A/N: Hey everyone. First of all, thanks everyone for your get well wishes. I'm glad to say that I'm finally out of the hospital due to that whole Dengue Fever thing and am resting at home. Figured I'd try and get another chapter in for this story based on Threads (SG:SG1). Hope you all like it.
The Temple at Dakara, Present time.
"Woah" said Willow as a blue energy wave washed over everyone that was in the temple.
"Look!" shouted Faith as she pointed at the replicators that the energy wave had washed over.
"Neat" said Dawn as the mechanical bugs simply disintegrated after the wave passed over them.
The small group in the temple ran over to the stairs that led down from the top of the temple and looked on as the wave disintegrated every single replicator as far as the eyes could see. Even the ship that brought the replicators to the surface of Dakara had been reduced to its component blocks. They watched the wave expand as it went up into the sky, and a portion of it went through the Stargate as the event horizon rippled. Eventually the wave had dissipated away and all they were left with was a sea of grey coloured blocks that lay unmoving on the red coloured ground of Dakara.
"Wow" said Dawn as she scanned the surroundings when everyone turned to sounds that were coming from small enclaves all over the immediate area of the temple.
"The Jaffa outposts" said Rak'nor as she walked to the edge of the stairs and smiled, "they are celebrating. It is over."
"Yes" said Willow as she looked into the sky and smiled before looking at the Colonel.
"It's over" said Colonel Carter, "the replicator invasion of the galaxy is over. Every Stargate in the galaxy has been activated and the wave went through each and everyone until the entire galaxy was covered in the energy wave."
"There are still replicators out there, in other galaxies" said General Carter as he bent down and grabbed a handful of blocks, "but the ones in this galaxy are gone."
"Colonel Carter" said Teal'c over the radio.
"Teal'c" said the Colonel, "all the replicators have been destroyed."
"Indeed" said Teal'c, "we are in the process of retaking the replicator controlled vessels. And…. Ba'al has been defeated."
"What?" said the General.
"Teal'c" said the Colonel, "please confirm your last transmission."
"Ba'al escaped" said Teal'c, "he ran away in front of all his Jaffa."
"Congrats, Teal'c" said Willow over her radio as Dawn looked on confused.
"Rak'nor" said Faith as she gave him the traditional Jaffa handshake, "you did it."
"We did it" said Rak'nor, "the Tau'ri and the Jaffa did it."
"What's going on?" said Dawn, "Ba'al escaped."
"He ran away in front of the other Jaffa" said Sel'mak as he took over from General Carter, "his status as a god is now over since he ran away from his enemies."
"Dawnie" said Willow as she looked at the Jaffa on the temple grounds celebrating and the sounds of the other Jaffa cheering, "the Jaffa just won their freedom."
"Oh" said Dawn with a smile as she ran to the edge of the temple and looked on as the surviving Jaffa in this battle against the replicators were celebrating and cheering their victory.
"Well kiddo" said Faith as she approached Dawn, "we just helped save the galaxy, and you played a big part."
"I'm still getting my head around that" said Dawn as she smiled at Faith.
"Faith" said Colonel Carter, "check with Rak'nor and liaise with the other Jaffa. See who needs medical attention."
"Sure" said a smiling Faith as she ran past the Colonel who grabbed onto Faith's hand.
"Good job, Faith" said Colonel Carter, "good job today."
Faith nodded as she ran to meet up with Rak'nor.
"Dawn" said the Colonel as she approached the brunette, "I know coming here in a battle zone was a big ask, but you handled yourself well. You should be extremely proud of yourself."
"Ummmm… thanks" said Dawn as she nervously scratched her head, "it was…. It was nothing. Dr. Jackson's the one you should really be thanking."
"He'll be thanked when he gets….. back…." Said the Colonel as she realized something.
"Oh no" said Willow as she looked at the Colonel.
"What?" asked Dawn.
"Ma'am" said Willow, "I'm certain that he's alright"
"I hope so" said the Colonel.
"Guys?" said Dawn.
"If Daniel was on the replicator ship when the wave hit…" said Willow as she looked at Dawn.
"No" said Dawn, "you don't think?"
"I don't know" said Willow as she closed her eyes, "I can't sense him but that's because he's probably too far away for me to track."
"Willow" said the Colonel, "let's keep our minds busy until we hear from Daniel. In the meantime, I need you to help my father with disabling that console. See if you can find what powers it."
"Of course ma'am" said Willow as she ran into the temple.
"Dawn" said the Colonel as she looked at the brunette, "let's go to the Gate, we need to check in with the SGC. Hopefully, they're safe."
"Sure" said Dawn as she looked up into the sky, 'please be alright, Dr. Jackson.'
"General Carter" said Willow as she entered the small room with the console.
"Captain" said the General as he quickly stood up.
"Sir" said Willow in concern as she saw the General quickly get up from a leaning position on the console, "are you alright? You seemed a bit…"
"Yes" said General Carter, "I'm fine."
"Sir" said Willow as she ran and grabbed the General as he started to fall onto the console again, "I don't have to be an empath to know that something's wrong, Sir."
"Please don't tell, Sam" said the General as he looked at Willow, "she has a lot to worry about with the wedding and all."
"But Sir" said Willow, "maybe we should get you back Earth side."
"Can you heal me?" asked the General.
"I can, Sir" said Willow, "but…."
"Then heal me" said the General.
"Sir" said Willow as she placed her hand on the General's back and emitted a white glow.
"Thank you" said General Carter.
"Sir" said Willow, "without knowing what's going on, you could still be injured."
"But you healed me" said the General, "I'm feeling better."
"I understand, Sir" said Willow, "what I'm trying to say is that depending on what the injury is.. I may have to spend more time healing you. So please, come with us back to the SGC now and let's get you to Dr. Brightman."
"Not now, Captain" said the General as he turned and faced the monitor.
"But, Sir…" said Willow.
"Captain" said the General, "did Sam ask you to come and tend to me?"
"No, Sir" said Willow.
"Then do what she asked to do" said the General.
"Yes, Sir" sighed Willow as she crouched down and opened a panel.
Gateroom, SGC, two hours later.
"Woah" said Faith as she stepped through the event horizon followed by the other members of SG1, Dawn and General Carter, "what the heck happened here?"
"Sir?" said Colonel Carter as she watched General O'Neill walk up to the ramp.
"Looks like the replicators tried to crash a party we were having for Siler" smiled the General.
"Right" said Colonel Carter.
"Report" said the General.
"They're gone, Sir" said Colonel Carter.
"So it's over?" asked General O'Neill.
"Yes, Sir" replied Colonel Carter with a smile, "it's over. Teal'c is staying on Dakara to welcome the other Jaffa who heard that Ba'al turned tail and ran. They're coming to Dakara to be free."
"That's good" said the General as he stepped back and looked at the small group in front of him, "all of you did a good job, now report to the infirmary for your post mission checks and then report to the briefing room."
"Yes, Sir" said Colonel Carter as she looked at Willow, "move out."
"Yes ma'am" said Willow with a smile.
"Come on, guys" said Faith as she led Dawn away.
"Carter" said the General once everyone had left.
"Sir?" replied the Colonel.
"Any news from Daniel on your end?" asked the General.
"No, Sir" said Colonel Carter, "do you think…..?"
"I'm sure he's fine" said the General, "get to the infirmary."
"Yes, Sir" said the Colonel as she walked away.
"Come on Danny-boy" whispered the General to himself once everyone was gone leaving his alone with heaps of deactivated replicator blocks in the Gateroom, "come back home."
Briefing Room, SGC, One Week later.
"Hey Willow" said Dawn as she ran up to the redhead who was heading to the briefing room herself, "anything from Dr. Jackson?"
"Nope" said Willow, "nothing yet, the General seems to think that maybe he ascended… he does have friends in high places after all."
"And you mean that literally, don't you?" asked Dawn.
"Oh yeah" said Willow, "I think he's right. Daniel will be back, he's probably talking with Oma somewhere before he decides to come back."
"Right" said Dawn as the both of them entered the briefing room.
"Sirs" said Willow as she nodded at both General O'Neill and Carter.
"Captain" said General Carter as he nodded at Willow.
"Red" said General O'Neill as he motioned for Willow to join them, Colonel Carter, Faith, Teal'c and Bra'tac at the table.
"I guess I'll see you later then" said Dawn as she turned around, "I've got to get to class."
"You have my car keys?" asked Willow.
"Yup" said Dawn.
"One more month" said Willow, "for both you and Faith."
"Can't wait" said Dawn as she smiled at everyone and turned around.
"One more month for what?" asked General Carter.
"Dawn and I are graduating" said Faith as she smiled at Willow.
"That's great" said General Carter, "congratulations."
"Thanks" said Faith.
"Now" said General O'Neill, "Teal'c and Bra'tac has some news for us regarding the weapon?"
"Sir" said Colonel Carter, "technically it's not really a weapon, at least that's not what it was designed for initially."
"Huh?" said General O'Neill.
"Dawn translated the writings on the device, Sir" said Colonel Carter, "it has the capability of destroying all life…"
"A weapon" said General O'Neill.
"But" said Willow, "the device also creates life."
"Dr. Rosenberg is right" said Colonel Carter grinning.
"Thank you, Dr. Carter" replied Willow with an equally wide grin.
"Ahem" said General O'Neill.
"Sorry, Sir" said Willow and Colonel Carter sheepishly as Faith tried not to laugh.
"From what Daniel told me about the plague that the Ancients suffered" said Faith, "the device was used to reseed the Milky Way with life after the Ancients left for the Pegasus galaxy in Atlantis."
"Yes" said Willow.
"Dawn found a way to use the device on a timer" said Colonel Carter.
"A timer?" asked Teal'c.
"As you know, the Ancients were ravaged by a mysterious plague. The majority of them died, while others ascended to a higher plane of existence and the remaining survivors moved to Pegasus. The Ancients came to Dakara to use the weapon during their exodus from this galaxy" said Colonel Carter, "they set the device on a timer for the first wave to destroy all life in the galaxy, due to the plague, before they left. They then set another timer with a different wave modulation to recreate life."
"So Dr. Beckett was right" said Willow as she looked at everyone at the table, "we are the second evolution of the Ancients who left the Milky Way millions of years ago."
"Well" said General O'Neill, "if he and the others are still alive, then we'll throw him a party."
"True" said Faith.
"Now" said General O'Neill, "the reason we're here today is because we've got some news from the new Free Jaffa High Council."
"Indeed" said Teal'c, "the Council has decreed that the weapon of Dakara should not be destroyed."
"Great" sighed General O'Neill, "so now the Jaffa have a weapon with the capability to destroy the entire galaxy at the push of a button. Guys, I don't like this. Please explain why we didn't just destroy it after using it."
"Well, Sir…" said Willow, "I…"
"I ordered not to, Sir" said Colonel Carter, "at first I thought it would be a good idea for it to be destroyed, but then I began thinking that we need to know exactly how the weapon works. While the replicators in this galaxy are gone, there could be other out there in other galaxies. And without a proper defence against then, I figured it would be best to examine the weapon."
"IN addition" said Bra'tac, "the ruins at Dakara have become a symbol of freedom for all Jaffa."
"It is much more than that" said Teal'c, "the Jaffa believes that the device's power helped free them by destroying the Replicators. They also believe that controlling this power will help ensure their freedom in the future."
"And give then whatever they want" said General O'Neill.
"The Jaffa would never use it to that end" said Bra'tac.
"Jack's right" said General O'Neill, "no one should have that much power at their fingertips."
Just then, Colonel Carter's cell phone started to ring.
"Sorry" said the Colonel as she picked up the phone, and then immediately deactivated it.
"Everything alright, Carter?" asked the General.
"Yes, Sir" said the Colonel as she sheepishly looked at Willow and Faith.
Faith: "Potato?"
Willow: "Pretty sure."
Faith: "Oh boy, Jacob met him yet?"
Willow: "Nope."
Faith: "Today the day?"
Willow: "Yep."
Faith: "Oh boy."
"So" said the General as he looked at the Colonel before turning to look at Teal'c and Bra'tac, "can we agree among ourselves that this weapon needs to be destroyed?"
"Indeed" said Teal'c as he looked at Bra'tac.
"Ummm…" said Walter as he walked in.
"Yes?" asked General O'Neill as he turned to face Walter.
"Sorry to bother you Sir" said Walter, "but Colonel Cater has a guest in the main lobby."
"Oh" said the Colonel as she rubbed her forehead.
"Carter?" said General O'Neill.
"Sorry, Sir" said Colonel Carter.
"Go bring him down" said the General, "we're done here anyway."
"Sir?" said Colonel Carter.
"Sam?" said General Carter as he looked at his watch, "oh right, I'm supposed to meet with Pete?"
"Right" said Colonel Carter, "but he can wait, I can ask one of the Airmen to accompany him to his quarters."
"No, its fine" said General O'Neill, "we're dismissed, but that thing we were discussing…."
"If you are suggesting we destroy this device against the wishes of the High Council" said Bra'tac, "I must point out that would not be a good first step in relations between the Tau'ri and the newly formed free Jaffa nation."
"Let the Tok'ra do it" said General O'Neill as he looked at General Carter, "they hate you guys anyway."
"Well" said General Carter, "there may be a plan in place already."
"Teal'c and I have arranged another meeting of the Jaffa Council" said Bra'tac.
"Our hope is to continue strengthening the bond between previously warring Jaffa by focusing on our common enemy" said Teal'c.
"Anubis" said Faith.
"Indeed" said Teal'c, "although there are other minor Goa'uld still out there in the galaxy."
"That guy's still the big bad though" said Faith.
"Indeed" said Teal'c as he bowed his head towards Faith.
"Alright" said General O'Neill, "all of us have got our own things to do, let finish everything up and then we can have some cake."
"Of course, Sir" said the Colonel as she got up.
"Sam" said General Carter, "I'll be in my room. I'll see you and Pete there."
"Alright, dad" said the Colonel as General Carter walked off to his quarters.
"Sir" said Willow, "Faith and I will be meeting Dawn at the Commissary, feel up to some cake?"
"Sure" grinned the General, "any time is a good time for cake."
"Sweet" said Faith as she stood up.
"Teal'c? Bra'tac?" said Willow, "joining us?"
"We cannot" said Teal'c, "we should be off to Dakara for the meeting with the council. We have a lot to discuss on how to move forward with our new found freedom."
"Alright" said Willow as she nodded her head.
Commissary, SGC, two hours later.
"Look at that" whispered Faith as she sat beside Willow and watched the Colonel and General Carter talking to each other.
"I heard from one of the SF's that the Potato made quite an impression" whispered Willow.
Faith: "Really?"
Willow: "Yeah"
Faith: "What happened?"
Willow: "The moron said, and I quote, 'so you have one of those things inside your head?'"
Faith: "No way!"
Willow: "Way. He actually said that. And the SF said that the idiot kept of grinning like he was some kind of a…. idiot… I guess is the best thing I can come up with."
Faith: "Poor Sam."
Willow: "The SF said that she looked as if the ground would open up and swallow her."
Faith: "Oh… she's coming here."
"Willow" said the Colonel as she sat down across from the redhead and Faith.
"Ma'am" said Willow, "everything alright?"
"I guess" replied Colonel Carter, "the first meeting could have gone better."
"Ah" said Faith, "well, there's still time to get better."
"Yeah" said Colonel Carter, "and now, I've got to meet Pete again."
"Sounds exciting" said Willow.
"I don't know" said the Colonel, "he said something about a surprise."
"Ah" said Faith, "well, we're planning on going to Big-G's place later for some good old barbeque, come with us?"
"I don't think I can" said the Colonel sheepishly, "Pete's cousins just came to town and he wants us to meet tonight."
"Oh" said Faith, "well, that's gotta be even more fun."
"Oh yea" said the Colonel as she looked at the table.
"Ma'am?" said Willow as the Colonel looked up at the redhead, "is everything alright?"
"Yea" said the Colonel as she got up, "yea…. I'm ok. I gotta go, I have to meet Pete."
"Sure, ma'am" said Willow as she stood up, "I guess we'll be seeing you later."
"Yea" said Colonel Carter as she walked out of the commissary.
"That was weird" said Faith.
"Yeah" replied Willow, "I think she's unsure about something."
"The wedding?" asked Faith.
"I don't know" said Willow as she sat back down.
"You know" whispered Faith, "you wanna stay in tonight?"
"Sure" smiled Willow as the both of them got up, "how about the gym first and then we go home?"
"It's ok with me" said Faith.
"Cool" replied Willow.
Women's Locker Room, two hours later.
"Hah!" said Faith as she walked out behind a sulking Willow, "I won again."
"One of these days" said Willow, "it will be my turn."
"Keep on dreaming" smiled Faith as she looked ahead when suddenly the smile got wiped from her face.
"Jacob!" shouted Faith as she ran to General Carter who was seated on the floor with his back to the wall.
"Sir" said Willow as she crouched down and felt his forehead and his pulse.
"Red?" said a worried Faith.
"He's burning up" said Willow as she ran to a panel on a nearby wall, "and his pulse is erratic."
"Jacob" said Faith as she lightly tapped his cheeks, "can you hear me?"
"Medical Emergency" said Willow as she slammed the butting on the panel down, "I need a med team on level twenty seven, corridor B near intersection twenty seven-A."
"Sir" said Willow as she ran back to the General, "help's coming, do you understand?"
"Jacob" said Faith, "I need you to squeeze my hand if you understand."
Faith smiled when she noticed the General was squeezing his hand.
"Captain" said Dr. Warren who was on duty as Dr. Brightman was out for lunch.
"Doc" said Willow as she and Faith helped Dr. Warren pick up General Carter and put him on a gurney, "we just found him like this, he's running a high temperature and his pulse is…."
"I know.." said the doctor as he placed his finger on the General's neck before looking at the two nurses who came with him, "take him to Exam one."
"Yes, Sir" said the nurses.
"Doc?" asked Willow, "will he be alright?"
"I'll go check on him" said Dr. Warren as he followed the nurses.
"Red" said Faith, "maybe you should follow them, I'll call Sam and Big-G."
"Alright" said Willow as she ran after Dr. Warren and Faith ran over to a phone. She picked it up, sighed and then dialled Colonel Carter's number.
Somewhere in Colorado Springs, 1700 hours.
"A House?" said the Colonel as she stood with Pete outside a beautiful house with a 'For Sale' sign on the lawn, "you bought a house?"
"Surprise" said an ecstatic Pete, "bet you never expected this, did you?"
"No" said the Colonel as she walked up the lawn.
"Isnt it great?" said Pete in amazement as the both of them started to walk towards the the house, "remember our first night together? You described the house you always wanted?"
"You didn't?" said the Colonel.
"Well, it doesn't have a yellow kitchen" grinned Pete, "but we can paint. Plus it has enough space you the kids and the dogs."
"Dogs?" said Colonel Carter just as her phone rang.
"Sam?" said Pete as the Colonel picked up her phone and then he saw the expression on her face change.
"Get me back to the base" said the Colonel as she ran back to Pete's truck, "now!"
"Sam" said Pete as he ran back with her, "what's going on?"
"It's my dad" said the Colonel as she shut the door and Pete had started the engine.
Observation Room Two, SGC, 1745 hours.
"Sam" said Faith as she met the Colonel and Pete at the elevator lobby.
"Faith" said the Colonel, "what happened?"
"You need to come now" said Faith as she grabbed the Colonel's hand and ran to the Observation Room.
Just as they reached the door to the room, Faith ushered Colonel Carter inside befre she turned around and faced Pete.
"You" said Faith, "stay here."
"Look" said Pete, "that's my fiancée in there and I'm going to be with her in this time of need."
"No" said Faith, "what's being said in there is classified and you don't have clearance."
"In case you haven't heard" said Pete, "I have full clearance for this base."
"Maybe" replied Faith, "please say another word, I'd love the opportunity to get that clearance away from you. Now, be a good boy and wait out here while Sam talks to her father."
"Why you" said Pete through gritted teeth.
"Sergeant" said Faith as she looked at the SF, "please make sure this man doesn't disturb Colonel Carter or Captain Rosenberg. If he gives you any problem, then you have the General's authority to kick him out."
"Yes, ma'am" said the SF as he stood in front of Pete.
"Give Sam her space, this is important" said Faith as she entered the door that led to the observation deck that looked over the room.
Inside the Observation Room, Colonel Carter saw that General Carter was lying on a hospital bed sleeping with lines going through his hands. As she walked closer, the Colonel saw that Willow was sitting with her eyes closed on the other side of his bed next to him.
"Willow?" said the Colonel as she tapped her shoulder.
"Ma'am" said Willow who jerked awake and stood up, "you're here."
"What's going on?" asked the Colonel as she looked at the General.
"Sam" said General Carter as Willow moved to one side of the room.
"Dad" said the Colonel as she looked at her father.
"Hey Kiddo" said the General, "I'm sorry, we both are."
"What's going on?" asked the Colonel as she looked at Willow and then at General Carter.
"It's Sel'mak" said the General, "I'm sorry, we never wanted it to be like this but he's dying."
"Oh my God" said the Colonel, "I'm so sorry. I wasn't with Jolinar for that long but I have some idea of what it was like."
"Well, this is a little different, Sam" said the General as he struggled to breathe, "As you know, when a Tok'ra symbiote dies, they can prevent their host from dying as Jolinar did with you. The problem is, that last selfless act requires a certain amount of energy and a conscious effort."
"What are you saying, dad?" asked the Colonel as tears came into her eyes.
"By all rights, Selmak should have been dead weeks ago" said the General as Willow looked on while wiping the tears from her face, "I wouldn't let him go. I thought we needed him, that I needed him to help you stop the Replicators. He hung on as long as he could, then he slipped into a coma just after we activated the weapon on Dakara."
"You've know all this while?" asked the Colonel.
"I didn't wanna spoil your wedding" said the General, "Now, I thought we could make it."
"We?" asked the Colonel.
"He's barely alive, Sam" said the General as Colonel Carter started to cry, "I'll be dying with him."
"But…" said the Colonel as she looked at Willow.
"I can heal him, ma'am" said Willow as she stepped forwards.
"Captain" said the General, "I thought I gave you a direct order not to bring it up."
"Willow?" Dad?" said the Colonel as she looked between her subordinate and her father.
"I'm sorry, Sir" said Willow, "will all due respect, I'll have to disobey that order."
Willow then turned towards the Colonel to talk to her.
"Ma'am" said Willow, "I can heal the General."
"Even Sel'mak?" asked Colonel Carter.
"I'm sorry" said Willow, "I really don't have any idea of how a symbiote's biology is, plus Sel'mak is so old that I don't think healing him would do any good. Healing the General will be easier than healing Sel'mak."
"Captain" said General, "you left out everything else."
"Willow" said the Colonel, "whats my dad talking about?"
"General Carter wont be in any danger" said Willow, "but it's going to take some time."
"Captain!" shouted the General, "tell her the truth."
"Willow?" asked the Colonel.
"I can save him, ma'am" said Willow, "that's no lie."
"Damn it" said the General as he turned towards Colonel Carter, "Sam, if she attempts this, it could backfire on her."
"Willow?" asked the Colonel as she looked at Willow in shock, "what's my dad talking about?"
"Ma'am" said Willow, "we don't have time, all you need to do is give me the go ahead and I can start the process. Dr. Brightman already set everything up to ensure that the process is working. Give me the order, please. I couldn't save Dr. Frasier, but I can save your father."
"Sam" said the General, "ask her."
"Willow" said the Colonel as she held her hands, "I need the truth."
"Colonel" said Willow as she closed her eyes, "I'll be healing his whole body simultaneously. From what I understand from Dr. Brightman, the poison will be shutting down all his organs one by one. I'll be healing the damage to his organs as quick as the damage appears which means that I'll be probably severely weakened. The strain will be on my mind and body because this is something brand new. Essentially, I'll be healing every single organ in the General's body from the poison. Then I'll be healing any other residual effects from the poison."
"What will happen to you?" asked the Colonel.
"I really don't know" said Willow, "but ma'am, this is my gift. The Asgard gave me this body to hold the powers of a near ascended Ancient. So please, let me use it. Your father will be alright."
"What about you?" said the Colonel, "I can't risk your life, my father won't allow it."
"Captain" said the General, "I've lived a full life, I've…."
"Sir" said Willow as she looked at the General, "when I was growing up, I was all alone. My mom used me as a guinea pig to test her theories on child development and my dad, well, my dad didn't really care that much either. I grew up without them in my life for the majority of my young life. Can you deny Colonel Carter your presence when you could be saved?"
"She's an adult now" said the General, "about to be married."
"Yes" said the Colonel, "but….. I…."
"Ma'am" said Willow as she held on to her arm, "I'm asking you to trust me, I can do it."
"Willow" said the Colonel as tears came to her eyes as she looked up at Faith. Willow had told the Colonel about the permanent bond between them and what would happen if one of them had died. As she looked at Faith, the Colonel knew that she was also willing for her to tell Willow to heal the General.
"Ma'am" said Willow, "trust me. I can do it."
"Alright" nodded the Colonel as she reached for the General's hands and squeezed.
"Sam" said the General, "what…."
"Dad" said Colonel Carter, "please."
"Faith" said Willow, "I need you to call the doc, and whatever happens… make sure I don't fall. This has to be done in one go."
"Willow?" said the Colonel.
"Ma'am" said Willow as she held both her hands over the General's body, "I need you to hold the top of my hands and close your eyes.
"Alright" said Colonel Carter as she did what Willow asked and then closed her eyes.
"Colonel" said Willow, "open your eyes now."
"Willow" said the Colonel as she opened her eyes and found herself somewhere else, "where?"
"We're in the General's mind" said Willow as the both of them looked around, "what is this place?"
"I remember" said Colonel Carter, "it's the park my dad used to take me to."
"Sam" said the General as he waved from the edge of a lake.
"Dad?" said the Colonel as she and Willow walked over to where he was standing next to a bench.
"Captain" said General Carter as he hugged the Colonel, "what did you do?"
"We're in your mind" said Willow, "I figured it would be boring if we just stood around in a drab grey building while healing you, so I figured this would be better. A place where the three of you could catch up before the end."
"The three of us?" said the Colonel and General Carter together.
"Yeah" said Willow as she pointed to another bench on the other side of the lake where there a was an old woman dressed all in white sitting down and waving at the small group.
"Wait" said General Carter as he and the other ran to the other side of the lake to that woman.
"Jacob" said the woman as she slowly stood up.
"Sel'mak?" said the General as he held both her hands.
"Hello Jacob" said Sel'mak before she looked at the Colonel, "Samantha, it is good to see you again. I am sorry I have not been able to know you more. But from the stories that Jacob shared with me over the years, it would have been an honour."
"Thanks you for looking after him" said the Colonel as she hugged Sel'mak as tears overcame her, "thank you so much."
"Sel'mak" said Willow, "I'm sorry I couldn't do much for you. This was the next best thing; at least you could say a proper goodbye."
"Willow Rosenberg" said Sel'mak, "you have given a two thousand year old Tok'ra a great gift. Thank you. I have lived a full life and it is my time. I am just thankful that you will be able to save Jacob."
Willow nodded and stepped back.
"I'll let you have some privacy" said Willow as she turned around when she suddenly felt dizzy and lost her footing.
"Willow" said the Colonel as she ran to help Willow up and then saw the blood, "you're bleeding."
"It's alright, ma'am" said Willow, "it's time, Sel'mak is releasing the poison and I'm beginning to heal the General's organs."
"But" said the Colonel as Willow slowly got up.
"I just need to sit down, ma'am" said Willow, "Faith is looking after my body, she'll make sure I don't fail."
"How could I ever thank you?" asked the Colonel as she ran her hand through Willow's red hair.
"Enjoy the time you have with your dad, ma'am" smiled Willow as she sat down on the bench and looked behind the Colonel, "you better get back to him ma'am. I read the report of what happened when Jolinar died. The same things will happen to the General now, you need to be with him. It's almost time."
"Sam!" shouted the General.
"Go, ma'am" said Willow, "I'll give the three of you privacy. See you in the real world."
"Thanks" replied the Colonel as Willow disappeared and she walked over to the General to comfort a dying Sel'mak.
Infirmary, SGC, two days later.
"Hey Kiddo" said General Carter as Willow slowly woke up from her slumber, "you missed a lot."
"Sir" said Willow as she quickly sat up before she felt dizzy again and had to he helped down onto the bed.
"Take it easy" said the General, "I'm alright, so is Sam."
"That's good Sir" said Willow, "I'm glad you're alright."
"I'm glad you're alright too" smiled the General, "you were bleeding out until you healed my whole body, you even cured my arthritis. Apparently you suffered every injury you ever received again while you were healing my body. It was touch and go there for you as well. Once you stabilized, your body automatically healed you as well, but the whole ordeal left you exhausted. You've been asleep for a bit over forty-eight hours."
"Yay" smiled Willow, "what did I miss, Sir?"
"Anubis getting his ass kicked by Oma" said a very familiar voice.
"Guess who showed up in the briefing room buck naked?" said General Carter as he stepped back.
"Daniel?" said Willow as she sat propped up on her elbows, "how?"
"He became glowy again" said General O'Neill who walked into the room with Dawn and Colonel Carter.
"Don't ever do that again" said Dawn as she punched Willow's shoulder.
"Ow" said Willow, "still not strong enough yet."
"Hahaha" said Dawn sarcastically.
"Willow" said the Colonel, "I'm glad you're alright."
"Yes, ma'am" said Willow, "I'm glad that the General is doing well."
"Thanks to you" said General Carter as he held the Colonel's hand, "come on Sam, let's go for some dinner. Just you and me."
"Sure" said the Colonel as she smiled at Willow and the others.
"See ya, Carter" said the General as she and her father left the room.
"So" said Willow, "what did I miss?"
"Anubis is gone" said Daniel as he grabbed a seat next to Willow, "Oma intervened before he had a chance to activate the weapon."
"Wait" said Willow, "he almost activated the weapon?"
"Yep" replied the General, "we were almost goners, even the self destruct was set up but It stopped before we could even stop it."
"Huh?" said Willow confused.
"Exactly" said the General, "that's what I said."
"I think the other Ancients intervened" said Daniel, "I know it's wasn't me or Oma."
"What happened to Oma?" asked Willow.
"She's fighting Anubis" said Daniel as she looked up, "she's fighting him somewhere, keeping him busy for all time so that he wont bother us again."
"Oh" said Willow, "Umm…. Where's Faith?"
"She's coming" said the General, "she's in her quarters."
"Cool" said Willow grinning.
"Oh boy" said Dawn, I know that grin; it means I'm going to be spending time in the SGC."
"Huh?" said Daniel, "what do you….. oh."
"What?" said the General.
"Red" said Faith as she ran up to Willow, jumped onto the bed and gave Willow a tight hug.
"Jack" said Daniel, "never mind…. Let's get out of here and give Willow some privacy."
"Right" said the General blushing as he turned around with Dawn and Daniel.
"Umm… sir" said Willow as she held on to Faith, "I was wondering if you felt up to going fishing?"
"Yea" said the General as he turned around, "I think we all earned it. How about we make a plan to go down to the cabin after graduation next month?"
"That would actually be cool" said Faith as she turned around and sat beside Willow on the bed.
"Definitely" said Willow as she held on to her girlfriend's hand with a smile as everyone walked out of the infirmary.
TBC.