Together Forever 1

The Man In Me

by Melissa Adams & Amanda

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/asm/madams/togever01.php
Summary: Sam is found in her lab after a stressful mission and promising to go home. Janet demands answers and soon the outlook that has followed Sam for her entire life comes to the surface

SGC Complex
Carters Lab

Another couple hours and Major Samantha Carter would be to the point where she could rest. Oh she knew it was silly but ever since she was younger after something stressful in her lift she had to be to the point of physical exhaustion to sleep more than two or three hours at a time and with the doctor's orders for her to sleep a total of eight hours or so uninterrupted she knew that she needed to be exhausted to the point to do that or she was so not going to be cleared for duty in a few days and this next planet on SG-1's mission list was one she wanted to visit.

It was weird when Sam thought about it, here she was one of the premiere front line officers and the world's foremost astrophysicist and she couldn't admit to her friends that she couldn't sleep unless she was to the point of exhaustion or why when and if she found out. Of course with at thorough as the base CMO and her friend was she had been amazed that it hadn't come up or been found out before this but she was always careful of course and other events normally had all their concentration. The real challenge came on the nights when she stayed at Janet's place or in a hotel with her, she had to feign some believable work in order to keep awake long enough to get tired and not rouse the woman's suspicions. Of course there was that one instance she thought for sure that she had been caught only to silently thank that both women decided to stay up half the night and the next morning were rewarded with a hangover that would kill if they were lucky but it hadn't.

Pausing in her typing some worthless equation to go through and get to the one that would actually help when she paused and raised a hand to her mouth to cover the yawn and shook her head to wake it up. Another two hours and she could sleep but she had to stay awake for that. Suddenly she looked up when the sound permeated her mind like a knife, heel clicks from the high heels Janet wore, "Shit" she exclaimed and quickly glanced around the office. ~Hide, hide...but where? ~

Setting her eyes on the sofa she nodded and ran over to shut off the life and then took a flying dive over the sofa and laid down on the floor making sure none of her body would bee seen, as long as Janet didn't look too hard she would think the lab was empty. Hearing the clicks stop outside the door Sam closed her eyes a moment and steadied her breathing the best she could and then saw the light flip on and the slower heel click sounds. Counting in her head the woman was relieved when she saw the light go off and the door close. Uncurling her legs she laid out on her back and breathed in what felt like the first time in the past few minutes, ~I'm getting too old for this~ she thought giving another seconds for Janet to get further away before she went back to work.

Janet had decided to check on Sam to make sure she was actually sleeping and not working. She was at the lab door when she heard and exclaimed 'shit' coming from within and that gave the good doctor her answer. She pushed the door open and entered quietly.

~Damn, damn, damn~ the trapped woman thought and looked around studying the sofa, there was only a two inch space underneath it but if she was careful she could...

The door was pushed open slowly Janet taking her time listening for any sound that could be made by Sam.

Carter backed up a little when she saw the light coming from the door and immediately felt it and clasped her hand over her mouth, she had found that mousetrap she had put out last week. The worst part was she didn't have any boots on and...~GOD DAMN THAT HURTS~ she screamed in her mind putting her head down on the floor and pressing her hand tighter over her mouth.

The door was pushed open half way but still obscuring most of the room from Janet's view.

Grinding her teeth together Sam made the mistake of pounding a fist on the floor and tried to hold still...

Upon hearing a slight nose Janet threw the door open the rest of the way and watched Sam with a very narrow eye.

Opening one eye the woman saw Janet and then the lights and sat up offering a smile, "Uh hi Janet" she said hiding her foot and pushing the pain down, if she saw she had a mousetrap stuck to her toes; likely broken and bleeding, she'd be stuck in the Infirmary and she really didn't want that. "I didn't see you there, what can I do for you?"

Placing her hands on her hips Janet gave Sam one of her looks. "Why are you still working when you were ordered to get at least eight hours uninterrupted sleep?" She asked getting right to the point.

"Well I..." she started and sat up but back on her legs, her left foot screaming at her, "You see I had some work to do and I did grab a few hours and...."

"What part of uninterrupted do you not understand?" Janet paused. "I wasn't joking about this," she said a little angrily.

~Think up something quick Carter...why couldn't one of our alien allies beam me up~ Sam thought and smiled but still sat on the floor. "I promise I'm going within the hour Janet."

"Just because we are friends doesn't mean you can push it to the limits and try to get away with things concerning medical matters," Janet said frustration and anger clearly showing in her voice.

"I promise to go to my own base quarters and rest."

"See that you do. I will send a nurse by and if you're not asleep you are going to be sedated and forced to sleep whether you like it or not," Janet said firmly. "I am not joking in regards to this." She turned quickly and left slamming the door closed in her wake. Sometimes she wondered why she kept this position

~Oh man she's hot~ Carter thought as she finally sat forward and looked at the injured foot which had the mouse trap hanging and covering two bloody toes. Wincing the woman took a deep breath and was just leaning forward when...

"OH and one more thing Sam" came Fraiser's voice as she burst back in.

~OH CRAP~ Sam Carter thought quickly and yanked her hand back covering her foot with the hand, which in turn pressed the trap further onto her foot and she winced but then smiled, "Uh...yes Janet, what is it?"

"When you have some time Cassie wanted to talk to you," Janet said giving her friend a funny look. "She wouldn't tell me what it was about." She paused looking at Sam's expression. "Are you OK?"

"Yeah...yeah I'm fine" Sam answered with a smile and didn't realize that her right hand was positioned at just the right spot that blood, sticky red blood started to trickle out and cover her fingers.

"If you're fine then why do you have blood running down your hand?" Janet asked her voice cold.

Glancing down at her foot with blue eyes the woman knew she was busted and truthfully she really did feel better when Janet tended to her personally, "I...uh a little accident I guess. Would you mind" she asked gently, softly and the pleading evident in her eyes as she uncovered the foot and motioned to it as she leaned back. "I...I think I broke something" she answered through gritted teeth now that she didn't have to hide the pain.

"God Sam this is more than a little accident." Janet exclaimed. "What were you going to do, hide it from me?" She asked as she made her way over to her. "Where's you med kit?"

"The Infirmary, it's being restocked and I haven't had a chance to pick it up yet" Sam admitted. "I wasn't really trying to hide it from you..." she admitted tiredly. "Can you take the trap off or not?"

"Yes, but then we have to get you to the infirmary so I can take care of it properly," Janet said then angrily added. "And yes you were trying to hide it from me. I bet you had that on the whole time I was in here, so you could have said something." Janet kneeled and began to pull the spring part of the trap so she could slide it of Sam's foot. "Next time wear shoes this wouldn't have happened otherwise. Now, let's get that taped up," she said standing and coming to support Sam as she walked.

Corridor

Wincing as she tried to hop along holding onto the doctor the woman simply sighed, she knew something was broken and that meant a cast though maybe Janet would just tape up toes...hell she didn't know and didn't care, "Well look at it...this way Janet...at least now I have a reason to stay up."

"That's not funny," Janet said angrily. 'You take your health for granted and then if something goes wrong you expect me to put you back together." She paused and sighed letting some of her frustration out. "Gee thanks."

Sam pulled away from the woman angrily and leaned against a wall in the corridor, "If you think it doesn't honestly hurt me when I have to ignore you Janet then go...Leave me here...I'm sure someone else won't mind giving me a hand, some airman or a scientist who comes by or better yet I'll make it myself" she snapped, a signal of how tired she was as she turned and put her full weight on her foot, leaving a pool of blood and a loud cuss word in it's wake.

"Damn it, then don't ignore me," Janet yelled. "You're the only one that's forcing you to make that decision, not me." She moved once more to Sam's side. "And if I leave you here that means I'm neglecting my duties. If that where to happy what the hell kind of a Doctor would I be?" She didn't say another word but waited to see if Sam would take the help she was offering.

Stopping Carter turned and stared at the smaller woman and finally sagged, her mind knowing what her soul knew already and she draped an arm heavily on Janet, "God I'm so tired Janet, but I can't sleep...I don't want to sleep" she admitted taking the weight off her injured foot. "And my foot hurts."

"You foot probably wouldn't be hurting if you would have slept. Your body is tired and the only way to alleviate that is to rest," Janet said in a softer tone. "As much fun as you think working is it's not rest and that's what your body needs right now."

They were almost to the infirmary taking it one step at a time. That tone told the woman all she needed to know and she sighed, "You're going to knock me out aren't you Janet?"

"You have left me no choice Sam," Janet answered.

Infirmary

"I know" was the short answer as they arrived at the Infirmary. A nurse rushed up to help and took Sam's other side, her weight supported between them. "Always fun days around here" the woman complained as she was helped onto a gurney.

Janet grabbed a tray and all the items she would need to tend Sam's foot. She started by cleaning the broken skin. Then but an antibiotic cream on the openings and bandaged them up. Now she could deal with the fact the smallest toes was broken. She took a heavy medical tape and secured the toe to its neighbor. "I can't put a cast on a toe Sam so you're going to have to keep it taped up and STAY off of it." Just then the nurse returned with a pair of crutches. Janet leaned then against the bed. "When you are released you have to use them. Now, I have to give you a sedative," she pulled out a needle and after swabbing a point on Sam's arm proceeded to inject the contents into her blood stream. "Lay down you'll start to feel it working momentarily." She gathered all waste and proceeded to the trashcan.

Half an hour later one of Janet's nurse's poked her head into the woman's office, "Ma'am it's been half an hour and Major Carter is still fighting the sedative, she's awake and the EEG shows increasing brain activity. Her pulse, and other vitals are up as well" she informed her boss.

"What the hell" Janet mumbles to herself. She entered the infirmary and goes over to Sam. "You need to stop fighting the sedative Sam. I mean it."

"I'm not," she admits tiredly from her spot lying on the gurney, the monitor wires running to her head and chest. Again the voice she hears and jerks her head to the side almost as if searching for someone in terror.

"Sam, talk to me. Tell me what's wrong," Janet, said softly brushing stray strands of hair of Sam's forehead.

Licking her lips the woman turns her eyes on Janet, she can see the concern and the love as a friend there, "I...I just don't want to sleep Janet."

"Why Sam?" she asked. "Something has to be making you not want to sleep. Talk to me, I can help." she pleaded not wanting to see her friend like this.

Sighing the woman shook her head, "You'd...you'd think it's silly and you'd be mad at me that I didn't report it earlier Janet; I can't tell you" she admitted as the voice came again; the message it said made little to no sense. 'Help us' over and over again repeated in her mind. At first Sam had ignored it, figuring with the horror story that Teal'c and Daniel had told about the civilization that used to thrive on the planet and the various bodies that had been found were giving her nightmares, nightmares so horrendous it reminded her of the fear she had a child after her mother died but working hadn't helped, getting exhausted hadn't helped.

Janet forced Sam's gaze. "If you can't tell me then who can you tell," Janet sighed. "You can't keep going on this way, your body can't handle it." Janet took a seat on the bed next to where Sam lay, concern filling her eyes.

Sighing Sam scooted over a little so she could look at Janet more easily and sighed, "You're just going to think I'm nuts and want to run all types of tests on me before I end up having to talk to Mackenzie, but I'm not crazy Janet" she insisted.

"OK," Janet said still very worried. "Why don't you start from the top and we can go from there," She suggested wanting to get to the bottom of this.

Sitting up a little Carter pulled her knees up and hugged them, the fatigue and the effort of fighting the sedative the Doctor had given her evident on her face and her toe hurt, "When we came back from the last mission, I ... I started hearing these voices, at least I think I'm hearing them and incredible headaches, nausea and nightmares" she admitted knowing the reaction that would get from her best friend. Janet was very protective of patients and those she called friends.

A little bit of anger flared in Janet's eyes. "Why didn't you come to me sooner?" She asked. "At least that explains your EEK readings. Can you tell me about the nightmares and what the voices keep saying?" Janet wanted answers but didn't want to push Sam too hard. She was afraid she would pull so far into herself like she did when taken over by Jolinar.

Shrugging the woman rested her head on her knees, "It doesn't make much sense to me really and I don't remember a lot about the nightmares" she began as the voice came again and then the flashes...images of people's faces crying out, blood curdling screams and the monitors wailed as Sam's vitals skyrocketed.

"Sam. What did you see? What did you hear?" Janet asked panic hinted in her voice as she rubbed one of Sam's shins in a soothing gesture.

But the woman didn't answer and then she started to seize, her head thrown back and her body shaking as the monitors wailed. Medical personnel came running...

"Get a crash cart in here," Janet yelled, "Patient going into defib. Let's get an IV started." Her head nurse got the IV line running and brought an oxygen mask over Sam's face. She began to lay Sam back down. "I need six milligrams EPI. She's going into seizures." Janet was moving frantically to stabilize Sam's vitals and her team was just as frantic.

Briefing Room

It was a little over an hour later before Sam was situated in ICU; unconscious though the EEG showed her mind was active in ways almost not possible. Hammond and SG-1 were meeting with the CMO in the briefing room and O'Neil spoke first, "Doc what the hell is going on? You cleared all of us after the last mission and now you're telling me Carter is hearing voices."

"Colonel" Hammond began and shook his head to silence the man, "Doctor Fraiser can you tell us what is going on with the Major? You said they all passed their post mission exams with flying colors, though you told me that the Major was a little tired lately."

"Other than Major Carter feeling tired, there was nothing in her exams to lead to this. She passed everything," Janet said frustrated. "I don't understand it myself, but she complained about nausea and headaches caused by the nightmares and voices she is hearing." She clasped her hands together on the table. "I can't explain how or why she is, but all I know is I believe her. Her EEK readings were almost off the charts and for that to happen she has to be having abnormal brain activity." Janet stopped and looked around the table. "Colonel did anything unusual happen on the last mission?"

The older man shook his head, "Not for Teal'c and I, we were together. Danny was with Carter in that temple thing..."

"Ziggurat Jack" Daniel Jackson informed him calmly. "Sam was just studying the walls with me Janet, I don't remember anything..."

"Janet" came Sam's voice from behind her, she was still in the Infirmary gown and had unhooked the IV's and monitors going toward her and snuck out.

"MAJOR" Hammond ordered coldly.

"Carter you look like hell" Jack O'Neil stated rising, as did everyone else. "Doc, I didn't think she was well enough to be here?"

Janet spun in her chair facing the Major. "Sam. You should be in the infirmary," Janet said moving to get her in the seat next to hers. "Colonel she isn't," Janet said and gave Sam a quick once over.

"Bad girl Carter shouldn't sneak out on the Doc. She tends to stick things where..."

"Colonel" the General interrupted. "Major are you sure you're ok to be here?"

"Not...really Sir" she answered tiredly, "However, I think I need to be here."

"Why do you think you need to be here?" Janet asked trying to at least get some answers.

They were all now sitting around the table with Hammond at the head, Jack and Teal'c on one side with Janet sitting between Daniel and Sam on the other.

Sighing and taking a minute to control the images flooding her mind, "General" she began looking at Hammond. "I...I don't know how or why but I'm seeing, hearing things. The voice that is prevalent at the moment says help us, over and over again and it isn't in English though I do understand what it means. The images I'm getting..." she closed her eyes against the headache, "Are of battles, death blows, almost as if they are images of me killing people Sir."

"Carter listen" Jack O'Neil began, "Maybe it's just stress, you need some time off and..."

"NO SIR" she hollered opening her eyes with a vengeance. "I'm not overworked, I'm not crazy, and I'm seeing and hearing what I said I'm hearing Sir."

"What language are they talking in Sam" Daniel asked thinking that could help him perhaps understand what was going on.

"I have no idea Daniel" Sam answered, "I've...I've never heard it before."

Janet sat in silence until medical questions were asked this was out of her league.

"We should return to the planet," Teal'c said. "The answers could be in the temple somewhere."

"No" Carter said shaking her head and then leaned forward in pain, the headache coursing through her body like a knife. ~God it hurts~ she thought slowly.

"Doctor" Hammond determined, "Perhaps you had best get your patient back to the Infirmary and..."

"I'm...fine Sir" Sam intoned but didn't move she wouldn't move because if she did her head would fall off.

"Sam you are in pain. Let me get you to the infirmary and we can take care of it," Janet said softly. "Teal'c can you help me move Major carter?" Janet stood and pulled Sam's chair away from the table.

Control Room

The Jaffa man nodded and walked over to pick her up but then Sam stood almost with a blank look on her face and pushed away from him walking toward the stairs and descending them quickly. Almost on automatic she went to a computer console and started typing massive amounts of machine code. Everyone from the briefing room had followed her, "Major what are you doing" Hammond demanded.

"I...I don't know Sir" she insisted but kept typing.

"Sam, you need to return to the infirmary," Janet insisted.

"Major I order you to stop at once," Hammond commanded not wanting to screw up anything dealing with the gate and its programming.

"I can't do that Sir" she said and kept typing.

"Teal'c stop her and take her back to the Infirmary" ordered the General coldly.

The Jaffa walked over and grabbed her arms, "You must desist Major Carter."

"NO! I...." and then she passed out.

Infirmary

With the help of Teal'c Janet had Sam back in ICU hooked up to all the monitors and IV line.

Briefing Room

SG-1 and General Hammond had returned to the briefing room to discuss the situation further and to try and comprehend what Major Carter had been typing.

Infirmary

Janet herself could not be removed from Sam's side. She sits in a chair next to the bed holding Sam's hand worried about her.

Doctor David Mackenzie came in a few hours later and motioned to Fraiser. Once they were alone in her office he handed her a file, "Major Carter's dopamine levels are through the roof Doctor. With her headaches and the voices it's classic schizophrenic behavior, you know that."

"I know her symptoms classify her as a schizophrenic, but I believe there is an alien influence involved here," Janet said professionally. "I am not going to condone her to be admitted into a Mental Hospital if that's why your here," Janet said getting to the point and hating this man more than she did before. "If that is what you want to do then you have to go to the General and convince him because I will not sanction it."

"And if she snaps and hurts someone" he questioned slowly. "I appreciate your devotion to your friends and patients Doctor but the truth is that you are too close to this to be objective. I've already spoken to the General and he's assured me that I have full psychological discretion in these matters, I was hoping to work with you to get the Major better as I'd rather not have her see us fighting" he informed her officially. "With luck, and the right medications, we can have the Major back here in a few months."

"I'm all for working together if it's the right thing in so doing. There is no reason to lock her up in a padded room when she can be treated here or at the Academy hospital," Janet argued. "You have to get Sam another way, because I'm not giving her up without a fight," She finished and returned to sit by Sam's side.

And three hours later he did as the man came back with two medical technicians and handed her a paper signed by General Hammond. He saw Carter awake and sitting up having been trying to talk with Fraiser, "Please move Doctor" he said pleasantly.

"Janet" Sam pleaded pushing a little more toward the head of the bed.

"Major just relax, we're going to help you. You're being transferred to mental health over at the Academy Hospital" Mackenzie told her.

"Janet" Carter pleaded again and looked at her, "Why? What's..."

"Damn you Mackenzie," Janet yelled. "Abby, get Hammond on the phone now." When the call was patched through Janet took over. "Sir I can't condone this. Its not right," Janet said a pleading tone in her voice. "There is no reason why the Major can't be treated here on base."

"Doctor I didn't make this decision lightly but at your own insistence Major Carter has no physical signs of traumas or injuries beyond increased brain activity, which Doctor Mackenzie has told me is possibly a side effect of the behavior he believes she exhibits. I am in no way abandoning the Major" he began to explain. "But why not allow Doctor Mackenzie to conduct his tests while you continue to look for answers? It can't possibly hurt Major Carter and..."

Screaming was heard as Sam fought the techs and Mackenzie before they walked her out, held tightly in a straight jacket. Carter's eyes locked on Janet's.

"Sir, I believe that removing Major Carter from her know surroundings will do more harm than good," Janet stated. "If you will excuse me I am going to accompany her to the Hospital but this discussion is not over." Janet slammed the phone down and rushed after the techs, Mackenzie and Sam.

Corridor

"Is that really necessary?" She questioned. "She has shown no signs of aggressive behavior since her recent predicament."

"But she could Doctor" Mackenzie said and moved to the head of the group as the techs pushed Sam along.

Sam Carter was terrified, she wasn't nuts and looked over towards Janet, "Janet what's gong on? You said you believed me...you said we'd fix this...why?"

"Mackenzie stop," Janet, ordered. "Give me a minute to speak to Major Carter alone, please," She asked from one professional to another

They were at the medical labs and the man turned and nodded, "One minute Doctor and I'm counting" he said motioning towards a lab where she could take Carter for some privacy.

Medical Lab

Janet maneuvered Sam into the lab. "Sam, I need you to trust me. I believe what you have said," Janet softly said. "But Mackenzie has taken this out of my hands. He went straight to the General and over my head. I am trying to fight it, but I need you to go with them for now." She squeezed Sam's arm reassuringly. "I am going to see that the transfer is done properly and that you are in a safe place. I will get you back. OK?"

Despite being the tough Major in the Air Force Sam let her walls down, she wouldn't have done it with anyone but Janet, "I...I don't want to go...they'll keep me and I'll never see you guys again, my work, my career and you and Cassie..."

Janet tried to calm Sam down while fighting off her own panic. "Shh...Sam, its going to be OK. I won't let them keep you. I promise," Janet, said love showing in her eyes. "I'll be by everyday to visit and make sure you're OK. Can you do this for me, just for a little while until I can convince Hammond that you are not a risk here." Janet searched Sam's expression trying to find the answers to many of the questions she had.

Pressing her eyes tightly closed the woman nodded slowly when a wrapping came on the door. Both women turned and despite the voices Sam faced Janet, she couldn't touch her because her arms were in the straight jacket, "I understand Janet...thank you," she admitted.

"Doctor, Major" came the voice of David Mackenzie. "We have to go."

Janet caressed Sam's cheek then called out to the others. "All right we're coming."

Corridor

Janet lead Sam out of the lab and they walked behind everyone on their way topside. Janet wouldn't let Sam get more than arms reach away and the only time that will change is when she had to leave her at the Hospital.

U.S.A.F. Academy Hospital

The ride was quiet; Sam had leaned over and rested her head on Janet's shoulder. She was so tired, she didn't want to hurt anyone and just wanted to sleep; her foot was killing her with the broken toe and Mackenzie hadn't given a damn when she told him about it. On top of that he had injected some type of anti something or other though she wasn't paying enough attention to get the name. Apparently she had drifted off because she felt someone shake her shoulder once and then she was yanked out half asleep and sat on the ground, "OW" she hollered lifting up her injured foot as everyone looked at her. "Watch the toe you idiots" she seethed and tried to tell the voice she was hearing to shut up.

Janet was furious with the techs. "This is a patient here not a piece of luggage. You are to treat her with delicate hands and care. Do you understand me?" She leaned down to speak to Sam. "I'll give you something for the pain in your foot once inside."

"I'm sorry Doctor" Mackenzie interrupted from where he was speaking with a nurse, "That won't be possible. I'll give Major Carter something when and if she needs it. We have to do an intake exam for now so you'll have to say good bye here" he ordered a nurse came over with a wheelchair. "Have a seat Major Carter."

"It's ok Janet" Sam promised as she carefully sat down and looked up at her with heavy eyes. "I...I know this isn't your fault. Just find out what's wrong."

"Mackenzie don't you dare cut me out on this," Janet warned. "I am going to accompany the Major throughout the exams."

"Doctor this is my..." David began signing the paperwork.

"Janet" Carter interrupted and looked up at her and smiled, "It's ok, really. Trust me, just go back to the base...find the answers," she pleaded and then the nurse pushed her away.

Mackenzie came up to her and handed her some paperwork, "I've accepted full custody of Major Carter, and there are the signed forms. I'll keep you informed of her condition Doctor Fraiser."

As Sam was being wheeled away and Mackenzie handing her the paper work Janet couldn't take it anymore and snapped. "Mackenzie you pompous son of a bitch, so help me.." she didn't finish the rest of that sentence. Instead she abruptly turned and marched back to a vehicle that was returning to the base. She was not happy in the slightest bit and Hammond would hear about it soon enough.

SGC Complex
Briefing Room

SG-1 and Hammond were waiting when Janet came into the briefing room and O'Neil was having his say at the moment, "General with all due respect Sir...are you cracked?"

"Colonel" Hammond began.

"General you know Mackenzie isn't going to help her. Hell he didn't help Daniel when the same thing happened with him, he thought the same thing and..."

"Colonel I fully believe that the Major is best helped here, however you also need to understand" he began and nodded to Fraiser, "That short of issuing an order that would be overturned the minute he went to the head of psychiatric military services, there was nothing I could do. I tried to talk him out of this, but by refusing his 'request' the fact is that it could have put the entire program at risk."

"The programs already at risk Sir," Janet said. "After all Major Carter is pretty much the one that keeps the gate running." She approached the table and took her seat. "I believe in the long run he is going to do more damage than good. Sam is comfortable here in her environment. And she is only comfortable with one doctor and that's me. She trusts me."

Janet momentarily let her anger get the better of her then threw all her walls up.

"And I agree Doctor" the General stated.

"Then why did you allow him to take her Sir" Daniel interrupted quickly and shifted his glasses. "I can promise you from first hand information that Mackenzie isn't at all nice to..."

"Major Carter knows how to handle herself and there are bigger concerns here" he stated and looked at Fraiser. "Is there a reason why you can't remain her physician and treat her as well at the Academy Hospital Doctor?"

"Mackenzie is locking me out so to speak," Janet said with a shake of her head. "I tried to remain with her upon arrival when they contacted a cursory exam, but he had security block my way, keeping me and the Major separated. If we don't find an answer and find it fast I am afraid of the lasting effects this might have on her." Mentally Janet made a silent vow that if anything were to happen to Sam she was going to really make life a living hell for him.

"Well that isn't going to work," Hammond proclaimed.

"No kidding General...I could shoot him" O'Neil offered.

Teal'c raised his eyebrow, "Indeed O'Neil."

"Major Carter is a member of this command Doctor, you're to stay involved with her care by my direct orders. If Mackenzie has a problem with that then you have him come to me," Hammond ordered with a nod of his head. "Anything else?"

"Has there been any headway on the information the Major was typing?" She paused but not long enough for anyone to respond. "Could it be possible for the answers to be on the alien planet?"

"General" O'Neil interrupted, "We have to tell them."

"Tell us what" Daniel asked as Teal'c raised his eyebrow.

Sighing the older man faced them, "While Major Carter's medical situation is real the fact is that I had been working with the Chief of Staff at the Academy Hospital and Colonel O'Neil here when one of our personnel and two of Mackenzie's patients reported 'inappropriate' behavior while he was treating them. Nothing sexual but..."

"YOU used Sam" Jackson demanded. "You let him take her on purpose...how could..."

"Take it easy Danny. Carter heard us talking and she asked to help, her current situation just made that possible" O'Neil interrupted. "Doc we were going to brief you but then the situation with Carter came up and..." he shrugged.

"And what," Janet yelled. "You thought it wasn't important anymore? He is a part of my staff and I should have been informed at the very beginning." She stood and began to walk towards the door.

"Doctor" Hammond said rising and walked over to her. "I don't have to tell you how important Major Carter is to this command, this country and to those of us in this room who are her friends. I need you to keep your eye on her, only you can without scaring him off. But above all you make sure Major Carter is safe, I don't want her hurt."

"So help him if her hurts her, that will be the last thing he ever does," Janet said before practically running out of the briefing room and to the surface.

Enroute To Academy Hospital

The drive to the Hospital was shorten than it should have been. She not only was speeding but she ran three red lights as well. Thank god there were no cops around.

U.S.A.F. Academy Hospital

Upon arrival Janet headed straight to the nurses desk. "I demand to see Major Carter."

"You'll need to speak with Doctor Mackenzie about that Doctor Fraiser" the young officer said, he was only following orders. "Major Carter is resting right now after being medicated."

"I am her primary care physician. I don't need to be cleared by Mackenzie. Now give me her file and take me to see her," Janet demanded getting angry.

"Right away Major" the man said and quickly found the file and handed it to her. "She's in room three to the left," he pointed.

Mackenzie was coming out then recapping a syringe and stopped seeing the CMO of the SGC, "Doctor Fraiser, what are you doing here? I've made it clear that..."

"Cut the crap Mackenzie. I am her primary physician so I have the final say," Janet was angry and wanted so much to take a swing at the man. Unfortunately if she did that she wouldn't be able to help Sam. "If you have a problem with it take it up with Hammond, but I really don't give a damn," she went on to say. "Now tell me what you just injected her with?"

"Rest assured Doctor" he stated handing her the sedative, a strong one, "I will" and left.

In her mind Sam knew that the base would use this situation to catch Mackenzie and the 'complaints' that she had insisted on wanting to help with. Her head was heavy and she was laid out on the floor, mumbling and knew she wouldn't be conscious long. Listening to voice Sam licked her lips, she knew when Janet found out about it she was going to be hot but the complains had all been issued by women and Mackenzie had always had an interest in her because of Jolinar.

Janet grabbed the syringe and stuffed it in a pocket, she would analyze it later, and right now she needed to check on Sam. She entered the room to see Sam sprawled out on the floor. "Oh god," she gasped as she immediately knelt down and started doing a cursory exam. Sam was overly medicated and that was not a good thing. As Janet lifted her eyelids she noticed that the pupils did not dilate and rolled slightly back in the eye sockets. "Sam, Sam can you hear me."

Mumbles greeted her and her head lolled to the side, "Mmm....No....I don't..." and then silence.

"Sam I am so sorry," Janet said tears filling her eyes. "I had no idea."

Mackenzie came in at that time and without his coat, his silver eagles clear and stared at the woman, "Major Carter needs rest Doctor, I'm going to have to ask you to leave...IMMEDIATELY."

"I don't give a damn what you want Doctor," Janet said coldly. "I am not letting Major Carter out of my sight. You have got her so overmedicated right now it's unbelievable." Janet stood defiantly before the egotistical man.

"You have no cause to determine that Doctor" he stated calmly. "Now MAJOR I am giving you a direct order to leave this room...YOU are disturbing my patient."

"She is no longer your patient, I am resuming full medical care of her. You have a problem take it up with Hammond," Janet stated glaring at Mackenzie.

"You are too close to the Major to determine anything Doctor and until this can be resolved the Major is not leaving" David Mackenzie stated stepping forward. "Now do you leave voluntarily or do I have guards remove you by force for disobeying a DIRECT order?"

"I take my orders from Hammond and Hammond alone," Janet said not backing down an inch.

"Very well, then I'll..."

"You'll get nothing" came Jack O'Neil's voice behind him as he stood with SG-1 and four guards. "We got into your files Mackenzie, while the Doc and Carter here kept you busy. You're going down" he stated smiling and came in, his weapon in his hand and looked at Janet, "Is she all right?"

"Sam" Daniel called and raced over dropping down beside her. She moaned at his touch.

"I won't know until I get this drug analyzed. If he was telling the truth and its nothing more than a strong sedative then I can give her an antitoxin to help expel the rest of the drugs from her system," Janet stated. "Otherwise I don't know, but there will be some sever withdrawal she will go through." Hearing Sam moan and seeing her in the condition she was in Janet couldn't take it anymore and snapped. She took the extra two steps so she was standing directly in front of Mackenzie, balled up her right fist and decked him.

"MY NOSE" the man stated as he covered his bloody nose and moved back.

Daniel and Teal'c stared wide-eyed but Jack was all smiles and motioned the guards in, "Way to go Doc. Watch the door the next time you walk into it there buddy" he said holstering his sidearm. "Get him out of here."

"You have no authority" David began.

"Mackenzie" O'Neil said coming up and glared at him, "Keep pissing me off and I'll shoot you" he stated coldly and walked around him to Fraiser. "Is there anything we can do? Is your hand all right?"

"It hurts like hell Sir," Janet stated looking and her bleeding knuckled. "Right now my primary concern is taking care of Major Carter."

"Fine by me Doc, but then you get that hand looked at" Jack said and looked at Daniel and listened as Mackenzie screamed and hollered as he was led away. "T, keep an eye on him until he's in a cell and then call and brief Hammond. Doc, do you want her moved somewhere?"

"I want to get her back to the base as soon as possible," Janet said as she moved to the doorway and grabbed an orderly that was passing by. "I need a wheelchair brought to this room immediately," she said with authority.

Everyone nodded when suddenly Sam arched up, her eyes wide in pain and then she slumped. Daniel was beside her and looked up in alarm, "JANET" he hollered. "There is no pulse."

Janet immediate ran to Sam's side and proceeded to do CPR. It was only two minutes later but it seemed like a lifetime to Janet. Sam was finally breathing and had a pulse. "Get an ambulance to meet us outside. She can't stay here any longer I need to run tests," Janet stated her concern clearly written across her face. As she proceeded to accompany Sam back to the base she threw her keys at Daniel. "I need you to drive my car back please."

"No problem" he stated and nodded rising. "Jack we better..."

"I'm with you Danny boy, but you report to Hammond. I've got to stay and clear stuff up around here" O'Neil said and walked over to Janet putting a hand on her shoulder. "How's she doing Doc? There should be an ambulance waiting, we can wheel her out on the gurney when you're ready."

"I'm afraid that the drugs Mackenzie injected Sam with where not sedatives," Janet sighed. "This incident just proved that." She took another look at Sam. "Lets start taking her outside. By the time we get out the ambulance should be waiting. I want guards in front and in back."

Once O'Neil had ordered the guards they set out, with Jack staying pace with Janet who had her hand around Sam's wrist, "She's going to be ok Doc, but as soon as she's stable I want you to get your hand looked at, understand?"

"My hand isn't a priority," Janet said coldly and continued walking. Sam was in danger of losing her life and she pretty much let it happen.

"Doc" Jack insisted and stopped her as the woman was loaded into the ambulance and the medical people did their thing. "You're here for her now...that's what matters so try to cut yourself a break or you're no good to Carter. I'll check in back at the base" he said and let her go looking at a guard, "You follow only Major Fraiser's orders until you're back at NORAD, is that understood?"

"Yes Colonel" one of the guards stated with a nod. "Doctor" he motioned to the ambulance.

Janet looked at Jack. "See that son of a bitch gets what he deserves." She climbed in after Sam and watched as one guard climbed in after her and another closed the door. "Sam, I'm here," she said as she held Sam's hand lightly stroking the knuckles.

From somewhere in her mind Sam heard the voice and managed to squeeze the hand but didn't open her eyes or speak, she was just too tired for that.

Janet leaned down to whisper in Sam's ear something for only her to hear. "I want you to hang on. OK. I'm not going to lose you," Janet paused. "You're very brave."

Opening one eye Sam spoke softly under the O2 mask on her face, "Very brave" she whispered or tried to before falling unconscious again.

Janet held the hand tightly in hers and brushed back stray strands of blond hair from Sam's forehead. Twenty minutes later they arrived at the SGC and began to transfer Sam to the infirmary.

SGC Complex
Observation Room

Hammond and SG-1 came in an hour later to find Fraiser in an observation room above the isolation room where Sam Carter was hooked up to monitors and staff attended to her. "How's she doing" Jack asked staring at the still figure.

Daniel came over and put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed it nodding at the bandage covering her hand.

"She is stable for the moment and I was able to analyze the drugs that were introduced to her system," Janet said emotionless. "She went into shock half way to the infirmary, but we were lucky and didn't lose her. As far as the narcotics go, I have treated them with an antitoxin, but there are still minimal traces left. When she wakes she has an extreme high to come down from." Never once did she really acknowledge the General or members of SG-1, she just kept staring out the observation bay window at the still form of her friend.

"I know you don't believe it Doc" O'Neil stated, "But it wasn't your fault."

"That's right," Daniel insisted, "If you hadn't been there God only knows what would have happened to Sam."

"Indeed" the Jaffa stated, "Without your assistance we would be deprived of Major Carter's presence, I would not desire this."

"Doctor, for the moment I'm going to overlook the fact that you struck Doctor Mackenzie but..."

"She didn't General" O'Neil countered, "He walked into a door and as soon as Carter's up, we'll have the security footage to prove it Sir."

"I see" Hammond continued, "Doctor do you know what he injected her with or what the purpose of it was?"

"He injected her with a number of narcotics," Janet said coldly not acknowledging them, just staring out the observation bay window. "Several of which are highly addictive." Sadly Janet added. "She is going to be in pretty bad shape for a while."

"Son of a..." the Colonel said and shook his head. "General I knew I never liked him, permission to shoot him Sir?"

"Colonel that's enough" Hammond snapped. "Do you have any idea why he did that Doctor? Major Carter is the fourth victim he's attacked that way, according to reports."

"I can't say why he did it to the previous victims, but I think he may have been testing Major Carter's tolerance," Janet said her tone flat and devoid of emotion. "I noticed some notes he had in her file, about try to mix a high dosage of narcotics that would inhibit a Goa'uld's perception. Make them more susceptible to either mind control or interrogation. Sam was nothing more than a guinea pig to him." All Janet could do was watch Sam and judgment being clouded with anger.

Before the man could ask anything more a voice came over, it was of Janet's head nurse Abby, "Ma'am she's regaining consciousness" she informed her.

"Doc, go" Jack insisted. "I'll shoot Mackenzie after."

"We'll talk later Doctor, for now see to your patient" Hammond insisted.

Janet nodded to the group gathered in the observation room and left without saying another word.

Observation Room

She entered and headed straight to Sam's side making a quick glance at the machine readouts. "Hey. How are you feeling?" She asked wearing a fake smile after all she was not happy with the situation and blamed herself for Sam's mishandling.

"Dr....Dream" she asked under the O2 mask. "What...What happened" Carter asked tiredly.

"You were hearing voices and having bad nightmares from your last mission. Some kind of alien influence, but we are still working on that," Janet said sadly. "Mackenzie took over your care against my will and transferred you to the Academy Hospital trying to keep me away from you. He introduced a number of narcotics to your system." Janet could say anymore through the tightness in her throat, but she continued to rub Sam's arm.

"Where..." she brought a tired hand up to pull the mask down, or try to, "Where...am I?"

"Doctor" Abby said from her spot across from her, "Her vitals are rising again."

"Sam, calm down, you need to try and keep your vitals leveled. OK?" Janet said softly. "You're back at the SGC. You're home."

In response the woman passed out as another staff came in and handed her a report, "Major Carter's last lab report, EEG readings, and scan results ma'am" he finished and left.

"What's it say ma'am" Abby asked as she proceeded to make the woman comfortable, she felt as guilty as Janet did. "How's your hand Doctor?"

"I'm not the one you should be worried about," Janet snapped. "Her readings are still off the charts. Her brain activity isn't as high as it was earlier, but its still above normal." Janet continued to look over the report some more. "Damn it," she practically yelled using her bad hand to slam it on the table.

"Ma'am" Washington said and quickly came over lifting Janet's hand to look at it, "Doctor I don't know Major Carter very well, but I know she considers you a friend and having a doctor with a broken hand when she keeps slamming it around isn't gong to help her. You'll find the answer ma'am" she promised rubbing Janet's hand. "Let me rewrap this and then you can sit with her a little while, make you both feel better Doctor."

"It's not broken," Janet said as she took a seat.

"No, but keep slamming it around and it will be" the nurse complained and smiled. "You'd have the head of anyone in this base if they had just slammed an injured hand around the way you just did and you know it Doctor."

Janet mumbled something derogatory about herself trying to keep Abby from hearing.

But Sam heard, or rather sensed and immediately her eyes opened, "Not your fault" she said with a little more strength.

Abby spun around and immediately stepped out of the way so she wouldn't be stepped on.

Janet hopped up out of the chair and moved closer to Sam's bed. "Shhh...get some rest," Janet whispered. "Your body has been through a lot of stress with more to follow."

"You...just...like to...see me sleep" she said tiredly and opened her eyes, they were tired and more dilated than normal but they were semi clear. With her hand down by the bed she reached up tiredly and took one of Janet's, "Not...your fault...Janet."

"The reason I like it when you're asleep is that you're less trouble for my staff," Janet joked still ignoring Sam's words.

"Not me..." she whispered, "The...Colonel" she said squeezing her hand and turned her head barely to stare right at Fraiser. "Say...it's...not...your fault...or no....sleeping...for me."

"I can always give you a sedative Sam," Janet threatened.

"So" was the cocky reply.

Up in the Observation room all the guys smiled, "The Doc brings out the worst in that XO of mine I'm telling you."

"Just go to sleep Sam. I'll stay right here," Janet promised.

"Not...until...you...say it" Sam insisted tiredly and would have yawned if not for the O2 mask.

"Fine," Janet said with no enthusiasm. "Its not my fault." Her voice was flat and devoid of emotion. "There I said it, now please go to sleep," she said much softer full of concern.

Not believing her Carter started to use the last of her energy to rise among the wires and the tubes going into and onto her. Abby put a hand on her shoulder, "Major you shouldn't be..."

"Back off" she ordered irrationally and pulled the oxygen mask down, leaving it hanging around her neck and turned to cough, so hard her chest hurt.

"Sam. Stop," Janet ordered pulling the oxygen mask back into place. "I said what you wanted now sleep."

"You...didn't mean it...leaving" she said the drugs affecting her mind.

"Ma'am" Abby began and looked at Janet, the question of restraints clear in her mind.

"Sam if you don't calm down and stay put I'm going to have to restrain you," Janet warned.

"You..." she glared at her then, "You...wouldn't...dare" she said and turned tiredly but with renewed energy from the drugs and started yanking off wires, IV's and monitors.

More staff rushed in as monitors blared and up in the observation room the guys stiffened, "What in hell did Mackenzie pump her full of" Daniel demanded of Jack and Teal'c. They knew they couldn't go in there but they wanted to.

"Damn it Sam. You left me no choice. Abby get the restraints please," Janet with the help of a few techs kept Sam on the bed till the restraints arrived. While the others held her down Janet secured Sam's arms and legs. "I'm sorry Sam."

For a day and a half Sam was in and out of consciousness after being restrained, one of the drugs in her system was incredibly resilient and seemed to be reacted with the leftover Naqada in her bloodstream. Since that time SG-1, Janet and Cassandra; who had come in to be with her mom and Aunt Sam, all sat with her over and over again; just hoping and waiting.

Cassandra found her mom sitting in the isolation room with her hand in Sam's talking with her and she waited before coming in, "Hey mom" she whispered and walked over to kiss her. "How's she doing?"

"She is still the same," Janet said sadly kissing Cassie. "She has started going through withdrawals. This is the most difficult stage to be in. If she makes it through this she will be fine." Janet looked back at Sam's sleeping form. "Do you want to stay with her? I need to stretch a little."

"Sure" the girl commented and went over to kiss her Aunt Sam and then took the chair Janet offered, letting her hand replace her moms. "Why don't you get some sleep mom? Sam wouldn't like you pushing yourself too hard."

"I'm fine Cassie. Just a little stiff from sitting in the chair." She gave Cass a kiss as the girl took her seat. She walked up to the bed to speak. "I'm going to walk around a bit Sam. I'll be back in a little while." With one final look she walked away and left the room.

Corridor/Infirmary

She passed up and down the hallway for a while and after retrieving a cup of coffee went to stand in the observation room. The more she stood there the more angry she got and decided to head to her office and try to find some answers.

Medical journals, textbooks and Sam's file occupied the space on her desk. The light box had MRI scans of Sam's brain showing the increased activity in the different regions. Not finding answers Janet just kept getting angrier. After shoving a book of her desk onto the floor she walked up to the wall and punched it trying to relieve some of her frustration.

"Nice right Doc" Jack O'Neil stated entering her office and sat down a McDonald's bag. "I brought you lunch and should I get a nurse about that hand of yours? You seem more determined than me when I'm angry to break yourself there."

"Its nothing," Jane snapped. "Thanks for the lunch, but I'm not hungry." For good measure she punched the wall again with the same hand that was already hurt. Why damage the other one when the injured one hurts more to inflict pain on.

Having enough O'Neil stood up and went over and closed the door, "Fraiser that's damned well enough" he snapped and reached out grabbing her hand mid punch and pushed her toward the sofa. "Sit Doctor. What the hell is the matter with you? Are you crazy?"

"Maybe I am Sir," Janet snapped in anger.

"Then you certainly shouldn't be helping Major Carter, I'll just tell Warner to take over" he stated and turned to leave and do just that.

"Go ahead," Janet pushed. "I can't do a damn thing for her as it is."

"So that's it" the man said and stopped turning to stare at her and smiled. "The super doctor is realizing she has limitations like the rest of us huh? Sucks don't it? But guess what" Jack stated taking a step forward, "You are helping her, she'd already be dead if not for you Doctor Fraiser and try to remember that. Now I say again, sit or do I pick you up and make you sit" he asked, knowing at his next physical he was going to get a finger up his six for his trouble just in spite of this but...

"I may have stabilized her when she went into shock but here's a news flash. Any medical person can do that," Janet yelled. "I am the one that is suppose to fix the major problems and I can't." She was furious. "And your right it sucks. It sucks for Sam because she's not out of the woods yet and there is no one here that is capable of helping her. SO DON"T TELL ME TO SIT."

Leaning back against her door the older man just crossed his arms and looked at his watch, "You will let me know when you are done right? When you're ready to sit, eat the lunch I brought you, and stop feeling sorry for yourself because you're going to be a while I'll just camp out on the floor here and take a nap" he informed her in typical O'Neil style.

"I'm not feeling sorry for myself so don't you dare say that," Janet threatened. "Go ahead camp out. Why don't you use the couch its more comfortable than the floor to take a nap."

With a smile he nodded but waited and then finally stood up, walked over and picked her up and then the bag. He plopped her down with her screaming at him and sat the bag beside her before he planted himself right on her lap, "I'm likely going to pay for this at my next physical but I've damn near got you trained Doc and I'm not letting you tear yourself up over something that wasn't your fault. So eat or do I get to try force feeding next" he asked with a grin. "Haven't done that in ages."

All Janet did was continually beat Jack's back. "Get off me damn it," Janet yelled.

The man winced and saw Daniel come in and smiled. "Hey Danny Boy."

"Uh Jack" the man started.

"Just give us a little while Danny. Doc is helping me pop a disc back," O'Neil told him.

"Daniel. Get back in here," Janet yelled. "Get him off me." She hit him even harder than before.

"Uh ok..." the archaeologist said confused.

"Danny leave...trust me" O'Neil insisted.

"I'm uh..." he just shook his head and left closing the door.

"Now Doc, anything you bruise you're going to have to fix so stop hitting me huh," he asked.

Janet didn't care, she just kept on hitting him all the while yelling. "Daniel. Damn you get back in here. Trust me Colonel is the least of the things I would like to do to you right now," Janet growled. "Now let me go."

"Not happening Doc," he said getting comfortable on her lap, damn she had bony knees, "You're my friend besides just being the lady who explores my six and jabs me with big honkin needles, I'm not letting you self destruct alone so if you promise to talk to me and eat while we talk I'll move. Do ya promise Doc" Jack asked.

"Yes. What ever just get the hell off me," Janet yelled waiting for him to move.

Sliding off her sat beside her and pointed to the bag, "Ok, eat and tell me why you find this your fault Doc" he ordered. "I mean you don't gotta threaten me...I already know I'm paying for this at my next physical so let's just get to the mushy junk and then get back to helping Carter get better."

"I never said it was my fault," Janet insisted and got up making a quick run for the door and out into her infirmary trying to get away from Jack.

And she was stopped when he grabbed the tail of her lap coat and pulled her back jumping in front of the door, "Ah, ah Doc. If Sam were here she'd kick my ass if I left you like this...so..." he shrugged.

"DOCTOR FRAISER TO CRITICAL CARE, DOCTOR FRAISER TO CRITICAL CARE IMMEDIATELY" came the voice over the base.

"Oh wonderful" O'Neil stated and stepped out of the way, "I'll put the burger in your fridge Doc."

Observation Room

Janet took of at a dead run to ICU. By the time she made it she was nearly out of breath. "What's going on?" Janet demanded trying to take control of the situation.

Cassie stepped aside with a grin and sitting up in bed, among the beeping monitors and with the mask over her face was Sam. "She woke up and asked for you mom, I asked Abby if they could unhook her from the restraints until you had seen her."

"Janet" Sam whispered softly and held out her hand, it shook a little but was more steady.

"Sam," Janet said softly. "How do you feel?" she asked and pulled out a penlight.

"Tired, sore...but alive" she promised and pushed her hand forward. "And....in need of a hug" she said softly to her best friend.

The medical staff and Cassie had made themselves scarce and Jack had shooed everyone out of the observation room, they both needed a little privacy and he called to brief Hammond.

Janet gave Sam the hug she was asking for. "Any more voices or nightmares?" Janet was still in doctor mode.

"Oh yeah" she answered holding her best friend for a few seconds before releasing her. "When can...I go home and get rid of this..." she pointed tiredly to the O2 mask.

Janet released Sam and pulled out her stethoscope. She breathed on the disk trying to warm it a little before pressing it against Sam's chest and back. "Inhale and hold," she instructed followed by and ex-hale then repeat. "Your breathing seems to almost be back to normal," she reached for the O2 mask pulling it off and laying it near the tank. "I think you will be OK without it, but if you start to have problems breathing let me know." She took a deep breath then sighed. "As far as going home. I can't let you until we solve why you are hearing voices and having nightmares and treat it."

"Dream pooper" she commented with a smile and yawned. "It's...ok. You'll...take care of me Janet" she promised reaching out for her hand again and squeezed it. "I think I'm going to rest for a few minutes...ok?"

"Yeah rest," Janet repeated a little sadly helping Sam lay down before leaving and heading to the surface for a little fresh air and a walk.

After waking up and because of the drugs in a room she didn't recognize Sam Carter jumped off the bed, yanking IV's and monitors off. The woman cowered in a corner, sweating and her eyes wild, why were they doing this to her? Why wouldn't they believe her? She wasn't crazy, she...the drugs made it hard to think, hard to maintain control and each time the control slipped the words got louder.

~Only I can help you! You are the last chance for a dead world~ began the conversation in her mind.

Shaking her head from side to side the women tried to concentrate as she mumbled, "I...I don't understand...how...how can I help an already dead world?"

~Through your Stargate...the answer lies in the reprogramming of your Stargate. I am all that remains of a dead world, but you can at least save my energy~ began the voice to explain. ~You started it already. ~

Sam was so busy arguing with herself that she didn't hear anyone come in. Sam tried to fight the drugs, fight the images and such coming into her mind but finally she had started to understand...it wasn't easy but she had started to understand and when Janet came by to visit that night she clung to her and pulled them both down on the floor, she was fighting for control and then the voice in her head started to speak she looked up at the ceiling, "WOULD YOU SHUT UP OR I CAN'T EXPLAIN...DAMNED IDIOT" she commented at the top of her voice.

"Janet" Sam began licking her lips, she looked so unlike herself at the moment, "I...I know what's happening, I know how to fix it, but I have to go back to the base immediately."

"Sam, you are at the base. Your in one of the ICU rooms," Janet explained. "What do you need to do at the base?" She questioned, not really intending to let Sam go.

"Explain what's going on and...." she scrunched up her face like she was listening to someone talk and nodded. "I...I need to brief everyone Janet, get me a uniform."

"Sam, I can't let you leave in the condition you are in," Janet said firmly intent on restraining Sam again if she had to.

Sighing the woman listened to the voice yell in her head and she looked up again, "EITHER SHUT UP OR TELL HER YOURSELF" she hollered and looked at Fraiser. "Janet, I just need long enough to conduct a briefing, then we'll come back. I won't...leave your side the entire time, I promise."

"Sam, if something goes wrong you need to be here," Janet persisted.

"Janet" the woman tried and reached out squeezing her arm, "I promise you...I'll be fine. Please?"

Janet dropped her head closing her eyes to think this through. It was several minutes later when she spoke. "You have thirty minutes, nothing more and you can wear a pair of scrubs."

"Thank you" she promised and leaned over hugging the woman tiredly, she was still so tired lately. "You can even wheel me since my foot hurts."

"Good cause that's the only way you are getting there," Janet said her hand throbbing a little. ~Must be time for more aspirin~ she thought.

"Uh Major, Doctor" one of the techs interrupted. "Could I help you both back to seats? It looks bad on us junior staff when the patients and the CMO plop down in a corner ma'ams."

"It's all the Doctor's fault Sergeant" Carter stated with a smile. "And listen Janet, was it necessary for you to go poking around my uni while I slept?"

Janet didn't bother replying to Sam's remark just brought in a pair of scrubs and a wheel chair. "I notified the General and SG-1 should all be in the briefing room," Janet informed. "So as soon as you're changed and ready we can head up there."

"Uh oh..." she started sitting on the side of the bed as a technician was unhooking all the wires. "She didn't comment on my uni comment...that means she's going to go poking around later. Maybe I can just pretend it's a nightmare," she asked looking at Fraiser with a smile.

Janet shook her head and threw the clothes at her. "Hurry up," she said.

"Bossy old..."

"Uh Major" the tech interrupted. "I've only been here a short while ma'am but if you like all your body parts in their current working order you may not wish to finish that sentence" she offered with a smile.

Shaking her head Sam glanced at Fraiser, "You're corrupting your staff. How am I supposed to help the Colonel drive you crazy through them when you won't let me corrupt them to begin with?"

"Just get dressed," Janet said as the tech finished and left.

"Uh" Sam began slowly, "I might need a little help here Janet, I'm sore and really tired. Can you..." the words trailed off gently.

Janet approached the bed and helped Sam first put on the top then the pants. After wards she moved her into the wheel chair. "Ready?" She asked.

"Yep" she answered and yawned. "Half an hour, got it. Let's go."

Briefing Room

The woman found herself in scrubs and staring at SG-1 and Hammond as well as Fraiser, "Sir" she said rising and moved a little more steadily toward the front of the room so she could address everyone at once. The voices were a little easier to control after several days of talking with them and they now understood she was trying to help, "We can discuss the Mackenzie situation at a later time but if you don't mind I think the voice in my head is a little more urgent at the moment. This is going to be a little complicated and I'm still trying to wrap my mind around it myself but basically the last planet that SG-1 visited, PX5-990 held an extremely advanced society which the Goa'uld wiped out."

"Sam" Daniel interrupted, "We've already determined this based on the..."

"Just bear with me Daniel" Carter said and continued. "This society, or mainly one man in it named Y'Lair, understood the Stargate a lot more than we did. As you all know" Sam began, "In order for the Stargate to be able to reintegrate matter there has to be a connection between two gates but it's actually the gate on the receiving end that..."

"CARTER" Jack O'Neil hollered holding up his hand, "My head, please. Just bottom line this."

Pausing to lean forward and take a glass of water for a drink the woman nodded and cleared her throat, "Sorry Sir. The Stargate has the ability, when not established with another wormhole; to store the intelligence or the soul in it's massive memory. Now this means that when the end was near Y'Lair stepped into the gate on PX5..."

"Ah, ah" the Colonel commented.

"He stepped into the Stargate and was never re energized. When we visited that world our patterns were stored until we were reconstructed on the receiving side of the gate. During that time Y'Lair found my brain to be the most 'complex" she began the last half with a smile, "Of those that visited. When we came back through he came with us."

"No one came back with us Major Carter" Teal'c intoned.

"Not physically Teal'c, no. But..." Sam tapped her own head.

"HE'S in your head" Jack O'Neil stated and looked at Daniel and then the CMO, "So how do we get him out?"

"I don't know that Sir, but I think either Major Carter has that answer or Y'Lair does," Janet stated paying full attention to the briefing as well as Sam's health.

Sighing as she resumed her seat by Fraiser the woman shrugged and leaned back, "From what Y'Lair told me we have to go back to the planet and establish a wormhole, say to Earth but at just the right time we'll need to deliver a high charge to our gate that will cut it off mid transport" she said knowing the reactions that would get.

"Carter are you nuts" Jack O'Neil demanded. "You're dead then."

"I'm sorry Major but you have to find another way," Hammond firmly said. "You life will not be lost in this situation. That is unacceptable."

Janet just remained silent and watched everything unfold.

"Not necessarily Sir" she finished. "At that point in time I will have shown Doctor Fraiser how to tap into the gate systems and where to monitor what are called EEG waves..."

"Brain waves" Daniel interrupted.

"That's right" Sam explained. "Once you find me you simply re route the connection through to the integration program, reestablish a link with our gate from the planet and I should step out unharmed."

"This is a big risk Major," Hammond continued to say. "I still want you to find an alternative way."

"With all due respect General I don't think we have time" she admitted and looked at Fraiser. "I don't know the exact numbers or the significance but it's getting harder and harder to get Y'Lair to shut up and basically hold myself in this reality. If we don't try something soon I could very well end up as Doctor Mackenzie originally diagnosed."

"NOT happening Carter" O'Neil stated and looked at Janet. "Any idea if how long we have Doc or even if what she proposed is possible?"

"I don't understand the gate system so I can't even begin to speculate if her theory is sound," Janet said. "And as far as how much longer she will have before her personality is over powered, it's hard to say. It could be anywhere from hours to days, even weeks." Janet was not happy and it showed. She never liked it when a patient's life was at stake like Sam's was at the moment.

Either way she was damned if she did or she damned if she didn't.

"Well there has to be another way Major Carter and...." the General began.

Frustrated Sam closed her eyes a moment and took a deep breath, it was really a pain in the ass to have some hocked off alien in your brain, "General" she began opening her eyes, "With respect Sir, I'm the expert on the gate systems. This isn't like Jolinar, they aren't just in there as a word or a phrase now and then but they are causing nightmares, heighten physical aspects according to Janet. So far I've been lucky but it was a high-powered charge through the gate that blended this 'consciousness' for lack of a better word with mine. I don't know of another way to get him out and I really don't want to spend the rest of my life with him Sir."

"Major do you see no other way?" Hammond asked considering her proposal.

~He's a bit dense isn't he~ the voice inside her mind asked and she rolled her eyes, "Yes he is" she answered verbally and cleared her throat. "Sorry General. Sir I can't see any right now but I admit that Y'Lair's knowledge about the gate system, and what has happened far exceeds my own. To answer your question I need to ask Doctor Fraiser something first."

"Go ahead" Hammond ordered.

With a nod the blond woman turned to Janet, "According to my medical profiles I've had success with hypnosis before. Is there any type of hypnosis or something I could try to better access and control Y'Lair's memories and impressions in my mind Janet?"

"We can try to hypnotize you like we did when SG-1 thought Daniel had died. That uncovered the actual memories and not the fake one. I don't see why it wouldn't work this time." Janet answered truthfully. "I personally can't put you under, but I have a friend, all that's needed is to get her cleared."

Turning back to face Hammond the woman nodded, "Sir I'd like to try that. In the meantime while the Doctor's friend is cleared security wise I can start setting up what needs done on our gate for the high energy charge as well as working out the time tables we'll need. Since we won't be in communication we are going to have to be precise as to when to bombard our gate with the energy and cut it off."

"Carter are you sure" the Colonel asked.

"Sam we can find another way..." Daniel began.

"I don't think we can Daniel. Unless Janet or one of you has an idea this is the best I've got."

"I believe the Major is correct," Teal'c spoke. "It is better to die trying than to go crazy."

"I don't see that we have another option Sir" Sam stated. "Janet can monitor me closely during the hypnosis and if Y'Lair knows another way I think he'll tell me...he is actually very talkative Sir. I don't know if it's possible to voluntarily suppress my personality or consciousness so he could take over and communicate directly or not. The Doctor would know better than me in that area."

"Doc" O'Neil asked, "Is there a way we could talk to this thing?"

"It would depend on how well the hypnosis takes. If she truly goes under than yes we should be able to talk directly to the alien consciousness," Janet didn't like this at all.

"Can this be accomplished by other means?" Teal'c asked. "Medications, perhaps?"

"You want to drug Sam" Daniel asked shaking his head. "Teal'c that..."

"It is only a question Daniel Jackson."

"I don't even want to try using medications," Janet stated. "Her system just finished suffering a huge shock due to being drugged and repeating that could create more complications."

"So your best guess is hypnosis as a viable option then" Hammond asked the woman.

"Yes," Janet answered. "I'm afraid so."

"Actually Sir" Carter interrupted thinking, "There maybe a second option. I don't know the technical name for it but right before a human enters into what is called an REM sleep cycle..."

"What's that?" Jack O'Neil asked.

"It's the period of time when a person dreams Colonel" Fraiser volunteered.

"Right before they enter that dream state suggestions are very powerful, almost like a state of deep hypnosis Sir. A group I worked with at the Pentagon was exploring this for Lucid Dream Recall and it had worked in a lot of cases."

"Its up to you Sam, which one you want to try," Janet said.

"How complicated and risky is this second option Major" the General asked looking at his officer intently.

"Actually Sir about the same as hypnosis would be my guess" she volunteered as Y'Lair got louder she fought to ignore him. "Doctor Fraiser could conduct most, if not all of it. In the second option the main key, if I recall my facts right, is that the subject be relaxed. Janet would take my through some relaxation exercises, I'd recommend it be just us and probably in my quarters. At the right time, once she knows I'm near the REM cycle she makes the suggestion to let Y'Lair speak and if it works my subconscious will do the rest. The trick is getting me back after Y'Lair has his say Sir."

"And how would you manage that Major?" Hammond asked as all eyes focused on Sam.

"Actually Sir" she admitted and leaned back in the chair tiredly shrugging. "I transferred out to another project before we got that far. Janet any ideas on how we get me back? Would my subconscious just bring me back to the forefront once I woke up again?"

"We would need you to focus on things important to you. Things to help guide your subconscious," Janet said. "In theory that is. I don't know to much about this area."

"What's the name of the hypnotist you know Doctor Fraiser" Hammond asked all eyes now on him. "We'll prepare for both possibilities and then the Major and Doctor Fraiser can decide jointly which to try first. Major you can also begin your calculations but no changes will be made to the gate system at this time."

"Yes Sir" Sam said with a nod. "I understand General."

"Ms. Lynn Arnold," Janet said. "She works primarily out of Colorado but has traveled to other cities. She is known as a psychiatrist and the one to take the odd cases. So she should fit right in. General, I would also like to recommend considering her to take over Mackenzie's position. Even though she is none military I believe she would be a great addition to our little family."

"How long have you known her Doctor?" the man asked seriously. "As you know our staff do consult on occasion but as chief psychologist she would mainly be on staff here and the Academy Hospital, just as you are."

"I understand that General and I don't think she would have a problem with it," Janet said honestly. "And as far as how long I have known her. Well since grad school. We attended the same university and basic medical classes."

"I'll consider your recommendation Doctor but for now she'll be here by the end of the day to help with the situation as needed for Major Carter," he stated.

"Thank you Sir" Sam said with a nod. "I...I should be getting back to the Infirmary General. Y'Lair is yelling at the moment and he's giving me a major headache."

"Thank you General," Janet said. "That's all I could ask you to do." She stood then helped Sam to get into the chair and began to make her way to the door.

Corridor/Elevator

As they waited for the elevator Carter yawned and covered her mouth, "Thank you for letting me hold the briefing Janet, I know you didn't want to."

"It's fine Sam," Janet said as they entered the elevator. "Why don't you push the button, you're about the right height for it now."

"You shouldn't pick on the sick Doctor, it's not nice" she answered jokingly and leaned forward hitting level twenty-one. "I'm going to need my laptop from my lab so I can work on the calculations and then you and I need to set through some virtual gate simulations so I can show you how to interface the EEG monitor and what to look for."

"I want Doctor Warner to be present during that," Janet said. "In case something should happen and I can't follow through, this way there is a second person that knows what to do."

She nodded and then glanced up smiling, "I can play teacher to two instead of one" she promised with a wink. "I understand it's you I have to thank for getting me back. I'm sorry I didn't talk to you about what I was planning with Mackenzie, the guys wanted to and the General but I told them not to. How's your hand?"

"Hurts, but its not important," Janet said. "So I guess the guys told you what I did then? That I lost control."

"No, they told me you were protecting a patient and a friend and hit Mackenzie before the Colonel shot him" she admitted slowly. "Thank you for that by the way and your hand is important, I also wish you would agree to go rest with Cassie while I work on my calculations."

"I'm not tired. I'll rest then and only then," Janet said. "So they did tell you I hit him. Well I lost control when I shouldn't have. It could have been far worse and if charges are ever pressed well I won't be your doctor any more." Janet was usually proud of herself, very few things she has done has she regretted and this is one of them. It could cost her everything, her job, her position, and most importantly her family.

"He won't file charges" Carter promised, "The Colonel and I already took care of that Janet," she admitted as the chair was pushed. "Let's just say that he had a bad habit of bragging about some things and I wasn't as unconscious as he thought I was."

"I'm not worried about Mackenzie filing the charges but eventually what I did will become public," Janet said. "And then any number of suits can be made."

She drifted off for a while just pushing Sam. "What is going to happen to him anyways?"

"No idea, but I really don't care" she admitted and brought a hand back over top of one of Janet's. "If you hadn't come back when you did Janet he could have killed me. You saved my life and I thank you for that."

"I shouldn't have left you to begin with," Janet sighed. "I had a bad feeling the moment he tried to take you. That's why I traveled with you to the hospital. I should have stayed."

"And if you had" Sam began as they neared the isolation room again, "He wouldn't have done anything and would still be out there to hurt some other young woman. I'm not sorry that he's stopped Janet and I'm not sorry I helped stop him but I am sorry you feel so horrible about it."

"I'm not sorry he was stopped either," Janet admitted. "I just wished that you don't have to suffer." She fell silent after that trying to control the emotions coursing through her.

Observation Room

Silently Carter endured Fraiser getting her back to bed and hooked back up and into everything but when Janet went to pull away Sam held her hand tightly and turned tired, but determined blue eyes on her, "Stay with me, please Janet."

"Sure," Janet said as she pulled the chair closer to the bed and took a seat.

The Major shook her blond head and scooted over patting the bed, she had a spot to sit if she wanted to, "Just until I fall asleep ok?"

"I'm fine here Sam," Janet said not meeting her eyes, but stroked the back of her hand.

A bit disappointed the woman just nodded and closed her eyes. ~Why don't you talk to her? ~ Y'Lair asked.

~Because she doesn't want to talk to me, I remind her of what she did to that idiot Mackenzie~

~She's simply scared for you Samantha, why else would she be upset~

The EEG showed the increasing brain activity as communication happened between Sam and Y'Lair.

Janet milled around checking her patient. "I'm going to be in my office. If you need anything Sam have a nurse get me," Janet said before walking away.

Infirmary

Later that night Janet, Sam and Warner were going over a virtual model of the gate so they could interface the EEG when Abby came in, "Doctor Fraiser, the General called down and said that Miss Arnolds is on her way down and she'd meet you in your office. He said he's already explained most of the SGC to her and she seemed ok but you may want to have something 'handy' incase you thought she needed it ma'am," she offered.

Sam yawned and glanced at Warner, "If you guys want to take a break we can continue in a little while? I know Janet isn't going to let me try anything until after I've eaten again anyway."

"Taking a break is a good idea," Janet said. "I will have something from the commissary brought for you Sam. Try to get some sleep in the mean time." As she dismissed everyone Janet sat back in her chair and tried to rub the tension knots forming in her neck and shoulders.

"What have I told you about rubbing your own neck Doctor" came the voice of Lynn Arnolds as an SF led her into the office. The woman was several inches taller than Fraiser and she had brown hair as well as a slightly overweight frame but only by ten pounds or so and smiled with a nod. "It's great to see you Janet. Though I must admit you got yourself a bit of a weird group here, aliens huh?"

"Lynn," Janet smiled standing and giving her long time friend a hug. "It's been a little while. How are you? And you don't know the half of it."

Hugging the woman she saw the SF leave and pulled back with a wide grin holding Janet's hands tightly, "It's been ok, a little busy but I'm sure you if anyone understand that" she promised. "General Hammond wasted little time in getting me out here. I was testifying at a trial and he managed to get a postponement and flew me out here on a special Lear jet; I had a military escort the entire time as well as access to a copy of what's going on out here" she said getting right to the point. "So how receptive do you believe Major Carter will be to hypnosis?"

"Well we managed to use it once before on her," Janet said truthfully. "She had a different set of memories given to her about an event. The hypnosis helped uncover the actual event that took place. Are you hungry or need to rest?" Janet asked. "Otherwise we can talk or I can take you too my patient."

"Hungry is a yes" she proclaimed releasing her friend's hands. "I slept on the plane, it's a long flight from New York. I did have one other question though, but you better feed me at the same time" she stated with a wink to her friend.

Commissary

Janet led the way out of the infirmary and to the commissary. "I have to warn you," Janet said. "The food is not the greatest. Actually its just not even good." She picked things out for her to eat plus some items for Sam. She stopped an Airman walking by. "Can you deliver these items to the infirmary for Major Carter please?" Janet asked.

The man took the tray and nodded, "Sure thing Doctor. Have a nice day ma'am" he answered and left.

Lynn looked at her own tray, she'd gotten a lot but she hadn't eaten since last night either, "At this point trust me a raw elephant would taste good, I haven't eaten since last night. She likes blue jello huh? I am more an orange woman myself Janet."

Janet laughed. "Yeah, but the blue jello I will bring in personally. Otherwise she won't eat the actually food." Janet moved to a table and took a seat. "So what's this question you have for me?"

Sitting down Lynn took a couple bites first and smiled, "Tastes heavenly to me," she commented over a bite of whatever the meat was. "Anyway why aren't you doing the hypnosis with Major Carter? She knows you and why you aren't formally trained in it I'm guessing she trusts you."

"She does, but this is something that I am not qualified in," Janet said with a sign. "It's a very complicated situation and I am more needed to monitor her vitals and be on hand should something go wrong." Janet took a couple of bits of her food. Not really hungry but knowing she should eat.

"You're going to have a bigger job than that" Arnold told her and took another bite wiping her mouth with her napkin. "If I understand what I read Janet, and mind you it was a lot to take in, Major Carter is going to have to be put under hypnosis very deeply, suppressing her personality almost completely. I can't give guarantees that she will respond to me to come back but she may you. In the end you or another of her friends if you think that appropriate" she said picking up her tea, "Could be the only thing that gets her back to the here and now."

"Well right now I am trying to keep the rest of the team out of it," Janet said. "Even though they are close Sam's a very private person." She signed before continuing. "I am not even sure she wants me to be around for this."

"What makes you say that" Lynn asked and resumed eating watching the doctor.

Janet took a drink of her ice tea. "We have been really good friends, Sam and me that is, but lately she seems more distant around me." She took another drink. "I know that this is a lot for her to take in and understand but I have always been a shoulder to cry on. I guess since I'm not for this it seems like something is wrong with our friendship."

Wiping her mouth again and picking up her tea the woman sat back and thought a moment and nodded, "All right, has anything happened before this whole alien in the brain thing that could have strained or been misunderstood by either of you?"

"That's the thing," Janet said a little to loudly before lowering her voice. "Everything had been fine leading up to this incident. So I just don't know. I know there has been nothing she has done to me to affect the friendship. And I thought that everything I had done was good, but maybe not. I just don't know."

"Then talk to her" she insisted and resumed eating and paused again to chew. "Her mind, everything she is has to be focused on what we are going to do Janet, that means I won't even attempt this until whatever issue is going on is resolved. If you like I can be there and we can conduct is a counseling session but I suspect Major Carter wouldn't be comfortable with that."

"I have tried to talk with her," Janet said. "But she keeps insisting that everything except for the alien entity in her brain is fine. And you're right she wouldn't like the counseling session." Janet lowered her head gazing at her plate of food and continued to move items around. "I'm just at the end of my line."

"You shouldn't play with your food" the woman commented and glanced up. "Janet listen, I know how hard you take it when something upsets a friendship. I'll be fine here and will join you soon, you're obviously not hungry so go talk to her, tell her how you feel. You might be surprised how much a little honesty works" Lynn advised and started eating again. "Mmm....this is good."

"I don't know what to say," Janet admitted quietly.

Sitting back and wiping her mouth the woman smiled, "You always said that and yet you knew exactly what to say. If you want I can give you a script Janet."

"I'm not sure even a script can help," Janet said.

And that's when Janet saw her; Sam came in still in her Infirmary scrubs and short of monitors. She looked around and headed right for them, "Janet" she insisted, "I'm assuming this is Doctor Arnolds. Nice to meet you."

Wiping her mouth the psychiatrist nodded and took her hand, "You too Major. You're welcome to join us though any minute I suspect you're going to hear..."

"You know you are not supposed to leave the infirmary," Janet said firmly. "Under no circumstances." Janet pushed her plate away and began to stand. "You really need to listen to medical advice."

"I am and I had an idea" Carter began and put a hand on her shoulder taking a seat tiredly as Y'Lair yapped in her head. "Listen, on my EEG readings are you picking up just my readings or Y'Lair's too?"

"Major, Doctor perhaps I should..." Lynn stated and picked up her plate to leave.

"Stay please," Janet, said raising a hand. "You should hear this as too. Both, it's just like when you and Jolinar inhabited your body. But I don't understand..." Janet was trying to finish her sentence but never got the chance.

"Excellent" Sam said excited and smiled, "Doesn't the Academy Hospital have a sensory deprivation tank?"

"Major" Arnolds began professionally as she sat down, "I know I'm the guest at this party but those tanks leave you feeling, for lack of a better term, dead and they seriously depress your vital signs almost putting you into a state of deep hibernation."

"EXACTLY" she said glancing at Lynn and then Fraiser. "Is there a way, that if you both of our EEG readings were accessible at the same time, in other words so you could manipulate both, that you could separate Y'Lair's out?"

"Sam. I don't even think that's theoretically possible," Janet said. "When Hammond told you to find another way. I think her was saying find another less dangerous way."

"Janet you don't' understand" the woman said removing her hand from her shoulder and reached out gripping her hand and resting both on top of it. "When I said Y'Lair was ahead of us in understanding gate technology I was wrong. He was a scientist but not the type I thought" she insisted. "When he stepped into the event horizon he was trying to commit suicide, not save himself. He wants to die."

That got Arnold's attention, the food now forgotten and looked at Fraiser, "She has an alien in her head that wants to die?"

"Oh god," Janet said and closed her eyes. "But using the deprivation tank won't only kill him but you in the process."

"Not exactly" Sam said squeezing the hand. "We can bring the tank here, hook it up in the gate room and then run an interface between it and the gate. After I've been in long enough, and I'm hoping Y'Lair and you guys will know when that is his energy will travel back to the gate and then all you have to do is bring me out of the tank. We dial the gate to a world we know uninhabited and the 'buffer' is cleared meaning Y'Lair dies like he wants. The trick" she said thinking a mile a minute, "Is that you're going to have to monitor the EEG and not bring me out until it's only my readings, too soon and Y'Lair could still be there."

"Major do you understand what you're asking" Arnold's ask. "It's a hell of a risk and...."

"Give me another option then" Sam insisted.

"Damn it Sam," Janet muttered. "This is worse than the last idea you had. Your life is in even more jeopardy going into the tank that it is going into the gate."

"Well none of the options are good ones Janet but I'm out of ideas," she snapped.

"Doctor, Major may I suggest you two go somewhere else to talk about this" she insisted. "And for the record Major she's right, it is really dangerous."

"I'm aware of that" Sam insisted.

"Enough," Janet yelled ad stood up before anyone could stop her and stormed out of the commissary.

Infirmary

It was a few minutes later when she slammed the door to her office and sat heavily in her chair.

And ten minutes after that Sam came in closing the door and sat, "What's wrong? I know you're worried Janet but..."

"Sam I'm beyond worried," Janet huffed. "There is no solution where you are not forfeiting your life to."

"Risking my life Janet, there is a different" she stressed and sighed. "I'm not going to die Janet, I promise you...no matter what we try. But we have to try something, besides I have special things to fight for" she offered with a smile. "Listen why don't we just try that dream stuff you and I were going to do first? After that we can try the hypnosis if you think it could help. Maybe we'll come up with another option then."

Janet slammed her hands down on her desk palm down. "No matter how much I try to analyze each solution we come up with I still see the same outcome," Janet stopped taking a moment to calm herself. "Anyway you look at it, there is a slim chance that you will live through this."

"Slim isn't none Janet" she insisted just as forcefully and came over to kneel down and turned her friend to face her. "Lynn told me, or hinted at what was going on and you should know I'm not mad at you and I want...I need you with me through this Janet; you're one of the things I'll be fighting for because I don't want to leave my best friend yet."

"You already know that whenever you need me I will be there," Janet said and looked away.

Bringing her hands up Sam rested them on Janet's knees, "Then I need you now Janet. I'm terrified to be honest, of all of it but I know I don't want to listen to this guy talking in my head for the rest of my life" she promised.

Janet nodded. "What do you need me to do," she said her voice barely above a whisper.

"Be there, no matter what happens and a hug," she said almost too softy to hear.

Janet gave Sam her hug. "I wish you would stop getting alien entities in your head."

Chuckling lightly the woman rubbed her friend's back and pulled back, "I wish I knew how. Maybe we could write a sign and hang it on my forehead."

"Something along the lines of No Stopping Here," Janet offered.

"Something alone those lines yes" she offered getting up as Fraiser's phone rang. "You better answer that Janet."

"Fraiser her," she answered as she looked at Sam.

And Lynn's sing song voice greeted her, "I know it's a hindrance but do you two think you can stop being all friendly, mushy, mushy in here and get out here so we can get to work? The General told me I only had so long before I had to give him an opinion and I haven't even talked with you or the Major in detail yet Doctor. So in other words...GET OUT HERE" she hollered sweetly and hung the phone up.

"Sam that's are cue to get out of here," Janet said with a smile. "Apparently there are people we need to see and things we need to do."

"Someone is always wanting to interrupt my relaxing with friends" she joked and nodded.

Carter Quarters

Hours later after briefing SG-1 and Hammond the three woman were in Sam's quarters and Lynn was explaining about the dream recall they were going to try first, "Ok, this isn't hypnosis" she insisted to both. "Janet you said you'd done this before so it should be easy, just at the right time on the monitors make the right suggestions and Sam's subconscious should respond. I'll be monitoring from your office if anything goes wrong."

"Sounds good to me" Carter said smiling and winked at her friend. "Say hi to Y'Lair for me when you talk to him Janet."

Janet nodded understanding what Lynn was saying. "What do you want to use as the suggestive events or words?" Janet asked.

"Whatever you think will work, you know her better than I do Doctor Fraiser" she promised and patted the woman's shoulder. "Good luck ladies" and the left.

Sam shifted under the wires and monitors around her bed and smiled, "Guess we should get started huh?"

"Before we do Sam I want to make sure this is what you want to do?" Janet said full of concern.

"I trust you Janet," she said with a nod meeting her eyes. "If Y'Lair knows another way and he can read my mind as easily as he says then he'll tell you before anyone else so if there is a safe way to do this you'll find it."

"Ok. Lets get started," Janet said softly. "Close your eyes and clear your mind of everything except my voice." As Janet started to put Sam under with the help of Lynn she kept stroking Sam's hair back off her forehead.

Briefing Room

It was the next afternoon that Sam, Doctors Fraiser and Arnolds, SG-1 and Hammond were together discussing the results of the dream analysis and the hypnosis and right now Lynn was giving her report, "Major Carter is highly cooperative to both hypnosis and Doctor Fraiser personally, she went under both times in only minutes of getting started as long as Janet was present, when she wasn't it took longer and with more effort."

"That's not surprising" Daniel admitted, "With as closely as Sam and Janet are in friendships and knowledge."

"Very true Daniel" Sam insisted; "However that's also what gave us another idea, though it isn't going to be pleasant for me. Do you all remember how I acted so contrary when Jolinar inhabited my mind? And how she gave her life for mine?"

"I think I speak for all of use here Major, that it is something we can't forget," Hammond said. "Please continue."

"You and me both at times Sir," she offered shifting in the chair, at least now she was in uniform. "Anyway as I told Doctor Fraiser earlier in the commissary, I was wrong in that Y'Lair was a scientist; he was the last person of a long dead race and he stepped into the Stargate willingly knowing it didn't lead anywhere..."

"You mean suicide," Jack O'Neil asked.

She nodded slowly, "He didn't want to live alone Colonel, couldn't face the fact that he was the only one left of his race."

"So you have a suicidal alien in your head Carter" her CO asked and rolled his eyes, "Just great."

"Actually it is" Carter said with a nod. "Doctor Fraiser and I talked over the options we had and why we still use the gate the fact of the EEG is irrelevant at this point."

Janet interrupted before O'Neil could start asking more stupid questions. "It makes things a lot easier. Since Y'Lair willingly wants to die all that needs to be monitored is Sam's vitals and EEG. Once the second set of brain waves has stopped existing then Sam is revived." Janet had a better feeling about this now that she talked with Sam and they worked things through.

"But" Carter interjected at this point, "We still have to go back to the planet and proceed as before with the energy surge cutting off the gate. We've interfaced an EEG monitor to our gate here so we know it can be done and Doctor Fraiser and Doctor Warner will be monitoring for my pattern on each side. Once the gate cuts off it's imperative that those on the planet dial back immediately. We can't have the SGC dial out or else my pattern would never re-integrate."

"Carter you're talking about loosing yourself in the gate. Are you guy's nuts? There has to be..."

"Sir there isn't" Sam insisted and looked at Hammond. "It will take me at least another twelve hours before I have the timings finalized Sir."

"Are you sure this is the only way Major, Doctors?" Hammond asked concerned for his officers.

"It seems to be Sir, yes," Carter informed him with a nod.

"I'm no expert on gate technology, hell I can't even say I've seen it operate General. All I can tell you is there is no psychological treatment I know of to treat this" Lynn Arnolds volunteered; she was obviously still slightly overwhelmed. "As for medical concerns and opinions that's Doctor Fraiser's area, not mine Sir."

"Sir, this is the only solution that is acceptable aside from killing Major Carter and that's not an option," Janet said sternly. "Out of all the different scenarios we looked at, this is the safest. She will be monitored from both sides of the gate."

"All right" he stated with a nod, "You have a go then, you leave in fourteen hours" he ordered.

"General" Lynn interrupted, "Sir you'll need to be sure that Major Carter is kept under guard until that time. She is at risk to be influenced by a man that wants to kill himself, if he is determined he could talk her into doing that."

"NO, he won't" Sam insisted and looked at Janet, did she agree with that or not?

"Major Carter isn't that easily influence," Janet stated not sure if this was the right thing to do or not. Then again she wasn't sure if she believed Sam's words. "But it is a safety precaution."

"General I..."

The older man shook his head, "Major I don't need some alien influence talking you into jumping off the mountain. Keep an SF or one of the doctors with you. Dismissed" he ordered standing up and motioned O'Neil to follow him.

"Wonderful" Sam said shaking her head and looked at the four people around the table. "Who wants to play babysitter while I go work in the control room?"

"Sam, it's not like that and you know it," Janet said her voice hard.

Sighing the woman nodded, "Fine, who wants to keep me company while I go work in the control room?"

"I can accompany you Major Carter" Teal'c commented. "Unless Doctor Fraiser or Doctor Arnolds wished the honor."

"Teal'c, that will be fine," Janet said. "I have to check on the equipment before the jump." Janet stood and began to leave.

Gate Room

Fourteen hours later a rested SG-1 plus Doctor Janet Fraiser stood in the gate room as the chevrons locked. Lynn Arnolds had accepted the offer to take over for Mackenzie and was watching from the control room. The guys looked unsure about this and Carter was standing with Janet and her equipment as Warner got set up on his end. Twisting her neck a little the woman put her watch in synch with the time in the control room and then walked over to the side of the Stargate to check the energy connections again before the wormhole formed. Finding everything in order she came back and waited, "I'll be fine guys, take it easy."

"Easy for you to say Carter," O'Neil grumbled.

"Are you sure you want me jump with you and not remain here?" Janet questioned.

Giving her attention to Fraiser she nodded, "Yes because it's very important that you don't let the team reestablish the wormhole until you know my current EEG patter is within the Stargate network, you're the best one to determine that."

"Alright," Janet said. "Shall we?" She gestured to the open warm hole.

Off World

"I guess" she commented as they moved out. Exiting out on the other side Sam helped the guys secure the area and then led Janet over to a side panel and pulled it off, "Let's get the EEG monitor hooked up. Once we have a connection you should be able to tell if it's right because it should have all our patterns in it as the last people through the gate."

Janet watched as Sam began connecting the monitor to the DHD. "You really think this will work?" She asked her voice low so the guys couldn't hear.

"I hope so" she said from underneath device and connected the last connection. "You should be able to see patterns now, do you recognize them?"

"Yes," Janet said. "They belong to us." There was a brief pause before she asked another question. "So how long after I find your signal should we redial SGC? What are we going to do with the monitor hooked up?"

Sliding out Sam put the cover back on and gave her CO a thumbs up before standing up, "Well we've got two hours, you'll need to monitor until after I've stepped through and confirm that my EEG pattern is the only one present. Then you tell the guys to dial and hopefully the Stargate will do the rest" she said shifting her weapon back around to the front. "As for what we do for that two hours, I intend first to find a place to pee," she stated good-naturedly.

Janet shook her head at her friend's antics and watched her walk away before returning her attention to the monitor.

A little over two hours later Carter looked at her watch and unhooked it handing it to O'Neil, "Well Sir, that is on a countdown. You'll need to countdown from ten after the wormhole forms. The SGC is on the same time and they know when I'm stepping through; the charge will be delivered at the same time and cut the gate off from their end."

"Are you sure about this Carter?" O'Neil asked taking the watch.

"Don't you consider it kind of late to ask me that Sir" she joked and glanced at her team. "Yes Sir, I'm sure. If it doesn't work ...well it was an honor serving with all of you Colonel."

"Don't go saying things like that Carter," O'Neil said angrily. "You said this would work." He glanced at the watch again. "10"

The wormhole whooshed to life and Sam glanced over her shoulder at it, "See you soon Sir" and headed up the steps. Standing in front of the wormhole and listening to the Colonel's voice over her radio Major Sam Carter was nervous and at three she turned to the left and met Janet's eyes feeling the strength, "See you on the other side" she said and then at 0 stepped through.

SGC Complex
Control Room

At the SGC Siler looked up and at the General's nod he and Parker started the transfer. Sparks shot from the gate and then the wormhole and the lights in the gate room went out before coming back on, "We've lost the wormhole General" he reported, now they waited.

Off World

Janet looked at the EEG on the monitor waiting for Sam's to be the only one showing. Y'Lair was turning out to be a resilient pain in the ass as far as she was concerned. Still he was present after ten minutes.

O'Neil and the team ran over to Fraiser who was studying an EEG reading, "Well" the man demanded hurriedly tightening his grip on Carter's watch. "Is she in there or what Doc?"

"She is there Sir," Janet said but sadly added. "The problem is that Y'Lair is not dying. I am still reading his pattern as well."

"Stubborn little booger is he" the man asked and looked at Daniel. "Can you hook up that charge thing that Carter was telling us about? Maybe if we shock his ass he'll take a hike?"

"Jack, she only mentioned that as an emergency contingency, she wasn't sure how the gate would response" he explained looking at the man curiously. "If it shorts out something we have no way to fix it here and no way to get home."

"What are you talking about? Shocking what?" Janet asked her voice slightly panicked.

"Sam mentioned incase Y'Lair was having second thoughts that we could try delivering a high energy electrical charge to the gate. Theoretically she said it should be high enough to make his weaker pattern dissipate and...." Jackson started to explain.

"It was a contingency plan Doc" O'Neil stated and looked at her. "Do you have another option to get them apart?"

"No, I don't but there is no telling what a shock like that could do to Sam," Janet yelled.

"Hopefully nothing but jostle her around Doc" the Colonel said and looked at Daniel. "Do it."

Daniel sighed and motioned Teal'c with him running over to the gate to start hooking up wires and such as Sam had explained earlier in the team briefing.

"No," Janet yelled. "I cannot allow you to do this."

"Doc if we don't then the old guy is never going to get out of here" the man tried to explain rationally. "I don't know all the technical stuff but Carter chose this, in the event he wouldn't leave her whatever alone. It was her recommendation."

"But medically I cannot allow it," she argued. "I will not risk the patients life for the off chance that it might work."

"Jack everything is hooked up," Daniel said solemnly.

Studying Fraiser for a moment he kept one hand on her shoulder and pressed his radio's talk button while keeping his eyes locked on hers, if this didn't work not only had he basically killed Carter but the Doc was going to royally pissed. Squeezing her shoulder he spoke slowly, "Do it" and held her tighter.

Janet stared at the Colonel glaring daggers at him. She was not happy, not happy at all. Daniel and Teal'c did a three, two, one countdown and activated the shock.

Minutes later Janet looked back down at the EEG monitor trying to find either of the individual signatures.

The two guys ran over and stared at Janet as Jack removed his hand from her, "Well? Did it work?"

O'Neil shrugged, "No idea. Doc did it work?"

"Well the good new is that there is no sign of Y'Lair's EEG signature," Janet said her voice cold.

"And what about Sam's" Daniel asked hurriedly and glanced at Jack and Teal'c.

Janet dropped her head not making eye contact with any of the guys. "I don't see her signature either," Janet said sadly her voice thick with emotion.

"GOD Damn it" O'Neil hollered and looked at the Stargate, "Carter if you're in there you better...."

"Look" Teal'c said from his spot and pointed to the EEG monitor, it showed a pattern, spikes.

Jack practically beamed. "There you are Carter. Daniel dial us home."

Janet just watched as the gate whooshed to life.

Glancing at his watch Daniel ran over and looked at Jack who nodded and he started depressing symbols quickly...

SGC Complex
Gate Room/Control Room

"Incoming wormhole" Sergeant Siler said to Hammond and everyone tensed.

Off World

As the wormhole activated the remaining members of SG-1 and Doctor Fraiser waiting and watched.

SGC Complex
Gate Room/Control Room

"Open the iris" Hammond ordered.

And at that instant Major Samantha Carter stepped through the event horizon and headed down the ramp as a medical team rushed up to her, "General" she called out to the control room, "What happened Sir?"

"Welcome back Major," Hammond greeted. "All will be explained at the briefing."

Dr. Warner approached the Major. "How do you feel?"

Lynn Arnold's asked. "Still hearing Y'Lair talking to you?"

Confused the woman stared at them all at the base of the ramp? "I feel fine and who did you say" she asked the woman and looked at Warner and then Arnolds "And why we are on the subject who the hell are you?"

Off World

O'Neil heard the General over the MALP and smiled putting his hand on Janet's shoulder, "She's there and he says she's fine" he stated with a sigh. "Pack up Doc, she don't remember what happened but he said Warner says she's fine physically."

"That's good to know sir," Janet said as she moved to disconnect the monitor and grab the rest of the gear.

SGC Complex
Gate Room

Sam and everyone were waiting at the foot of the ramp when SG-1 plus Janet came through and she smiled, "Hey guys."

"Carter" O'Neil claimed and came over hitting her in the arm.

"We're glad you're ok Sam" Daniel offered hugging her.

"It is indeed good to see you again Major Carter" Teal'c stated with a bow of his Jaffa head.

"Uh thanks" she commented confused, "Hey Janet. Are you sure everyone is ok? They seem to think I went...Hey" she commented.

"Everyone is fine Sam," Janet said a bit coldly. "Warner, are you sure there are no side effects?" Janet asked moving to stand in front of the doctor.

"None other that she thinks it's from the mission and has no memory of Y'Lair or Mackenzie or Doctor Arnolds. I assumed you wanted to do her full check up personally," the man stated with a smile.

"OOH Carter" the Colonel joked as they all headed outs, "You hear that? You get a full check up, what fun?"

Corridor/Elevator

"For who Colonel" she protested as he wrapped an arm over her shoulder and steered her out toward the Infirmary.

"For the Doc of course," Jack said with a snicker. "Just think of all the big honkin needles she get to use on you."

"Her needles don't bother me Colonel and...." were the last words as they entered the elevator with the medical team and Janet who had a smile on her face. Sam looked at her and then at the Colonel who had a huge grin, "I'm not going to enjoy this am I?"

"You won't be enjoying it, but the Colonel will be able to sympathize at his next physical," Janet bit out and pushed the button for the infirmary. Once the elevator stopped and the doors opened she walked out with the others trailing behind.

Infirmary

And enjoy it he did as he sat on a gurney and kicked his feet, he hadn't even complained when Warner drew blood. Leaning over he whispered to Teal'c, "Listen..."

There came the sound of a glove and Carter's voice from her curtained off area, "Geeze Janet...Are you trying to check for cavities or what?"

"Told ya," Jack said with a smile and a wink.

"You know what a full physical entails so stop your whining," Janet reprimanded.

Ten minutes later a new sound came, "Janet...you don't have to look...OH man, I just had...I will not put my feet up there" from Sam.

Teal'c and Daniel were ready to go but O'Neil was reclining on a gurney, "Man, all I need is pretzels and beer and this would be quite a show. You guys can't leave."

"I do not wish to hear what Major Carter is having done to her," Teal'c said and started to leave.

"Yeah Jack. It feels dirty somehow," Daniel added then started to follow Teal'c.

"You guys are no fun" the man called out.

"Janet I am not...You don't need to look at that" came Carter's voice again.

"Its part of the whole physical aspect. No stop complaining and fighting," Janet said. "Or I can get Warner in here to do it."

"Yeah but..." Sam started.

At that same moment Abby's voice came from where she had been watching the Colonel, "Doctor you may wish to step out here" the woman informed.

"WASHINGTON" O'Neil hollered and started to get up and make his getaway.

"Colonel, you are going to regret sticking around," Fraiser yelled at his retreating back.

"I wasn't Doc....really" he yelled and left.

At that moment Sam came out clothed and winked, "Oh that was good Janet" she said between giggles, both having faked what they were doing.

"You know I am always up for scaring the Colonel in any form," Janet said with a smile. Then started to head towards her office with out another word being said.

"Hey" Sam called following her. "What's up with you? You seem a might miffed Janet dear," she said taking a seat. "By the way can I get out of here and head home?"

"Yeah you can leave," Janet said ignoring the other question. "I want to once a week run an MRI and other test just to make sure there are no side effects from your little visitor."

"Whatever you need Janet and you ignored my other question" Carter said stoically. "What's wrong or do I have to make you tell me?"

"Nothing is wrong," Janet said as she took a seat behind her desk. "I'm just a little tired that's all."

The woman shrugged and stood up going to lock the door. She then approached Fraiser cracking her knuckles with a twinkle in her eye.

"What are you doing Sam," Janet said not a touch of humor in her voice.

"Making you tell me" she proclaimed and grabbed Janet and started tickling her through the uniform. "Come on...come on tell me...come on..."

"Sam, stop it," Janet said a bit angrily. "I'm tired, nothing more, so stop playing games." She pushed the hands away.

Sam did stop and then leaned against the side of the desk crossing her arms, "Janet tell me what has you so down and it isn't just being tired and I know it" she said with determination.

"Nothing has me down," Janet said again giving Sam a fake smile. "This mission just got to me a little. That's all." She kept her smile in place hoping Sam might buy it.

Studying the woman for a long moment it was like Sam felt little by way of holding back and she leaned down and pressed her lips to Janet's and then stood up, "I'll see you later" and then turned to leave.

As Sam left her office Janet sat there staring at the closed door then unconsciously brought her hand to her lips. The feelings that were going through her were something she was not sure of but nonetheless a smiled appeared.

Next: The Woman In Me