As the sun began ascent, casting gentle rays of light into the room, Sam remained nestled in her bed, unlike any other morning. The desire to rise from the comfort of her covers was nonexistent. For the first time since she had stepped through the Gate from Atlantis to the SGC, resolved to face her wounded husband and confront whatever challenges lay ahead, Sam was taken by an overwhelming urge to disappear.
The thought of facing Jack, who no longer remembered her as his wife but instead saw her as an officer who had broken military rules by kissing her superior, felt like an insurmountable obstacle. The prospect of battling a Wraith, a formidable enemy she had faced countless times before, suddenly seemed more appealing than putting her feet on the floor and leaving what had become her bedroom.
Yes, she would willingly confront a Wraith without a second thought. She would face a hive ship full of them if it meant avoiding the heartache and uncertainty that awaited her outside her bedroom door. She buried her face deeper into her pillow with a heavy sigh, attempting to drown out the conflicting emotions swirling within her.
The weight of her responsibilities felt suffocating, pressing down on her chest like a leaden blanket. How could she face the day when her heart ached with longing, and her mind swirled with unanswered questions? Weeks passed, and everything was basically the same or worse.
With a frustrated groan, Sam realized she couldn't muster the strength to leave her bed today. Today, she would allow herself the luxury of solitude, of hiding away from the world and its painful realities. Today, she would retreat into the comforting embrace of her blankets and pillows, seeking refuge from the turmoil within her. Daniel could handle Jack. He had requested his presence, after all.
And as the hours passed, the sun's gentle rays casting shifting patterns of light and shadow across the room, Sam remained wrapped in her bed, lost in a tumult of emotions that threatened to consume her. She allowed herself the respite she desperately needed, finding solace in the quiet sanctuary of her own company.
Daniel knew they needed to address two critical subjects as he filled his cup of coffee and noticed Sam's continued absence. It had been clear that Jack had been jealous even without his memories when he saw them embraced in the hallway. General Landry's impending arrival would inform Jack about the actual year they were.
As Jack entered the kitchen, glancing around and mumbling a "good morning," Daniel decided to go for the first one.
"So, Jack. How are you and Sam getting along?" he asked, taking a seat and sipping his coffee.
Jack almost dropped his mug but caught it just in time, managing to disguise his surprise. He filled his mug and joined Daniel at the table.
"Why do you ask?" he replied, his tone guarded.
Daniel put his mug down, meeting Jack's gaze evenly.
"Things got a little intense yesterday when I arrived. I'm just wondering," he said, keeping his tone neutral.
Jack drank his coffee, his eyes flicking to Daniel. "And?" he prompted, his voice tight with tension.
Daniel played with his mug, choosing his words carefully. "You don't remember anything? Only your time at the SGC?" he asked, probing gently. "Being The Man?" he added.
Jack slowly put his mug on the table, his expression clouded with frustration.
"Don't you think I want to remember, Daniel? That I like this situation? Having Carter here to babysit me?" he snapped, his frustration evident.
Daniel cleared his throat, sensing an angle he could explore.
"So, you think she's here to babysit you?" he asked, watching Jack closely.
Jack looked at him with suspicious eyes. "Landry ordered her to do so. She told me, and so did Hank. Why? Are they lying?" he demanded, his tone defensive.
Daniel looked at his mug.
"Well, you've been recovering from surgery, and it's taken some time. Your brain is still trying to piece things together after the surgery, I guess. I'm just curious about the expression you used. Babysitting. It implies something done out of obligation, not willingly or with affection," he said, taking another sip of his coffee.
Jack swallowed, his jaw tense.
"What the hell are you talking about, Daniel? You sound like that damn doctor! And you know perfectly well that I'm her CO," he warned, his voice tinged with irritation.
Daniel continued to sip his coffee, unfazed by Jack's warning.
"And? Are you telling me that you have no feelings for her? Really, Jack? After all these years? How many years have passed since you realized you love her?" he pressed, watching Jack closely.
Jack swallowed again, his expression guarded.
"I don't like the heading of this conversation. So, you better stop. And where's Carter anyway?" he asked, glancing around the empty kitchen.
"Still locked in her bedroom," Daniel replied calmly.
Jack clenched his jaw, a flicker of concern crossing his features. "Is she ill?" he asked, his worry evident. She had never stayed in her room before.
"There are all kinds of illnesses, Jack," Daniel said carefully, choosing his words deliberately.
Jack sighed, frustration evident in his tone. He was starting to miss the nurse.
"Don't... don't get philosophical with me, Daniel, for crying out loud. I've already had to deal with Carter and her mathematics. So don't," he warned, pushing back from the table and leaving the kitchen to check on his Colonel.
Jack took a deep breath, steeling himself before he knocked on Carter's door.
"Hey, Carter, are you okay?" he called out, his voice tinged with concern.
The room remained silent, no response forthcoming. Jack knocked again, this time with more force. "Colonel! I asked you a question," he pressed, his frustration mounting.
He heard movement from inside the room, followed by the sound of the unlocked door. It creaked open just a fraction, revealing Carter standing on the other side. Jack's breath caught in his throat as he tried to focus on her blue eyes, willing himself to ignore the temptation of her exposed skin—her very exposed, beautiful, fair skin. She wore tight shorts and a silk top with spaghetti straps, her long blonde hair hanging loose.
"Eyes, Jack, just look at her eyes," he reminded himself, trying to focus on the familiar shade of blue he cherished. But today, her eyes seemed different. They were darker, almost grey, devoid of warmth and sparkle.
"Are you ill, Carter?" he asked, attempting to maintain a professional tone despite the distraction.
"Why?" she responded, her voice devoid of warmth.
Jack raised an eyebrow at her abruptness, his curiosity piqued by the shift in her demeanor. However, she remained unmoved by his reaction, her indifference palpable.
Today was unlike any other day. There were no formalities, respectful "Sir" or authoritative "General."
Today, he was Jack—the last person she wanted to see.
Today, she needed to maintain distance for her sanity. The love she harbored for him complicated everything, twisting her emotions into a painful knot. Each interaction threatened to unravel the carefully constructed walls she had built to keep the charade. And those walls had crashed with the kiss.
So, today was about self-preservation. She could continue to help him tomorrow, but not today.
"Do you need any medicine?" he inquired, hoping to offer assistance.
"No," came her flat reply, shutting down any further attempts at conversation.
Jack felt his frustration mounting.
"In that case, why don't you get out of that bedroom and have breakfast like a normal person?" he suggested, crossing his arms over his chest.
But Sam threw him a challenging look instead of compliance, her defiance palpable.
"Because I'm not normal. Never was and never will be. Now leave me alone," she snapped before slamming the door shut with a resounding thud.
Jack stood there, stunned, his mouth agape as he stared at the closed door in disbelief.
"Excuse me?" he managed to utter, his frustration bubbling.
He banged on the door once more, but there was no response. Eventually, Daniel appeared, drawn by the increasingly loud commotion.
"Jack, what the heck are you doing?" Daniel asked, his brow furrowing in concern.
Jack's face was red with fury.
"She slammed the door in my face! In my face!" he exclaimed, his anger evident as he kicked the door in frustration.
Daniel placed a calming hand on Jack's shoulder, trying to diffuse the situation. He still needed to speak with Sam about General Landry's decision and his impending visit.
"Let her be, Jack," he advised, his voice steady.
But Jack shook him off, his determination unwavering.
"She's leaving this room. NOW!" he declared, kicking the door harder, forcing it open with brute force.
Daniel closed his eyes, exhaling heavily as he braced himself for the fallout of Jack's impulsive actions. This was going to be a long day.
Sam was undressed to shower when the door was violently slammed open. Almost naked, she stormed out of the ensuite bathroom, furious. There, standing and breathing heavily, was why her door was hanging by just a few hinges: Lieutenant General Jack O'Neill, her husband, even if he didn't remember that.
"What the fuck, Jack?" she yelled, her voice a mix of anger and disbelief.
Jack's eyes betrayed him this time. She stood before him in nothing but the most amazing blue panties he had ever seen, and that matched her eyes. Apart from those, she was completely naked, and he couldn't help but stare. He swallowed hard, feeling a mix of guilt and fascination. He could now die half happy, having seen more than he had hoped for and less than he wanted to. He was sure he had never seen Samantha Carter naked before, at least not in his current memory.
"Get the fuck out of my room, Jack. Now!" she yelled again, pushing him away with her hands firmly on his chest.
Jack was so bewildered by her naked body that no words came to his mind. Daniel, standing outside, saw enough to turn around and close his eyes immediately.
"Oh shit," he mumbled and left immediately. They could sort things out, with or without memory. He wasn't getting in the way, and Sam's talk could wait.
Suddenly, Jack realized he was being pushed out of her room by a very naked Carter. Instinctively, he grabbed her arms. Big mistake. She was beyond furious, and with a swift move, he found himself on the floor with her foot pressing against his throat and his left arm at her mercy. If she twisted it, he would be in big trouble.
"I told you to get away from my room, Jack," she said, her voice tense and filled with anger.
Jack swallowed hard, bewildered by her sudden display of strength. Where the hell had she learned to do that? His right hand instinctively moved to the leg, holding him firmly in place. But his touch wasn't aggressive; it was soft, almost a caress.
Sam's breath caught as she felt his fingers moving gently along her calf. He looked like he was in some trance.
"Jack?" she called, her voice softer now, but he continued to be absorbed by the feel of her skin, his fingers moving slowly, reverently.
She eased the pressure on his throat, but even so, he didn't pay attention. It was like he was miles away, lost in the sensation of her touch. She stood very still, watching him, her anger slowly giving way to confusion and a flicker of something else she couldn't quite identify.
"Jack," she tried again, more firmly this time, shaking his left hand slightly.
He finally looked up at her, his eyes clearing as if he was coming out of a deep fog.
"Carter... I'm sorry," he stammered, his voice rough with emotion. "I didn't mean to... I mean, I just... you weren't answering, and I got worried."
Sam sighed, the tension in her body slowly melting away.
"You can't just barge in like that," she said, her voice softer but still holding an edge of reprimand.
Jack nodded his right hand still on her leg. "I know. I just... I was worried," he repeated, his eyes moving back to her long naked leg.
Sam sighed again, feeling a mix of emotions. When she tried to move her leg away, he held it.
"Don't", he asked slowly.
She looked at him, confused. Jack's fingers continued to feel her skin, and Sam suddenly felt very exposed. She immediately let go of his left hand.
"I don't know why, but this feels familiar. And it shouldn't. But it does", he said in a low voice.
Sam held her breath. Oh shit. He was remembering something.
"What, Jack?" she asked.
He continued lying on the floor of her bedroom, her leg on his chest now and his fingers gently caressing it. She could tell him exactly why it felt familiar, but he needed to get there alone, even if she had to be fully naked to help him remember.
She slowly lowered herself, kneeling in front of him. Jack's breath hitched as things became much more enjoyable. Their eyes locked, and without a second thought, Sam was straddling him. He instinctively grabbed her by the waist, his grip firm but gentle, never breaking eye contact.
Don't let me die just yet, he thought.
"What about this?" she asked, placing her hands on his chest, feeling his breath's rapid rise and fall.
Jack's breathing grew heavier as he stared at her, his mind a whirlwind of emotions and fragmented memories.
"Still feels familiar, too. Strange, right?" he said, his fingers trailing along her naked waist, sending shivers down her spine.
Sam swallowed hard, trying to keep her composure.
"Why do you think it feels familiar?" she asked, her voice soft and coaxing, hoping to guide him toward some recognition.
Jack felt hypnotized by her eyes, drawn into their depths. Her long hair also did amazing things to a particular part of his anatomy.
"We've done this before," he said, the words slipping out without thinking.
Sam's heart leaped with hope.
"We've done this before," she repeated, her voice filled with gentle encouragement.
Jack raised an eyebrow, a slow smile forming on his lips.
"We have?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
Sam nodded, deciding there was no point in denying it now. Maybe this was the way to jog his memories—through physical contact. Jack had always been very physical, and perhaps that connection could help bridge the gap in his mind. She was willing to try.
"Yes, Jack. We've done this before. Many times."
Jack's eyes darkened with a mixture of desire and confusion.
"How many times?" he asked, his hands roaming her waist, exploring her body's familiar yet distant terrain.
Sam leaned in closer, her lips just inches from his ear. "Countless times," she whispered, her breath warm against his skin.
Jack's hands tightened on her waist, pulling her closer. "And each time... did it feel this intense?" he asked, his voice husky with emotion.
Sam nodded, her forehead resting against his. "Every single time," she confirmed. "It's always been like this between us. Intense. Unstoppable."
Jack closed his eyes, trying to piece together the fractured images in his mind. Jesus, if only he could remember.
"Why can't I remember?" he murmured, his frustration evident.
Sam cupped his face in her hands, her thumbs gently brushing his cheeks.
"It's okay, Jack. We'll get through this. Together," she assured him, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.
Jack opened his eyes, meeting hers once again. "Together," he repeated the word a lifeline in the storm of his mind.
Sam smiled, a tear slipping down her cheek. "Yes, together. Always."
As they sat there, wrapped in each other's embrace, the world outside seemed to fade away. At that moment, nothing else mattered but the bond they shared, transcending memory and time. And though Jack's mind was still a maze of confusion, in Sam's arms, he felt a glimmer of the past—a past filled with love, passion, and an unbreakable connection.
After some time, Jack moved his hands away from her warm body, and Sam covered her naked breasts, standing up to grab a shirt. Jack, also rising to his feet, cleared his throat.
"I'm sorry for the door," he said, his voice tinged with regret.
Sam gave him a small, sad smile. "Yeah."
As Jack quickly left the room, Sam closed the battered door behind him, leaning against it for support. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart. This was far from over, but at least they had taken a small step forward. She knew they needed to have a severe talk soon. Gone was her intention of staying away from him the rest of the day.
Sam returned to the shower, hoping there would be no more interruptions this time. The hot water cascaded over her, providing a brief respite from the emotional turmoil. She let the water soothe her tense muscles, but her mind remained restless. Thoughts of Jack, his touch, and the brief flicker of recognition in his eyes swirled in her head.
After drying off and dressing in comfortable clothes, she went downstairs. The house was quiet, and she found Jack in the living room, sitting on the couch with a distant look on his face. He glanced up as she entered, his expression unreadable.
"Jack, we need to talk," she said softly, approaching him. No more 'General' or 'Sir'.
He nodded, motioning for her to sit beside him. "Yeah, we do."
Sam sat down, turning to face him. "This isn't just about the door, Jack. It's about us. About what we had before you lost your memory."
Jack sighed, joining his hands. "I know. It became pretty clear that we aren't just CO and whatever. It became personal, right?"
Sam nodded. The idea was for him to remember on his own, and to a certain extent, he had. However, it had been decided that there would come a time to tell him the truth about the year they were on. The President was too concerned with the Ancient knowledge Jack had on his head, which helped defeat the Replicators and Anubis. General Landry currently held that power of decision, but Sam was willing to adapt after so much time without acceptable results. She wanted her husband back. It wouldn't be the first time she would disobey orders.
"It turned personal, yes," she confirmed.
Jack swallowed.
"It felt right when I touched you. Like I wasn't doing anything wrong against the rules. And to feel that means only one thing. We got married. Did we get married?" he asked, hope flickering in his eyes.
Sam slowly opened her closed hand and showed him her dog tags. Jack's breath hitched when he saw the wedding rings—two wedding rings and one engagement ring. His dog tags had nothing besides the tags, but hers were an entirely different story.
"May I?" he asked.
She nodded, and he slowly picked up the tags and the rings with them, scrutinizing them. One was slightly larger than the other. He took his and put it on his finger—a perfect fit.
"Wow," he said, a mixture of amazement and disbelief.
Sam silently watched him, her emotions swirling with hope and fear.
"I don't remember it, but I must have done something right if you accepted to marry me," he said, taking her ring and slowly putting it on her finger.
Sam bit her lip to keep from crying. "You did," she confirmed softly.
Jack glanced at her.
"Do you have anything to share, or are we waiting for my memory to return?" he asked, gently holding her hand.
Sam interlinked their fingers. She was done with the waiting part; they were moving, but it had to be carefully done. "You remember being CO of SGC, right?" she asked.
Jack nodded.
"So, I was the leader of SG-1," she said.
He nodded again.
"And then what? What else do you remember? My engagement to Pete?" she asked.
Jack nodded, recalling the discomfort that memory constantly stirred.
"I broke it," Sam said.
"You said you didn't love him," he remembered her words.
"I didn't. I loved someone else," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I guess I don't have to tell you who that person is. You are pretty smart even without part of your memories", she added.
Jack swallowed hard. "But we couldn't marry," he pointed out, knowing the regulations well.
Sam squeezed his hand. "You were promoted," she said.
Jack's eyes widened as a memory crept in. "Homeworld. I was Hammond's replacement," he said with a smile, the pieces starting to fit together.
Sam also smiled. "Excellent, General," she said, her voice filled with pride.
"So I went to D.C.," he said aloud, trying to align things in his confused brain.
"You did," she confirmed.
Jack looked at her intently. "But you didn't stay at SG-1..." he said slowly, trying to piece together the fragments of his memory.
Sam shook her head. She should have followed her instincts and done this much sooner.
"You left to somewhere else," he said.
"Area 51," Sam helped, guiding him gently.
Jack's eyes widened again. "We were out of the same chain of command," he said, the realization dawning on him.
"And General Hammond helped—a lot. We got a special presidential dispensation to get married," she said, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Jack's smile grew more extensive, and his eyes showed a rare lightness. "So, we did get married?" he asked, needing the confirmation again.
Sam nodded, her smile growing. "We did," she confirmed. "It was a beautiful wedding".
"We are married," he said again as if savoring the words.
Sam's smile widened. "We are," she confirmed once more, her heart full.
Jack's grin was infectious. "Sweet," he said, grinning like a kid who'd just discovered his favorite toy.
Sam laughed, a sound that was both joyous and relieving. But then her expression turned serious. She had another thing to tell him, and he might not take it so well. She took a deep breath, dreading this moment, but it was inevitable. The truth had to come out.
"Jack," she said softly, drawing his attention again.
He looked at her, his eyes narrowing slightly as if sensing the moment's gravity.
"What? Don't tell me we have kids?" he grinned.
Sam paled, feeling her heartbeat racing, her hands clasped tightly together.
"No, we don't. We've never even talked about it, but that's not…" Sam cleared her throat, trying to calm down.
The baby's question had thrown her completely off-balance.
"That's not what I wanted to talk about. It's about the year."
He raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, I've been wondering about that. What year is it really?"
Sam exhaled slowly. "It's 2008, Jack. Not 2004."
Jack's expression shifted from curiosity to shock, then quickly to anger. "2008? You've got to be kidding me. Why the hell would you let me think it was 2004? Four fucking years?"
"We had our reasons," Sam said, her voice steady but tinged with emotion. "When you woke up with memory loss after the surgery, the doctors and the President decided it was best to limit your exposure to new information until you were more stable. Given your Ancient knowledge, they feared any sudden shock could have serious consequences. They were afraid you lost that knowledge forever."
Jack's eyes blazed with anger.
"So, you all decided to play this charade, lying to me daily? Making me think I was in some time warp. Making me watch reruns on the TV? Not giving me the newspaper when I asked you?"
"It wasn't an easy decision, Jack," Sam continued, her voice cracking slightly. "We were trying to protect you. We didn't want to risk any complications with your recovery."
Jack stood up, pacing the room.
"Protect me? By lying to me? You know how much I hate being kept in the dark, Sam. I thought I could trust you. As my wife!"
Sam's eyes filled with tears.
"I know, Jack. And I'm so sorry. It wasn't my choice alone. It was a collective decision made for your safety. We were all trying to do what we thought was best."
Jack stopped pacing and looked at her, his anger giving way to a more profound hurt.
"How can I trust anything now? How do I know you're telling me the truth this time?"
"You have every right to be angry," Sam said, standing up and approaching him. "But you have to believe me when I say that we did this out of love and concern for you. We were terrified of what might happen if you knew the truth too soon."
Jack looked into her eyes, seeing the pain and sincerity there. He took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside him.
"I need time to process this, Sam. I can't just brush it off."
"Of course," she said softly. "Take all the time you need. Just know that we're here for you, and we'll help you through this every step of the way."
He nodded slowly, the tension in his shoulders still there.
"I've heard that before when you were lying to my face, but alright. I want to know everything—what I've missed, what's happened. No more secrets."
"Agreed," Sam said, relief washing over her. "No more secrets."
As Jack sat back down, his mind racing with the implications of the revelation, Sam stayed by his side, determined to help him navigate the difficult path ahead. The truth was out now, and they would face it together, no matter how painful it might be. No matter how mad he was with her.
Daniel, who had been unashamedly eavesdropping, had a slight smile. Now Jack remembered that he was married to Sam and knew what year they were on. And he wasn't, in a murdering type-furious, just a little bit. Things appeared to be on a good path.
When he received the message that Jack had been hit by a car bomb and had lost his memories, Daniel immediately started dreading the potential impact on their already strained marriage. The distance between Sam in Atlantis and Jack in Washington D.C. had been tough on them. Jack always played the tough guy, proud of Sam's command, but deep down, he had confessed to Daniel more than once that he missed Sam terribly and couldn't wait for her to return to Earth. He wanted to start a family with her. And now this.
Daniel was very relieved that they had this memory back. After years of unspoken feelings between them and the frat rules in their way, their wedding day had been one of the happiest days of their lives, a culmination of years of silent longing and restrained affection. Their friends, who had witnessed their love grow, like Daniel and Teal'c, had been there from the start.
As Daniel silently backed away from the door, he felt a sense of immense relief and hope. Jack and Sam had a long road ahead, but they were taking the first steps together. He went to the kitchen, his mind set on finding something to celebrate this small but significant victory. Maybe Sam had some beer in the fridge. This deserved a celebration. He also had to call General Landry to update him on this latest development. Maybe his presence at the house wasn't exactly welcome at this point.
Opening the fridge, Daniel rummaged around until he found a couple of cold beers. He grabbed them and set them on the counter. Just as he was about to pop the tops, he heard footsteps behind him. Turning around, he saw Jack entering the kitchen with a thoughtful look.
"Hey," Daniel greeted, holding up a beer. "Want one?"
Jack's eyes lit up, and he nodded. "Sure, why not?"
They took their first sips; Daniel couldn't help but notice the change in Jack's demeanor. There was a lightness to him that hadn't been there before, a glimmer of the old Jack O'Neill, even if his eyes were darker than usual.
"How are you feeling?" Daniel asked, leaning against the counter.
Jack took another sip of his beer, considering the question. "Confused. Frustrated. Angry. I guess you were also into this "year thing," too, right?" he asked.
Daniel nodded.
"I'm sorry, Jack. It was never about deceiving you but always about trying to help you. Sam was the first to oppose this, but she was outnumbered. Even the doctors were reluctant, but the orders came from the President himself. There was no chance to escape that. But I'm truly sorry, my friend," Danie said sincerely.
Jack drank more beer as he learned that Sam had been against this. She hadn't told him that.
"Yeah. All that damn Ancient knowledge. I would trade that for my memories in a heartbeat," he said. "But... I guess there's hope. I can feel it. It's like little puzzle pieces are starting to fall into place," he said, showing him his wedding ring.
Daniel smiled and nodded. "That's good to hear. You've been through a lot, Jack. But you're not alone in this. You've got Sam, and you've got me. We'll get through this together."
Jack smiled a genuine, heartfelt smile. "Thanks, Daniel. I appreciate that."
The kitchen atmosphere slowly became camaraderie and silent understanding as they continued drinking their beers. They didn't need to say much; their bond was strong enough to convey what words couldn't.
Just then, Sam walked into the kitchen, looking more composed. She had needed a moment alone to gather herself after the talk with Jack, and things weren't precisely solved yet, just enough for hanging out a bit. She paused when she saw the two men with beers in hand, and a small smile played on her lips.
"Celebrating something?" she asked, her heart still in her throat.
Daniel grinned. "Just all the little progress Jack has made."
Sam walked over and grabbed a beer for herself. "I'll drink to that." Alcohol wasn't the solution, but it sometimes helped.
As the three of them clinked bottles, there was a sense of unity and determination. They knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but the challenges ahead seemed a bit easier with each other's support.
Later, as the sun set and the house quieted, they sat together in the living room. The TV stayed off the entire time. Instead, Daniel took charge of the conversation and shared little information that wouldn't compromise anything but could give Jack some semblance of normalcy. Jack and Sam remained seated beside each other, silently holding their hands, as Daniel's voice filled the room.
Somehow, it had a calming effect on everyone, although it didn't solve any of their problems. But Daniel's presence brought some breathing space, and they would gladly take it after everything that happened that day.