AN: A few more chapters to go, I'm not sure exactly how many. Trying to hash out the next story I want to write. It's not the same one I was thinking a little while ago. But who knows, I could easily change my mind again. Could do the sequel to this, a couple other stories, or the prequel to Xel'naga has popped up in my mind again. Unfortunately I have long since lost all my notes for that story, so I'd pretty much have to figure that all out from scratch. *Sigh*

Olivia sat in the chair, pouring over Jack's recent words. It had felt good to hear even if she couldn't completely accept his premise. Surely she should have known better, done things differently. Was it really so unrealistic to expect that of herself? She could have nipped this thing in the bud a long time ago.

Then she wouldn't have had to hear that scream. That gunshot.

But Jack had spoken with total conviction. Against it, Olivia felt her own arguments hang limp. She had learned about him too on that ship. Certainly enough to realize that if he really didn't trust her she would never have been sent out into those woods with them. The revelation hurt, because she still didn't really understand what she had done to earn his faith.

At first she had taken the awkwardness and distance during their long stay in the waiting room as further evidence that he blamed her squarely. Now, after watching his face, she realized he had been filled with regret. Allowing her that first watch over Sam had been his way to begin repairing the rift, as well as maintain her sanity.

This revelation hurt too, an uncomfortable pang of emotion as she realized Jack was treating her as one of his own.

"Olivia?" Sam said weakly. Her tone was laced with concern. Olivia started, having been too consumed with her thoughts to notice Sam had awoken.

She smiled brightly at Sam. "Hey, how are you feeling?"

"What's wrong?" Sam asked, ignoring the question. She gazed at Olivia intently.

"Nothing," Olivia said with a small shake of her head. "Just trying to figure out that colonel of yours."

Sam's lips curled slightly, the barest hint of a smile. "Good luck. I've been trying to do that for years."

"Reassuring," Olivia commented, joking.

The moment quickly evaporated. Sam's face lost any sign of humor and she stared up at the ceiling. Olivia took Sam's hand into her own and rested her forehead against it. After a moment Olivia placed a small kiss on her knuckles.

"I'm here," Olivia said, inviting the other woman to talk. She looked at Sam hopefully, but Sam was still gazing up. The silence went on. Olivia was the one to break it, speaking tentatively. "You really believe this is all real now?"

Daniel had told them all about his conversation with Sam, that she seemed to lean that way. And that she was holding a lot of guilt.

Sam shrugged slightly. "There's no real reason that I should... But, I do. Kind of wish it weren't, though."

Olivia was confused, not really understanding why Sam would want to still be stuck in that hell. Sam finally looked down at her, smiling wryly as she clarified. "I wish I could change things."

Olivia shook her head. "It's a nice sentiment, but you were just doing what you thought was right."

"I wasn't thinking," Sam said.

"You were drugged," Olivia replied. And she remembered Sam's condition quite clearly. Hell, she'd never forget. It was no wonder she wasn't really thinking. There was no doubt in her mind that Sam simply couldn't.

Sam's eyes closed, unable to maintain eye contact as she spoke. Her voice was pitifully quiet. "I can't believe I shot him."

Olivia would have reassured her, but her throat clamped shut. The memory of that moment was simply too profound for her. She looked down at the floor as tears filled her eyes, quickly spilling forth. Olivia swiped them away with one hand, but more simply fell.

"Olivia?" Sam rolled onto her side, resting her free hand on Olivia's arm. The gesture elicited a muted sob from Olivia. "What is it?"

"I'm sorry," Olivia said. It was hard to find her voice. She continued on, unable to censor herself. "I just... God. I heard it, and I thought... I couldn't..."

Olivia trailed off, words failing her. Sam's hand went to her face, gently lifting Olivia's chin until they were looking at each other. Sam's own eyes were filled with tears. "Olivia. I am so sorry."

It took little for Sam to beckon her. Olivia came forward, collapsing into Sam's arms. Her face buried against Sam's neck. Sobs continued for quite some time as Sam simply held her tight. They slowly died down until there was only silence.

"I didn't mean to drop that on you," Olivia said. She was supposed to be helping Sam, not the other way around. Olivia pulled away. Sam grasped her arm before she could get far.

"I hate that I put you through that."

Olivia shook her head. "Please don't blame yourself. I don't."

"I involved you in the first place," Sam replied. Apparently that was enough in her mind.

"I'm glad you did," Olivia told her. Sam frowned at her admission. "It would have been even worse to only be able to hear about this after the fact. It would kill me not to be able to help you somehow."

Sam thought about it. And she gave a soft smile. "And I can't ever thank you enough for what you did."

Olivia returned the smile. "Every time."