Epilogue

Janet hated crush injuries.

If it wasn't one thing, it was another. They'd managed to stabilize the Colonel shortly after he passed out in the ambulance. With a course of continued aggressive fluid resuscitation and constant monitoring, Jack managed to avoid acute renal failure.

But of course, the accident had done quite a bit of damage.

Even though the console had all but landed in his lap, there wasn't any damage to his pelvis. They managed to discover in the ambulance that he had been bleeding out slightly on his right leg where a piece of metal had cut it open. Both of Jack's legs were broken, as was his left arm. The ribs were bruised, not broken, for which Janet was grateful.

Jack also had a minor concussion from striking his head on the steering wheel. Apparently, when the truck broadsided the Colonel's truck the airbag had deployed as it was designed, but it had deflated by the time the truck had struck the tree.

Janet had chosen to keep him sedated over the past week to make sure he started healing properly.

SG1 had returned as quickly as possible, but it had taken two days for Sam and Daniel to return because the site was a day's hike from the gate and for some reason the radio signals were not working correctly. Even though Jack was unconscious, his team stayed at his side, offering what comfort they could.

Janet paused by the door to the private room, glancing in, fully expecting someone to be sitting by Jack's bedside. She was surprised to find him alone.

Sighing, she crossed her hands over her chest and let her emotions finally come to the surface as she slumped against the doorframe.
They'd almost lost him again—this time because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The two kids in the other truck had been drunk and decided it would be fun to race down the mountain—but they never even made it up halfway before they encountered the Colonel's truck.

She let her gaze linger on his still frame. Both legs were elevated slightly and encased in thick plaster casts. Cassie had already starting drawing on them with various markers. The Colonel would not be a happy camper when we woke up and saw the pictures, but he wouldn't complain—especially when he found out who had done the majority of the work. Granted, Sam and Daniel had also added their own pictures and comments, but this had been Cassie's project, her gift to her favorite uncle.

The casts would come off soon enough and then he'd have to go through physical therapy to regain the strength in his legs and learn how to walk again. There was a hard road still ahead of him, but she knew he was a fighter. He always had been and would always continue to be.

She stepped closer, her hand lightly resting on his arm as she watched the rise and fall of his chest.

"Doc?"

Janet nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard that quiet word.

"Colonel? Jack?"

"Hey, Doc," Jack said, smiling weakly, his brown eyes a little glassy, but firmly fixed on her face.

"Well, welcome back sleeping beauty. How are you doing?" Janet asked, her hand automatically sliding down to his wrist to check his pulse.

He thought for a minute before answering. "Okay. Nothing hurts too badly."

"I should hope not," Janet said, smiling tiredly. "I wouldn't be doing my job if you were hurting. Do you remember what happened?"

"Yeah...the accident. My truck felt a need to hug a tree and I was pinned. Oh, God, my insurance company is not going to be happy about this claim," Jack said, closing his eyes as he shook his head slightly from side to side.

"You can worry about that later. Right now, I need you to rest and heal," Janet said, placing the call button beneath his right hand and patting his hand lightly before stepping away. "Now, get some rest. I'll make sure you're not disturbed."

"Janet?" His quiet call stopped her in her tracks, turning her around immediately. He was looking at her intently, a serious expression on his face. He continued as soon as she caught his gaze. "Thank you for coming and for staying with me during this whole thing. It really means a lot to me."

"Don't mention it, Colonel," Janet said, quickly waving off his thanks.

His words were as strong as he could manage, but were barely louder than a whisper. "Janet, I really mean it. If you weren't there, I'm not sure what might have happened to me." Jack's eyes were quickly closing, but he was fighting it every step of the way. "Thank you for being there."

Janet stepped close, her hand clasping Jack's in a warm embrace. "Go to sleep, Jack. You're team will be here in the morning."

Janet stayed with him as his eyes slowly closed and he settled into a deep healing sleep. He'd be stronger in the morning and he'd enjoy the company of his team and sooner or later he'd start torturing her nurses.

Unforeseen occurrences befell one and all, of this Janet was certain. She just wished it didn't always have to happen to a certain Air Force Colonel.

Pushing his hair back from his forehead with a light touch, Janet lowered the lights next to the bed and quietly walked from the room. She paused at the door and turned around to glance one last time at the slumbering figure.

Her parting words, were barely audible, but had to be said.

"Good night, Jack. Sleep tight and pleasant dreams."