TITLE: KALEIDOSCOPE

AUTHOR: A. M. Richardson

SPOILERS: Small references made to many episodes, up to, and including season 6. Set future season, both Daniel and Jonas are in this story.

RATING: R

CATEGORY: Action/adventure/angst

CONTENT WARNINGS: Violence/implied sexual violence (rape, non-graphic) and the aftermath/miscarriage and the aftermath/language/ minor character deaths/genocide.

PAIRINGS: Sam/other (Joe), Sam/Jack, and some Daniel/Janet - friendship/romance

SUMMARY: Life’s twisting kaleidoscope moves us all in turn.

DISCLAIMER: All publicly recognisable characters and places are the property of MGM, World Gekko Corp. and Double Secret Productions. This piece of fan fiction was created for entertainment not monetary purposes and no infringement on copyrights or trademarks was intended.

ARCHIVE PERMISSIONS: SJD – yes.

E-MAIL: audrich08@aol.com

AUTHOR'S NOTES: So many friends have read this, made suggestions and been such a help, that I feel as though it belongs to you all. Where can I start? Arrietty, Jara, Sarae, Rosemary, Sally R, Jenny L, and to Kat H for giving me the idea for a certain scene. *g* I must include a thank you to the Yahoo group Badfic, whose exacting reviews gave me a kick in the mik’ta regarding getting details correct. Huge thanks also to Hoo and all the friendly peeps over at the beta_site Yahoo group, which is an excellent place to go if you want to write, but haven't got a clue where to start. Like me. *g* BIG smooches to Tricia (‘eagle eye’) Byrne. Any remaining punctuation errors are there because I'm getting old and can't see the red marks anymore. Lastly, if it wasn’t for this person, you would all be yelling: ‘TRIPE!’ half way down the first page. You taught me so much, thank you, Lyta.

This story is dedicated to Gran Menzies, who was full of endearing little truisms, and ‘life’s twisting kaleidoscope’ was one of hers.

******
The Fall

******

The morning dawned crisp and bright on Samantha Carter's wedding day. Sam was standing in the middle of her hotel room surrounded by a bustling group of women she barely knew. The wedding planner, the florist, the hairdressers and their hangers on were all milling about, doing what they were being paid to do. There was also her soon-to-be mother-in-law and her soon-to-be sisters-in-law, who were her bridesmaids. There were three of them to be precise, all older, all married and all shrieking at the tops of their voices.

“I *so* need pain relief,” she sighed and turned her attention back to her wedding dress, a flouncy lacy affair that right now, suddenly, she hated. The sleeves were long and had tiny buttons from the wrist to the elbow. She had managed the left sleeve by herself, but being right handed, she was now having problems. She tried to smooth down the skirt, but the lace was so stiff it was practically standing on its own. Her chest felt very exposed and the neckline itched like crazy. What possessed her to buy this dress? It wasn't her at all. Oh wait, you didn't buy it, Joe did. The thought sounded so sarcastic in her head she felt herself turn pink with the embarrassment of such an ungrateful notion. Today was her wedding day and she was picking faults with Joe before they were even married!

Sam moved to sit awkwardly on the bed, but her thoughts were interrupted by a loud knock at the hotel room door. One of the shrieking women opened the door to admit her best friend, Janet Fraiser, and her adopted daughter, Cassandra, now a lovely young woman of eighteen.

Janet smiled and gave Sam a wink; "Hi, honey, where were you?"

Sam shrugged. "Wishing this thing had zippers,” she indicated her sleeve. Janet chuckled.

“Here, let me," she began to do up the tiny pearls. "Oh, Sam, you haven't started on the back. Cassie, make yourself useful, please." Cassandra pulled a face at all the 'girlie stuff' but obediently plunked herself down next to Sam and began to button up the back of her dress.

"Oh, Auntie Sammie," Cassie began in a false whining tone; "I bet you wish you were in your jeans," she mocked. This drew a look from her mother.

Sam laughed, "No, my fatigues actually, they would go well with your blush pink.” She smoothed out Cassandra's own flouncy frock and wondered for the 'nth time today why she had ever been talked into such a big wedding.

Of course, Joe Faxon had wanted the best for her, but the arrangements had been taken over by Joe's mother and father. "You always seem so busy, dear," was the stock answer Frances Faxon gave when Sam began to protest about them doing so much. Sam's own father was away so much as a member of the Tok'ra and her mother had died when she was twelve. Although he was coming to the wedding, her only brother lived on the west coast in San Diego. He had a young family of his own and she felt it wasn't fair to ask him to help. So, here she was. Big wedding, big reception, big dress. She even had big hair; Sam gazed ruefully in the dressing table mirror opposite her. Joe had playfully nagged her to grow it longer so she had had to obtain permission for the six weeks growing time. She had coped badly with ‘in-betweeny hair’ - too short to put up but too long to look professional. Now it was fluffed, backcombed and so stiff with hairspray she had trouble getting her headdress and veil over it.

"There," said Janet's soothing voice, "all done. Cassie, how are you doing?"

"Je suis finis," Cassie said triumphantly holding her hands to accept applause. Her mother inspected her handiwork. "Great. Now you can check on Daniel, Jonas and Teal'c for me, we need to ship out in ten minutes."

Cassie groaned, "Aw, their room is at the other end of this place!” Catching Janet's eye again, she intoned resignedly, "I'm going, I'm going."

“Meet us in the foyer!” Janet called to the retreating back as it disappeared out of the door.

Sam grinned at Janet. "You have her well trained.”

Janet snorted. "Huh, ever since she's been away at college, she thinks she knows it all."

Sam smiled again. " Well, didn't you?"

Janet considered for a moment. "Well, I thought I did, but I was wrong. I wish I had been sensible like you and waited to get married. Maybe my marriage would have lasted longer than three years." Janet placed a comforting hand on her friend's arm. "But I'm sure yours will be a success," she finished rather hastily.

Sam nodded, but her eyes remained dull as she nodded down at her hands. When she looked up, she saw her friend’s face appraising her with kind concern.

“I’m okay, honestly. I’m good to go!” Sam tried to grin away her doubts.

Janet wasn’t to be fooled. “Having second thoughts?” Sam winced as Janet pushed the right emotional button. “Wanna make a run for it?” Janet whispered conspiratorially, eyeing the Faxon harpies.

Sam laughed quietly. “Absolutely!”

Janet nodded, “Would that be second thoughts or running away?” she asked.

“Second thoughts,” was Sam’s answer, her voice still low enough so that the conversation couldn’t be overheard.

One of Joe' sisters chose this moment to shriek with laughter. Sam looked at Janet, who smiled a wide, false grin and hissed: "There just aren't enough people in this room." Without another word, Janet took Sam by the hand and manoeuvred her carefully to the bathroom, skirting her friend’s frilly train. After positioning a bewildered Sam down on the closed toilet seat, she locked the door and propped herself on the bath ledge. She folded her arms and said simply: “Talk to me.”

Sam shook her head. “It’s fine, I’m fine.”

Janet tried again. “Sam, *every* woman has doubts before their wedding; its natural.” She paused to take in her friend’s pale features. “Look, I know the last couple of years have been really tough for you, for us all. I’ll let you into a secret; I wasn’t surprised that Joe asked to marry you, but I *was* surprised that you accepted. I know you too well, Sam Carter. I did wonder if this was some sort of mis-placed, re-bound relationship, to atone for leaving him behind with the Aschen?”

Sam vehemently shook her head. “No, you know it’s not like that. Joe *helped* me escape; he doesn’t blame me for what happened. The Aschen didn’t mis-treat him, too ‘dirty’ for them, I guess. Even Kinsey’s crowing because he thinks they’ve opened negotiations again, after Joe was exchanged for the kosher co-ordinates.” Sam paused to look Janet in the eye. “Actually, meeting Joe Faxon again was a bit of a catharsis for me.”

Janet’s eyebrows raised and she nodded for Sam to continue.

“I’m tired of playing the consummate professional. Look at where it has got me personally…Orlin, for example. Thanks to that little episode, I got my ass chewed off in Washington. Narim’s dead, courtesy of Tanith. And then…” her voice tailed off as suddenly, she couldn’t look at her friend.

Janet finished for her. “And then Daniel. I know… we’re all getting used to it.” She sighed.

Sam felt a pang of reciprocal concern. “I’m sorry, Janet, but losing him like we did, and then…I can’t get my head around his return.” Janet nodded. Sam abruptly felt a little self indulgent, mindful of her friend’s own unassuming relationship with a certain bespectacled Doctor of Archeology.

Sam continued. “I’m trying not to show it. I try to be careful, not show the ‘feelings’.”

Janet giggled. “Mmm, me thinks if you had, a certain Colonel Jack O’Neill would have hauled your ass to a psych. evaluation quicker then you could say 'Urgo!’ “

Sam smiled at the thought. “I know! He should talk.” She paused, uncertain as to whether she should continue. “In fact, I tried to talk to *him*, but he wouldn’t have it.”

Janet’s eyebrows rose again.

Sam took in Janet’s intrigued expression. “I got nervous when Joe kept wining and dining me and buying me all those expensive presents. I tried to talk to him off-world – the Colonel, that is; I guess I wanted his approval.”

Janet nodded for her to continue.

“He didn’t want to know, in fact he was quite short with me.” Sam chewed her lip as she remembered the awkward conversation on a cold, uninhabited planet. His gruffness had hurt her more than she cared to admit. Over the years, she had come to regard the Colonel as a friend as well as a colleague.

Janet coughed. “He has feelings for you, Sam.”

Sam considered Janet’s reminder of an enforced declaration made under duress nearly four years previously. This had scared the hell out of her and she had carefully kept her distance since then. Sure, there might have been ‘feelings ’ between them once, but that was some time ago. So much had happened: a roller coaster of emotions for them both that had resulted in the two once close people drifting solidly into 'Colonel' and 'Major' mode. All this had served Sam to find solace in Joe's company. Joe was handsome, funny, charming, attentive and not Colonel O’Neill. O’Neill was caustic, stubborn and out-of-bounds.

Suddenly, there was a loud knocking at the bathroom door. It was Frances Faxon. “Are you all right in there, dear?” Janet started making faces causing Sam to giggle, but this was cut short by the wedding planner’s nasal tones. "Miss Carter, Miss Fraiser, come along now; its show time!" she called through the closed door.

Sam couldn't help a feeling of dread forming in the pit of her stomach as she stood, and she briefly wondered if she was going to lose her breakfast. That would give them all something to gossip about. She would be five months pregnant before the wedding was over! Well, if Joe had his way she would be pregnant when she came back from their Hawaiian honeymoon. They definitely needed to talk more about kids and stuff.

The wedding planner was hustling them through the corridors. Since Clan Faxon was so huge, it had been decided to have the wedding at a large hotel in Denver that could accommodate all their needs. Again, Sam had a hankering after a quiet bash in Colorado Springs, and she suspected that her friends probably felt the same. She closed her mind off to the raucous chattering around her as they waited for the elevator that would take them to the foyer.

Sam studied her dress again. It was a nightmare confection of frills, as convoluted as her emotions. The thought suddenly struck her that she didn’t know Joe at all. Yet here she was, barely three months after his proposal.

Here comes the bride. All dressed in white.

********

Jack O'Neill sat in his SUV parked in the hotel parking lot, nervously fiddling with the ribbons trailing from Sam's wedding present. Sam and Joe's wedding present. He studied the label. ‘Congratulations Sam and Joe’. Joe and Sam. Samantha Faxon. Mrs. Faxon. He mentally shook himself. Was this JEALOUSY? Get a grip, O'Neill. She’s your second-in-command - 2IC - off limits. Besides, its not like you ever had anything going, is it? It was a situation he had thought more and more about over the past few weeks.

He had been the first to notice that ‘Ambassador Joes’s’ attentions were becoming more persistent towards Sam. She didn’t seem to notice at first. The diligent Major was always buried in her work, concentrating on missions, being professionally distant. Then, Jack noticed a sudden change in Sam. She seemed happier than she had for some time. Jolly almost. She had begun to return Joe’s affection, spending a little less time at the SGC, even going away for weekends. Well, that was a good thing, wasn’t it? Hadn’t he ordered her to get a life? Jack had come to the bitter conclusion that if he was honest with himself, he probably was envious of Joe the Smooth, but what could he do about it?

He supposed he was too damn old and too damn sour for Sam to show anything other than a platonic interest in him. That was fine. You didn’t spend seven years working with a capable, motivated and optimistic person to not want the best for them. If Sam was happy with Joe, then so be it. Then why couldn’t he get the ‘Jonah and Thera mind stamp thing’ out of his head? Why had he been such a jerk that night when Sam had tried to talk to him recently? She was not long engaged and seemed happy, but…? During a crossover on an off world watch, Sam had asked him what he thought of her getting married, and about Joe. He had brusquely cut off every one of her sentences until she had given up and curled herself up in her bedroll. He had wondered if she was crying, but he had known she wasn’t. He had only ever seen her cry a couple of times; when they thought Daniel had died that first year, and after Jolinar. He had even politely refused her request to be an usher, inventing some lame excuse for being unable to stay in the hotel the night before the wedding. He was definitely a class A, could win prizes, all out *jerk*.

Jack shook himself again. ‘Come on Jack, smile and be nice. Do it for Sam’ . He sighed and climbed out of his truck with the neatly wrapped coffee percolator and made his way to the hotel foyer. When he entered the large lobby the number of people milling about struck him. Everyone was very well dressed: monkey suits and boutique frocks. An A-frame sign bore the legend: “The Denver Regent Welcomes Guests for the Wedding of Mr. & Mrs. Faxon.” A flower-bedecked floor to ceiling double door obviously indicated the venue for the wedding, so he began to make a move toward it. Suddenly, Jack spotted Teal’c, Daniel and Cassie and gave a tentative wave. Daniel caught his eye and raised his hand. Cassie followed his gaze and came bounding over.

“Hi, Uncle Jack!” she smirked at her loud use of the familial term, hoping it would embarrass him.

“Hi yourself, Barbie!” Jack flashed back an equally cheeky grin, then suddenly bent down and kissed her on the cheek. “You look really pretty, kiddo, I hope I’m going to get a dance! Or will I have to duel Dominic?” Cassie’s face turned a bright shade of crimson, and Jack had to smile at her innocence. But he still could not shake the black feelings that had followed him from the car.

“Maybe,” Cassie stuck her chin out, and then grabbed his arm. “Come on, Teal’c and Daniel have to do the ‘Places, Please’ thing or Mrs. Faxon will start squawking again.” Jack was dragged unceremoniously over to his other two teammates, who were dressed in formal tails, in keeping with their roles as ushers.

“Well, who would think – you could be twins!” Jack quipped, in a vain attempt to lift his mood.

“That would appear unlikely, O’Neill,” Teal’c raised an eyebrow, glancing between himself and Daniel Jackson. “Dr. Jackson requires bi-ocular corrective lenses and I do not.”

Daniel looked at Teal’c over his aforementioned spectacles. The *look* said it all.

Jack chuckled and turned to Daniel, “We’ve been working on his timing while you were gone – whadyathink?”

Daniel shook his head. “I think Teal’c has been sadly lacking in my steadying influence,” he said, but not without a twinkle in his eye. ”You and Jonas have ruined him.”

“Speaking of the boy wonder, where is he?” said Jack. He had meant it to sound funny, but his humour was forced and he was aware that the comment had sounded sarcastic and condescending.

It was Daniel’s turn to raise his eyebrow. “He’s already seated, Jack, you’re a bit late.”

Jack glowered back and was about to reply, when Cassie broke in. “Here, I’ll take that and put it with the others.” She took the present from Jack’s arms and scuttled off along the hotel corridor.

“What was that?” Daniel queried.

“Nuthin’. Didn’t mean anything. I didn’t sleep well. Is Jonas here with Lt. What’s-her-name?” Jack’s reply at least sounded contrite.

“Rush.” Daniel appraised his friend. He took a breath and asked again: “ You okay?”

“Sure, lets go find me a seat.” Jack nodded to Teal’c and motioned for Daniel to lead the way, which he did, but Jack was aware that the younger man was watching him carefully. A seat was found for him near the back of the function room, which Jack was relieved about. He wasn’t keen on weddings as a rule. In fact he wasn’t keen on anything like this anymore. He was always painfully reminded of the family he had once enjoyed and then had lost: his son, Charlie; his wife, Sara. One lost by fate, the other by his own hand. Which was which? Sometimes he couldn’t tell.

The wedding march broke through his thoughts and he followed the other guests by rising to his feet. Jack then realized he hadn’t even seen Joe, and craned his head above the many other guests toward the front. There he was, standing with his…brother? Joe the Smooth. A movement to his right made him turn and his breath was stopped in his throat as Sam and her father, Jacob, processed down the aisle.

She was beautiful: an angel in white silk and lace. A fine veil covered her face, but even with that, even at this distance, Jack could see she was beautiful. He caught sight of blue eyes and blonde hair and a smile to melt his heart.

All he could feel was a profound and overwhelming sense of loss.

********

Three weeks later, Sam was glad to be back at work. She had enjoyed the honeymoon. Hawaii was gorgeous, the people friendly and the hotel luxurious. There had been the lovemaking of course. Very nice, satisfying. Until Joe had come along, she was beginning to feel like a celibate. However, on some nights, their lovemaking had felt more like just sex than anything else. “Well, there’s nothing wrong with that,” Sam giggled to herself as she ploughed through the endless emails that had been piling up in her in-box. Presumably due to her pre-wedding nerves, she had forgotten to set an out of office notice. There were quite a few messages asking for something to be done, another from the same person checking on how she was getting on with it, and a third saying where the hell was it. One thousand, eight hundred and seventy-nine e-mails must be a record, she thought and found herself wondering how Joe was coping on his first day back. She glanced at the telephone and wondered if she should call him. Last night had been spoiled by their first argument and this was weighing on her mind. After checking the time, she decided to delay the call until after the morning’s briefing. A light knocking on the open door of her laboratory broke her reverie.

“Hello there, Mrs. Faxon.” Janet smiled. This elicited a wince from Sam.

“Oh, don’t call me that, I keep expecting Frances to jump out from behind me, ” she groaned.

Janet giggled, sharing the joke. “Mmm. Mrs. Faxon *senior* was kind of omni-present on the Big Day, wasn’t she?”

Sam nodded. “I even went and hid in the ladies room during the reception, but she tracked me down. I thought she was gonna jimmy the toilet stall door to check that my dress wasn’t wrinkled.” Janet laughed out loud at this and the two friends regarded one another.

“So, how are you?” Janet asked in a more steadied voice.

“Fine,” answered Sam in a manner a little too insouciant to be true.

“Just fine?” queried Janet. “I would have thought a newly married couple would be more than fine.”

Sam smiled humbly. “Well, actually…. we had words last night. Nothing much. We slept in the same bed and all that…” her voice tailed off.

“Oh,” was all Janet could manage. She smiled encouragingly. “Do you want to talk about it?”

Sam paused for a moment, the argument from the previous day sounding in her head; “The usual. And offspring, as in when are we producing any?”

Janet snorted, “You’ve only been married three weeks! You need time to get to used to that, believe me, I know.”

Sam nodded. “I know that, he knows that. It’s just…well. He said we mustn’t wait too long because of my…age.” She began to fiddle with a small chip on the side of her laboratory bench.

At this, the doctor pulled a face; “He said that? So much for the diplomat!”

Sam could sense her friend’s anger and held up her hand in a placating gesture. “Don’t worry, I told him he was a heartless bastard, etc.”

At this, Janet giggled, “Does he have any bruising?”

Sam admonished her friend. “You shouldn’t joke about that,” but she grinned back. “Actually, I’m wondering if he has a point.” Janet’s eyebrows rose to encourage Sam to continue.

“Well, it’s true I’m not getting any younger.” She paused. “For a while, I never thought I would have the chance for a normal life, kids, house, dog, you know.” Her fingers continued to fiddle with the flaw in the bench.

Janet nodded again, and Sam felt relieved she didn’t have to explain the intimate details of her turbulent life over the past few years. She continued slowly. “I know you’ve run the tests to see if the Naquadah in my system would affect any children I would carry. I understand there could be a small risk.” Sam propped her elbows on the bench, covered her eyes with her hands, and sighed. “But I was thinking, maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad thing to try? I know my work is important and I wouldn’t want to stop fighting the Goa’uld. But am I so wrong to want a piece of what I am actually fighting for?” she dropped her hands and looked questioningly at her friend.

Janet shook her head. “Of course not, Sam. But you know you have to be sure. You can’t put kids back. They take over your life, empty your bank balance and come home with their navel pierced.”

Sam chortled at the shared joke regarding Cassie and her new ‘acquisition’. She paused. “I *am* sure that I want children, but I’m not sure I want them right *now*.”

Janet looked at her friend seriously, and said slowly, “Ooookay, so what did Joe say when you told him that?”

Sam looked up unhappily at this.

“Aahh, hence the argument,” Janet concluded. They sat in a companionable silence for a few moments, lost in their own thoughts. Sam glanced at the clock once more and jumped energetically off her stool. “Well, I’d better go, my briefing is in five minutes. See you later?”

“Sure. We’ll talk, okay? Oh, Sam, don’t forget your shot of Depo-Provera,” the doctor called to the receding form as she made a move to follow her friend.

“Actually, Janet, I think I’ll give it a miss,” Sam replied over her shoulder, pausing by the lab door.

Janet stopped in her tracks and stared back, puzzled. “No contraceptive shot after what you just told me?”

Sam shrugged back, “Maybe, I’ll leave this one to fate.”

********

The pre – mission briefing started a little late as the assembled members of SG-1 and SG-6 all wanted to know how the new bride was, how married life was and how the honeymoon went. Sam did a good job of being pleasant and charming, but she could see Colonel O’Neill was wearing an expression of amused irritation. Instinctively she knew he wanted Business As Usual and that is what she intended to give him. There were very few women assigned to the SGC, although the balance had been improved somewhat in the past couple of years. Sam liked to think she was part of the process of re-dressing the skew. She had worked damn hard, in the lab, in the field *and* in battle. She didn’t want to be equal to her male counterparts; she wanted to be better than them. Seven years ago, Sam knew she really wouldn’t win an arm wrestling contest with Colonel O ’Neill, but perhaps she could break his hand in the attempt. Their working relationship had moved so far from there, right until after her engagement was announced. She was no ‘weak female’, but surely he knew that after all this time? She wasn’t sure as she took her seat. Her thoughts were pushed aside as she stood up at attention when General Hammond entered the briefing room.

“Good morning, people, at ease,” he added, waving the military personnel back to their seats. The General’s face looked especially genial. He was carrying some freshly prepared briefing documents that he divided in two and passed down the table. He nodded a smile at Sam as he sat down.

“I think that you are all aware as to why both SG-1 and 6 are here before you all ship out. We have had preliminary mineral analysis from SG-7 regarding PX7-253, which is indicative of rich Naquadah deposits. The boys up in Mineralogy are jumping up and down, I can tell you!” His joke gained a laugh from the company around the table, as much amusement was gained over comparing the ops teams to the ‘geeky scientists’. Sam laughed too (even though she felt she should be defending her fellow ‘geeks’) and quickly stole a look at the colonel. He glowering, with the open report that was receiving the full force of his glare. What the hell was wrong with him? Usually he never bothered with briefing reports, preferring to listen and ask questions instead. If she was hoping to catch his eye to share the joke, he didn’t acknowledge her.

Sam returned her attention back to the conference. The encouraging analysis was prompting a swift move into the second stage of Resource Recovery Protocols. Basically, the powers-that-be were pushing for Naquadah powered fuel generators in view of the escalating worldwide fuel crises and the rare off-world element was much in demand. The General summarized this, mostly for Sam’s benefit and then indicated Major Paine from SG-7 should continue.

“The natives from ‘253 are most certainly of Earth origin and their level of evolutionary advancement is equivalent to, say, Northern Africa of 200 years ago. The culture is African based, possibly Moroccan, indicating their ancestors were probably extracted through the Egyptian ‘gate when it was operational. The people call themselves *and* their planet ‘Amzawee’. They are friendly, willing to trade and there appears to be no Goa’uld influences other than the fact the people were originally displaced by them. Their commercial culture has not yet developed to the point of monetary exchange; trade is primarily based on the barter system. The Naquadah deposits mean very little to the people, as they find the mineral too hard to be malleable for their primitive industries. Gold and silver are much more highly prized, and Major Marx’s personal stereo went down well!” Major Paine’s assessment brought forth a round of chuckles and grins. “Basically, we have a Naquadah rich planet, with no evident Goa’uld presence.”

The last statement was met with more grins until Colonel O’Neill’s voice broke through; “Seems too good to be true,” he clipped.

Major Paine cleared his throat. “I am simply stating our findings, as ordered, Colonel.” He wasn’t going to be shot down by the base curmudgeon.

Jack didn’t miss a beat. “And I’m simply saying, when something seems too good to be true, it usually *is* too good to be true.” He returned Paine’s defiant look with a measured look of his own, practiced after many years and honed to a tee. Paine lasted less than a couple of seconds before he looked back down at his notes.

General Hammond coughed pointedly and shot Jack a ‘leave it’ look. He cleared his throat and soothed the atmosphere with his soft drawling tone: “Well, people, we’ll all ensure we have our heads up on his one, just in case, won’t we?” he added, with emphasis on the ‘we’ for Jack’s benefit.

Sam listened to the exchange with a sinking feeling. Her CO was in a filthy mood, and Sam wondered how far she was responsible. But how could she be? She hadn’t even been here. She did *not* need this on her first day back, and fervently hoped she did not do anything to annoy him.

When the briefing was finally dismissed she practically scampered out of the room only to be stopped by an annoyed; “Carter, er Faxon, a word before you gear up.” She turned to face her CO, but then had the rather embarrassing duty to walk back into the briefing room and stand beside his chair, as he had not budged from his original position. He indicated with a curt nod that she was to sit next to him.

Sam slid into the seat one away from Colonel O’Neill. “Sir?” she queried evenly, but not without a certain sense of trepidation.

The Colonel cleared his throat. “So, how are you?” He looked her squarely in the eye.

“Great, thank you, sir.”

“How was the vacation?” he continued.

‘What is this, Twenty Questions?’ Sam thought, ‘vacation’? “Great, lovely, ” she added with a smile, realizing that her answers were falling into a repetitive, monosyllabic manner.

“Ready to get back to work?” Jack asked, his mouth tense.

“Absolutely.” Okay, this was a script now, Sam thought. She lifted her left hand to smooth her hair, which was still long and wound in a tight knot at the base of her neck.

“Good.” Silence. “No rings?” he nodded at her bare hands.

“Not on duty, and its still ‘Carter’, sir. Remember, I said I’m not changing it?”

“Oh.”

Sam nodded lamely. “Shall we…?” she indicated the door, as if to say: Lets go before we start a real conversation.

“Be there in a minute, Carter. See you at the ramp.” At this Sam nodded again and made her way toward the door feeling distinctly puzzled from the stilted exchange. It was her first day back; couldn’t he have cut her some slack? She glanced around to see the taciturn colonel gazing at her retreating back wearing an unhappy expression.

Sam turned pointedly and continued toward the locker rooms, bemoaning asshole superior officers, husbands, and life in general.

********

Over the next few weeks, SG-1 settled into a familiar routine. Colonel O’ Neill and Major Carter continued their roles as CO and 2IC. Teal’c accompanied them in between his missions to organize off-world ranks of rebel Jaffa. Jonas acted as the main anthropological liaison, with Daniel joining them occasionally as he adjusted to his life back on Earth. To the team, he appeared quieter than the Daniel they remembered. He seemed happy to share Jonas’ workload and adopted the role of ‘big brother’ toward him, but Jack O’Neill could sense an undercurrent of sadness in his demeanor.

Prior to his Ascension, Daniel and Jack’s relationship had become strained to say the least. Daniel had begun to argue with the Colonel over every decision involving ethics and morals, as he perceived them. In the early days, Jack rather enjoyed the verbal sparring, inwardly recognizing the need for a moral centre to the SGC’s First Contact flagship group (although he would have never admitted it aloud). When Daniel’s young wife Sha’re had died under tragic circumstances, Jack had felt his loss keenly and ensured that the team closed ranks to protect the distraught man’s sensibilities. However, in the final year before Daniel’s departure, the atmosphere had often become heated and the debates had taken a bitter turn.

Now that Daniel was back, Jack was giving him space to adjust. He had been careful to avoid too much conflict, although their relationship was beginning to normalize. Jack had not been surprised that Daniel had moved in with the petite and caring Dr. Janet Fraiser; after all, his apartment had been packed up and the lease terminated several months earlier. They had always got along well, especially when Daniel was confined to the infirmary for one thing or another, which was often. However, he was amused that Daniel had made no progress whatsoever to find his own apartment, and, if truth were told, Jack was also pleased. He cared for his entire team more than he would ever admit. He was also acutely aware that there was too much pain and misery and broken dreams on this planet and all the rest. So, if someone found a little happiness, he was happy for them.

However, he could not fathom why he was making Samantha Carter‘s working life such a misery lately.

********

A few weeks later, Sam was pacing nervously outside the infirmary trying not to look like she was doing so. She had already checked Janet’s office and she wasn’t there. The duty nurses had seen her hovering and had asked if they could do anything to help. Sam had lightly brushed them off, trying to act like she had just dropped in to see her friend on a social call. This was *so* not a social call. For what seemed the hundredth time, she looked at her watch. If she was late, Colonel O’Neill would have her a…and there was Janet walking along the corridor, her arms full of files. Janet caught sight of her and smiled, only for the smile to die on her lips when she took in her friend’s expression.

“Sam, what on earth’s the matter, you’re white as a sheet?” she asked in a concerned voice. Sam said nothing but steered the doctor through her office door, closed it behind her and dumped her off-world pack on the floor.

“Janet, I need you to be my doctor right now; I’m on a time limit here.“ Sam’s voice shook a little as she studied the pack at her feet.

Janet plunked her files down on her desk and opened her hands, “Go.”

“I think I’m pregnant, I’m pretty sure, I need you to do a test.” Sam’s words came out a run, her right hand nervously tapping her left.

“Really?!” Janet looked up, thrilled, but again gauging Sam’s expression, nodded her head in a studied, professional manner. “Okay, what makes you think that you might be pregnant?”

“Well, I’m late…er, sore breasts, and I’ve had some stomach cramps. But I thought that was a sure sign that my period was due!” Sam replied, chewing her lip. “My last period was really light, so I thought I was going to make up for it this time, but when I didn’t start, I put two and two together… this morning actually.”

Janet held up a finger, “Did you say your last period was unusually light?” she asked, grabbing a planner off her desk.

“Well, yes. I thought so.” Sam’s face was puzzled.

“It might have been a little breakthrough bleed, “ Janet continued, making marks on the planner, “You know, a small bleed even though the pregnancy is established? Sometimes it happens for the first couple of months.”

Sam sat down quickly on Janet’s chair. “Oh, God, does this mean I’m further along than a couple of weeks?”

Janet looked levelly at her friend. “Sam, what do you *think* you are, a week late?” Sam nodded.

“Well, you could be nearly nine weeks pregnant.” Janet’s words hung in the air.

Sam’s could feel the blood draining from her face, “Nine weeks?” she whispered, shocked.

Janet turned to fish in the small supply closet she kept in her office. “ Human gestation is measured from your last proper period; if you’ve missed two, that makes you coming up for nine weeks.” She turned with a small rectangular box in her hand.

Sam could only manage an “Oh,” and stared at the box Janet was holding. “Is that what I think it is?”

Janet nodded, “A pregnancy test,” she replied. “Do you know how they work?” Janet pulled out the test to show her. “Take off the lid, pee on the spongy strip, and then bring it back here.” She pushed the test back into the box and thrust it into unwilling hands. Sam stared at the box that Janet handed to her. “Sam, it won’t bite you, just pop into the ladies and get on with it. I thought you wanted to know for certain?”

A nod. “Well, then go!” Janet gave Sam an encouraging pull out of her seat, then a push out of the door. She didn’t have to wait long. In a few minutes Sam returned and unzipped a pocket of her BDU jacket. Gingerly, she handed a narrow white shape to Janet. The doctor took it carefully, removed the lid and examined the windows on the side. Two bright blue lines showed up clearly against the white.

“Sam, its positive – you are *definitely* pregnant.” Janet looked expectantly at the agitated woman standing before her. There was no reaction. “Hey, I thought you would be happy about this. You knew that there might be problems getting and staying pregnant. You’re married and trying for a baby, if I remember our last conversation concerning this.”

Sam nodded, uncharacteristically silent compared to her normal ebullience. “Of course, I’m pleased,” she said slowly, “I just wasn’t expecting it to happen so soon.”

Janet smiled kindly. “In my experience, it seems as though life has its own way of deciding when these things happen - my Mom called it; ‘The Twisting Kaleidoscope’. You never know when it’s your turn next.” After watching Sam lost in her own thoughts for a moment, she broke through, “Have you had a chance to talk to Joe yet?”

“No.” Sam shook her head, “He’s in Washington, again.“

Janet snorted, “It’s a wonder you two ever got pregnant, judging by the amount of time you spend apart. Why don’t you call him?” she nodded toward the telephone on her desk.

“I don’t really have time,” Sam pulled off her watch cover to check, “Damn! I’m late, and I’ve already had a warning this week.” She bent down to pick up her discarded pack.

Janet started. “Wait. You’ve had a *warning*? *You’ve* had a warning? From whom?”

Sam sighed, “Colonel O’Neill.” She waved off her friend’s perplexed expression. “Janet, he had every right; I was late twice in a row. There was no excuse: I couldn’t get myself to wake up. At least I know why I’ve been so tired lately.” She deftly shouldered her pack and began to fasten the clips.

Janet realized what was happening. “Whoa there, Superwoman, what do you think you’re doing?”

“Janet, please don’t stop me. We know ‘gate travel is safe for unborn children because Lt. Sharpe was five months along before she even realized she was pregnant, and before the lab got the tests right,” she added, slyly.

“Yes, thank you so much for reminding me, *Major*.” Janet crossed her arms across her chest with a bemused expression. “That is why I intend to take extra care of any more expectant mothers that come my way. I’m signing you off.” Janet turned to pull some paperwork out of a tray.

Sam wasn’t going to be outdone by Janet’s doctor’s orders persona. “Janet, I’m fine, honestly. I haven’t even been sick. This is just a quick trip to check up on SG-7’s mining operation on PX7-253. It was due to be SG-3, but Pooley’s on paternity leave. I’ll be back in two hours. I’m absolutely fine.”

Janet said nothing, but continued to write.

Sam shifted her feet and tried another tactic. “Janet, please, don’t write me off as ‘the pregnant one’ already. Let me do this, and I promise I’ll be a good girl and let you run every test you want when we get back. Before lunch, even?” Janet stopped writing and Sam knew she had won. She so loved getting her own way.

“Okay.” Janet’s lips pursed. “But I want you back in my office as soon as your feet hit the ramp earth-side. Absolutely *the* minute,” she added in a resigned tone.

Sam flung her arms about Janet. “Thanks!” she called brightly as she headed for the door.

“Sam.” Janet’s words stopped her short; had she changed her mind?

“Congratulations, *Mom*!”

Sam felt a sudden rush of pleasure at those simple words. She could not stop grinning all the way down the corridor.

********

Rounding the blast doors on level 28, Sam's grin faded rapidly at the sight of Colonel O'Neill waiting impatiently at the base of the `gate ramp. O'Neill's body language screamed annoyance. His arms were folded tightly over his P-90 and his lips were pursed together so tightly they were practically bloodless. Teal'c stood off to one side, grasping his staff weapon. Jonas had suddenly found one of the ramp lights fascinating and Daniel was fiddling with his cammo shirt hem. Sam got the distinct feeling they had been experiencing `Death by Pissed Off Colonel' while they had been waiting for her. She took a deep breath as she passed through the level 28 blast doors. The klaxons were blaring to indicate an open wormhole, and the `gate aperture was glowing soft blue and white ripples.

O'Neill's eyes alighted upon her and narrowed. "Major, *so* glad you could join us." His tone was uncompromisingly sarcastic.

Sam swallowed, conscious of the control room team observing her third late appearance in as many weeks. "Sorry, Colonel, it won't happen again." Because I'll be off the mission list and doing your paperwork, she mentally finished.

The colonel was in an especially nasty mood. "Isn't that what you said the last time, Carter? Got a problem with timekeeping? Or was there something about `Ship out at 0900 hours' that you didn't understand?"

"Yes, sir. I mean, no, sir. I mean, I apologize." Sam could feel a red flush creeping its way up her neck. Oh crap, here she was with fifteen years in the USAF, risen to the rank of major and she was being chewed out by her CO for tardiness. She glanced at the armory sergeant who was issuing her a P-90. He was deliberately not looking at her, drinking in every word.

Jack was not going to let it go, enjoying her obvious embarrassment. "Not good enough, Major; you're on report."

Daniel's voice interrupted; "Jesus, Jack, she's only ten minutes late." The Colonel swung around at the normally placid anthropologist with a poisonous look. "*Doctor* Jackson, I do not interfere with the archeological aspects of your work, therefore, I would appreciate it, if you would not interfere with decisions affecting my command. We're late people, let's not be any later."

With that, he turned abruptly on his heel, marched up the `gate ramp and practically stamped into the swirling vortex. Sam kept her gaze on her P-90, subconsciously feeling several pairs of eyes looking at her.

"You heard the Colonel," she heard herself speak out, "Let's go."

With that she marched up the ramp to back up her commanding officer.

********

By the time all of SG-1 had emerged, Jack had already issued some orders to Sam and she was heading off to the native village. SG-7 was not there to meet them as arranged. One of the villagers was waiting for them to explain that the SG team were busy blasting and were delayed. Apparently, a large blast had damaged some of their equipment and that the radios would not work. Jack ordered Teal'c and Jonas to the blast site to check out SG-7's situation. This left Daniel and Jack to follow Sam to the village. There was an uneasy exchange of glances as the two men fell into step side by side. Daniel gazed at the back of Sam who was, by now, marching purposefully some distance ahead on the worn dusty path.

Daniel sighed quietly. Jack's bad moods were getting on his nerves. Sam was not the only one to be at the receiving end of Jack's temper, but she certainly seemed to be getting the worst deal. He had picked faults with her on almost every off world mission. Sometimes, his criticism had been justified; Sam had seemed distracted lately. Daniel had always thought of himself as a good reader of other people's inward emotions, and he felt that the new bride was not as happy as she should be with her situation. He very privately thought that this might be because she had married the wrong man, and that the man she should have married was at this moment stamping his boots into the ground and glaring at tweeting birds. Then perhaps they wouldn't both be so miserable, especially when they were together.

It was mid-morning on the planet and the system's binary suns were traversing their arcs across the horizon. Daniel glanced at the forest off to his right. It looked cool and inviting; a refuge from the arid conditions in the open. His cammo pant legs swished against the dry grasses bordering the path. He took a deep breath. "Hey, Jack, wanna talk about the `gateroom incident?" `Great Daniel, just great, subtle'.

Daniel actually *felt* Jack glaring through his sunglasses.

"No," he barked.

Adjusting his hat, Daniel continued. "I think you were wrong to bawl Sam out in front of us like that," He ploughed on regardless, carefully swatting at a cloud of gnat-like bugs that were bothering him.

Jack responded with nothing except the stamp, stamp, of his boots. He was creating dusty eddies that were swirling out behind him.

Daniel sneezed, then coughed. The dust and the bugs were getting to him. Jack, however, seemed completely unperturbed. Daniel continued again, "I think you should maybe chat to Sam off the record; there's obviously something bothering her." Oh boy, Jackson, your life in your hands.

Out of the corner of his eye, Daniel saw a muscle flicker on Jack's face. "Daniel, I've already told you; I do not need to justify my command decisions to you."

Daniel began to congratulate himself for eliciting a response. "I know, and I agree, to an extent, but well, this is Sam."

"*Sam*?" Jack practically spat the name out, "That would be Major Carter, USAF? Personnel subject to rules and regulations that you couldn't even begin to comprehend, Dr. Jackson. I retain the right to enforce discipline amongst my subordinates."

"Jack, we *are* talking about Sam here." Daniel stared at Jack in disbelief.

Jack's face twisted and he opened his mouth. Suddenly, he seemed to have a change of heart and he moved to stride away to the village.

"JACK!" shouted Daniel after him, his own temper rising with the dust.

Jack spun around, his sunglasses mirroring Daniel's face and walked back to face Daniel up. Saying in a low, controlled don't-screw-with- me voice; "Daniel, this conversation is over," he then turned abruptly on his heel and had covered 100 yards before the archeologist had the chance to think of anything else to say.

Daniel had raised his right index finger in order to reinforce his point. He regarded the elevated digit in resignation.

"That went well," he muttered to himself and began to follow.

********

Sam was relieved to reach the Amzawee village: it was getting hot, and she was out of breath. She pulled up her canteen, unscrewed the cap, and gratefully took a long swallow of water. Sam surveyed her surroundings, slightly familiar with the area having been here with SG-6 some four months previously.

The village was small – only covering two or three acres or so with simple wattle and daub one-storey dwellings. It did boast a small barter market and a village pump where the villagers would congregate and chat. However, the busy community that Sam remembered was quiet. Too quiet. A few older residents still sat outside their homes, but instead of smiling and waving at their visitors as they had on their last visit, they kept their gaze down.

Her guide from the Stargate muttered something about getting back to his family and disappeared down a narrow trail. As she replaced her cap on her canteen, Sam was struck by the absence of children. On the last visit, the SG teams had been surrounded by excited, babbling children begging candy bars and playfully stealing ball caps. Now, there was not a child to be seen. Sam began to feel distinctly uneasy and turned to check the Colonel's progress. He was only a short distance behind her, Daniel trailing at the back. She also noticed that as he read her stance, he quickened his pace, halting next to her.

"Carter, what's up?" his voice was steady as he removed his sunglasses. Despite her unease, Sam smiled inwardly. He always knew when something was bothering her, and she felt the recent tension between them evaporate a little. Sam nodded toward Daniel, indicating they should wait for him.

"Do either of you notice something odd about the village?" Sam asked, keeping her eyes moving and her hand resting on her weapon, her fingers flagged but readied.

Suddenly, their radios crackled to life; it was Teal'c.

Jack hoisted his vest radio closer to his mouth to reply, "We read you, Teal'c, report?"

"ColonelO'Neill, upon our arrival at the blasting station of SG-7, it appears the entire team is missing." There was a mutter of background talking. "JonasQuinn says the situation resembles that of the Marie Celeste?" Sam noticed Jack quirking a grin. He caught her eye and raised his to the heavens. He pulled the radio up further, "Understood, copy that situation here. Secure the area and report to the village entrance, ah," he assessed the position of the alien suns in relation to the Stargate, "South side."

"Understood. Over and out." Teal'c's precise reply responded and the radio silenced. Jack replaced his sunglasses and turned 360 degrees with his hand on his own P-90, carefully assessing the situation.

Sam could sense his unease and was relieved it seemed her assessment of the situation appeared vindicated. Something was definitely wrong. Why had the guide at the `gate lied? Where was SG-7? And the rest of the villagers?

"Carter, where's whathisname that met us at the `gate?" Jack asked, without taking his gaze off the distant tree line.

"He said something about getting back to his family and went off in that direction," she pointed around the village outskirts.

"Locate and interrogate, please, Carter." The order was precisely delivered.

Sam fought a sudden urge to salute. "Yes, sir!" she barked and moved off.

"Oh, Carter!" Her CO's voice stopped Sam in her tracks and she turned to face him, half expecting him to criticize her dusty boots.

"Sir?"

"Monitor comms., and…watch your back," was all he quietly said.

This left Sam even more puzzled as to her CO's behaviour, but she nodded and turned smartly along the well-worn village path.

********

Jack watched her for a moment, and then turned to Daniel, ignoring his questioning look. "Daniel, start talking to the old folks; try to find out just what the hell is wrong with this place. I'm on a recce." Daniel nodded and turned away toward the nearest villager, but Jack didn't miss his small headshake and shoulder shrug. Jack knew Daniel thought he was being an ass, and in a small way he appreciated his attempts to help the situation, but he could not categorize his own feelings, let alone explain or justify them to someone else.

His thoughts went on an immediate back burner as he turned to the situation at hand. He watched Daniel gently speaking to one of the villagers who just seemed to smile and nod. The doctor moved on to an old man perched on a bench by the village pump, only to get the same reaction. Daniel turned to Jack and shrugged his shoulders, giving up his arms in an `empty' gesture. Jack chewed the inside of his mouth for a moment then made his decision. He reached to his radio again.

"Sierra golf one niner, this is Sierra golf one team leader, code 5, repeat code 5, village south…" his call to regroup was interrupted by a very fast talking, agitated Jonas.

"No! Er…that's a negative, SG-1 team leader, er…a negative, Jack, you gotta see this! Problems…oh, er... over and out".

Jack sighed, Jonas may not be a bad shot for a civilian, and, okay, alien, but he sure as hell had no idea about radio protocols.

Jack spoke slowly into the radio mouthpiece: "Received SG-1, that's interesting. Are - you - in - immediate - danger?"

There was a crackling and a burble of a muted exchange, presumably between Jonas and Teal'c. Jack could picture the ex-Jaffa ready to snatch the radio off Jonas' jacket and beat him to death with it, but he probably only raised an eyebrow.

"No."

"Then, can you tell us where you are?" This time he rolled his eyes at Daniel who had overheard the exchange and was now standing next to Jack peering at him over the top of his glasses. He swore that man could convey so much with that one look, ascension, descension, whatever.

Jonas responded, "We're at a ridge south east of the village, there's a rocky outcropping above me…" While Jonas babbled on, Jack removed his mini scope from one of his BDU pockets and was following the directions looking for an area that matched the description. He interrupted Jonas: "Made you, Jonas, remain where you are. Teal'c, make sure Mr. oh-I-see-something-more- interesting-over-there stays where he is. Carter, are you getting this?"

Sam's clipped breathy tones crackled from his handset; she was obviously jogging, "Receiving you, sir, already on my way, estimate seven minutes to point."

"Roger that, ten minutes." Jack was satisfied that his 2IC had her wits about her, and felt a familiar feeling come over him; relief at her reliability, a little lacking of late. Thank God, she's pulling it together now, he grimly thought, as he headed away from the village along the same path Carter had used quarter of an hour previously.

********

Sam panted along a small worn path, her pack digging into her shoulders on every downward jolt. Trees sloped upward to her left and the village could be seen in the valley to her right. She focused her efforts on her hurried journey, trying to ignore the stitch that was nagging into her side. On the edge of her vision she saw two vague black figures hurrying towards her position from the tree line, and suddenly she was upon Jonas and Teal'c. The latter was obviously on high alert, his staff weapon clasped firmly in his hand.

"MajorCarter." Teal'c acknowledged, but Sam could see his attention was focused on roaming the area, wary of danger. "It appears the planet has been compromised by Ba'al, he has abducted SG-7 and is expected back with a contingent of his Jaffa shortly. The villagers are hiding in the caves behind us." He pointed to a large overhanging rock, although no cave entrance was visible.

Sam nodded, swallowing as she tried to catch her breath, supporting her left side and cursing her new physical weakness for a moment. "Does the colonel know about Ba'al?" she finally managed to spit out.

"No, indeed, I thought it prudent to maintain radio silence regarding that intelligence," Teal'c replied, studying her closely. "MajorCarter, are you well? You seem-"

Sam cut him off, "I'm fine, Teal'c. The colonel will be here any minute. What do the villagers want us to do?"

Jonas broke in, "They want to get away from Ba'al, that much is obvious!" he spluttered out.

"Are you sure, Jonas? We've tried to help people before that didn't want to be helped." Bitter memories of K'tau surfaced. Sam remembered all too clearly that the colonel was sure as hell pissed off on that planet.

"They're begging us, Sam! They took all of SG-7 and most of the young men and threatened the women that they would kill all the children if they tried to get help! We've got to get them out of here!" The young Kelownan was becoming increasingly upset. Curiously, Sam was reminded of the passionate Daniel in full flow.

"Where is…Droga…their Praetor, or whatever he was called?" Sam was following Teal'c's lead and scanning the skies on the lookout for death gliders.

"They killed him! In front of his wife and daughter!" Jonas gestured frantically to the caves, as if that would help the situation. He shook his head. "Bastards." Sam's surprise at hearing Jonas use a word she had never heard him say before was broken by Colonel O'Neill panting up to hear the tail end of Jonas' last exclamation.

"Hey! You could at least wait `til I'm here before you start insulting me!" he puffed, but quickly sobered when he saw the serious faces in front of him. All three started talking at once, so he held up his hand and then pointed to Sam who quickly gave him a synopsis of the situation as she understood it, with much butting in from Jonas. Daniel finally caught up with the group and heard most of Sam's explanation. He tactfully pulled Jonas away from the `soldiers' so they could plan their next moves.

The colonel was furious that the Amzawee who met them at the `gate had not told the truth about the situation. Although, Sam knew his blustering and bad language had more to do with the missing SG-7 team members than a frightened civilian. He tracked quickly up to the cave with his team close behind.

The villagers shrank away at Jack's entrance, but some of the women recognized Sam and came closer. Daniel tried to find out who was in charge now that their leader was dead. An older man was pushed forward, obviously terrified. Jack began to demand information from the nervous man, which seemed to scare him even more. Finally Daniel intervened with a quiet: "Let me try, Jack." Both Daniel and Jonas were able to haltingly converse with the old man in his own language. He confirmed everything they knew already. The other villagers, mostly women, gathered around the group and as Sam looked at them. Her heart began to rule her head when she saw the number of young children who were clinging to their mothers. Their eyes showed fear and hope. Fear of the horrors they had seen that day, and hope that these people from another world would make the bad men go away. She turned away from them to join the colonel and Teal'c at the cave entrance. They were discussing an evacuation plan.

"…and round up the old folks still in the village?" the colonel was saying.

Teal'c's response was straightforward in its brutal honesty: "If there is time, O'Neill. Our good fortune will run out, of that I am certain." Presumably the older villagers had been unable or unwilling to leave their homes.

Sam stepped up. "According to Daniel, the leader says the Jaffa gave no indication as to why they were here, although it's obviously for the Naquadah. They only know it is Ba'al's doing because the Jaffa said so, and that they would be back soon. That was around noon, yesterday, sir."

Jack nodded. "As far as I can remember, Ba'al didn't have a huge army of Jaffa like Osiris, et al., something doesn't add up…"

His words were drowned out by the scream of a low flying death glider flying right over the back of their heads. It banked 45 degrees and came about for another pass.

********

Jack sprang into action, "DAMN! They're looking for the villagers! Daniel! Jonas! Start to lead the women and kids along the tree line and get them through the `gate ASAP! Teal'c, scout that ridge; I need to know if there's a freaking mothership around here. Carter, bring up the rear! GO!" His team scrambled into action; Teal'c bounding away, the others organizing the villagers into groups to make their escape. Before long, everyone had made the tree line and on Jack's orders, was using the undergrowth as cover to thwart the regular reconnaissance passes by the death gliders.

He could see Sam was helping some of the older women, keeping her head up to check they weren't being followed. He then saw her straighten at the sight of Teal'c who was now making his way rapidly toward the rear of the escapees. He hailed the colonel with frantic gestures as Sam urged the women to move faster.

"O'Neill! A Jaffa landing party is tracking us, they are now less than 2 klicks behind!"

Jack grimly nodded, "Heads up, people, gotta move faster now!" He pressed the terrified group ever onward, knowing full well if the Jaffa caught them, they would all be dead, or worse. The sound of shrieking, panting and the wails of children filled the air. "Daniel, tell them to keep the kids quiet, those bastards will make our position!" he ordered. Jack could feel sweat pricking the back of his neck as he assessed their progress. They were less than half a mile from the Stargate, but he was conscious of the sounds of heavy movements through the trees and knew this was going to be damn close. He ran his eye up and down the line. Jonas was doing a good job up front, driving the leaders on, a baby clutched in his arms. Daniel moved back and forth along the middle of the line, steadfastly urging the terrified people to safety in their own language. Teal'c was on alert; his staff weapon charged, protecting Sam who was also at the rear. She was carrying something…a child. He couldn't help himself. He dropped back a little.

Suddenly, staff blasts and splintered trees filled the air followed by screaming from the middle of the line. Any semblance of order disintegrated as the villagers ran this way and that, confused and scared out of their minds. Jonas and Daniel abandoned any attempt at a controlled retreat and bawled at the villagers to run as fast as they could to the `gate. Jack could see Jonas was almost there and recalled he had a GDO. Good he grimly thought, some are going to make it. He saw Teal'c making off in the direction of the firing and briefly wondered if he would ever see him alive again.

Jack neared the end of the line when a huge explosion suddenly sounded overhead and he ducked as shards of tree trunks rained down on him. Almost immediately he was on his feet, calming the straggling villagers, mostly the older ones who were having difficulty keeping up with the headlong rush for refuge. They followed his frenetic pointing, staggering to the edge of the woods, their Stargate prize within sight. Jack was heading back, already looking for his 2IC. He jumped and scrambled over fallen branches, calling her name as loudly as he dared with Jaffa nearby. His heart was pounding in his mouth.

"Sam!"

Jack was rewarded by a groan and as he came nearer the sound, his pounding heart slumped. Sam Carter was pinned under solid looking tree matter. All that was visible was the back of a blonde head; her hair loose and her cap lost somewhere. He reached her just as another groan was made.

"Sam, can you hear me? Sam?" He crouched by her head and tried to check her over, but she was almost completely buried by the broken branches. Jack carefully began to peel off the debris when a small sound close by made him spin around, his gun up and aimed. A little girl of about four stood before him. Her straggly black hair was stuck with leaves, and her huge brown eyes were wide with terror. Her dark grubby face showed streaks from her eyes where she had been crying. This was the child Sam had been carrying when she was buried. The girl must have been thrown free, or Sam had pitched her to safety.

"Help her." Sam's quiet but clear voice sounded. Jack spun back from the girl and resumed pulling away the obstacles trapping his second.

Sam tried to raise her head, but could only manage an inch. "Sir, there's no time."

Jack moved more debris, conscious of the sound of advancing Jaffa, but mindful of not causing further injury. "Shh, Carter, we'll get you out, just hang on, that's an order."

Sam's blonde head shook slightly, still facedown toward the forest floor. "No. Can't move. Leg's broken. You'll never make it with me."

His hands stilled. Jack's mouth was dry, his tongue stuck. He tried a different approach. "Shut up, Carter! I'm gonna get you back to kick your ass! Don't forget!" He bent to continue his task, but the next words from his second in command stopped him dead.

"Jack. Please. Help her. Get her to her mother. There's no time for me." He stopped. He knew she was right. His heart ripped inside him. The moment he had been dreading for years was finally here. Make a choice. Duty before self. No failing force shields. No last minute rescue. Make a choice.

"I'll come back for you," he choked out. Sam could only nod and he knew she was losing consciousness.

"I'll come back, I promise," he whispered to her still form. A staff blast bolt whizzed past his ear forcing him to duck. Without another word he sprang from his crouch, grabbed the sobbing girl and made off for the Stargate without looking back.

********

How Jack got back to the SGC he never knew. Staff blasts and zat fire were exploding all around him as he pelted to the `gate, held open by…Teal'c. The warrior had made it, but covered in blood. Both soldiers charged through into the wormhole and emerged earth-side to chaos, SGC style.

"Close the iris! CLOSE THE IRIS!" Jack had to bawl to make himself heard above wailing and sobbing as a medic wrenched the girl from his arms. Eventually he pointed to the `gate and sliced a finger across his throat. He saw Sergeant Davies slapping his hand down on the palm scanner. The iris slammed shut, dulling the sound of heavy thuds that could be heard on the other side. Teal'c was immediately whisked off by a medic, leaving Jack alone at the top of the `gate ramp.

General Hammond emerged from the turmoil and barked at him: "MAJOR CARTER?!"

The Colonel pushed his way pass the confused, wailing refugees and faced his own CO. He squared his shoulders and looked the General straight in the eye. "Sir! I had to leave Major Carter on the planet; she was injured, but alive. SG-7 are missing…request immediate permission to return for a rescue…" His voice tailed off.

George Hammond was staring at him with a searching look.

After a moment, Hammond nodded. "Understood, son, de-brief in one hour." The General turned to leave, and for a moment Jack saw his CO controlling his own face. He saw his personal shock and horror mirrored in another. He felt deeply buried emotions bubble to the surface and found he was short of breath.

"General!" Jack's voice cracked, still trying to make himself heard over the melee that was beginning to subside. "Request *immediate* permission to retu -"

Hammond swung back to cut in, his hand held up in acknowledgement. "I'll make that decision with you during de-brief, *Colonel*." Both men regarded each other silently.

A small white figure appeared at the General's side. Janet Fraiser swung a stethoscope about her neck and handed a clipboard to a nearby orderly. "Sir! Triage complete. Permission to move the less badly wounded to the holding areas on levels 18 &19?" She raised a questioning eyebrow at Jack but he waved her off.

"I'm okay," he mumbled, suddenly unable or unwilling to look Sam's best friend in the eye. Janet caught this and looked about. "Sam?" she asked, abruptly. Jack looked up at her and shook his head. He opened his mouth to speak but nothing would come. He felt the room begin to move about him.

The General gently answered the unspoken question, his face like steel.

"MIA."

Janet stumbled back and the General shot his arm out to catch her. Instinctively she grabbed on and gave him a horrified look. "Sir! I need to speak with you, immediately! In private."

Hammond regarded the normally unflappable doctor. He lowered his arm and then his voice: "Doctor Fraiser, can't this wait?"

Janet shot him a pleading look. "It's about Major Carter, there's a medical issue here on a need-to-know basis only, but I think perhaps Colonel O'Neill should be party." She glanced toward Jack who was still tense, as if the rescue mission was to be mounted immediately.

The General indicted the upper level with a short nod and moved off, Janet behind him. Jack took one last look at the titanium iris and turned to follow. The three officers quickly marched to the General's office two flights up, Janet all the while issuing orders to her medical personnel.

As soon as the door closed, Janet began in earnest: "Sirs, we've got to go back! We've got to get her!" her exclamation came out as a ragged gasp and she coughed in an effort to control her voice.

The General's reply was soft. "Janet, you understand we can't do that immediately. We can't go back without assessing the risk, you know that." He looked at his second-in-command to support his statement, but Jack carefully kept his gaze neutral.

"Yes, I do, but you don't know the full situation. We found out this morning…Sam's pregnant…Major Carter is pregnant. There are two lives at stake." Janet suddenly broke off and clamped her lips together.

Jack felt the floor drop away from his feet.

George Hammond's eyes were icy blue as they regarded her. "Let me get this straight, Doctor. You *knowingly* allowed a pregnant officer through the Stargate on a mission?"

Jack saw Janet take a deep swallow. "Major Carter informed me it was a routine meet-and-greet. She said she'd only be gone a couple of hours." He could see her eyes begin to glaze.

The General shook his head. "How many times has a M&G gone ass-up? The SG teams are all operational units. Even the researchers are combat-ready. What were you thinking?"

Janet voice was unsteady as she answered her superior officer. "In retrospect, it was wrong, sir. I – I'm sorry, I…" She looked sideways at Jack, but he kept his eyes fixed firmly on his boots.

Jack found he was having trouble keeping his breathing even. That morning's bawling out in the `gate room was replaying in his mind.

//"Got a problem with timekeeping? Not good enough, Major; you're on report." //

She was pregnant. And she didn't say anything when he was being a complete bastard toward her.

His life had just gone to Hell. Again.

********

******
WINTER

******

Jack stamped down the control room stairs to the `gate room with Lt. Cl. Ferretti of SG-3 and Major Marx of SG-6 following in his wake.

They were finally going back. After an interminable Search & Rescue briefing and delays over what the off-world MALP could detect, they were finally going back. The area surrounding the DHD on PX7-253 was eerily quiet. There were no sign of ground forces, or of any aerial reconnaissance. But there was no SG-7 or Major Carter. They had delayed, and delayed too damn long in Jack's opinion.

As he rounded the corner from the stairs, he was faced with four, very determined looking people. Teal'c stood off to one side at the ready, clenching his staff weapon. His wounds were not serious and he was to be second through the `gate. Daniel was fiddling with his glasses and Jonas was practically standing at attention. Pale-faced, Janet clutched an emergency medical pack to her chest so tightly that her knuckles whitened.

Jack began quietly, addressing the three friends who were not on this mission list. "Guys, I know you want to do this, but you know I can't let you." He silenced the outburst of protests with an upraised hand. "This is a potentially life threatening S&R mission, the SG units in there," he indicated the `gate room, "…know their jobs. Janet, there are two very experienced field medics on SG-6; I know they're good, because you trained them. There are people needing your help *here*. I promise as soon as I know anything, you will." Looking her over, he noted she looked like hell and realized he probably did as well.

"Daniel, I need you to go contact Nemtesh and see if the Tok'ra there can get hold of Jacob, A-SAP." Daniel began to protest, but Jack cut him off with a brusque hand slice. "No, Daniel, not this time." Jack found himself reasoning in a gentle voice, surprised he could do so with his stomach tying itself in knots. He couldn't completely rely on Daniel's reactions since his descension, and Janet Fraiser could use her friend's support.

He swallowed and made a conscious effort to steady his voice. "Jonas, go see Hammond and check if he needs a hand getting hold of Joe Faxon, please." Jonas nodded, muttered a quiet: "Yes sir," and turned to leave. Jack raised his arm and held Jonas' shoulder briefly; he was suddenly proud of the way the young man was trying to control his emotional nature. Jack looked levelly at Teal'c. "Lets go." He jerked his head to the now open `gate that was swallowing up a FRED laden with supplies.

Jack marched up the ramp. Even though he was not part of either of the deployed units, he was the senior officer and the person who knew Carter's last known position. As such, it was he who would command the mission to locate and extract SG-7 and Major Carter. SG-1's Major Carter. HIS Major Carter. He stepped into the swirling void and felt the cold pull of the distorting eddies on his body. His molecules came apart with a familiar sensation, streaming along the artificial singularity and coalescing on the other side. He stepped through, his P-90 raised. The immediate impression was that the area was deserted. The other unit soldiers emerged from the `gate and raced to take up their assigned places. A column of black smoke was coming from the village. From his cover behind the DHD, Jack ground his teeth; something or some *one* was being burned.

Shit.

Ferretti headed off to scout the village with SG-3 in a tight formation. SG-6 was accompanying Colonel O'Neill to locate Major Carter, and a decision regarding SG-7 would be made once the area had been secured. He steadied his grip on his weapon and pulled off his sunglasses. It was so quiet. Nothing could be heard. Nothing except crystal twists of birdsong that seemed completely at odds with the pall of death smoke off to his left.

Major Marx appeared beside him. "This way, sir?" She indicated the line of the forest. The forest where he had left his second in command less than three hours ago. Jack snapped his sunglasses back on and pointed with his P-90, "Yes, this way, Major, bring up the rear." He strode out, conscious of the scrambles of the other team hastily shouldering supplies behind him.

When they reached the last known position of Major Carter, of course, she wasn't there. He knew that she wouldn't be, but he had hoped the Jaffa would not concern themselves with a badly injured female. The tree debris that had previously prevented him from freeing his second was now piled to one side. Someone had organized this. Jaffa organized into tree moving duty by…Ba'al? Jack strictly forbade any memories from his incarceration by Ba'al to enter his mind, but they came anyway.

Ba'al had Carter.

Fuck.

********

Teal'c attempted to track the enemy Jaffa movements, and this led them to the village. The smoke was beginning to dissipate as SG-6 approached, Jack taking point, and Teal'c covering their sixes. Ferretti met them at the village entrance in response to Marx's radioed notification – the same entrance where Jack, Daniel and Sam had been standing that very morning. His face said it all. Normally, Louis Ferretti wore an expression of boyish impishness. He was a popular, experienced commander; leading by example, always ready to diffuse a bad situation with humour. Now his slim face was drawn, and his mouth was a thin, tight line as he faced Colonel O'Neill.

"It's bad, sir. Looks like the bastards blasted some of the folks that were left and then herded the rest into that hut…" he pointed, "… and set fire to it. It seems like they were alive when…." his voice tailed off and he shrugged.

Jack cleared his throat. The smell of smoke…and something else…was strong. "Any sign of Major Carter?"

The two soldiers stared at one another.

"Not that we can tell, sir, but there are signs that a small ring transporter was used on the east side, so possibly a Teltac?" Ferretti pointed again. He faced Jack's gaze squarely.

Jack nodded. "And no SG-7?" he asked, sharply indicating his head to the charnel house ahead of them.

"No, sir." Ferretti seemed relieved.

Jack became aware that he had several officers standing around with nothing to do, except observe the consequences of a military `some you win, some you lose' scenario.

"Marx!" he barked. Julia Marx practically jumped to his side at attention. Jack recalled it was her first command as she and Ferretti stood before him, eager for direction. They had more pressing matters than some unfortunate civilians who were beyond their help - he had to think clinically or risk betraying his emotions to the junior officers. He was good at this; practiced. They had to locate SG-7, if they were still alive and on this planet. Sam Carter had been taken to god-only-knows-where, so was also beyond their help at this time. The responsibility of command was weighing heavily on Jack's shoulders. He was their leader. He was supposed to issue a few orders, wind them up, let them go and everyone would get home without a scratch. But not this time.

********

Three hours later, Jack, Teal'c and SG-3 and SG-6 were traipsing back through the `gate with two full body bags in tow. Captain Lynch and Sgt. Roy were located; their lifeless, staff blasted bodies concealed in some undergrowth near the base camp.

Jack was the last to emerge from the wormhole and the first thing he noted was Jacob Carter and Joe Faxon staring down at him from the briefing room window. Her father and her husband.

Piss.

General Hammond waited at the base of the ramp, his expression firm, and his arms held stiffly by his side. Jack knew the General had been apprised of the situation, because he had ordered Ferretti to radio ahead - there would be no surprises this time.

Hammond's voice was sympathetic. "Jack, Jacob and Ambassador Faxon are here. Could you spare them a few minutes before your post mission physical?" Although it was phrased as a question, Jack knew it was a demand and he nodded a curt assent. He followed his CO out of the `gate room and up the stairs to the briefing room, his heart sinking with every step. He had faced really crappy situations before, but he had a notion that nothing could be as bad as facing the father and the husband of someone… someone he cared for. More than he was supposed to.

Joe Faxon was staring at him as he topped the stairs and Jack was grateful for General Hammond's diversionary: "Shall we go into my office?"

Jacob's mouth was tight and his brow furrowed as he passed Jack, a myriad of unspoken questions in his shrewd eyes; the older general was firmly in emotional-lockdown mode.

As Jack stood to attention in front of his CO's desk, he could feel Faxon's gaze boring into him. He looked up to finally meet his gaze, only to find the younger man snapping his head away as he sat next to Jacob.

General Hammond cleared his throat. "Colonel O'Neill, while you were gone, we were fortunate to contact both General Carter and Ambassador Faxon. They have been informed of the situation…and Major Carter's `condition'…and would be grateful for any additional information that you may have at this time." He nodded at Jack, and then sat down heavily behind his desk.

Jack nodded back stiffly. "Yes, sir." He turned towards Jacob. "I am sorry to say, there is no other information that I can provide at this time as to the location and the status of your daughter, sir." He paused. "And your wife, Ambassador. However, I can assure you I will do my utmost to secure her safe recovery."

"Oh, really? Was it *safe* to let my wife, my *pregnant* wife, enter a dangerous situation like this?" Joe Faxon's voice was sarcastic and demanding.

Jack was expecting this and stole a glance at his CO. Hammond's stony look told him that this conversation had already taken place with George getting the full brunt of the ambassador's thinly disguised fury. He was not a man to absolve responsibility by passing the blame onto Janet, so he held his tongue.

"Not got an answer Mr.' Quip-of-the-day'?'' Joe continued. "Or are you happy she's gone?"

Jack braced himself. "Don't be-" he caught himself. Swallowing, he recited diplomacy 101. "It appears a mistake was made. Of course I'm not `happy'."

Faxon frowned. "Oh, really? Could I have that in writing?"

"Ambassador-" General Hammond tried to cut in, but Faxon was having none of it.

"I've noticed Sam has been coming home quiet and upset lately…have anything to do with that, *Colonel*?" The emphasis on Jack's rank was stinging. "Oh, she won't talk, security aside. She won't hear a bad word against her *adored* commanding officer, Jumping Jack Flash here-"

"Joe, that's enough." Jacob Carter's moderate voice cut through and this time the younger man acquiesced. Jack stared at the floor, absorbing everything.

"I apologize." Joe Faxon swallowed nervously and ran a hand through his dark wavy hair. "I…it's just so difficult. I went to work this morning…a regular day. Now I'm told my wife is expecting our first child, but I can't speak to her because she's lost, and may be dead by now."

"Son, we understand." Hammond's Texan drawl was calming. "All of us here have lost someone they loved very much. But in all likelihood, Sam is not dead. If this Goa'uld, Ba'al, wanted her dead, he would have killed her on the planet. She has been taken somewhere; we just have to find her. Selmak, I believe you may have more information?" He gave the Tok'ra an encouraging nod.

Jacob Carter dipped his head a fraction and when he raised it again, the whites of his eyes were just dulling from the tell-tale glow that indicated the Tok'ra symbiote had taken control of the host's body. Jack swallowed. Despite the fact he trusted Jacob Carter, and had risked his life to save the acerbic general, he could not get used to the fact that he was a snake-head.

When Jacob opened his mouth, it was Selmak who spoke.

"The Tok'ra have been attempting to monitor Ba'al's movements for some time. The destruction of his stronghold by the rival system lords, orchestrated by the SGC, ensured his rapid flight to a distant sector. However, his destruction was not as encompassing as we had hoped. He has recruited some followers and is attempting to form an alliance against some of the system lords who attacked him. The Tok'ra intelligence believe that revenge is not the only motive, and that he wishes to secure more power and resources for himself."

Hammond nodded: "Was that why Ba'al's forces were scouting PX7-253, because of the Naquadah?" he asked.

Selmak shrugged in return. "We can only speculate on their motives for being there at this point, but we believe it was *not* Ba'al who captured Samantha. We are supposing it was an ally of his, named Mot."

Jack jerked his head up from where he had been examining his boots. "Whoa! Whaddya mean you can't speculate on their motives for being on `253? And didn't we get rid of Mot on PX-whatever? Where Jonas had those visions?"

Selmak responded. "To answer your second question, apparently not."

Jack blew out a breath. "Let me take a wild guess - a sarc.?"

Selmak nodded in response and continued. "Furthermore, we were not aware that any other mineral surveys had been performed on the planet you have designated as PX7-253. There has been no other alien presence in this area other than yourselves. How would they know about the rich mineral resources?"

Jack stared at Jacob Carter's face. "Then *why* were they there?"

Jacob closed his eyes. A flicker passed across the eyelids and when he opened them again, Jack knew he was talking to Jacob again. "Before I left Nemtesh, after getting this `news', I made some quick enquiries." He nodded toward George Hammond who was still sitting stony faced behind his desk. "It seems as though Ba'al is pissed at you, Jack."

Jack chewed his lip. "Oh, yeah, I wonder why that might be." His head jerked again. "Oh, *please* don't tell me that bastard was looking for *me*! How would he know where to look?"

Jacob tilted his head to one side and looked pointedly at Jack.

Jack swallowed. "Hold on, here. You, well, Selmak – whatever – said that it wasn't Ba'al who's got Sa…Major Carter; it was Mot." Jack quickly corrected himself, acutely aware of Faxon's steady stare.

Jacob nodded. "They are allies, Jack. Well, kinda. I think Mot is pissed at you as well. You seem to make a habit of this."

There was silence for a moment. Jack fiddled with the corner of his BDU shirt. He could see Joe Faxon's right index finger tapping against the arm of his chair, rapid but erratic.

"Jacob, what intel have you got on Mot?" Jack finally asked.

"Not much that I know of, but I'm going straight back to Nemtesh to find out what I can." Jacob's answer was resigned as he got up from his seat.

Jack bit his lip again. "You know, Jacob, Mot never got a look at Sam; she was here when he locked us up. He won't know who he has." Jack wanted to say something more to the worried father, but found his tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth.

Jacob's nod was shallow and he pursed his lips. He lifted up his hand and flicked Jack's SGC patch on the left sleeve of his BDU shirt. "I think this might tell him. See you later, Jack, Joe, George." With that, the Tok'ra walked quickly out of the door and headed for the steps to the `gate room.

George Hammond rose from his seat. "Very well, gentlemen. I think this update is concluded. Jack, I will need to see you again after your post mission physical. We may have some intel of our own by then which might help. Bring Teal'c. Dismissed."

For some reason, Jack felt the urge to salute and did so; snappy and serious, conscious he was breaching protocol.

Without missing a beat, Hammond returned the salute and nodded him out of the room. As Jack left, he got the feeling that Hammond had spared him from one more minute with Joe Faxon. `I owe you another, George,' he thought as he made his way to face Janet Fraiser.

********

Sam jerked awake, lifting her head from the stone floor. The pain was worse, but it was the cold that was bothering her the most. There was a window set high in the wall of the cell; however there was no cover, and it was a cold night. Vaguely, she knew it was night, but time was becoming meaningless as the days blurred on. She peered at the scratch marks low down on one of walls where she had started to keep a record of the days, but that seemed pointless now.

A few days ago, she was trying to bind up her right ankle with strips of torn BDU pants when she felt the pains. She had known straightaway what was happening, and had no way of stopping it. Then the men came. Two of them. They forced her down, tried to pull off her clothes. She fought and screamed and kicked. They in turn had hit and hit and hit until darkness came a blessing. When she awoke, there was blood all over her thighs and her pants were down at her knees.

The pains were dull, but all pervading. Shifting her slashed back to find a warmer spot made the aches in her legs begin to throb again. Sam Carter was aware her confinement, and her rapidly deteriorating physical condition, was weakening her to the brink of eternal relief.

Sam knew that she must not give up, but she was under no illusions that the SGC would have any idea as to her whereabouts. She was sure they would not stop looking for her, but she could not be confident of being alive if they found her.

********

Although Jacob Carter had been in contact every day for an update, it was another week before he returned to the SGC. Ambassador Faxon had been a permanent fixture in General Hammond's room for three days, but then had been called to Washington and had not returned. SG-1 and Hammond had poured over every scrap of intel on Ba'al and Mot that the SGC had managed to accumulate, but had come up empty handed. Jack had stamped around the SGC like a bear with a sore head, barely speaking to anyone except his team. Every time the klaxons blared to indicate an off-world activation of the Stargate, Jack was always the first one to reach the `gate room, his face impassive, but his knuckles white. When General Carter marched purposefully down the `gate ramp exactly one week to the day after his daughter had been abducted, Jack was waiting. As he followed Jacob up the steps to Hammond's office, he felt a foreboding sense of déjà vous.

Hammond's aide informed them that the general had been called away to deal with a serious issue of a fight between two marines on one of the upper floors, but had been informed of General Carter's arrival and would join them directly.

As soon as the aide left the room, Jacob Carter flopped into a chair and said sarcastically: "Nice to know my daughter takes a backseat to a bunch of jar-heads."

Jack was still standing. "Jacob, I assure you- "

"It's okay, Jack, I only have to look at you to see you look like hell." Jacob Carter dismissively waved his hand.

Jack chewed his tongue and fixed his gaze on Hammond's angle poise desk lamp. "How have you been, sir?"

"What happened to `Dad'?" Jacob's features narrowed.

Jack's eyes widened in return; he wasn't expecting this. "It didn't seem appropriate, under the circumstances."

Jacob nodded and smoothed out a crease in left pant leg. "Oh, you mean with Sam being married to someone else an' all." There was an uncomfortable silence. "Tell me, Jack, why didn't you ever make a move on her?"

Jack definitely wasn't expecting this. He coughed. "Sir, she's *married*."

Jacob laughed bitterly. "That is the most naïve thing I've ever heard anyone say. I'm not talking about now, I mean *then*." He jerked his thumb backwards. "And don't bullshit me about frat. regs; I've seen it all."

Jack paused before answering. A thousand thoughts suddenly crowded into his mind, all of Sam Carter. Carter smiling, Carter's eyes, Carter going off on a tangent about some theory to save the world again. Carter expecting a baby. Carter possibly with the cruelest sonofabitch he had ever had the misfortune to come across. Carter thinking he was a shit, and him deserving it. Jack swallowed. "I respect her too much. I respect her intellect. I respect her bravery. I respect the sacrifices she has had to endure and the decisions she has made." He stopped, not trusting himself to continue.

It was Jacob's turn to swing in his seat and sit with his eyes wide. "Jack, I think that is the longest speech I've ever heard you make." There was another silence. Jacob spoke again. "Where's Joe?"

Jack opened his mouth to answer just as General Hammond entered the room, bristling with irritation. "Ambassador Faxon is in Washington, Jacob," the general answered for Jack.

Jacob's eyebrows rose. "Why isn't he here? Some terrible diplomatic crises keeping him away?" His sarcastic look fell somewhat when he regarded his fellow general's face. "George?"

Hammond stood behind his desk, his fingertips spread out on the smooth polished surface. "Jacob, he was practically camped out here for a while; it was a relief when he was called away. He has telephoned me every day for an update."

Jacob `humphed' and crossed his arms over his Tok'ra garb. "It's just as well, he probably wouldn't be much use anyway."

Jack suddenly found his boots very interesting again; the way the laces crossed over near the top was fascinating.

General Hammond cleared his throat. "Jacob, I have no more news since 0800 hours when I last radioed you."

Jacob nodded. "No, but I have some for you. I think we've found her."

Jack's stomach flipped over and Hammond sat heavily on his chair. Jack shifted his feet.

"Talk to me, Jacob." Jack was impressed that George could keep his voice so steady.

" We have had an operative working behind enemy lines for some time now – you've met her; remember Sina?"

The two officers nodded. Jack recalled the noble Tok'ra; as snake- heads went, she was one of the better ones.

Jacob continued; "She's been undercover, assessing the connection Ba'al has to Anubis and some of the other system lords, specifically Mot. He and Ba'al have some sort of uneasy truce going on at the moment. Mot gets some of Ba'al's resources: ships, Jaffa and so on, and Mot puts in a few good words about Ba'al to the other system lords."

"A marriage made in heaven," said Jack, cynically. He swallowed as the other two men looked at him. He gestured for Jacob to go on, but added a comment himself. "Should we be worried about the connection to Anubis?" Thoughts of Daniel's recent fate ran through his mind.

Jacob shrugged, and then dipped his head. Selmak spoke. "We are still attempting to ascertain the true relationships between the system lords in that sector. There is much subterfuge between the rivals, so determining the true alliances is proving to be quite difficult."

"You don't say," muttered Jack, toeing a flaw in the carpet. In the periphery of his vision he saw George Hammond giving him a look, but there was no strength behind the silent admonishment.

Selmak smiled a little. "Fortunately, it appears Anubis is not involved in Samantha's abduction, but Mot most certainly is. She is being held on a planet controlled by Mot, although not a stronghold. It has a Stargate and is one of the planets that the Tok'ra warned the Tau'ri about in the last communiqué."

Jack's head snapped up so quickly he felt his neck crack. "Well, what the hell are we waiting for then?"

Selmak held a hand out in a placating gesture. "Colonel, please. I can assure you the priority here is to secure the rescue of Samantha Carter, but we must do so by a method that minimizes the loss of life to all concerned."

Jack had reached his limit. "Oh Jesus, I want to talk to Jacob… Jacob, pick up will ya?"

A nod of the head indicated that Jacob's consciousness had come to the fore. "Jack, the Tok'ra have a plan, we just need the help of SGC manpower to boost our numbers. Sam is important to us as well, you know." The general's voice was soft.

Jack nodded. "I'm listening."

********

Jacob outlined the rescue plan to Hammond, while Jack butted in to clarify points and make suggestions. Within half an hour, Lt.Col. Ferretti and Major Marx were back in the briefing room going over the details.

Sam was incarcerated in a small prison-like structure on Mot's home planet. Sina and another Tok'ra had infiltrated Mot's stronghold, as many were Tok'ra sympathizers and opposed to the system lords. When word of a blue-eyed blonde female came to the ears of Sina, she immediately recognized the description of Major Carter and had contacted the Tok'ra central alliance. The recovery plan involved two other Tok'ra and a civilian, which Jack was none too happy about, but it was a risk he was prepared to take.

Word had already gone around the SGC that Major Carter's whereabouts had been determined and there was a suspenseful hush when SG's 1, 3, and 6 were geared up and awaiting the go-ahead from General Carter.

Jacob strode into the `gate room from the control mezzanine, his mouth a thin, tight line. He nodded a silent: `Lets go' to Jack. The Colonel adjusted the glasses slung around his neck, wiping a lens absentmindedly with his finger. He addressed the assembled team of soldiers: "Okay, heads up on this one, you all know the score." He jerked his head to Ferretti to take point, as planned. Jack and Jacob stood side by side as they waited for the teams to be swallowed up by the wormhole. Teal'c, and a determined looking Daniel strode by, with Daniel shooting Jack a quick look. Jack half turned toward the normally vocal general. "Jacob, you okay?"

Jacob fixed his gaze on a point on the far side of the dingy concrete `gate room wall. "What do you think, Jack?"

Jack nodded as the last of the SGC personnel disappeared through the `gate.

"That's what I thought." He paused to click off the safety of his P- 90. "You know, we're gonna get her, Jake."

Jacob did not reply, or even look at Jack as he brushed by him to follow in the wake of the other soldiers.

**********

Immediately upon exiting the wormhole, the SG teams were being hustled off to the right to take shelter in a nearby copse, although Jack was vaguely aware of the `gate being guarded by two Tok'ra disguised as Jaffa. Bringing up the rear, he watched as a dark figure held up a hand for silence and pushed the cowl of her cloak back. Sina's aristocratic face acknowledged Jacob before firmly confirming that the necessary guards had been distracted or neutralized. There was to be only one hour to perform the extraction before nightfall. That was all.

It was a go.

Two members each of SG's 3 and 6 were to secure the retreat and so peeled off at intervals along the pre-planned circuitous route to Mot's prison in the fading light. Jack could feel his heart was thumping as he followed the Tok'ra through the woodland underbrush. This was reminding him of the other forest where he had left Carter some eight days previously. Eight days, three hours and twenty-seven minutes previously. The temperature was cooler than PX7-253 and Jack donned his fingerless gloves. It was raining softly as the gray stone walls surrounding the town loomed up in front of them. Jack mused the place was like a smaller version of Chulak, only a lot less friendly. Jacob was conversing quietly with Sina, who slunk away into the gloom only to return a few moments later with a wizened aging woman in tow.

Jack stared at the old lady, her face lined with creases and her slight frame bent over. "*This* is the `operative'?" The question was directed at Sina, but he was looking at Jacob.

Jacob glared back. "Don't start, Colonel. She's the prison cook. She knows where the back door is, and she's gonna show us."

"She must be over 100, for crying out loud." Jack stole another glance at the woman, who turned to gabble with Sina.

Sina translated. "The matron says we must hurry. The guards are distracted, and the golden haired woman is very sick."

Jacob shouldered his pack. "Well, are you coming? I don't know about you, but I'm going to get my daughter."

As the rain began to fall harder, and the light faded, Jack heard himself say, "Right behind you, sir."

Major Marx, SG-3, and Daniel were left just outside the prison walls. Ducking guard patrols along the edge of the town, the old woman led Jack, Teal'c, Jacob, and Sina into the prison kitchen.

A human chain of rescue.

The kitchen was cool and dark with rough wooden benches backing onto three walls. The fourth was given over to a metal range, which was surrounded by a variety of pots and pans. The quaint domesticity of the kitchen was jarring with Jack's mood. They were just about to follow a dark passage into the bowels of the prison when he heard voices coming toward them. Ducking into a pantry set off to one side, he dragged Jacob with him. Sina and the old woman were standing their ground with Teal'c placed behind them, as the Jaffa came into view. They pulled up short at the sight of the gold tattoo on Teal'c's forehead. It was the mark of a First Prime.

"Jaffa, kree!" commanded Teal'c. At first the Jaffa were fooled, and started to pull themselves to attention, but the deception only lasted a moment. One of the Jaffa began pointing to Sina with a questioning look on his face. Suddenly, his decision was made; he called out, and then started to turn to make a quick exit. His scream was cut off by a two-inch bladed knife straight through the back of his neck, courtesy of Jack O'Neill. Teal'c slammed his staff weapon down on the other Jaffa's head, and the man slumped over the body of his dead comrade. As Jack stepped over the bodies, he hissed: "Knew that thing would come in handy."

"Indeed," came Teal'c's unruffled reply. The old woman was gabbling away in her own language.

Sina was nodding, her face impassive. Turning to Jacob, she said, "The matron says those Jaffa were the `users' of Major Carter."

Jack stopped short and took in Jacob's blanched face. "Whaddya mean: `users'?"

The desperate look from Jacob was all Jack needed to know. He pulled his zat gun and began shooting to dispose of them, assisted by Teal'c. The shots seemed to echo around the stone building and Jack looked about warily. "Lets pick this up," he said urgently and made off into the gloom.

The woman gestured down the corridor; "Down, down." Teal'c threw his staff blaster to Sina and closely followed Jack at a run, his zat up and charged, with Jacob Carter on his heels. Jack could hear the Jaffa's reassuring pounding feet behind him. He was so close to Carter, he could *feel* it.

As they searched the dark and stinking prison corridors they passed by some open barred cells. He shone his flashlight through the bars and was horrified to see a few inmates gazing balefully at the commotion with starving eyes. Many were lying on the dirty floor, obviously in too poor a condition to even move, awakening an unwelcome memory of an Iraqi prison. A red mist appeared on the edge of his vision and a sweat broke on his face. He clenched his fist around the barrel of the zat gun and set his jaw, pushing the dread down.

The corridor branched and Jacob took the right at a run, so Jack and Teal'c swung left. They reached an area of the prison where the cells were safeguarded by thick doors, so the soldiers began to use their zat's on a `lock-picking' setting to disable the mechanisms and gain access. The thin blue arc was illuminating Teal'c's rock-solid face as he kicked open the doors `Door Number Three' revealed Paine and Garcia of SG-7, thinner and dirty, but very much alive. Dimly, Jack could hear Teal'c radioing Jacob for assistance.

Two down, one to go.

Teal'c caught up easily and was thumped on ahead, zatting open the cell doors on the right while Jack tackled the doors on the left. He slammed open one of the cell doors like any other. Seeing nothing, he began to back out to tackle the next door in line. Suddenly, a scrap of white caught his flashlight beam.

A symbol. A winged symbol. It was the SG-1 logo.

"Sam!" The word was out of his mouth as he crossed the threshold in a rush. Teal'c was edging back, covering the corridor in both directions with his zat.

Jack was suddenly struck by the stench: urine, excrement …and something else. It assaulted his senses and he clamped his hand over his retching mouth. He leaned over the figure huddled on the floor, lying with its back to him.

"Sam?" he asked again and laid a tentative hand on the shoulder. Hoisting his flashlight up further and shining it down, he baulked at what he saw. Sam was lying curled in a ball. She was naked, apart from her jacket, which she had obviously draped over herself in a vain attempt to keep warm. She was filthy from head to foot. From what Jack could make out, bruises covered those parts of her body that he could see. Dark blooded circles surrounded her wrists and looking closer he could see where the skin and been rubbed off; she had obviously been chained up at some point. He placed his fingers on her carotid artery and prayed for a pulse. He was rewarded with a faint beat beneath his fingers. She was alive. He risked a breath and sent up a silent prayer of thanks.

His hands were shaking slightly as he checked her limbs for fractures. Her ankles felt wrong. A voice broke through his assessment. "O'Neill, we must execute our prompt escape from this place." Teal'c's steadying words served to snap him back to reality. If they were to make out of here in a hurry, it would help to have Sam's co-operation.

"Carter!" Jack once again tried to rouse her. He moved the jacket to check for spinal injuries and again his breath stopped. Her back was covered in deep welts. Some were new, cut deep into her skin and oozing blood and pus. Some were older, badly healed into a darker red. They stretched right from her neck to the base of her spine, and lower. Carefully he moved her slightly to face him and gasped. There was dried blood and some other dried fluid covering the inside of her thighs. This had obviously been there for some time, and had come from her groin area.

Not Sam, no, no, no.

He must have said something aloud as he felt Teal'c's hand on his shoulder. He backed away.

"O'Neill, we must leave now."

Jack simply nodded for Teal'c to return to covering their position. He tied her jacket sleeves around her neck and swung his flashlight around, looking for something to dress her in. He spotted her combat pants lying in a heap in the corner of the cell. Lunging, he grabbed them and began to shake the clothing out to put them on. They were stiff. With blood. And something else.

He dropped them, rubbing his fingers on the pant leg of his own BDU's.

He took off his own jacket and laid his flashlight so that the beam illuminated the room. "Carter, c'mon. Wake up; we've gotta get you outta here". He picked up her filth-covered arm and began to rub gently. "C'mon, open your eyes." There was no response. Her skin was hot despite the damp chilliness of the air. `Infection?' he thought. Jack was dimly aware of Teal'c radioing their situation to Jacob, and SG's 3 and 6.

"Major Carter!" he spoke louder, risking any pursuers making their position. "You open your eyes right *now*, that's a goddamn *order*!"

To his immense relief, Sam's eyes did indeed open, but what he saw there gripped his soul: fear, pain and despair stared back at him.

"Please, kill me." Her whispered words were said so softly he hardly heard them, but when his brain registered what she had said, his anger bubbled to the surface.

"Oh right," he said as he maneuvered her into a sitting position," I risk my own ass to extract my second in command and she just lies there asking me to off her. Well, Carter, you'll find yourself in a disciplinary for that little slip. You're making this a habit." As he spoke, he wrapped his jacket gently around her waist, tying it off at the back using the sleeves as before. "Right, you can stand now." He took her arm and began to pull it around his shoulder to help her up.

He felt a pull of resistance. "I can't," Sam whispered.

"You can and you will!" Jack was becoming frustrated, but was also very afraid of what had happened to his second to reduce her to this.

"Broken ankles," Sam croaked back, it seemed as though that was all she could manage. Jack stopped trying to pull her up.

"Oh, okay, well-"

Teal'c's voice broke in "O'Neill, footsteps approach."

Without further ado, Jack hoisted up the Major in his arms and made for the door. She stifled a groan at her sudden shift in position and Jack realized that he must have been hurting her injured back. He was at once both proud of her resilience and horrified by her fragile physical state.

"Sorry about this, Carter, but you're going home, like it or not," he said in her ear as she rested her head against his chest. Teal'c nodded that their escape was still clear, so both men retraced their steps, O'Neill slower than the big warrior because of the extra weight he carried. Every jolt was making Carter flinch, but she kept her eyes closed and remained silent.

Upon entering the kitchen, Jacob Carter practically pounced on them, craning his neck to see his daughter. "Sam?" his voice cracked. He lifted a hesitant hand to brush away some hair from her forehead. "Sam, it's Dad. Speak to me, kiddo."

Jack tightened his grip; there wasn't time for this. "Later, sir, okay?"

Jacob's mouth turned down and his eyes began to glow. Selmak was plainly in charge, and she spoke in a voice deep and thick. "We must hurry."

Sina and the old woman were gone with Paine and Garcia. Dodging through the town was proving difficult with Jack carrying an injured Sam, but at last the men emerged from the town walls to sight SG-3 and an anxious looking Daniel. The marines moved to flank their SGC teammate, protecting their wounded colleague, making no remark about her state of undress. Daniel stepped nearer to the inert form being carried in Jack's arms. Her eyes were closed and through the filth, her face was deathly pale. Jack realized that Daniel thought that she must be dead, but he watched him let out a breath when Sam's eyelids flickered and she squinted against the light.

"SG-6 have secured a retreat, sir, all personnel accounted for," Major Marx was staring at the pathetic bundle, but then hardening her face, she nodded.

The Colonel affirmed in return. "Very good, Major - let's move out." As they made their halting way back to the Stargate undercover of the forest, it began to rain, and Jack felt Sam stir. He exchanged glances with Selmak; they needed to stop. He assessed their position, and shot Teal'c a look. In turn, he signaled with a closed fist to Major Marx, who then re-issued the silent `Halt and crouch' order to her men.

"Two inflatable splits, a thermal blanket and a rain poncho, please," he stated. At once, the two marines that were carrying packs swiveled around to show their backs to their teammates. They hurriedly pulled out the requested items. Daniel passed Jack the blanket first, but he shook his head and indicated the poncho with a nod. "Lay it on the ground," Jack asked, calmly. "Now the blanket on top," he followed Daniel's movements.

Jack laid Sam carefully on the blanket and proceeded to wrap it around her battered body with Selmak's gentle assistance. Now they were out in the daylight, Sam's injuries were even more sickening, but Jack clenched his teeth to maintain his control. However, Daniel could not. He tried to help the Jack cover their friend and colleague, but his eyes began to well with tears as he saw the extensive bruising and the streaky mess between her legs, and he moved away. Jack set his face to stone as he finished wrapping Sam, and adjusting the ankle splints. He pulled back and realized that she was conscious and staring at him, although he could tell her eyes were not properly in focus.

"It's okay, Carter, we're going home," he repeated his earlier promise. He moved his gaze between Selmak and Teal'c, who had squatted next to him. Teal'c raised an eyebrow, but O'Neill shook his head to the unspoken question. Without a word, the Jaffa moved away so that Jack could lift Sam safely, and the silent group returned to the Stargate.

********

Daniel was first through the `gate to see Janet and her medical teams ready and waiting to take the now unconscious Sam from Jack's arms, with Jacob following closely. There was a debriefing, during which Hammond was aware of the understandable inattentiveness of his teams, so he called it to a close early and ordered everyone to rest. Daniel was keeping a close eye on Jack, who delivered his report staccato. He heard General Hammond talking to him, something about being unable to contact the ambassador. The silent friends headed for the infirmary, their faces set like marble. Teal'c excused himself to perform Kel'no'reem, but asked to be disturbed if there was any news. This left Jack, Jonas and Daniel to take up vigil outside the infirmary. However, Janet wasn't letting anyone near Sam bar the team that was working on the Major. Daniel took this as a bad sign, but he said nothing. After three hours, Janet finally emerged.

Jack's head snapped up and he was on his feet before she had crossed the doorway. Daniel stood slowly, taking in Janet's pallor and the bubble of emotions that threatened to burst through her ever- professional demeanor.

"Well?" asked Jack, hoarsely.

Janet swallowed before answering. "Colonel, I'm sorry, professional protocols dictate I must only speak to the Major's next of kin regarding her condition until she regains consciousness."

Daniel raised his eyebrows "She's still unconscious?" he asked, stealing a look at O'Neill.

"In and out of, Daniel, and that's all I can say, except I'm certain that her physical injuries will heal in time." It seemed good news, but Janet's face told another story which the three men understood.

"She's lost it, hasn't she?" asked Jack, looking at the floor, his voice now quiet.

Janet's mask began to slip and she turned away, "I'm sorry, I can't say," was all she could manage. The answer to the Colonel's question was clear to all. Daniel suddenly had enough and stopped her by coming up behind the grieving doctor and enveloping her shoulders with his arms. "Well done, Janet, we know she is having the best of care." She turned and smiled at Daniel, taking one of his hands and giving it a thankful squeeze.

"Has anyone managed to get in touch with Joe yet?" Janet's question seemed to jerk Jack back from somewhere.

"Oh, Jesus, I was supposed to phone him; he's in Washington," he spat, and ran a hand through his hair.

Janet was horrified, "Colonel, he needs to be here *now*." Before Jack could say anything, Daniel looked directly into his eyes and said, "I'll do it."

Jack looked back at him with what Daniel could only describe as misery. "Thank you, Daniel, but this is something I need to do, should have done. Excuse me." With that, the Colonel hurriedly turned on his heel.

Daniel could almost feel Jack's reeling emotions, as well as his own.

********

As it was, despite Jack's best efforts and threats, he had to leave a message at the Pentagon. He slammed down the telephone receiver and glared at it. After all Joe's ranting about the lack of action from the SGC in finding his wife, Jack was surprised that he wasn't here, and puzzled that he couldn't be found at the Pentagon. He rested his elbows on his desk and pushed his thumbs onto his eyelids. Today's events kept replaying in his mind. He yanked open his desk drawer and fished around amongst the pens and paper clips for a packet of Advil that he knew was at the back. He popped a couple out, paused, and popped another. Scooping the caplets, he threw them into his mouth and swallowed the lot with a grimace.

His telephone rang.

Jack looked at the receiver and ground his teeth. Grabbing his jacket, he covered the distance to the door in three strides leaving the shrill tone in his wake.

Five minutes later, Jack was dallying back outside the infirmary. The earlier commotion had subsided somewhat. Daniel and Jonas were gone, presumably to get some rest. He was debating whether or not to go in when Janet swung out of her office, her heels clipping on the polished floor. She caught Jack's eye just as he was beginning to slink off.

"Colonel?" she asked questioningly, her expressive brown eyes assessing him.

"Um…how's Carter?" he managed.

"No change. Did you get in touch with Ambassador Faxon?"

"No, but I've left a message. I'm hoping because he isn't there, he's on his way *here*," Jack shrugged.

"Okay. Cell phone?" Janet's delicate dark eyebrows lifted.

"Off." Jack replied, his face grim.

The doctor nodded and fiddled with the stethoscope that was stuffed unceremoniously into her left coat pocket. "Would you like to come in? Jacob's been sitting with her, and he could use a break, if you're up for a challenge." The attempt at humour was flat.

"Er…I don't know, I don't want to upset her, I mean…" his voice tailed off.

"It's all right, Colonel, she's asleep." Janet tone was reassuring.

"Sure." He nodded and followed the petite doctor to a closed- curtained area at the end of the ward. Janet disappeared through a gap in the privacy screen and Jack could hear a muted exchange between her and Jacob Carter.

Janet's head poked out from the gap. "Come through, sir."

Jack took a deep breath and quietly stepped through. Jacob was sitting on the bedside closest to Jack and looked up to acknowledge his presence with a nod. He was still dressed in the BDU's issued to him before they left for the planet and was sitting with his back slumped forward, his hands gripping his knees.

Jack spoke first. "Jacob."

"Jack." Jacob's voice was soft, although he didn't look round

Jack looked slowly to the bed. Sam was lying on her left side facing them, her eyes closed. He could see a long, rolled up sheet on the other side wedged up against her, preventing her from rolling over. A frame had been inserted under the lower half of the sheet covering her body. Absurdly, Jack could recall seeing this in episodes of `General Hospital' that he caught while on downtime, but never knew the reason why it was done. He studied her face. There was a large purple bruise under her right eye that spread across her cheekbone. Several other large and small yellow bruises were evident on her face and stick like arm, which poked out from the hospital sheet. Her wrists were heavily bandaged. IV's, tubes and cables snaked here and there, and the silence was punctuated by the steady sounds from the surrounding monitoring equipment.

Jacob reached out and swept back a stray lock of his daughter's blonde hair, carefully tucking it behind her ear. He rested his hand near hers for a moment, and he smiled distantly.

"She's so beautiful when she's asleep," Jacob stated.

Jack said nothing, but nodded faintly and moved to sit in the extra chair next to the General.

Jacob continued, never taking his eyes from Sam. "After her mom died, she used to have bad nightmares, but she was fine if Mark or I stayed in the room while she fell asleep. I used to stay and watch her for hours." Jacob bit back a sob. Jack slowly raised his right arm and tentatively rested his hand on the older man's back. He was surprised when Jacob didn't shrug him off.

Jacob continued. "She lost the baby, did Janet say? Her ankles are not too bad, but she's gonna need plastic surgery on her back and maybe on her left wrist and…they…well, Janet thinks they…." Jacob broke off the headlong rush of words and inhaled deeply.

Both men looked up at the sound of the curtain being pulled slightly to admit Doctor Fraiser. She unhooked the metal backed chart hung on the end of the bed. Jack slowly pulled his hand back from Jacob's back and watched in silence. Janet moved almost noiselessly around her patient, checking lines, making notes and adjusting the wad of sheets wedged against Sam's side. At one stage she lifted the sheet covering the frame. Before Jack looked away, he took in plaster wrapped ankles and a pillow separating her legs at the knees.

"I could have saved her all of this!" Jacob burst out. Janet turned to shush him by reaching out to place a hand on his shoulder, but he pushed it away. Looking into Janet's eyes he said miserably, "You know I could have saved her all of this."

Janet worked her mouth and turned to fiddle with the EKG monitor. Jack had the distinct impression they knew something about Sam that he didn't. What was going on?

Jack cleared his throat. "What do you mean, Jacob? I'm kinda confused here." He turned to look at Janet, who seemed to be deliberately avoiding his gaze. "Jacob?" he asked again.

The hunched figure nodded. "It all came to a head when she was seventeen. She would come home from school and stay in her room for hours. I thought she was studying.. well, I guess she was, most of the time. Mark found her in the bathroom one night, out of her head. She'd taken pills and liquor and made some attempts to cut at herself. She kept saying everyone hated her. She had this big problem about being touched, kept kicking and screaming." Jacob's words came out in a rush, his eyes never leaving the sleeping figure.

Jack swallowed. Funny, he could always seem to see the darker side of people, maybe because he could see it himself. But this was new. He took in a discrete breath. "What did the doc say?"

He could see the father's shoulders stiffen. "After they gave her stuff to barf in the ER, I took away for a while, to the coast, to a retired CMO I knew who owed me for pulling his son out of a hellhole in `Nam. Mark was pissed at that; he wanted her to be nearer and for her to get more help. It just compounded all our problems."

Jack was thunderstruck. He looked at Janet and then stared at the sleeping figure on the bed. Why hadn't this come out after Jolinar? His 2IC may have been hiding severe depression with suicidal tendencies and he didn't know?

~ Did you know about this? ~ he mouthed to Janet, who was chewing on her lip.

"Yes, I did," said Janet quietly.

Jack shook his head in disbelief.

Janet looked up from where she had been examining her hands and stared openly at Jack. "And no, it isn't in her medical file. Sam told me as a friend."

Jack shook his head again. This was too much. "She never told me." It sounded so lame. Had he ever asked her?

The sound of the privacy curtain being pulled aside made everyone look up. It was Lt. Rush.

"Ma'am," she addressed Janet Fraiser, "Mr. Faxon is here."

Jack quickly stood up, as Janet nodded. "Thank you, Rebecca, I'll be right there."

Janet was staring at the small gap in the curtain left by the nurse's departure. "Here goes," she said to herself as she straightened her skirt. As she reached up to pull the curtain open further, she turned to Jack and said a little louder: "Thank you, sir."

Jack nodded and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "I'll go then…I'll come by later, if that's okay?"

Janet nodded again and quickly exited through the gap. Jack turned to Jacob who seemed lost in his own thoughts. He decided to leave the man in peace.

For once, you got nothing to say, Mr. Quip-of-the-day, he thought bitterly, as he followed Janet out of the cubicle, but immediately turned to go out the back door of the infirmary.

As he walked blindly down the corridor, he was reminded of something a certain young eager Captain-come-Doctor had said to him right before their first mission together.

//"You really will like me when you get to know me."//

As he thumped the elevator call button, he muttered under his breath: "Oh, Sam, you have no idea how much."

********

When Jack returned to the infirmary, it was late into the evening. He was alarmed to find the infirmary lights had been dimmed, the ward deserted with Sam's bed empty and stripped down. He could hear quiet talking coming from Janet's office, and so edged toward the open door with his heart in his mouth. Rebecca Rush saw him first, as Jonas had his back to him, and she was on her feet in an instant.

"Sir." She stood up straight, but the effect was ruined by the `I *heart* Colorado' coffee mug that she was clutching. Jonas swiveled in his seat, his hand clutching an identical mug. His serious expression was replaced by a small grin at the sight of Jack.

Lt. Rush looked like she had been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. "Sir, we were just talking; there are no patients; Paine and Garcia have been discharged."

Jack held his hand out. "No problem, Lieutenant. I just stopped by to get the latest on Major Carter. How is she?"

Rush shot a glance at Jonas before stammering: "Major Carter's not here, sir. She was transferred to the Academy Hospital at 1700 hours. I assumed you had been informed." She shrugged ineffectually.

Jonas cleared his throat. "Janet decided that Sam was well enough to be moved, and there's more surgery that needs to be done. General Carter and Mr. Faxon went with her. We just thought someone would have told you."

"Evidently not," said Jack with a mixture of annoyance and sarcasm. He nodded at Rush. "Thank you and goodnight." As he left the room, he hesitated in the doorway, wanting to check if Sam had regained consciousness before they transferred her. He decided against asking, and moved to continue his exit.

Then he heard Jonas' voice clearly: "Oh crap."

********

General Hammond pursed his lips and straightened his aching back. He had been sitting at his desk reading preliminary hard copy reports of Carter's, Paine's and Garcia's rescue five days previously. The General pushed his laptop further back on the desk. He noticed his screen saver had been activated and realized that he hadn't typed anything for at least ten minutes. He sighed and studied the swiveling phrase on th