Returning to their room, Jack found it enveloped in total darkness, but navigating it was second nature to him. With practiced ease, he undressed in silence and slipped into bed beside Sam, the only sound in the room the soft rhythm of her breathing.
Sensing her awake beside him, Jack broke the silence.
"I'll apologize if it means we can return to normal, Sam. I don't like where things are headed. I love you, and I want our marriage back," he said softly, turning towards her.
Though Sam's legs shifted beneath the covers, she remained silent. Jack reached out, his hand searching until it found hers in the darkness. Interlacing their fingers, he held her hand close to his chest.
"I'm sorry, honey," he whispered, his voice heavy with aching longing for reconciliation.
Her sudden movement caught Jack entirely off guard. One moment, she lay silent and still beside him, and the next, she was on top of him, her lips crashing against his in a passionate kiss. Her warmth enveloped him, igniting a fire that matched her desire's intensity.
She had time to reflect after he left the room, and her conclusions were unsettling. They were drifting apart because of a man who had already inflicted enough pain on her life, and she refused to grant him that power any longer. She loved her husband deeply, and O'Neill was a buried chapter in her past. Despite her disapproval of the beating, she could choose to move forward and resume her life with her husband and daughter. She had a family she cherished immensely, far more than the hatred she felt for O'Neill. That love was all that truly mattered. She resolved to focus on the present, nurturing the bonds with her loved ones and fortifying their future together, leaving the shadows of the past behind.
Interrupting the kiss momentarily, Sam's breath was heavy against his skin as she issued her warning.
"You better be sorry, Jack, because if you try something like this again, I'll beat you up myself," she warned before capturing his lips once more.
Jack, overcome by the rush of desire and amusement, flipped them over, pinning her gently against the mattress. "You've got yourself a deal, Doctor Carter," he replied, his hands tracing the curves of her body.
That night, there was no room for arguments or discussions. The only sounds that filled the room were Sam's soft moans of pleasure as Jack spared no effort in showing her just how much he loved her. Again and again, he brought her to new heights of ecstasy, their bodies entwined in a dance of passion and love.
However, when they woke up the following day, Sam was ready to address the issue that had been hanging between them. She knew he had already been informed about the healing device. Daniel had ratted her out, but she was okay with that. She had planned to tell him anyway.
"We need to talk, Jack," she said, looking at him, his stitches over the left eyebrow, a painful reminder of why they were having this conversation.
Jack yawned loudly.
"Okay…" he said, blinking.
"It's about the healing device," she detailed.
That caught Jack's attention, and he slowly turned to her.
"What about the healing device?" he asked.
Sam swallowed but kept her eyes locked on his.
"I know Daniel talked to you about it, and you know I refused to use it unless your health deteriorated. Do you want to know why?"
Jack put one hand on her waist.
"I have an idea, but feel free to share your thoughts," he said.
Sam told him precisely what had happened.
When it became known what Jack had done to the other O'Neill, Vala was the first to offer the solution of using the healing device on him. Both she and Sam could use it to heal Jack quickly, but to the surprise of everyone, including Carolyn Lam, Sam refused. General Reynolds held a small meeting in his office with Sam, Vala, and the base's CMO, Doctor Carolyn Lam.
General Reynolds leaned forward, hands clasped.
"Alright, let's get straight to the point. Doctor Carter, Vala, Doctor Lam – we have a situation. Jack's condition isn't good, and Vala has proposed using the healing device. Doctor Carter, you refused, as his wife. I want to understand why".
Carolyn looked at Sam with some concern in her eyes.
"Sam, I understand your point about accountability, but Jack's condition isn't the best. He will take time to heal, and his age won't help".
Vala looked at the ceiling, frustrated. "Exactly! We have the means to heal him right here. Why let him suffer when we can fix this?"
Sam took a deep breath.
"It's not just about fixing him, Vala. It's about the bigger picture. Jack made a personal choice and had been warned not to do it. He lied to me, and he is my husband, but that is something we need to sort out as a couple. This may seem cruel, but no lesson will be learned if we use the healing device and let him off the hook. He has to understand the gravity of his actions".
General Reynolds nodded thoughtfully.
"I understand your point, Doctor Carter. But we also must keep our people alive and well. This isn't just about punishment", he said slowly.
Carolyn interjected gently Sam, "I get where you're coming from, and General O'Neill's isn't critical in terms of injuries. He's just badly mistreated, and I can control the pain. He'll be bruised. A lot," she warned.
Vala looked directly at Sam.
"Sam, I respect your decision-making, but this feels like a punishment rather than a lesson. We can heal him, and then you can address the issue between you. Beat him yourself if it makes you feel better, but after he is recovered", she offered.
Sam sighed, looking conflicted.
"I know it seems harsh, but he's my husband, and I have the final say. Jack needs to understand that his actions have real consequences, and I dare say that, even though I'm no longer in the military and everyone else on this base. Personal vendettas shouldn't be encouraged".
After a moment of silence, General Reynolds looked at Sam.
"Alright, Doctor Carter. I see where you're coming from, but we also can't ignore Jack's health. Here's what we'll do. Vala, if his condition worsens, you are on standby with the healing device. If not, he'll recover as his wife wishes, and our CMO can assure him that it will be as pain-controlled as possible. Agreed?
Vala nodded reluctantly. "Agreed".
Carolyn also nodded. "Very well, General. I agree."
All eyes turned to Sam, who nodded after a brief pause.
"Very well. Agreed. Only if his health deteriorates".
General Reynolds stood up.
"Good. Let's get it done. We've already had enough surprises for the coming years. We don't need additional grievance."
The group dispersed, and as Sam returned to the infirmary, she silently debated whether she was deliberately punishing Jack for his actions by not wanting to use the healing device. She knew she was, which made a big hole in her heart. They would have to discuss that and sort it out when he was better. Sam knew the real challenge would be addressing the fallout of his actions once he was back on his feet.
Jack silently watched her as she finished explaining what had happened.
"So it was a punishment for beating the other asshole?" he asked slowly.
Sam shook her head. "No, Jack. You deliberately lied to me, and he could have killed you," she said.
Jack smiled. "He was the one who had to leave on a gurney, honey," he smirked.
Frustrated, Sam pushed him away and turned, looking at the ceiling as she lifted her knees on the bed.
"It's that arrogance that I find utterly stupid, Jack. You think you're invincible. Well, news flash, no one is. Everyone dies, as you well know," she said, tears streaming down her face.
Jack swallowed hard, understanding precisely who she was referring to. Her position on the bed also revealed her vulnerability and emotional distress, something she rarely displayed.
"I'm not invincible, Sam, but I had a powerful reason behind my actions, which made me stronger than him. You forget I was fighting another version of myself. I knew exactly who I was facing, hence my current state. No one has ever left me like this before in any fight. But I knew I could beat him, and I had to. So even if you disagree with what I did and did lie to you, for which I'm very sorry, I don't regret it. I would do it again. You're my wife, and I will always protect you, regardless of my age or condition. If I have to take a bullet to save you, I will. So we are clear on that," he said, squeezing her hand.
Sam closed her eyes and let the tears fall.
"Well, in that case, be warned that the same goes for me. I'll take the same actions you did to save your life, and I don't want to hear a word about it. Is that clear, General?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Jack smiled and slowly kissed her lips and then her tear-streaked eyes. "End of discussion, Doctor Carter," he said.
As the weekend passed, Jack's bruises began to fade, a relief not only for him but also for the fabrication they would present to Grace. More phone conversations with Grace ensued, accompanied by warnings about the mischievous antics of their rebellious kitten, Carmen, to prevent the destruction of the Hailey residence.
Finally, Carolyn deemed Jack fit to return home, his bruises now a paler mark on his face, providing a more straightforward justification to Grace than the truth would have. To avoid additional stress, they returned the beaming process to the Pentagon, bypassing the possibility of an awkward encounter with Mrs. Hailey at their house, where she held the keys. From there, a driver instructed by Landry took them home.
Upon arrival, Sam sent Jack inside the house and made her way to Mrs. Hailey's residence to express her gratitude and offer apologies for Carmen's mischief in their absence. After a lengthy conversation, Walter Hailey reluctantly returned Carmen to Sam's care.
"She can come over whenever you need. She's no bother at all," Walter said with a hint of sadness.
"Thank you, but I think we've already imposed on you enough," Sam replied, cradling the now not-so-little black cat in her arms. "And again, thank you for taking such great care of Grace."
The Haileys waved as Sam departed, Wendy expressing fond sentiments about Grace. Sam nodded in agreement before making her way back to their house.
"Bad cat," Sam whispered as she entered the house.
Carmen purred contentedly and jumped from her arms to explore her home again. Heading to the kitchen, Carmen resumed her activities as if nothing had happened. Sam shook her head in bemusement and went off searching for her husband.
Jack was in their bedroom, unpacking his clothes, knowing they had a bit of time before Grace returned from school.
"How's your back pain?" Sam inquired, noticing his wince as he put some t-shirts on the dresser.
"Much better," Jack replied, though the strain was evident in his forced smile.
Sam rolled her eyes, already knowing what he needed. She quickly left the bedroom, returning moments later with pain medication and water from her purse.
"Here, for your nonexistent pains," she said, handing him the pills and water as she sat beside him on the bed.
Taking them with another tight-lipped smile, Jack waited as Sam broached the subject he had dreaded.
"What do you really want to tell Grace, Jack?" she asked gently.
Jack sighed heavily, the weight of the truth bearing down on him. "I'm open to suggestions," he admitted after a long pause.
Sam considered her words carefully before offering a suggestion. "What about a mission off-world that went wrong?"
Jack shook his head.
"She already harbors resentment toward alien civilizations because of her mother's death. If I tell her I was in a fight off-world, she might want to join the Academy tomorrow to go after them. It's too risky," he explained slowly.
Sam laid back on the bed, staring at the ceiling as she thought.
"So, we adapt the truth a little. How about this: we had a prisoner at SGC, and he tried to escape. You were the one who found him, and you fought. You got injured," she proposed.
Jack cleared his throat, considering her suggestion. "It's almost the truth, except he didn't try to escape."
"Exactly," Sam replied. "Hence the adaptation."
With a resigned nod, Jack agreed. "Okay, we'll go with that story. A prisoner at SGC tried to escape, but I found him, and we fought."
Sam turned to face him, searching his eyes for reassurance. "Is that story closed for good, Jack? I've closed it with him, but I need to know if you did the same."
Meeting her gaze, Jack's resolve was evident. "I did what I had to do. It's closed for me, Sam," he assured her.
Relieved, Sam smiled. "Good. I want to resume our life with our daughter and enjoy the fact that I have you home." Her playful demeanor returned as she began to unbutton his shirt. "At my entire disposal," she said with a mischievous grin.
Jack raised an eyebrow, playing along with her teasing. "Use me as you wish," he said with mock seriousness.
Sam burst into laughter, unable to resist his charm. After a lingering kiss, she reluctantly pulled away.
"Not using me?" Jack teased as she stood up.
"Later, General. Your daughter is due to arrive in the next five minutes if the school bus isn't late," Sam replied with a smile as she headed towards the door.
Jack watched her leave with a pout, counting the minutes until they could be alone again.
As Grace returned from school, Sam stood outside the house, eagerly awaiting her daughter's arrival. Suddenly, a motion blur crashed into her, nearly knocking her off balance.
"Mom! You're home!" Grace exclaimed with uncontainable joy, wrapping Sam in a tight hug, her backpack weighing heavily on her shoulders.
Sam returned the hug, though she had to pry Grace off due to the weight she carried gently.
"Hello, my love," she greeted, running her fingers through Grace's blonde hair.
"Where's Dad?" Grace asked, glancing towards the closed front door.
Sam hesitated for a moment, biting her lip.
"He's inside. He had a little mishap at SGC, but he's okay now, sweetie. Just be mindful of his injuries; he's still recovering," Sam cautioned softly. It was precisely why she had chosen to greet Grace alone, to prevent such an exuberant welcome.
Grace's expression shifted to one of concern, her blue eyes widening. "Is Dad hurt?" she inquired anxiously.
Sam placed a reassuring hand on Grace's shoulder. "Not anymore, but he's still a bit bruised," she explained as she opened the front door and led the way inside.
Grace entered cautiously, taking in her surroundings before focusing on Sam again.
"He's in the living room, honey," Sam informed her.
Without hesitation, Grace dropped her backpack and hurried towards the living room, her worry evident in her quickened pace.
Jack sat on the couch, engrossed in the television, when Grace hurried into the room. Abruptly halting in her tracks, she fixed her gaze on him. Jack muted the TV and grinned, opening his arms.
"Hey there, sweetheart. Miss me?" he quipped.
Grace studied him intently, her eyes roaming from his slightly bruised face to the stitches that adorned his skin. Without a word, she remained motionless.
"Mom mentioned your injuries," Grace murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Sam stepped in behind Grace, touching her daughter's shoulders.
"Yes, your Dad had a few scrapes, but he's on the mend now," Sam reassured her.
Grace remained rooted in place, her eyes fixed on Jack, who inched closer to her.
"It's alright, Grace. I'm here, and it was just a scuffle with a prisoner at SGC. He managed to get away, and I was the one who caught him. It was a bit of a tussle," Jack explained, keeping his explanation simple.
Grace leaned back against Sam's legs, her brow furrowed in thought. "But why did you have to fight him? Couldn't Uncle Teal'c handle it?" she questioned.
Jack cleared his throat before responding, "I stumbled upon him first. Teal'c was there to lend a hand, too."
Grace nibbled on her lip, her hands covering Sam's as she gazed at her father.
Feeling the weight of the moment, Jack gently extended his hand. "How about a handshake, kiddo?" he offered softly.
Grace hesitated for a moment before accepting, though her unease lingered. Sensing the need to shift gears, Sam redirected the conversation.
"Alright, sweetheart. Let's save the interrogation for later, head upstairs, and chat about what happened at the Haileys', hmm?" she suggested, guiding Grace away from the moment's intensity, away from the living room, and toward the staircase.
As they ascended the steps together, Grace voiced her thoughts.
"I think Mr. Hailey wants a cat," she remarked.
Jack sighed, realizing he needed to tread carefully with Grace, considering how deeply his injuries had affected her. He returned his attention to the TV, pondering how to navigate this newfound sensitivity in their relationship.
Sam stayed with Grace for an extended period, helping her unpack and eagerly listening to her tales of adventure from the Haileys' household. As Grace showered, Sam sat on her bed, contemplating how best to address Jack's injuries. It was evident that Grace was troubled by them, especially given her traumatic experience with her mother's death, which she associated with the SGC. Sam suspected there might be a connection to her reaction.
When Grace emerged from the bathroom, clad in her pajamas, Sam decided to broach the topic delicately.
"Grace, sweetheart, you've seen your father, and you know he's alright despite his injuries. He's not in any danger," she reassured gently.
Grace climbed onto the bed, crossing her legs as she listened intently. "I've never seen him hurt like this, Mom. He always seemed invincible, even when he wasn't in his dress blues," she confessed softly.
Sam reached out, grasping her daughter's hand. "I understand, darling. But your father used to work with SG-1, just like your mother and me. Sometimes, we would get hurt. It's scary to see him like this, but he will be fine," Sam explained tenderly.
Grace bit her lip, her eyes reflecting her fears. "But you weren't hurt when you went to the SGC," she pointed out.
Sam nodded slowly. "No, I wasn't hurt because your Dad protected me. He protected a lot of people from that danger. He fought to keep us all safe," she affirmed.
Suddenly, Grace wrapped her arms around Sam, tears welling in her eyes. "I don't want you to die too, Mom. I don't want Dad to die. I don't want to be alone," she sobbed.
Sam's heart skipped a beat as she held her daughter close, offering words of comfort.
"We're here for you, sweetheart. You're not alone," she whispered, planting a tender kiss on Grace's forehead.
After Grace had calmed down, she sniffled and mentioned she was feeling a bit hungry. Sam nodded in understanding.
"Alright, let's see what we can order for dinner. How about some crispy chicken wings, nuggets, and fries?" she suggested. Comfort food seemed appropriate for the occasion.
Grace's face lit up immediately. "Yes, Mom! I want the hot & spicy wings with BBQ sauce, please!" she exclaimed.
Sam smiled and helped her daughter off the bed.
"Okay, let's go see what your father wants," she said as they returned to the living room, where they found Jack sound asleep with the TV still on. They both chuckled softly and headed to the kitchen.
Once in the kitchen, Sam took out her phone to place the order. "Well, let's order, and he'll have to eat whatever's available," she remarked, glancing at Grace, who was still smiling. After placing the order, Sam hung up the phone.
"Now we just have to wait," she said, returning her attention to Grace.
"I know you're confused and upset seeing your father hurt, Grace. It's normal to worry about losing someone you love, especially because you've already lost your mother. So, we're going to talk about this," Sam promised gently.
Grace started fiddling with her mother's phone, avoiding eye contact. "Okay," she finally replied softly.
Sam patted her head affectionately. "Now, who's going to wake up your father?" she inquired.
Grace looked up at her. "How about rock, paper, scissors?" she grinned.
As they played their game, time slipped away, and their dinner order soon arrived. After Sam paid and stashed the bags in the kitchen, she found Grace beaming at her.
"I know, I know..." Sam chuckled, acknowledging Grace's victory in their game. With a smile, she left the kitchen.
Grace had won fair and square, and with a gleeful expression, she approached the couch where Jack was still sound asleep. Kneeling beside him, Sam began to gently stroke his hair, a familiar method of waking him up that they both enjoyed.
"Jack, honey," she whispered into his ear. He mumbled and shifted on the couch, not fully awake yet. "Come on, Jack. Wake up; dinner is ready," she urged, her fingers continuing their soothing motion through his hair.
Jack's eyes remained closed, but he was starting to rouse. "This feels much better than dinner," he teased with a small smile.
Sam grinned back.
"Oh, you're awake. Good. I promise to give you a head massage later in bed if you get up and have dinner with me and your daughter," she bargained, knowing Jack's weakness.
He slowly opened his eyes. "A head massage?" he repeated, his hands finding her waist. "Just in the head?" he asked.
Sam rolled her eyes playfully. "Let's have dinner first, and then we can negotiate the massages," she said, extending her hand to help him off the couch. He took her hand and stood up, their faces close.
Before they headed to the kitchen, Sam stole a quick kiss. "We need to talk seriously with Grace about your injuries, Jack. She's afraid you might die," Sam confided in a hushed tone.
Jack's expression turned serious. "What?" he exclaimed, glancing towards the kitchen.
Sam squeezed his hand reassuringly. "We talked in her room, and she told me she fears being alone. She thinks if we die, she'll be all alone," Sam explained gently.
Jack closed his eyes briefly, swallowing hard. "Okay. So, serious talk," he muttered, mentally preparing himself.
Sam continued to hold his hand, her touch grounding him.
"We need to be honest but also reassuring. She needs to understand that although everyone eventually passes away, we're doing everything we can to stay healthy and safe. We must emphasize that most people live long lives, and we plan to be here for her for as long as possible," Sam said softly.
Jack nodded solemnly. "It's her mother's death trauma resurfacing," he realized aloud.
Sam nodded in agreement. "Yes, she mentioned she's never seen you hurt before," she confirmed.
Jack let out a heavy sigh. "I wasn't in the field when she was born, Sam. I was stuck behind a desk," he admitted sadly.
Sam squeezed his hand tighter. "I know. We'll tackle this together, Jack. We just have to be cautious," she reassured him.
Jack leaned in and kissed her forehead gratefully. "Thank you. You're an amazing mother," he whispered.
Sam returned the kiss. "And you're a wonderful father. Let's go before our wonderful daughter devours our delicious dinners," she joked lightly.
Together, they headed to the kitchen, knowing that a severe conversation awaited them and confident in their ability to navigate it as a team.
As they gathered around the dinner table, the aroma of hot & spicy wings, accompanied by BBQ sauce, filled the air. Grace eagerly dug into her favorite dish, her eyes lighting up with each flavorful bite. Jack and Sam joined her, indulging in the crispy chicken wings, nuggets, and fries.
Between mouthfuls of food, they attempted to broach the sensitive topic weighing on Grace's mind. Sam glanced at Jack, silently signaling it was time to address Grace's fears. Jack nodded in agreement, his expression determined yet gentle.
"Grace, sweetheart," Sam began, her voice soft but steady, "we know you've been worried about us because of what happened to your mother."
Grace paused, her eyes flickering with apprehension. Jack reached out to gently squeeze her hand, offering reassurance.
"We want you to know that while we can't promise we'll never get hurt, we're doing everything we can to stay safe," Jack added, his tone earnest. "And even if something were to happen, we have plans to make sure you're always taken care of," he continued, his gaze unwavering.
Grace looked between her parents, a glimmer of hope emerging amidst her uncertainty. "But what if...?" she started, her voice trailing off as she struggled to articulate her deepest fear.
Sam leaned forward, her eyes filled with empathy. "Grace, it's normal to worry about losing someone you love," she acknowledged gently. "But we want you to remember that you're not alone. We have each other, and we'll be here for you," she reassured, her words a comforting embrace.
Jack nodded in agreement, his gaze never leaving Grace's. "We're a family, Grace. And families stick together through thick and thin," he affirmed, his voice unwavering.
Sam grabbed her hand.
"Plus, there's so much we still want to do together now and in the future. We'll have plenty of fun times ahead, and we should focus on all the exciting things we have planned as a family," she said, her smile brightening.
Grace nodded as she nibbled a nugget.
As they continued to eat their dinner, the atmosphere around the table became lighter, infused with a newfound sense of understanding and reassurance. Grace's fears hadn't vanished entirely, but with the unwavering support of her parents, she felt a newfound sense of security.
As they shared laughter and stories over their meal, Jack, Sam, and Grace knew that no matter the challenges ahead, they would face them together as a family. They were becoming a real family.