsya's Planet

"We can't Sam", he whispered and stepped back. It was probably the most difficult thing he'd ever done.

"I know", she answered, not moving, although every piece of her wanted to rush forward and take hold of him. Her nerves were quivering with desire and with love. She wanted him so badly – not to satisfy some physical urge – but to satisfy the deep longing within her.

They stood there, trying to gain control as the room became darker with the approach of night. They were both too frightened to attempt to go to bed. Their emotions, their bodies called out to each other.

Finally, Jack turned to walk to the bathroom. He had to get away – away from her, away from his desire; he could not take it anymore. The unfortunate thing – or maybe to them it wasn't unfortunate – was that he had to pass by Sam as he sought sanctuary. He moved carefully, not daring to touch her as he walked by - but his control was better than hers. As he moved, as he was almost past her, she couldn't help herself; she reached out and touched his arm.

That was all it took. It was like a match to dry kindling – they both ignited in a blaze of passion. The moment she touched him he turned and grabbed her, pulling her to him again. This time however, it was not in anger, but only in love.

This time – they fell on the bed and soon were wrapped around each other - but they could not get close enough, no matter how hard they tried.

Jack reached down and put his hand on her thigh. The feeling of soft skin, warm to the touch, drove him wild. He began to move his hand higher and higher until he felt the soft cotton of her shorts.

With a growl of frustration he reached until he felt the band around her waist. He tugged, but they were stuck. He tugged again, and this time she lifted her body so they would come off freely. Once they'd been removed, his hands moved back on their upward journey. Soon, his hand found, not warm flesh, but heat – the center core of her that was hot to his touch, hot with desire.

This time it was she who growled – a sound, a name – even she didn't know. She wanted him, she wanted him closer, deeper – but it was happening too slowly.

With another sound, this time a hum of longing, she moved. She took the lead and forced him back and down. Now it was her turn. She reached her hands into the waist of his pants – those pants that had driven her wild for weeks – and tried to push them down. They resisted; the tight leather adhering to his skin. She made a 'hmmph' of frustration and sat up, on her knees. With a look of total determination she put both hands in the pants and began to force them down.

"Watch out there", he laughed breathlessly. "you don't want to do any damage or this isn't going any farther tonight."

She looked at him briefly and grinned but continued to push. Part of the problem was the pants – but he wasn't helping – or at least his current state wasn't helping. He filled them out pretty tightly normally, now they were stretched to bursting.

"Here, let me help", he reached down to tug them off.

"Well finally! I thought you'd never offer." By the time the pants came off – and were thrown somewhere across the room – both of them were panting with desire.

Jack quickly reached down and tugged the tunic off Sam. Fortunately, it was loose and easy to remove. Now, they were nothing but flesh to flesh, no clothes, no inhibitions, no regulations – and certainly no hesitation – between them.

Although their desire for each other – their need to be as close as two humans can be – was flaming bright, they still spent time exploring and caressing each other. It was as if they knew that this might be the only time they would ever have this moment, this opportunity.

Jack couldn't believe the softness, the gentleness of the woman who lay beside him. He'd known she was sexy, and strong, and smart – and she could be tough – but tonight she was nothing but soft, warm womanhood. She enfolded him in a feeling of incredible desire but also of safety and comfort. It was what he had missed for so long. It was what he needed so desperately to make him whole again.

As he gently kissed her and caressed her – letting his tongue and his fingers stroke her body – he prayed that this memory would stay with him for a long, long time.

As Jack's fingers touched her skin, stroking her sides and her stomach and finally reaching the underside of her breasts, she knew that she had arrived. She had found what she had missed her whole life. At this moment, with this man, she felt truly alive and complete for the first time.

She moved her hands to his stomach and up, feeling the roughness and the hardness of his muscled body. She had forgotten about the chain and the rings so, when her hands stroked higher they ended up tugging the metal and pulling on his nipples. He groaned – not in pain – but in pleasure, the sensation like nothing he'd ever felt before.

For long minutes they continued their exploration; touching feeling, stroking – until finally they each moved to the center of the other. It was time – time to complete what had begun for them both so many years ago. Time to satisfy their desire, their longing – but more than that – it was time satisfy their love.

With a groan and a sigh he thrust into her. They were complete.