Author's Note: This is the very first fic I ever wrote, some seven years ago now. Lately, I've had a few requests to repost it, so here it is! It is all written, and whilst it doesn't stray from the original premise of the fic, it has been updated and tidied up as I like to think my writing has improved over the years (I can but dream!).

Takes place shortly after Jacob's death in 'Threads'.


Sam fidgeted nervously, shifting her weight from one foot to the other as she waited on the elevator. Sure, she could fight against an army of Jaffa warriors and not bat an eyelid, but ask her to meet her brother, and she just wanted to gate to the furthest planet possible. It wasn't that she didn't want to see her brother – on the contrary. Since their father had been given a second chance in life, they had reunited and started to repair their broken relationship. They were closer now than they had ever been since the death of their mother, but this was different. Their father was now also dead and Sam was left to pick up the pieces Jacob had left behind.

Closing her eyes, Sam took a deep breath in an attempt to steady her nerves. She was a soldier. Soldier Sam, as General O'Neill had once called her. She needed to stay strong, now more than ever. Her thoughts drifted as she thought back to when her father had arrived at the SGC.


Her happiness at seeing her father step through the gate had soon turned to worry as he came closer.

He'd looked different – older and frailer – which was ironic considering he was blended with Selmak, a 2,000-year oldsymbiote. As he reached the bottom of the ramp, he had smiled and pulled her into an embrace, which she quickly returned.

"Hi sweetheart," he said quietly, trying to dispel the worry she knew was etched clearly on her face.

Sadly though, it turned out her worry was justified.

Selmak was dying, and taking her father too – and they didn't have long left. In fact, they had very little time in the end. There hadn't even been enough time for her dad to say goodbye to Mark.

After Sam had received the call from the SGC, she returned to the base quickly, not bothering to change out of her civvies. She just ran as fast as she could to the Isolation Room where her father had been admitted. When she saw him lying on the bed, she stopped abruptly, her breath catching.

"Dad?"

"It's Selmak – he's dying."

"Oh, my God. I'm sorry."

"It's OK. He's OK. He led a pretty full life."

"I didn't live withJolinarthat long, but I think I have some idea what it's like."

"Well, this is a little different, Sam. As you know, when a Tok'ra symbiote dies, they can prevent their host from dying – as Jolinar did with you. The problem is, that last selfless act requires a certain amount of energy and a conscious effort."

As much as Sam knew where this conversation was heading, the tiniest part of her hoped she had misunderstood her father.

"What are you saying?"

"By all rights, Selmak should have been dead weeks ago. I wouldn't let him go. I thought we needed him – that I needed him to help you stop the Replicators."

"Dad?" her voice quivered, thick with emotion and she fought hard to keep the tears at bay.

Looking at her apologetically, he confessed just how ill he really was.

"He hung on as long as he could, then he slipped into a coma just after we activated the weapon on Dakara."

"You've known all this time since then?"

"I didn't want to spoil your wedding. Now, I thought we could make it."

Sam stared at him, her eyes filled with tears. "We?"

"He's barely alive. I'm gonna die with him, Sam."

At this, her heart broke and the barrier she had carefully built up over the years came crashing down. She was no longer a soldier. She was a little girl about to lose her father.


Sam shook her head in an attempt to try and push the memories aside. She needed to focus on her current situation. In all honesty, she should have been angry at her father's selfishness and the cost his decision to prolong Selmak's life had meant for his own. But she wasn't angry. Yes, she was upset that she had to watch her father die, but she also knew just how fortunate both she and her brother were. Four years ago, they had all been given a second chance to be a family.

Sighing deeply, she closed her eyes, anticipating her encounter with Mark. He'd be hurting more than she would, even if he wouldn't openly admit to it, and there was no doubt in her mind that he would have questions. Lots of questions which Sam couldn't answer – yet. He'd also definitely ask about Pete.

Sam sighed again as she pinched the bridge of her nose, feeling the pressure build in her head as it had done for the umpteenth time that day. On top of it all, there was something else bugging her. Namely, her father's final words to her, which had played around her mind from the moment he'd said them.

Don't let rules stand in your way.

It was only hours later that she actually allowed herself to accept the real meaning behind her father's advice.


As she had sat in the Observation Room, Sam watched as the final members of the Tok'ra said goodbye to her father. She was focused on the scene before her, but she still felt his presence as soon as he stepped inside the room. Gently sitting in the chair beside her, she stole a glance at the general from the corner of her puffy, red eyes. He was watching Jacob, a sad look swarming his own eyes.

"You OK?"

"Actually, I'm fine – good – even, strange as that sounds. I thought I lost him four years ago," she admitted. "Since then, we've been closer than we ever were in my whole life. In a way, Selmak gave me the father I never thought I'd know."

She meant what she said and felt in control of her emotions – until she offered him a small smile and felt the general's gaze on her.

"C'mere."

As soon as he put his arm around her shoulder, rules and regulations were thrown out the proverbial window and Sam instinctively reached up to take his hand and snuggled against his shoulder. As she ran her thumb over his strong, calloused hand, they both watched her dad – and it was at that moment when Jacob's lips twitched slightly and he tore his own gaze away from them, and spoke to the Tok'ra at his side.

"Thank you, sir."

"For what?" His words had been so quiet, so comforting.

"For being here for me."

"Always."

Pulling back slightly, Sam had looked into his eyes and for the first time in a long time, she felt like she could see right through to his soul as his emotions played out across his face. With the smallest of smiles, she accepted his quiet promise and rested her head back against his hand, her gaze returning to her father. Moments later she watched as her dad whispered the words, 'I'm ready'. She left Jack's embrace and hurried to the Isolation Room, coming to a stop at her dad's bedside. Shequietly took his hand and placed a final kiss on his forehead. As he slowly opened his eyes, his gaze bore into Sam's.

"I love you."

In the end, Sam wasn't sure how long she had been sitting by her father's side, absently staring at the infirmary bed. She had allowed a few stray tears to fall, but fought hard to keep the rest at bay. She wanted to grieve by herself and in her own time, away from the stares and sympathetic looks. She finally felt a hand on her shoulder, but didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

"You should go home Carter," he said gently.

She shook her head, her voice barely a whisper. "I can't – I just – he's –"

"He's in good hands, I promise. You need to rest."

"I can't leave him here."

Jack sighed softly.

"C'mere," he whispered as he pulled her to her feet and into his arms. She returned the hug, and the comfort she had felt in his arms in earlier, returned. She felt the general bury his face against her neck and she instantly thought back to the last time he had held her that way. It had been just after Janet's death, and the reminder was too much for Sam. As the general kept her close, she succumbed to the tears whichhad threatened to fall all day.


Pulling herself from those memories as well, Sam glanced around and was glad to see the corridor empty. The sound of the elevator approaching drew her attention and she waited for its arrival. She took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. Despite her brother's disdain for the military, Sam was still at work and needed to remain the soldier for a while longer.

As the elevator doors opened, she caught sight of him and could instantly tell that he had been crying. She felt tears start to prick her own eyes as he slowly exited the lift and came to a stop before her.

Offering a small, tired smile, she spoke quietly.

"Hi Mark."

TBC…


The plan is to update this once a week, probably on a Sunday. Hope you enjoy!