Fraiser picked up Sam's chart and wrote a few notes in it, then shook her head thinking about all the young woman went through. 'Well Colonel like I said, I expect her to make a full recovery. However her fever isn't going down, and I'm worried about the pneumonia; to help clear her lungs she'll have to cough…and with the broken ribs, that's going to be difficult to say the least. I can supply her with the pain meds, but it's a tough road to recovery."

Jack and Daniel's faces paled with the news, Jack honestly thought that if they got her home, everything would be okay. "Well Doctor, she's got us here now to help her through this. Do you know if she has any family?"

"I'm sorry Sir, I don't, I'm waiting for he medical file to be brought to my office. However I've had this strange feeling like I've met Captain Carter before I just can't place when." Fraiser's attention was brought to one of the nurses.

"I think she's coming around Doctor."

Fraiser went over to Sam's side, and notice her eyes were starting to open, and she was trying to fight the ventilator. Fraiser could see the panic as Sam's eyes opened wider. "It's okay Captain, try to relax. Give her 1mg valium in the I.V. stat." She ordered one of the nurses, who quickly went to work. "Okay Captain, the ventilators just trying to help you breath. Now that you're awake we can take it out." Fraiser could see Sam start to calm down, after the valium had been injected. "Now Captain on the count of three I want you to exhale as I pull the tube out." Within moments, Fraiser had the tube out, and Sam had started coughing, but luckily, it didn't last long. The head of the bed was raised so Sam was in a semi reclined position. She was now awake and aware of her surroundings, she was in less pain than before, but was still feeling hot. "So Captain, how are you feeling?"

"Hot, thirsty." Sam said licking her lips. "Pain's not as bad, but it's a little hard to breath, like I've run a marathon." Sam saw O'Neil pick up a glass of water, and saw the doctor nod to him; he came up beside her and held the glass so she could drink through the straw.

"Not too much at once Captain." Fraiser said.

"It's Sam."

"What?" Fraiser asked.

"My name it's Sam, you can call me by my first name doctor." Sam said with a slight smile.

"Okay then Sam, call me Janet. Right now, I'm going to put you on an oxygen mask to help with the breathing. You should be okay with the pain meds for now, but just hit the call button if you feel you need more." Janet noticed Sam nod, as she placed the oxygen mask on her face. "Right now though, I think the best thing for you is to rest.

Sam looked around and noticed the extra beds that had been brought in, she looked at O'Neill with a puzzled look on her face. She reached for the mask and lifted it off to speak. "Are you alright Sir, are the others."

O'Neill could see the worried look on Sam's face. He put his hand on hers to put the mask back on, "Yes Carter, we're all fine, the doc here is just being cautious. She wants to make sure we don't have the same bug that's causing your infection."

Sam looked even more puzzled looking at Teal'c. "I thought Teal'c was immune?" It came out quiet and difficult to understand under the mask but O'Neill understood.

Fraiser looked at the Colonel and then at Teal'c. "Care to explain Sir?"

"Oh I think I'll let Teal'c explain this one." O'Neill said smirking at Teal'c.

Teal'c came up to Sam's bedside and bowed his head to her, then faced Dr. Fraiser. "It is true Dr. Fraiser; my symbiote protects me from all types of infection. However, you were very busy at the time, and I did not want to disturb your work. I also thought that if you knew of my immunity I would not be allowed to stay and watch over my fellow warrior. I owe Captain Carter my life, and on Chulak when one warrior saves the life of another it is up to that warrior to make sure no harm comes to the other."

"Oh one of those Jaffa things hey Teal'c." O'Neill said smiling at his friend.

"Indeed it is O'Neill."

"Well Mr. Teal'c, I assure you no harm will come to Captain Carter here. We're here to help her get better, and while some things may cause her pain, believe me it is what has to be done." Fraiser explained to Teal'c.

"Oh by the way doctor, his name is Teal'c not Mr. Teal'c."

"Okay Teal'c I'll let you stay as long as the others, but as soon as the quarantine is lifted, you'll all be let out of the infirmary."

O'Neill turned the conversation back on Carter. "So Captain, we were just discussing how you took out six Jaffa on that planet."

Sam shook her head in disagreement. "It was five Sir."

"No I think it was six, two at the gate and then the other four."

"I only took one out at the gate Sir. I thought you took out two." Sam was feeling restricted talking through the mask.

"No, I didn't get the guy firing at us." Jack looked at Teal'c, realizing it couldn't have been him, since he was using a staff weapon. Then it hit him. "Daniel did you by any chance shoot a Jaffa today?"

"I was, ah firing my gun, but I didn't think I hit anything." Daniel said a little surprised.

"Well guess what Danny; if I didn't shoot the Jaffa, and Carter didn't shoot the Jaffa, that means you shot the Jaffa." O'Neill said smiling at Daniel.

"Looks like you saved us Daniel." Sam said quietly, after she removed her mask.

Daniel moved over next to Sam, and put her mask back on. "What I did was by accident Sam, what you did took courage above anything I've ever seen. You saved so many lives over the past three days, including mine. So if there's any thanks to go around it should go to you."

"You know for once I have to agree with Daniel. Carter you saved all our lives out there." O'Neill could see that Carter's eyes were closing, and she was falling asleep. He motioned the others away from the bed to the other end of the room.

"Well Sir, I think the three of you need to get some rest also, so why don't you settle down for the night. If you need anything there's a call button, and the nurses will be checking in on the Captain throughout the night. If you need me I'll be in my office going over records, you know where the phone is." Janet started to leave, taking one more look at Sam's vitals before exiting the room.

"Well I don't know about you, but I'm too wound up to sleep." Jack told the others. Teal'c was sitting crossed legged on his bed, while Daniel was lying down with his hands behind his head on the bed across from Sam. Jack strode over to the phone and started dialling. "Hey Makepeace, would you do me a favour?…Yea, there's a file that should be on my desk, it's Carter's file, I haven't had a chance to look at it yet….Well make a photocopy and send it to me. Yea, okay thanks."

"What's going on Jack?" Daniel asked sitting up.

"Makepeace is going to photocopy Carter's file and have it sent to me."

"Photocopy, why?"

"Because we're in quarantine, and I don't think she'd appreciate having her personnel file burned." Jack said a little annoyed at being questioned O'Neill was getting bored, and the other members of SG1, were about to find out just what a bored Jack O'Neill was like. He was pacing the room, walking back and forth between the beds, actually keeping Teal'c from his Kelnorim. Then he started opening and rummaging through drawers. "There must be a deck of cards in here somewhere."

"Oh yea Jack, they always keep a deck cards in the CRASH CART." Daniel said having enough of Jack's antics. "Just don't start looking in Sam's bed." This time Daniel was holding back a laugh.

"What? Why would you say something like that Daniel?" Jack was truly puzzled by Daniel's question.

"Because Jack it's the only place you haven't looked!"

Their attention was brought to Sam, who started mumbling in her sleep. "Now look what you've done Daniel, you woke Carter up!"

"Me, you're the one searching through the room, you know you could have been a bit quieter."

"No stop." Sam said quietly and slightly slurred.

"Sorry Carter didn't mean to wake you." Jack said glaring at Daniel.

"Ah Jack I don't think she's awake." Daniel said staring over at Sam.

Jack moved closer to Sam's bedside and looked down at her. Her face was red and flushed even more than before; he put his hand on her forehead, and pulled it away quickly. "You're right Daniel; she's burning up again, use your call button to get someone in here." Jack went to the sink, filled a basin with water, and got a washcloth. He brought them to Carter's bedside table and started to cool her face with the damp cloth.

"No you can't do this. No Mike get down." Sam's voice was weak, but the words were coming out clear.

"What's wrong?" Janet asked over the microphone in the observation room. Janet was still pulling on her protective wear.

"Carter's burning up again!" Jack said over his shoulder, still using the cloth to wipe Carter's face. In no time, Fraiser was standing next to O'Neill.

"I was afraid of this." Janet said with a sigh. She took Sam's temperature and shook her head. She went to the phone and told one of the nurses to bring in some medication. "I'm afraid there's not much more we can do for her, it's up to the meds and Sam's ability to fight this off. Other than what your doing there's not much else that can be done right now." Janet said looking at O'Neill who was still using the cloth to try to cool Carter off. "I'll send in a nurse to take over Colonel."

"No that's okay doctor, as her team, I think we can handle this; after all its what we did on the planet. I think we owe it to her." Jack said receiving nods from Daniel and Teal'c.

Janet didn't think it was appropriate, but saw the concerned looks on their faces. It was the least she could do for them, and Sam. Then she heard Sam mumbling in her sleep, if you could call being delirious and semi-conscious state sleep. "I'm so sorry Mike." She and the others could see tears in Sam's eyes.

"Shhh it's alright Sam." Daniel said in a quiet gentle voice, as he held her hand and brushed the hair off her damp forehead.

Jack took the doctor aside, "You know Doc, this isn't the first time she's mentioned this Mike guy when she's delirious.

"He must be someone very significant to Sam, for her to keep reliving an experience."

"Yea I kinda thought so, that's why I'm having her records sent to me, I want to see if there's anything in there that might clear this up."

Janet raised her eyebrows at the Colonel, "A little curious are we, Colonel?"

"Well you never know it might help to know the circumstances."

"Well I think your about to get your answers." Janet said pointing to the nurse who just entered the room carrying a file.

"Here's the file you've been waiting for Colonel." The nurse said handing it to O'Neill. "Doctor, is there anything else you needed me to do?"

"No Carol, just stay handy, her team members are going to help her out for a while." She said as she saw Daniel wiping Sam's brow, and speaking gently to her.

Jack was sitting on the bed next to Sam's reading the file. "Find anything Colonel?" Janet asked; being just as curious as the Colonel was.

"Yea, it says here that during one of her assigned flights during the war, she was sent to aid some ground forces who were under fire, says she took them both out but was shot down. It says she and her co-pilot ejected and landed behind enemy lines. Her co-pilot Lt. Michael Judge was shot to death by an Iraqi patrol, Carter was also shot but managed to take out the Iraqis, get their jeep and make it back to the Kuwaiti border with the body of her co-pilot"

"So that's who Mike is, she must have seen him get shot by her reactions." Daniel said while still caring for Sam.

"Yea, there's nothing like survivors guilt to haunt a person." Jack said sadly. He was beginning to get a clearer picture of his 2IC.

"May I see that file Colonel?" Fraiser asked. He handed it to her and she read more of it. "Now I know why Captain Carter looks familiar to me; she was one of my patients in Kuwait."

"You didn't remember?" Daniel asked.

"Well Dr. Jackson, believe it or not, we had a lot of patients in Kuwait, and it was a very busy time; you don't always remember all of your patients." Janet answered back.

"You know Doc, this incident seems familiar, but there were a lot of pilots shot down in Iraq, even though there weren't many women."

"Well it says here Sir her call sign was Blue Angel."

O'Neill's face looked shocked. "Did you say Blue Angel?"

"Yes Sir, why?"

"My team at the time, was sent out to find two missing pilots who had been shot down behind enemy lines, the only name we were given was Blue Angel. We didn't find them, but we did find some dead Iraqi soldiers in the area and a lot of blood; we only hoped that they got out. Now I know." Jack was now shaking his head in disbelief. He couldn't believe he was so stupid, not wanting to have Carter on his team, and Hammond having to force her on him.

"No Sam, you have to stay here." Daniel was talking to Sam, and trying to keep her down.

"Have to go, gotta find Mike. Mike….Mike!" Sam was now fighting with Daniel trying to get up. Janet and Jack were right at her bedside when they heard her and saw Daniel struggling.

Jack put his hands on her shoulders trying to hold her down, while she thrashed about. "It's okay Carter, calm down."

"No, have to go." Sam said still struggling.

Jack used his most commanding voice. "AT EASE CAPTAIN, THAT'S AN ORDER!" To Jack's surprise it worked, Carter stopped moving.

"Sir, yes Sir." Jack had to laugh to himself, even a delirious soldier responded to his orders, 'damn I'm good' he thought to himself.

"Is there anything else that can be done for her doc?" Jack asked, looking at Fraiser.

"I'm afraid not Colonel, we just have to try and keep her calm." Janet said, lost at what to do next.

No one noticed General Hammond entering the room also dressed in the protective gear. "Doctor any change?"

"Ah General Sir, yes I'm afraid her fever has gone up again." Janet said looking at the General puzzled.

Hammond looked down at what he was wearing, "Being General has its privileges." He said knowing no one was going to deny him entry into the room. Hammond moved next to Sam's bed, noticing O'Neill clear the way for him. He looked down at Sam and saw how flushed she was, and the sweat all over her face, what was worse was how red her eyes were, and he could tell she was not actually here in the present with them.

"Uncle George, is that you?" Sam said very weakly behind the mask.

"Yes Sam it's me."

"Where's dad?"

Hammond saw the others reactions, but ignored them for now. "He can't be here right now Sam, but he sends his love." Hammond said patting Sam's arm.

"Uncle George? I take it you know the Captain, Sir." Jack said puzzled.

"Yes, I'm friends with her father, and have known the family for a long time."

"Ah." Said O'Neill, not wanting to push the general's buttons.

"Have you talked to her family Sir?" Fraiser asked.

"Not as yet doctor, I wanted to see how she was first. Jacob is also a general in the air force, and he'd want to see her; but given the top-secret nature of the facility, I can't just let him come for a visit. Not to mention, I don't think it would be safe, she may let slip something of a classified nature in her current condition. So in the mean time SG1 is the closest she has to a family."

"We would be most pleased to take over the duty, of Captain Carter's family." Teal'c said bowing his head.

"That would be most appreciated Teal'c, Dr. Jackson and Colonel. Right now I'd like a few moments with the captain." Hammond watched as the others made their way as far off from the bed as they could. Hammond sat beside Sam resting his hand on hers, remembering her as a child with long blonde hair and the most beautiful blue eyes he'd had ever seen, he remembered the visits when she would play his daughters, and the heartbreaking scene at her mother's funeral. 'Damn it to hell,' he hated not being able to call Jacob here to comfort his daughter, and let him know what kind of officer she was. He knew Jacob would never forgive him if something happened to Sam, and he wasn't called to be with her; he only hoped she'd pull through, and that SG1 could truly be a fill-in for her family. Hammond stood up, and bushed the damp hair back off her forehead. "You get better Captain." He said before turning to the other people in the room. "Just for your information; the captain got the position here on her own merits, not because of whom she's related to or who she knows. I'd hate for rumours to start about nepotism and ruin her reputation and career; after all I think she deserves better than that don't you?"

"Yes Sir." came from Janet and Jack.
"Of course general." Daniel answered.
"What is nepotism?" Asked Teal'c

"Don't worry General, we'll explain it to Teal'c, none of this will leave the room." Jack saluted the general, as he headed out the door.

"Gee I never knew Sam knew Hammond?" Daniel said, as they returned to her bedside.

"No, neither one of them showed any sign of recognition, but I think the general's right, if word got out about this, it could ruin her career, and I think she's proven herself trustworthy and reliable on her own, she doesn't need others second guessing her abilities, not after this mission. Daniel I trust you'll be able to explain the circumstances to Teal'c."

"Yea sure Jack, no problem." Daniel said noticing Teal'c still had a perplexed look on his face.

Just then, they were all startled by the worse sound they could ever hear. Sam had started coughing. Not only did the sound of the cough horrify them, but so did the sounds of gasping for air and the look of utter pain on her face. "Help me get her sitting up." Frasier ordered. Jack and Teal'c quickly went to opposite sides of Sam's bed and helped her to sit up. Janet was ruffling through cabinets until she found the med she was looking for. She quickly went to Sam's IV and injected the med into it. She then went to where Jack was supporting Sam. "This should help the coughing Sam." Janet told her looking into Sam's eyes, and making sure the oxygen mask stayed on. Soon the coughing fit subsided, and Jack and Teal'c helped her ease back against the bed.

"Oh God, this hurts so much." Sam said through clenched teeth. "Getting shot really sucks."

Jack and Janet looked at each other, realizing she was still stuck in the past. "Can you give her something for the pain doc?" Jack asked.

"Sam, I'll give you something to help but, I can't give you too much it might compromise your breathing." Janet saw Sam nod to her, even though she was still delirious, Janet was sure Sam understood her. Janet went to get the med and injected into Sam's IV. A few minutes later Sam's pain seemed to ease, as she slowly fell asleep. "I think she should sleep a while Sir. Hopefully her temp will come down soon also." She noticed that O'Neill and Teal'c were still using the damp cloths to try to cool her down. "Well Sir, I'll leave the captain in SG1's capable hands; I have to go check on some lab results." With that, Janet left room, hoping her patient would be getting better soon.

The men of SG1 took turns helping Sam, talking to her when she got agitated, and trying to cool her down throughout the night. The nurses came and went throughout the night, checking on Sam's condition and adding meds to her IV. When morning finally came, Janet came to check on Sam, pleased that her temperature had come down, not a lot, but even a little bit was better than no change. "I've been running some tests, and I think I've come up with right combination of antibiotics to help Sam." She could see the look of relief on all their faces, as she went to hang the medication with the IV.

"How long before we know Doc?" Jack asked looking utterly tired after a long night.

"Well Sir, this is an alien infection we're dealing with, so there's no telling how long it will take. This is actually my first experience dealing with an alien bug." Janet said shaking her head in disbelief of what she was actually dealing with.

"Yea kinda makes your head spin doesn't it.? Dealing with aliens that is. No offence Teal'c." Jack saw Teal'c nod his head at him. "So we just sit around and wait now huh?"

"I'm afraid so Sir. However, the nurses will be in soon to help get Sam cleaned up, and change the bed. So I think it would be best if you all got some rest of your own. But first I'll need some more blood from you two."

"Huh"
"What, again?" came from Daniel and Jack, eyeing the needle Dr. Fraiser pulled out.

"Oh come on gentlemen, it's just a blood test. I promise I won't take too much." Janet said wondering how two big men, one being a seasoned colonel could be afraid of a needle. She went over to the colonel's bed first, and watched as he grimaced through the procedure. As soon as she finished with Daniel, they were startled by a loud yell coming from Sam's bed.

In no time, all three men were at Sam's bedside, following Teal'c who had moved one of the screens. Sam was lying on her side, the covers were up to her waist, and her back exposed as the nurse was changing the bandages.

"What is going on here?" Teal'c asked in a very deep bellowing voice.

"Sorry Sir, I had to move the captain onto her side." A very nervous looking nurse answered.

"That's okay Carol, you're just doing your duties." Fraiser told the nurse, trying to ease the situation; it was a bit intimidating having a large Jaffa looking down at you.

"Are you alright Carter?" O'Neill asked.

"Ah yes Sir, it's just moving is a little hard to do." Sam said pulling the mask off her face, she was feeling a little embarrassed at her outburst, and now having everyone staring at her, again being overly exposed.

The members of SG1 could see how the bruised area around her ribs had become larger and turned a terrible dark colour. The cuts looked better, now that they were all stitched up, but still looked red, inflamed, and painful. Then O'Neill realized something. "Carter, you know who I am! Do you know where you are?"

"Ah the SGC infirmary, I think." Sam was puzzled by the silly question. "Why do ask Colonel?

"Oh no reason, just the last few hours you were so out of it you thought you were in Iraq." Jack told her.

"And you thought you had been shot." Daniel added.

Janet motioned for the nurse to finish as she went to take Sam's temperature. "Good news it's down to 102.3, looks like the new meds are working." Janet said smiling.

"Way to go Carter." O'Neill said smiling and patting her on the arm.

"I'm so glad Sam, I'd hug you but I'm afraid I might hurt you." Daniel told her also grinning from ear to ear.

"I to am happy to hear you are getting well Captain Carter." Teal'c said bowing his head.

Janet moved behind Sam and pulled out her stethoscope to listen to her lungs, she placed the instrument on Sam's back and had her take a deep breath. Sam tried to take the deep breath but only ended up coughing. Janet kept listening as Sam coughed. She handed her a pillow to put against her ribs as she cough, to try to lessen the pain. "It's okay Sam it should subside soon." Janet then moved to add something to her IV. "Well I can still hear fluid in the lungs, but hopefully the antibiotics, should help clear it up. For now Sam we're just going to have to use the antibiotics and pain meds until your lungs and cough clear up."

Sam nodded, when she was finally able to speak she asked, "Any idea how long that will take? I have a lot of work to do."

"I can't believe you Carter; do you know how close you came to dying? You've spent all of last night with a fever so high you were delirious, not to mention you can hardly move. For crying out loud Carter, we didn't know if you were going to survive the night, and all you can think of is going back to work. Unbelievable." Jack didn't mean to start yelling at Carter, but he couldn't believe what she had just said.

"Ah what Jack means is, don't you think you should rest and recuperate before thinking about getting back to work." Daniel said trying to ease the tension in the room. He could see that Sam looked a little shocked from what Jack said.

"Sorry Sir. I just meant that the Stargate program is so important, that I might be needed." Sam said, as Janet helped her put the oxygen back on, while giving the colonel a not so nice look.

"Well I have some tests to run on your blood samples, if they come back normal; which I suspect they will, I'll be able to lift the quarantine and let you out of the infirmary." Janet said as she left the room.

"Ah look Cater, I'm sorry I blew up like that, I couldn't believe you were thinking about work after all you've gone through." Jack said looking down and rocking on his heels.

"It must be the scientist's work ethic I acquired over the years Sir."

"Ah yes the scientist, I forgot you were a scientist; after all you know how I feel about scientists?"

"Ah yea Jack, I think we all know how you feel about scientists." Daniel said, smirking. "Remind me to fill Dr. Fraiser in on how Jack feels about scientists Sam, especially when she pulls out one of those big needles."

"Will do Daniel, I'd be happy to help you out." Sam was now smiling; they could all see it, even under the mask.

"Hey no fair, having the scientists ganging up on me! Teal'c help me out here, you'll be on my side won't you buddy?" Jack said looking at Teal'c.

"I too shall remind Dr. Jackson to inform Dr. Fraiser." Teal'c said bowing his head at Sam.

"Hey! I'm being out numbered here."

"Yea I know the feeling." Sam said as she yawned and started to fall asleep again.

Jack and Daniel's faces fell, as they realized the meaning behind Sam's words. They each returned to their own beds awaiting word from Dr. Fraiser.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Janet returned to the room, finding Sam asleep, and Daniel and the Colonel trying to teach Teal'c the art of poker. She walked over to their beds and spoke quietly. "Well gentlemen your tests came back clear; there's no sign of the alien bacteria, which means it's not contagious so the quarantine can be lifted. You gentlemen are free to go."

Daniel was both pleased and saddened by the news; he was glad the quarantine was lifted, but sad that they would be leaving Sam alone. He'd gotten used to having the whole team together, to help their injured member. By the look on Jack's face Daniel had the feeling Jack was feeling the same way. "Ah what about Sam?"

"We'll move her to the regular ward in the infirmary, but I think it would be best if visiting was kept to a minimum for a while. To give her a chance to recuperate. Once the fever is gone and the pneumonia is manageable, she'll be able to go home to rest and recover. However she won't be on active duty for at least a month; I'll have to check to make sure before I allow her in the field again." Janet said while watching Sam.

"Okay Doc, but that's gonna be a long month; I have a feeling she'll be doing everything she can to get back here and to her lab." Jack said brushing his hand through his hair.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A week later Sam was being discharged from the infirmary. "Well Sam, here are your pain meds. AND DON'T FORGET TO TAKE THEM!" Janet said handing Sam a bag with her meds in them. "And don't forget to take your antibiotics also.'

"Yes mom." Sam said getting a bit annoyed at Janet, being such a mother hen.

Just then, the rest of SG1 entered the room. "Now, now Carter are you giving the doctor a hard time?" Jack said grinning at his slightly irate 2IC.

"No Sir, it's the other way around." Sam answered smiling, at actually being able to leave the infirmary. She started to get up to leave, when the colonel stopped her.

"Ah no, no Carter. You're not leaving here without an escort." O'Neill said as he swung his arm around to point out Teal'c, who was pushing a wheel chair into view.

Sam's face changed, she was no longer smiling but looked slightly annoyed. "I think I can walk Sir. I've been stuck in bed for over a week; I'd like to get some kind of exercise."

Jack just smiled, he knew she wouldn't like the idea; but that's never stopped him before. "Ah come on Carter, give us this pleasure of helping our teammate to the car. Once your home, you know you'll have the run of the place, no more taking orders. Well for a while at least."

Sam knew she might as well give in, she was getting the feeling winning an argument with O'Neill may not be that easy. "Okay, I give up; I'll accept the ride to the car." Teal'c brought the chair up to Sam and helped her ease into the chair.

"Okay campers were off." Jack said taking control of the driving. Wheeling Sam out of the infirmary at a quick pace. Janet could only shake her head at the antics.

They were riding in the elevator, when Daniel spoke up. "Do you mind if we stop for a minute so I can pick something up before we head out."

"Daniel why didn't you take care of it before, you know how long Carter's been confined to the infirmary, I'll bet she itching to get out side."

"It's alright Sir, I don't mind waiting for Daniel." Sam did mind, but not as much as hearing the two of them argue about her. The elevator stopped and the group got out with Jack still driving. "Ah Sir why are we headed to the cafeteria?"

"Because Carter I'd rather wait for Daniel in there, than in his office, you know how dusty and crowded it is in there." O'Neill then turned around so he was backing himself and Carter through the doors. He slowly turned her around and saw the shocked look come over her face.

The room was filled with airmen, and marines, officers and enlisted personnel alike, all standing at attention and saluting her. Sam saw Hammond approach and moved to stand up, only to be stilled by O'Neill's hands on her shoulders. "Stay seated Captain." Hammond said as he approached her. "I believe these people are waiting for you to return their salute."

Sam was so astonished it took her a few moments before she returned the salutes. "I don't understand Sir, what's going on?"

Hammond nodded to O'Neill to explain. "Well captain it seems you have a fan club. These people want to show their appreciation for what you did out there."

Sam watched as Colonel Makepeace stepped forward. "Captain Carter, my men, and those of the rescue teams just wanted to let you know, how much we appreciate your spectacular shooting for saving many of our asses." He saluted and stepped aside.

"Boy I didn't realize you had such a way with words Robert." Jack said, laughing slightly.

"Captain Carter, we are all here, because the SGC has become like a family, when one of our members are in trouble, we depend on each other to get them out. Needless to say, what you did out there was above and beyond the call of duty. I only hope your next missions won't call for as much fortitude as you have already shown. As for your recovery, I'm also putting the rest of SG1 on downtime until you are ready to return to duty. Who knows maybe you can get them to help you out while you recuperate."

"That won't be a problem Sir, but for now how about we eat some cake." As Jack said that, a large cake was brought out and placed on a table in front of Sam. 'Thanks For A Job Well Done.' was written on top of it.

"Gee I don't know what to say. I want to thank you all for going to such trouble; but I don't really deserve all this. I did what anyone else would have done in the same circumstances." Sam said, trying to hide the bushing but failing miserably.

"Oh I doubt that Captain." Jack answered her, handing her a piece of cake. "Eat up Carter, you've lost some weight, since you've been in the infirmary; but then again it is hospital food."

"Why thank you Sir." Sam said taking the proffered cake.

"So Captain, after this little party is over, I'm ordering you to go home, and not come back to the mountain unless your cleared by Dr. Fraiser." Hammond said smiling. Then he leaned down and quietly said, "And give your father a call, I'm sure he'd like to see you."

"Yes Sir." Sam said smiling. She couldn't believe all these people cared about her. The general was right; the SGC was like a family.
The End

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A/N: I want to thank you all for sticking with me through this story. The ending was the most difficult part to write, I hope it didn't get too sappy. A special thanks goes out to megmeyer, wolflets, iamdragonrider and feb04 for your continued reviews, they were very encouraging (and helpful with the spelling mistakes LOL)