AN: Chapter ho. Might have another one to post tonight... we'll see how it goes. No reviews in a while. *peers into the screen* Is anyone still reading this?

Daniel took his turn watching over Sam. Janet wouldn't let them all in at the same time, as much to keep them all out of her way as to do what she could to force them to do basic things like sleep and eat. He wasn't sure how successful her edict was, his own sleep had been fitful and he had only managed to pick at the food he had gotten in the cafeteria. He couldn't even remember what he had scooped onto the plate.

Sam had regained some color, though the improvement was rather marginal. Physically, she didn't appear much better than when they had found her. But Daniel still felt the beginnings of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Because she had opened her eyes. Briefly, yes. It was still a clear sign of improvement. One he refused to dismiss. Instead, he embraced it fully. Sam was getting better, and she would continue to do so.

And as if to punctuate his point he heard a soft moan. More an exhale of air than any real sound. Daniel stood up, watching Sam's face intently. For several minutes there was nothing but the occasional moan, each a little stronger than the last, and a slight furrowing of her brow. Daniel his hand around her own. Her fingers squeezed around it briefly.

"That's it, Sam," Daniel encouraged gently. "Open your eyes, ok?"

When her lids slowly opened, Daniel's smile became full and genuine.

"Hey there," he greeted in a soft tone.

Sam blinked slowly, her gaze unfocused. He let her gain her bearings. Finally she was looking at him rather than through him.

"Daniel," she croaked. Her voice was cracked and hoarse.

"Hold on." Daniel filled a small cup from a nearby pitcher. With one hand he raised her head slightly, guiding the straw to her lips. Sam took a small sip before pulling away. He lowered her head back to the pillow and set aside the cup.

She closed her eyes and Daniel was afraid she had already fallen unconscious again. But she soon spoke again, her voice a little clearer. "Where are we?"

"Still in New York," Daniel replied. He didn't know if she cared which town, and to his chagrin he couldn't rightly say. His mind had been too occupied to absorb such mundane information.

Her eyes opened again, but she stared straight up at the ceiling. The gears were clearly turning behind her eyes. She frowned.

"Sam?"

"What did I do?"

Uncomfortable, Daniel bit his lip briefly. And he stalled. "What do you remember?"

"I'm not sure. It's all jumbled." Sam paused, seeming to pour over the images in her head. "Driving. Olivia was... No, I was? I can't... I can't..."

A hand slid up to her forehead, gripping against the pain blossoming there. She grew more and more frantic, and Daniel looked on helplessly as he watched her pulse rise, plainly displayed on the monitors. He took her shoulder.

"It's ok, Sam. Calm down. You need to give it time." He tried his best to comfort her.

Sam took several shaky breaths. Her pulse evened out, sending a wave of relief through Daniel, but she was still clearly unsettled. Sam bit her lip before she spoke again.

"It's all real, isn't it?"

Daniel nodded slowly, taking a breath of his own. "It is, Sam. They gave you some pretty powerful drugs, but they're working out of your system. But you are home now."

He hoped she believed his words. If it would help, he'd tell her a hundred more times.

"I couldn't really think," Sam said.

"You were drugged," Daniel replied. "No one blames you for what you did."

His words seemed to spark some memory in her. "The Colonel was here earlier, wasn't he?"

"Yeah," Daniel said. "You woke up briefly. You remember that?"

Sam shook her head. "Not really. But... He was wearing a sling." She was trying very hard to remember. "When did he get hurt?"

And they were back to the topic Daniel wanted so desperately to forget about. Just what the hell should he say? He wasn't about to lie to her, and not just because she'd probably remember in time. She'd find out eventually, one way or another, and he knew forgiveness for that kind of deceit would be hard to attain.

Unfortunately, his indecision spoke volumes to her. "I did that?"

"It's not that bad," Daniel said quickly. "The bullet missed everything."

Sam's eyes widened. "Bullet? I shot him?"

He mentally kicked himself. Wasn't he supposed to be the tactful one among them? Where was his mastery of language now?

Daniel took her hand again. "It wasn't your fault. You didn't mean to."

But she was fighting tears now. With great effort, Sam rolled on her side. Away from him. His hand withdrew reluctantly.

"Sam?" he said.

Her voice was quiet. "I'm tired."

Daniel wanted to protest. However, he also knew what a mistake that would be. Now was not the time to push her. He sighed weakly, but he refused to go silently. Daniel poured every ounce of conviction into his words.

"It's not your fault."