"Acknowledgement"

Author: Cloud Dancing

Email: gatecaptain@yahoo.com

Status: complete 7 parts

Category: - Sam and Jack - relationship

Rating: PG13 apart from Pt 2 which is NC17 (yep sex and stuff - so no kids please) Other Parts PG13

Archive: Sam and Jack Archives, Heliopolis 2

Seasons: 4/5

Spoilers: (Minor ref to events in Divide and Conquer)

Summary: SG1 are captured and held by a "Saxon like" community and Jack and Sam find themselves "taking it out of the room"

Disclaimer: Stargate, SG-1 and its characters are the property of Stargate (IV) Productions, Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. This story is for entertainment purposes only and no money exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author. This story may not be posted elsewhere without the consent of the author.

"Aaagh" moaned Jack, as he slowly returned to consciousness.

"Don't try to move Colonel," ordered an anxious voice.

As a wave of pain swept through his body, Jack decided to obey the voice, choosing to remain motionless, eyes still tightly shut, as he fought the rising nausea.

"I have to check you over Sir, I'll try to be as quick as I can," the voice told him gently.

Through the fog that seemed to envelop his brain, Jack struggled to put a name to the voice, however the name eluded him for a moment, but his befuddled senses were suddenly awash with the image of sapphire blue eyes, short blonde hair, strong yet delicate features, legs that went on for ever. Despite the pain, a small smile crept across his bloodied features,

"Carter?"

"Yes Colonel" replied the voice, as gentle hands swept across his body, stopping to loosen some of his clothing, fingers probing his side until he groaned loudly.

"God I'm sorry Sir, it's dark in here and I can't see how badly you're hurt, I'm doing it by touch." Carter told him.

"It's OK Carter, continue with the touching," Jack told her, a hint of humour tingeing his reply.

Carter smiled to herself, 'Not dead yet then Jack' she thought as her hands swept over his face, fingers brushing across his bruised and battered features, roaming through his short grey hair as she located yet another laceration.

Finally she sat back on her heels, her eyes now accustomed to the dim light of the primitive dwelling that she and Jack were sharing. She could just make out the outline of his long, lean, body, as he lay supine on the hard earthen floor.

"I think its not too bad Colonel, mostly bruising and some lacerations, maybe a cracked rib, probably a mild concussion too." She told him. She moved away from him and felt her way around the single roomed dwelling, the walls were smooth, probably dried mud over a wicker frame she guessed from the brief glimpses she had of the dwelling from the outside. She located some dried rushes, and what appeared to feel like animal skins in one corner of the room.

"Bed" she murmured aloud.

"Love to Carter, but not sure I'd be able to do myself justice right now." Came Jack's voice from the centre of the room, where he was trying in vain to struggle to a sitting position.

Carter was unable to prevent a giggle from escaping her lips.

"No giggling Carter I've told you that before." Reprimanded Jack as he finally managed to lever himself up, but allowed his head to sink forward onto his knees as the effort to sit brought yet another wave of dizziness.

Meanwhile Carter had located what appeared to be a primitive fireplace, cold ashes still in the makeshift grate. A rough-hewn table and a couple of three legged stools occupied another corner of the small room, a wooden chest with what she thought were leather straps made up the only other furniture in the dwelling. She located several wooden pegs hammered into the earthen walls, a few coarse woollen garments hanging from some of the pegs. Finishing her tour of discovery she made her way back to where Jack was now sitting upright, his jaws clenched tightly against the tide of pain that pulsed through his body.

He felt Carter's hands reach out for him, satisfying herself that he was OK. She seated herself next to him, her thigh brushing against his as she settled down on the hard baked floor.

"Tell me the other guy looked a whole lot worse than I feel Carter," begged Jack.

A smile flashed across her face as she answered him,

"Would love to sir, but those GUYS didn't have a scratch on them Colonel."

"Didn't want to hear that Carter." Groaned Jack.

"Sorry Colonel," apologised Carter " You got in a couple of punches before they piled in on you but there were several of them and they did come at you from behind." She explained.

Jack's memory started to click into over-drive; he recalled the 'fight' short and painful as it had been. Suddenly he was overcome with a sense of dread as a picture flashed across his mind, two men holding Carter, their hands sweeping roughly across her body.

"Sam!" "Did they . you .. I mean are you."he gasped.

Carter realised that he had recalled what had happened, she hastily reassured him.

"It's OK, you kinda distracted them when you started throwing punches and they seemed to be more interested in kicking the crap out of you than in groping me. Once the fight was over the guy who seems to be in charge around here called them off, in fact he give the chief groper a smack in the mouth for good measure."

"Way to go guy in charge!" cheered Jack, as he finally managed to bring his vision into focus, he could barely make out the pale features of his 2IC.

"Looks like we got on the wrong side of the natives again."

"Got that right sir."

"What did we do this time Carter, refresh my memory will you," mused Jack, unaware that his body had started to list sideways his head coming to rest on Carter's shoulder.

Sam adjusted her body slightly in order to allow Jack to rest firmly against her. Her hand reached for his wrist, checking his pulse. As she started to move her fingers away, she felt her hand gripped by one of O'Neill's, his fingers closing around hers, applying a gentle pressure.

"It's OK Sam, I'm not gonna die on you, leastways not yet anyway." His voice little above a whisper, as he turned his head slightly raising it from her shoulder, seeking out her face in the dimly lit room. He thought he could detect a brief smile, lighting up her features before she bent her head towards him,

"Never figured you would Colonel, guess I'll have to put up with you and your lousy jokes for a while longer." She replied. Jack felt her breathe on his battered face, and sighed gently before allowing his head to sink back onto her waiting shoulder.

"Hey my jokes aren't lousy!" he replied feigning injured pride.

"Hell Colonel you tell the lousiest jokes in the world, maybe in the universe!" she retorted.

"But you still laugh at them Carter," came his riposte as he trailed his index finger over the back of her hand. "Maybe one day you'll tell me why you do that Carter."

She didn't reply for a few moments, then murmured " One day maybe I will sir." Then cleared her throat, pushing stray thoughts away, thoughts that she knew were dangerous, thoughts that she wasn't supposed to have, but nevertheless came unbidden into her mind, more and more frequently of late.

As if sensing her discomfort Jack again repeated his request for a memory refresh.

"OK Carter, tell me how we ended up in this fix will ya?"

Sam began her narrative.

SG1 had gated to P2X367, after the MALP readings had shown that the planet appeared to be capable of supporting human life and that there was evidence of civilisation on the planet. They'd arrived to find the usual trees, eliciting the usual comments from Jack O'Neill. They had headed in the direction where the MALP readings had indicated signs of structures. The paths through the woods were narrow but indicated use by humans, crude wheel ruts in patches of hard-baked mud indicated some form of wheeled transport along with the marks of what appeared to be unshod horse like animals. After five hours of steady marching, O'Neill had called a halt, the natural light had diminished considerably, there had been a noticeable drop in the temperature, and a cold driving wind had suddenly sprung up. After ascertaining that the structures were only about another hour's march away, O'Neill gave the order to continue. Sometime later they had come upon a clearing, in the centre of which was a crude stone statue. It appeared to resemble a human form but with wing like appendages and fused lower limbs. Around the base of the statue were a number of wooden bowls filled with various food-like items and dried flowers and leaves. Daniel hurried forward, dropping his pack to kneel before the statue where he discovered some crude symbols carved into the pedestal on which the statue was mounted. He reached out his hand to trace the outlines of the symbols with his fingers. Jack yelled out a warning to him about not "messing" with alien rocks and things until they'd been checked out to see if they were safe or not. His warning went unheeded. Seconds later they were all taken by surprise when the clearing suddenly filled with yelling natives, brandishing a variety of crude weapons. Daniel was seized and dragged away from the statue, a knife held at his throat. It did not need a linguist to understand the harsh commands of the tall auburn haired man who appeared to lead the group of natives. Jack told Carter and Teal'c to drop their weapons, he followed suit. Their gear was quickly swooped up by some of the natives; others prodded SG1 forward, using the points of long serrated spears to command obedience.

After being herded forwards for about 20 minutes they came to the outskirts of what appeared to be a small village, two circles of small thatched huts made up the outer perimeter, inside these circles was a long low building made of the same materials as the huts. A well, a large communal clay oven and a series of thatched open fronted structures made up the rest of the village. A number of crude rush torches illuminated the scene. More natives had emerged from the buildings, women and children and other males joined the warrior group that had seized SG1. It was two of these males that had grabbed Sam Carter, leering and groping her until Jack had launched himself at them, yelling for then to "Get your filthy paws off her you sons of bitches" as he swung a couple of punches before other natives joined in the fray. Jack had gone down under their combined assault. Teal'c had tried to intervene and received a heavy blow from a cudgel for his troubles. As three of the natives continued to kick Jack as he lay helpless on the ground Carter had thrown herself at two of the attackers knocking one of then onto his backside and dislodging the teeth of another before she too was overcome and held firmly in the grip of two of the 'warrior' natives. However Sam refrained from mentioned her part in this fracas, but merely added that at some point the red haired leader had yelled at the guys booting Jack and then punched one of them in the mouth when he had said something and pointed at Sam. Jack had been dragged into the hut they now occupied and Sam pushed in after him, Teal'c and Daniel were taken elsewhere.

"Great, Carter, just great, looks as if Danny boy struck again!" muttered Jack.

Before Sam could reply the crude wooden door of the hut opened to admit a young woman flanked by two spear carrying males, one of whom also bore a crude rush torch which he jammed into a metal sconce fastened to the wall near the doorway. The woman carried a platter made of some dark metal, resting on the platter were two wooden bowls and two smaller drinking vessels. She placed the tray and its contents on the table in the corner of the room. Hurrying outside she returned moments later with a large ewer and a bundle of torn strips of cloth. One of the guards then brought in kindling and a basket of logs, which he threw down by the fireplace. The young woman smiled at Sam tentatively, she indicated the bowls on the table "Panac" she told them, "Tuk", she made motions clearly indicating that they were to eat.

Sam nodded " Thank you." Then pointed at herself "Sam" then at Jack "Jack" she repeated their names once more, the young woman smiled, then pointed to herself "Brid" then spoke hurriedly to the two guards who shook their heads but the girl persisted, the two men reluctantly pointed to themselves, "Kro" said one, " Vill" muttered the other. Both men then turned to the girl and indicated that they should all leave, she nodded agreement and they made their way out of the small hut. The girl turned as she left. "Teh Raa" she called as the guard pulled the door close. Both Jack and Sam heard the slamming home of a metal bolt, securing then inside their temporary abode.

"Come on Colonel we both need to eat." Sam told him as she pushed herself to her feet, she offered her hand to Jack to aid him to stand. He took it reluctantly but was nonetheless grateful as moments later she had to grab him and hold him steady as he swayed towards her. Guiding him over to the table she helped him sit on one of the stools, making sure his back was firmly up against the wall of the hut. The bowls contained some kind of stew, two crude wooden spoons lay next to the bowls. Sam dipped the spoon into the bowl and tentatively tasted the food.

"Hey Colonel its not bad, beats field rations that's for sure." She told Jack.

"If you say so Major," growled Jack, but started to eat the stew.

The drinking vessels contained some sort of fruit juice, a little tart but refreshing. They finished their meal in silence.

Pushing her empty bowl away, Sam looked across at Jack,

"Colonel I need to clean up those cuts then I'll make up a fire, it's getting chilly in here."

Jack merely nodded, the food had made him feel a little better but he still ached all over and he didn't feel like arguing with Carter, 'Not that it would have done any good to try' he thought.

Sam sorted through the bundle of cloth Brid had brought, it looked like strips of linen; picking out a piece she wadded it up and poured a little of the water from the ewer onto the pad.

"Hope this water is clean Colonel, the purification tablets are in our packs and I doubt we'll get those back in a hurry."

"Just do it Carter." He told her. Sam cleaned the dirt from the lacerations on his head and face, he winced as she trickled water over the deepest cut on his temple, finally she dried his face with a clean strip of the material and bound the cut on his temple with another long strip of the cloth.

"Maybe you should go lie down on the bed Colonel while I get the fire going," she advised him. Again he nodded agreement allowing her to help him up and walk him over to the rush bed. She helped him off with his boots and jacket, rolling the latter to make a crude pillow, and eased him down on to the bed. Placing one of the fur rugs over him she went over to the fireplace. She cleared out the old ashes and placed kindling in the grate. Taking a sliver of kindling over to the rush torch she ignited the splinter and used it as a match to light the kindling, after a few moments she added two of the smaller logs. Soon the fire burned briskly its flames helping to illuminate the stark dwelling. For the first time Sam noticed that there was a long hanging drape in the far corner of the room. She headed over to the spot and pulled back the drape to find a small recessed alcove, containing a covered wooden bucket. Despite their predicament she chuckled softly.

"Damn it Carter will you ever quit that giggling" admonished Jack.

"Sorry sir, but I just discovered the .. er 'bathroom' facilities" she replied.

"I think maybe that's more information than I want to know right now Carter, now come on over here and lets try and figure a way out of this mess."

"Yes Sir" she replied snapping off a cheeky salute. However she did rejoin Jack by the bed, only pausing to add another log to the fire.

Jack looked at her for a moment then noticed the discolouration just below her right cheekbone.

"Carter what happened to your face?" he demanded.

"Its nothing Sir." She replied

"Like hell its nothing, I can recognise the results of a smack in the face when I see it" he retorted angrily, "How did it happen, and I want the truth Carter."

Sam reluctantly told him of her part in the fight and how she caught a punch in the face from once of the natives kicking hell out of Jack.

"Shit! Shit! Shit!" cursed Jack, "Some hero I turned out to be, it's a pretty crappy show when the damsel in distress has to go rescue the gallant knight."

Sam laughed out loud, Jack put his head in his hands, "This is all Danny boy's fault I'm gonna beat the crap outta him once we're back at SGC"

"Hey its OK Colonel, at least the guy that thumped me was the one Red Hair smacked in the mouth."

"Well good old Red Hair, but I'm the one who supposed to smack guys in the mouth when they thump my Major" retorted Jack.

"Oh and exactly where does it say that in the Air Force Manual Sir?" queried Sam, pulling Jack's hands away from his face in time to catch him blushing.

"Well its in there someplace, just can't remember exactly where?"

A few moments of embarrassed silence followed before Jack cleared his throat loudly and growled,

"You can't sit on the damn floor all night Carter and there's only one bed so you better get your boots off and scoot in here with me."

Sam hesitated but knew he was right, despite the fire the room was getting colder and she knew that both of them would need each other's body heat to keep the chill at bay during the long night to come. She pulled off her boots, and rolled her jacket into another pillow. Meanwhile Jack shuffled across the bed to allow her to join him; she pulled another animal skin over both of them and lay down next to Jack.

"What do you think they're going to do with us Colonel?" she asked him quietly.

"I don't know Carter, I mean they could have just gutted us with those damn spears if they'd wanted too and they sure as hell didn't need to feed us and provide heat and light if they were gonna do it in the morning."

"Maybe you have a point there Colonel, and Brid seemed pretty decent, plus Red Hair has some sense of honour otherwise he'd have let those jerks kick you to death and then try their luck at raping me!"

"Damn it Sam don't say that." Rapped out Jack, angry at both the thought of Sam being violated and angry with himself that he'd allowed himself to get angry.

"Sorry"

"And stop saying you're sorry, you haven't anything to apologise for, its me who should be saying sorry, damn it I couldn't have stopped those guys if they'd had really tried to to." He tailed off.

Sam rolled onto her side to face Jack; she let her hand cradle his cheek,

"It's not going to stay inside that room is it Jack?" she asked him gently.

He gazed at her, brown eyes meeting sapphire blue. He shook his head, "No its not, I guess I never really believed it would." He replied as his fingers covered the hand that caressed his cheek.

"When we get back to Earth we're going to have to talk Jack, we have to find some way of dealing with it, ignoring it sure as hell hasn't worked." She told him, gasping slightly as she felt his lips brush against her fingers.

"But first we have to get ourselves out of here and back to earth, everything else goes on the back burner until then, agreed?" she continued gently releasing her hand from his grip.

He nodded agreement, "Yes Ma'am, back burner it is, but I got to tell you the pot is still simmering"

Another of Carter's giggles escaped her lips, "Figured as much, seen as how those native already took your er 'sidearm' sir"

"Jeez Carter did you have to bring that up!" he fumed, as he edged away from Sam.

Sam was now laughing uncontrollably, " Er well sir thought you'd. um. brought 'it' up all by yourself." She retorted.

"Wrong! Major, Doctor Carter, you're entirely responsible for 'it' being up!" Jack flung back at her.

"Well want me to fix it for you Colonel?" she whispered seductively.

Suddenly Jack whipped out an arm to circle her waist pulling her roughly against him as he pushed his hips forward grinding the evidence of his arousal against her mound. She didn't pull back as he'd expected, but instead she dipped her head to bring her mouth down on his. Holding nothing back her lips crushed his forcing them apart as her tongue slipped inside his mouth to tangle with his in a fierce duet.

Despite his bruised body and fatigue, Jack never felt more alive, their mouth continuing to devour each other as their lower bodies strained to get closer. Hands roamed freely. Shirts were pulled out from the waistband of their pants, zippers opened, buttons hastily undone. His hands pushed her shirt off her shoulders, then slid behind her, fingers expertly flicking open the fastener on her non regulation black bra, it too was pushed off her shoulders freeing her firm breasts, nipples already taut. He reluctantly pulled his mouth from hers to trail hot kisses down her neck, across her throat and then her breasts. He expertly rolled a nipple between his thumb and forefinger while taking the other one into his mouth, tongue flicking relentlessly over the tip as he suckled on her breast. Her guttural moans merely increased his efforts, as she arched her back to push more of the firm orb into his hot eager mouth. He switched breasts to give the other one equal treatment. Trailing his fingers down her body he located the patch of already moist curls covering her pulsating mound. Continuing his assault on her breasts he eased her thighs apart before cradling her soft mound in his hand. Her hips bucked suddenly pushing the hot moist mass further into his eager hand. He dipped a finger inside her swollen outer folds, stroking her length but carefully avoiding the taut little bundle of nerves that sought his caress. A second finger joined the first, this time he allowed his digits to penetrate her slick channel, increasing the depth of their penetration with each tantalising stroke. Sam was now writhing uncontrollably beneath his hand, so he brought the other hand to her hip pushing her firmly into the soft rushes that comprised the mattress on their makeshift bed. Still rhythmically penetrating her centre with his fingers, he released her breast from his mouth and trailed his open lips down her hot torso, stopping only to swirl his tongue into her navel before continuing downwards to begin raining hot open mouthed kisses on her mound, his tongue flicking out to taste the moisture on her pubic hairs. A third finger joined the other two as he swirled them around her inner flesh seeking that elusive spot that would bring her to climax.

Sam was incapable of coherent speech or though, her hands roamed across his shoulders her nails digging into his flesh. Finally she entwined them in his hair, pushing his head further towards her aching centre. He relented, bringing his lips to the hard quivering bud that was her clit. He pulled it between his teeth sucking gently, then flicking out his tongue to swirl it around the tiny bundle of nerve endings. Despite his restraining hand on her hip, she reared up pushing her hot core further into his waiting mouth. Jack was in heaven, he lapped up her freely flowing juices as if he was a man dying of thirst; she tasted so good. His cock swelled even further becoming almost painful, his sac was taut and hard; he felt her inner flesh begin to contract around his probing fingers. He knew she was near; the knowledge that he was the cause of her pleasure drove him to even greater endeavour to drive her over the edge. He gripped her clit between his teeth and sucked hard; at the same time he drove his fingers as fast and as hard as he could into her channel. Sam came harder than she had ever done in her life, she screamed his name over and over, uncaring as to whether anyone outside could hear her or not.

Jack fought his own urge to come, her reactions had almost triggered his own release, her warm creamy cum coated his face and mouth, he flicked out his tongue to taste it, rolling it around his mouth before allowing it to trickle down his throat. His hand soothed her still quivering body; he placed tiny soft kisses on her mound slowly making his way up her torso until he reached her mouth. He brought his mouth down on hers, as her lips parted he thrust his tongue inside, allowing her to taste herself on him. Sam finally calmed her raging body, pulling her mouth from his, she whispered into his ear,

"Your turn Jack."

She pushed him onto his back, her hands gliding down his sides stroking him from shoulder to thigh and back again as she lowered her head to his chest, flicking her firm moist tongue across his abbreviated male nipples. He groaned loudly, only to gasp as she suddenly lowered her head towards his groin. The feel of her tongue swirling around the head of his engorged member, followed by the cool interior of her mouth as inch by inch she took him in, caused him to buck wildly, the pain from his recent beating forgotten as intense sexual exhilaration drove all other sensations from his mind and body. Sam stroked and licked his velvety length; at the same time she expertly teased his balls with her agile fingertips. Jack was gripping her head between his hands, his hips thrusting upwards pushing his cock deep into her mouth, he knew he would ejaculate in her mouth if this continued. Reluctantly he forced her head from his groin, hauling her up his body until there faces were level.

"Inside you, the first time Sam, I need to be inside you." He growled before bringing his lips down onto hers in a bruising kiss. Understanding his desire, and matching it with her own she rolled them both over until Jack was on top; she spread her thighs open, her hand positioning his cock at her opening. Jack adjusted his body then thrust inside her, one swift sure stroke and he had sunk himself to the hilt inside her warm eager channel. They both stilled, eyes fastened on each other: then Jack began the long slow rhythm that was the commencement of the age-old dance of love. He varied his strokes, first long and slow, then short and fast, moving his hips to alter the angle of penetration. Despite the increasing drop in the room temperature, sweat glistened off both their bodies; breathing coming in short harsh gasps between the cries and moans that escaped their lips as the increasing tide of passion overtook them. Sam thrust upwards matching him stroke for stroke until she felt the heat in her belly slipping down to concentrate in her hot centre, her inner muscles tightened around his cock, as she finally went over the edge. Her long howl of pure delight triggered Jack's release as he pumped once, twice then a third time emptying himself into her eager chamber. He lowered himself down to gently rest on her now stilled body, his lips placing tiny butterfly kisses around her mouth.

Sam wriggled from under him, easing herself onto her side, gazing tenderly as his rugged features a sheen of sweat on his forehead just visible in the dull glimmer of the firelight.

"What in the hell just happened here?" whispered Jack, his bemused expression causing Sam to giggle.

"Boy those guys must have hit you harder than I thought, Colonel, I know its been a while for me, but last I heard it was still called 'making love'"

"Don't get smart with me Major, I know what it's called, what I meant was how the hell did we get to having incredible sex, one minute we're discussing whether a bunch of bozos from the dark ages are gonna skewer us in the morning, the next we're. well you know what the hell happened next." Exclaimed Jack.

"Jeez Jack, maybe its because there's no TV or VCR and they don't have a hockey match we could have gone to, guess sex was the only "game" in town tonight." Sam answered him, amusement clearly evident in the tone of her voice.

Jack looked her in wonder, "Carter did you get switched with some alien or something?" he asked her.

"No its me Colonel, what did you expect, a tantrum, terminal angst, regrets, endless recriminations about jeopardising our careers."

"Well I don't know, OK maybe something along those lines" he replied, as his gaze locked with hers.

"Sorry to disappoint you Jack, I think I got way beyond that stage months ago, I started to re-assess my priorities, and came to the conclusion that I, Samantha Carter, was entitled to a life, and the life I wanted included you if you had a mind to join me!" She finished as she cuddled up to him.

"Sam, I don't know what to say, I'd kinda got used to the idea that we'd always be friends and we couldn't take it that final step. I didn't like it but I accepted it, now it's all changed and I'm confused as hell."

Sam gave a whoop of pure mirth, "Nothing new there then Jack!"

"God damn it woman that's not fair! You know Danny would say you've been hanging around me far too long."

"That's not a problem, Jack, I like hanging around with you."

God Sam, we're going to have to REALLY sort this out once we're back at the SGC."

She didn't answer him right away, her soft rhythmic breathing signalling that she was falling asleep in his embrace. He watched as her chest rose and fell with each breath, a half smile on her lips, the dying embers of the fire causing shadows to dance across her face. Finally he too surrendered to sleep, but not before placing a soft gentle kiss on her forehead, "Love you Sam." He closed his eyes, not seeing the tender smile that lit up her face, nor hearing the almost silent whisper, "Love you Jack"

"Umm Sam" murmured Jack as he struggled to waken. "Aghhh.. how big was the damn truck that hit me Carter?" moaned Jack as his aching body protested painfully.

"Carter where the hell are you?" shouted Jack as he became aware that he was alone in the hut and that the door was open and daylight was streaming into the primitive dwelling. He pulled himself into a sitting position, ignoring the sharp pain in his ribs. He retrieved his pants from the floor next to the makeshift bed, a smile drifted across his features as he recalled the manner of their removal. However anxiety soon replaced his brief moment of pleasure, Sam's disappearance and the open door conjuring up a sense of dread. Jack pulled on his pants, and hastily shoved his feet into his boots. He started towards the open door but came to an abrupt halt as Carter re-entered the dwelling, carrying a tray piled high with a variety of fruits and what looked like some kind of bread.

"Where the hell have you been, Major?" snarled Jack, his relief at seeing Sam safe and sound giving way to anger that she had left without wakening him.

Sam ignored him for a moment as she set down the tray on the rough wooden table. Turning towards him, she smiled briefly,

"Getting breakfast Sir, and making use of the er.. outside facilities."

"Damn it Carter you should have told me you were going." Yelled Jack, as he stepped closer to Sam.

"I'm sorry, I thought you could do with the extra sleep Sir. Brid came to waken me and show me the outdoor plumbing arrangements, then she provided our breakfast." Sam told him calmly, recognising that Jack's concern for her safety was fuelling his apparent anger.

Sam's refusal to get into an argument had its effect on Jack, and he started to back off, "OK Carter, but next time you tell me when you're leaving, I thought maybe."

His speech was cut short when Sam's fingers gently caressed his cheek as she moved directly in front of him, her eyes smiling into his,

"I know what you thought Jack, but I'm OK, I can take care of myself, if we' re going to be together you have to accept the situation as it is Jack. I'm a major in the US Air Force; I'm not some high school prom queen. If you are going to worry about me every time we're on a mission we won't make it Jack. So please.just have a little faith in me, trust me to know what I'm doing OK?" she explained to him, firmly but gently.

Jack stayed silent, but tilted his head till both their foreheads were touching, trailing his index finger along her jaw.

"God damn it Carter why do you have to be so smart?" he whispered as his lips brushed across the top of her short blonde hair.

"Probably to make up for the fact that my CO is so dumb!" retorted Sam, dodging out of the way of his grasp as he yelled,

"Hey! Just cos I said you were smart doesn't mean you have my permission to be a smart-ass Major."

"Oh why is that Sir, figure you got first claim on the smart-ass job do you?" she teased him as she dropped down onto one of the stools, picking up a pear like fruit and sinking her neat white teeth into its succulent flesh. She almost choked as Jack joined her at the table and stuck his tongue out.

"Oh real mature Colonel" she spluttered. Jack grinned at his 2IC before helping himself to what he hoped was an orange.

Their breakfast was interrupted by a heavy knock on the door, Jack's eyebrow lifted, "Who the god damn is that?"

Carter shrugged, it did seem odd that their captors would bother knocking.

"Guess I better see who's come to call" murmured Jack as he crossed the room to open the door. The visitors were not the natives who have snatched SG1 the previous evening, but Teal'c and Daniel Jackson. Teal'c had a large welt across his forehead; the result of the cudgel blow he'd received when attempting to aid O'Neill.

"Er Hi Jack, Sam, can we.. um.. come in?" asked Daniel.

Jack stood aside waiving the two men inside the dwelling. "Breakfast guys?" he queried indicating the fruit.

"Thank you O'Neill but Daniel Jackson and I have already eaten." Replied Teal'c.

"So you guys know anything?" queried Jack as he resumed his place at the table, absent-mindedly taking the apple like fruit from Sam's hand, as she was about to eat it.

"Hey Colonel that was mine!" she admonished him, retrieving the apple that now had a large chunk missing. Jack grinned at her, "Thought you might like to share Carter."

Daniel looked at Jack then at Sam, he knew there was something odd going on but he couldn't put his finger on it. All he knew was, that for two people who had been captured by spear wielding natives, beaten up and thrown into some primitive dwelling, they looked remarkably cheerful.

Teal'c raised his eyebrow at Jackson, the only outward sign that he also was aware of the more than usual camaraderie between O'Neill and Major Carter.

"Well er.. I know that they're not going to kill us, well leastways not right away," began Daniel,

"Well that's kinda nice to know Daniel, and how did you come by that little piece of information?" queried Jack, as he wiped his hands on a piece of the cloth that Brid had left.

"Well that guy with the red hair, whose name by the way is Hylt, is the headman in this region, and he decided that we were not Tahks, who seem to be numero uno bad guys around these parts, and these people here generally don't kill anyone but Tahks. Seems like these Tahks don't have too much reverence for Roke, that's the statue we saw in the clearing." Daniel explained, but cut his narrative short as he saw the bemused expression on O'Neill face.

"Something wrong Jack?" he queried anxiously.

"You tell me Danny boy, I mean last I remember, you had a knife at your throat and a couple of guys with big spears pointing at your guts, now you come waltzing in here talking as if you and these guys are blood brothers, so what gives?" asked Jack, sauntering into the middle of the room, to stand only inches away from a nervous Daniel.

Teal'c decided that perhaps an explanation was called for, "I believe I can clarify the situation O'Neill."

"Well clarify away Teal'c I'm all ears, that's a figure of speech Teal'c before you start in on 'but you only have two ears O'Neill'."

Teal'c decided to ignore O'Neill's comment and proceeded to recount what had occurred to himself and Daniel over the last few hours.

"Like you and Major Carter, Daniel Jackson and I were locked in one of these dwellings once your fight with the natives was over. I was somewhat groggy from the blow on the head, however neither Daniel Jackson or myself were subjected to further harm. After an hour or two the leader, Hylt came with three other warriors, they began to ask questions, however I did not recognise their language, but Daniel Jackson was able to discern some of the words."

At this point Daniel interrupted, "Yes they seem to speak some sort of dialect that is a cross between ancient Saxon and the language of the Norse people, it isn't exactly one or the other but there is sufficient similarity that I can roughly make out what they are saying."

"Knew you'd come in handy one of these days Daniel," commented Jack, who shook his head at Carter as she stifled a giggle. Daniel chose to ignore both of them and took up the story that Teal'c had begun.

"Seems they thought that I was trying to desecrate the statue, and because of that the figured we had to be these Tahks, who appear to turn up every once in a while and create mayhem. Nobody seems to be able to recall exactly when was the last time these Tahks came calling. However our lot, who by the way are the Mahk people, are a little on edge as they're expecting these Tahks anytime now."

Jack was silent for a few moments then asked, "They mention the Stargate at all?"

"Well sort of, they believe that this Roke character and his kind live on the other side of the Stargate, but no one here can remember ever seeing it activated. They consider it's sacred ground and steer clear of it apart from leaving a sentry detail nearby just in case the Tahks arrive." Daniel explained as he made his way over to the table and casually picked up a piece of the fruit that Sam and Jack had left.

"What's the story behind this Roke, Daniel?" queried Sam.

"Well not exactly sure, he not a Tahk or a Mahk, but some kind of legendary being. Hylt says that he and others like him came out of the skies to help the Mahk fight off the Tahks; apparently he and his "army" could fly. However the story has it that the last three or four times the Tahks came calling Roke and his pals haven't turned up."

"Fly? As in like a bird?" questioned Jack.

"Not sure on that one, I mean the statue appears to have wings, but that may be just the Mahk's depiction of something they didn't understand. The statue is pretty old, so given the present stage of the Mahk's development, I'd say any being with advanced technology would be way beyond Hylt's forefathers' comprehension." Replied Daniel.

"So if, say a race, with some kind of solo manned fighter planes, for want of a better term, visited these people, they would appear to be "angels" for want of another term?" reasoned Sam, who now stood shoulder to shoulder with O'Neill.

"That's as good an explanation as any Sam." Agreed Daniel.

"For crying out loud, Angels!! Come on you guys next you'll be telling me they came equipped with celestial harps and their own private cloud!" Quipped Jack cynically, raising his eyebrow at Carter.

"OK, Colonel, so maybe we know different; but the people here have never seen Roke and are only going on legends passed down through generations of Mahks. The story probably got altered a bit every once in a while. The maker of the statue probably never saw Roke either and just carved it from his imagination based on the legends. I mean think back to earth time a 1000 years ago, if some guy flew through the sky with what looked like wings, what would people have thought?" Put in Sam, as she could sense Daniel's annoyance at Jack's flippant response to the story that he and Teal'c had narrated.

Jack said nothing for a few moments then grinned at Carter, "Guess you're CO is a mite dumb after all Carter, it's a good job I've got such a smart 2IC!"

Sam grinned back. The interchange between the two Air Force officers again caused Daniel to wonder what was going on and was about to ask Jack and Sam to explain the situation, but refrained when he caught Teal'c's slight shake of the head. He resolved to ask the Jaffa if he knew what the position was with Jack and Sam.

SG1's meeting was interrupted by the entrance of Hylt the red-haired leader of the settlement of the Mahk people. Hylt came accompanied by two guards and the girl Brid.

Hylt addressed Daniel, he spoke slowly in order that Daniel could understand his unusual language, he occasionally indicated Jack or Sam, and from the inflection in his voice he was clearly asking questions about them.

Jack got somewhat pissed at being excluded from the conversation and gruffly asked Daniel,

"Care to explain what this guy is saying Danny boy?"

Daniel spoke briefly to Hylt indicating Jack, Hylt nodded his head and Daniel began to answer Jack's query.

"He wants to know exactly who you both are, and if it's usual for our warrior leaders to bring their er.. mates, with them on expeditions" finished Daniel, his face colouring with embarrassment at the last part of his statement.

"Well you tell him who we are, and me and Carter's relationship is none of his damn business! Oh and tell him to make sure none of those damn warriors of his lay a finger on Carter again." Barked Jack, his tone, if not his words, quite clear to Hylt.

Daniel hesitated before relaying Jack's message, but did so albeit in a more tactful manner. However the red-haired leader merely laughed and nodded, raising his hand in a gesture of conciliation to Jack.

The girl Brid moved towards Sam, smiling at her and whispering a few words. When Sam shook her head to indicate she didn't understand, Brid laughed and whispered the words in Daniel's ear, who chuckled before translating.

"Brid says, that Hylt and Jack are cast from the same mould, you and she have a lot to put up with as its pretty clear that they both can be a pain in the butt at times."

"Well that sure is true in Jac.. er the Colonel's case!" Laughed Sam, whose amusement was increased when Jack pulled a face at her. Brid joined in the laughter as she too saw Jack's expression.

"By the way Sam, Brid is betrothed to Hylt, she's the daughter of the leader of a neighbouring settlement, she and two of her father's warriors now live here as the wedding is only a few days off." Explained Daniel.

Jack interrupted Daniel's discourse, "For crying out loud, it's beginning to sound like my Aunt Bea's quilting circle, next you'll be listing all the births and death in the neighbourhood then move on to who's cheating on who with who's husband!"

Daniel glared at Jack, pushing his glasses firmly onto his nose, "Well hell Jack I thought maybe the more we know about these people the easier it might be to figure out a way to get them to let us go, but maybe you have a better idea!" snapped Daniel, clearly irritated at Jack's sarcasm.

Sam saw the scowl that crossed O'Neill's face and stepped between him and Daniel, "He's got a point Sir." She told Jack quietly, her fingers briefly touching the back of his hand, a gesture un-noticed by a still irate Dr Jackson but not by Teal'c.

Jack nodded almost imperceptibly, "OK guess you made your point Daniel, sorry." Muttered Jack somewhat reluctantly.

However the conversation between Hylt and SG-1 was brought to an abrupt halt as loud shouts and the sound of running feet preceded the two warriors who burst excitedly into the hut in order to communicate something to Hylt. Daniel vainly tried to keep up with the hurried conversation. Brid, seeing his predicament give him a slower truncated version of what was being said. Hylt and the warriors quickly left the hut, as Daniel in turn explained to the rest of SG-1 the reason for the commotion.

"A sentry has reported that the Stargate has been activated and strangers are pouring through the gate. They say they are Tahks, come to take slaves like they did before."

"Well maybe we ought to go check out these Tahks for ourselves, ask Brid if she knows what they did with our stuff will you?" Ordered Jack as he and Sam, pulled on their jackets.

Daniel questioned Brid, who nodded and beckoned them to follow her. Hylt and the warriors had been too busy to bother locking them all back in the hut.

SG-1 hurried to the inner circle of the village, then followed Brid into a room in the long building, where they discovered their equipment including their weapons piled near the door. Hastily donning their packs and checking their weapons, SG-1 hurried outside only to halt abruptly when they heard weapons' fire in the distance.

"Oh Jeez, that's a staff weapon, the Tahk are Jaffa!" yelled Jack, motioning the rest of SG-1 forward towards the sound of the staff weapon blasts.

SG-1 moved stealthily through the forest on the perimeter of the village, sporadic staff weapon fire could still be heard some way off. As the trees thinned out cover became harder to find. Moving carefully SG-1 headed back towards the path that would eventually lead to the Stargate, still some distance away. The sound of weapon's fire became louder but less frequent. Jack ordered his team to spread out but keep each other in sight. As the team rounded a bend in the trail a few Mahk warriors stumbled into view. One man clearly bore evidence of staff weapon blasts. Daniel called to them but they were either too dazed or frightened to respond to his rough attempts at their language. Jack warned the team to be extra vigilant as they continued towards the Stargate. A short time later, Daniel signalled them to stop; a voice had called to him directly. From the sparse underbrush several Mahk warriors emerged, these too showing the signs of battle. Among the warriors was Hylt the red-haired leader of the settlement; it was he who had called to Daniel. Jack told Daniel to find out all he could from the Mahk. Listening carefully the young scientist gathered what little information that Hylt could impart. He then asked Hylt and his followers to wait while he told his colleagues the information he'd been given.

"Well it seems those Mahk sentries that keep a lookout near the Stargate reported that just before dawn this morning the gate was activated and approximately 40 Jaffa came through. The lookouts ran to the nearest settlement to spread the word, it was then relayed throughout the surrounding area. According to Hylt warriors from villages nearer to the Stargate have been trying to stop the Jaffa advancing, but as you can see they're no match for Jaffa warriors with staff weapons. Hylt want to know if we can help."

"Jeez Daniel, even with our weapons we're no match for 40 armed Jaffa, god knows how many more are likely to turn up." Answered Jack, running his hands through his hair.

"Sir we need to do something, those Jaffa are between us and the Stargate we can't dial out if they're guarding the gate." Put in Sam.

Jack was silent for a few minutes, pondering on a number of possible actions, none of which he had much confidence in being successful.

"First things first, we need to know exactly how many Jaffa there are and where they are. Second we have to stop any more coming through the gate for a while. Carter you better have some ideas here otherwise we're gonna be toast." Jack told them, looking at Sam, hoping that she could come up with something a little more inspirational than the ideas he had.

"We could try to get the General to send reinforcements, but we need to see if the Jaffa are guarding the gate, if they are, anyone coming through that gate will be cut down. We have to try and take out that guard Sir." Put in Sam.

"Better than nothing Carter, but first we need to check whether the Jaffa are guarding the gate. If past experience is anything to go by, it's pretty certain they will be." Pondered Jack.

"O'Neill may I make a suggestion?" inquired Teal'c.

"Suggest away big guy!"

"Perhaps if we could occupy the Jaffa sufficiently on one front, Major Carter and yourself could try to manoeuvre around the other flank towards the Stargate. We have surprise on our side, the Jaffa do not know SG-1 are here. The MALP is well hidden; unless they were looking for it I doubt they saw it when they came through the gate. Dr Jackson and I could lead Hylt and some of these warriors in a hit and run action against the Jaffa, it may disrupt their advance sufficiently for you and the Major to make it to the Stargate." Explained Teal'c patiently.

"Guess if no one else can come up with anything better, we'll, go with Teal' c plan." Agreed Jack. "Teal'c what do you need?"

"If you and Major Carter would leave your grenades and side arms with myself and Daniel Jackson, I believe we can occupy the Jaffa long enough for you and the Major to make it to the Gate."

Jack nodded, unclipped his side arm and grenades, passing them to Teal'c. Sam copied his actions handing her extra weapons to Daniel.

"Danny explain the plan to Hylt see if he'll play ball"

Daniel carried out Jack's instructions. The red-haired Mahk leader listened and occasionally asked a question.

"He'll do anything he can to help, he doesn't understand why we would want to help his people after they way they treated us, but he's grateful that we are." Daniel explained.

"Tell him, the bastards out there are a whole lot worse than his people could ever be. You better tell him that a lot of his people are not going to make it if they have to take on the Jaffa." Jack told Daniel.

Daniel nodded, relaying Jack's words to Hylt, who in turn explained the plan to his own people. Once more he spoke briefly to Daniel.

"He says either way his people may die, according to the legends no-one has ever returned after the Tahk's came to take the slaves." Translated Daniel.

"And we all know why!" muttered Jack.

Hurriedly a plan was formed. Teal'c would lead the force that would attack the main body of the Jaffa. Daniel and Teal'c taking out as many as they could with the grenades and their automatic weapons. The Mahks, using SG-1' s sidearms, would pick off any Jaffa they could as the party adopted crude hit and run tactics. The aim was to force the Jaffa away from the Gate and allow O'Neill and Carter to move around the flank towards the gate and try and take out any guards that may have been left.

"Daniel, signal me on the radio when you and Teal'c are ready." Ordered Jack; still not convinced the plan would work.

"Will do Jack, good luck."

Teal'c and his party moved out, heading towards the last known Jaffa position, Daniel hurriedly trying to instruct Hylt and the Mahks how to use the sidearms.

"OK Carter, lets get this show on the road, we need to stay off the main trail and work our way around the Jaffa to the Stargate. Watch for any movement on the flanks. We don't want to draw their attention to us before we can help it." Jack informed Sam, before both slowly edged their way forward into the sparse cover to the right of the path.

Almost an hour later they stopped near a small knoll not far from the clearing where the Stargate was situated. Daniel had radioed a few minutes earlier that he and Teal'c had located the main body of the Jaffa outside another Mahk village somewhere to the east of the main trail. They were about to launch the diversionary tactics.

Jack checked his watch, counting down the seconds to the time that Teal'c and the Mahk were to go into action.

"Right about now!" whispered Jack.

Exactly on cue, the sound of a detonating grenade floated across on the breeze. "Right about now!" whispered Jack.

Exactly on cue, the sound of a detonating grenade floated across on the breeze.

"Well that will get their attention," Sam murmured to herself.

"You betcha!" Echoed Jack.

"Well guess we better get going again, Carter, we ought to be able to see the Gate in a few minutes."

"Couple of hundred yards to the clearing Sir, if there any Jaffa, they'll be near by."

"Yep, OK let's do this!" whispered Jack. He and Sam quietly made their way forward until they could see the clearing housing the Stargate. Gently pushing aside the branches of the bush where he and Sam had taken cover, Jack peered into the clearing using his binoculars.

"Ah shit!"

"What is it Colonel"

"They must have brought reinforcements since that lookout high tailed it back with the news. Must be a dozen of them there and they've set up some kinda cannon in front of the gate. There's no chance you and I can take them out with the weapons we have." Explained Jack.

"And no help from the General, anyone coming through the gate will be wiped out." Added Sam as Jack allowed the branches to fall back into place.

"Suddenly the familiar 'whoosh' alerted Sam and Jack that the gate had been activated. Parting the branches once more, both Jack and Sam watched in horror as more Jaffa came through the gate. Before the wormhole closed, another 50 Jaffa had joined those already around the gate.

"We need another plan and fast. I'll alert Danny to pull back, no use them using any more ammunition at this point, we'll need every round we have when those new guys join the rest of the Jaffa." Commented Jack, as he activated the radio and relayed the news to Daniel and Teal'c.

"We need fire power Sam."

"I know sir, I'm working on it" replied Sam.

"We'd better get the hell out of here." Sam reached out her hand to restrain O'Neill who looked back at her somewhat puzzled.

"The MALP, Sir, it carries explosives and remote controlled detonators, I think I could rig up some crude type of landmine. Plus there's also a couple of kerosene cooking stoves. How are you with Molotov cocktails Sir?" Whispered Sam.

"Hey I pitch a mean baseball, how hard can throwing a Molotov be!" answered Jack, unable to keep a grin off his face despite their predicament.

"Well the MALP is hidden on the other side of the clearing, we need to get around there unpack the MALP and then head back to Danny and Teal'c." Sam informed him.

"Piece of cake!"

Shaking her head at Jack, Sam indicated she was ready to go.

"Hang on I've got an idea." Jack told her as once more he checked the Jaffa guarding the Gate.

"We'd have a better chance of getting to the MALP if the Jaffa's attention was focused away from where we stashed it."

"What have you got in mind Colonel?" Queried Sam.

Jack took out the radio once more and signalled Daniel and Teal'c.

"Teal'c I need to get the Jaffa's' attention focused away from the gate and the MALP hideout. Give Carter and me exactly 5 minutes to get into position then start some kind of fire in the forest away from the villages."

"I understand O'Neill." Replied Teal'c.

Jack nodded to Sam and they both started to crawl around the perimeter of the clearing towards the MALP's position. Jack signalled to halt, checked his watch and slowly counted down, "5,4.3.2.1, take it away Teal'c."

Precisely on cue, came the roar of a staff weapon, seconds later flames and smoke could be seen in the distance on the far side of the clearing. The contingent of recently arrived Jaffa, formed up and set off in the direction of the fires. A dozen Jaffa remained to guard the Stargate but their attention was now focused on the fire in the distance.

"We can't afford to try and take those guys out, it will alert the rest of the Jaffa and there's no way we could dial out, get a message to Hammond and made it out of here before they arrived back." Jack explained as he and Sam quickened their pace and finally threw themselves into the heavy area of bushes where the MALP was hidden.

"Right Sir, back to the Molotov cocktails then!" answered Sam as she carefully located the plastic explosives, detonators and various other items she thought she could utilise against the Jaffa. "Sir the stoves and spare cans of kerosene are next to the tool box at the rear of the MALP, and there ought to be some spare ammunition and grenades on the other side of the box."

"Hey Carter I knew that!" muttered Jack, drawing a smile from Sam.

"I knew you knew that Sir."

For the second time that day Jack stuck out his tongue at his 2IC. Sam and Jack carefully distributed the additional items in their packs and the pockets of their clothing. They had to leave behind some of the spare ammunition and the stoves, taking the grenades and small cans of kerosene with them.

"OK Carter now lets see if we can get out of here with this stuff before those mean sons of bitches spot us."

"I'm on it sir." Replied Carter following Jack's careful progress around the clearing back in the direction they'd come from.

They moved slowly and silently for almost an hour before Jack called a halt.

"I think we can chance a call to Daniel and Teal'c now."

"Come in Daniel." He mouthed into the radio. Moments later Daniel's voice answered.

"Jack, you guys OK?"

"Sure Danny, but we couldn't signal Hammond, a Jaffa guard has the Stargate sealed up tight. What's your position?"

"We're heading back to the clearing where we found the statue, Hylt has sent a runner on ahead to tell his people to abandon the village and go into hiding in the forest. The Jaffa have halted their advance for a while to investigate the fires, but they'll come after us soon enough."

"OK Daniel, we'll join you at the statue in about two hours from now, we'll check in every 15 minutes. Stay out of trouble space-monkey." Finished Jack.

"Will do Jack and you guys watch your back, see you in a couple of hours, Daniel Out."

Once more Jack and Sam make their way through the wooded area bordering the path towards Hylt's settlement. The extra equipment made it harder to keep up a swift pace and still remain undetected. However only once did they have to seek cover as the familiar sound of marching Jaffa was heard nearby. They waited until the sound had disappeared then recommenced their journey. They finally reached the statue of Roke, both in need of rest. Daniel and Teal'c emerged from their hideout in the nearby bushes.

Daniel sank down on the ground next to Jack, as Teal'c kept watch.

"Jack they're slaughtering these people, we had to watch them kill almost everyone in a small village about 6 miles from here, men women, and children. They took about six of the younger villagers including a couple of kids; then just killed the rest. We had to hold Hylt back; he just went crazy. Jack, the village was the home of Brid's people, Hylt watched her father and mother and older sister slaughtered. One of the kids the Jaffa took is Brid's little brother." Daniel's voice almost broke down as he finished his story. Sam buried her head in her hands as a faint sob escaped her lips.

Jack was silent for a few moments, and then he signalled Teal'c.

"How many did you manage to take out Teal'c?"

"Perhaps 10 maybe twelve, we had surprise on our side, but it will not be so easy the next time." Replied the former first prime in his usual calm manner.

"That leaves around 30 plus the 50 that arrived through the gate while Carter and I were watching, a dozen guarding the Gate, Dammit that's too many for us to take out now that they know we're here." Snapped Jack, his hand running through his hair leaving it in spikes.

"They may have brought more through the Gate since we left Sir." Put in Sam. Jack nodded in agreement.

Jack got to his feet and stormed across to the statue, "Hey Roke, you listening to me, time you got off your ass and showed up again, these folks need you right about now." He kicked out angrily at the base of the statue, before signalling to the rest of SG-1 to move out towards the village. Hylt and the other Mahk silently joined them.

As the party trudged the last mile to the village, Jack kept pace with Carter.

"God Sam, I don't know how to get us out of this one!" murmured Jack.

"We'll figure it out together Jack, you'll see." Answered Sam, her fingers brushing those of O'Neill's for a split second.

"Well start praying for a miracle, cos this time we're gonna need one."

SG-1 and the motley group of villagers arrived at the Mahk settlement, not a soul came to greet them; the torches that had lit the central area the previous evening were unlit. No smoke could be detected from the primitive chimneys of the dwellings. Not even a dog barked as the weary group sank to the ground outside the long central building. Hylt entered the building cautiously beckoning SG-1 to follow. Hylt felt his way across the long narrow room; only the faint glimmer of the early evening moon lit his way. Finally he stopped near the left rear corner, bending down he pulled aside a worn woollen rug to reveal a small trap door. Lifting the door carefully he called out a few words in his native tongue. Moments later the head of the young woman named Brid appeared, she smiled at Hylt before throwing her arms around his neck. Disentangling himself from her embrace, Hylt helped his future wife through the trap door; two other villagers, both elderly men, closely followed her. Hylt took Brid to one side, it was clear he was telling her what had happened to her family. The girl buried her head against Hylt chest, her body shaking as she wept. The red haired leader seemed at a loss as to what he should do. Sam seeing his dilemma joined him and Brid, laying her hands gently on Brid's shoulders, she eased the girl away from Hylt, folding her into a tight embrace. She murmured words of comfort, the tone of her voice, if not her words conveying her sympathy and regret. Hylt turned away towards the two elderly villagers, a brief conversation followed; Daniel attempted to translate for SG-1.

"Seems that the other villagers have gone into hiding, they keep mentioning something called Tynn, it's a place I think from what I can decipher. An old place by the sound of it, somewhere their ancestors used when the Tahks came long ago."

Finally Hylt and the elderly villagers finished their conversation. Sam and Brid rejoined SG-1, the young girl's face was tear stained, her eyes red and swollen, but her back was straight, defiant, she would put aside her grief, there was other work to do now, she would mourn her kinfolk later.

"Daniel ask him what's going on will you?" instructed Jack.

Daniel did as Jack had asked. He then turned back to Jack and the rest of SG-1.

"Seems other villagers have been turning up all day, they're running from the Jaffa. From what I can gather there must be several hundred of them who have set out through the forest heading north towards a river named Tynn. There's supposed to be a crossing place there and somewhere on the other side is an underground tunnel system that used to be the hiding place of the Mahks when the Jaffa came. The elders have sent runners to several other settlements in this region with instructions to make their way to these tunnels. Hylt wants to know if we will join his people and defend the sanctuary against the Mahk."

Jack ran his hands through his hair then across his face. "Daniel I don't know how we can defend these people, The Jaffa must have sent more reinforcements through the gate by now, possibly some heavy weaponry too. We're the only ones with weapons that can inflict any damage on the Jaffa, and there's just four of us against maybe hundreds of Jaffa."

"The Mahk captured several staff weapons in our skirmish with the Jaffa," put in Teal'c.

"And we brought explosives, grenades and some spare ammunition," added Sam.

"Maybe if we can just slow the Jaffa down for a while we might be able to come up with a way of keeping these people safe." Prompted Daniel hopefully.

Jack gave each of his team a long thoughtful look, "Well guess we don't have anywhere else to go, so might as well head for the hills or river in this case and see how things turn out." He told them.

Daniel relayed Jack's message to Hylt who grasped Daniel's hand then Jack's and Teal'c. When he came to Sam he pulled her into a fierce hug.

"Hey there buddy stick to your own girl will ya!" yelled Jack. Hylt smiled briefly; while the words were strange to him, he needed no translator to understand the look that Jack was giving him as he released Sam from his embrace.

Hylt instructed his followers as to the plan. Daniel and Teal'c both took part of the equipment and ammunition Jack and Sam had brought back from the MALP. The rag-tag army then quickly ate the fruit and bread, which Brid brought out from storeroom under the floor of the building.

"Daniel, ask Hylt if his people can gather up some kind of container that will hold kerosene. Kind of like a small bottle shape," Sam requested. Daniel relayed the message, A few of the villagers hurried to the dwellings to find the items needed. Hylt and his people gathered up what food they could carry and without further instructions they moved out of the village heading north into the dense forest, towards the river and the tunnels.

Moving as quickly and quietly as possible through the heavily wooded terrain, the party had travelled several miles when suddenly the night sky was lit by a series of bright flares, which merged into powerful beams of light that began probing through the tangled canopy of branches and foliage. Jack signalled a halt, telling Daniel to instruct Hylt and his men to spread out and make a smaller target for the beams. Moments later Daniel returned.

"Hylt says not to worry, his people are woodsmen, they have travelled in the forest all their lives; they know how to seek cover if necessary."

"OK, Carter you and me will take point, Teal'c, Daniel you'd better watch our ass, if you hear Jaffa use your radio. Daniel get Hylt to loan us a couple of guys to act as guides, we don't want to get lost in this forest, you know how much I hate trees!" Jack informed them all, Sam grinned at him,

"Gee Colonel and here's me thinking they were kinda growing on you!"

"Carter, that was an even worse joke than mine!"

"Hey is that you finally admitting your jokes are lousy Jack." Put in Daniel, a brief grin flashing across his weary face.

"Jackson don't push it, otherwise the Jaffa will be the least of your worries!" Retorted Jack.

"OH big scary Jack!" whispered Daniel. Sam tried unsuccessfully to stifle a giggle.

Jack whipped his head round to throw a mock glare at her mouthing, "Quit that Carter, I'm banning giggling for the rest of this trip, you hear me."

"Yes sir, Colonel Sir" answered Sam throwing him a salute.

Jack merely shook his head before signalling that he was ready to move on.

SG-1 and the Mahks continued their journey northwards. O'Neill and Carter pushing on in front with two native guides, as they searched for the river named Tynn. Not far behind, the rag tag collection of natives along with Daniel and Teal'c followed. The group frequently had to seek cover as the Jaffa's beams continued to probe through the forest. More and more native joined the exodus; many were women and children that had been sent to hide by their men folk who had left to fight the Jaffa. Midnight came and went and shortly afterwards Jack called a halt and waited for the main party to catch up with him and Carter.

"Daniel I think maybe we're close to a river, we've started to drop down into a valley, if the river is anywhere its got to be down there somewhere, ask Hylt if he thinks we're close."

A short conversation took place between Daniel and Hylt, who stopped every once in while to question his guides.

"He agrees with you Jack, the guides believe the Tynn can't be far now, but they need to press on and find the best crossing point, with all these women and children we need to find some kind of ford that will be safe enough to use in the dark." Daniel explained.

Jack nodded his agreement. "OK folks, change of plan. Major you and Teal'c go with the scouts to find the ford. Carter I'm relying on you to ensure its safe enough for these folks to get across. Danny, you and me will watch the rear, if the Jaffa spot us we'll have to try and hold them off long enough for these folk to get across the river and find the tunnels."

SG-1 nodded their agreement, Daniel relayed Jack's plan to Hylt who signalled his understanding and called for four of his people to come forward. He explained that these men would go with Carter and Teal'c to find the ford; they had all been to the valley and the river previously although none had ventured as far as the tunnels.

"OK people we have a go, Major, you take care now you here me." Finished Jack. Carter turned to face him, the moonlight catching the gentle smile as she mouthed back a reply.

"You betcha Colonel."

Moments later the forest had swallowed up her and Teal'c along with the native scouts.

"She'll be OK Jack, don't worry." Whispered Daniel.

Jack gave a shrug, "Worried! Who said I was worried? Me I'm not worried."

Daniel merely shook his head, murmuring "Like I believe you Jack!"

Carter and Teal'c pushed on through the forest, keeping close to the Mahk scouts who seemed to have no trouble finding their way in the dark. Scrubby underbrush started to intersperse the broad span of the heavy trees. The ground sloped gently downwards making the going easier and quicker. Shafts of moonlight occasionally penetrated the blanket of foliage. Carter and Teal'c refrained from using their flashlights, not wanting to give any possible telltale sign to the searching Jaffa. After travelling for almost two hours, the scouts halted, signalling to Carter that she should listen closely. Sam joined the scouts, and heard the sounds of rushing water coming from below their position.

"Teal'c you think that's the river?"

"I believe it may be, Major Carter, the scouts seem to think so at any rate." Answered the stoic former first prime.

"It doesn't seem too far ahead either, but the sound worries me, the river could be flowing real fast at this point, we'd never get all those people across a fast flowing river in the dark." Explained Carter.

"Indeed, we may have to move upstream in search of a better fording point." Teal'c suggested.

"Agreed, lets see if we can get the scouts to understand that." Sam and Teal'c together managed to convey their worries to the scouts, who signalled that they were going to change directions slightly and head in a northwesterly direction, taking them upstream. Ten minutes later a beam of moonlight danced off the surface of the river, showing clearly that they could not cross at that point, the river was at least 100 yards wide and the water was fast flowing and deep. As they headed up stream the river narrowed dramatically but large boulders could be seem in the middle of the water which gushed and tumbled around them. Sam became worried that they would not be able to find a decent crossing point before dawn arrived lessening their chances of avoiding Jaffa patrols.

Sam called O'Neill on the radio.

"You'll just have to keep going Carter, we're maybe 30-40 minutes behind you, we need to cross that river before first light if these people are going to have any chance at all."

"I know sir, but it maybe we'll have to risk an unsafe crossing, I figure another hour tops before we need to start ferrying these people across to the northern bank of the river. I'll continue up stream for another 30 minutes and we'll just have to risk the crossing at the point I consider the safest." Explained Carter.

"OK Carter, I know you'll do your best."

Cutting the link, Sam signalled to the scouts to start moving. Following the uneven riverbank they continued upstream until Sam called a halt. They' d reached a section of the river that narrowed considerably, large boulders stretched across from one bank to another.

"This is the best we can do Teal'c, we need to get a safety line across to the opposite bank. There should be enough rope in our packs to stretch across the river. I'll take it across; I need you here in case a Jaffa patrol spots us. Call the Colonel and let him know what we're doing, and send a couple of the scouts back to bring the main party here as fast as possible."

Teal'c nodded, quickly signalling to the scouts that two of them should go back and fetch the main party. He then relayed Carter's message to O'Neill.

"Tell Carter not to drown will ya Teal'c!" O'Neill's flippancy hiding his real concern.

The two SG1 members quickly tied their ropes together, Teal'c securing one end around a nearby tree while Carter stripped off her pants, jacket and boots. A menacing glance from Teal'c had an immediate effect on the two remaining scouts as they quickly turned away from the sight of a half naked Carter who had tied the free end of the rope around her waist. Teal'c wrapped Sam's clothing, radio, flashlight and ammunition into a bundle around Sam's weapon. With her boots slung around her neck and the bundle held above her head, Carter made her way into the icy water.

"Shit Teal'c, its damn cold in here." She cursed as she forged through the water. "Teal'c I'm going to need you to use your flashlight to locate the best point to leave the river on the other bank."

"I understand Major." Teal'c lined up his flashlight just above Sam's head, he moved it slowly along the opposite bank until Sam called out, "Hold it right there Teal'c, a stand of three conifers at eleven o'clock."

Teal'c did as she ordered, minutes later Sam was hauling herself out of the river and pulling herself up onto the far bank. Shivering with cold she headed for the stand of trees, untying the rope from her waist she secured it to the middle tree. Unpacking her clothes she hastily donned her pants shoes and boots. She pulled off her soaking wet Tee shirt and quickly fastened up her jacket. Using the radio she signalled first to Teal'c that she was ready, then signalled O'Neill to bring his party as quickly as possible.

Fifteen minutes later the first of the natives arrived. Hylt and Daniel amongst them.

"Sam this is Daniel, what do you want me to do?"

"Organise the natives, some of the men will have to carry the younger kids; the river is almost five feet deep in the centre. Have them take hold of the safety line, space them out on both sides of the line, the children, women and men carrying kids on the side furthest from the boulders, younger men on the other side acting as helpers." Instructed Sam.

Daniel conveyed the instructions to Hylt who in turn instructed his people. Soon a line of native began the unpleasant crossing, the men had removed their rough woollen leggings. The women had stripped of the course robes tying their belongings into in a bundle, which they carried on their heads.

"Whoa, underwear in short supply in these parts!" quipped O'Neill who arrived with the last of the natives.

"What were you expecting Jack, Victoria's Secrets and Calvin Kleins??" Questioned Daniel.

"Not exactly, but it's not often a guy sees a couple of hundred bare behinds shining in the moonlight!" answered Jack.

Daniel merely shook his head and started stripping of his boots and pants.

"Jeez Daniel I sure hope you've got your Calvin's on!"

"No doubt you've got Air Force issue skivvies on!" Retorted Daniel.

"Er not exactly" mumbled Jack as he too started to undress.

Holy Hannah, not exactly my Aunt Fanny, a little brief aren't they Jack?" laughed Daniel as he caught sight of Jack's skimpy and very non-regulation underwear.

"Button it Rock Boy," snarled Jack.

It took almost an hour to ferry the natives across the river, fortunately no one was lost or injured during the crossing. Teal'c and Jack brought up the rear just as the first streaks of dawn appeared in the sky. Jack pulled on his pants over his soaking wet briefs.

"Feels lousy doesn't it Colonel, wet underwear I mean."

"Carter, you peeking?"

"You betcha Colonel!"

"Never figured you for a pervert Carter."

"Oh I've always had a weakness for a firm thigh and a tight butt Sir." Laughed Sam as she joined Brid and Daniel. The latter had watched the exchange between the two officers with curiosity.

"OK Daniel ask if they have any idea where we might find these tunnels."

Daniel spoke with Hylt and a few of the natives. One of the scouts began drawing in the damp mud at the side of the riverbank. The drawing was crude but the river was clear as were a row of three up-turned funnel shaped mounds east of their current position. The scout indicated that he believed the tunnels were just behind the mounds.

"OK east it is, but we still need to keep under cover, the Jaffa will be here soon enough and they'll find our trail once it gets light." Jack instructed as once more the contingent of natives resumed their journey.

As the sky became lighter, the pace quickened, fear driving them forward despite their obvious fatigue. All members of SG1 had taken turns in carrying some of the smaller children, who seemed to recognise the need for quiet, not one child cried out during the journey towards the tunnels.

The party had travelled almost three miles when the distinctive shape of the mounds came into view. The pace quickened once more, the possibility of a safe sanctuary spurring them on. As they neared the mounds a small group of natives appeared from the edge of the forest. Hylt beckoned them forward; a brief conversation ensued.

Hylt quickly relayed the information to Daniel who in turned relayed it to the rest of SG1.

"The entrance to the tunnels is about half a mile away, there's maybe 2 or 3 hundred people there already, they have water, food, blankets, spare clothing, but very few weapons, many of the younger men have not returned from the encounter with the Jaffa."

"Well we'd better get these folk out of the open as quickly as possible the Jaffa can't be far behind us now." Instructed Jack, before turning to Carter.

"Major, you and I are going to have to think of some ways to hold off those Jaffa, at least keep them away from the tunnels for a while."

"Well unless the Jaffa have brought boats or something through the Gate, they'll need to cross the river at a point near to where we crossed. Their heavy body armour is not exactly suited to swimming! I think they'll simply follow the same trail as we did, if so, we can rig up some make shift mines with the explosives we brought from the MALP."

"We need to plant them far enough away from the tunnel entrance we don't want any shock waves caving the tunnels in." Added Jack.

"Right, if Teal'c and Daniel can get these people to the tunnels I figure you and I can start laying mines just about here Sir."

"OK Major, lets get the gear from Danny and Teal'c."

Leaving Sam and Jack with the explosives and detonators, Teal'c and Daniel left for the tunnels with the Mahks.

Working in silence, Jack and Sam fashioned crude mines from the plastic explosive and radio controlled detonators. Placing them in a random pattern across the trail, they hastily covered them with dead leaves and other debris form the forest. A last minute check then Sam and Jack hurried after the rest of SG1 and the natives. They made their way between the 3 oddly shaped mounds, Carter picking up some of the loose material from the base of the mounds.

"Thought rocks were Danny boy's speciality!"

"Artefacts Colonel not rocks." Laughed Sam

"Whatever!"

Teal'c appeared in front of them, beckoning them to follow him. Soon all three reached the opening to the tunnels that had been cut into the face of the hillside.

"The natives are inside Colonel, I have only examined a small part of the tunnels they appear to be manmade and go deep into the hillside."

All three SG1 members entered the tunnel, which narrowed to about five feet across once the entrance was left behind. Several crude rush torches had been jammed into crevices in the rock walls. Sam stopped for a few moments to examine part of the wall,

"Carter, for Pete's sake leave the damn rocks alone!" Ordered O'Neill.

"Sir they're not just any old rocks, there's a large seam of coal running through the walls, I think these tunnels were made by miners sir."

"Coal mines? Never saw any signs of coal being used in the village." Responded Jack.

"Me either sir, I'd say these mines hadn't been worked for a very long time, but from the marks made by the cutting tools used, Hylt and his people couldn't have worked these mines, they're not advanced enough"

"Oh boy, not another vanished culture!" sighed Jack.

Their conversation was cut short as Daniel joined them.

"Hylt has organised his people about 100 yards up ahead, there's a number of large caverns that branch out from the main tunnel, some of the caverns have other tunnels leading from them."

"OK, Danny I want you to go back to Hylt and bring up a couple of dozen warriors with weapons, you and Teal'c bring all the spare ammunition grenades, me and Carter are going back to the entrance to watch for any Jaffa coming along the track we'll take the kerosene and the containers and make up a bunch of Molotov cocktails, Danny explain that last bit will you?"