"From The Embers" by Amanda Hawthorn

TITLE:From the embers

AUTHOR: Amanda Hawthorn

CATEGORY:S/J established romance, slight angst

SPOILERS: Slight mentions of Solitudes

SEASON/SEQUEL: Somewhere in season 4 I think

RATING: PG-13 (some minor swearing, nothing bad)

STATUS:Complete

ARCHIVE:Heliopolis,Sam and Jack , Little miss's site, any others please ask first

SUMMARY:Sam and Teal'c are caught in an earth tremor, which brings some interesting results

DISCLAIMER:Stargate sg1 is the property of MGM, World Gekko corp and double secrets production. This story was written purely for entertainment and no money was made from it. No infringement on copyrights is intended.

AUTHORS NOTES: This is for Connie, Adele and Julia my very best friends who I love so much. We're the four musketeers!! Oh and Becky, this is for passing your exams, well done sweetheart!! Also for my closet shipper friend Pam :) Enjoy.

FEEDBACK: Love it but please no flames.

FROM THE EMBERS

Sam looked up from her desk as Daniel came through the door. She beamed him a huge smile that never failed to melt his heart. "Sam," he smiled back at her, "the general wants you in the briefing room ASAP."

"Why? Is there a problem?"

"I'm not sure yet, but he'll explain everything when you're there." He stood looking at her.

"What?" she asked him curiously.

"Nothing," he sighed turning to leave.

"You're not coming?"

"Nope, not this time. He just wants you and Jack."

Sam felt herself pale ", Oh god you don't think he knows?"

"Sam you and Jack can melt anything just by being in the same room together, but I'm pretty sure this isn't about your relationship." Daniel smiled trying his best to reassure her.

"You don't think so?" Sam stood up a little shakily.

"You OK?" He came to her instantly concerned.

"I'm fine." She waved his hand away. "Just a little tired that's all."

"You sure?"

"DANIEL," her voice warned.

Daniel sighed and backed away from her. Things had been a little strange between them since he'd got drunk and spilled out all he felt for her. He felt so stupid after knowing that everything he'd kept hidden away had now been exposed. He felt raw and naked in front of her now. Yes she had said it didn't matter, that they had both had a little too much to drink and there was no harm done, but he still saw that look in her eyes that told him otherwise.

"I'm sorry Sam" he said finally.

As he turned to walk away Sam felt herself well up with guilt. "Daniel wait."

He stopped in his tracks and slowly turned to look at her. She looked tired and worn out.

"Listen, about the other night."

He didn't let her finish. "It's OK Sam really."

"No it isn't Daniel, it isn't OK." She came towards him. "You said some things to me that no other man has ever said. I do love you Daniel, you know that don't you?"

This time he smiled, of course he knew she loved him. He nodded.

"I do Daniel, but I am in love with Jack, I always have been."

"I know that Sam and it shouldn't be any other way. He adores you and he's very much in love with you."

She felt herself blush "I know he is."

"So look at it this way, you have two men who absolutely adore you," he smiled now and pulled her into a hug. Sam held him tight, he was so special to her and she did love him dearly. They broke apart as someone coughed in the doorway. Jack stood accusing them with his eyes.

"Jack," Sam said softly as she walked towards him. She saw how cold his eyes were, not the usual bright adoring eyes she was so used to seeing.

"I can see you're busy," he said, his voice catching in his throat giving away the hurt he was feeling. "I was going to see if you wanted to come to see the general with me."

"I do," she said quickly, leaving Daniel to gaze after her in confusion.

"Jack it's not what you think it is."

"It's not?" he asked coldly, "and what do I think it is Daniel?"

"Nothing," he said defeated.

Sam looked back to him "I'll see you later."

Once outside Sam eyed Jack, seeing him looking straight ahead. "So," she started to say, "any idea what the general wants with us?"

"Nope."

"Jack please." She stopped walking, her eyes suddenly filling with tears. "How can you doubt me?"

He stopped and turned to look at her, his eyes losing a little of their coldness. "I saw you with Daniel, I see the way he looks at you."

"So that's it, you see something then think I'm having an affair?" She couldn't believe her ears. "And here I was under the impression that you loved me, that you trusted me."

"I...." he began.

"Save it Jack," she said silencing him with her hand. "Let's just get to this meeting."

Jack watched helplessly as she stormed off in front of him. Damn his petty jealousy. What had he done? He had to run to catch up with her. Sam was fuming. She knew he was jealous, but he had to get over it. Seeing Teal'c entering the elevator she shouted for him to hold the door. Teal'c bowed to her "Major Carter."

"Hi Teal'c, thanks,'' she said breathlessly.

Seeing Jack coming around the corner Teal'c stepped up to hold the door before it closed, but Sam stopped him. ''Leave it he can wait.''

''Should we not wait for Colonel O'Neill?''

''No,'' she said, challenging Teal'c to argue with her.

Stepping back from the door, he saw Jack's face as the door closed. He was not happy. ''Are you and Colonel O'Neill upset with one another?'' he asked.

''Could say that.''

He was about to say something else when the elevator ground to a halt sending both occupants reeling to the floor. The sound was followed by a huge rumble that shook the whole surroundings. In a few split seconds they were sent careering to the depths of Cheyenne Mountain.

Jack picked himself up off the floor. Daniel came running around the corner. ''Jack did you feel that?''

''Yeah,'' he said as he gingerly touched his head, feeling the bump that was forming there.

''Where's Sam?''

Jack suddenly remembered and ran to the elevator doors, banging frantically on the metal. ''SAM!''

A split second later Daniel joined him. Both of them banging and shouting. The whole base had felt the tremor that had rocked their foundations. No one had suffered anything major only a few minor cuts and bruises. The tremor wasn't powerful enough to cause a lot of damage, but it had been enough to send the elevator shaft crashing to the very bottom. By now, twenty minutes after it happened, the corridor was awash with airforce staff.

Janet was at the centre of it all trying to find out what had happened and if she needed to offer medical attendance. ''Anyone else hurt?'' she almost had to shout above the noise.

''Sam and Teal'c are down there somewhere,'' Jack cried banging on the doors continuing to call her name.

''Oh God,'' she gasped. Then all hell broke loose.

The first thing Sam was aware of was the dust. It invaded her lungs making her fight for breath.

''Major Carter.'' She heard his voice but she couldn't see him ,''Teal'c? Where are you? I can't see you.''

''I am here.'' He spoke softly soothing her with his voice. ''Stay where you are I will come to you.''

She saw him then, when he came to her. He was covered in dust and had a red sticky patch trickling down his face.

"You're hurt?" she asked.

"It is a minor cut, nothing more," he said.

She watched as he tried to lift a huge rock that had her pinned down to the ground . It covered her left arm. The pain that soared through her made her scream out, "LEAVE IT!"

Ignoring her words he moved the rock from her arm. He could hear her whimpering softly, as she tried to stop any tears that might fall. With a groan he sat down heavily beside her. He tried to ignore the pain that welled inside him. It made him feel sick as his symbiote moved in pain inside him.

"I'm sorry Teal'c."

He looked at her questioningly. "Why do you apologise?"

"If I hadn't been so damn angry at Jack he'd have been here for me to yell at!"

He smiled slightly. It was quickly removed by the soaring pain in his gut.

"Teal'c?" Sam asked worriedly as he doubled over. He was in pain but remained silent, which worried her more. She moved slightly trying to ignore the pain in her arm and chest, to cover him protectively. With a deep painful groan he fell back into her lap. "It's OK Teal'c I'll keep you safe." As she spoke tears trickled down her face, knowing that it would be a promise she would have to break.

"Major Carter?" his voice was a mere whisper. She bent forward slightly so she could hear him. She stroked his head trying to soothe some of the pain away. "I need......" he said breathlessly, "to......"

"Shh," she whispered "Try to rest."

"Kell-no-reem........." he breathed.

"I know Teal'c." She nodded. "You do what you have to do."

She looked up above her feeling pain mixed with tears. "Jack.........." she whispered, but her words were lost in quiet sobs.

"SAM," he yelled again to silence. He banged on the metal doors with frustration. Jack looked over to the technicians approaching with the tools to pull the elevator doors open. "Well it's about damn time," he said angrily.

"Jack I know you're worried...." Daniel began.

"Ya think?" he said cutting him off. He was prowling around like a caged tiger just about biting everyone's head off that spoke to him.

Daniel looked over at Janet and threw his hands up in resignation. She in turn was trying to keep the general busy so that he didn't see Jack's reaction. Jack by now was over at the elevator doors helping to pull them apart. Daniel ran over too to offer his help. The second the doors began to open Jack was there, looking down to an empty abyss. "SAAAAAAAM," he yelled.

Daniel looked at him then began to do the same. Both of them yelling their two friend's names. General Hammond was pacing, concerned. This was bad,very bad. They had all thought that the elevator had stuck just a few floors down, not all the way down as it now appeared.

"General we have to go down there," Jack was in near hysterics.

"I know son." He patted his shoulder. "But we don't know what the damage is so far..."

"Sam and Teal'c are down there," Jack said angrily. "If you won't order it I'll damn well do it myself."

"Jack I know how you feel about your friends, but we have to do this right."

Daniel came over to quieten Jack but all too late. "Let me tell you something general," Jack said slowly and almost too calmly.

"You're upset Jack," Daniel cut in trying to steer his friend away before he said anything that could do more damage.

"Damn right I am, Sam's down there!" Jack looked at Daniel incredulously.

"Yes I know and so is Teal'c, and we are going to get them out. We can't do that with you losing it."

Jack shook his head, he knew Daniel was right but he just wanted to go and pummel a few people first. Instead he went over to the open elevator doors and yelled Sam's name again and again.

Sam could see him in a haze. He was calling her name softly coming to kiss her eyes awake. Slowly she opened them expecting to see those beautiful chocolate brown eyes gazing into her own. His name died on her lips as she opened her eyes to darkness. That's when she heard it, a very long way away but she heard it, Jack's voice.

"JACK," she called back but burst into fits of coughs disturbing Teal'c who still laid with his head in her lap.

His eyes opened slowly "You are afraid?" he whispered.

"I'm afraid I'll never be able to tell him the things I should have told him."

"He knows Major Carter."

"Teal'c please stop calling me that, my name is Sam."

"Samantha," he smiled slightly trying the name out on his lips.

Smiling tearfully she squeezed his shoulder gently. "Jack's up there calling, we're going to get out of here Teal'c I promise you."

"Then help me to sit Samantha," he said painfully. "We will call out together."

"No Teal'c you need to rest, you'll do more harm than good."

"You are a good friend Samantha," he said in a whisper.

Sam smiled and moved his head from her lap gently to lay him on the ground. Pain shot through her arm making her breath in deeply. Ignoring it she bent to kiss his head "So are you Teal'c."

Looking up to the darkness above her she yelled at the top of her lungs the name of the man she loved, praying that he heard her. Teal'c began to cough hard, making her return to his side. Stroking his face she whispered words of comfort to him.

"Do not doubt him," he whispered through ragged breaths.

"Who?" she asked leaning close shielding his body against the darkness with her own.

"He loves you very much." Then he was silent, slipping once again into unconsciousness.

Getting up she started yelling again, determined that he would hear her. He had to know they were alive.

Jack stopped dead "Everybody shut the hell up," he hissed. The whole place became silent as Jack called again. "SAAAAAM."

A few seconds later he heard her, very faint but it was her voice. He almost cried with relief as everyone exploded into excitement. "SAM I HEAR YOU," he yelled wanting to yell so much more to her like I love you, I'm sorry. " WE'RE COMING TO GET YOU OUT."

Janet prepared to go down to them. As she was fitted with ropes and safety catches, Jack and Daniel were both telling her to let them know as soon as she saw their friends.

"I should come with you," Jack insisted. Janet touched his arm. "Colonel I promise you I will tell her you're OK."

"I need to see her, I have to tell her...."

"When she is back here with you then you can tell her all you want to," she smiled gently squeezing his arm.

"I know more about danger than anyone here," Jack insisted. "I should be going with you."

"Look Colonel, my medical team is going down with me." Janet gave him her sternest gaze. "Listen you can talk to her via radio, I promise you, now let me do my job."

"OK,ok," Jack groaned, his heart was aching, there was so much he wanted to say and do.

"OK people," General Hammond commanded. "Now let's get the base back to normal."

Sam, meanwhile, sat against the wall of what was left of the elevator. Teal'c stirred beside her. "Samantha?"

"I'm here." She shifted herself to hold him close with her good arm. "They're coming for us Teal'c. We'll be out of here soon."

"I am cold," his voice shuddered, his body shaking against her.

"I know," her voice caught in her throat. This was her friend, she cared deeply for him but they had never had the chance to get to know one another well.That was going to change as soon as they were out of here. Pulling him closer to her she moved her mouth to his ear. "Put your arms around me Teal'c, draw your heat from me." He did as she asked, holding her close, feeling her warmth seep into his body. For the moment he felt better.

An eternity later the first signs of a rescue came. "Sam?" Janets voice found it's way through the dimly lit area.

"Janet," Sam called. "We're here."

Janet instantly saw them both huddled together against the wall. "Oh God."

"Teal'c is hurt, Janet. You have to get him out of here," Sam's voice was becoming clearer as Janet approached them. She went into instant doctor mode spouting off all the doctor jargon that Sam was always amazed to hear.

Teal'c groaned as he was lifted onto the stretcher Janet had brought down with her. "Samantha?"

Sam was instantly at his side. "It's OK Teal'c, you need to get up top first, you're hurt."

"You are hurt also," came the ragged reply.

"I'll follow you out I promise," she leaned down to kiss his head. Then watched as he was taken out to safety.

Janet smiled at her as she gave her an injection of pain killers. "I have someone up there who is being a complete pain in the ass!"

"That bad eh?" Sam giggled, wincing as Janet touched her arm.

"That will kick in soon Sam," Janet told her friend gently. "You'd better talk to him." She grinned as she handed her the radio.

With her good arm she held it to her lips. "Colonel?"

There was a crackle, then a voice, "SAM!" Sam couldn't help but laugh at his babbled reaction. "Baby you OK? It's so good to hear your voice, I'm sorry for all I said ..." he said followed by, "I mean um....Major."

"I know honey." She smiled. " So am I."

"I promise you I'll never do anything like this again," he was babbling one sentence after another until Sam finally silenced him.

"Jack..."

"Yeah?"

"I love you too....now shut up!"

He grinned. "Anything you say sweetheart!"

Sam came out of the hospital room with her arm in a sling. Luckily for her it wasn't broken. Looking around , she noticed the man who stood waiting for her. The smile that he greeted her with never failed to make her heart leap about and do somersaults. In a heartbeat she was in his arms, his lips on hers as they kissed hungrily. With her good arm she came up to pull him closer to her, wanting to bury herself inside him, to bask in his love like she so often did now. When their lips finally parted, they stood still gazing into each other's eye's. "I'm sorry."

"Me too," she whispered not wanting to break contact with him ever again.

"I'm an idiot for ever thinking........."

"Shhh...," she silenced him with her lips.

"Um....excuse me Major, Colonel....." a shocked Lieutenant Simmons spoke from the doorway of Teal'cs hospital room.

They broke apart quickly, embarrassed that someone had seen them. "Umm... Simmons... you didn't see that did you...?" Jack was trying to be threatening.

"See what sir?" The young officer smiled. "Now if you'll both come this way Doctor Frasier says you can come and see Teal'c. Doctor Jackson is already there."

"Thank you Graham." Sam smiled one of her kilowatt smiles, seeing the young man redden quickly.

"Major, shall we?" Jack smiled at her.

" We shall sir" she grinned happily.

Inside Teal'c was sitting up and in deep conversation with Daniel. His face brightened when he saw her. "Samantha."

Leaving Jacks side, Sam moved to sit on the edge of Teal'c's bed, her hands instantly linking with his. "How are you feeling?"

"Very well," he smiled looking down at her bandaged arm.

"It's not broken, see." Lifting her arm up she showed him the bandage. "With rest it'll be fine."

"Indeed."

"We made a good team didn't we?" Sam asked grinning at him. "Well, good at keeping each other warm!"

Her eyes went over to Jacks, remembering their antarctic experience. He rested his hand on her shoulder. Smiling Sam laid her head on his hand, closing her eyes at the sensations it evoked in her.

"Okay people." Janet came into the room. "Teal'c needs his rest and so do you Sam, now shoo..."

Daniel stood and patted Teal'cs arm. "See you later."

"Yeah see you later buddy." Jack grinned as he moved towards the door with Daniel.

Sam looked back at Teal'c then smiled. Clasping his hands tightly she leaned over to kiss his cheek. "Get better," she whispered.

The glazed expression on his face made Janet laugh, how the hell did Sam do that to people, she wondered to herself.

Standing, Sam gave his hand one last squeeze. "I'll see you soon OK? Do you want me to bring you anything?"

"Yourself." He smiled, watching her as she left the room. Their friendship had matured onto a higher level now, and he for one was happy. Samantha Carter was a special woman. Yes, a very special friend, he mused as sleep claimed him once again.......

END