Thank God I found you

Disclaimer in part 1

Summary: Jack has brought Sam back from Ba'al's prison. Waking up the news is not all good. An unexpected guest helps out.Will these two ever get married?

Pain was what I felt. The sounds of beeping machines and the steady sound of a ventilator was what finally woke me.

I tried opening my eyes, but the light was too bright. I could feel the breathing tube in my throat. It hurt and I wanted it out. I opened my eyes again and kept them open this time.

I searched for that familiar hand, the one that was always there when I woke from one of my narrow escapes from death. But this time, I found none. I started to focus, and everything that had happened flashed back before my eyes.

I started to panic and thrash about the bed. I hurt everywhere, but I needed to know what was going since I had been unconscious. I wanted to yank the tube out and scream out for her.

Sam.

Where was she? They had made it through the gate; that he remembered. The last conscious thought he could remember was asking her if they were through and if she was alright. She had said yes, but could remember nothing more.

My back ached. It had to be the bullet wound I'd received thanks to that no good snake Vahe'. He had shot me and I had fallen onto Sam. She must have pulled me through the gate. I closed my eyes. That must not have been good for the baby.

I tried to get up. I had to know were she was. I grabbed a bedpan next to the bed and flung it at the door.

It crashed and Janet came into the room. She was dressed in a hazmat suit. I was shocked. What the hell was going on?

Janet came up to me and smiled. I motioned to the tube in my throat and she nodded.

"Okay, General. I know that must feel real uncomfortable. So I'll take it out. I know you must have questions. I'll explain everything to you once I get that tube out."

She told me to take a deep breath as she detached the tube from the respirator. Then she told me to cough as she removed it from my throat. After she was done, she told me to breath easy and gave me some ice chips, telling me that it would be difficult to speak at first due to the swelling in my throat.

I nodded and took a couple of ice chips, managing to make out one word.

Sam.

"She's fine but still unconscious. You've both been through a great ordeal and rest is the best thing for both of you right now."

I whispered baby.

"I should have said baby and mother are doing okay. I'm still running tests and I'm waiting for Jacob to regain consciousness. I have a lot of questions to ask him about the affect of the sarcophagus on Sam and the baby."

I closed my eyes and tried to speak. I was exhausted but I had to know why she was in a hazmat suit.

"General, I know you're wondering why I'm dressed like this. You see, things have been turned upside down since you left to rescue Sam and Teal'c."

I looked at her and asked how Teal'c was.

"Teal'c, Ry'ac, Racnor , the surviving rebel Jaffa and the rest of the SG teams arrived yesterday through the gate. Teal'c was most anxious to see you, but he's restricted from coming in here. I'll inform him that you are awake, and before you ask, his symbiote has healed most of his wounds. He's kept a vigil by Sam's bed since he arrived yesterday. I hope you don't mind but I told him about Sam being pregnant. He was very happy to know you will be a father again."

I nodded and waited to hear about why she was dressed like that.

"Since you left, Senator Kinsey has been on a rampage. He was not happy that you signed back with the military. You must have really pissed him off because he's out for blood this time. He sent over some NID goons and they have strict orders to keep an eye on you until he has you reassigned to Antarctica."

I raised my eyebrow. Antarctica? I put my hand to my face.

"They were here when you guys got back through the gate. The bastards wanted to drag you away right then and there. They wanted to just take you to the military hospital and get you fixed up and ship you off to your new post. I put my foot down. I had to show them that you had suffered a gunshot wound and would need immediate medical attention. You should have seen everyone arguing with those morons. Daniel got thrown in the brig. One of the idiots grabbed Sam's shoulder to get to you and she cried out in pain. Daniel went ballistic, wound or no wound. He decked the guy and wouldn't stop till one of the other agents pulled him off. No one tried to interfere. This was going on while you two were still on the ramp. Then Ferretti picked up were Daniel left off. It was a mess Sir. The General and Major Davis came to help and I escaped with you to the O.R."

I clenched my fist at the thought of the bastards hurting Sam. I looked at her and nodded my head and reached for more ice chips.

"You were lucky. That bullet could have done some really bad damage. You lost a lot of blood, but they got you back here in time. Sir, did you know you had a stab wound to your side? That wound was the cause of your blood loss. We stitched that up and you should be as good as new. "

I was losing my patience. I wanted to know where Sam was and to get the hell out of this room and see her. I pointed to the suits and Janet continued with her story.

"The suits are necessary. You see, when we got you out of the O.R. and things looked like they were going to be okay, the goon squad called Senator Kinsey and he called in some favors to get you moved to the military hospital. The MP's were coming over with a platoon to escort you. I had to think fast and said that an alien organism was found in your blood. I said I had to have you quarantined to make sure it wasn't contagious. They asked why the rest of the team wasn't affected. Ferretti and Phillips came down with some unpleasant side effects. They're under quarantine also. Ferretti said all of you must have been exposed to it in the cave. They didn't believe me at first, but Dr. Warner concurred with my diagnosis."

"Dr. Warner agreed to this little charade," I whispered.

"Sir, he was there when you guys came back and saw what happen. He was not happy. He assisted me in the O.R. and said if I needed him to help me with anything he would. He also attended to Sam."

I looked at her and quietly asked how badly she was injured and when could I go see her.

She sighed and tried to find the words.

"That's the point sir, you can't leave and she can't come in to visit. They had one of their doctors check her out and found no organism in her blood work. So to protect her and the baby, she's been banned from coming to see you or you her. It breaks my heart Sir. Both of you have been through so much and I know how much you to depend on one another, but its just going to have to be like this. As soon as you walk out of this room they are going to take you away. You won't get to see Sam. I think I can stretch this quarantine for another week but I don't know after that. I'm hoping she wakes up soon. I have the General's support and I'm going to tell him you're awake. I'm sorry but that's the best I can do for now. I feel like I've failed you both."

Janet put her head down and I could see she was trying to hide her tears. I reached out for her hand and clasped it. I gave it a squeeze and she looked up.

I smiled and said thank you.

The doors open and we both looked up to see who was coming in.

It turned out to be Daniel. Janet asked what happen to the guard. Daniel said he had left his post when he got an unexpected phone call from Senator Kinsey.

He asked me how I was doing and I said I'd feel a lot better if I could see Sam. He looked at Janet and she said she had explained everything to me. He touched my arm and said he was sorry.

"Congratulations, Jack. I'm happy for both of you. When I heard the news, I was happy but scared for you two. You knew she was pregnant and you had to keep your feelings bottled inside yourself. I was worried and cursed that damn Vahe' for doing this to me. I wanted to be there for you, Jack."

I gripped his hand and told him he was lucky he didn't get captured. The torture would have been the end of him.

"Yeah, Janet told me about Sam's injuries. The bastard used acid on her? Ferretti filled me in on the rescue, how you got there in time before she became a host and how Sam finally got her revenge on Ba'al and Vahe'. I asked what he meant. He looked dumbfounded and he relayed to me what had happen after I was shot. How Sam had single handily killed Vahe' with the ribbon device after he shot me.

Remember, never get her angry or you'll be sorry."

He was trying to make me smile, but all I was thinking about was Sam and the baby.

I was lost in thought and Daniel spoke again. "No wonder poor Janet was on pins and needles. She had that to contend with and me. I'm going to get out of here before that moron comes back and figures out it was all a hoax."

He told me he'd go check on Sam for me and not to worry. He and Teal'c were keeping a vigil at her side and they wouldn't let any harm come to her.

I asked him to check up on Jacob for me and he said that Jacob had woken up last night, asking for Sam and me. Selmac informed Daniel that Jacob was healing nicely and should be up soon. I nodded and he clasped my hand and came close to me and whispered how happy he was that we had come back and that Cassie wanted badly to come and see me but couldn't. I told him to tell her to keep an eye on Sam for me and to let her know I was okay.

Daniel left and Janet started to check out my wounds. I felt lost. I had rescued Sam and we had made it back, but now instead of Ba'al keeping us apart, it was our own people. I was lost in thought when we heard a ruckus outside of the door.

Janet left my side and went to see what was going on.

The doors opened and I saw Teal'c.

He walked over to me and stood by the bed. Two of the guards tried to come in but Janet said they were not allowed due to the quarantine and that Teal'c's symbiote protected him from any alien organism.

She closed the doors and leaned against them.

"Teal'c, next time you want to do something like that, give a girl fair warning. I almost had to sedate those two watch dogs."

She excused herself and said she was going to go check on Jacob and to check on Ferretti and Phillips in the next room.

Teal'c stood by me with his head bowed and spoke.

"O'Neill, I have failed you. You entrusted the care of Samantha Carter into my hands and I let you down. For this I am remorseful. You may extract any type of punishment for this. I have not forgiven myself for this failure. She is still unconscious. She suffered greatly at Ba'al's hand and all I did was watch. It is my fault. I should have fought them; I should have kept her out of harms way. I should have locked her in her lab when she said she wanted to go off world. Can you forgive me? If you do not, I will understand. How can you bear to look at me when I have lost your trust in my ability to protect all that you hold dear. I was almost responsible for the death of your child. This is not to be tolerated. You must extract some type of punishment against me."

His head was still bowed and he could not look at me. How was I going to tell this man, this warrior who I would trust with my life who had kept my Sam going and never letting her give up that I held no ill will towards him. He was hurting and he had nothing to apologize for.

"T, you kept her alive. She told me you taught her how to escape the pain. She is alive, thanks to you. I remember how it felt to go through that whole ordeal. We made it back. The baby is fine as far as Janet can see and we'll have more answers as soon as Jacob wakes up. I should be thanking you for keeping the only thing that matters to me most in this world alive. Thank you Teal'c for being my friend and for keeping my Sam alive."

Teal'c looked up and had a shocked look to his face. I grabbed his hand and squeezed it. He looked like he wanted to step back but I didn't let him. I asked how he was recovering and he said his symbiote had healed him. I asked what had happen. I wanted the whole story from beginning to end.

Teal'c grabbed a chair and was about to speak when Dr. Warner came in. He nodded at Teal'c and came up to me and said he just wanted to see how I was doing. I said I was fine, a little sore, but nothing that I couldn't handle. I thanked him for his help and asked if there had been any change in Sam's condition.

He nodded no but said her vitals were improving and that the wounds to her back where healing nicely. He said he didn't have any news for me on the baby since Janet said she was going to handle all of Sam's care. He said he was going to go check on Jacob and would return later.

"General O"Neill, I'm usually by the book, but what I've witness these last couple of days has shaken my belief that the people in Washington all have personal agenda's and scores to settle. I'm ashamed to admit I believed Senator Kinsey when he said this facility was just a drain to the American people. I am glad you've proven to me that what he is doing is wrong. I will do everything medically possible to keep you here as long as I can. The good Senator calls everyday asking for your progress and when will you will be released. It's going to be a long stay, so do not worry. I know the General and Major Davis are trying to find some way of keeping you, if not here then in Washington."

I thanked him again and he left Teal'c and I alone again. Teal'c had found a chair and pulled it close to my bed and started his tale.

The emotions that overcame me were unbearable. I wanted to scream and shout at the pain and torture both of them had been put through. I let out a moan when Teal'c told me how Ba'al had tricked Sam into thinking I was there to save her. He tried to skirt around her despair of wondering if we would ever find them and how he had taught her how to withdraw from the pain. He finish by telling me how she had thanked him for being there with her and that if he wasn't there to help her she would have been lost forever.

I tried to hold back my tears. I closed my eyes and I could imagine all that she went through. I wanted to go back there and kill that damn snakehead with my bare hands. My monitors were going into overdrive and one of the nurses came in to see what was wrong. I asked Teal'c to go find Janet and to check on Sam for me. He stood up and was about to leave when I called to him and said thank you again and that he had nothing to ask for forgiveness for. He bowed his head and went to do what I asked.

When I was left alone, I tried to get up. I had to go to her. She needed me. I didn't want her to wake up without me being there. But how was I going to get around all the red tape and the consequences that would follow if I was found out of the quarantine room. Dr. Warner and Janet would bear the guilt of this since they were the ones who had falsified the medical records. Ferretti and Phillips would be brought up on charges for lying to superior officers. Too much was at stake, so I sat back down.

Janet came in and gave me one of her looks and nodded no.

"You are not going to get up and leave. Get that out of your head. Daniel and I are already working on a plan on how you can see Sam from your room. Siler's helping us, as is Felger. We should have something rigged for you in the next couple of hours. But it has to be done in secret. The guard put a complaint with the General about Daniel's little hoax this morning. He's ban from even coming on to this floor. They're just trying to make this difficult. They've been informed that you are awake but are coming in and out of consciousness. They're waiting for you to make your move. They know your track record and are waiting for you to appear next to Sam's bed."

I sighed and asked how Sam was. She said there was no change and that she checked on Jacob. He was awake and Selmac informed her that she was almost done with repairing Jacob's injuries.

"He wants to use the healing device on Sam, but I don't think that's a good idea. He's barely recovering and I know how much he wants to help Sam, but if it's going to endanger him, I have to put my foot down."

I agreed with Janet. Sam would not want her father to put himself in harms way to try and save her. She was doing okay. My girl was a fighter and she would pull through this and everything would be just fine. We'd get married and I'd go and do my year service and when I finally retired again, I'd have a family to come home to.

Janet convinced me to get some rest. I only agreed if she would wake me if Sam regained consciousness. She promised she would and I tried to get some sleep.

I was in a dream. Sam was there and we were in bed. We had our hands intertwined on her belly and were discussing names. She looked healthy and happy and I was content nuzzling behind her ear. Her hair had grown longer and I could actually feel it tickling my nose.

She insisted it was a boy, coming up with names like Conner, Ryan, Jake, Mathew, and my all time favorite, Bart.

I told her it was a girl. She was going to have her beauty and brains and would have my winning personality. She was going to put every baby born before her to shame. I had my own list of names: Alissa, Jacqueline, Melody, and her favorite, Catherine, after both of our mothers.

I reminded her about our song contest, that we were still competing against each other, and I started to hum a tune and she turned towards me and whispered to sing to her.

I smiled and came close to her belly and started to sing.

I would give up everything

Before I'd separate myself from you

After so much suffering

I've finally found a woman that's true

I was all by myself for the longest time

So cold inside

And the hurt from the heart it would not subside

I felt like dying

Until you saved my life

Thank God I found you

I was lost without you

My every wish and every dream

Somehow became reality

When you brought the sunlight

Completed my whole life

I'm overwhelmed with gratitude

'Cause baby I'm so thankful

I found you

I would give you everything

There's nothing in this world I wouldn't do

To ensure your happiness

I'll cherish every part of you

Because without you beside me I can't survive

I don't wanna try

If you're keeping me warm each and every night

I'll be all right

'Cause I need you in my life

Thank God I found you (I'm begging you)

I was lost without you (so lost without you)

My every wish and every dream (every dream, every dream)

Somehow became reality

When you brought the sunlight (brought the sunlight)

Completed my whole life

I'm overwhelmed with gratitude

'Cause baby I'm so thankful

I found you

See I was so desolate

Before you came to me

Looking back I guess it shows

That we were destined to shine

After the rain to appreciate

And care for what we have

And I'd go through it all over again

To be able to feel this way

Thank God I found you

I was lost without you (lost without you baby)

My every wish and every dream

Somehow became reality

When you brought the sunlight

Completed my whole life (whole life)

I'm overwhelmed with gratitude

Sweet baby I'm so thankful

I found you

Thank God I found you

I was lost without you

I'm overwhelmed with gratitude

My baby I'm so thankful

I found you

I'm overwhelmed with gratitude

My baby I'm so thankful I found you

I saw Sam smile at me and I was about to kiss her. It felt real and I didn't want it to end, but someone was bringing me back to reality. I felt a hand on my arm and I opened my eyes. It was Teal'c. I looked around, wishing my dream was real, but I knew it was not. I tried to hide my disappointment but Teal'c knew something was not right.

He asked if I was well. I said I had the most wonderful dream. I asked if something was wrong with Sam and he nodded no and said why don't you see for yourself. He pointed to the small T.V. screen by my bed.

It was Sam's room and Daniel was there waving at us. I smiled and Teal'c asked Felger to zoom in on Sam. I turned to see Jay Felger fiddling with a control box and attempting to zoom. It worked and I could see her. The cut on her cheek still looked swollen. I closed my eyes. All I wanted was to get out of this bed and be sitting there next to her and coax her to wake up.

I touched the screen and sighed. Teal'c handed me a ear piece that had a mic on it. I put it on and I heard Daniel asking if I could hear him. I said yes. He gave me a thumbs up and asked me to have Felger explained how it would work.

He gave me directions on how zoom in and everything else I needed to know. He told me they had mounted a second camera in Sam's room and one in my room.

I started to play with the controls and I learned to get a better view of Sam sleeping. She looked so tired. She was on her belly I zoomed in on her back and it tore me inside to see all the bandages, some of which were tinged with blood. Janet walked into view and started to talk to me. She had the earpiece and started to show me all of Sam's injuries. She said that she had just left a very upset Jacob Carter and had to have Bra'tac stay with him to make sure he didn't hurt himself trying to get out of bed.

"General, he says he will cooperate until tonight. Selmac informed us that he should have all his strength back by then. I trust her opinion. I know Jacob is our best chance for Sam recovering."

I nodded and saw Sam start to twitch. Janet came closer to the bed to see what had causde it.

She was trying to turn onto her back and Janet asked Daniel to help her keep Sam still. She was crying out and then I heard her cry out my name.

That was nearly my undoing. I threw the control box to Felger and started to yank my IV and get out of the bed. I had enough of this. Sam needed me.

Teal'c stopped me and spoke. "Do not do this O'Neill. I know that was painful to watch, but if she wakes and finds you gone, she might not be strong enough to survive. She does not know what has been going on. She will not understand that you are not here when she wakes. Please O'Neill, trust us to be your hands. We will comfort her for you till we find a solution to this dilemma."

I fell back to the bed and picked up my medical chart and threw it across the room. I shouted out in pain at the injustice of this and put my face to my hand. I could hear Janet screaming into the earpiece, wanting to know what was going on and threatening me that I had better not be trying to get up and out of the quarantine room.

I put the earpiece back on and told her I was here and I looked at the screen again. Sam had settled down and looked to be sleeping again. I let out a sigh and touched the screen.

Felger left and I asked Teal'c if he could also leave. I wanted time alone. He bowed his head and left. Janet was done with her check up and I asked her if she could put the earpiece into Sam's ear. If she couldn't feel me at least she could hear me.

She said yes and did as I asked. I didn't know what to say. I called out to her and whispered that I was here and to wake up, that I missed her and I wanted to see her smile. I started to tell her everything I went through when she was gone. I talked all night about my fears for our child. Would I be a good father, my fears of not being enough for her, and my fear of failing her.

I must have fallen asleep. Janet came into the room and woke me I turned to her then looked at the screen. Jacob was using the healing device on her. I looked at Janet and she said that was the second treatment.

"The burns are almost gone sir. Selmac has given me a rundown of things to look out for during Sam's pregnancy, but so far, everything is fine. I see no problems, but we'll just keep a close eye on her."

Jacob turned and gave me a smile. I started to talk to her again, telling her what her dad was doing and that she should be as good as new and I expected her to wake up soon.

Janet came up to me and said the General was coming to see me.

The General came and gave me a briefing on what was going on and said that they were just waiting for the President to come back from a conference overseas to get his support. If all worked out, I would be assigned to the Pentagon. I would report to the President only. I gave him my thanks and asked how everyone else was.

"Son, the base is behind both of you 100%. I've kept in contact with my friend Steven. He said whenever you two are ready to get married, he will make it happen. Just give him 24 hours and it's a done deal."

I smiled and said as soon as Sam woke up we would be getting married.

"Come hell or high water I'm going to finally make her Mrs. Jack O'Neill."

He laughed and said he was happy for both of us and that he couldn't wait to be an honorary Grandfather. I told him I was going to hold him to that. Janet came in and asked what was so funny. The General explained what he had just told me and about what Steven had said.

Janet said that she had been in contact with Julia and Ruth and they were waiting to hear from us to tell them when the wedding was back on. They had been given the watered down version on what had happened and had relayed it to the vendors we had contracted with and they were all willing to help in getting us hitched.

I smiled and said that was the best news I had had in a long time.

"The only problem will be getting me out of this place. If I step out of this room, I'll be hog tied and sent to Antarctica without getting married."

The General said he'd go talk to Major Davis again to see what could be done and Janet said she was going to contact Julia and Ruth. I sat back in bed and looked at the screen. Sam was sleeping still but she was lying on her back. Jacob must have healed her completely. The cut on her face was gone also. Just the dark circles remained.

She started to thrash about again and I tried to talk to her. I saw that the earpiece had fallen out of her ear. I moaned no and started to yell, hoping she'd hear me. She called out to me again and again. I couldn't take it anymore. I had to go to her. I was out of the bed when a bright light shone in her room. The same light engulfed me and I turned to see Thor.

Sam was on a bed thrashing about and calling to me. I went around him and gathered her in my arms and started to soothe her telling her she was safe and I was here. She stopped and put her arms around me and leaned into my chest. Tears were streaming down her face and she was whimpering. I kissed her forehead and then her lips softly. I could feel the tears streaming down on my face. I just held her, never wanting let go of her.

Thor called out to me and I looked up and smiled.

"Thor, have I told you your timing is impeccable. Thank you for doing this. I was going to do something crazy and you saved me from ruin."

Thor bowed his head and said he had gotten the message we had sent him. He apologized for not getting here sooner and had just gotten there when he scooped us up.

"I hope Colonel Carter is well. You did not require our assistance in your defeat of Ba'al, O'Neill, but at least I was here to relieve you of this stress. Please tell me what is going on and I will see if I can be of help to you."

Sam settled into my arms, not waking and looked to be in a deep sleep. I told Thor of all that had happen from the beginning to before he beamed us up.

"It seems I must interfere again on your behalf. You have proven yourself a vital part to this alliance. Now, what is wrong with Colonel Carter? O'Neill why don't you lay her down and I could do a scan on her."

I did and watched him scan her body. A screen came up and he reviewed it. He pushed some buttons and a bright light surrounded her. I was about to say something when he spoke again.

"She is well, as is the child. Congratulations, O'Neill, on furthering your race. I am happy for both of you. She should wake momentarily. The sarcophagus did do much damage, but I reversed it and she will not have any withdrawals."

Sam started to wake and I came up to sit next to her. She opened her eyes and smiled and whispered hey.

I smiled and took her hand and kissed it. I picked her up and gave her a hug and said how happy I was she had decided to wake. We stood like that for a while until she realized where she was.

I explained to her what had been going on and how Thor had saved the day. She thanked Thor who said it was nothing. I told her we had to get back before we were reported MIA.

Thor asked if there was anything he could do and I smiled. An idea popped into my mind and I said yeah.

To be continued.