The tel'tac landed in the largest of the hay fields, its doorway sliding open to the awaiting crowd. Jacob stood at the doorway looking at the under servant who explained that the overseer was on his way. The ransom had already been off loaded by means of the rings, now O'Neill was brought before them. He was unkempt; it looked as though he had not bathed nor changed his clothing and possibly not eaten much since Sam's rescue. He was shackled hand and foot the chains clinking softly as he was brought forward.
"Unbind him" Selmak ordered in a voice that threw many of the slaves into a state of terror.
Crassus had one of the field hands stoop to unlock and remove the shackles on Jack's ankles and then his wrists. Crassus held firmly to Jack's left elbow with his left hand and as the slave stood before them shielding his activity, Crassus reaching behind him slid his dagger into Jacks back directly above his right hip. He twisted the slim short blade as he drew it back and pushed Jack to the ship and freedom.
Jack staggered to the tel'tac, ignoring Jacob and his outstretched hand of greeting. Jacob angrily slapped the controls to shut the door and as he turned to look at O'Neill, he saw him fall to his knees and the before he could reach him he fell forward.
"Teal'c, get us out of here. Sam I need you now."
As soon as Sam had heard the door slide shut she approached only to see Jack slam face first onto the deck.
Jacob spoke in his own voice. "I don't know what's wrong. Let's get these rags off of him."
Doing this exposed countless bruises and angry red stripes, reminders of Crassus temper and brutality.
In the process of turning Jack over Jacob found his hand smeared with blood.
"Sam, honey, go get the healing device."
He realized she was staring at his bloody hand.
"Sam," this time Selmak spoke "do it now."
The device came alive in Jacob's hands, healing the damage that Crassus hoped would
end O'Neill's existence before he would ever see his home or mate again. He hated him
so much that he wished him to die just as freedom finally was his to reach out and touch.
Healing Jack's internal injuries exhausted Jacob. Both Jacob and Charlie were
recovering from the after effects of the poison that killed thousands of Jaffa and many
hundreds of Tok'ra and Goa'uld. And because of this the healing of O'Neill took many
hours. The Tok'ra went over every inch of Jack's body taking many breaks to revive
their strength. Jack did not regain consciousness but was stabilized.
Jacob gave the device to Sam to take care of any minor wounds they may have failed to
heal and cautioned her not to exhaust herself. If Jack took a bad turn her strength would
be needed to save him. With this Jacob went to rest. Teal'c helped Sam to clean up
O'Neill and make him as comfortable as possible. The Healing Device could not make
up for loss of blood or dehydration and malnutrition so O'Neill remained weak .
As Sam kept her vigil Jack surfaced. Although he tried the only sound that was produced when he tried to speak was a soft moan. She reassured him that he was safe and on his way home but his eyes were glazed and he lapsed again into darkness.
She was awakened by Jack attempting to clear his throat. Sam lifted a canteen to his lips.
"Where…Goa'uld?"
"No…Dad's"
"Dad's? Going home?"
"Don't you remember?"
"Headache"
"Nail in the Head?" Sam asked.
"Railroad spike"
Sam picked up the Healing Device and it began to glow in her hands. The brightness caused Jack to groan aloud in pain. Sam winced to cause him more pain. She put the device down and helped him to lie on his side. Then she again reengaged the device and aimed it at the back of his head. Within moments she felt his hand on her wrist.
"Better, much better."
She helped him to sit up and got him something to eat and drink.
Jacob returned at this point to see how O'Neill was doing, happy to see the man sitting
up and chatting and eating.
"New decor Jacob?"
"What can I say Jack? My little girl asked for a present and I just had to find the money to buy him."
"I'd feel bad but I do remember giving you a mother ship once. But Jacob, thank you."
Jacob went forward to the pel'tac.
"Teal'c, I'd like to get to a better neighborhood but I don't think we can push these engines too hard, we have them held together with spit and promises."
"O'Neill is well?"
"Yes, I think he will be."
Jacob glanced back. There sat his daughter dressing some of O'Neill's minor wounds and him letting her fuss.
"Yes, Teal'c, slow and steady."
Teal'c looked back and a smile flitted across his lips but remained in his eyes.
"This may take a while."
Jacob just smiled.
SJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSHSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJ
Epilogue
The first three weeks on their return to the SGC were spent in the infirmary with various medical tests and in debriefing. However, O'Neill's first order of the day was to submit his resignation. He was offered his commission and old office back but he demurred.
"It belongs now to the man who has been running the show for the last seven months, not me."
He was asked to remain in some capacity in the SGC and he did not completely refuse the offer, his only caveat being that he serve as a civilian and this after an extensive vacation. And with that Brigadier General Jack O'Neill became Brigadier General Jack O'Neill, retired.
His next order of the day was to ask Lieutenant Colonel Samantha Carter two questions.
"Vegas, the Academy Chapel or the back yard with a JP?"
She opted for the back yard.
"Hawaii or Minnesota?"
"Surprise me."
The next morning as he lay beside her with the dappled sunlight falling across her, the sheet barely covering them, he kissed all the sheet exposed and the sunlight christened. She awoke to what could only have been a dream. She didn't want to open her eyes, didn't want it to all fade in the harsh light of reality. Yet there was the feel of hands callused yet gentle, touching, exploring, caressing and then his lips followed the same path. This was real and it was all that mattered.
The End