As Sam arrived at the hospital, she spotted General Landry in the corridor and hastened her steps to meet him.
"Good morning, Sir," she greeted, her voice tinged with determination and apprehension.
"Morning, Colonel. I've heard the news. I'm sorry," General Landry offered, his expression sympathetic.
Sam nodded solemnly.
"It is what it is, Sir. I'll adapt," she replied, trying to project confidence despite the turmoil swirling within her.
General Landry cleared his throat, his gaze steady.
"I know you will, Colonel. Jack couldn't have a better incentive, even if he doesn't remember. But I'm confident he will," he reassured her, his words encouraging.
Sam's cheeks flushed at the praise, and she was grateful for her superior's vote of confidence.
"Thank you, Sir," she murmured, a flicker of determination igniting in her eyes.
Sam cleared her throat as she prepared to address the Nox situation.
"Sir, I wanted to discuss a potential course of action regarding Jack's condition," Sam began, trying to keep her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. "I've been thinking about our allies, particularly the Nox. They have advanced healing abilities that could be crucial in Jack's recovery."
General Landry crossed his arms, considering her words.
"The Nox haven't contacted us in years, Colonel. We've tried reaching out before with no success. What makes you think this time will be different?"
"I don't know that it will be different, Sir," Sam admitted, her eyes betraying her worry. "But we're running out of options. Their healing technology might be the only thing that can help Jack. We have to try."
Landry sighed his expression a mix of concern and resignation. "I understand, Colonel. But we need to be realistic. The Nox are notoriously difficult to reach, and even if we manage to contact them, there's no guarantee they'll be willing to help."
"I know it's a long shot," Sam said, her voice tinged with desperation. "But I can't just sit here and do nothing. After everything Jack gave to the Program, he deserves every chance we can give him."
General Landry nodded slowly. "Alright. I'll authorize another attempt to contact the Nox. But I want you to understand that this might not work. We need to be prepared for that possibility."
"Thank you, Sir," Sam replied, a small glimmer of hope in her eyes. "I appreciate it."
Changing the subject, Sam inquired about the investigation into the bomb attack. General Landry shook his head gravely.
"We're reviewing all the cases Jack was dealing with and prioritizing the most threatening ones. Unfortunately, he had his fair share of enemies, and the list is long. It's part of the job," he explained, his tone somber.
Sam swallowed hard, a knot forming in her stomach at the reminder of the dangers Jack faced daily.
"He knew that," she replied quietly, her thoughts drifting to the countless threats he had received since assuming the Head of the Homeworld Command post.
General Landry nodded, his expression grim.
"Nevertheless, this is a top priority for the Administration. No resources are being spared. The President wants this sorted and the culprits apprehended, whoever they may be—human or alien," he added in a low voice, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
Sam's jaw tightened at the mention of the President's involvement, a reminder of the immense pressure resting on their shoulders.
"Understood, Sir," she replied crisply, her resolve strengthening.
General Landry studied her for a moment before speaking again.
"What are your plans, Colonel?" he asked, his tone thoughtful.
Sam glanced down at her attire – no longer in uniform but dressed casually yet professionally – and considered her options.
"I'm open to suggestions, Sir," she admitted, acknowledging the uncertainty of their situation.
General Landry sighed, his expression grave. He, too, had thought about the matter as soon as he heard about Jack's condition.
"I will talk to him, and you will be in the room. Let's see if he recognizes me. As a two-star general, in his mind, I outrank him. We'll have to play this by ear, Colonel," he explained, his voice tinged with resignation.
Sam swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest. "Of course, Sir. I'll follow your lead," she affirmed, bracing herself for the difficult conversation ahead.
Taking a deep breath, they both entered the room, where Jack lay on the bed, his gaze distant and vacant. Sam's heart clenched at the sight, steeling herself for the challenges ahead.
General Landry approached the bed, removing his hat and looking at Jack, who seemed unaware of their entrance. The bandages remained, but the tube had been removed. Clearing his throat, Landry waited for a sign of recognition. Jack turned his head slowly, his dulled eyes focusing with some effort.
"General O'Neill, good to see you alive and breathing," Landry greeted with a teasing smile.
Jack blinked twice, his gaze shifting between Landry and Sam, who stood slightly behind the two-star general.
"Hank?" Jack asked, his eyes clouded with confusion.
Landry smiled warmly at the recognition. It was a promising start, given the circumstances.
"The one and only. Heard you had a bit of a problem with your car," he said, maintaining a playful tone to ease the tension.
Jack's eyes moved back to Sam, and he noticed her casual attire—a white shirt and jeans—which struck him as odd. He wondered if it was the medication or his mind playing tricks on him again.
"What are you doing here?" Jack asked, his voice strained.
Landry cleared his throat once more.
"Just checking on you. We like to keep our generals well and alive, right, Colonel Carter?" he said, glancing back at Sam.
Sam stepped forward, maintaining a respectful distance from Jack's bed.
"Yes, Sir," she replied softly, her voice tinged with concern.
Jack looked between Landry and Sam again, his eyes growing tired.
"Sorry, but I'm not at my best," he admitted.
Landry knew their time was limited.
"Of course, Jack. I'll be out of your way soon. As a matter of fact, I'm here to offer you my house. When you're discharged from the hospital, you'll need a place to stay in D.C. to recover. I'm temporarily assuming your post while you're out of action, so I'll be back in Colorado Springs. No point in leaving a big house empty," he explained.
Sam held her breath, waiting for Jack's response. Would he accept the offer?
Jack struggled to stay awake.
"What? Where are we?" he asked, confused.
"Wahington, D.C.," Landry said, thinking about Homeworld. "Well, not really. Actually, we are in Maryland," he corrected when he realized Jack was probably referring to the hospital.
Jack blinked twice, but the fog in his mind continued. And why was Carter's hair so long?
"And you work here?" he asked, clearly disoriented.
Landry pointed to the stars on his shoulders.
"Homeworld Command, remember?" he prompted gently.
Jack shook his head, wincing with pain. "No," he said, frustration evident in his voice.
Landry recognized it was time to leave.
"No problem, Jack. Colonel Carter has instructions to stay and look after you. We'll discuss this more once you're feeling better. Get some rest," Landry said, discreetly gesturing for Sam to stay behind. He then exited the room, closing the door quietly behind him.
Sam watched as Landry left, the weight of responsibility settling heavily on her shoulders. She turned back to Jack, who had already closed his eyes, a deep furrow of pain etched across his brow. She approached his bedside cautiously, pulling up a chair and sitting down.
She just watched him for a moment, her heart aching at the sight of him so vulnerable. This man, who had always been her rock, now needed her more than ever. She wanted to lean forward, take his hand, and tell him she was there for him. Instead, her lips remained determinedly shut.
The room fell into a peaceful silence, the soft hum of hospital machinery the only sound. Sam sat quietly, her thoughts racing. She knew the road ahead would be long and challenging, but she was ready to face it. For Jack, for their shared past and the hope of a future together again, she would give everything she had.
She had a role to play and would play it to perfection, no matter how much it hurt. For now, Jack was her CO, and she was determined to do everything she could to help him heal. She just had to forget they were married and get back into the spirit of their SG-1 times, even if she had to repeat that sentence a million times. She could do it, and she would.
The following morning, Jack awoke to the uncomfortable sensation of a nurse poking him and a doctor shining a penlight into his eyes. Disoriented and confused, he struggled to grasp his surroundings. The sterile smell, the faint hum of medical equipment, and the unfamiliar faces threw him off balance.
"Good morning, General," the doctor said, her voice professional yet gentle. "I'm Dr. Martinez, remember? I apologize for the inconvenience, but I must perform these routine checks to monitor your progress."
Jack squinted at her, the brightness of the penlight still lingering in his vision. He blinked several times, trying to clear the damn fog from his mind. The doctor before him wasn't Janet Fraiser, the familiar face he had expected. Instead, she was a stranger, and he couldn't shake the feeling of disorientation.
"Where am I?" he asked, his voice hoarse and weak.
Dr. Martinez offered a reassuring smile. "You're at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. You were injured in an attack, and we're here to help you recover."
Jack's eyes roamed the room, taking in the stark white walls and the various monitors beeping softly around him. The reality of his situation began to settle in, though his memories remained fragmented.
"I'm in Bethesda?" he asked, surprised. Vague memories of someone talking about D.C. and Maryland come to his mind, but he couldn't place them.
The doctor nodded.
"How bad is it?" he asked, his voice gaining more strength.
Dr. Martinez's expression softened with empathy.
"You've sustained a significant head injury, General. We're closely monitoring your condition, and with time and rehabilitation, we hope for a good recovery. You have a strong support system here."
Jack's mind was a whirl of confusion and concern. "Support system?" he echoed, struggling to piece together the puzzle. What the hell was he doing in Maryland?
As if on cue, the door to his room opened, and Sam walked in, her presence immediately grounding him. She was determined, though the worry in her eyes was unmistakable.
"Good morning, Sir," she said, maintaining the professional facade they had agreed upon.
"Carter?" Jack asked, his voice tinged with a mixture of relief and confusion.
"Yes, Sir," she replied, stepping closer to his bedside. "I'm here to assist with your recovery."
Jack's eyes narrowed slightly as he tried to understand the situation.
"What happened?" he asked, looking between Sam and Dr. Martinez.
"You were involved in a bomb attack, General," Dr. Martinez explained. "Your injuries were severe, but you're making progress. Colonel Carter is here to ensure you have the support you need during your recovery."
Jack nodded slowly, processing the information. The pieces of his memory were still scattered, but Carter's presence provided a slight sense of stability.
"Ok," he said, his voice softening.
Dr. Martinez gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "We'll be here every step of the way, General. You're not alone in this."
Sam sat beside Jack's bed as Dr. Martinez, and the nurse left the room. The sterile environment of the hospital felt suffocating, and the presence of Jack in such a vulnerable state was almost too much to bear. She wore civilian clothes again, immediately catching Jack's attention and confusing him.
"Why are you out of uniform, Carter?" he asked, his voice weak but filled with curiosity.
Sam swallowed hard. She was on emergency leave due to Jack's injuries, but she couldn't exactly tell him that. She made a mental note to discuss the situation with General Landry.
"General Landry put me on leave, Sir," she said, trying to stay as close to the truth as possible without revealing too much.
Jack attempted to lift an eyebrow, but even that tiny effort seemed to exhaust him.
"Put you on leave? Why the hell for?" he asked, bewildered. Nothing seemed to make sense.
Sam bit her lip, searching for the right words.
"Do you remember our conversation yesterday, Sir?" she asked, quickly adding the "Sir" to maintain formality. Calling him 'Sir' was challenging, and she hoped he hadn't noticed her hesitation.
Jack sighed, his frustration evident. "Something about a house and my recovery," he said, trying to piece together the fragmented memories.
Sam smiled, grateful for the slight recollection.
"Exactly. You'll need a place to recover, and General Landry kindly offered his house in D.C. while he returns to the SGC to take your place," she explained, keeping her tone as calm and straightforward as possible.
Jack looked at her with suspicious eyes, his confusion deepening.
"And what are you doing here, Carter?" he asked, his voice tinged with suspicion.
Sam swallowed again, her mind racing.
"The President took your attack very seriously, Sir. Everyone has. We're on high alert, and after much deliberation, I was chosen to remain by your side," she said. General Landry hadn't provided her with more detailed explanations, so she had to improvise on the spot.
Jack's eyes narrowed as he processed her words.
"You? What about your boyfriend? The cop?" he asked, looking down at the bedsheets.
Sam paled, her heart skipping a beat. She had forgotten entirely that if Jack thought he was still the CO of the SGC, he would assume she was engaged to Pete Shanahan.
"Ah... That…well, he knows that I have to obey orders," she managed to say, her voice strained.
Jack hummed, still not looking at her. "Why not Daniel? Or Teal'c?" he asked, pressing further.
Sam felt a wave of panic rising. Daniel was at a conference in Istanbul, and Teal'c was on Chulak.
"They are currently on an off-world mission that will take some time. They were unavailable. I'm afraid you're stuck with me, Sir," she said, trying to sound light-hearted but failing miserably.
The room suddenly felt too small, and Sam found breathing hard. The weight of the situation was overwhelming. She stood up abruptly, feeling the need to escape.
"I just need to go outside for a minute, Sir. I'll be back," she said, her voice trembling. Without waiting for a response, she quickly left the room.
Out in the hallway, Sam leaned against the wall, her mind racing. She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths, trying to steady herself. The emotional strain of pretending everything was normal when nothing was expected was taking its toll. She needed to find a way to maintain her composure for Jack's sake.
After a few moments, she straightened up and squared her shoulders. She couldn't afford to let her emotions get the best of her. Jack needed her, and she had to be strong. With renewed determination, she re-entered the room, ready to face him again.
Jack's inability to think straight or remember things was starting to frustrate him greatly. It was as if someone had gone into his brain and erased part of his life. It was maddening. And having Carter as a babysitter—well, that was pure hell. When she re-entered the room, he sighed heavily.
"And what the hell was I doing here?" he asked.
Sam swallowed again and wished for General Landry's appearance. Since the door remained closed, she was on her own.
"You were called to a meeting at the Pentagon, Sir," she said, trying to keep it logical.
"A meeting…" Jack repeated.
Sam continued to look at him and the door—no General Landry.
"Yes, Sir", she confirmed.
"So, when do I get to leave this place?" he asked, his bruised hands fidgeting with the bedsheets.
Sam took her place back on the chair. "I don't know, Sir. The doctors said you'll need to stay here for a while. You had two brain surgeries," she said softly.
Jack looked at her, surprise evident on his face. "I had?" he asked.
Sam nodded. "Yes, Sir."
"Wow," he mumbled.
"You don't remember the bomb hitting your car?" she asked, curious.
Jack tried to think, but nothing came to mind. "Nope," he said, frustration evident in his tone.
Sam looked at her hands, trying to find the right words. "Maybe it's for the best. Probably not an image we want to keep with us," she said, more to herself than to him.
Jack, however, heard her. "Why on Earth would someone bomb me?" he asked, his confusion deepening.
Sam looked at him, realizing she hadn't discussed that with Landry either.
"I wasn't briefed about the specifics, Sir. Above my pay grade," she said, hoping he would be satisfied with the answer.
Jack shifted uncomfortably on the bed. "That never stopped you before," he pointed out, hinting at the old Jack O'Neill peeking through.
Sam silently cursed.
"Are you asking me to deliberately breach into the Air Force and the Pentagon's security, Sir?" she asked slowly, trying to keep her tone light.
Jack closed his eyes, a wave of exhaustion washing over him.
"No, Colonel. I'm sure they'll find out who was behind it in no time," he said tiredly.
Sam wanted to reach out, caress his hand, and kiss him. The yearning was almost unbearable, and she bit her lip hard to stop herself from acting on it. The room fell into silence as Jack drifted off to sleep.
She watched him, her heart aching with every steady rise and fall of his chest. He looked so peaceful in sleep, starkly contrasting the turmoil he must feel when awake. The worry lines on his face softened, and for a moment, he looked like the Jack she knew before all this happened.
The minutes ticked, and Sam remained by his side, her thoughts whirling with worry and determination. She needed to be strong, not just for him but for their future. She silently vowed to herself again to do everything she could to help Jack recover, no matter how long it took.
Outside the room, the hospital bustled with activity. Nurses hurried along the corridors, doctors discussed patients' conditions in hushed tones, and the world continued. But inside that small room, time seemed to stand still. The focus was on Jack and his recovery, and nothing else mattered.
Hours passed, and Sam remained vigilant. When Jack stirred and opened his eyes again, she was there, ready to offer a reassuring smile.
"How are you feeling?" she asked gently.
Jack blinked, trying to orient himself.
"Still here, huh?" he muttered, his voice a mix of resignation and faint amusement.
"Still here," Sam confirmed. "And I'm not going anywhere."
Jack gave her a small, tired smile. "Sweet," he said softly before closing his eyes again.
Sam felt a surge of hope. It was a small moment, but it was progress. She would take every small victory she could get, knowing that each brought them closer to recovery.
Later that day, General Landry stopped by, and this time, Sam stepped out of Jack's room to talk with the General. They needed to align their stories better, as Jack seemed more alert even if his memory showed no improvement. But one could never be too careful with Jack O'Neill, and Sam knew that firsthand. They went to a private room.
"I'm sorry to bring this up, Sir, but he is starting to ask several questions, and I don't know what to tell him," Sam said, her face visibly tired and worn from the emotional strain.
Landry sat on the table's edge, his expression sympathetic but firm.
"My apologies for that, Colonel. I should have thought about this sooner. What do we need to sort out?" he asked, leaning forward slightly to show he was fully engaged in the conversation.
Sam took a deep breath, organizing her thoughts before speaking. She told General Landry what she had already told Jack, covering everything from her supposed leave to the fabricated reasons for her presence.
Landry passed a hand through his hair, nodding as he absorbed the information.
"Very well. SG-1 is on an off-world mission and will continue until Doctor Jackson returns from Istanbul. As for the house, I recommend you take everything personal and store it away before he moves in. The house is supposedly mine, so pictures of your wedding or clothes belonging to you or him will look suspicious," Landry said.
Sam sighed, her mind already racing with the logistics. She had already thought about this. One of the first things she had received upon her arrival at the hospital had been Jack's dog tags—and with them, his wedding ring. She had carefully removed it and now had only his dog tags, the ring secured with her dog tags.
"I'll take care of it," Sam said, determined.
"As for why anyone would want to bomb him, let's go with Stargate enemies since he is supposedly the CO of SGC. We surely have plenty; it's possible, and we can tell him that we've put the NID on investigating it," Landry suggested.
Sam nodded, grateful for a plausible explanation. She left out the part involving her past fiancé, deciding to deal with that complication herself.
"How is the investigation going, Sir?" Sam asked, her voice tinged with concern.
Landry sighed, his demeanor becoming more serious.
"The experts are meticulously analyzing pieces of the bomb," Landry began, his tone heavy with the weight of the ongoing investigation. "So far, all evidence suggests it is of Earth origin. Jack was deep into an investigation of a notorious criminal organization known as the Nexus Network. This group specializes in cyber warfare and espionage. They're highly skilled hackers capable of breaching the most secure systems, stealing classified information, and disrupting critical communications. Their interest in advanced technologies makes Homeworld Security a prime target for their operations, and by extension, makes Jack a favored target for their attacks."
Sam held her breath.
Despite being alone in the room, Landry lowered his voice, his expression stern.
"The Nexus Network isn't just another run-of-the-mill hacking group. They're suspected of orchestrating several bomb attacks worldwide. Each incident bears their signature, its modus operandi. They like to take lives before making demands. The precision, timing, and choice of targets are all too familiar. That's why we are giving them our full attention."
Sam felt her heartbeat increase.
"They operate in the shadows, using their technological prowess to evade detection. But we have our resources, our expertise. If they are behind Jack's attack, we will find and stop them."
"Are they the only suspects?" Sam asked.
Landry shook his head. "Unfortunately, no. We have at least ten possible suspects, both from Earth and alien-linked. But for now, the Nexus Network is our strongest bet", he said.
Sam felt her heart tightening at the thought. "Do you believe he is still at risk?" she asked, worry evident in her tone.
Landry played with his hat, his eyes meeting hers with a grave expression.
"Until we know for sure, the security remains. Even for you, Colonel. You are his wife, so you are an obvious target now that you are on Earth," he pointed out. "We also dispatched a team to his ex-wife, just in case, to keep a close watch. To my knowledge, Jack has no further living relatives. Am I correct?" Landry asked.
"Yes, his family was small and died a long time ago. He told me once we married", she confirmed.
"Very well. So, you will have a permanent armed escort, and do you want me to send someone to keep an eye on your brother's family?" he asked.
Sam swallowed, the reality of their situation sinking in deeper.
"He doesn't know I've married, Sir," she confessed, her voice barely a whisper.
Sam hadn't spoken with Mark since the breakup with Pete. To be truthful, it had been the other way around. Mark had hung up the phone on her when she called to try to explain. Sam gave up after a few more attempts, only to be told by her sister-in-law that Mark didn't want to talk to her anymore. Their relationship had never been good, and she wouldn't spend the rest of her life chasing after a brother who had set her up with a friend. He then sulked when she realized the relationship was wrong.
It had been a turbulent time. Pete was charming, and for a while, Sam had convinced herself that their relationship could work. But deep down, she knew it was all wrong. She didn't love Pete, and she never would. She loved Jack and would always love. When she finally mustered the courage to end things, Mark took it personally. He had seen Pete as a good match, and her rejection felt like a betrayal to him. And then their father had died.
The memory of that final phone call still stung. She had hoped to explain, to make him understand her perspective, but his anger was unyielding. So much so that he hadn't even attended Jacob's funeral, and for that, Sam would never forgive him.
"You've always been ungrateful, Sam," he had spat out before the line went dead. The silence followed was heavy, filled with unresolved emotions and unspoken words.
She had married Jack and never told him or invited him, for that matter. Years have passed since then. She wondered if Mark would ever understand or if they could ever reconcile. She had moved on, but the scars of their broken relationship lingered.
Sam sighed, her gaze distant.
"Very few people know that we are married, General," she murmured, more to herself than to the man before her. She didn't know if Mark would ever forgive her or if she would ever forgive herself for not trying harder, even if her brother had behaved like a total asshole.
Landry stood up, his posture resolute.
"I'm not willing to take that risk, nor is the President. Your escort remains, Colonel Carter. Here and when you move back to my house," he said with a little wink, trying to lighten the heavy mood. "Let me know what you decide about your brother's family as soon as possible," he added.
Sam blushed slightly, appreciating the gesture. They left the room together, heading back to see Jack. Sam steeled herself for the challenges ahead as they walked down the corridor. She needed to be strong, not just for Jack but for the mission, the secrets they had to keep, and the people depending on them.
When they reached Jack's room, Sam took a deep breath before opening the door. Jack was awake, his eyes more precise but still holding the fog of confusion.
"Hey," he greeted them, his voice more robust than before.
"Hey, Jack," Landry replied, taking his hat off. "I brought some good news and a plan for when you're ready to leave this place."
Jack's eyes flicked to Sam, then back to Landry. "Great. I'm tired of this bed," he grumbled, trying to sound like his old self.
Sam smiled, taking her place beside him. "We've got everything covered, Sir. You focus on getting better."
Jack nodded, though his eyes still held questions.
"I will. And Carter... thanks," he said, his voice softening momentarily.
Sam's heart ached with the unspoken words, but she smiled and nodded.
"Anytime, Sir. Anytime."