I'm so sick of disclaimers by now...just count the first one cos they're all basically the same anyway. GRR.

efefef

You're the bravest of hearts, you'r the
Strongest of souls
You're my light in the dark, you're the
place I call home
You can say it's alright, but I know
that you're breaking up inside
I see it in your eyes
Even you face the night afraid
and alone
That's why I'll be there

efefef

"How is this possible?" Hammond demanded, studying Jack's pale, strained face and Daniel's defeated one.

"I don't know, Sir." Jack rubbed his face.

"What was a Goa'uld doing with the Nasyians anyway?" Daniel asked. "I mean, none of them were really acting Goa'uldish, if you know what I mean."

"I don't care what a Goa'uld was doing there. I want to know why *Sam* of all people has one of them inside her."

"Is it not called a Tok'ra?" Teal'C frowned slightly.

"Sam said something like that."

"The Tok'ra are legend among the Jaffa. A group of renegade Goa'uld who despise the System Lords and are seeking to destroy them."

"Tok'ra. It means resistence." Daniel looked up, relisation dawning on his features.

"Sam said something like that too." Jack frowned, running his hand through his hair agitatedly. "Look, as much as I'd love to find out *why* exactly Sam's got a Goa'uld in her...I'd much rather find out how to get it *out* of her."

Daniel looked slightly guilty at that. "Well...why don't we ask it?" He asked hesitantly.

"What do you mean 'ask it'?" Jack nearly laughed. "It's a Goa'uld, Daniel. One of those slimy things that infest people without permission and take over whole planets. Why should we ask it anything? It won't tell us the truth at anyrate."

"I believe you are incorrect, O'Neill." Teal'C said quietly. "If this is indeed a Tok'ra, then it would be a very valuable ally or hostage."

"Valuable or not, I really don't want it in Sam's body!" Jack snapped, glaring at Teal'C.

"Why don't we go talk to Sam...she seems to be able to access its mind like Sha're could do with Amounet." Daniel's face blanched as he spoke the words, but he was proud that he managed to keep his emotions in check for once.

"It could well work." Teal'C agreed.

"Daniel, how about you and Teal'C go and talk to Dr. Carter and find out exactly what's going on. Jack...stay here a minute please." General Hammond asked softly. Jack glanced at his CO, anxious to leave but knowing he couldn't deny General Hammond's request.

"You do know that I'll do everything in my power..." General Hammond started off.

"I know, Sir." Jack smiled slightly, his fingers twisting themselves into a knot.

"Jack, what can I say to you? I'm sorry this happened."

"It's not your fault, General." Jack looked up, confused. "I was the one who brought those men back from Nasyia. No one else, me."

"We couldn't have known, Jack."

"No, we didn't know." Jack agreed, looking up at the General. "Sir, what do I tell our kids?"

General Hammond startled, surprised.

"I mean, they know Sam's sick...well, according to her she's not sick anymore, but I know that Cassie and Charlie are curious enough but stuff already, Charlie especially."

"I..." General Hammond looked up at Jack. "Maybe it would be for the best if they went away for a while."

"What?" Jack asked incredulously.

"Well...I've got some family in sunny California..."

"So does Sam. Why would we send them away?"

"Tell them she's not well, she needs a break and you're going to have your hands full looking after her. Besides, I'm sure that Mark and his family will be more than happy to look after them..."

"I know. But Sir, if we lose her then they'll hate me for sending them away and taking whatever time they had left with her away from them."

"It's your call, Jack." General Hammond said softly.

"I...I think it would be better." Jack sighed, rubbing his eyes. "Sir?"

"What is it Jack?"

"They'll want to say bye, and I can't force them to leave without saying bye." Jack whispered.

"We'll ask Sam, okay?"

"Okay." Jack stood up, smiling tightly. "Thanks Sir."

"It's not a problem Jack."

"Yes it is a problem. A big problem."

* * *

"Sam?" Daniel and Teal'C entered the room. Sam got up from her chair and smiled tightly at them, still shaky and tense.

"Hey Daniel, Teal'C." She looked behind them, but Jack was no where to be seen.

"Uh..."

"You want me to tell you everything I know about Jolinar?" Sam asked gently, understanding the awkward expression on Daniel's face.

"Yes, if you don't mind." Daniel said politely.

Sam cracked up.

"What?" He demanded.

"If I don't mind?" She snorted in laughter, but it was a sad laughter of bitterness and defeat. "Why couldn't she ask that, damnit!"

"Sam, I'm sorry."

"It's okay, it's not you." Sam shook her head, sitting down carefully. "I don't know. I just get bits and pieces, little flashes if you like...but nothing concrete."

"Why?"

"I don't know. The pregnancy I guess."

"Why do you think that?" Daniel asked curiously, frowning. "I mean, I can understand Amounet 'sleeping' when Sha're was pregnant - both her and Apophis wanted the child - but this Jolinar sleeping so that your baby will be okay?"

"She's a Tok'ra. I don't know. I know she doesn't want to harm the baby...she feels...compassion for it. For me." Sam frowned slightly, confusion on her face. "And she's sorry too."

"For what?" Daniel asked.

"I don't know. I just know she's sorry for...something." Samblinked. "Daniel...what am I going to do?"

"I don't know, Sam. We thought maybe if you could communicate with her then..."

"I can't." Sam shook her head. "If she stops 'sleeping' then the baby will be born, and it's going to be two weeks premature. Besides, once it's born you won't know who you're talking too. Whether or not you can trust the words that come out of my mouth." She said softly, looking up at them.

"I..."

"Daniel...when the baby's born...nothing I say anymore will be believed by you or anyone. I..."

"Legend has it, Dr. Carter, that Tok'ra do not take hosts against their will and control them; they blend. They share the body with the host, giving both the chance to have control and have equal say in things." Teal'C said softly.

"But how would we know it's not just another Goa'uld trick?" Sam shook her head. "I want you to promise me that you won't believe me once the baby's born...okay?"

"Sam, I can't promise that." Daniel shook his head.

"You have to, Daniel, you have to." Sam tried to rattle the bars keeping her captive. "When I..." She stopped, catching sight of Jack as he walked into the room, his shoulders slumped and muscles tensed with strain.

"Sam...Oh God." He pushed at his forehead with his hands. "I...General Hammond suggested, and I think that given the circumstances...I don't want to do it but..."

"What, Jack?" She asked him gently, a smile tinging her lips as she watched him sadly.

"We're going to ask Mark if he'd mind looking after Cassie and Charlie for a while..."

Sam's face drained. "I...what are we going to do?" She whispered.

"Ask Mark to look after them. We'll tell them you're not doing so well and I've got to look out for you without distractions..."

"But..."

"General Hammond's gone to get them from school already, Sam. They're coming in to say goodbye..."

"NO!" Sam shook her head. "Don't do that!"

"Why not?"

"What if something goes wrong, Jack? What if this snake does something while they're here? What will they think if they see me behind these bars?"

"No, Sam. We're not leaving you in here. We're taking you to an isolation ward and putting guards on post. Nothing will happen to them because even if something happens it'll be a while before the baby's born and things get nasty." Jack said lamely.

"Jack..." She whispered, confused and desolate.

"Sam, I don't want to do this to them." Jack looked at up her, pain lacing his eyes. "It's the best alternative though."

"Sending them away?"

"What else can we do?"

"I don't know." She leant against the bars.

"We need SG-1 to help here. We're going back to Nasyia to find out about how you go infested...why that man had a Goa'uld in him...why it was in him and how to get it out of you." Jack told her gently. "I'm not going to be able to look after them as well."

"I...Okay." Sam agreed softly.

"Thank you, Sam." Jack placed his hand over hers on the bar. "Thank you." He smiled slightly and reached through with his other hand to brush the hair from her face.

"I...I think it would be better if you stay away from me." Sam stepped backwards looking away from him so he wouldn't see the pain on her face. "I don't want this thing jumping hosts again." She missed the pain in his eyes as she stepped even further away.

"I...I'll get the guards and get you set up in your ward, okay?" Jack turned away.

"Okay."

* * *

"Wait!" Daniel called up the hallway, running to catch up with Jack and his two kids.

"What is it, Daniel?" Jack asked testily. Daniel glanced at the subdued children with obvious tear-tracks down their faces and motioned urgently for Jack to talk to him in private.

"I've been thinking and it would probably be better if we took them in one at a time." He said softly.

"Why?" Jack frowned, confused.

"You know Cassie. As hard as she tries, it's so easy for her something to blurt out when she's in such an emotional state. Especially thinking that Sam is dying because she's sick. Her real
mother died because she was sick, and that could make things awkward with Charlie there." He explained breathlessly.

Jack frowned slightly and mulled it over.

"Okay. We'll take Cassie in first...then Charlie I guess."

"Thanks." Daniel smiled reassuringly at Jack, trying to convince both of them that it would be okay.

"Cassie...you can go in first, okay?" Jack stopped outside the heavy door and looked at the two kids.

"Why can't we both go in?" Charlie demanded, upset.

"Because Sam's tired, too much excitement won't be good for her." Jack explained gently.

"But I don't want to leave!" Cassie shook her head defiantly.

"Cassie...I know you don't want to leave. I don't want you to go anymore than Sam wants you to go, but we don't have another choice." Jack sighed, punching the security code in discreetly. "Come on, we'll wait for you outside." He sighed, touching her shoulder briefly. She glared up at him balefully before slipping into the room, followed by Daniel.

"Hey Cassie." Sam smiled at Cassie, not moving from her position on the bed.

"Are you okay?" Cassie asked softly, her voice small and afraid.

"I've been better." Sam half lied, half told the truth. Only thing wrong with her was that she was nine and a half months pregnant and had a snake in her head. Other than that, she was fine. The scans had proved it.

"Mom..." Cassie froze, her eyes widening in shock.

"What is it?"

"You're...you're a Goa'uld." She breathed, fear on her face.

Sam paled, fear clutching at her heart.

"Cassie, no!" Daniel caught hold of Cassie before she could bolt out of the door. "Listen to me Cassie, Sam isn't a Goa'uld."

"Yes, she is!" Cassie screamed, struggling in Daniel's hold.

"Cassie, Cassie!" Daniel shook her slightly, calming the hysterical girl down. "There is a Goa'uld in Sam." He said softly. "BUT, but it's not controlling her."

"It's not?" Cassie glanced back at Sam fearfully.

"No. It's not controlling Sam because she's got the baby, and it doesn't want to hurt the baby."

"But Goa'ulds are bad..."

"Cassie...we don't think this Goa'uld is a bad Goa'uld. Just like you have bad people and good people, you get bad Goa'uld and good Goa'uld." Daniel blanched inside. Yeah, right.

"But..."

"Cassie...we're going to try and get the Goa'uld out of Sam, okay?" Daniel said gently.

"How?"

"We don't know yet. That's why we need Jack here all the time. He can help us because he's the best." Daniel stroked her hair softly, studying her. "We thought it would be better for you and Charlie to go to Sam's brother so that Jack doesn't have to worry about you guys as well, okay?" Daniel studied her.

"Okay." Cassie sniffed, glancing over at Sam who was watching her with a sorrowed expression. "Will you get the Goa'uld out?" She asked softly.

"We don't know, Cassie. We're going to try." He said gently. "You can't tell anyone though. Not Charlie, not even Sam's family."

"Okay." Cassie hesitated. "Mom?"

"Yes sweety?" Sam blinked back her tears.

"Can...can I give you a hug?" She asked softly.

"If you want to." Sam smiled briefly through her tears that were now burning her eyes, and stood up carefully.

"You're not sick?"

"No." Sam smiled slightly. "This Tok'ra inside me somehow fixed me up..." She trailed off.

"Mom...I still love you." Cassie whispered, burying her head against Sam's shoulder.

"I love you too, okay?" Sam smiled a watery smile and clung tightly to Cassie. "No matter what, I still love you."

efefef

When the storm rises up, when the
shadows descent
Ev'ry beat of my heart, ev'ry day
without end
Ev'ry second I live, that's the promise
I make
Baby, that's what I'll give, if that's
what it takes
If that's what it takes

efefef

Sam's eyes flew open and she jerked herself upright on the bed. Struggling off the bed, clutching at her stomach protectively, she made her way to the door and banged on it.

"Dr. Carter?" A voice asked hesitantly.

"I have to see Jack. Or Daniel. Or the General." She said determinedly, hope uncurling itself like a slender flame inside her heart.

"Sam? What is it?" Jack demanded, studying her as he entered the room. Her eyes were bright, he realised, with hope.

"I had a dream..." She licked her lips, her eyes flicking from his to General Hammond's and then back to his again. "I think Jolinar was trying to talk to me..."

"And?" Jack stepped closer, his being humming with unacknowledged hope.

"I saw co-ordinates...of a planet...the Tok'ra homeworld." She said softly.

"So what do we do with this?" General Hammond frowned.

"Sir...they can get Jolinar out of me!" Sam stood up, holding her hands out.

"How do we know they're not just going to capture us and use us as hosts?" Jack asked suspiciously.

"They won't, Jack. They won't." Sam said emphatically. "You said you trusted me. You promised me you'd believe me..."

"But that's before you had a snake in your head!" Jack blurted out, regretting it as the words crossed his lips. Sam's eyes narrowed, anger and hurt flashing deeply.

"Dr. Carter, as much as I'd love to take your word for it..."

"Send me then." Sam said simply.

"I can't do that. If that Goa'uld tries anything..."

"It's not a Goa'uld, General. It's a Tok'ra." Sam nearly stamped her foot in impatience. "Why won't you believe me?" She demanded. "No, wait, don't answer that!"

"General...I'd like to request permission to go through to this 'world' that Sam's deamt about." Jack jumped in, his mouth curving at slightly as Sam walked around cursing herself.

"Colonel, I can't do that..."

"Why not, Sir?" Jack asked amiacbly.

"Because we have no idea what kind of reception you'll get." General Hammond pointed out.

"Look, I'm telling you, they won't do anything to you!" Sam stamped her foot this time, glaring at them both. "Jolinar *wants* to leave me as much as I want her to leave me." She said simply.

"So...you're telling us that this snake in your head is telling you it's okay?" Jack said slowly.

"Yes. And I *know* she's not lying."

"How?"

"I just *do*!" Sam took a deep breath. "Look. As soon as this baby's born then any chance I have of communicating with you is out of the window because you won't know whether to believe the words that come out of my mouth, and quite frankly, I wouldn't *want* you to believe them."

"Then why are you so sure that this Jolinar is telling you the truth now?" General Hammond said softly.

"Because I can *feel* what she's thinking, not hear it...it's hard to explain...I can even sort of remember things...like a dream or something...but she's telling me the truth." Sam slumped. They didn't believe her.

"General, please." Jack stepped forwards suddenly. "I trust Sam, and I trust her judgement." He said softly.

"You do?" General Hammond studied the man. "Colonel, how can I know this isn't because of your personal involvement? How can I know that you're not just willing to risk other people's lives because your wife is in trouble?"

Jack blinked. "I wouldn't do that Sir." He said, surprised that Hammond had thought him capable of that.

"I know that, Colonel." General Hammond smiled slightly. "But others don't. Give me one valid reason..."

"He doesn't love me." Sam said softly from behind them.

"I beg your pardon?" General blinked, facing her again.

"He doesn't love me." She repeated softly. "We didn't get married because we're in love. We got married because we both had children to think of and it was the most convenient thing, given the fact that a few too many drinks let to an unintentional act which led to my standing here with a bulge the size of Texas poking out of my stomach."

"What?" General Hammond gaped. "Is this true?" He turned to Jack, shock on his face.

"Yes Sir." Jack swallowed dryly, ashamed because it was the truth.

"So why are you so willing to do this for Dr. Carter?" General Hammond asked eventually, still stunned.

"She's my kid's mother. And she's my friend." Jack said simply, not glancing at Sam who wasn't watching him either.

"Then why the big act?" General Hammond couldn't help but ask.

"We thought that it'd be for the best, considering the fact that Charlie and Cassie needed a stable home environment. Besides, we both think it's wrong to have kids outside of a marriage...so who are we to go spouting morals and then have a kid without the vows?" Jack shrugged lightly.

"I'm disappointed in you." General Hammond shook his head slightly, gazing at the two of them. "I really thought more of you." He added softly. "Okay Colonel. It's a go." He confirmed the mission as he walked out of the door.

"I'm sorry." Sam said softly, knowing that General Hammond's disappointment had cut deeply into Jack.

"Me too." Jack agreed before following Hammond out of the room.

Sam sighed and sank against the wall. He hadn't denied it. He hadn't denied that he didn't love her.

* * *

"I just love these sandy planets." Jack remarked absently, gazing around the planet. So. This was the Tok'ra homeworld then? Looks like they needed a few tips on decorating. Obviously missed on their little Goa'uld buddies tastes...no trees anywhere. "Okay, let's move out."

They walked together in silence. Teal'C with his easy, steady lope. Like a packhorse, Jack mused, watching the large Jaffa eat up the ground with his huge strides. Then there was Daniel, head stretched slightly forwards, neck arched eagerly as he clumsily wiped at the sweat already forming on his face. A thouroughbred, if Teal'C was a packhorse. Always excited, eager to get there. Looking to his right Jack caught sight of Miller. The man reminded him of one of those little miniature ponies, even though the guy was nearly the size of Teal'C. When he walked, he sort of barreled along, his large eyes peeking out shyly, but curiously from beneath his mop of unruly sandy coloured hair. And Jack? What was Jack? Just an old nag, a hack along for the ride.

"O'Neill!" Teal'C only had time to speak before the sand seemed to come alive around them and surround them.

People, wearing garments the colour of the sand, were surrounding them, staff weapons held threateningly towards them.

"Lower your weapons!" A man ordered.

"If you lower yours." Jack returned.

"We outnumber you. Lower your weapons." The man shot back, completely unphased.

"Jack...there are about twenty of them and four of us."

"I thought Sam said they wouldn't hurt us." Jack complained, lowering his weapon reluctantly.

"Who are you?" The man demanded again, his squat form reminded Jack very much of a bulldog. What was it today with people reminding him of animals? Dogs and horses?

"Uh...I'm Jack. This is Teal'C, Miller and Daniel." Jack grinned. "And you are?"

"Silence!" The man swung the staff weapon towards Jack.

"Are you the Tok'ra?" Daniel piped up, and Jack nearly turned around and killed Daniel, saving these fine folks the bother.

"What do you know of the Tok'ra?" Another man asked, sounding a bit more friendly than the first.

"Uh...well, we know...sort of at least, one of them." Daniel didn't know when to shut his mouth, Jack fumed.

"Oh?" The new man studied Daniel with an interest.

"Yes. Her name's Jolinar, I think..."

"You know Jolinar?" The man asked, instantly curious as he studied Daniel.

"Well, we don't really know her but one of our friends, my wife actually, is really well acquainted with her. As in 'in the head' acquainted. Personally, we'd prefer it if the two of them weren't so close." Jack inserted coldly, glaring at the man. "Now, are you or are you not Tok'ra, because if you're not we're wasting our time and then we'd like to go."

"Where is Jolinar?" The second man asked, not taking his eyes off Daniel.

"On our homeworld." Daniel said carefully, glancing at Jack hesitantly.

"Why do you have Jaffa in your midst?" The first man asked suddenly, glancing at Teal'C in distaste.

"Uh...he's helping us fight the Goa'uld. Now, are you or are you fine folk not Tok'ra?" Jack rolled his eyes.

"Why do you search for the Tok'ra?" The man once again neatly evaded the question.

"Look. Like we've told you buddy, my wife has a Goa'uld in her head called Jolinar. We want the Goa'uld out."

"Jolinar is no Goa'uld." The second man said coldly, glaring at Jack.

"I couldn't care what she is. She's a slimy slithery thing that takes over peoples' minds. That, to me, is a very, *very* Goa'uldish trait."

"Jolinar is not a Goa'uld." The man repeated.

"Then what, pray tell, the hell is she doing in Sam's head?" Jack demanded, losing his temper.

"We wish for you to return her to us."

"Na uh. You return Sam first, my dear boy, and then we'll give the worm over to you." Jack shook his head angrily.

"How long as Jolinar been on your world?" The first man asked suddenly.

"About three weeks, I think." Jack blinked. "Why?"

"The Ashrak will be close." The second man whispered, paling visibly. "We have to trust these people."

"What's an Ashrak?" Daniel asked curiously.

"It means Hunter." Teal'C supplied helpfully.

"What's that supposed to do with Carter?" Jack demanded, itching and wishing the sun wasn't *quite* so hot.

"The Ashrak is hunting Jolinar."

"I beg yours?" Jack waited again.

"It will kill Jolinar, and your friend if we don't find her soon." The men moved agitatedly.

"Okay, so I'm willing to assume we're going to work together on this one, right?" Jack looked around and saw a reluctant nod. "Good. Now. How about you kind fellows lower your guns because I'd before not to be fried if one of those goes off accidentally."

"I am Martouf." The second man stepped forward.

"And I am Kordesh." The first man introduced himself. "Come, we must go to the High Council at once and decide on a course of action."

~o0o~

Dr. Warner glanced around the infirmary, his gaze settling uneasily on the empty bed.

"Nicks!" He called to one of the interns.

"Yes Dr?"

"Who moved the patient on bed four?"

"I don't know, Sir. Would you like me to find out?"

"Yes please. And find out where the man's been moved to." Dr. Warner glanced around uneasily again, and then left the room.

* * *

Sam wished, for the millionth time, that fate hadn't decide to dish all this out to her. Really, how much was it going to throw at her before deciding she'd had enough? First, her Mom died. Then she got engaged to the world's biggest creep after completely throwing her family relationships away. Then she had a car accident, followed closely by meeting the worst prick in the world (Who she was now married too), another car accident, the loss of a good friend, the loss of her father, a brain tumour and now this. A snake in the head. Someone up there *really* had it in for her.

Sighing, Sam shook her head and told herself firmly to stop feeling sorry for herself. Jack would find the Tok'ra and then they'd get this stupid snake out of her head. A noise outside the door startled her, and she looked up. A funny glow was shining through the window, and then it disappeared.

Insider her she felt movement. She felt the terror of the Tok'ra as though it were her own.

<I am sorry, Samantha>

And then she wasn't herself.

efefef

You can sleep in my arms, you don't
have to explain
When your heart's crying out, baby,
whisper my name
'Cause I've reached out for you when
the thunder is crashing up above
You've given me your love
When you smile like the sun that shines
through the pain
That's why I'll be there

efefef

"So you're telling me there's another snakehead amongst those patients who's on a mission to kill Sam, for absolutely *no* reason?" Jack demanded, gazing around himself in disbelief.

"On the contrary, there is a reason. She is host to Jolinar..."

"I DON'T CARE!" Jack yelled, stamping his foot much like Sam had. "Now. *How* do we stop this?"

"The first thing to do is to remove Jolinar from any risk."

"Hello, aren't you listening? What about Sam?"

"Colonel O'Neill, if you are going to be persistently rude and interuptive..."

"You'll what? Kick us out? Just in case you've forgotten, Garshaw, we've got the co-ordinates and the codes for that planet, not you." Jack responded.

"Jack, just shut up now." Daniel hissed, pulling on his arm.

Jack glared balefully at Daniel, feeling much more like a donkey than a nag, and kept his mouth shut.

"The Ashrak will not wait much longer, it is unusual for him to have waited this long as it is. I suggest immediately removal of Jolinar and her host from the planet." Martouf put forwards.

"No. Sam's not leaving earth with that...that...*thing* inside her." Jack shook his head.

"Then we must travel there immediately and try to discover the Ashrak and destroy him before he destroys her." Kordesh said eventually.

"Well let's go then." Jack turned around.

"Wait. Once the Ashrak is taken care of we have another problem to solve." Daniel reminded them.

"Later, Daniel. Once the Ashrak is taken care of. Now come on!" Jack yanked on Daniel's arm and started leading the way out of the room.

"This way, Colonel." Martouf's voice halted his hasty flight out the wrong door and brought colour to his cheeks.

* * *

Memories. So many memories. Her own and Jolinar's. Sunsets on planets she had never been to. Eating spaghetti-O's with Mark and her cousin Alfred. Getting fired from her day job. Killing a Jaffa. Tying up her shoelaces. Someone strange smiling at her. The feel of the hot wind blowing in her hair and the silken, powderlike grains of sand beneath her back as someone held her tightly, loving her.

<I am sorry, Samantha.> That voice again, inside a mind that was no longer just hers.

"Get out!" She screamed, but her lips didn't move, her voice didn't sound out around the room. Instead the scream chased itself around in her mind, taunting her, teasing her.

<I am sorry.> Jolinar spoke again, her calmness soothing Sam. <We are in danger.>

"What?" Sam blinked. She tried to blink. But the body that wasn't hers anymore never moved.

<The Ashrak...> They doubled over in pain.

"My baby!" Sam gasped, the words slipping through her throat as her muscles suddenly belonged to her again.

<He will kill us, Samantha. And your child!> Jolinar's words were a whisper on her mind, hiding as the Tok'ra retreated again to that dark recess of her mind where it was merely an observer.

Panicking, Sam lunged for the emergency alarm on the wall. A second later the klaxons filled the air as she bent over again, gasping in pain. A rattle at the door and she sank to her knees, the contractions coming fast and furious.

Images of other people, all Tok'ra. Flashes of fear. Tones of laughter. Tears. Lightening. Water like ice on bare skin that had been heated by the sun. Memories of previous hosts, longing for Martouf...it all washed over her.

<Hurry> the Tok'ra crept forwards again and delivered the message, once again retreating.

"Dr. Carter?" The door flew open and three SF's stepped in, panic on their faces.

"Get Dr. Warner! And General Hammond!" Sam panted. Helpless on the floor, vulnerable as they all left. A scream sprang from her lips. Memories of pain, burning blindness, aching limbs and
incomprehensible exhaustion.

<It is too late.>

The pain was still there, but the body wasn't hers anymore.

<So. Jolinar of Malkshur.> They cringed in fright as the shadow fell over them, it's eyes gleaming in the dark of the room. <I have hunted you for a long time now. By the decree of the Systems Lords, you die with dishonour...>

<Here this. The Tok'ra grow strong each day. Soon they will over run the System Lords and banish their ways for ever!> They spoke, their voice harsh and metallic as the sound grated unwillinginly against her throat. Another scream rose up in her, but the Tok'ra choked it.

<You are weak. Weak and pitiful. You will suffer.>

The lights played in the dim room, transfixing them both as it slowly got lowered towards them. They watched with a horrified fascination as the light hovered over her forehead. Suddenly the pain flared in her head. Numbing everything else, it slowly crept over her. Burning it's mark into her mind, her sight, her hearing...everything. Everything except the pain ceased to exist. She longed to cry out, to let forth her agony in a blood curdling scream, to let them know what
was happening...she was dying. But the Tok'ra stopped it, holding her mouth shut firmly, only unable to stop the smallest grunts of pain escape from her throat.

Dimly they were aware of other sounds. She felt the Tok'ra lose hold, she felt her body belong to herself again, and she still felt the pain. It was dark. So dark. Martouf, where was Martouf?

"Sam? Come on Sam, open your eyes! Damnit it, Sam!" Jack. That was Jack. Who was Martouf? Why did it hurt? Where was her baby? "Sam, open your eyes, please Sam! Come on, don't die on me now, I haven't told you yet!"

Told her what? Her eyes flickered open. He was blurred again, more than one of him, but Jack was there. i love you jack.

efefef

When the storm rises up, when the
shadows descend
Ev'ry beat of my heart, ev'ry day
without end
I will stand like a rock, I will bend
till I break
Till there's not no more to give, if that's
what it takes
I will risk everything, I will fight,
I will bleed
I will lay down my life, if that's
what you need
Ev'ry second I live, that's the promise
I make
Baby, that's what I'll give, if that's
what it takes

efefef

"I'm losing her!" Dr. Warner yelled, panicked as the breathing suddenly stopped.

Jack watched in a daze as the Dr. flew around, giving out nearly as many instructions as he was doing CPR on Sam. Her eyes flew open again, her face so pale.

"The baby!" She gasped, clenching her face in pain again. But it wasn't Sam talking. It was the snake.

"Another contraction!"

"Get the EEG on, STAT!" Dr. Warner bellowed, shoving gloves onto his hands. "Shit! It's crowning already!" He yelled.

Jack blinked mildly, still stunned. He'd never heard Dr. Warner swear before.

"Come on, come on!" He encouraged. Jack held onto Sam's hand.

"The EEG...there's *two* signals!" Some *bright* intern annouced, sounding shocked. Jack held onto Sam's hand.

"Seperate them! Come on, come on! I need some help here people!" Dr. Warner looked around, panicked. Jack held onto Sam's hand.

"Oh...here we come...come on...that's right. A boy! We have a boy!" Dr. Warner announced triumphantly as a wail split the air. Jack held onto Sam's hand.

Jack watched mutely as the baby was passed to a nurse. His baby. His son. His and Sam's son. Jack held onto Sam's hand.

"We're losing her!" Someone yelled. Jack held onto Sam's hand.

"NO!" Dr. Warner shook his head, starting CPR again. "Come on, don't give up, Sam!" He begged. Jack held onto Sam's hand.

"The parasite..it's dying and taking her with it." someone realised. Jack held onto Sam's hand.

"Don't let her die." Jack begged, seeing the Dr. step back from the bed. Jack held onto Sam's hand.

"There's nothing we can do." Dr. Warner realised, his face pale as he gazed at Jack. Jack held onto Sam's hand.

"It's dead." Someone whispered. Jack held onto Sam's hand. And her eyes opened.

"Sam!" He smiled, his lips shaking. "You did it Sam, you beat her!" He realised, grinning.

"No. She gave her life for me, Jack." Sam whispered, her eyes flickering closed. Jack flinched and let go of Sam's hand.

efefef

Through the wind and the rain, through
the smoke and the fire
When the fear rises up, when the
wave's ever higher
I will lay down my heart, my body,
my soul
I will hold on all night and never
let go
Ev'ry second I live, that's the promise
I make
Baby that's what I'll give, if that's
what it takes

efefef

[Hey, it's Jack here.]

[How's Sam?]

[She's fine. She's better. Doctors say she'll be okay.]

[You mean the cancer's gone?]

[...Yes.]

[How?]

[Uh....not exactly sure the specifics of it...Could I talk to our kids?]

[Sure. Just hold for a minute...]

[......]

[Dad?]

[Hey Charlie. Sam's okay.]

[She is? That's great!!]

[I've booked you guys a flight home in two days. She needs some rest and I thought it would be better if you guys just waited a while.]

[DAD!]

[Sorry Charlie. Doctor's orders.]

[They suck.]

[I know. But I'm gonna stay with Sam until you guys get home.]

[Okay. Cassie wants to talk to you.]

[Put her on. Oh, and Charlie?]

[Yeah?]

[Be good.]

[Ha ha. Bye Dad.]

[Bye Charlie. See you Friday.]

[Jack!]

[Hi Cassie.]

[So Sam' s okay?]

[Yeah, we got the Goa'uld.]

[Good. I was scared.]

[I know honey, I know. Hey, did you know you've got a baby brother?]

[Really? Wow! What's his name?]

[We were thinking Benjamin Joel.]

[Cool.]

[Cool?]

[Yeah, cool. Charlie always says it!]

[You never did though.]

[So?]

[So what, huh?]

[Hey, Dad?]

[What is it Cass?]

[I love you and Mom.]

[I love you too, sweet heart.]

efefef

If that's what it takes
Every day
If that's what it takes
Every day

efefef

********************************************************************

FINIS!!!!

PART NINE: Everything I do