Jack stood at the edge of Sam's hospital bed, and his shadow stretched long under the harsh fluorescence of the room. The sterile hum of the monitors, punctuated by the faint hiss of the oxygen line, grated against his frayed nerves. Everything in the room was unnervingly pristine—too clean, too ordered. The pale blue walls and neatly folded linens were an insult to the chaos that had torn through their lives. The faint antiseptic smell clawed at his throat, a constant reminder of how close he'd come to losing her. His gaze lingered on the bandage peeking out from beneath her hospital gown, the sight twisting his stomach into knots.
Her face was bruised, her right arm in a sling, but she was alive. That should have been enough to calm the storm inside him, yet it wasn't.
Jack clenched his fists, his knuckles whitening as he breathed. Kane's name echoed in his head, his protective instincts roaring louder with every passing second. He'd be damned if this man threatened Sam again—or their kids.
Daniel and Vala were already en route from San Francisco, mobilized without hesitation when Jack's call came through. The twins would be in good hands, leaving Jack free to do what he did best: protect.
But first, Sam.
Sam's eyelids fluttered, and she let out a soft groan as her eyes opened, unfocused. Jack leaned forward instinctively, but his hands stayed where they were—stuffed in his pockets as if pulling them out would let all his anger spill over.
"Hey, Carter," he murmured, his voice tight, his usual warmth buried beneath layers of frustration.
Her lips twitched in a weak attempt at a smile.
"You're not supposed to call me that anymore, remember?"
"Old habits," he replied curtly, his gaze darting to the sling on her arm before snapping back to her face. "Besides, you'll always be Carter to me."
Sam swallowed, her throat bobbing, and turned her head slightly to avoid his piercing stare.
"The boys… are they—"
"They're fine," Jack interrupted, his tone sharp but softening at the edges. "Safe. Daniel and Vala are on their way to help." He hesitated, then added, "You don't need to worry about them."
Her shoulders relaxed a fraction, but guilt flickered across her face. She nodded, but her gaze remained fixed on the blanket as she smoothed its edge with trembling fingers.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Jack's fists clenched inside his pockets, and for a long moment, he didn't speak. When he finally did, his voice was low, edged with simmering frustration.
"This attack… it wasn't random, was it?"
Sam's silence was answer enough. She stared at the blanket, her fingers trembling as they smoothed its edge.
"Sam," he pressed, his voice calmer now but firm. "What aren't you telling me?"
Her good hand tightened on the sheet. "It's complicated."
Jack exhaled sharply but softened his tone. "Try me. We're not getting anywhere unless you do."
Sam's eyes flicked up to meet his, guilt written across her face. "Kane… he's tied to something from years ago. A project I worked on that was classified and… dangerous."
Jack's brow furrowed, his frustration simmering. "And now he's come back for revenge."
She nodded, swallowing hard. "I didn't think it would resurface. If I'd known…"
"Didn't know, or didn't want to know?" he pressed, his voice tight but less cutting. "This guy isn't new, Sam. He's been in your shadow for years. Did you really think it wouldn't catch up?"
Her face crumpled at the accusation, and she turned her head away, blinking rapidly to stave off tears. The sight tightened Jack's chest, and regret clawed at him almost immediately.
Before he could speak, Sam whispered, her voice cracking, "I didn't want to push you out, but I also didn't know how to keep you in."
The vulnerability in her words doused his anger like a bucket of ice water. He sighed heavily, scrubbing a hand down his face.
"Sam," he said, his tone softer now but still firm, "I need to know everything. If I'm going to keep you safe—keep all of us safe—I need the truth."
Her throat bobbed as she swallowed, and she nodded, her voice trembling with guilt and resolve. "Okay. But you might not like what you hear."
Jack leaned against the hospital room window, his shadow stretching across the sterile floor. Sam's revelations churned in his mind, each piece slotting into a picture he wasn't ready to face. Footsteps in the hallway, sharp and purposeful, broke his thoughts like a countdown to another complication.
The door creaked open, breaking the sterile quiet.
"Speak of the devil," Natalie purred, her voice a silken whip as she glided into the room. "Jack O'Neill, looking thunderous as ever. Is it a gift or years of practice?"
Jack's head jerked toward her, a retort on his tongue, but he swallowed it as Natalie's gaze softened when it landed on Sam.
"Natalie," Sam murmured, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "What are you doing here?"
"What do you think? I was monitoring the whole situation, so I came as fast as possible." Natalie dropped her handbag onto the chair near the bed and took Sam's good hand in hers, her gaze quickly scanning the bruises and the sling. "You look awful, by the way, boss. But at least you're alive."
Jack watched the interaction silently, his lips twitching at Natalie's blunt yet caring tone. She had always been a grounding presence for Sam, a quality he grudgingly appreciated.
"You didn't have to come," Sam said softly, her voice tinged with guilt. "You already helped us enough, and I didn't want to drag you into this."
Natalie straightened, fixing her boss with a pointed look.
"Oh, please. Like I'd let you face this alone. And don't even think about trying to push me away." She glanced over at Jack, raising an eyebrow. "You were letting her wallow, or are you doing something useful?"
Jack bristled but bit back a sharp reply.
"I'm handling it," he said tersely. "Kane's not going to get another shot at her."
Natalie folded her arms, her gaze unwavering.
"Good. Because the last thing Sam needs right now is more chaos; she needs rest, support, and maybe someone to remind her that she's not Superwoman."
Sam let out a small, self-deprecating laugh. "That's a first."
Natalie's expression softened as she perched on the edge of the bed.
"I mean it, boss. You've got people who care about you. Let us help."
Jack cleared his throat, stepping closer. "She's not exactly making it easy," he muttered, earning a glare from both women.
"General," Natalie said sharply, her voice cutting through the tension like a whip. "Do me a favor and try using your inside voice for a minute. Sam's been through enough without you barking orders."
Sam's lips twitched in amusement despite the situation, and Jack sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"Under different circumstances, I'd be inclined to advise you to…'shove it.' But she's still not telling me everything, so be my guest," he said almost in a daring tone.
Natalie rolled her eyes and turned back to Sam, her expression softening. "Is that true?"
Sam hesitated, her gaze flicking between Jack and Natalie. Finally, she sighed.
"I'm trying. It's just... complicated."
Natalie gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.
"Then start with the basics. One step at a time, okay? We'll figure this out together."
Jack watched the exchange, his frustration simmering but tempered by Natalie's steady presence. For the first time, he felt a sliver of hope that they might get through this—not just survive but come out stronger.
Sam's voice cut through the silence, hesitant but steady.
"It started over a decade ago," Sam began, her voice tight. She hesitated, her good hand gripping the blanket as if to anchor herself. "Back then, Kane was a junior scientist on a classified project I was assigned. His ideas were brilliant but... dangerous." She paused, glancing at Jack before continuing. "Weaponizing quantum entanglement wasn't just theoretical for him—it was an obsession. Turn it into a tool for instantaneous destruction on a planetary scale. And I was the one who stopped him."
Jack's gaze snapped to her, his expression incredulous.
"And this didn't raise a few red flags?"
"It did," Sam admitted, her good hand fidgeting with the edge of the blanket. "I reported him when I realized how far he was willing to go. The project was shut down, and Kane was dishonorably discharged. After that, he vanished. We thought he'd given up, but now he clearly didn't. From what I can tell, he's been working underground ever since."
Jack pushed off the wall, his steps measured as he closed the distance between them.
"And now he's targeting you because...?"
"Because I was the one who stopped him," Sam said, her voice tinged with guilt. "And because CQS's advancements in quantum computing put him closer to his original goal. He needs my technology to complete his work."
Jack stared at her, his brow furrowed.
"You're saying this lunatic wants to blow up planets, and he's dragging you—and our family—into it because of some grudge?"
Sam nodded while Natalie sighed heavily.
"It's more than a grudge, Jack. He's a zealot. He believes humanity is doomed unless we abandon Earth and establish dominance elsewhere in the galaxy. He's willing to wipe out millions to prove his point."
Jack ran a hand down his face, muttering curses under his breath.
"Great. A doomsday cult leader with a vendetta. Just what we need."
"I didn't think he'd find me," Sam said, her voice cracking. "I didn't think he'd come after... after us."
Jack softened, the anger in his eyes giving way to something gentler, though no less intense. He crouched by her bed, his hands resting on the railing as he met her gaze.
"Look, Carter. You don't have to carry this alone. Not anymore."
Sam blinked back tears.
"Jack, I—"
"Shut up," he interrupted, but his tone was not malice. "You're not apologizing. Not now. What you are going to do is tell me exactly what we're dealing with so I can put a stop to this guy before he gets near you or the boys again. Understood?"
Sam hesitated, then nodded.
"Understood."
Jack straightened, his mind already working through the possibilities. He glanced at the clock, then pulled out his phone, dialing a number he hadn't used in years.
"Teal'c," he said when the line connected. "Yeah, it's O'Neill. I've got a situation. I'll send you the details."
Sam's brows lifted. "Teal'c?"
Jack slipped his phone back into his pocket.
"You think I'm going after Kane without backup? Think again. Daniel and Vala can handle the boys but for this... I need someone I trust to watch my six."
The conviction in his voice left no space for disagreement, and Sam couldn't suppress the small smile that pulled at her lips. Despite everything, Jack was still Jack—her protector, her partner, even if they were hanging by a thread. Natalie gave her good hand a gentle squeeze, offering a silent reassurance. After everything, she could hardly ask for more.
As Sam was discharged from the hospital, her mind raced with possibilities. Meanwhile, not very far from Washington D.C., Kane was already preparing his subsequent move.
The room was dimly lit, the glow from the array of monitors casting eerie shadows across the cluttered workspace. Kane loomed in the dimly lit room, his gaunt frame casting sharp shadows across the chaotic workspace. The glow of holographic projections danced in his feverish eyes as he traced Earth's orbital trajectories with a skeletal finger, a smile tugging at his lips. Fragile and oblivious, the world would soon bow to his vision—or burn.
"Soon," he muttered, his voice low and fervent. "Soon, they'll see. They'll understand."
A figure approached from the shadows—a younger man, nervous but eager. "Dr. Kane, we've confirmed the location of the Carter Quantum Solutions mainframe. The protocols she uses are nearly impenetrable, but—"
"But nothing," Kane snapped, his eyes flashing. "Impenetrable isn't acceptable. We need access. Carter's system is the key to everything."
The assistant faltered.
"Yes, sir. But there's another problem. General O'Neill... he's already moving against us."
Kane's expression darkened.
"Of course, he is. The soldier. The watchdog. Always one step behind, but relentless nonetheless."
He turned back to the projection, his gaze distant.
"It doesn't matter. Let him come. Let them all come. It will be too late by the time they realize what's at stake."
The assistant hesitated. "And Dr. Carter?"
Kane's lips curled into a cold, humorless smile. "Carter is the past. Her technology, her intellect... they belong to the future. She'll either accept that or be swept aside like all the others."
He turned away, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"Humanity's survival depends on sacrifice. She'll see that. They all will."
The drive home from the hospital had been a blur, the weight of the past 24 hours pressing down on Jack like a physical force. Now, standing in his living room, he couldn't shake the feeling of being hunted. As he let Sam inside, they were greeted by chaos.
Sam sat on the edge of the sofa, her fingers tracing the faint outline of a bullet hole on the coffee table. Her shoulders were hunched, her body language screaming guilt even if she wasn't saying it outright.
Jack stood a few feet away, arms crossed tightly across his chest as he surveyed the damage to his home. His face was impassive, but the way his fingers drummed against his bicep betrayed his frustration.
"This is what we're living with now," he said, his voice clipped. "Holes in the walls, boarded-up windows... all because someone decided to settle a grudge from your past."
Sam flinched at his words, her gaze dropping to her lap.
"I didn't think he'd find me," she said quietly, her voice heavy with guilt.
Jack's laugh was short and humorless.
"Well, he did. And now my house looks like a war zone. My boys are sleeping two feet away from airmen with rifles, and you're sitting here telling me you didn't think this would happen?"
"I didn't know, Jack!" she said again, her voice rising slightly though its tremor was unmistakable. Her hands clenched into fists on her lap. "Do you think I wanted this? Do you think I wanted to drag you and the boys into my mistakes?"
Jack sighed, running a hand through his hair as he paced the room.
"No, I don't think you wanted this," he muttered. "But that doesn't change the fact that it's happening. And now I'm the one who has to clean it up."
Her shoulders sagged under the weight of his words, and she looked away, blinking back tears.
"I'm sorry," she said softly, barely above a whisper.
Jack stopped pacing and turned to look at her. The tension in his expression eased momentarily, replaced by something softer—something that almost looked like understanding.
"I know," he said finally, his voice low. "But sorry isn't going to stop Kane. We need a plan. And I need you to stop shutting me out."
Sam hesitated, then nodded, her voice thick with emotion. "I'll do my best."
Sam climbed the stairs, her footsteps heavy with exhaustion. Jack watched her go, a knot of worry tightening in his chest. He moved to the kitchen to grab a glass of water, his mind a whirlwind of anxieties. The twins, usually a constant source of chaos, were thankfully asleep upstairs. He glanced at the clock, the minutes ticking by agonizingly slowly. He needed to clear his head, to find some semblance of order in the chaos that had consumed their lives.
Jack leaned against the kitchen counter, staring at the worn wood grain beneath his fingers. The argument with Sam replayed in his mind, every sharp word cutting deeper now in the silence. He exhaled slowly, the weight of his frustration mingling with something softer—regret.
He glanced toward the stairs, where everyone should be resting, though he doubted Sam'd actually sleep. She'd been quiet since they got home, retreating into herself in a way that made Jack's chest tighten with worry.
The sharp knock at the door startled him. Jack's eyes narrowed, and his hand instinctively brushed against his hip, where his sidearm used to rest. He moved to the door cautiously, opening it just enough to peek out.
"Oh, great," he muttered as Natalie's bright grin greeted him. "Just what we need."
Natalie's eyebrows shot up, her hands resting on her hips.
"Well, hello to you too, General Grumpy." She pushed past him into the house, her heels clicking against the floor. "Please inform your people that I have clearance to enter," she said, glancing at the airman at the door. "Where's Sam?"
"She's okay," Jack merely said as he shut the door with a resigned sigh. "Upstairs. Resting. Which you're disturbing, by the way."
Natalie waved a dismissive hand, already heading toward the stairs. "She'll want to see me. Unlike you, I come bearing solutions."
Jack's jaw tightened as he followed her. "This isn't a social call, Natalie. She's recovering. She doesn't need more stress."
"Stress?" Natalie paused mid-step and turned to face him, her eyes sharp. "What's stressful is leaving her vulnerable to someone like Kane. Or have you forgotten he's still out there?"
Jack's lips pressed into a thin line. "I haven't forgotten. But barging in here uninvited isn't helping."
"Oh, please," Natalie shot back, rolling her eyes. "Sam's a grown woman. She can decide if she wants my help or not."
Before Jack could respond, a soft voice called from the top of the stairs.
"Natalie?"
Both of them turned to see Sam standing there, her injured arm cradled in its sling. Her face was pale, but she managed a faint smile. "What are you doing here?"
Natalie's expression softened instantly. "Checking on you, boss. And offering my expertise." She gestured to the laptop tucked under her arm. "Mind if I set up shop?"
Sam hesitated, glancing at Jack. He shrugged, clearly unimpressed but unwilling to argue further.
"Give me five minutes, and I'll come down," Sam said, tired but welcoming.
An hour later, Natalie's laptop hummed quietly on the dining table, the screen filled with lines of code. Jack leaned against the doorway, arms crossed as he watched her work. Sam sat beside Natalie, her good hand tracing patterns on the edge of her coffee mug.
"You've got a breach detection system, but it's pretty basic," Natalie said without looking up. Her fingers flew over the keyboard. "No offense, boss, but your setup's more reactive than proactive. Kane's team is clever—we must stay one step ahead."
Jack snorted. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Natalie glanced at him, unimpressed. "It means we can't wait for them to make a move. We need to anticipate their next steps. And to do that, we need data—their IP addresses, server routes, even breadcrumbs from failed attempts."
"And how exactly do you plan to get that?" Jack's tone was sharp, his protective instincts bristling at the idea of exposing Sam to more danger.
"By doing what I do best," Natalie replied coolly. She turned back to her screen. "I've already flagged the source of last night's intrusion. With a little luck and some costly software, I'll trace it back to Kane's base of operations."
Jack stepped forward, his frustration bubbling over. "And what happens when he realizes we're onto him? You're putting a target on Sam's back."
Natalie stood, meeting Jack's glare head-on. "She's already a target, Jack. Or have you forgotten the bullets that went through your walls? The only way to protect her is to stop waiting for him to come to us."
"And risk leading him right here again?" Jack shot back, his voice rising.
"I'm not reckless," Natalie snapped. "Everything I'm doing is routed through secure channels. Kane won't even know we're watching until it's too late."
"And if you're wrong?"
"Then we deal with it," Natalie said firmly. "But doing nothing isn't an option."
Sam's voice cut through the tension.
"Enough." Both Natalie and Jack turned to look at her. She straightened in her chair, her expression resolute. "Jack, Natalie's right. We can't wait for Kane to make the next move. But Natalie, you need to keep Jack in the loop. We're a team, whether we like it or not."
Natalie glanced at Jack, her gaze softening slightly. "Fair enough. But you'll have to trust me on this, General."
Jack hesitated, then gave a reluctant nod. "Fine. But if anything goes sideways, you're answering to me."
Natalie smirked. "Deal."
As she returned to work, Jack leaned toward Sam, his voice low. "You sure about this?"
Sam nodded, her gaze steady. "We don't have a choice. And I trust her."
Jack sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I hope you're right."
Sam's hand brushed against his. "So do I."
The room settled into a tense silence, the weight of their decisions hanging heavily in the air. Jack watched Natalie work, his protective instincts warring with a reluctant admiration for her determination. For now, they were all in this together.
Jack's gaze drifted back to Sam as Natalie began packing up her laptop. She sat rigidly, her good hand nervously tracing patterns on the mug's surface. The determination in her eyes hadn't wavered, but beneath it, Jack saw the cracks—guilt, fear, and exhaustion all threatening to break through. It wasn't just Kane she was fighting. It was herself.
"You've got what you need for now," Natalie said, her voice softening. "I'll keep monitoring from CQS and let you know when I find anything."
Sam nodded, her good hand resting lightly on the table.
"Thanks, Natalie. For everything."
"Anytime, boss." Natalie's gaze flicked to Jack. "Keep her safe, O'Neill. That's your job, right?"
Jack's lips twitched in a reluctant smirk. "Don't worry. I've got it covered."
The sound of another knock at the door interrupted their exchange. Jack straightened, his brows furrowing.
"Now what?"
He crossed the room and opened the door to find Daniel standing on the porch, a duffel bag slung over one shoulder. Beside him, Vala stood in a fitted jacket, a bright grin on her face, as if they were arriving for a social call rather than stepping into chaos.
"Jack," Daniel greeted, his tone calm but questioning. "Can you tell this nice gentleman with a gun that we are your guests?" He glanced sideways at one of the airmen stationed near the house.
"It's all right, airman. They're friendly," Jack said as he stepped aside to let them in, his hand raking through his hair.
Sam called out from the living room. "Daniel! Vala! You're here." A faint smile tugged at her lips as she motioned them inside.
Daniel's expression softened as he stepped inside. "Sam, you're awake. Good to see you up."
Vala followed, her eyes immediately darting to Natalie. "Well, well. Looks like we missed quite the gathering."
"Natalie was just leaving," Jack said pointedly, earning a smirk from Natalie.
"Don't worry, General. I'll be out of your hair in a moment." She glanced at Daniel and Vala. "Nice to see reinforcements have arrived. Take care of her, will you?"
Daniel gave a polite nod while Vala grinned mischievously.
"Oh, we're very good at taking care of things."
Natalie slung her bag over her shoulder, turning back to Sam. "I'll call you if anything comes up. Rest up, boss."
"Thanks again, Natalie," Sam said, her voice warm.
Daniel set his duffel bag down as Natalie walked out and turned to Jack.
"So, what's the situation?"
Jack motioned toward the living room. "Let's sit. It's a long story."
Vala flopped onto the couch, her sharp eyes taking in the room, the bullet-riddled walls, and the boarded-up windows. "Well, Jack, your decor has certainly... evolved. Did you go for 'post-apocalyptic chic,' or is this an accidental masterpiece?"
Jack groaned, rubbing his temples. "It's going to be a long day."
Vala leaned closer to one of the bullet holes in the wall, tilting her head as if inspecting an art installation.
"Is this one a nine-millimeter? Or are we talking about something more... high-caliber? It's hard to tell without my magnifying glass."
Jack sighed, crossing his arms. "I'll have you know that 'high-caliber' is not exactly the design inspiration I was going for."
Sam cleared her throat. "Come on, Vala, let go," she tried.
Vala plucked a shard of glass from the coffee table, holding it to the light. "Broken glass and bullet holes? Darling, I think you're aiming for dystopian chic."
Jack rolled his eyes, but before he could retort, Vala's tone softened. "You know... I'm here if you need anything. Cleaning, babysitting, sarcasm—my repertoire is vast."
Jack's jaw tightened, but his lips twitched despite himself. Sam closed her eyes and felt nauseous.
"Glad to know my family's brush with death has your seal of approval, Vala. I'll clean that up as soon as I have time to. Or go right ahead and make yourself useful. You know where the kitchen is."
She raised an eyebrow, her grin widening.
"Well, it's not exactly Better Homes & Gardens, darling, but it does have... character. Though I do hope the boys aren't playing hide-and-seek in the drywall holes."
Jack's eyes flicked toward the staircase, where his twin sons were napping upstairs.
"The boys are fine considering everything. They think the boarded-up window is part of a pirate ship. They've been pretending the living room is the deck, and I'm the surly captain. I hadn't noticed the broken glass," he admitted.
Vala clapped her hands together, delighted.
"Oh, that's brilliant! You should lean into it, Jack. Get yourself an eyepatch, a parrot—maybe even a little cannon for authenticity. You've already got the 'grumpy old sea dog' thing down, doesn't he, darling?" Vala asked, looking at Sam, who was very pale.
Jack groaned, but there was a glimmer of amusement in his eyes.
"This is why I don't invite you over. You're impossible."
"Impossible?" she said with mock outrage. "No, darling, I'm resourceful. Now, if you're taking theme requests, I'd suggest you patch things around here. Maybe aim for something a little less 'war zone' and a little more 'family-friendly bunker.'"
Jack shook his head, finally letting out a low chuckle. "I'll add it to my to-do list right after saving the planet and ensuring Kane doesn't kill us all."
Vala winked as she plopped down on the sofa, unbothered by the tension in the room.
"Now there's the General I know. Saving the world and begrudgingly entertaining my company. Don't worry—I'll keep your boys safe while you play hero. Just promise me you'll return with fewer holes in your house this time."
Daniel, silently listening to their conversation, finally placed his bag on the floor. His expression softened as he turned back to Jack.
"Now that the decoration matter is settled, you didn't say much over the phone, just that it was a guy called Kane. What's going on?"
Jack hesitated, glancing toward the stairs.
"It's... complicated. And dangerous. I need you two here to keep an eye on the boys while Sam and I deal with it."
Vala's grin faded, her usual playfulness giving way to a rare seriousness as her sharp gaze darted between Jack and Sam. She assessed the tension in the room with unsettling precision.
"Oh…Are you back together? Did I miss a memo?"
Jack swallowed, and Sam let out a heavy sigh.
"No, we aren't back together, Vala. She was shot and needs to recover. With all of this going on, I wasn't letting her stay alone in her house. I'm not that heartless," he said quickly.
Vala opened her hands immediately.
"Of course not, Jack. Just checking. And you mention deal. Deal with it how, exactly?"
"With extreme prejudice," Jack said bluntly. "And a little help from our old friend Teal'c."
Daniel frowned.
"Jack, this isn't like the old days. You've got two kids upstairs and a wife—ex-wife—who's already been hurt. Are you sure this is something you want to handle yourselves?"
Jack crossed his arms.
"No, Daniel, it's not something I want to handle. But if I don't, who will? I'm not handling this to Landry and hope for the better. I'm talking about my family, and Kane's not just some wannabe bad guy. He's got tech and a grudge, and he's not stopping until he gets what he wants—or we stop him."
Daniel sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Alright. We'll stay with the boys and help however we can. Just... don't do anything stupid."
"Define stupid," Jack quipped, though his smile didn't quite reach his eyes.
As Vala moved to inspect the kitchen, undoubtedly looking for something to clean the living room, Jack nodded toward the living room.
"Make yourselves at home. Sam needs to rest. Come on, Carter, let's get you upstairs", he said.
Sam frowned but allowed him to guide her toward the stairs.
Daniel nodded, his expression serious, while Vala, who had returned with a broom and dustpan, waved him off casually, "Go play the doting ex-husband. Don't worry about us. We'll keep the chaos to a minimum."
Jack snorted but didn't respond, gesturing for Sam to follow him. The tension from moments before began to fade as the door to the guest room clicked shut, leaving a curious stillness in its wake.
Inside, Sam gave him a wry smile. "You're really not going to let this go, are you?"
"Not a chance," Jack said firmly. "Rest. Doctor's orders."
Sam sank onto the edge of the bed as Jack lingered by the door, watching her with a mix of concern and stubbornness. When he finally left, she waited for his footsteps to retreat before pulling out her laptop. She opened it with a quiet sigh, determination flickering in her tired eyes.
When Jack returned moments later, leaning against the doorframe, she didn't even look up.
"I thought you were supposed to be resting," he said, his tone sharp but not unkind.
"I'll rest when Kane's stopped," she replied, her tone clipped. "How are Daniel and Vala settling?"
"They're making themselves at home. Vala's probably cleaning the whole floor as we speak."
Sam allowed herself a small smile. "I can imagine," she mumbled.
"Well, I hate to remind you about a tiny detail, but you've been shot, Sam. You can't exactly quantum-compute your way out of this one," he said, his tone sharper than he intended.
Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she looked down at her hands, nervously twisting the blanket's edge. "I know," she said quietly. "But I can't just... stay still. Not when Kane is out there when he could come after the boys, after you. I need to do something."
Jack exhaled heavily, his frustration bubbling just below the surface.
"You think I don't know that? Do you think I don't lie awake at night running scenarios in my head, trying to figure out how to keep this family safe? But pushing yourself like this—hiding things from me—that's not helping."
Her head snapped up, her blue eyes sharp and filled with guilt.
"I'm not hiding things from you."
"Aren't you?" Jack challenged, his voice rising slightly. "What about Kane? The project you worked on with him? How long were you going to wait to tell me that little detail? Until he showed up at our door again with a gun?"
Sam flinched, her fingers tightening around the blanket. "It wasn't like that," she said, trembling. "I thought it was over. I thought he was gone."
Jack watched her, his frustration tangled with guilt. How often had he promised to keep her safe, only for danger to creep in anyway? It wasn't just Sam he was failing—it was their boys, their fragile sense of normalcy. He clenched his fists, the weight of responsibility pressing heavy on his chest.
"Well, he's not gone, Sam. And now we're all caught in the crossfire."
"I didn't want this," she said, her voice breaking. Tears welled in her eyes, but she blinked them away, keeping her chin up. "I didn't want to drag you and the boys into this mess. I thought... I thought I could handle it. That if I kept it to myself, I could protect you."
Jack crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed, his weight causing the mattress to dip slightly. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and stared at the floor momentarily. When he finally spoke, his voice was softer but no less intense.
"You don't have to protect me, Sam. Or the boys. That's my job. But I can't do it if I don't know what we're against. You seem to rely on your COO more than on me," he accused.
Sam looked at him, her expression torn between guilt and gratitude.
"I don't, but you're right," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I should have told you. I just... I didn't want you to look at me the way you're looking at me now."
Jack turned his head to meet her gaze, his expression softening.
"And how am I looking at you?" he asked quietly.
"Like you don't trust me," she said, her voice cracking.
Jack sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"It's not about trust, Sam. It's about not being blindsided. I can handle many things, but finding out the woman I—" He cut himself off, his jaw tightening. "Finding out you've been keeping secrets isn't one of them."
Her eyes searched his face, and momentarily, the tension between them eased, replaced by something raw and unspoken. She reached out hesitantly, her fingers brushing against his.
"No more secrets," she said softly.
Jack looked down at their hands, then back up at her. He nodded once.
"No more secrets," he echoed.
The room was quiet for a moment except for the faint hum of her laptop. Then Jack stood his hands on his hips.
"Now, since you're clearly not going to rest, at least do me a favor and eat something. You look like you haven't had a decent meal in days."
Sam allowed herself a small, wry smile.
"Yes, Sir," she said, her tone tinged with warmth.
Jack smirked, shaking his head as he moved toward the door. "Smartass."
Sam watched him leave, the door clicking softly behind him. The momentary levity faded, replaced by the quiet hum of her laptop and the steady rhythm of her thoughts. Her gaze drifted back to the screen, her fingers poised above the keyboard.
She frowned as lines of code filled the monitor, the memory of the attack from the night before gnawing at the edges of her focus. Kane's team had come dangerously close—too close.
Sam adjusted the sling on her injured arm and resumed typing, her movements deliberate. She'd made promises—to Jack, to herself—that she wouldn't keep secrets anymore. But how could she explain the full extent of the danger without overwhelming him?
The sound of footsteps on the stairs pulled her from her thoughts. Jack appeared in the doorway a moment later, balancing a plate in one hand and a glass of water in the other.
"I figured since you weren't going to listen to reason, I'd at least make sure you don't pass out on me," he said, setting the plate on the nightstand and handing her the glass.
Sam raised an eyebrow but couldn't stop the small smile tugging at her lips.
"You didn't have to do that."
"Yeah, well, someone's gotta keep you in one piece," Jack replied, leaning casually against the doorframe. "Besides, I wasn't going to let you win this one. Eat."
Sam glanced at the plate—toast with jam, a handful of crackers, and a neatly peeled orange. Simple but thoughtful. She hesitated, then picked up a cracker and nibbled on it.
"Happy now?" she asked, her voice teasing.
"Getting there," Jack said, his tone light but his gaze sharp as it lingered on her. "Now, what's got you working so hard when you're supposed to rest?"
Sam swallowed and set the cracker down, her expression growing serious. She tilted the laptop toward him, the data lines reflected in her blue eyes. "Kane's team tried to breach the mainframe last night," she said, her voice steady despite the worry underlying her words. "They didn't get in, but it was close. Too close."
Jack's easy posture straightened, his protective instincts kicking in.
"And what happens if they do?"
Sam hesitated, her fingers curling around the edge of the blanket.
"If he gets access to the protocols," Sam began, her voice trembling, "he could collapse entire infrastructure systems—power grids, satellites, military networks. We're talking global chaos, Jack. And that's just the start."
Jack exhaled slowly, his jaw tightening as he crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed.
"Then we make damn sure they don't," he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Sam nodded, but her fingers fidgeted with the edge of the laptop.
"This isn't just about the technology, Jack. If Kane succeeds, he could destabilize entire planetary systems. And if he decides to use Earth as his proving ground..."
"Then we stop him before he gets that far," Jack said firmly. "But we do it together. Stop hiding stuff from me, Carter."
She looked at him, her eyes searching his face for a long moment before she nodded.
"Okay."
Jack's determination was evident. "Teal'c's on his way. We'll need a plan."
Sam tilted the laptop back toward herself, her fingers flying over the keys.
"I'll talk with Natalie to coordinate things at CQS."
Jack nodded. "Good. And I'll coordinate with Teal'c when he gets here. Between the two of you and his, uh... unique skill set, we should be able to cut this off at the source."
Sam glanced at him, her voice quieter now. "And you? What's your role in all this?"
Jack leaned back, his arms crossed. "I'm the muscle, remember? You two think I'll handle the shooting."
Despite the gravity of the situation, Sam chuckled softly. "Some things never change."
Jack's lips twitched, his gaze lingering on hers. "No. They don't."
Silence settled between them for a moment, the kind that carried the weight of shared history. Jack broke it with a gruff sigh, pushing himself off the desk.
"Get some rest, Carter. You're no good to anyone if you burn out before we even start."
Sam hesitated, her fingers hovering above the keyboard.
"Jack..."
He paused, glancing back. Her blue eyes were bright with unspoken words, but she seemed to think better of it, shaking her head. "Never mind."
Jack frowned but let it go. "We'll talk later. When Teal'c gets here."
As he left, his footsteps faded down the hall, leaving Sam alone with the hum of her laptop and the weight of her thoughts. She closed the screen, leaning back in the bed, exhaustion finally catching up. But the quiet only brought her closer to the guilt she couldn't shake—and the words she hadn't said.