Disclaimer:There have been no changes in the copyrights to the characters or in the disclaimer previously stated. Unfortunately, I still do not own Stargate franchise.
CH8
At 3 in the morning, amidst the darkness and silence, Sam was restless. She had tried in vain to contact Jack, worried about the argument and the distance they had experienced. Her heart pounded as she held her phone in her hand, anxiously awaiting a response that never came.
Worry and uncertainty were starting to take hold of her, and she finally decided that she needed to talk to someone she could trust. Making a decision, she dialed Daniel's number, knowing that he was always willing to listen her.
Daniel's phone rang in the middle of the night, waking him from his sleep. He rubbed his eyes and looked at the screen to see that it was Sam calling. Concerned about the hour and the urgency of the call, he quickly answered, "Sam?" in a drowsy voice. When he realized there was no response and only heard soft sobs on the other end, Daniel asked, "What's going on, Sam? Are you crying?"
Sam's voice trembled slightly as she replied, "Daniel, I'm sorry to phone you at this hour, but I'm worried about Jack. We had a big argument, and he's been missing since then, and I don't know what to do…"
Daniel's concern grew as he heard Sam's distressed tone. He struggled to be more awake and alert. "Sam, have you tried to contact him after the argument?"
Sam sighed, feeling frustration and fear building up. "Yes, I've tried everything, but he's not responding. I'm afraid he might do something he'll regret later."
Tears continued to moisten Sam's eyes as she talked to Daniel. "Daniel, the argument was quite intense," Sam began, her voice breaking slightly. "Jack gave me a walker, thinking it would be helpful for me. But... I got really angry because he made the decision for me without even consulting me."
Daniel sighed empathetically. "Sam, relationships can be tough, but if there's one thing I've learned, it's that communication is key. Often, we do things without realizing the effect they can have on the other person. Honestly, knowing Jack, I believe he did it thinking he was genuinely helping you."
Sam sighed, trying to control her emotions as she continued to share. "I told him I didn't want his help, that I didn't need him to make decisions for me. And then... things just got worse. Jack tried to apologize, but I was too angry and hurt to listen him."
I ended up saying really harsh things to him, I even told him I didn't want him at home. The argument escalated, and then... I kicked him out of the house. Daniel, I kicked him out of his own home..."
Daniel nodded with understanding. "I understand, Sam. Arguments can bring out our most intense emotions, especially when complicated by the love we feel for the other person."
Finally, she gathered the courage to say what she feared out loud. "I know. Daniel, I'm actually scared. I know his impulsive temper when he's hurt. I just hope he's okay and won't do anything rash."
Sam's tone was filled with unease and genuine fear. Daniel took a moment to process her words before responding calmly. "Sam, I understand your concern. But I also trust that Jack is mature enough to make thoughtful decisions. However, if you're worried about Jack and if you feel there's a real risk of him doing something, we might consider some options to ensure he's okay and won't do anything foolish."
Daniel kept his voice calm and reassuring. "The first thing we should do is make sure Jack is okay. I'll try to contact him. In the meantime, try to stay calm."
Daniel's words had a reassuring effect on Sam. "Thank you, Daniel. Your support means a lot to me right now." Sam wiped her tears away with her hand and sighed.
"Let me try to reach Jack, and I'll call you as soon as possible," Daniel promised.
Taking his phone, Daniel dialed Jack's number, eagerly hoping for a response. After a few moments of tense waiting, Daniel heard Jack's voice on the other side of the phone line. He sighed with relief, knowing he had finally managed to make contact with his friend.
"Hello?" Jack responded with a somewhat subdued and unstable voice. Daniel immediately noticed in Jack's voice that something was wrong. "Jack, are you okay?"
There was a brief moment of silence before Jack responded, his voice heavy with sadness and frustration. "No, Daniel, I'm not okay. Things between Sam and me... have fallen apart." Daniel could hear the sadness and defeat in his friend's words.
"Have you been drinking, Jack?" Daniel asked cautiously, fearing the answer.
There was a heavy sigh on the other end of the phone line. "Yes."
"Jack, listen to me," Daniel said firmly. "I understand that you're hurt and confused, but drinking won't solve anything. Please, don't do anything foolish. Jack, getting drunk is not the solution; it will only make things worse."
There was a moment of silence before Jack sighed heavily. "I don't know what to do, Daniel. I feel like I've lost everything, like everything is broken between us."
Daniel's heart tightened at hearing the desperation in his friend's voice. "Jack, not everything is lost. Arguments can be tough, but that doesn't mean they can't be resolved. Things may be tense right now, but I don't believe they're irreparably broken." "Moreover, Sam is really worried about you; give her the chance to express her feelings and listen to her when she's ready to talk to you. Remember that you both care deeply for each other," Daniel insisted.
There was a heavy silence before Jack responded with a sigh. "I don't know, Daniel. I saw her so hurt; I feel like a complete idiot. I think I've hurt her irreparably."
"Jack, relationships have tough moments; you have to understand she's going through a hard time in her life right now."
"I never meant to hurt her like this," Jack admitted with regret in his voice.
"I know, Jack. But we all make mistakes," Daniel replied gently. "The important thing is to learn from it."
"What can I do, Daniel? How can I fix this?" Jack asked, his voice filled with despair.
"You need to approach this constructively. First, stop drinking," Daniel emphasized. "Then, clear your head to make sure you don't make impulsive decisions in this state. And finally, talk to Sam when you're sober and both of you are ready for a conversation."
After ensuring that Jack was okay and willing to listen and not make rash decisions, Daniel felt a mix of relief and concern. He knew the situation was difficult, but he hoped his words could help his friend make better choices amidst the emotional distress.
After a few moments, Daniel felt the urgency to reassure Sam. He knew that even though he had asked her to remain calm, she would be worried and needing to know how Jack was. Without thinking twice, he took out his phone and prepared to update Sam.
After her conversation with Daniel, worry and distress continued to haunt Sam. Although Daniel had assured her that Jack was fine, she felt a strong need to check for herself and be by his side. Unable to contain her emotions, she grabbed her bag and the keys to her adapted car, determined to go to the motel where Jack was staying.
As she drove in silence through the dark streets, her mind was still filled with tumultuous thoughts about what had happened and how they had come to this point.
As she approached the motel, her heart beat faster, mixing anxiety and determination. She parked the car in the lot and took a moment to breathe deeply, trying to calm her nerves.
Finally, she gathered the courage to get out of the car. Sam headed towards the room where Jack was staying, her heart beating faster with each step, her mind filled with unanswered questions, and a lump forming in her throat from the uncertainty of what she would find on the other side of that door.
Without hesitating any longer, Sam gently knocked on the door. Getting no response, with her heart tight with worry, she opened the door to the room. But what she saw left her breathless, and tears welled up in her eyes instantly, all the anger and frustration she had felt seemed to dissipate. Jack was lying on the bed, empty alcohol bottles scattered around the room, silent witnesses to the internal struggle he was facing. The smell of alcohol and despair filled the air, creating a heavy and sad atmosphere.
Without thinking twice, Sam quickly approached him and sat by his side. "Jack," Sam whispered with a trembling voice, her heart aching at the sight before her.
Upon hearing her voice, Jack slowly lifted his head, his eyes red and glassy. He looked at her with a hint of surprise and pain on his face, as if he didn't expect her presence at that moment. "Sam," Jack murmured, his voice slightly hoarse from tension and alcohol.
She cupped his face in her hands, seeking his gaze. "Jack, what have you done?" Sam could barely contain her emotions as she looked into his eyes.
Jack observed her for a moment. "Sam, I'm so sorry," Jack whispered, his words filled with regret. The tears she had been holding back finally escaped from Sam's eyes as she leaned in closer to him and hugged him tightly. "Jack, I'm sorry too. I don't want us to be like this." The embrace was a balm for both of them, a way to communicate what words couldn't express. Sam allowed herself to cry on his shoulder, releasing all the emotions she had been holding. Jack gently stroked her hair, his own tears falling silently. "I don't want to lose you," Jack confessed with a broken voice.
Sam held him firmly, her arms around him like a protective shelter. "You won't lose me, Jack. I'm here with you, I'm here to stay." Sam pulled back slightly to look him in the eyes, her hands cradling his face. "But we need to find a way to face this together. To communicate and listen to each other."
Jack was still trapped in his own emotional turmoil. "You don't understand, Sam. I've ruined everything." Sam felt a wave of deep sadness hearing his words. "Jack, no matter how much we've argued, I'm here, in this moment." Sam gently stroked his cheek, her own tears mixing with his. "Jack, we all make mistakes. I don't want you to torture yourself over this. We're in this together, Jack. Whatever happens, always."
They both stared at each other intensely, sharing a moment of understanding and renewed hope. Despite the emotional storm they had faced, they were together, ready to rebuild what they had lost and find a path to reconciliation. Sam knew that the road to recovery would be challenging, but she was also determined to walk it with Jack, no matter how many obstacles they had to overcome.
Both remained embraced, sharing a moment of vulnerability and connection in the midst of darkness. As dawn filtered through the curtains, the promise of mutual support and love served as a reminder that even in the toughest times, they had the capacity to find light in each other.