Realisation 2

Retribution

by Annie

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/asa/annie/realis02.php
Summary: SG-1 will never be the same again
Info: Notes: I had a few requests (thanks Saz!) to do a follow on to Realisation, but because Daniel was rescued I had to change a few of the events of Reckoning 2 and Threads. I don't have Daniel being killed by the replicator version of Sam and the subsequent offer by Oma of ascension as part of this story but, for the most part, the events such as the Jaffa rebellion winning their freedom and the replicators being destroyed do happen. For some reason I haven't explained, Oma still decides to stop Anubis even though Daniel wasn't there to plead a case for the universe. This story happens after the fishing trip at the end of Threads (in which I learnt the Jaffa planet was spelt Dakara and not Ta'kara!). MANY, MANY thanks to DM who went through this with a red cursor (would have said pen but that didn't quite seem right when on the screen rather than the page!) and if you find any mistakes they're mine because I didn't do a good enough job at taking her advice. Thanks to Chris who gave me the name of the fic after I couldn't remember what I'd planned to call it!

"We need to talk."

"What about?"

"Carter."

"What about her?"

Daniel was sitting on the steps of the deck watching Jack as he cooked the meat on the grill. Having got back from the fishing trip earlier that day, it was the first time they'd had alone since Anubis had stopped his attack on the universe and had seemingly disappeared.

"She came by the other day and said she was having second thoughts about marrying Shanahan."

"And what did you say?"

"Not a lot I could say, she got the call about Jacob and left. I think she ended it with Pete because she's..."

"Because she's still in love with you," Daniel said when Jack didn't finish the sentence.

"Yeah."

"Damn. I was worried that could be the reason."

"Why?"

"When I was being held by the Replicator version of Sam she got into my mind."

"You already said that in your debrief, that's how it knew about the Ancients' device on Dakara."

"What I didn't include though was the fact she found out about the two of us and she wasn't happy about it."

Jack did a final check of the meat and, deciding it was done, took it off the grill. Carrying a plate in each hand he sat down on the steps next to Daniel and gave one of the plates to the younger man.

"So what did it have to say for itself?"

"She wanted to know why I'm trying to come between the love you and Sam have for each other. That it would destroy her if she ever found out. According to the Replicator, Sam was only with Pete because she didn't want to be alone while waiting for you to retire so the two of you could get married."

"I don't love Carter like that."

"I know that, but does Sam? The Replicator wanted to know how long we'd been together."

"What did you say?"

"Since after the incident with Urgo. She showed me some things and if they're true..."

"What?"

"Sam could be a danger to us."

"Us?"

"Well more specifically, she could be a danger to me."

"What did it show you?"

Daniel proceeded to tell Jack about the images he'd seen, the feelings the Replicator had made him experience.

"You realise, if Teal'c and I hadn't arrived with donuts the day Hammond told us he was moving to Washington she was going to ask you to take her to bed."

"But she was engaged to Shanahan at the time."

"I didn't want to believe what I'd been shown but when I talked to Sam, well she said the two of them felt the same things. That she'd been shown something her Replicator double had done and she would have done the same."

"Dare I ask what?"

"Fifth was training Replicator Sam and in one of the scenarios she was to go through the gate and kill anyone she came across. She walked through the gate and calmly proceeded to kill Siler and I, but when you tried to stop her she didn't want to kill you."

"Oh for... I really thought Carter had moved on with her life when she agreed to marry Shanahan. How much of a problem do you think she could cause?"

"If the Replicator is to be believed, there's nothing Sam wouldn't do to get what she wants." Daniel he stood up and asked, "I'm heading in, are you coming?" The conversation, like their afternoon, had been slow and leisurely but a chilly wind was starting to pick up and he wanted to go inside to the warmth.

Jack decided to follow Daniel's example, and after checking the grill was out he entered the house. Seeing Daniel sitting on the couch Jack closed the door and went to sit next to him.

"You don't seem to be having much of a problem accepting this about Sam, Jack."

"I remember how... cold she was when we lost Hank."

"Hank?"

"Henry Boyd, he and his team were the ones we lost to the black hole."

"I remember that," Daniel said. "I got back after the SGC was out of contact for two weeks to find the iris being replaced and you in the infirmary. While you slept General Hammond showed me the images the MALP recorded but what does that have to do with Sam?"

"Before we found out that the wormhole wouldn't shut down, she wanted to keep it open to study the black hole."

"Even though one of the teams was literally dying in front of you?"

"Yeah and it wasn't until I pointed that out to her that she even realised the human cost involved. Did you know she was more concerned with getting supplies of naquadria than the fact that you were dying?"

"Are you sure about that? She said some nice things when she visited me in the infirmary."

"Ah, but that was before she ran the tests on the naquadria Quinn brought through with him. Once she found out what it could do she wanted to get more of the stuff, even though the Kelownans were more than happy to blame you for their own stupidity."

Daniel took hold of Jack's hand and gently squeezed, the memories of that time were hard for them both, and said, "So it's all down to how far we can trust a machine that tried to take over our galaxy. One that would have replicated you and then destroyed Earth."

"I don't like this, Daniel."

"And you think I do?"

"How am I meant to send SG-1 into the field if Carter could be a danger to you?"

"We don't know that she will be for sure. This could have been all part of the Replicator's plan to sow mistrust."

"Or it could be the truth, which is what I'm leaning towards," Jack stated.

"Why?" Daniel wondered.

"For one very simple reason."

"Which is?"

"It wasn't going to let you go."

"And?"

"And if it'd killed you, why would it be trying to sow mistrust?"

"Good point."

"And what was with her sitting next to me all the time when we were fishing? If I'd had to move my chair much further I'd have been off the pier."

"Maybe she's taking another step towards the two of you being together. It certainly felt like she was trying to shut Teal'c and I out of the equation, he even commented on it on the way back. We have to do something about it, Jack."

"I agree and we start by not doing anything that would make her suspicious."

"Replicator Sam said that our Sam didn't know about us when she probed her mind at the Alpha Site. If she hasn't learnt about us before now, then we should be okay if we continue as normal."

"Just be careful, Daniel, and don't take any risks," Jack said as he pulled Daniel into his arms. "It's better to be safe than sorry."

***

"Get the medics!"

The sound of boots on the ramp and Sam's shout echoed around the gate room. Looking up, Sergeant Davis saw Lieutenant Colonel Carter and Teal'c carrying Daniel down the ramp. Picking up the phone he called for the medics and watched as Daniel was laid on the concrete floor.

"Who's back?"

Sergeant Davis didn't even turn from the view in front of him at the sound of Jack's voice. Instead he answered, "SG-1, Doctor Jackson's been injured."

Jack's eyes widen slightly before he quickly made his way into the gate room just as the medics arrived. He waited till they took Daniel's unmoving body away before demanding, "What happened?"

"Teal'c was walking the perimeter and I stayed with Daniel so he could study the writings. Daniel said he was making progress and everything was going fine. There was no warning that... that..." Sam stopped talking and looked at Jack, tears in her eyes.

"It's okay, just tell me what happened next?"

"The ground under Daniel gave way. I tried to reach him but he fell into an underground complex before I could get there. I radioed Teal'c and when he arrived back we managed to get Daniel out and back to the SGC. Sir, what if he... What do we do if he doesn't make it?" she asked.

"Don't even think it, Carter. Daniel's tough, he'll pull through."

"How can you be sure, Sir?"

"Because Daniel Jackson is a survivor," Teal'c said from her side.

"That he is, Teal'c, that he is. Let's get down to the infirmary, the two of you can have your check ups while we wait for some news," Jack ordered.

Sam and Teal'c nodded and followed Jack towards the elevator. They travelled in silence and by the time they reached the infirmary, Daniel was nowhere to be seen. A member of the nursing staff directed them to one side and started their examinations, leaving Jack to worry about his injured lover.

Shortly after the examinations had finished, the infirmary door opened and the three of them moved as a group towards Doctor Warner as he stepped through and headed towards them .

"How's Daniel?" Jack wanted to know.

"Doctor Jackson is very lucky. If it had taken Colonel Carter and Teal'c any longer to get him here it would have been very serious. As it is, he'll be fine provided he gets some rest and at least a week of light duties after being discharged."

Doctor Warner gave them a run down of Daniel's injuries, ending by saying he was still unconscious, but visitors were okay, and pretty soon the three of them were sat around his bed waking for him to wake up.

"I should have done more."

"Stop blaming yourself. You did everything you could, Carter."

It wasn't long before Jack had to attend to his duties as the base commander so, leaving Teal'c and Sam with orders to contact him if anything changed with Daniel, he headed towards his office. The two of them sat in silence as they waited, both caught up by thoughts of what might have happened. Nurses checked on Daniel every half hour and when, on the fifth visit, one said he was showing signs of coming to, Sam headed towards a phone and called Jack's office to let him know. Jack arrived just as Daniel opened his eyes and he said, "Nice of you to join us, Daniel."

"Uhhh."

Doctor Warner arrived and, once he had shooed the three of them to the other side of the curtain, gave Daniel a quick examination. When he called them back in he had a smile on his face.

"So?"

"As I said to you earlier, General O'Neill, Doctor Jackson is going to be fine," he replied. "I'll want to keep him in for at least for at least forty-eight hours, but I expect I'll release him on Friday." He then went on to tell them that Daniel would need his rest and that they shouldn't stay too long. When he left, he pulled the curtain so they had some privacy.

"How you feeling?"

"Like I fell into a hole, Jack."

"Maybe we should start calling you Alice," Sam said.

Jack raised an eyebrow and asked, "Would that make you the Queen of Hearts then, Carter?"

"Only if Teal'c was the Cheshire cat and you were the Mad Hatter, Sir," she replied with a grin.

"No respect, I get no respect. You'd think I'd get some now I have a star on my shoulder," Jack grouched.

Daniel snorted and muttered, "Why would we start now?"

"Watch it, Daniel. Carry on like that and I'll get the doc to keep you in for another night."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Try me."

Daniel decided not to take Jack up on his offer and instead asked about the accident. Sam said what she had seen and Teal'c told how they had managed to remove him from the hole.

"What about you, Daniel? What do you remember?" Jack wanted to know.

"Teal'c left to patrol while Sam and I stayed at the ruins. I was working at the wall when the ground rumbled and I woke up here," he answered with a frown.

"That's all?"

"It all happened so quickly. I remember the ground giving way but don't remember falling."

"I suppose it's best not to remember," Sam said. "It was quite a long way down."

They talked for a while longer before Jack once again had to leave.

"How about a team get together at my place Friday night to celebrate when Daniel gets paroled?"

Three acceptances later and he headed out of the infirmary. Sam and Teal'c stayed, but within two minutes Sam said, "I'll see you both later."

Daniel watched as Sam left and turned to Teal'c.

"It's just as well you got back from your patrol as quickly as you did."

"I, in fact, took over an hour to patrol the perimeter."

"I got the impression it was quicker than that."

"I would have returned earlier but half way through found evidence of another habitation. I searched it and that added time to my patrol. Thinking you would be interested, I informed Colonel Carter of my find and position and she asked me to inspect them."

"I didn't hear your call."

"Colonel Carter said you were otherwise occupied with your translations."

"Thank you for everything you did to help me."

"It was my pleasure, Daniel Jackson. I am happy to know that you will be well once again."

"Yeah," Daniel said as he closed his eyes.

"I will leave you to rest and will return later," Teal'c said.

"Thanks, Teal'c."

As she walked down the corridor towards her lab Sam grinned and thought how lucky it was no one realised that she knew Daniel was trying to take Jack away from her. If they did there would have been more questions about his unfortunate accident.

***

Jack pottered around his house getting ready for the night ahead. He'd seen Sam and Teal'c the previous day to have the official debriefing, Daniel didn't attended as he'd still been detained in the infirmary. As he didn't remember much of what had happened, Jack had said it was okay for the younger man to just write his report.

Sam left the base after the debriefing, Jack had given SG-1 the rest of the week off, but Teal'c had remained. He had offered to drive Daniel to Jack's after his release from the infirmary. Hearing a car pull up Jack went to the window and saw Sam heading towards the front door. Opening it, he ushered her in and said, "You're early, Carter."

"Sorry, Sir. I had to run a couple of errands and got through them quicker than I thought. As I was in the area...."

"You decided to come on over. Well seeing as you're here you can help with the snacks," Jack decided as he took her coat to hang up.

Sam smiled, followed him into the kitchen and soon they were preparing the food while talking about the happenings at the SGC. After a couple of minutes she asked, "Have you ever thought what you'll do when you retire?"

Jack turned to see that Sam had finished her food preparation and was watching him. Shaking his head he said, "I don't know. Spend a whole lot of time at the cabin I suppose, wonder if retirement will stick this time."

"You plan to spend time with me though, don't you? With the rest of SG-1"

"You'll pop by once in a while and bring your family along. Teal'c will show up with Bra'tac in tow and George will bring Cassie with him. None of you will be able to keep away from the fishing."

"My family?"

"Sure, Carter. You'll find someone to fall in love with, have the requisite 2.4 children along with the dogs and white picket fence. You'll ask the rest of SG-1 to be the godparents and we'll happily agree as it will give us the chance to spoil them."

"I will?"

"Oh yeah."

"What about Daniel? You haven't mentioned him yet."

"He will eat, drink coffee, bitch about not being able to watch the Discovery Channel, have some beers then fall asleep on the couch. The same as he does every time we have a get together."

"He does seem to do that a lot. So you think I'll find someone," Sam said, going back to the idea that seemed to stick in her mind for some reason.

"Just because it didn't work out this time doesn't mean you won't find Mr. Right. You just need to keep looking so when you finally meet him you'll be ready."

"What if I've already found him?"

"I thought you'd decided Shanahan wasn't the one?"

"I have." Sam took a deep breath and said, "I was thinking that maybe..."

A knock at the door interrupted what she was about to say then Jack heard a familiar, "Hello."

He walked out of the kitchen to see Daniel walking into the house closely followed by Teal'c. "Nice of you to finally join us," he said as they hung up their coats.

"Us?" Daniel asked, not commenting on the fact that he and Teal'c had arrived over an hour earlier than planned.

"Yeah, Carter's here. She's been helping with the snacks."

The evening fell into a familiar pattern; they ate, drank, talked and watched TV. After the movie finished Jack got up to get some more drinks and by the time he returned Daniel was stretched out on the couch.

"Move over, Daniel."

"Uh huh," was the muttered reply.

Shaking his head, Jack slowly lowered himself to the floor and leant back against the couch. The group continued to talk and when Daniel's voice slowed then finally stopped Jack turned to see that he was asleep. Deciding it was late Jack called it a night.

"Shall I wake him?" Sam asked.

"Let him sleep," Jack answered.

"Are you sure, Sir?"

"Yeah, Carter, I'm sure. It's not like any of us have to work tomorrow."

Heading to the closet, Jack handed Teal'c and Sam their coats. After they had said their goodbyes Jack watched them drive away and locking up he went back into the living area to see Daniel sitting up.

"Now I don't have to carry you to bed," Jack said with a grin.

"I wasn't asleep."

"Your mighty fine impression never ceases to amaze me."

"Okay, I'll admit when we first started these evenings I did used to fall asleep. Now it's the easiest way for me to stay without having to give a reason why," Daniel explained.

"I know. Just as well it's a tradition and won't make Carter suspicious," Jack agreed and started to clean up. "She was asking me earlier what my plans were for after I retire."

Daniel got up to help and asked, "What did you say?""I said I saw her coming to visit me along with her family."

"How did she take that?"

"I got the impression she was going to talk about me being the man in her life. Luckily you and Teal'c arrived before she could."

"And here's me thinking you were just happy to see me."

"I was. I was just happier not to get into that conversation with her and try to explain why it would never happen."

Once the clean up was complete they made their way to the back of Jack's house and were very quickly naked in bed, holding each other close.

"Are you going to tell me what the problem is?" Jack asked after a few minutes of silence.

"Why do you think something is wrong?"

"Because I know you, Daniel. Something was said when we were in the infirmary that got to you. Add in that you've been quiet all night, I know something's wrong."

"I was going to talk to you about it anyway. I just didn't want to have this conversation when others could hear."

"Talk about what? What don't you want anyone else to know?"

Letting out a sigh Daniel asked, "How long would you figure Sam and I had been working in the ruins on P2F 325 before the accident?"

"From what Teal'c and Carter said in the debrief, about an hour. Why?"

"What would you say if I told you it happened less than ten minutes after Teal'c left us?"

"You said you didn't remember what had happened."

"I said I remembered the ground giving way then waking up in the infirmary. I definitely know I'd only had enough time to get my equipment out and start filming the wall before it gave way."

"One moment. Are you trying to tell me that Carter lied in her report?"

"Yes."

"Damn. So Teal'c goes off on patrol, shortly afterwards you have an accident and Carter doesn't call for help for at least forty-five minutes. Why would she do that?"

"That's something we'd have to ask Sam. Teal'c said he called in after finding some ruins and Sam told him I was busy translating."

"When in fact you were busy being unconscious."

"Yes."

"So I'm back to why?"

"The only explanation I can think of is that she knows something. And she's not happy about it."

***

It was Monday and Jack was in the SGC looking for Teal'c. Over the weekend he'd figured out how to proceed with getting proof of what Daniel said without alerting Sam to the fact they were on to her.

"Hey, Teal'c. You got a minute to chat?"

Teal'c turned to see Jack exiting the elevator and replied, "I do, O'Neill."

"Let's go to my office."

Once they were sat down Jack said, "I need you to do me a favour."

"What do you require of me, O'Neill?"

"I need you to go to P2F 325 and get Daniel's camera."

"For what purpose?"

Jack told Teal'c what Daniel had said about the mission and when he finished Teal'c asked, "You do not trust in what Daniel Jackson told you?"

"Of course I do but it's difficult to believe Carter would deliberately put a member of her team in danger. We've all trusted in her to watch our sixes since we became a team, heck my first actions as General was to recommend she got promoted and to give her command of SG-1. I need solid proof before I can do anything."

"Why would Colonel Carter lie about the accident?"

"That's if it was an accident."

Teal'c raised an eyebrow and Jack said, "I... We... Um... Daniel thinks that she may have, somehow, maybe, possibly..."

"You suspect that she has discovered that Daniel Jackson and yourself are involved in a sexual relationship?"

"How do you know?"

"I became aware you were bonded together some time ago."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"I felt it was not my place to comment as your relationship is a private matter between the two of you."

"And you're okay with it? With us being together?"

"If I had felt your judgement regarding Daniel Jackson had placed the team in danger, I would have brought the matter to the attention of General Hammond."

"That's good to hear. So, just how long have you known about us?"

"I became aware of your relationship during your mission to expose Colonel Maybourne's activities."

"Oh, right. So, will you get the camera for me?"

"I will."

"Thanks, Teal'c."

A knock sounded and Jack called out, "Enter."

Ferretti opened the door, looked in and said, "I was told you wanted to see me, Sir."

"Perfect timing, Lou. Come on in and have a seat, this should only take a minute." Once Ferretti had sat down Jack said, "This whole conversation is off the record and I'll understand if you say no."

"Sure."

"I need you to do something for me and to not let anyone else know, not even your team. If you agree, then Teal'c will go with SG-2 on their mission this afternoon and I need you to cover his absence when he takes a small side trip."

"What's this about, Jack?"

"I can't tell you yet. But if it goes the way I think, you'll find out soon enough."

Knowing Jack wouldn't ask if it wasn't important, Ferretti agreed.

***

"Come in."

Teal'c walked into Jack's office and closed the door behind him.

"Did you get it?"

"I did, O'Neill." Opening his pack Teal'c pulled out a camera and handed it to Jack.

"The two of you managed to pull it off without the rest of SG-2 knowing?"

"We did. When we had made camp Colonel Ferretti claimed to have forgotten an item needed for the survey and I offered to return to the SGC for it. The camp was located some way from the Stargate so they would not realise it had been used. After a predetermined amount of time I was contacted to say the item had been found and went to P2F 325 to retrieve the camera. I returned to SG-2 and waited for the mission to conclude."

Jack had been fiddling with the camera while Teal'c was talking and had managed to rewind the tape to the beginning. Pressing play they both watched as images of Sam and Teal'c appeared, Sam saying she'd stay with Daniel as Teal'c patrolled the perimeter. Then the scene changed and writing on a wall appeared. They watched for several minutes as Daniel talked to himself as he filmed before the screen wobbled and froze.

When the images started again they were at a ninety-degree angle to the ground and Jack and Teal'c had to tilt their heads to properly see Daniel looking in his pack. They watched as the ground gave way and Daniel disappeared from view. Then they watched a close up of Sam as she knelt at the edge of a hole shouting Daniel's name and asking if he was okay. When there wasn't any reply she slowly backed away from the hole and standing up, her hand went to the radio. The hand fell away without activating the radio and, after moving to the edge of the picture, Sam sat on the ground.

"Christ, she did leave him," Jack spat out, the disgust clear in his voice.

"We do not know this for certain, O'Neill, as we have no way to judge how much time has lapsed," Teal'c replied. "It would be prudent to continue in the viewing of the tape before making any conclusions."

Jack agreed by saying, "It would have helped if Daniel actually used the clock on the display but no, he says it interferes with the recording too much."

They watched for over ten minutes as Sam left Daniel at the bottom of the hole. The sound of Teal'c's voice over the radio broke the silence on the screen and they could just make out Teal'c informing Sam of his find, then asking if Daniel would be interested in visiting the ruins. Jack watched aghast as she calmly said that Daniel was busy with his translations and that Teal'c should have a look for himself. When Teal'c radioed fifteen minutes later to say that he was on his way back, she once again didn't inform him of the accident.

Yet another ten minutes had gone by before Sam finally stood, made her way back to the edge and called out to Daniel. This time when her hand went to the radio she pressed the button and, sounding as if she was panicked, informed Teal'c of Daniel's situation. She was calling out to Daniel when Teal'c reappeared on the screen a few minutes later and the rescue began.

"I'm going to kill her. I'm going to rip her head off and stuff it where..."

"That would be an unwise course of action, O'Neill."

"Says the guy who went on a Jaffa vengeance gig because of Tanith," Jack retorted as the images on the screen continued to play.

"I learnt from that experience. Because of my Jaffa vengeance gig, as you call it, I was captured and brainwashed by Apophis before we were all stranded far from here. It was only because of the actions of the Replicators that we were able to return to the SGC where you were able to obtain help for me in the form of Bra'tac."

"And you learnt the lesson so well you got stuck in a wormhole getting even with the snake," Jack replied. Taking a deep breath he continued, "Are you seriously telling me you wouldn't be after her blood if she'd pulled the same crap with Ishta?"

"I would plan my actions and not act with such haste this time, O'Neill."

"Well I can't afford to send her out there again. Heaven only knows what stunt she would pull if there ever got to be a next time."

"I do find myself uncomfortable with the thought of being under her leadership once again."

"What I should do is have her locked up, undergo a couple million sessions with McKenzie and get a court martial started. She's going to pay for what she's done."

"You must not let Colonel Carter know that you are wise to her actions, O'Neill."

Jack agreed and grinned. He'd figured out how he was going to deal with Carter.

***

Teal'c sat at the briefing table and Daniel watched the activity in the gate room while they waited for Sam to arrive. Before Jack had gone to the Pentagon earlier that day he had left orders that SG-1 were to stay stood-down until he returned but she had called a team meeting. Hearing a noise they both turned to see her enter the room followed by a member of the Tok'ra.

"Thanks for coming at such short notice." Sam took the seat at the head of the table and her guest sat at her left while Daniel cautiously sat next to Teal'c. "This is Barvic and his host Razkitor. Some Tok'ra operatives have gone missing and they're asking for our help in finding out what has happened to them."

"Both Hiltec and Ranor informed the Council they had invaluable information regarding the many fortresses and future plans of a Goa'uld now that Anubis is no longer around. Ranor was captured before she could leave Arindat and we had a report from Hiltec saying she was being tortured. We have since lost contact with Hiltec," the deep voice of Barvic replied.

"How can we help?" Daniel wanted to know.

"A team from the SGC will accompany Barvic to an unoccupied planet and, once there, the team will travel to Arindat by ship to hopefully rescue the missing Tok'ra."

"So why are you telling us, Sam?"

"Because SG-1 is the team that is going," she replied.

"I'm sorry we aren't on the active list, Jack said this morning he has us on stood-down."

"I know we were but this is an emergency and, believe it or not, we're the team best qualified to do this."

Teal'c and Barvic didn't say anything as the conversation went back and forth between Sam and Daniel.

"You're seriously telling us there's no other team at the SGC who could go?"

"Yes, Daniel, that's what I'm telling you. I know you don't realise this but Charlie is Hiltec's host."

"Charlie? As in the Charlie who was created by the Rhee'tou?" Daniel queried as he stood up and started to pace the room.

"Yes, that Charlie. What's your problem with this, Daniel?"

"How about the fact I'm still on light duties and a rescue mission certainly doesn't come under that category?"

"I've spoken to Doctor Moseley and, based on your check up this morning, he's given the go ahead for your return to active duty."

"We should speak to Jack before just going out on a mission."

"I'm sorry but we don't have that luxury, Daniel."

"This is bull, Sam. You can't just ignore Jack's orders when you feel like it."

"Colonel Edwards is on the phone to the Pentagon to get the go ahead as we speak. Teal'c, you've been quiet up to now. What do you think?"

"Daniel Jackson is correct and I am unwilling to disregard O'Neill's orders on the matter of our inactivity. Any attempt at a rescue should wait till his return," he responded as Colonel Edwards entered the briefing room.

Looking at the four people sitting round the table Colonel Edwards said, "Because of the urgency of this matter I tried to contact General O'Neill but he's in his meeting with General Hammond and not to be disturbed. I explained the situation to General Vidrine, along with Colonel Carter's recommendations, and because of the importance of the mission the go ahead has been given. You leave in twenty minutes so I suggest you gear up. Dismissed." He made his way into Jack's office followed closely by Sam and Barvic.

"I'm not happy with this, Daniel Jackson," Teal'c stated as they made their way out of the briefing room.

"You think I am, Teal'c?"

"O'Neill will be most displeased when he learns what is happening."

"That he will."

Following Daniel into the elevator, Teal'c made a silent vow that he would do everything in his power not to let their leader cause any further harm to his friend.

***

Jack pressed play, sat back on the couch and watched as the events from SG-1's mission to P2F 325 once again played out. He knew that by bringing what Sam had done to the attention of others he could be opening himself up for a Court Martial, especially if she did know about the relationship he and Daniel had, but had decided that the risk was worth it.

When the tape came to an end he turned to General Hammond who asked, "Why would she do that? Why would she leave Doctor Jackson at the bottom of a cavern when he was unconscious?"

Knowing he couldn't air his suspicions as to the real reasons behind Sam's actions Jack said, "I've talked to Doctor McKenzie and her last evaluation indicated Colonel Carter is in perfect mental health."

"Which only makes this whole issue even more confusing. Could she be under alien influence?"

"I also checked with Doctor Warner. Apart from receiving some minor injuries on two of SG-1's missions her medicals have all come back clean. The techs weren't happy but he even went as far as getting them to double check all the results from her blood tests for the last six months."

"I didn't believe it when you told me about this, but to see it..."

"That was my first thought when Daniel told me, Sir. Which is why I asked Teal'c to get the tape, I needed to see for myself it was true, then went to McKenzie and Warner."

Jack watched as his former C.O., the man who was Sam's godfather, got up and paced around the large office whilst saying, "Knowing your dislike of the man, you actually trusted Doctor McKenzie with this?"

"I'm not sure I trust him but McKenzie's the one who's been doing her evaluations."

"What have you done about it?"

"Because of Daniel's medical leave I have SG-1 on stand-down and I've left orders that they're taken off the active list for the foreseeable future. I wanted to speak to you before I started formal proceedings."

"What do you want me to do?"

Thoughts of putting all the knowledge he'd learnt on black operations into practice on Sam for several hours went though Jack's head as he turned to the third man in the room. "I want it that Colonel Carter doesn't get the opportunity to do anything like this again, Mr. President. That she never works at the SGC again and leaves the Air Force completely."

Henry Hayes looked at the Air Force officers and nodded. "Oh believe me, General O'Neill, any officer who falsifies a mission report and deliberately endangers the life of a team member won't be around for long. George, how do you suggest we go forward?"

A quick discussion took place that included talk of more psych evaluations, with a different doctor, and a court martial ended with Henry sitting behind his desk making a call to the Joint Chiefs as Jack and George continued to talk. His sharp, "Why?" "How?" and "When?" made the two officers stop and look in his direction. When he finally put the phone down Hayes said, "The Tok'ra asked the SGC for assistance in locating two of their operatives. When Colonel Carter advised there were no other teams available to help on the mission, General Vidrine gave Colonel Edwards permission to send SG-1 to help. They left less than ten minutes ago."

"What! SGs 2 and 6 were both available for off world missions. Mr. President, do you know where the operatives are?"

Jack's blood ran cold when the reply came back that they were undercover on a planet run by Baal.

***

"Soon it won't matter."

"What have you done, Sam?"

SG-1 had been caught by Baal's Jaffa less than an hour after stepping foot onto Arindat soil. Daniel had been held in a cell by himself and, apart from the lone Jaffa who brought food and water, this was the first time in four days that he had seen anyone. Looking at Sam and the hard, cold look in her eyes told Daniel he was in serious trouble.

"I spoke with Baal and we've come to an arrangement. I'm going to miraculously escape, managing to free Teal'c at the same time, while you, on the other hand, will stay here where Baal will continue to torture, kill and bring you back to life."

"And?"

"And, what?"

"And, what else have the two of you agreed? You must have planned for something otherwise the SGC would try a rescue mission."

"You're going to become the host of Tro'dat."

"You can't do this, Sam."

"You're wrong. I can and I have."

"Not that it's important, what with the whole implantation thing you and Baal have planned, but who is Tro'dat?"

"Baal's lover."

"What?" Daniel shouted incredulously.

"You tried to take something that isn't yours and, even though it's perverted and wrong, you seem to like being with men so I've arranged for you to spend forever with one."

Knowing what Sam was talking about he said, "I'll say the same to you as I said to your Replicator double, being bi or gay isn't perverted."

"Yes, it is."

"So you're telling me Jacob was perverted."

"My dad didn't have a man as a lover."

"Why do you think he came back to the SGC so much, Sam? It certainly wasn't just to see you."

Sam slapped Daniel and angrily shouted, "First you try to take Jack and now you lie about my father."

"I didn't take Jack from you," Daniel replied as he stepped away from the woman in front of him.

"You tried to but you won't succeed. He's mine."

"He was never yours, Sam, Jack isn't someone's possession to own."

"Yes he is. He loves me and we're going to be together forever."

"He used to care for you as a team mate, the same way he still cares for Teal'c."

"Is that what you really think? If so, it shows how little you really know him."

"It's obvious to everyone."

"As I've already said, soon it won't matter. You'll be with Baal and I'll be at the SGC with Jack."

"Even if I do get trapped here, Jack will never turn to you."

"Yes, he will."

"No, he won't. He knows the truth about what you've done."

"What are you talking about?"

"He knows what really happened when we were on P2F 325."

"You fell, I radioed Teal'c and we got you back to...."

"I remember, Sam."

"What?"

"That it was less than ten minutes after Teal'c left us before the ground gave way. Jack knows how long you left me at the bottom of that cavern, that Teal'c called in twice and you lied when you said I was working."

"It will be your word against mine."

"Jack told me Teal'c went back to get my camera."

"And? It won't show anything, you'd put it down to get your notepad out."

"But I'd only pressed the pause button, after a few minutes the camera would have started recording again."

Sam finally started to look worried as she said, "You're lying."

"The real reason Jack went to the Pentagon was to see General Hammond and the President about your actions, Sam. You'll never work at the SGC or in the Air Force again if he gets his way. I wonder what Jacob would have said about that?"

"No," she whispered.

"Jack doesn't want you, he never wanted a relationship you. Even if I was to die you'd never get to be with him."

Sam screamed and ran towards him. Daniel had to use every technique that Jack, Teal'c and even Sam herself had taught him over the years to stop her from hurting him, not quite believing that he was using them against a person he thought of as a sister.

A staff blast sounded and then all was quiet in the cell. Daniel looked at Sam, saw both her hatred of him and pain in her eyes before they slowly closed. Where as before Sam had been fighting him, she now slumped in his arms and Daniel could see a large wound on her back.

"Sam?" Looking up he saw the Jaffa who had been bringing him food and water holding a staff weapon.

"Are you hurt?"

"Uh. No," Daniel replied. "Thank you. She was... she was..."

"I am aware of what Colonel Carter was attempting to do."

"Uh... How?"

"Because I witnessed her talk with Baal and her willingness to betray you."

"Who are you?" Daniel asked, confused, "and why did you save me?"

The Jaffa gave a small bow and said, "I am Lowd'on, a member of the Jaffa rebellion. Come, we are in grave danger and must hurry to free Teal'c."

"But Sam..."

"We must leave now, Doctor Jackson."

Daniel looked down at Sam then lifted her so he could carry her over his shoulder. "We don't leave anyone behind at the SGC."

"The shol'va not only tried to kill you but was willing to leave you here for all eternity," Lowd'on said impatiently, "and you're willing to risk our safety to carry her body? Leave it or we will be caught."

Daniel shook his head. "I won't leave her."

Lowd'on gave Daniel a look of disgust then led the way to where Teal'c was being held, all the time keeping alert for signs of danger certain that taking the body would result in all their deaths. When they reached the cell Teal'c was being held in Lowd'on opened the door and motioned for Teal'c to exit.

"It is good to see you, brother," Teal'c said, stepping out of the small room and taking the proffered staff weapon. "We must..."

Seeing Daniel carrying Sam's body he stopped what he was going to say and asked what had happened. Lowd'on said they didn't have time to talk and made his way down the corridor.

"I won't leave her behind, Teal'c."

Teal'c nodded his head slightly and indicated for Daniel to go ahead of him. They had made it outside of the complex before an alarm was heard and, speeding up, it soon became clear they would struggle to make it to the gate before the enemy Jaffa reached them.

"We must move more quickly," Lowd'on shouted.

Teal'c turned back, looked at Daniel and, having worked so closely together for such a long time, didn't need to say anything. Daniel passed Sam's body to Teal'c, neither willing to leave her behind, and they continued to run. When they finally made it to the gate, Daniel dialled Earth's co-ordinates but before he could complete the sequence a staff blast hit Sam's body, some of the blast catching Teal'c enough to knock him from his feet. Daniel quickly finished dialling, hit the red crystal and sent the GDO signal. He started to make his way to where his fallen friend lay but was caught by the discharge of a zat before he could get there.

***

"You must close your iris," Lowd'on shouted as the blasts that followed him through to the SGC hit the walls and window of the control room. The iris closed and Jack made his way into the gate room where he saw a Jaffa pulling an unconscious Daniel and Teal'c down the ramp.

"Who are you and what happened to my men?" he demanded to know as Teal'c began to stir. Once Lowd'on had explained Jack asked, "So where's Carter?"

"Colonel Carter did not make it," Teal'c said from his position on the ramp, his voice carrying to everyone present.

A shocked silence fell over both the gate and control rooms before Jack said, "Pardon me?"

"Colonel Carter was killed by a staff blast," Teal'c replied as he slowly stood up.

"Where's her body?"

"I left it behind," Lowd'on answered.

"Why?"

"Because I only have two hands and could not bring the body back as well those who still lived," Lowd'on replied in a way that reminded everyone of Bra'tac.

Noticing that Daniel was only now stirring up from being zatted Jack ordered them all to the infirmary for their check-ups. The medics helped Teal'c onto a gurney and Lowd'on walked by his side as Jack helped Daniel to stand. Apart saying he was fine, Daniel was silent all the way to the infirmary. Once there, Jack left Daniel to the tender mercies of a nurse and crossed to where Teal'c and Lowd'on were. When he was standing next to his friend Jack asked, "Are you okay?"

"I am, O'Neill."

"What happened on that planet?"

"According to what Lowd'on has told me, Colonel Carter made her move."

"What did she do?"

Lowd'on explained what he had witnessed and the actions he had been forced to take.

When the story had ended Jack said, "It's over, she won't be able to hurt Daniel again." Although he knew it would take time for Daniel to realise he wasn't to blame for what had happened, Jack was glad. Glad that Daniel was safe and that Carter was no longer a problem for them.

***

On a planet far away from Earth, Baal watched as his lover made her way his bed. If he were to be denied the pleasure of Daniel Jackson then the one who had been called Samantha Carter would, for the time being, make an adequate substitute.