Consequences

Title: Consequences

Author: Suz W.

Feedback: Most welcomed!!

Spoilers: Before, During, and After Tangent (episode tag)

Rating: PG-13, S/J Friendship, Romance, and Hurt/Comfort.

Summary: Sam deals with the emotions that loving someone can bring, and the consequences of that love.

Disclaimer: All publicity recognizable characters and places are the property of MGM, World Gekko Corp and Double Secret Productions. This piece of fan fiction was created for entertainment not monetary purposes and no infringement on copyrights or trademarks was intended.

Copyright: The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author. Copyrighted on May 1, 2004, by Suzanne R. Whitmarsh.

Author’s Notes: This story follows “Reflections Of The Heart”. For this new story, I have to thank the hard efforts of the SG-1 Transcripts Yahoo Group for the transcript to “Tangent” that I used to write this story. I’ve written this story before “Tangent” begins, and I’m going to take you through it, using select parts critical to my story. And you will also see the events that follow the episode. I hope you enjoy it, and your feedback is welcomed and greatly appreciated!

Dedication: I would like to dedicate this story to Michele P. Thank you for your continuous feedback and support of my stories. It means so much to me to know that you are continuing to enjoy my series! I hope that will never change!

The new morning sun sparkled across the floor and onto the comforter, escaping the efforts of the blinds to block it out. Being that they were only partially closed, it wasn’t hard. As the light slowly crept up from the bottom of the bed to the top, Sam stretched her arms like a cat, her eyes protesting against being opened by the unwelcomed light. Turning over on her side, she buried her face into the deep recesses of her soft pillow.

Reaching out beside her, she expected to meet the familiar form of Jack lying next to her. When they were lucky enough to get a few days away from the base during the week, they usually spent them together, including the nights. But when her hand only fell upon the cold sheet, she popped one eye open. Lifting her head, she tried to orientate herself around her room. In a groggy voice, she called out. “Jack?”

When no answer came, she sat up in bed, stretching again as she moved her hands through her hair, pushing down any stray hairs that might be standing up on end. Moving the covers off her, she put on her slippers and robe and walked to the closed bedroom door. She didn’t like waking up alone anymore. She had gotten use to having him next to her, so much so that she had begun to resent the nights that they had to spend on the base, working around the clock, or off world on a mission. At least on missions, it was possible to steal a few moments together, but when they were on base, it hardly ever happened.

Opening up the door, she breathed a shy of relief when she heard movement in the kitchen. On the rare moments when Jack had to leave before she got up, he would always leave a note to her on his pillow. Not finding one this morning had her worried. But as she poked her head around the corner of the hallway and looked into the kitchen, a smile formed on her face.

There was Jack, wearing a pair of blue flannel pajama bottoms and nothing else, and looking sexy as ever. His skin seemed to glow in the morning light that was coming in through the kitchen window as he buttered two pieces of toast. He had his back turned to her as he worked, and as she started to approach him from behind, she stopped. There on the kitchen table was a breakfast tray, filled with eggs, fruit, and juice, with enough room left for the toast he was working on.

Sam smiled even bigger. ‘He’s making me breakfast in bed,’ she thought happily to herself. Deciding she didn’t want to ruin his plans, she reversed her direction as quietly as possible and moved quickly back down the hallway. Softly closing the bedroom door, she removed her slippers and robe and hopped back under the covers, acting like a little kid who didn’t want to be discovered out of bed. She had just gotten settled and her eyes closed when she heard the bedroom door open.

Jack moved quietly into the room and placed the tray down carefully at the foot of the bed. Sitting down next to Sam, he watched her sleep. She had a peaceful smile on her face and seemed to be lost in dreams. ‘I’m the luckiest guy in the world,’ he thought to himself. Looking over at the tray he had prepared, making sure everything was on it, he wanted to pat himself on the back. ‘She’s going to love this!’

Reaching out, he ran his hand gently over her exposed cheek and followed it with a gentle kiss. Watching her stretch slightly, he smiled at her when she opened her blue eyes and looked at him, smiling back. “Morning, Sleeping Beauty. Sleep well?”

Sam reached out and took his hand, kissing the top of it. “As long as I’ve got you next to me, I’ll never have a bad night’s sleep.” Not wanting to ruin his surprise, she purposely ignored the tray of food and instead went for what she really wanted, his lips. Giving him a kiss, she sat up in bed smiling and pretended to be in shock as she let her eyes find the tray of food he’d prepared. “Jack, what’s this?”

Jack smiled, happy with her surprised expression. His plan was successful! Kissing her gently, he answered her. “Well, I thought I’d surprise you with a little something to get the day started right.”

Sam laughed happily, taking his hand in hers and giving it a squeeze as she looked into his eyes. “You’re all I need to start my morning off right.” Not wanting to seem ungrateful, she went on. “Thank you. This is wonderful, just like you.” She smiled secretly to herself. Watching him as he reached for the tray, obviously proud of what he’d done, she was so glad that she hadn’t ruined it for him. This was going to be one secret that she’d definitely keep to herself.

“You are welcome,” Jack said, moving the tray between them. “I didn’t make coffee yet because I didn’t want the smell to wake you. I can go make some now if you want?”

Sam reached out and touched his arm. “No way. Coffee can come later. I don’t want to eat this by myself.”

Happy to oblige, Jack picked up a fork and moved in on his eggs, his stomach very ready to accept them. As they ate, they talked about the new day and what it meant for Earth. It was the day they would finally get to see the new X-301 Interceptor in action.

Sam looked at Jack as she munched on her toast. “I just wish I could go with you. I would love to be in it for it’s first run.”

Jack felt a little guilty. He knew Sam was one of the main people responsible for it’s existence. “I know you would, and I’d love to have you with me. I can’t help it if General Hammond gave me the second seat for the air-to-air live fire test. Of course Teal’c was given first seat because of his knowledge of the gliders, teacher’s pet that he is.”

Sam smiled. “I hardly think Teal’c even knows what a teacher’s pet means let alone how to be one. And of course you’d get the second seat. You are, after all, our fearless leader.” Bending towards him, she kissed him lightly on the lips. “Don’t worry, I’ll get my chance. Just bring yourselves back in one piece, and the ship if possible.”

Jack shook his head. “Sam, you worry too much. It’s just a test run. We’re not even leaving the atmosphere. And you helped to design it, right? So what could go wrong?”

Sam took his hand. “I’m allowed to worry about you. That’s the right I have in loving you.”

“And I love you,” Jack replied, kissed her softly once more. Taking his hands, he cupped her face. “That will never change.”

Sam put her hands over his. “Well, bring yourself back safely. I’m going to have enough stress with Lieutenant General Vidrine watching my every move in the control room without having to worry about you. Oh, and try to control your sense of humor when you’re up there.”

Jack pretended to be offended. “Hey! I resent that! I have a great sense of humor and I am very able to control it, thank you.” Moving the tray off the bed, he turned back to her. “And just for that comment, I’m going to have to punish you.” Reaching out, he proceeded to mercilessly tickle her.

Sam squealed in laughter as they wrestled over the bed. As two highly trained soldiers, they battled back and forth for the most sensitive areas on each other’s bodies. As Jack made one more move, they rolled off the side of the bed and onto the floor with a thud. Breathlessly, Sam shouted out over her laughter. “Alright! Mercy! Truce!” Smiling wildly, she watched as Jack rolled off her and lay down beside her on the floor, breathing heavily. Rolling over on her stomach, she propped herself up on her elbows and looked down at him. “So, is revenge sweet?”

Jack looked up at her and smiled. “Oh yeah! And I think I managed to work off that breakfast.” Sitting up, he bent down and kissed the top of her head. “And now it’s time for a shower.”

Sam turned over and sat up. “Hey! No way, O’Neill! You don’t get to tickle me AND take all the hot water.”

Jack looked over at her. “Well, I didn’t say that I wanted to take it by myself. Care to join me?” Reaching down, he offered her his hand.

Sam gave him a grin. “Well, if it’s water conservation you’re thinking of, I’m game. But remember, we have to be at the airfield in less than two hours.” Pulling him along, she led him towards the bathroom.

Jack smiled as she led him along. He really loved this woman.

Two hours later, after an extra long, refreshing shower together, Sam and Jack found themselves on runway 18, waiting for the arrival of the generals. Daniel and Major Davis stood patiently beside them. Panning the sky, Jack used his binoculars to search for any sign of Teal’c.

Sam, sensing Jack’s nervousness, spoke up. “Teal’c was ordered to push the envelope. I’m sure he’ll be back soon.”

Jack continued to look through the binoculars. “Well, that’d be nice.”

Daniel looked up at the sky, shielding his eyes from the sky. “Where else would he go?”

Jack brought the binoculars down and nodded. “Good point.” Looking ahead of them, a black hummer suddenly approached their position. Coming to a stop next to them, Jack took a breath. “Well, here we go.”

As Major Davis opened the door for General Hammond, Sam and Jack straightened to attention. Returning the salute that Jack and Sam gave them, General Hammond looked around at the empty airfield. “Is there a problem, Colonel?”

Jack gave him a strained smile. “No, Sir, not at all. I’m sure Teal’c just felt he’d take her for a spin…around the world.”

General Hammond nodded. “Well, while we’re waiting, I have someone who’d like to meet your team.”

Major Davis spoke up. “Colonel Jack O’Neill, Major Samantha Carter, Dr. Daniel Jackson, allow me to introduce Lieutenant General Vidrine.”

General Vidrine nodded in Jack’s direction. “Colonel.”

Jack nodded back. “General.”

General Vidrine then did the same for Sam and Daniel. “Major.”

“General,” Sam said, nodding.

“Doctor.”

Daniel smiled. “General.”

With introductions out of the way, General Vidrine continued. “General Hammond has told me nothing but good things.”

Jack could hear Sam’s early warning about controlling his sense of humor in his head, but she didn’t say anything about his sarcasm. “Has he, Sir? Well, then I’m sure he’s left something out.” Smiling, he waited for the General to laugh.

But instead, General Vidrine just looked at Jack with a serious expression on his face. “Such as?”

Jack’s smile faded very quickly. Clearing his throat, he could feel Sam’s “I told you so” eyes boring into his back. Clicking on his radio, he spoke up. “Teal’c? Ya there, buddy?” Hoping for any distraction from the tension of the moment, he was relieved to hear Teal’c respond.

“Look immediately to the southwest, O’Neill.”

Everyone turned in that direction just in time to see a death glider swooping down on them at an incredible speed. Ducking, the glider passed over their heads, leaving a sonic boom in its wake that had Daniel holding his ears against.

Jack shot up from his scooped position and shouted in excitement after the glider. “Wooohoohooo!”

General Vidrine looked with astonishment at the excited group around him. “What in God’s name is that?!”

Major Davis spoke up, smiling. “That, General, is the X-301 Interceptor.”

Jack clicked on his radio, still slightly breathless from the show Teal’c had just given them. “Lookin’ good, Teal’c. Give us another fly-by, low and slow.”

Teal’c responded over Jack’s radio. “As you wish.”

Major Davis could see that General Vidrine still had questions. “It’s a hybrid craft, Sir, made with a combination of good ol’ American know-how, and two Goa’uld Death Gliders that SG-1 recovered a couple of years ago.”

General Vidrine was still in shock and awe. “It may be the most impressive aircraft I’ve ever seen!”

Sam spoke up. “Oh, it’s more than that, Sir. Up until now, we haven’t had a platform from which we could launch an attack on a Goa’uld ship….now we do.”

General Vidrine looked in Sam’s direction. “What makes it fly?”

Sam, excited to relay details, continued. “It’s difficult to explain, Sir. The power plant doesn’t exert force against gravity so much as take inertia out of the equation. Even pilots are immune to ordinary G forces. We don’t completely understand the physics…”

“Major,” General Vidrine said, interrupting her, “I’ll just accept that it flies.”

Sam blushed slightly and smiled. “Yes, Sir.” Looking over at Jack, she smiled slightly. She knew she wasn’t going to be able to hold his early sarcastic comment against him now, not with the expression he was giving her.

Just then, Teal’c brought the X-301 overhead for another fly by, one that was much slower. Jack just smiled. “Oh, it flies, yes, Sir!” Looking down, he gave Sam a quick wink. It was thanks to her technobabble and a lot of other geeks that the thing even existed.

A few minutes later, everyone watched as Teal’c landed the glider and pulled it to a stop a few hundred feet from where they were standing. General Vidrine watched Teal’c exit the plane. “I always like to get a view of the man in the cockpit.” Upon Teal’c’s approach, the general continued, addressing him. “How does she fly, son?”

Teal’c responded in all seriousness. “The vehicle performed within the expected parameters.”

Jack couldn’t resist being sarcastic at that moment. “Woo-hoo!” Looking around, he could see everyone just looking at him. At that moment, he found himself wishing he’d have listened to Sam’s advice more carefully. He could see her and Daniel attempting to suppress a big grin. Clearing his throat nervously, he wiped his smile off his face again and continued. “Sorry, Sir. I couldn’t help getting caught up in Teal’c enthusiasm.” To Jack’s relief, everyone who really knew Teal’c smiled at what he said.

Major Davis continued. “Upon completion of a flight test program, we hope to deploy the X-301 as an orbital defense craft under your command, Sir.”

General Vidrine responded. “In all seriousness, if that’s all right with you, Colonel, how effective can a single fighter be against a potential fleet of Goa’uld warships?”

Jack was too caught up in trying to repel the smug looks coming from his teammates behind him at that general’s remarks to answer.

Teal’c, stepping in, answered first. “That is what these tests endeavor to determine.”

General Vidrine nodded. “Let’s find out. What’s next?”

Jack finally found his voice. “I take second seat for an air-to-air live fire test, Sir.”

General Hammond spoke up. “Our SGC control room will serve as Mission Control, Sir.”

General Vidrine nodded at Jack and Teal’c. “Light that candle, boys.”

Jack nodded back. “Yes, Sir.” Turning towards Teal’c, he gave him a big smile as they started out for the aircraft. He wanted to turn around and look at Sam, but he was afraid if he did that he wouldn’t be able to conceal his emotions at leaving her, even if it were for only a short while.

Watching Jack go, Sam understood why he hadn’t turned around to look at her. The pride he had in what he and Teal’c were about to do was obvious, and she intended to share in that pride and excitement the whole way through the test. And tonight they would celebrate, in ways only lovers could. Walking back towards the Hummer that was waiting to take them back to the base, she silently whispered into the air. “I love you, Jack. Fly safe.”

Back at the base in the control room, Sam had just finished explaining the load the X-301 was carrying. Trying to comprehend what she just told him, General Vidrine spoke up. “Major, are you suggesting a slammer missile would be capable of taking out a Goa’uld mother ship?”

Sam answered with confidence. “If it’s armed with a naquada-enhanced warhead, and modified with a shield frequency modulator, then yes, Sir!”

General Hammond smiled proudly at her answer. Just then, Teal’c voice echoed over the radio. “Beginning attack run now.”

Sam, monitoring their change in speed and altitude, suddenly frowned. “Digger 1! You’re going to overshoot!” Her heart suddenly twisted into a knot as the words “tracking failure” appeared on the radar screen. The signal to the ship had been lost, and the cause was unknown. Sam could feel her senses screaming at her. She had a feeling something like this was going to happen today. Why did she let him go?

Clicking back on the radio, she tried to keep her voice calm. “Digger 1, Digger 1? This is flight.” There was nothing. She could feel everyone looking to her for answers. “They’re not responding.” Not knowing what else to say, she was relieved when Major Davis spoke up beside her.

“We’re experiencing atmospheric interference.”

General Vidrine looked at Sam for answers. “Major Carter?”

At that moment, Sam hated her name. All her mind wanted to focus on was Jack, but she forced herself to allow rational thought back in. Personal feelings for him had to stay on the back burner, for now. Her voice still slightly shaky, she responded. “The glider was setting up target drones when it accelerated into a steep vertical climb. It’s of our radar. We’re attempting to reacquire…”

Daniel interrupted her. “Are you saying they’ve gone into orbit?”

Sam wanted to scream in frustration. “I’m saying they’re heading straight out into space!”

General Vidrine nodded. “You said the 301 was capable of space flight.”

Sam took a breath, trying to keep her voice from accelerating out of control. “Yes, Sir, it is, but that wasn’t part of the test.”

Daniel adjusted his glasses. “Teal’c wouldn’t do this intentionally. There has to be something wrong.”

General Hammond spoke up. “A malfunction?”

Sam nodded. “Must be, Sir.” She could much more easily take General Hammond’s questioning than General Vidrine’s.

“Get me the shuttle action officer at space command,” General Hammond directed Major Davis.

Sam just shook her head. “The shuttle won’t be able to reach them, Sir, not unless we can find some way to turn them around.” Sam could feel her palms sweating. They had to find a way to turn them around. She wasn’t going to lose Jack or Teal’c to the dark reaches of space.

General Hammond responded. “It’s all we’ve got!”

Major Davis stepped in to try and calm the situation. He could see the franticness in Major Carter’s eyes. “We’ve got NASA’s deep-space tracking looking for the glider now. With the DSP and NORAD data, they should be able to get a hack on it and hopefully restore communication.”

Sam just wanted to cry. ‘God, please let them restore communication. They have to be alright,’ she thought to herself. She needed to hear Jack’s voice, more than ever. Her stomach felt a little quezzy, and she felt a little light-headed. Pushing away her weaknesses, she got up and moved to a table behind them to look at some other potential data.

As she mulled over it, she tried her best to stay completely focused, trying to avoid remembering that they still hadn’t heard from either Jack or Teal’c. As General Vidrine was instructing General Hammond to bring them home, and that he would be returning to the Pentagon to monitor the situation from there, Sam suddenly had an idea. Moving over to the general, she spoke up. “Sir, I have an idea, but a whole lot of things have got to go right for it to work.” Upon General Hammond’s nod, she returned to her seat next to Major Davis.

As she was about to explain the data to Major Davis, a crackling sound came over the radio, followed by Jack’s voice. “Cheyenne, we have a problem!”

Sam wanted to cry out for joy. Hearing his voice, knowing they’d made it that far gave her hope. “Digger 1, this is flight! Reading you five by!” She waited, but no response came, but this time, she knew why that was.

General Hammond asked a question she felt confident in answering. “Why haven’t they responded?”

Sam answered. “We’ll have to wait for it, Sir.”

Major Davis was surprised by her simple explanation. Knowing she was worried about her teammates, he continued for her. “It’s a time lag, Sir. The time it takes for our signal to travel from Earth to the X-301 and back.”

It seemed like forever before Jack’s voiced traveled back over the radio, this time, broken up. “Yeah, flight. Digger one. We read you. We have lost control of the craft to some sort of recall device. Apparently, the sc…..assed Apophis installed in his death gliders. Over!”

Sam took the opportunity to get off a message. “Colonel, you’re so far out, there’s already a time lapse of a few minutes, so conversation is going to be a problem. We’ve received some preliminary tracking data from the deep space network. The glider is going to pass relatively close to Jupiter. We’re hoping if we can somehow nudge your trajectory just a bit, you can perform a slingshot maneuver back towards Earth. Message ends 1430 Zulu.”

Major Davis was relieved to see that Major Carter seemed more like herself. “A time lag. Good thinking, Major.”

Static took over again before Jack’s voice came back. “Flight, do you copy?! Uh….flight. I don’t know whether or not you can hear me, but…..controls are not responding. No thrusters, and no reaction control system. We are….purely ballistic….over.”

Sam felt her heart drop to her stomach. Before she could calm her emotions, she spoke up. “Dammit! I was counting on them having at least some ability to maneuver it! I don’t know how to swing them around Jupiter without reaction control systems!” Sam felt completely helpless. The man she loved, someone who encompassed her whole life, and Teal’c, one of her best friends, were stuck in space, moving further and further away from them, and there didn’t seem to be any way of helping them.

Major Davis watched Major Carter carefully and with sadness. He could see this was tearing her apart. He knew that SG-1 had been through a lot together, and he simply chalked up her emotional state to the fact that she was closer to the situation than anyone else.

Ten minutes later, static was once again heard over the radio, and Jack’s voice began spilling out a form of hope for Sam. “Uh, flight. Digger 1. We’ve got two AIM-120 Alpha rocket moders that may, I’ll say again, may, be at our disposal. Can we override the release mechanism and keep them attached thru burnout? If so, we need to calculate where, when, and duration of burn. Digger 1 at 1458 Zulu.”

General Hammond spoke up at Colonel O’Neill’s suggestion. “Major Davis?”

Major Davis attempted to explain. “They want to cook off the missiles, Sir.”

General Hammond still didn’t understand. “What for?”

Sam didn’t wait for Major Davis to answer. Her mind was racing too fast with possibilities to be polite. “If we can get enough delta V out of the missiles’ rocket motors, our plan might still work. We’ll need an override procedure.” Looking over at Major Davis with hope, she continued. “Can you do it?”

Major Davis nodded. “That’s the easy part.”

Sam nodded in return. “Talk them through it.” Getting up quickly, she addressed General Hammond with an urgency she didn’t like feeling. “I’ll need a half an hour to make the burn calculations, Sir.”

Major Davis turned around. “A half and hour? Major, don’t get me wrong, but the margin for error for this…”

Sam didn’t want to hear it. She shot back at him with a little too much emotion. “That’s the time we’ve got!”

Major Davis was beginning to question if she could stay rational. “I realize that! But they thrust in the wrong direction, and they hit Jupiter.”

Sam wanted to scream. She didn’t need this negativity. The hope she was holding on to was being held by a very thin thread. “Wait any longer, and we’re too late!” Turning to the general, she looked for his permission. “Sir?”

General Hammond could see her determination. “Do it.”

Sam nodded and in the next second, she was running down the corridor, heading to the elevator and up to her lab. As she got on the elevator and the doors closed, she noticed her hands shaking uncontrollably. Ringing them together, she could feel the sting of hot tears as they attempted to escape her eyes. It was up to her to get them home. God, what she would give to start this morning all over again. But this time, she would listen to her gut instinct. She would hold Jack so close that he wouldn’t be able to go on this crazy test run. They would have to get someone else. But as the elevator doors opened, and she found herself racing to her lab, she realized that that wish wouldn’t come true.

Reaching her lab, she quickly pushed aside the papers lying on her desk and accessed her computer at the same time. Sitting down, she briefly ran her hands through her hair before trying to concentrate. The nerves in her stomach kept making it quezzy, and she hated doing calculations of any kind under these kinds of conditions. Sure, she’d worked under pressure many times before, but this time it was to save Jack and Teal’c from freezing to death in the darkness of space.

Twenty-five minutes later, Sam had almost finished with the burn calculations when Janet walked into her lab. She was just about to say something to her when Sam suddenly hit the side of her computer. “Come on, work faster!”

Janet wasn’t sure she’d ever seen Sam in such a frazzled state. “Sam? Are you okay? I heard what happened, and I wanted to see if there was anything I could do to help?”

Sam looked over at her briefly and gave her a weak smile. “Hey Janet. Sure thing…make this computer work faster. I have to wait for it to extrapolate all the data I’ve put into it. According to the program, it’s going to take a few minutes. That’s a few minutes extra that the Colonel and Teal’c have to wait. A few more minutes that they move further away from us helping them.”

Janet moved over and placed a hand on Sam’s shoulder. “Sam, you need to calm down. You’re incredibly pale and not acting like yourself.”

Sam got up and moved over to an adjacent counter, slamming her fist into it. “Well how can I act rational, Janet? I’m to blame for this!”

Janet frowned at her. “Sam, you know you’re not. Apophis put that recall device in the ship. You didn’t know about it.”

Sam just shook her head. “But that’s just it! I should have known about it. I should have scoured that ship myself from top to bottom, and now, because I didn’t, Jack and Teal’c are stuck out in the middle of space, breathing the last of their oxygen supply. They’re counting on me to get them home.”

Janet eyed her quietly. After a moment of letting Sam breathe, she spoke up. “Jack? Sam, what’s this really about?”

Sam swallowed. She hadn’t realized that she had used his first name. Shrugging, she tried to answer her as best she could. “I meant Colonel O’Neill. It was just a slip of the tongue.”

Janet moved closer. “I don’t think so, Sam. I remember how desperately you worked around the clock when Colonel O’Neill was trapped on Edora. And now this. Sam, talk to me. I may be your doctor, but I’m also your friend.” Seeing Sam hesitating, she asked the question she’d wanted an answer to for a long time. “Sam, do you love him? Are you two involved?”

Sam looked at the computer screen, trying to avoid Janet’s question. To her dismay, it still had another three minutes to go. But when Janet reached out and touched her lightly on the arm, Sam couldn’t suppress the tears any longer. Letting them roll down her cheek, she answered Janet in a shaky whisper. “Yes…I do.” Collapsing onto a chair, she put her head in her hands. “What am I going to do, Janet? I can’t lose him.”

Janet smiled sadly. Moving over next to her, she repeated part of her initial question. “Does he feel the same?” When she saw Sam simply nod yes, he heart poured out for the agony they both had to be going through. Taking one of her hands, she squeezed it gently. “You’ll find a way. You have to believe that. You love each other, and that love will help you find a way. Trust it. Besides, what would Colonel O’Neill be telling you right now if he were here?”

Sam looked at her and smiled, wiping at her tears. “He’d tell me to stop feeling sorry for myself and to get his butt home.” Taking in a deep breath, she got up and walked over to the computer that was finally printing out the results. Looking over at Janet, Sam continued. “I’m sorry, Janet. I know I’ve put you in an awkward position.”

Janet simply smiled. “You haven’t done any such thing. You’re secret is safe with me.” Moving towards the door, she looked back at her friend, who seemed a little calmer. “Bring them home, Major. You can do it.” With that, she left her alone to do just that.

Back in the control room, Sam was relaying the last bit of critical information for them to complete the burn. “Fire missile 2 followed by missile 1. I know this sounds like a lot, guys, but it’s what we have to do. Commence at any point from 1622 Zulu. This is flight. 1618 Zulu.” Sitting back, all they could do was wait for it. Wait for it and hope it worked. She was glad Janet had forced her to talk. It had given her the ability to think more clearly, and with more hope.

When the moment of truth came, Sam held her heart with high hopes. “Preliminary data coming in.” But when the screen showed they had failed, her heart dropped out that soaring hope like a rock. Putting her head down, she tried to compose her voice before delivering the bad news. She had to try and remain hopeful. And she had to pass that hope along to them. “Digger 1, this is flight. We have no joy on the burn. I’m sorry, Colonel, but the missiles just didn’t have enough thrust.”

General Hammond watched Major Carter deliver the sad news with a heavy heart. He felt sorry for her. He could see how much this was affecting her.

Sam continued. “Your current trajectory takes you out of the solar system and towards he oort cloud, which you should reach in a….in a few months.” Putting her head down, she didn’t think she had the strength to go on. But then Janet’s words entered her head, and with sheer willpower, continued on. “We’re all still thinking down here, so, don’t give up. 1813 Zulu.” As she ended the transmission, she didn’t think she had enough power to stop the tears from coming. Where do they go from here?

A few minutes later, as the personnel in the control room began attempting other possibilities, Jack’s voice trailed over the radio. “Flight, this is Digger 1. Failed burn caused damage to our power systems and life support.”

Major Davis spoke up first. “No propulsion of any kind, and this attempt to change their course has damaged both life support and power systems. For the moment, we’ll have to complete shutdown of all nonessential systems.”

Daniel tried to offer some hope to the situation. “Maybe they could try to disconnect whatever it is that blocked them out in the first place.”

General Hammond agreed. “It’s worth considering.”

Sam simply shook her head. “No, Sir, I don’t think it is.”

Daniel was surprised at her lack of hope. “Why not?”

Sam looked at him. “We have to assume there’s a failsafe mechanism to prevent the pilot from attempting just that.”

Major Davis was also just as surprised by her lack of hope. It wasn’t like her. “We don’t know that for a fact.”

Sam nodded. “Yeah, but it makes sense.” Trying to boost her voice up a notch, she continued. “At this point, I recommend we focus on the life support.” ‘Because,’ she thought to herself, ‘that’s the only thing that’s going to give me more time to figure something out.’

Forty-five minutes later, they were gathered in the briefing room. Major Davis was explaining what he had found out. “The engineers who designed the craft are running scenarios now. They can scrub the CO2. Oxygen and power are gonna be a problem. It’s going to get cold up there.”

Sam’s mind drifted to Jack, flying somewhere out in space in a dead craft, freezing to death. She found herself wishing more than anything her arms could reach that far so she could wrap him in them and pull him home.

General Hammond’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “Dr. Jackson?”

Everyone turned their attention to Daniel, interested to see what their allies had to say. Daniel could feel the room’s focus on him. “The Tollen don’t have a space craft fast enough, or close enough to get there within a year.”

General Hammond asked his next question. “And the Tok’ra?”

Daniel hesitated, his face casting a shadow over his enthusiasm. “Um, yeah. I spoke with Anise personally. She said they had a scout ship within a day or so of Earth, barely, but it’s on a covert mission to a Goa’uld-occupied world, and the High Council doesn’t want to expose the operative by making contact.”

Major Davis looked confused. “Then why would they bother to tell you that much?”

Daniel continued. “They hope that the operative will complete the mission and report back in time to help Jack and Teal’c.”

General Hammond responded. “I assume Anise refused to say where and what this covert mission was?!”

Daniel blew out a frustrated breath. “And to understand not wanting to jeopardize the life of a Tok’ra important to both of us. I mean, I sort of lost my temper, but she said she as doing us a favor by telling us as much as she did.”

Sam, who had been listening with a heavy heart, looked up suddenly with hope. “Maybe she was! I mean, we know a scout ship’s maximum speed from our mission to Netu. We also know there’s a Goa’uld-occupied world relatively close to Earth, so….”

“So,” Major Davis intervened, “that narrows it down.”

Sam wanted to jump for joy at a new possibility of getting Jack and Teal’c home. “Yes, it does. Sir, with your permission…”

General Hammond didn’t need to hear the rest. He trusted Major Carter explicitly. “Granted!”

Fifteen minutes later, Sam was briefing them. “This is P2C-257. This is the only Goa’uld-occupied world which is remotely within a scout ships range of Earth at maximum speed. The Tok’ra operative must be there.”

General Hammond looked serious. “What are the risks?”

Sam shrugged slightly. “Well, Sir. SG-14 spent several days there watching the Goa’uld mining operation. They managed to get in and out without being detected.”

General Hammond responded. “There’s still the matter of identifying the Tok’ra operative.”

Sam nodded in agreement. “Anise said it was someone important to both of us.”

Daniel chimed in. “Someone we know.”

Sam continued. “At least that’s what we’re hoping.”

Daniel was getting as impatient as Sam looked. “We know what the risks are, Sir, and we’re ready.”

General Hammond looked at both of them. “I can see that. You have a go.”

Sam smiled, happy to finally be doing something that had real potential. “Thank you, Sir.” Hesitating, she looked back at him. “Tell them to hang on, Sir. We’ll get there.” And with that, she headed out of the room and to the Stargate. ‘Hold on, guys, we’re coming.’ After all of this heartache, and all that she and Jack had in their future, she’d be damned if she was going to fail them now.

Sam found herself on her belly next to Daniel, staring at the mining operation going on below them. In the distance were Goa’uld pyramids heavily patrolled by Jaffa. Bringing her night vision scopes down, so looked on thoughtfully at the scene played out in front of them. “We may have to go into the mine.”

Daniel adjusted his glasses. “What about contacting the operative by radio?”

Sam was about to answer when suddenly a tree branch snapped behind them. Looking over their shoulders, they didn’t see anything. A second later, rings suddenly surrounded them and they were transported up to a ship. Taking up her gun, Sam pointed it at the empty room and then at the door that was being activated. Heart racing, she waited to see who had captured them. She had already decided that nothing was going to keep her from getting to Jack and Teal’c, and even if she had to fight a thousand Jaffa, she would. When the doors opened, she was met by a welcoming sight. Her dad stood in front of them, an angry and irritated look on his face. Lowering her weapon, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Jacob was furious with his daughter. “Are you out of your mind?! What the hell are you two doing here?!!”

Sam shot right back at him. “We were looking for you.”

Jacob responded, the angry still evident in his tone and facial expression. “Well, you better have a damn good reason! I was 20 minutes away from detonating a weapons-grade shipment of Naquada that would have vaporized a sizable chunk of this planet!!!” Blowing out a bit of his frustration, he tried to calm himself down. “Now, if I hadn’t spotted you two coming through the Stargate…”

Sam couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “You saw us?”

Jacob nodded. “Yes! The ship was cloaked…cloaked being the operative word. Now, they know we’re here.” Jacob couldn’t believe how reckless Sam was being. What had possessed her to take such a risk, and only the two of them. He was about to ask the whereabouts of Jack and Teal’c when Sam spoke up.

“Colonel O’Neill and Teal’c need your help.” Sam was trying to keep her voice detached, unemotional as she mentioned Jack’s name, but it was hard.

Jacob’s expression and voice softened. “What happened?”

Daniel spoke up. “They’re stranded in a disabled glider headed into space.”

“This was the only ship within range,” Sam said, her eyes pleading with her dad.

After a moment’s hesitation, Jacob gave in. He could see how much this meant to them, especially Sam. “Good enough. Well, let’s go.” Leading the way through the door, Jacob headed to the bridge, with Sam and Daniel hot on his heels.

An hour later, they were traveling through hyperspace at 132% maximum power and by sheer will. Sam could feel the tension in her shoulders, and was trying to keep her mind focused on anything except how cold and alone Jack must be. She figured that Teal’c would have put himself in a state of Kel’no’reem in order to conserve oxygen for Jack. But that left him alone, sitting in the cold reaches of space, with nothing but his thoughts that she knew couldn’t be very positive right now.

Barely registering Selmak’s question about the recall device, she answered him. “Well, apparently Apophis didn’t need a recall device until Teal’c planted the seeds of rebellion on Chulak. We didn’t have a clue.”

Selmak nodded. “The devices are new, even to the Tok’ra.”

Sam about choked on the air she was inhaling. She couldn’t believe that they had known. This whole mess could have been avoided. “You could have told us!”

Selmak seemed unaffected by Sam’s accusation. “You could have told us of your intentions.” Selmak bowed his head, indicating that Jacob would now be with them.

Daniel raised his eyebrows at Selmak’s last comment. Directing his attention to Sam, he responded. “Uh, yes, why didn’t we?”

Jacob didn’t wait for his daughter’s defense of their actions. “Same reason we didn’t. Politics. So, how do you intend to get them out of the glider once we get there? I mean, there’s no chance it’ll fit in the cargo bay.”

Daniel opened his mouth, knowing what he was about to say wasn’t quite how he wanted to put it. “We were hoping you could kinda…beam them out.”

Jacob’s laughter filled the bridge. “Beam them out? What am I, Scotty?”

Sam knew this was a moment Jack would have enjoyed. But knowing that Daniel’s intentions were good, she continued. “I have an idea, Dad. Colonel O’Neill and Teal’c are gonna have to take a leap of faith.”

A few more hours and some prayers later, they jumped out of hyperspace and into their own solar system. Reporting their progress to the SGC, Sam, Daniel, and Jacob waited with baited breath as they approached the glider. It didn’t look in the best of shape. Sam could feel her heart pounding in her head as they got the first glimpse of the cockpit. Jack and Teal’c didn’t appear to be moving. “Digger 1, this is Carter. Do you read?”

Without a response or movement of any kind, Jacob asked the question they were all thinking. “Are we too late?”

Sam refused to give up. “I think they’re unconscious.”

Daniel, trying to stay optimistic, responded. “Well, we have to wake them up somehow.”

Sam couldn’t take it anymore. They couldn’t be dead. Jack couldn’t be dead. They had only just found each other. Suddenly angry with him for even thinking of giving up on her, she yelled into the radio. “Dammit, Colonel! We haven’t come all this way to take you home in a box! Now wake up!!!!”

Jacob didn’t like to see his daughter in so much distress. Trying to sooth her, he replied in a soft voice. “Let me give them a nudge.” Moving the ship closer, he used the nose of the ship to bump into the glider.

As the glider rocketed from the slight impact, Jack stirred, his eyes opening as he began to move his head.

Sam thought she was going to go through the roof with excitement at seeing him move. “Colonel O’Neill?”

Jack could hear her voice so clearly, yet it was so distant. Sam, his Sam, where was she. “Carter?” Moving his head to the right, he squinted his eyes and then felt his pulse rate increase when he realized she was looking at him. She was there! Only panes of glass and a small bit of space separated them. “Carter!!”

Sam gave him a dazzling smile. “Yes, Sir!”

Jack could feel his brain trying to stay focused. He knew the high CO2 levels were affecting him. “Hi!”

Sam, holding her smile, tried to keep him focused. “Hi, Sir. We’re gonna find a way to get you back home, safe and warm. What’s your reserve oxygen status?” And safe and warm he would be, in her arms.

Jack knew she was speaking to him, but he couldn’t seem to focus. “Uh…I….what?!”

Sam dropped her smile and evened out her tone, speaking slowly. “What’s your reserve oxygen status?”

Jack, blinking his eyes, tried to focus. Was he really seeing Sam? Was she really here? “Carter, is that you?”

Sam knew what was happening. And she knew they had little time to work with. “Sir, we’re over here, ready to bring you home. You’re going to have to trust me.” Watching Jack look around, confusion evident on his face, she explained what was going on. “He’s suffering from anoxia, oxygen deprivation.” Clicking back on the radio, she steadied her tone. “Do you trust me, Sir?”

Rather she was real or not, Jack didn’t have to think about that one. Turning his head in her direction, he answered her with conviction. “Sure!”

Sam breathed a sigh of relief. Some of his mind was apparently focused. “Good. Is Teal’c conscious?”

Jack looked ahead of him. “Teal’c,” he said softly. Clearing his throat, he picked up a pencil and threw it at Teal’c helmet, shouting louder. “Teal’c!”

Teal’c opened his eyes. “O’Neill?”

Jack was happy to have his friend conscious to share in his excitement of seeing Sam again. “Look, it’s Carter! She wants to talk to you.”

Teal’c looked over and was amazed at the sight of his friends in the cargo ship next to them. “Major Carter! Little oxygen remains.”

Sam nodded, happy to see that he was focused. His Kel’no’reem had protected him from the deprivation that Jack was experiencing. “Cabin pressure?”

Teal’c looked at his gauge. “Also very low.”

Sam responded. “We copy that. So, we want you to do exactly as we say. First, remove your restraints. Then, on my mark, blow the canopy of the glider. Then push off.”

Teal’c didn’t like this plan. “We will die!”

Sam shook her head. “Negative! It’ll be alright if it’s only for a few seconds.”

Jacob attempted to convince Teal’c that it would work. “Teal’c, the only way we can bring you aboard is with the ring transporter. That means you have to be clear of the glider. Got it?”

Teal’c finally saw their intentions. “I understand.”

Jacob smiled slightly. “Good. I need you at least 5 meters from the scout ship, close together. Stand by until I get into position.”

Jack suddenly registered the voice that had been talking to Teal’c. “Jacob, is that you?!”

Jacob nodded. “Yes, it is, Jack. Now do what we tell you.”

Jack eyed the ship they were in. “Did you know your ship’s bigger than ours?”

Sam wanted to laugh at his sarcasm, but knew it wasn’t the right time. “Colonel, we need you to concentrate.”

Jack scrunched his brow. “Blow the canopy.”

Sam suddenly feared that he didn’t completely understand what she was saying. “On my mark, not before!”

Jack snapped his head up, trying to take in the oxygen that was left to concentrate. “Right!”

Sam continued. “Make sure your helmets are secure and set your oxygen at 100%. You’ll need to pre-breathe the last of it in deep breaths, holding each one in. You’ll need to power the system before you blow the canopy. Then disconnect the umbilical and exhale as much as possible. Stand by.”

Jacob moved the ship up above the glider within a reasonable distance. “We’re in position.” Jacob looked back at Daniel. “Stand by in the holding area!”

Sam clicked on the radio, her pulse racing. He was so close now. “Colonel, Teal’c? Are you ready?”

Jack, breathing in his oxygen, could finally hear her beautiful voice clearly in his head. “Ready!”

Sam nodded. “Three, two, one, mark!”

Jack pushed the button, releasing the canopy, and disconnected from the umbilical. Together, he and Teal’c began to slowly drift upwards into space until the ring transporter surrounded them and they found themselves standing, and then falling onto the holding room’s floor of the cargo ship, with sweet oxygen filling their lungs. He could feel Daniel turning him over.

Daniel shouted in excitement. “They’re alright!”

Sam clicked on the radio to transmit a message to the SGC, her voice filled with excitement and relief. “Flight, this is digger 2. We have Colonel O’Neill and Teal’c aboard and they’re both alive!!” Clicking off the radio, she flew out of her chair and was greeted by Jack’s eyes. “Welcome aboard!” As Jack reached an arm out her direction and gave her a weak smile, all she wanted to do was take him in her arms. But with her father, Daniel, and Teal’c present, she knew she didn’t dare.

Jack wanted nothing more but to touch her, to make sure she was real, but when Jacob squatted down to his level, he remembered the predicament of their situation. Clearing his voice, he smiled at Jacob. “Jacob! Thanks for stopping by.”

Jacob smiled at him. “What the hell. I was in the neighborhood. Ya need a lift home?”

Jack sighed a breath of relief. “Yes, Sir. Thank you.” Jack looked up at Sam and smiled as Jacob helped him to his feet. Still a little unsteady, he was relieved when Sam reached out and put one of her arms around his back, draping his left arm around her neck and shoulders.

Sam helped Jack over to a nearby bench and helped him to sit down. “Take in deep breaths. You’re body’s been deprived of oxygen. You should start to feel better in a few hours.” When Jack nodded and leaned his head back, she walked over to where she could see the bridge. Teal’c had taken her seat next to her dad, and Daniel appeared to be occupied with some of the other controls. Deciding it was okay to stay with Jack, she moved back to his side and sat down. “Sir, are you alright?”

Jack opened his eyes and looked over at her. “Never better.” Giving her a weak smile, he took her hand and squeezed it to reassure her that he was sincere. Having her by his side was all he needed to feel well. But he was exhausted, and despite his efforts to stay awake, he couldn’t. Adjusting his position, he laid down on the bench, his head finding it’s way to her lap. Relaxing, he allowed himself to fall into a deep sleep to the rhythms of her hand lightly stroking his head. Her touch was magically, and restored the peace that he only felt when he was with her.

Sam leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Jack was safe and within her reach. Able to finally calm her soul, she too closed her eyes and drifted off as the cargo ship entered hyperspace.

A few minutes later, Teal’c looked in on them, a smile forming on his face. There was Jack sound asleep, his head in Sam’s lap. Sam appeared to be dozing in and out, her head reclined against the wall, with a hand resting comfortably on Jack’s arm. Moving back onto the bridge, Teal’c took his seat.

Jacob looked over at him. “Is everything okay?”

Teal’c nodded. “They are fine. Colonel O’Neill has fallen asleep, as has Major Carter.”

Daniel looked in that direction. “Well, I’d imagine they are both exhausted. Maybe I should…”

“Like I said, they are fine, Daniel Jackson,” Teal’c said, protecting his friends. “Let them be. I will wake them when we reach our destination.”

Daniel held up his hands at Teal’c no nonsense tone. “Okay, Teal’c, no problem.” Sitting down, he settled himself in for the rest of the trip home.

Later that evening, Sam was sitting by Jack’s bedside in the infirmary. Her dad had dropped them off at a nearby planet and they had gated home. Janet had checked all of them out, determining that Jack was the only one who needed to stay overnight for observation. He was on 5 liters/minute of oxygen and had just fallen asleep. Getting up, she took his hand carefully and squeezed it, smiling down at him. Releasing it, she was about to head out the door when Janet caught her.

“Sam?” Janet’s smile was a little strained. “Can I speak with you?”

Sam gave her a curious look. Figuring she had more questions about her and Jack’s relationship, she nodded. “Of course.”

Janet hesitated. “Can you come into my office?”

Sam followed her into her office and sat down. She waiting until Janet was settled in her own chair before speaking. “I suppose you’d like to know some more about us.”

Janet gave Sam a weak smile. “Well, someday soon I expect us to have a girl’s night out and I want all the juicy details that you haven’t been telling me.” Hesitating, she became more serious. “But that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about.”

Sam shifted in her chair, suddenly unnerved by her tone. “Oh. Well, what is it?”

Janet took a deep breath. “I got your blood work back from the lab from the routine physical that I did after you got back from rescuing Jack and Teal’c. I questioned the accuracy of the results, so I redid the tests myself.”

Sam could feel her heart rate jumping up. She could see Janet was struggling with whatever news she was trying to deliver. “Janet, just tell me. What did you find?”

Janet looked straight at her. “I found levels of hCG in your blood, high enough to give a positive test. Sam, you’re pregnant.”

Sam’s ears seemed to be ringing with the words Janet had just uttered. You’re pregnant. Sam couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Shaking her head, she looked up at Janet. “No, that can’t be. I don’t see how that can be possible. Jack and I….we’re so careful.”

Janet eyed her carefully. “Every time?”

Sam raised her voice. “Yes! I know we have been. This just can’t be right….unless….”

Janet looked at Sam as her voice trailed off. “Unless what, Sam?”

Sam looked stunned. Whispering, Janet barely registered the words that came out of Sam’s mouth. “Thera and Jonah.”

Janet looked confused. “You mean the personalities you were stamped with on that planet?”

Sam could only nod.

Janet looked stunned. These two had to truly be soulmates if they’d found each other even under those conditions. “You were together there?”

Sam looked up at her. “Only once. The night before we left. God! It never even occurred to me to think….what am I going to do?”

Janet knew this had been an emotional day for her, with her almost losing Jack. And now this. As tears formed in Sam’s eyes, she reached over her desk and took one of Sam’s hands, squeezing gently. “Well, you probably should tell Colonel O’Neill. You can go from there. You’re only a few weeks along.”

Sam released Janet’s hand and stood up, her brain going in a thousand different directions. “Why didn’t this show up after we got back from that planet? You did tests then.”

Janet nodded. “Yes, I did. But it takes a week before a pregnancy can actually test positive. And since that mission, this rescue mission you just got back from was the first time you’d been through the gate where I’d have to draw blood again.”

Sam tried to breathe. It felt like the room was closing in around her. Trying to take in breaths, she ran her hands through her hair.

Janet was by her side in an instant. “Sam, you need to stay calm.”

Sam just shook her head. “Stay calm? God, Janet, what am I going to do? I mean I love Jack, so very much, and her loves me. But we’re not ready for this. Not yet. There’s still so much for us to do here.”

Janet tried to keep Sam rational. “Well, you’ve got a little less than three months before your body will even start to change.”

Sam looked at her. “But what about gate travel? Is that safe?”

Janet nodded. “As far as I can tell, yes. Do you remember that Encarian woman, Nikka? She travel through the gate several times when you were relocating her people, and she was almost full term.”

Sam breathed a sigh of relief. That was true. Placing her hand on her flat stomach, she closed her eyes. She was carrying their child. She wanted to be excited, and part of her was. But there was so much reality moving around her that she couldn’t ignore it. Opening her eyes, she gave Janet a weak smile and headed for the door.

“What are you going to do?” Janet asked, her heart feeling her friend’s pain.

Sam hesitated before opening the door. “I’m not sure. I need to think about this. Janet, please don’t tell Jack. I’ll do it. I just need some time.” Opening the door, she wiped away a single tear and looked back at Janet. “Thanks.”

Janet gave her a sad smile. “Are you going to be alright?”

Sam nodded. “I will be. I’ll see you later.” With that, she softly closed the door. Walking back into the infirmary, she stopped at Jack’s bed and looked down at his sleeping form. Giving him a small smile, she brushed her fingers over his hand before turning and leaving. She didn’t know what to do. But at this moment, what she really needed was some fresh air to clear her thoughts. Heading to the elevator, she got on and headed towards the surface. With Jack in the infirmary for the night, there was nothing they could talk about. Deciding to just head home, she walked to her car and got in, driving away with a small smile on her face, but a heavy heart.

Next Story---> "Whispers From The Heart"

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