The Virus

Chapter 3

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Almost the moment she sat down for lunch someone down the other end of the camp began yelling something out. They were too far away for her to make out their words but when she looked to the gate and saw the wormhole engage all common sense left her. She leapt to her feet and ran with all she had towards the gate. She skidded to a halt just as people began appearing and she tried to control her breathing. Let it be him. Let it be him.

"Sam!" She flicked her gaze back briefly to see Daniel running towards her and then her eyes went straight back to the gate. They were military. This was a good sign. Five or six men were walking down the stairs but none were the Colonel, yet. She stared at the still open wormhole and began counting in her head. 1… 2… 3…

It was then that he appeared. His eyes locked on hers the moment he stepped through – it was as if he knew exactly where she was standing. A wave of dizziness washed over her and she stood rooted to the spot. Am I dreaming? With the current state she was in she wouldn't rule out hallucinations either.

"Major Carter," that lopsided grin. She managed to unglue her feet and she began walking towards him. They met somewhere in the middle and it took every tiny little ounce of self-control not to leap into his arms.

"I… uh… Hi!" She blinked rapidly and felt a blush rise to her cheeks at the stammering words that had just escaped her mouth.

"Get over here." He commanded. She let her weapon fall to her side once more, she hadn't even realized she was holding it. She supposed some part of her must have realized it wasn't necessarily friends coming through the gate. She took another step and all but fell into his arms.

"I thought I might never see you again." She mumbled against his vest. His arms crushed her to his chest. She wasn't sure but she could have sworn he just kissed the top of her head. She wrapped her arms tighter around his middle wishing she never had to let go. It wasn't until someone nearby cleared their throat that she finally managed to step away. She turned to see Daniel with his eyebrows raised in their direction.

"Danny boy! Good to see you." The Colonel nodded at the young man. He was acting casual but Sam could see he was incredibly relieved. He may whinge and moan about Daniel but Sam knew he truly cared for him, just as he cared for Teal'c and herself. They were a tight knit team and so far nothing had managed to tear them apart.

"Do you know where Teal'c is?" She asked, still feeling flustered after being wrapped in the arms of the man she had so desperately sought.

"Yes, he's on Chulak." Jack answered. Relief flooded through her.

"The whole team made it then huh?" Daniel smiled. "Shall we go eat our lunch now Sam?" He looked at her with on eyebrow raised. If I can tear you two apart. His look told her. She let out a small laugh and tried to step away from Jack but a hand held her back.

"What about me?" She glanced back up at the Colonel with a small smile on her face. Her smile fell when her eyes locked on his and she was trapped in the intensity of his gaze. Everything around her seemed to suddenly disappear while those eyes held hers. "Sam…" He started and then shook his head as if to clear it. "I'm hungry." He told her - instead of whatever else he had begun to say.

"Of course you are invited too." She told him. His fingers were still wrapped around her wrist and she looked at his hand and back up to his face, raising her eyebrows. He let go but she could see his reluctance. They had only just got each other back and the physical contact was reassuring. She walked alongside him 'accidentally' bumping into him now and again just to ensure he was still there. She couldn't very well walk and keep her eyes on him at the same time.

Lunch was a complete different story. She found her eyes gravitate towards him every few minutes. She was pleased to find he was doing the same thing. They were like long-lost lovers… apart from the whole lover part. They talked of menial things over lunch, they all seemed afraid to broach the subject of Earth. She knew they would have to eventually – but for now they were just satisfied to be back together.

"You guys should come back to Palla with me." She told them, looking from one to the other. "General Hammond will be more than pleased to see you both."

"Of course he will, we are his best team!" The Colonel's words were supposed to be funny but a strange wave of sadness enveloped her. They were his best team. Nothing would ever be the same again. They wouldn't be out there saving the world anytime soon. Everyone from Earth would have to find somewhere to permanently settle at some point. At the moment the count was just under a thousand people from Earth that were now scattered across five planets. The president was somewhere amongst the refugees. Would he still be their leader after all that had happened? Would they find an uninhabited planet and start fresh?

"Hey," the Colonel's elbow nudged her in the ribs. "Wakey, wakey." He gave her a grin.

"Sorry, what was that?" She had been vaguely aware of the two men talking while she dwelled on the loss of Earth in her mind.

"You should head back now, looks like your team is ready to go." Daniel pointed off to his left and she saw the three members of her team standing looking rather awkward.

"Crap," she muttered. She had actually forgotten she was in charge of them. "Hey," she called out with a smile. "Time to go!" She gathered together all she had brought and a hand reached down to pull her up. She didn't even have to look up to know it was his hand. He didn't let go immediately and discreetly ran a calloused thumb over the top of her hand before releasing it. She gave him a small smile in response and turned to ensure her team was following as they headed back to the gate.

TBC…