'S' is for...

By Sam I Am –

Rating: PG-13 (can't honestly be more than that)

Warnings: Sam/Jack (that's a warning for anyone who don't like that) also Daniel/Janet, but not in great detail. Violence (not a lot and not that bad!), slight language!

Category: Sam/Jack Romance, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Drama. (If there's anything I missed out someone tell me!)

Spoilers: Bits and Bobs from Seasons 1-4!

Time frame: About Season 4!

Summary: Part One: S is for... Selfless Sacrifice - ­While visiting a planet, Jack is accused of stealing a valuable weapon belonging to the planet's people. When he is sentenced to death, the rest of SG-1 have to struggle to get him free.

Part Two: S is for... Secrets Shown – Jack learns to live with his disability and finally gets the one thing that makes him happy... But not before having an unfortunate encounter with an old 'acquaintance', the O'Neills and Mark Carter!

Part Three: S is for... Second Sight - What happens when the nightmare ends? The final (and shortest!) part. Every S/J shipper's dream comes true! Sam gets her own back on Kinsey or more precisely his son and we see a few familiar faces. And, finally, they all live Happily Ever After!

Disclaimer: Stargate SG-1 and its characters are the property of Showtime / Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. No copyright infringement is intended. No money is being made. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author. Not to be archived without permission. If you want to archive my story TELL ME, or, to borrow a phrase from our beloved Colonel, I am SO gonna kick your ass!

Author's Notes: My longest story yet and it's quite a biggy! It's taken me a year or two to write it and I've just kept adding bits of detail here and there for ages so it's taken a LONG time. I hope it was well worth it. If you have any comments on the story or just feel like being nice to me, send me some FEEDBACK. I'd really appreciate it.

Dedications: As always to my Best pal/Editor. If there was an award for patience you would be an Olympic competitor! Honestly, how you manage to put up with me I can't even begin to understand. Love you Baby! Also to my other Best Pal, Yasmino! You are fabulouso, Honey. Always keeping me company during the lonely summer holidays (and if the truth was to be known, preventing me from writing my fics, but your company was needed all the same!) To anyone who's sent me feedback so far. It was nice to get some support from you guys. And finally, to any sci-fi geek that's out there! Live long and prosper!

Abracadabra... S is for... Selfless Sacrifice!

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S is for... Selfless Sacrifice

"The MALP readings show that there are at least 4 or 5 other cities of this size dotted around the planet and a number of small towns and villages. There's one of the larger settlements, most likely a city, ahead. South East about seven miles." Carter was looking at one of her doodads as she spoke. She looked up and pointed forwards. Jack sighed, "Looks like that's where we're headed then."

Daniel nodded eagerly and Teal'c just inclined his head, as Carter began to walk following the readings of her gadget.

Jack was bored. And recently that had been a very common occurrence. Their missions over the past three months had been too easy! Of course, they'd had the occasional scuffle with the locals or some Jaffa, but other than that nothing. Zilch. Zero. Nil. Naught. Nothing...

Except Trees! Trees everywhere! Jack was finding it irritating how even millions of miles away from Earth the trees looked the same! Trees surrounded this Stargate on P9G 278. There was quite a large clearing surrounding the Stargate in a circle, but it seemed they were situated in a forest. Jack began walking towards the undergrowth, with a small nod to the rest of the team who began to follow in a line behind him. Daniel was talking to Carter about something and Teal'c was just taking up the rear silently.

Carter spoke, "So how was that mission with SG-11? The people were Aztecs, right?"

"That was what I thought, but the thing is in the Aztec culture there were no... What the...?"

Jack turned to see Daniel and Sam staring up at the sky. He looked around himself and realised a huge shadow had cast itself across the area, but...

"No clouds..." Carter said quietly, suspicion and anxiety in her voice as she spoke. She glanced over at her friends and Jack looked up at the sky. There were no clouds and the sun shone brightly, but they were stood in shadow.

Suddenly, the shadow disappeared and Jack had the sun in his eyes. He looked back at the team, who were all frowning confused in there own personal ways. Jack looked at his 2IC as he asked, "What just happened?"

"I'm not sure, Sir," she said and then raised her gun, as Teal'c raised his staff pointing behind Jack. He turned, gun in hand, to see a group of people walking towards them.

Daniel noticed they were dressed very similar to pilgrims although their clothes were more colourful. They looked human and Daniel reckoned they must have come from Earth originally. What puzzled him was the weaponry they had. It looked far more advanced than Earth weaponry.

One man approached and stood before them unmoving. Daniel broke the silence, "Uh... hello." The man didn't speak he just stood still. Jack glanced at Daniel and then nodded towards the man, giving Daniel his best 'It's-your-job-to-talk-to-the-alien-weirdo!' look.

Daniel cleared his throat, shooting Jack a playful scowl, "We are explorers from another planet. We mean you no harm... Uh... do you talk?"

The man stared at him and then said, "I was... identifying your speak."

Daniel's eyebrows rose as he said with a small smile, "Do you understand me?"

The man nodded slightly as he said, "Yes. It took a while for our... deciphering... technology to... gain knowledge of your language.

"I'd love to see it!"

"That's fascinating!"

Carter and Daniel spoke in unison as Jack just gave an audible sigh of annoyance, both scientists looking at him with bashful expressions. Jack smiled and looked back at their hosts. 'The Weirdo Alien' spoke slowly, "Who are you?"

Jack replied, signalling to the different members of his team appropriately, "I'm Colonel Jack O'Neill. This is Dr. Daniel Jackson, Major Samantha Carter and Teal'c."

The man spoke calmly, "A Jaffa?"

Daniel looked slightly worried as he said, "Yes. He is a Jaffa."

"You are Goa'uld or their... allies?"

Jack spoke with his usual casual tone, "Nah. We don't do the Snake-head thing! Do you?"

The man just spoke without much expression, "No. It is good you were not Goa'uld, or you would be... deceased where you stand."

"Well, that's a relief," Jack muttered.

Daniel spoke again, "We are explorers. We came from the..."

"We are aware," the man interrupted

"Uh... OK," Daniel said losing his thread slightly. He continued, "We're here to learn about your culture and create alliances with your planet..."

The Weirdo Alien interrupted, "You must speak to the Shir."

"Uh... I'm unfamiliar with that word..." Daniel said, obviously assuming it was a mistake with the translating device.

"The Shir are leaders of our people."

"Well, then. Take us to your leader... s."

Daniel gave Jack a withering look, after the man's comment as Teal'c and Sam smiled slightly amused by his awful jokes.

Å

They wandered up one of the streets of the city. Daniel was babbling on about how the architecture was pretty modern compared to most of the planets they visited. Houses lined the cobbled street, all different sizes and colours, all, as Daniel pointed, had their black beams on display like that of Tudor houses in England in the 17th Century. This fact alone seemed to make Daniel look like a hyperactive kid who'd just been fed 3 massive bags of cotton candy and 5 gallons of Coke!

They were led past a massive building that was a hell of a lot more modern than most of the houses in the town. It was a huge metal looking block stretching out along the ground in a circular shape, no more than a story high, but with at least the radius of seven or eight double-decker buses. They were informed by the 'Weirdo Alien' that this was the Laboratory and that it was heavily guarded and had what sounded like some very sophisticated alien security cameras protecting it. When Carter had asked to have a look around it and at said security cameras, the Weirdo Alien had told them they couldn't as their most prized possession was there and they couldn't risk them stealing it from them.

Jack could understand their logic. They were strangers, after all. Jack would've been suspicious of these aliens if they'd arrived in the SGC, especially with all their weirdness!

They stopped walking outside another building, identical to the others that lined the street, although much larger. It was lilac with its black beams dark in contrast. The Weirdo Alien led them inside. They walked along a corridor, on one side there were a few door with strange writing on them and on the other there were large arched windows that looked out onto the street and onto a large, completely black fortress. The Weirdo Alien spoke as they approached a large wooden door, "The Shir are comprised of 12 delegates who are the leaders of out people. They decide on everything that happens here as one."

"How?" Daniel asked in his usual curious way.

The Weirdo Alien spoke, "Their minds are linked with devices more advanced than our translating technology. They are used for the same purpose, but they can also... uh... I can not think of the word... uh... I think it is that they can understand each others minds."

Sam and Daniel shared a slightly worried look which caused Teal'c to raise an eyebrow, although all three were obviously quite intrigued. Jack on the other had was just wary. The guy hadn't mentioned if they could read other people's thoughts, but Jack assumed it only worked if you were wearing the advanced technology.

The doors opened suddenly and revealed a shadowy room. It was very lofty and looked pretty old. The floor and panelling on the walls was made of a dark, furnished wood and the walls were the same pale purple colour that the building was painted with on the outside.

High up sat in a crescent shape, were a dozen men, all that was visible in the dim light were their faces staring down at SG-1 as they followed their guide into the room. They all spoke in unison, causing Jack to give an invisible shiver, "You are the explorers?"

'This is so freaky', Jack thought to himself as Daniel spoke up, "Yes. We come from a planet called Earth. This is Colonel Jack O'Neill, our leader, Major Samantha Carter, his second-in-command, Teal'c and myself Dr. Daniel Jackson."

The Shir spoke again all together in one jumble of twelve different voices, "We are willing to negotiate trade and peace between our two peoples. In the morning, our talks shall begin."

Daniel spoke, "We would be honoured to attend."

The Shir inclined their, seemingly bodiless, faces in a small nod of equal sentiment before they spoke again, their speech eerily aligned, "You shall each be given a translating device to be used. You shall be given them and also a house to reside in during your stay. The Shir have made their decision."

They found themselves pushed out of the dark room, back into the light of the corridor. Jack let out a silent sigh of relief before he turned to Daniel, "That was... an experience."

"I think it's fascinating...!" Daniel began with a childish look of excitement in his eyes, that told Jack he was about to start a long narrative on the subject of his fascination.

Jack had to interrupt before it was too late, "Yeah, Danny. You would!"

Å

They'd been given a small white house that looked particularly like something out of a Shakespearean play on one of England's royal family, which Daniel had thought necessary to point out! It catered for residents particularly well with a good sized kitchen, living room, surprisingly hygienic bathroom and two bedrooms one upstairs one down. No buckets and moss, which Jack had though necessary to point out!

These people were advanced. They had showers and a proper sanitation system. They had things similar to microwaves and toasters. From appearance this city was like something from the past, but from the inside it was the present, even the not-so-distant future in some instances.

Jack couldn't sleep that night and so decided to take last watch, sitting up with whichever of his team mates was taking theirs. Carter hadn't wanted to take the bedroom upstairs, with room for only one. She'd said she'd much rather camp in the downstairs bedroom with the guys. Of course there wasn't really much space as that bedroom was only meant for three and that was a tight squeeze, so they'd ended up in the living room.

Teal'c, as usual, sat in the middle of the floor, kel'no'reeming to his heart's content! Daniel was slumped in the armchair, snoring quieter than usual. Carter was lying across the couch and Jack was sat on a chair by the window, staring out into the starry nights sky and 'keeping watch'.

It was only when Carter finished her watch and curled up in her sleeping bag to catch another couple of hours of sleep did Jack wonder why on Earth they were keeping watch. They were, after all, in a civilised city, in a house with all the modern conveniences and the folks were weird but friendly. All in all they'd struck pretty lucky...

And yet... Jack had a bad feeling. He was renowned for his sixth sense of future danger or when something didn't quite sit right. Right now it was the latter with a dashing of the former just to keep him thoroughly restless!

He sighed and stared out of the window at the starry sky when suddenly the air filled with a wailing sound. Jack jumped up from the chair he sat on as within a split second Teal'c had his staff in hand and was stood in the middle of the room. Daniel woke up from his position in the other chair with a jolt, searching for his glasses and anything he could use as a weapon and Carter promptly sat bolt upright in her sleeping bag, where she lay across the couch, scrambling out of the makeshift bedding and grabbing her Zat.

The wailing continued as Teal'c spoke quietly, "It appears to be an alarm, O'Neill."

"An alarm for what?" Sam asked, finally on her feet and stood beside the Jaffa.

Suddenly, there was thumping on the door and a group of guards burst in. When they saw them began to grab them. Jack yelled angrily as three of the guards pinned his arms to his side, "What the hell is going on?"

"You have stolen our weapon!"

"What?" Daniel asked confused.

The guards ignored him as one of them spoke, "We are to take you to the Shir."

Å

Their weapons were taken from them as they all fought fiercely. The Shir spoke in their own language to one of the guards in the room, gesturing towards the weapons. He and a couple of others piled the weapons into their arms and marched out of the room.

"We didn't do it!" Sam yelled as she tried to escape the clutches of the guards.

"You must have! One of the guards clearly saw at least one man leaving with the weapon and none of you can be accounted for last night! Therefore you are all guilty of the crime!"

"No!" Jack yelled. The Shir regarded him for a second as he pulled his arms free of the guards holding him, "No." He stood there in front of them defiantly.

The Shir looked shocked that they had been challenged. Daniel glanced at Jack as he stood in the middle of the room in front of the twelve Shir. He spoke pleadingly, his voice clear and loud, as Daniel watched Sam and Teal'c struggling uselessly against the guards holding them, "They didn't do anything. Let them go."

They spoke in unison spookily, "And why should we believe you?"

Jack sighed and spoke irritated, "I took the Goddamn weapon, OK? I am responsible. If anyone should be paying the price it should be me! Let them go home. I'll stay and face charges."

Sam, Daniel and Teal'c all gawped at him in shock. The Colonel hadn't taken it. They knew he hadn't. He'd been with them all evening except when they slept and Jack had stayed... watch...

"I'm guilty."

The Shir's faces lit up gleefully as Sam yelled, "Sir, No! You can't...! You didn't...!"

Jack nodded, "I can, Carter, and I did," he turned back to the Shir, "I beg you, please. Let them go. They're innocent! I crept out of our house earlier when they were asleep and went to the laboratories and stole it whilst I was supposed to be keeping watch..."

"No," Sam whispered quietly as she pulled against the arms holding her back. He can't have. He wouldn't anyway. "No. You didn't..."

"I did it, Carter."

Teal'c looked equally desperate to change the Colonel's mind, but Jack was determined. Sam shook her head in shock. Why was he doing this?

The Shir remained motionless smirking at Jack with venom. It was then Daniel saw something he thought he would never see. Jack dropped to his knees in the middle of the room and stared up directly at the Shir, "Take me and let my team go. Please."

The word 'Please' was the word that caught everyone's attention. The Shir had never seen a man like this one. Most men would never admit their crime and, when sentenced, would blubber and cry screaming and begging for forgiveness. This Colonel O'Neill knelt before them completely at their mercy. He had no fear of being sentenced and was openly admitting his crime, but the strong plea in his eyes was unmistakable. His only wish was for his team to be safe.

The Shir all nodded and then said simultaneously, "They shall be spared," they then pointed at Jack, "Take him away."

"Colonel!"

"O'Neill!"

Sam and Teal'c fought viciously against their captors, in an attempt to reach Jack. He was being pulled to his feet and having manacles secured tightly around his wrists in front of him.

The Shir turned to Jack and said, "Calm them or they shall join you!"

Jack turned to them, "Teal'c." He spoke the name so sadly the Jaffa stopped fighting immediately, "You have to see Rya'c again. If you die that's not gonna happen. Your son needs you. Your people need you. You can't give up on them just for me." Jack chuckled slightly, "I mean, come on, T! What am I worth compared to an entire race?"

Sam continued to struggle, but weakly, "Please Carter, don't do this." She stopped and Daniel saw her eyes glisten as Jack said, "You've got family that'll want to know what happened to you if you died. Do you want to put them through that?" Sam shook her head silently, as Jack gave her a small smile, "Don't worry. I'll be OK. You know me! Always beating the odds! Always doing the impossible! Before you know it we'll be back in the Commissary eating Jell-O with forks!"

The look of pain on Sam's face was almost indescribable in the silence after the comment. Their eyes were locked and as Daniel looked on he could see Jack's silent plea. A plea for forgiveness, but not just that. His dark eyes were trying to tell her not to come back for him, to leave, go home. Daniel knew it was impossible. None of them could leave without him. Jack knew this as well, but he immediately tried to convince Sam. She, Daniel knew, would want to do whatever the Colonel wanted, but on the other hand, she would be ripped apart if they left him here...

The Shir spoke, breaking the silence, "Now, Colonel, you shall pay for the crimes which you have committed against our people! Take him to the prison!"

Jack gave them one final look as he was dragged away and Sam finally gave in to the brimming tears that filled her eyes in silence. She squared her shoulders, kept her head high and gritted her jaw whilst wiping away the tears and trying to look like she wasn't crying, even though it was plain for all to see.

"You'll be given temporary accommodation until we have decided what will happen to your leader. Salazar!"

A guard man stepped forward, bowing his head, "Yes, my lords."

"Give them a house!"

"Yes, my lords." He nodded and left the room as the guards and SG-1 were led behind him.

Å

'Stop crying, Carter! You're such a weakling!' Sam told herself strictly, but the tears wouldn't stop and continued to brim in her eyes, though none now fell. He hadn't done it. She knew he hadn't. He wouldn't... would he? Sam was confused. Everything seemed to become blurry and unfocussed and not only because her eyes were brimming with salty tears.

The sky was dark and no moons rotated around this planet so the only light came from the horizon, where the sun was preparing to rise in an hour or so and from the tiny pinpricks of the stars, shining with light thousands of years old. One of them could be Earth's sun, Sam thought to herself as she was frogmarched down a cobble street.

Stars. Colonel O'Neill liked stars. When she'd found out he was interested in astronomy she'd laughed, but when she'd seen the slightly upset look on his face she'd mentally kicked herself for it. She'd smiled and told him he was obviously a lot brighter than he let on. She'd known that had cheered him up even though he hadn't admitted it...

"This is where you will be staying," Salazar said, motioning to a white house, the black beams identical to all the other houses, "If you need anything you can ask me or any of your escorts."

"I need something," Daniel said in a strange tone, that Sam couldn't identify. He glared at the guards and at Salazar.

"Oh yes? What would that be Dr. Jackson?"

"I need you to let an innocent man go!"

Salazar just raised an eyebrow strangely. He stared at them for a second and then sighed, "I cannot deny that I disagree with the Shir's decision, but none of us have any right to disagree..."

"For crying out loud," Daniel said passionately, "You could help an innocent man! God knows what they'll do to him! Do you want to see him die because you didn't make a stand?"

Salazar frowned, "I do not, but I'm afraid we have no choice. He openly admitted it. Even if the Shir had thought him innocent, they have no choice but to punish him now," he turned and then looked back over his shoulder. Sam felt his eyes catching hers as he said sincerely, "I am sorry." He walked away beckoning the guards to follow him, as Teal'c opened the door to their house and they stepped inside.

Å

"Sam?"

She opened her eyes slowly to see Daniel sat at the end of a strange bed smiling at her as he usually did in his brotherly way, "Morning. Sleep well?"

"Morning Daniel," she sat up and then remembered where she was and why she could hear the world crashing around her ears, "And no, I didn't."

She hadn't slept well at all. When they had come inside the house they'd sat in the living room and talked about everything and nothing. After that was a bit of a blur.

"Sorry to hear that. You fell asleep. Teal'c carried you up here," Daniel said his smile disappearing. He stared at the floor as he murmured, "Today, I'm gonna try and do some persuading. Get the Shir to change their minds..."

"Mind, Daniel! They think like one person. I doubt they have opinions or anything," Sam sighed frustrated, "They've already sentenced the Colonel, even though there will be a week of debating before they finally tell everyone the decision they've had from the beginning."

"I know," Daniel murmured, "Well, I'm gonna try. It's all I can do. And I'll be damned if I sit back and do nothing!" Daniel stood up, a definite determined look in his eyes, "I'm gonna do what I do best... I'm gonna talk them into changing their minds... mind! If I can, as Jack says, drive anyone crazy with my incessant twittering, they seem a worthy victim!"

Sam smiled gently and pulled the covers off her and stepped out of bed. She was still fully clothed, boots and all. She turned to Daniel, "I'm coming with you. I don't think they'll be able to cope with your incessant twittering and my techno-babble, for more than an hour, do you?"

Daniel smiled at that as they walked out of the room. As they walked down the stairs he murmured, "You know I never realised how much that guy rubs off on you. I mean the things he says and does. They stick with you," Sam looked at him as he sighed, "You never realise until they're missing at some moment that's unimportant to most people, but to you it means a lot. A moment when you know they'd say or do something that would stick, that they aren't there to say or do," Daniel looked at her confused, "You know?"

"Not really," Sam chuckled, "But I got the bottom line. You miss him. We all miss him," she smiled, "but you know it won't be long before he's here doing and saying things that will stick with you until the day you die."

Daniel grinned, "I think about now he'd been asking what the hell we were talking about."

Sam nodded, "You know he would."

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They'd been here for six hours and the Shir were not budging! This was the sixth recess they'd had and Daniel raged as Sam tried to console him gently, "Daniel, if you don't calm down, they will condemn you like they condemned the Colonel and we'll need as many members of SG-1 'trouble-free' to get him out of there."

She had a point as usual, but this was what the difference between them was. The Air Force.

His views were different to hers and Jack's. He was a civilian. As part of the Air Force, they'd learnt that human behaviour came second to everything else. Sometimes you just had to be tactical first and then go back to all the natural instincts you had as a civilian. You had to hide all of your feelings and become some sort of android that just did the task before you could go back to feeling your emotions. Emotions that were coursing through Daniel right about now.

Anger. Yep, he had that. Frustration. He had that as well. Guilt. Oh yeah! Fear. Bingo! Unhappiness... Did he really have to make a checklist?

Jack and Sam had learnt long ago, that in a situation, getting the job done quickly and efficiently came first and emotions came second. He knew that sometimes every person in the Air Force found it hard to do just that, but that was the way it was. Emotions and feelings were irrelevant until everything else was out of the way.

Daniel sighed, "You're right. It's just so... so frustrating! They're not even wavering."

"They aren't, but they're not the only way," she lowered her voice, "We could always spring him out of jail if all else fails."

Daniel nodded, "Maybe you and Teal'c should begin working on a plan to break him out of the prison they've got up there," he pointed out of the tall, arched window at the black and ugly building that stood at the top of a hill at the end of the main street in the opposite direction of the Stargate. The large fortress was made from stone and metal and looked extremely foreboding as it cast a gloomy shadow over the houses surrounding it.

Sam spoke gently, "I'll try to think of something, but we'll try the diplomatic approach first. Colonel O'Neill can hang in there for a few days. They won't do anything to him until the sentence is passed."

Å

"This is so unfair!" Jack grumbled loudly as he sat in the cell. The place smelled foul, biggest understatement of the millennium, and left a nasty flavour in the back of his throat. He gave a small cough. His cough was getting worse. Must be this place. It was damp and smelly, to say the least, and that couldn't be too good for him.

The guard from the other side of the bars said icily, "It is most fair. You stole the weapon and you are going to be punished."

"Yeah. Yeah. I've had enough of your 'you're gonna be punished' crap. Frankly, I won't be too surprised if Carter and Daniel have talked the Shir to death by now and Teal'c will have been his usual... persuasive self. I'll be out before tomorrow."

"You will not," the man sneered, "The Shir have already decided you are guilty. They are going to give us permission to start punishing you soon."

"See. Unfair," Jack said, hoping he might annoy the guard into moving a few blocks down so he could start looking for escape paths from the cell. But Rocko, as Jack had christened him, had no intention of moving and just glared at him.

He heard a metal gate swing on its hinges and footsteps walking down the corridor towards him. Rocko was grinning and shot him a nasty smirk that gave Jack a little shock. They couldn't possibly...

"Colonel O'Neill?"

"That's my name, don't wear it out!" Jack said defensively as the guards opened his cell with a set of keys.

"Your friends have been arguing on your behalf all day..."

Jack smiled and stood up, almost ready to be set loose, when he realised Rocko was still leering at him, his nearly black teeth bared in a menacing grin.

"Of course, the Shir are sticking to their first decision. You are to be punished."

Two guards grabbed him and pulled him out of the cell. They were going to torture him. Jack could tell. It wasn't like he couldn't cope. I mean he'd spent months and months being tortured in an Iraqi prison. He'd cope, until Daniel, Teal'c and Carter sprung him out of this place.

He was frogmarched down the corridor past the other cells, each containing another wretched person. The men howled with agony and the women screamed and shrieked. They hadn't stopped since he'd first come in here. It not only brought back none too fond memories of Iraq, but also of the sulphur fumes, heat and pain of Netu.

The guards led him out of the stifling cellblock and across a courtyard towards another building. The fresh air was a relief to his lungs and he walked as slowly as he could, taking deep breaths of the pure, cool air, trying to get rid of the burning pain in his aching lungs. He guessed it was not only due to the muggy cell, but also that his cough had decided to take a bigger turn for the worst, maybe even becoming a lung infection, although Jack hoped not.

He was led inside. The room was the total opposite of the cell. It was clean and cool, but something caught his eye immediately. The contraptions they had stored in this place. Jack fought the urge to shudder with revulsion as he noticed a large puddle of dried blood that smothered and lay at the base of the metal bed on which he was now being strapped. His arms and legs were strapped to the table and however hard he tried he could not move them. They then strapped his head to the table and pushed the entire thing up so he was almost vertical. The fact the table was extremely uncomfortable didn't even flit across his mind at the strange fear he had begun to feel gnawing at his empty stomach.

Two men stood there besides the guards. One was a sickly looking character with scarily dark eyes that were almost black and contrasted vastly with his thin blonde hair. His hair was covered in so much grease it stuck to his head. He was incredibly thin and looked like a weasel. He had very thin lips that were twisted into a sadistic smile at the moment, as disgusting as the yellowish colour of his sallow skin. He spoke his voice as slippery as a cobra, "I am Hershrar. Do you know who the Hershrar are?"

"No, but I have a pretty good guess."

The man glanced around the torture chamber with his huge dark eyes. Jack could see a flash of insanity in the man's face as he whispered darkly, "I live here. I live in this room. I haven't left it for twelve years..."

"Wow. That's quite some record. Ever thought of going in for the World Records. Longest time spent living in a torture chamber..."

"Be quiet, or I will cut out your tongue!"

That didn't sound too pleasant so Jack decided to shut his mouth. The man's voice as he'd spoken had been one of surprising strength and malice.

The other man spoke for the first time, his voice uncertain, "Is this really necessary? I mean can we not just let him be han..."

"Salazar!" The Hershrar interrupted, "You are pathetic and weak! Hold your tongue or this will hold it for you." He pointed to one of the machines as the other man firmly pursed his lips. He looked familiar. He'd been in the room when Jack had played hero and confessed to do something he hadn't done. 'Real smart move, O'Neill!'

The Hershrar clapped his hands together. He moved closer as Jack was lowered into a semi- horizontal position, "Now, Colonel. Let us begin. Where is the weapon?"

"I dunno," Jack answered truthfully as the Hershrar moved a machine and clamped it to his leg.

He nodded as if he'd expected that answer. He pulled the clamp tightly and leant forward so his shadowed eyes were level with Jack's, "Wrong answer."

Å

"How could they! He's innocent!" Daniel Jackson ranted as Major Carter, also fuming, but concealing her rage well, was trying to convince the irate Doctor that they'd done their best.

"Daniel, we tried our hardest and now we need to find a plan B."

Teal'c nodded in agreement. At least Major Carter could keep her head straight while she was angry. Unlike a certain archaeologist and Colonel, Teal'c knew. He decided to speak up and try and console his friends, "Major Carter is correct, Daniel Jackson. It is time to devise another method of liberating Colonel O'Neill."

Daniel let out a 'humph' and collapsed into the armchair. His fury drained away into the floor like electricity, "I know. It's just... They didn't even give us a chance. If I could just show them..."

"I know Daniel," Major Carter interrupted, "And you can. We'll still need you trying to negotiate it with them. They may still cave yet."

The chance was insignificant and Teal'c knew O'Neill had more chance not making a single sarcastic comment for an entire week!

"Fat chance!" Daniel snorted crossly.

"Well, we'll have to take it for the moment," Sam said soothingly, "And if all else fails we have a Plan B, which I might add, we must come up with before we need to use it."

Daniel nodded apologetically, "Sorry, Sam. I'm just a little wound up." He pulled out a note pad from his pocket and opened it. He sifted through for a blank page. "OK," he said and wrote on the top of the page 'Plan B'. They sat in silence for a few moments and all three of them stared blankly at the five letters at the top of the page.

"Uh... Any ideas?"

Å

"Jesus... ah crap... I don't know! I don't kno... ARGH!" he yelled fiercely through the pain. He saw his leg and the way it was bent in the most unnatural way in the claws of the machine. It didn't help the nauseating feeling in his stomach. The pain was so much Jack was struggling to keep himself from slipping into unconsciousness, as every time he did the Hershrar would hit him hard around the face and through freezing cold water over him.

The Hershrar glared at him impatiently, "You will tell me where you have hidden the weapon now, if you know what is good for you."

"I swear," Jack coughed slightly, "I don't know!"

"Right," the Hershrar spoke irritated. His dark eyes stayed fixed on Jack as he said, "Salazar!"

"Yes?" the man said stepping forward cautiously.

"Set up that!" he pointed at another large machine to his right. Jack watched as Salazar shook his head his eyes wide with fear.

"But, Hershrar, you can not..."

The Hershrar spun around and grabbed Salazar by the collar and hoisted him into the air. He threw him in the direction of the machine. For a weasel he was really strong! "Do not try my patience, Salazar, or I will not hesitate to do the same to you."

Salazar stood up quickly and began dragging the 'machine' over to the table. To Jack it just look like a piece of scrap metal, albeit an ominous piece of scarp metal. Jack was raised more, so he was vertical again. The Hershrar walked closer and Jack could feel his warm, putrid breath on his face, "What do you treasure most in the world?"

Jack was surprised by the question and knew he'd never give a straight answer. Not in a million years. He didn't even admit what he treasured most to himself. He spoke nonchalantly even though he was in agony, "Hockey. It's this really neat game where you..."

The Hershrar laughed coldly and the laugh alone made Jack stop speaking. He spoke cruelly, "I know that is not what you treasure most, but I can easily find out."

It was then he began to pull things out of Jack's pockets. First he pulled out a gum wrapper. The Hershrar knew that wasn't what Jack treasured most and tossed it aside. Then...

"Aha..." The Hershrar grinned as he pulled a piece of dog-eared paper. On the front was a crayon drawing of a man and a boy, building a snowman. Smiling and laughing.

The Hershrar unfolded it and Jack felt his heart pang as he read out in a disgusting voice: "Happy Christmas, Dad! Love from Charlie," the Hershrar's sickly grin appeared as he said, "A son. The thing you treasure most."

Jack gritted his jaw, "Treasured. He died a few years ago."

The Hershrar stared into his eyes, "Either you are a great actor or you speak the truth..." he nodded after making up his mind, "Very well."

He threw the precious paper card to the floor and if Jack hadn't been restrained and in excruciating pain he would've hit the man.

As the Hershrar rummaged in his pockets, he saw Salazar pick up the paper card, look at it and, then gently re-folding it, placed it in his pocket. He caught Jack's eye and Jack knew the man would get in trouble if he was caught, but Jack thanked him silently. Salazar nodded reassuringly as the Hershrar pulled out yet another item. A photograph. He stared at it for a second and then smiled, "SG-1." It was the photo Jack took with him everywhere. The one he particularly liked more than any other of their photos.

"Now, why would you carry this picture around with you?" The Hershrar examined the picture looking for clues, "You are all smiling and..." his eyes flashed with a sinister glee, "I have found the thing you treasure most."

"Oh yeah," Jack said hoping he sounded confident while really his heart was pounding.

"Major Samantha Carter," the Hershrar said simply.

Jack's heart stopped for a second. The photo was his favourite because of her. She looked amazing in that photo. It was one that he assumed Cassie had taken last year at Fraiser's Christmas get-together.

In the foreground was a Christmas tree with a grinning Daniel and an almost smiling Teal'c. They were stood with Janet as the lights on the Christmas tree twinkled, but behind that you could see quite clearly two people sat on the sofa. Carter was snuggled up to him, her head resting on his shoulder and he was smiling at her lovingly. Carter had got... pretty drunk and had fallen asleep. Jack loved that photo. It gave him a window into a world that could not be, but that he wanted so badly.

It wasn't too hard to spot the hidden meaning in that photograph and it was true the Hershrar had found the thing he treasured most. His heart remained stationary as his mind raced. He wouldn't bring her here... would he?

Salazar finally spoke in an anxious whisper, "You can not bring her here! The Shir would not allow it..."

"I know, Salazar," the Hershrar's voice was a deathly whisper, "I do not intend to."

Jack felt his heart kick into action as he struggled to get free, "You lay one finger on her, you Son-of-a-Bitch, and I'll kill you!" Jack struggled against his bonds as the Hershrar laughed again. His broken leg was screaming in pain.

"Oh no, Colonel. I would not harm her, but I will still take her from you..."

"You dare!" Jack growled angrily, "You dare bring her here!"

"I am not going to lock her up," the Hershrar said as he pulled the machine over Jack. Jack was now staring into two eyepieces and felt the machine clamping around his arms. The Hershrar spoke again, lifting up the eyepieces for a second and showing him the photo.

"Take one last look, Colonel," the Hershrar took the photo away and replaced the eyepieces, "Because now you are never going to see her again."

Then it happened.

The light. The bright light that sent pain through him. Suddenly realising what was happening he closed his eyes, but the burning continued on his eyelids. When he could keep them closed no more, he let out a wrenched cry and opened his eyes only to be greeted by more screaming pain. He felt his body going into survival mode and pulling fiercely against his bond. He could feel the broken bones in his leg grind as he began to spasm, trying to escape the agonising pain. An unearthly scream left his throat although he didn't hear it.

And then nothing...

Å

Sam and Teal'c sat outside the Shir's room. Daniel was within still shouting himself hoarse no doubt. Sam suddenly stood up and Teal'c looked at her curiously. She began walking along the corridor and then stopped before a door. She looked at it, "I knew I'd seen a security room around here!"

"I do not understand, Major Carter."

She sighed, "Around the laboratories where the weapon was taken from they have cameras. That guy we met when we first arrived said it was the only place they bothered keeping cameras. They must have somewhere where they can be seen."

"I see," Teal'c agreed as they stepped inside. Computer screens. Or at least the alien equivalent. They looked like mirrors, but one was on. It was smoky and showed the camera's view.

Sam sat down at the alien controls, "Just when you need Daniel!" She sighed and guessed at how to work them, the translating devices they'd been given were of limited use with writing. Teal'c kept a look out as she pressed the buttons, trying to work out how the system worked. She was sat there for almost twenty minutes before she discovered the library of footage for the laboratories.

"Hey, I think I found it!" Sam said with a smile. She continued to type until the screen lit up slightly brighter. They watched the footage as Sam's jaw dropped.

Teal'c spoke in shock, "Major Carter, is that...?"

"Maybourne!" Sam said through gritted teeth, "That rogue N.I.D faction stole the device!"

"Then O'Neill is definitely innocent of all crimes against him."

"Yes." Sam stood up and went to the door, "We have to tell Daniel."

They ran down the corridor and sat on the chairs again, waiting for Daniel to emerge from the Shir's room. They sat in silence for almost an hour until Daniel stormed out of the room a look of injustice on his face. When he noticed the equally angry faces of Teal'c and Sam he halted. He looked at them both and his eyebrows rose, "Guys?"

"It was Maybourne!"

Daniel looked at Sam in confusion and then his eyes widened, "What? You're kidding me!"

"No. Maybourne stole the weapon with some of his NID cronies!"

"That gives us some ammunition," Daniel said and then frowned slightly, "How do you know?"

"Myself and Major Carter accessed the Security cameras catalogue for the laboratories. The man with the weapon in his hands was clearly Colonel Maybourne."

"Fucking bastard!" Daniel said, his language unusually uncouth, before he turned on his toes. He took a deep breath before marching back to the door, "I've gotta do some talking!"

Å

Jack had been locked up in that prison now for about five days and the Shir's stubbornness had become too much for the rest of SG-1. Even after watching the footage of Maybourne they refused to free him, saying as he'd admitted to stealing the weapon he must have been one of the other men there!

Today was their final day of debating and then after that Sam was going to tie them all to chairs and force them into thinking of a way to bust Jack out of the prison.

They were on their way to talk to the Shir again now and Sam felt a pure and defiant determination coursing through her veins. She was going to get Jack out of there if it was the last thing she did!

"Samantha Carter?"

Sam turned to see Salazar stood in the road behind her. Daniel stopped and looked at him curiously, as Teal'c just raised an eyebrow.

"May I have a word?"

"Sure."

Salazar shuffled uncomfortably as he whispered; "I cannot talk to you out here. I could get in serious trouble for this."

Sam frowned and then turned to Daniel, "I might come later or I might not. See you back at the house if not."

"OK, Sam," Daniel moved closer lowering his voice, "Be careful. I don't trust him."

She nodded and followed Salazar back to the house. He looked seriously uncomfortable. She opened the door and they stepped inside.

He sat on the sofa as she joined him. He stared at her and without a word pulled three things out of his pocket. A gum wrapper, a photo and a paper card.

The gum wrapper was of no interest, but the photo caught her attention immediately. It was her photo!

"Where did you get that?" She asked quite angrily, as Salazar shook his head.

"I did not take it."

She then had a thought and felt in her pocket. She pulled out her identical photograph. It was her favourite. She had been... pretty drunk and had fallen asleep on Colonel O'Neill's shoulder. It was the way he was smiling at her that made her love that photo.

She then picked up the paper card and opened it. As she read the writing, she felt her heart tug painfully. She realised then whose belongings these were, the photo included.

"Oh God," she whispered. Colonel O'Neill had kept that Christmas card from his son. It made Sam's heart break just thinking about it, "What are they doing to him?" she asked desperately.

"I cannot tell you," Salazar said.

"If you won't tell me I shall have to see for myself!" She stood up quickly.

Salazar stood up beside her and put a hand on her arm, "You cannot!"

"I've had enough of this!" Sam said angrily, "Day after day we try and talk it out with the Shir and they don't listen!"

"There is no way you can see him..."

"Salazar, Please. I have to."

"I am sorry Samantha. I was given strict orders..."

"Please. I won't be long."

"I cannot! If I let you in Colonel O'Neill will not be the only one to be punished. You and I will be joining him!"

"Salazar. Please." She fixed him with a pleading stare as the man wavered.

He gave a sigh, "Oh... Samantha! Alright! But you only have ten of your minutes."

"Thank you," she smiled at him.

They hurried out of the house and up the cobbled street. He led her into the prison. Through the courtyard, hiding from the guards. He led her to a gate. He unlocked it and led her inside.

It was dark and musty inside. The air was stale and so stifling it felt as though she was being compressed from all directions. The heat in here was intense and made her throat dry as she breathed in. None too fond memories of Netu flashed in her head, but she shook them off.

He led her along the dirty corridor. She past cell after cell, each with a pitiful man or woman inside them, groaning, wailing and pleading with her. Dread overcame Sam as she was led to the end of the corridor. Salazar halted before a cell signalling for her to stand back. He opened the rusty cell door and it creaked.

"You have a visitor, Colonel."

"No. Not them again. Tell them to go to hell, Salazar!"

Sam almost gasped at the unfamiliar raspy voice that came from the cell. She heard him cough, a long raking cough, almost a death rattle. He sounded terrible. She listened as he wheezed for breath.

Salazar turned to her, "If the other guards come, you are going to have to leave swiftly. I am not going to wait too long for you."

She nodded showing she understood and walked into the open cell door. She peered into the murky gloom of the cell. She could just about see him. She turned as Salazar closed, but didn't lock the cell door.

She stepped inside and as her eyes adjusted she saw him. His arms were in manacles on his lap. He was slumped in a sitting position against the grimy stonewall. He looked exhausted and as if he didn't even have the strength to lift his head. He was hunched over and reminded Sam of a broken puppet. His shirt had been ripped and there were gashes covering his chest and arms, not to mention dark bruising covering his torso. Blistering burns turned his deadly pale skin a bloody scarlet. His left leg was crumpled in front of him in a sickeningly unnatural way. It looked like it had been physically broken which caused her stomach to clench. His hair had been roughly cut off and he was left with bald patches. She stepped closer and saw his bloodshot eyes staring at her. He looked awful and Sam was horror-struck by the thought of what they'd done to him.

"Oh my God," she murmured in shock, as he looked at her.

"Carter?" He croaked and then coughed, his throat making a rattle, "That you?"

"It's me, Colonel." She stepped closer again as he smiled.

He sat up as straight as he could and whispered, "You're really here?"

"Yes, Sir."

Even though his voice was quiet and barely recognisable she heard Jack O'Neill speaking with indescribable relief, "Thank God, you're alright! I was so worried..."

Sam looked at him confused, "What?"

He shook his head, as he switched to evasive mode, "Don't worry."

It was so revolting what they'd done to him. She was glad he hadn't been reduced to nothing, but a broken body yet. He hadn't lost his mind in this awful place and that was slightly comforting.

He was staring at her, "Come closer, Carter."

As she knelt beside him he turned his head so he was looking at her. She moved closer still until she was sat inches from him where he sat propped up against the grimy, mould-coated stone.

"You don't look so good," she murmured as he coughed again.

"Lung infection. Fraiser's..." He choked as his congested lungs retaliated to Jack talking, "Fraiser's gonna kill me..." He whispered hoarsely.

She reached out and touched his shoulder. He flinched and stared around blankly. She left her hand on his shoulder for a second before he clutched her hand with his fingers.

"Sir?" She murmured. He stared at her a strange, confused look playing across his fingers though it didn't reach his eyes. That was strange. Jack's eyes were usually the only part of him where you could see emoti... As a horrible thought came into her head Sam waved her hand in front of his eyes. He didn't even blink! She gasped in alarm as she whispered, "You're blind?"

He nodded weakly his voice cracking part way through his words, "I can't see, Carter. I can't see who they are."

After what felt like minutes of horrified silence, Sam managed to swallow the lump in her throat, but it refused to disappear, so she croaked shakily, "Who?"

"Them. The ones who are keeping me locked up in here. The old Hershrar had an unfortunate... accident. Another reason why my punishment's been intensified."

"You didn't? Oh God, Sir." Sam felt tears prickling in her eyes. There was no chance freeing him now if he'd killed one of the guards.

His face filled with pain. He broke into another fit of coughing as she rubbed his back gently. When his involuntary spasms had finished he spoke brokenly, "He was insulting Charlie. He'd been doing it for days." He blinked back tears, "I couldn't take it any more. The pain... my body hurt, my heart hurt... I guess I felt more vulnerable because I couldn't see so I..." He paused and then murmured, "Somehow I impaled him on one of his machines." His hand still held hers as tightly as was possible for him, "Carter, I swear to God, I didn't steal it! I swear!" He coughed again, "I keep telling them, but they don't stop. They won't stop. They don't believe me."

Sam tried to speak reassuringly, "I believe you. I know you didn't take it."

"How can you be so sure?" Jack said huskily, "I admitted the whole thing! You were there!"

Sam gave a small sigh, "We found out it was Maybourne and his NID team. They stole the weapon. We told the Shir you were innocent, but they said we were lying. I would never, ever believe you stole it! Even if you had I still wouldn't believe it!"

"You trust me," he choked back tears and the pain in his chest, "That means a lot to me, Carter." Sam just squeezed his hand gently as he croaked, his throat dry, "I'm innocent and I shouldn't be here, but I'm glad I'm the only one who is. It's..." his voice cracked, as he tried to think of the right words to describe it. He then whispered, "This place is pretty bad."

"I know and I'm trying to get you out, but I don't know how!" Her voice was filled with sadness and absolute self-hatred.

Jack's hand moved up her arm to her shoulder, blindly. He squeezed it, "I know you're trying your hardest, Carter. I don't doubt that. I have never doubted you."

Sam felt her tears prickle her eyes as she nodded, "Thank you, Sir." They sat in silence for a moment. Sam stared at him. She spoke softly, "What will they do to you?"

"Probably torture me some more. Then I'll be hanged."

She felt vomit rise in her throat at the thought. Tears lined her eyelashes as she let out a choked sob, "No. No. They can't!"

"Carter?" Obviously shocked to hear her crying, Jack didn't really know what to do, "Please, Carter. Don't cry. Don't cry," he spoke gently as his hand moved up from her shoulder, his fingertips lightly brushing over her neck, and cupped her face. He wiped the tears away with his thumb as he murmured, "I'll be OK. I always am. I'll be fine. Don't worry. Carter?" He lifted her face slightly so she was staring into his eyes, "I'll be fine."

She looked into his unseeing eyes and felt even more tears coming, but she blinked them back. As he continued to stroke her cheek gently, she realised what she had to do.

"I'm gonna get you out of here, Sir."

The look of terror on his face was enough to shock her. He croaked desperately, "No! Don't! If they catch you they'll do to you what they're doing to me! You shouldn't even be here now! Carter? Sam?" As he said her first name she gasped slightly. He continued his voice grating, "Sam, promise me!" His hand slid back down to her hand and gripped it tightly, a manic anxiety taking hold of him, "Sam, don't let them hurt you! I don't want you to be in pain because of me! Promise me you won't do anything stupid!"

"Yes, Sir! The stupidest thing I could do is leave you here and I'll promise not to do that!"

"No! Leave me! That's an order, Carter!" He choked with emotion as he growled; "I'll never forgive myself if you end up here! That's why I did this in the first place!" He frowned fiercely, "You wanna know what made me do this? The thought of them torturing you, Carter. Not SG-1 I knew that together we'd be OK. I couldn't take it!" She stared at him startled as he continued with a long, harsh cough, "I don't want you to be in pain."

"I'm getting you out of here, if it's the last goddamn thing I do! For crying out loud Colonel, I'm not letting them hang you!"

His distress was clear on his face and Sam had never seen his feelings so open before, "No! Please! No," he begged urgently, his voice no longer strong and no more than a rasping frightened whisper as his other hand tried to find hers. As he touched her hand, he gripped it tightly. She stared into his eyes and she saw them glistening, "Please. Sam. Don't."

She realised two things in that instance. The first was that he loved her. It shocked her. She'd never realised it before, not really. It frightened her slightly. Not because he loved her, but because he would rather rot in this prison and then hang from the gallows than let her get hurt. She'd never realised he cared so much...

The second thing she realised, with just as much shock, was that she loved him in return. It frightened her because she realised she would rather risk being captured and tortured than have to leave Jack here. It frightened her because in that instance of understanding, she finally realised she'd been denying her feelings for him for years.

"I'm getting you out of here," she said stubbornly as his lungs rattled. She was determined not to leave him here, "Nothing you can say is gonna change my mind and you know it!"

He sighed sadly as he stared blankly, "Then promise me you won't let them capture you, Sam. Promise me that."

She felt fresh tears roll down her cheeks as she whispered, "I won't let them get me. I won't."

She heard hurried footsteps and turned to the door. Salazar stood framed in the doorway, "Samantha, you must get out of here."

She stood up still weeping, "I'll get you out, Jack. I'm not leaving you here."

She saw Jack stare around for her blindly and she gasped in the pure horror of it all. He spoke hurriedly, "Sam..." he went to say something and then stopped, "Be careful."

"Samantha!" Salazar said urgently from the door.

"I have to go, but I'll be back soon. I promise."

And with one final look at his broken body, she turned and ran out of the cell. Salazar locked it swiftly and she ran with him down the corridor and out the door.

Salazar stopped at his position by the door, but Sam kept running. She ran trying to get away from there as far away as was possible. She ran past the houses into the forest on the outskirts. She slowed as she stumbled, her vision blurred by tears. She fell to her knees and almost collapsed to the floor as she sobbed.

They were gonna kill him. They were gonna kill him. And the thing was it hurt. It hurt more than the torture would have. It hurt more than the hanging. It hurt more than anything! A strong physical pain that seared through her aching heart and made her gasp for breath. She gagged as she felt vomit rise in her throat again. She almost threw up and continued to sob. Her shoulders shook forcefully as she whimpered like a wounded animal. Her eyes stung mercilessly as she wiped at them fiercely with her sleeve.

She knelt there for ages and only became aware of the fact when the last light of the day cast its amber glow over her. She'd finally cried her eyes dry and after a few moments of hiccoughing sobs, she pushed herself up from the floor. Her mind raced with images of him. His chopped hair, his broken leg, his gashed chest, his infected lungs, his sightless eyes...

She wandered back to the city and stumbled towards the house, her eyes still clouded by tears. She knocked on the door gently.

"Just a second!" The familiar call came from behind the door as muffled footsteps approached the door and swung it open. Daniel stood in the doorway framed by the warm light inside. He looked frustrated, but when he saw her, his face changed to concerned, "Where have you been all day? I was getting worried... Sam? What's wrong?"

Sam didn't answer him. She could barely get the sobs out anymore. She just pushed past him and ran up the stairs to her room. She knew her eyes were awfully puffy and red. She knew that her hair would be messy and so would her BDUs. She knew Daniel was seriously worried, but she knew she wanted to be alone. She didn't need sympathy. She wasn't in pain and she wasn't going to die. Jack was...

As she stepped inside her room, she looked around and found her eyes fill with tears again. She had a comfortable room to sleep in, while Jack was in that filthy cell and probably couldn't sleep anyway. He must be scared. He couldn't even see his torturers. He'd told her that. It was horrific and it had made Sam reconsider priorities. The priority for Jack being saved over took everything else and she felt a steely determination overcome her.

She sat on her bed and did something she hadn't done in a long time. She prayed.

"God, please. Help him. Don't let him die! Please, I'm begging you," she whispered, "Please. Oh Please, save him." She paused as she clasped her hands together, "And please, let me get him out of there soon." She spoke to no one, but just hoped God was listening. She closed her eyes as tears poured freely from her eyes, "And finally, say he knows that I... I... I love him. Please, say he knows!"

As bitter tears dripped onto her hands, she stood up. She had to get him out of there as soon as possible. She rushed to her desk and began to search through all the drawers for something she could use. These people were technologically advanced to Earth they must have something...

Her hands fell upon a wooden box. It was a rich mahogany colour and rather large. She pulled it from the draw. It was quite heavy. She sat on the bed and stroked the polished patterns on the box lid with her fingertip. She opened it slowly and an idea popped into her head. It seemed God had shown her a way.

Inside the wooden box were pots of make-up, eye dye, hair dy... eye dye?!? All the pots had names on. Another said 'Over night Hair grower', another 'Over night hair shortener' and a two other pots 'Hair curler' and 'Hair straightener'.

The eye dye came in hundreds of small pots. It wears off after 12 hours. It came in a wide range of colours from chocolate brown to shocking pink!

She knew what she was going to do she just hoped it would work. All she had to do now was get a prison guards uniform... Salazar!

She hesitated for a second as she thought about Daniel and Teal'c. Three people would be too conspicuous, but she would need their help...

Knock. Knock. Knock. "Sam, you OK?"

"Fine," she lied as Daniel walked in.

His face showed despair and frustration, "It didn't work. The Shir are sticking to their decision and won't let him go. And while I'm trying to convince them he's innocent, who knows what they're doing to him in there!"

"I do," Sam answered seriously as Daniel's jaw dropped. He closed his mouth promptly and nodded knowing why she'd been crying. "I got in, but I can't talk about it right now. I need your help." She looked at him, "I'm going to go into that prison in disguise and get him out of there."

"Wh-What? When?" Daniel asked lost for words.

"By the looks of things tomorrow night," she said examining the pots again.

"What do you want me to do?"

"I need you to ask Salazar for a favour."

"Salazar? Why?"

"I'll need to borrow one of his guard outfits." Daniel shook his head as Sam explained.

"That won't work. There are no female guards at the prison."

"OK then I'll have to ask him if he can get me a job inside, but that will take longer." She looked at the pots in her hand, "I'll have to use more of the stuff almost every night." As Daniel looked puzzled she signalled him to sit next to her. When she'd finished showing him all the different cosmetics he spoke.

"Most of the women here have black curled hair," Daniel said, "And dark brown eyes."

"Hair grower, hair dye and eye dye," Sam checked off on her fingers, "What else?"

"You'll need to darken your skin slightly," he picked up another pot and raised his eyebrow, "And... change you voice!"

Sam nodded, "I'll also need to get a weapon... What?!?"

"Change your voice! You can't carry on talking like that!"

Sam raised an eyebrow and continued, "I'll also need to get a weapon..."

"Aren't me and Teal'c coming with you?"

"I'm sorry, Daniel. Colonel O'Neill was seriously apposed to just me trying to free him, let alone all of us, but I'll need you to try and secure the Gate or we're all gonna be stuck here."

"Me and Teal'c will do it, but we are all gonna need our weapons back."

Sam put her head in her hands as she thought, "Where will they have put them?"

"I believe our weapons are being studied by the Shir scientists."

The voice made her jump. Teal'c was stood in the doorway.

"Teal'c, I wish you wouldn't do that!"

Teal'c just inclined his head apologetically, "I will retrieve our weapons, Major Carter."

"Thank you, Teal'c," she looked at her friends, "Guess we have a plan then?"

"Yep."

"We do indeed, Major Carter."

Sam looked at the hair dye again and hair grower, "Guess I better start then?"

"Yep," Daniel said and then he smiled, "You can do this, Sam. We'll get him out of there."

"I sure hope so," Sam said quietly, "It's awful what they're doing to him in there, Daniel. It's... it's..."

Daniel just nodded grimly, "Don't tell me. I don't want to know."

Sam just nodded as she stood up holding the 'hair grower' pot in her hand, "I'm going to use the shower. See you in a minute."

Å

"Sam! Is that you?"

Sam grinned at Daniel's astonished look, "Is it good? I need a mirror." She gasped. Her voice! It was so different! Instead of her usual American accent, she sounded different now. Her voice was smooth and soft and had a more English sounding accent.

Daniel was still gawping amazed as he passed her a hand mirror. Sam's jaw dropped as she stared at the woman staring back at her in the mirror.

She had long black curls that fell around her shoulders. Her eyes were a beautiful dark brown that almost looked black like her hair and her skin was a wonderful golden brown.

"Holy Hannah!"

Daniel nodded, "All you need now is the guard job..."

Sam tugged at her pyjamas she'd been given by the people here, "Guess I can't really wear these."

"AND you're gonna need a name."

"Oh yeah."

"All their names begin with 'S', but somehow I don't think you can be Sam."

Sam smiled, "Well, duh." She lifted the mirror again as she stared at her reflection, "I can't think of a... How about Shania?"

"Shania? Sounds good," Daniel nodded in agreement as she looked out of the window.

Salazar was switching post with another guard. He was on his way home!

"Daniel, pass me your translator!"

Daniel gave her the device which she pressed it to the nape of her neck and concealed with her long black curls before running out into the street. She walked down the road a little and then waited for him to walk past.

He came around the corner as he walked towards her she smiled and spoke in a voice that wasn't her own, "You work at the prison?"

"Yes," Salazar looked at her strangely, "Do I know you? You look... familiar."

"No," Sam said, "I come from the other side of the city."

Salazar stopped beside her, "Oh. You remind me of someone, but that is not important right now."

"No," Sam agreed and spoke again, "My name is Shania. I wanted to ask you, if you would help me get a job at the prison."

"You want a job? As a guard?"

"Yes," Sam said, "Uh... what is your name?"

"Salazar," he sighed, "Well, if you want a job they will have to try you out for combat training."

"I know."

Salazar looked at her, "Do you have a place to stay?"

"Yes. I'm staying with my grandmother."

He just nodded, "Well, if you wish to try out you should go to the prison tomorrow at 9 o'clock. They are trying out for new guards."

Sam nodded and smiled, "Thank you."

He frowned in confusion as he tried to place her, but then shook his head. He looked at her and gave a small smile as he strode away, "Goodbye, Shania."

"Goodbye," Sam said. As Salazar went around another corner, she ran back to the house. Daniel was stood on the doorstep.

She ran inside and he shut the door. She spoke and Daniel looked at her confused. She realised she was still wearing the translator and pulled it off. She cleared her throat as Daniel said, "Well?"

"I'm trying out tomorrow at about 0900," Sam said, "I'll have to wake up very early and replenish the hair and stuff. Can you buy me some clothes in the market just so I look normal?"

"Yeah sure," Daniel nodded and smiled, "You know Jack is gonna love being rescued by you all dressed up like that. He's gonna have a laugh when he sees you!"

As Daniel spoke Sam's face fell and she stared at the floor. Daniel didn't know what he'd said, but decided Jack was not a very good subject to talk about. Whatever Sam had seen earlier, it must have been absolutely sickening. Daniel shuddered to think what they might be doing to Jack in that place.

Teal'c strode into the room and when he saw Sam his eyebrow raised and an amused smile came onto his lips.

"Major Carter?"

"Teal'c," she said her own smile widening, "From now on, my name is Shania."

Teal'c nodded, "Very well... Shania."

Sam gave a small laugh as Daniel spoke, "I think that we're gonna pull this off. Sam looks... well different, Teal'c knows where they're keeping the weapons and I think me and Teal'c will be able to take the Gate."

"And then we can go home," Sam said with a small smile. She sighed, "And Janet can sort Colonel O'Neill out."

Daniel nodded, "Well, Teal'c, Sa... Shania, I think it's time we ate something."

Sam nodded as Daniel smiled and went into the kitchen. She walked into the living room and collapsed on the couch.

Sam found that her new ringlets made her want to wind the hair around her index finger. She must admit she liked what she looked like now, but her new voice felt strange. As if she'd swallowed Shania and Shania was speaking through her mouth.

She lay on the couch and Daniel grinned at her fondly as she sat up. He brought her a plate of pasta like spheres and a tangy sauce that looked like blueberry, but tasted like chilli!

Teal'c joined them on the couch as they all ate the food swiftly. When they'd all finished Daniel got out his notepad he kept in his pack. The team created two plans, one for Sam to get Jack out of the cell and the other for Daniel and Teal'c to secure the Gate.

She drew a plan of the Prison and with help of Teal'c she worked out a way for her to get Jack out. At midnight the watches change. Three corridors are empty for around five minutes. If she used those three corridors she could escape. Sam listened closely to Teal'c and Daniel's opinions and by night, Sam was convinced they were ready. She was going to get Jack out of there soon.

'Just hang on, Jack,' she thought as she stared at the plan, 'Just hang on.'

Å

Jack sat in the absolute darkness he was becoming accustom to. Since Sam had left he'd been tortured again. His leg was in a bad way; even though he couldn't see it he could imagine its bent and crumpled form laying there in front of him. The worst part was the pain in his leg was getting worse and worse and Jack was sure he couldn't take any more.

He took in a wheezy and painful breath. His throat felt raw and he could sense the liquid in his lungs. Not a pleasant feeling!

Jack could barely move and he felt rotten, but one thing kept him going. The thought of hearing her voice one last time was all he needed. When she'd come to see him he'd realised just how much he loved her. He remembered the feeling of absolute terror when she'd told him she was going to rescue him. He didn't want her to be locked up in this hellhole. It was awful. He couldn't sleep at night because of the constant screaming and wailing from his fellow inmates. He didn't think he could live if her beautiful voice was suddenly ripped from her throat in a shriek of pure agony by the torturers.

Except for Carter there was one other thing that kept him sane in his cell. A boy name Simrion. He wasn't much older than 8 Jack guessed. He'd brought him water and as much food as he could smuggle everyday. He'd also spent a lot of time talking to him. Jack thanked the kid for being there. The boy risked his neck everyday for him and yet all he wanted in return was a story. Jack smiled to himself. Simrion reminded him of Charlie in some ways.

As Jack sat there in his darkness, he prayed to God. Jack had never really believed in the Big Guy, but now... he was prepared to try anything.

'Hey God. I never talk to you 'cos I'm not really one of those religious guys, so this is a one off. I just want you to let Carter, Daniel and Teal'c get out of this alive. I don't want them risking their butts to save me. Chances are I'll be going to hell soon anyway, so I don't want them wasting their time,' Jack sighed mentally, 'Who am I kidding? I want to be rescued, but I don't want them to get hurt, especially Carter. If she ended up here I'd never forgive myself. I... I care about her, so if you'll do me a favour, God, don't let anything happen to Carter.'

Jack was satisfied with his prayer and went back to sitting in silent gloom.

Jack knew she'd come for him. She'd never leave him, but he wished she'd leave him and save herself. He wished it more than anything.

Å

As Sam woke the next morning, she found Teal'c leaning over her. She jumped and almost yelled, "Teal'c, I wish you wouldn't do that!"

"It is time for you to prepare," the Jaffa said, "Daniel Jackson has just left for the market to purchase you some garments."

Sam nodded as Teal'c left the room. She nabbed the shower and put more of the cosmetics on her now brown and flat hair that had shortened by about two inches. She also dyed her eyes the deep brown colour. She darkened her skin again and looked at her reflection; she looked exactly like she had yesterday. Majestic curls of thick black hair, deep brown eyes and tanned skin.

She got changed into the clothes Daniel had bought for her in the market. They were clothes that would never have suited her before. A long, rusty red skirt with a matching waistcoat and a frilly white top to go underneath the waistcoat would never have suited the pale skinned, fair haired, blue eyed Major Carter. But she was Shania now and the colours suited her perfectly. She slid on some leather boots as Daniel knocked on her door and stepped in.

"They OK?"

"Yeah great," Sam grinned, "I'm almost ready."

"Not quite," Daniel said. Sam frowned confused. He nodded to the wooden box, "Your voice."

"Oh," Sam realised she was talking as normal as she always did. She grabbed the bottle and used the pipette to drop three drops down her throat.

She coughed and then took a deep breath, "Better?" Her voice was the silky smooth voice she'd had yesterday.

"Perfect," Daniel said with a smile, "Good luck!" He gave her hug as he whispered, "Get him out of there, Sam."

She pulled back and nodded as she walked out of the room, "I will."

She ran down the stairs and grabbed the translator. She attached it firmly to her skin at the back of her neck and opened the front door, as she stepped onto the cobbled street.

Å

She took a deep breath and walked up to the prison. As she reached the gates, they opened and she walked into the courtyard.

She spotted Salazar stood at the far end of the courtyard. When he saw her he gave a small wave. He was talking to a stubby man who was surrounded my other men. They were looking at a sheet of paper...

"It is to be erected over there and make sure the trapdoor works this time!" Salazar said as the short man nodded. He turned to the other men.

"Right, Boys. Carry the timber over there."

She realised in horror what they were doing. They were building the scaffold. Her eyes fell upon the pieces of timber. Hanging over one piece was a rope noose. She shuddered as Salazar came over to her.

"Shania," he smiled. His smile changed to a frown, "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just slightly nervous."

He nodded with a smile, "Follow me."

Sam obeyed and followed him through a huge archway into another courtyard. It was smaller, but filled with men all bulky and brawny. She realised that she'd have to prove she was really good to even get a guard job here.

As she walked past, all the men whistled and jeered. Salazar grabbed her hand as he pulled her through the crowd. She continued to walk as if she hadn't heard them.

Salazar led her to the front where a young man stood. He was muscular and had short, black hair. He had deep green eyes and quite a pale pallor compared to most people here.

He looked at her as she approached. He turned to Salazar, "Salazar?"

"She wishes to try out for a guard."

As all the men howled with laughter, the man leant towards Salazar, "Are you crazy? There is no way she will beat any of these guys!" He sighed, "She will just get hurt!"

Sam bristled, "No I won't!"

He fixed her in his green stare, "What is your name?"

"Shania. You?" She said scathingly.

He raised and eyebrow at her lack of respect, "I am Soreles. I am a judge of the Shir."

Sam nodded. He was a Shir. He had been one of the people who had sentenced Jack to death. Hatred swelled within her, but attacking the man would not be a good plan. Instead she murmured in fake awe, "Pleased to meet you," she then said haughtily, "And you don't have to worry about me. I can take care of myself."

He nodded, but still doubted her. He sighed, "We shall see. I will put you in the first fight. Let us see what you are made of."

Sam then realised that the middle of the courtyard had been marked off in a square. She was pushed by all the men to the square and shoved inside. All the men taunted her as she heard Soreles yell, "First challenger!"

"I will."

"Name?"

"Suthertz." The crowd cheered loudly as the huge, dirty man jumped into the square. He had arms and legs as thick as the timbers of the scaffold. He had a thick ginger beard, but was bald. He had hardly any teeth and Sam would be being kind by saying he stunk!

"No biting, scratching or spitting. No gauging and no poking in the eyes. The match will be over when one of the contestants is unconscious. Ready?" Sam and Suthertz nodded, as Soreles yelled, "Fight!"

All the men began goading Suthertz on as they observed each other. Calls from the audience filled the courtyard and reverberated from the grimy stonewalls surrounding it.

"Come on, Girly," the man yelled at her, "Do your best!"

He dived for her, she dodged and he fell into the crowd who pushed him back up. He charged at her again and she sidestepped out of the way. The veins in his neck stuck out as he fumed angrily. He tried to punch her and she dodged every one. He growled menacingly and threw his hardest punch. She ducked and grabbed his wrist. With all her strength she tipped him of balance and flung him over her shoulder in a judo throw.

The crowd all gasped in shock and she heard calls from the crowd egging her on as well.

Suthertz got up and strode over to her menacingly. When he reached her he tried to lift her up, but she kicked him hard in the groin. He collapsed to his knees swearing incoherently.

She stood ready for him to rise again. He stood up to his full and massive height. He couldn't have been an inch below 7 foot! His face was almost crimson with rage and she was surprised steam wasn't billowing from his flaring nostrils!

Suddenly he stepped forward and Sam swung a punch that connected with his jaw. There was a slight crack and a gasp from the crowd as Suthertz swayed. He fell over backwards and hit the floor hard enough to render him unconscious.

The courtyard suddenly fell silent as she stood in the middle with the giant of a man lying on the floor near by and remembered the last time she'd punched a man that hard...

"That was refreshing!" she said as she looked around the courtyard at all the men staring at her like fish. She rubbed her sore knuckles and glanced around the circle at the men nervously.

"She beat Suthertz! The Girl beat Suthertz!" A man yelled and everyone began to join in. She was lifted up onto the shoulders of two guys, much to her protest, and paraded around to where Salazar and Soreles were stood. Soreles was gob smacked.

As she was put down in front of them, she spoke, "So am I in?"

The crowd were yelling, 'Yes!' and 'Let her be a guard'.

Soreles smiled, obviously pleasantly surprised, "Welcome to the Prison Guards, Shania."

The courtyard erupted and Sam had to yell at Soreles to be heard, "When do I start?"

"Now. If that is alright with you?"

"Fine," she yelled as she grabbed Salazar's hand and let him pull her into the guard's house of the prison.

This unlike the rest of the prison was not dreary and had air flowing through it. Salazar led her to a chest. He unlocked it and pulled out a guard uniform.

"Here," he gave it to her, "You can get changed in there."

He pointed to a door to his right. She nodded and hurried inside. She quickly got undressed and pulled on the thick, black leather body suit. She pulled the chain mail shirt over that and then over the chain mail she pulled on a long black shirt.

As she walked out Salazar nodded and passed her a helmet with a visor, similar to the one's the cops on Earth wore in riots. He spoke, "You will be working in the high security wing. Soreles was very impressed and said there was nowhere else he would ever put you."

"Thank you, Salazar." She smiled and he smiled back, blushing slightly as she looked at him.

"High security is over there," he pointed out the window to the building Jack was kept in. He turned to her, "Well, what are you waiting for? Get to work!"

"Yes, Sir," she grinned as she left.

Å

As she reached the High security prison, she walked inside and removed her visor. The overpowering humidity made her cough. She looked around. No other guards in here. She strode down the corridor to Jack's cell. She stopped outside.

There were two figures in there. Jack lay slumped against the wall while another sat beside him giving him water. The other person looked up shocked as he saw her and pulled back the water.

Jack murmured, "Simrion? What's going on?"

Simrion, as he was called, was just a boy of about seven or eight. His long dark hair was pulled back in a short pony tail. He wore a dirty cream tunic with equally unclean blue britches. He shook terrified as she watched him. He spoke, "I... I... he is dying. I... I gave him water."

"I don't care," Sam said gently as she pushed open the cell door, "He needs the water. I won't tell anyone."

She strode inside, tossing the ridiculous headgear to the floor with a clatter. The boy looked surprised. She turned to him, "You mustn't tell anyone about this."

He nodded, as Jack felt around, "What's going on?" He coughed, "Who's there?"

"It's me, Jack," she murmured, "It's me. It's Carter."

"Carter?" He whispered, "You don't sound like Carter!"

"It's hard to explain, but it's me."

"Prove it," he choked as he spoke, "What's the name of... of your ginger cat that you gave to that Tollan geek?"

She gave a soft laugh as she murmured fondly, "Schrödinger was the cat and the 'Tollan geek' is called Nareem."

Jack sighed, "It... it's you... you came back!"

She put her hand on his face, "I promised I'd come for you, didn't I?" She stroked his face tenderly as she examined the damage, especially the bloody mess of skin that were his eyelids.

He held her hand to his face as the little boy turned to her, "You are Carter?"

"Yes, but I used some stuff to change my appearance and my voice," the boy nodded showing he understood; "I've told them all my name is Shania."

Simrion spoke desperately, "You do not have long. They are going to hang him at sunset!"

"What!" Sam gasped.

The boy nodded fervently, "The Shir decided the execution for this evening." She shook her head in shock. Her plan wouldn't work now.

She spoke to the boy quickly, "Simrion, I need you to do me a favour."

"Yes, if you can save him."

"I'll try my best," she whispered, "Now listen. Run to the white house down the street. It's the third white building on the left."

The boy stared into her eyes listening with rapt attention, "The one where you and your friends live?"

She nodded, "Tell my two friends what is happening and tell them they need to get the weapons sooner."

Simrion just licked his bottom lip, "I will."

With that he ran out of the cell and away down the corridor. Sam turned back to look at Jack. He coughed again. He sounded worst. He held her hand tightly, "Why did you come back, Carter?"

Sam almost laughed at the stupid question, "Because it's horrible what they are doing to you. I couldn't stand the thought of you dying here."

He murmured softly, "I didn't think you'd come back."

"I wasn't going to leave you here. No way in Netu would I leave you here to be hung!"

He stared at her although he couldn't see her, "You are..." He felt her face until his fingers cupped her face. He just stared at her, "I wish I could see you, Carter. See your face again," he chuckled gently. His chuckle led to a dry cough, "What I wouldn't give to see anything again!"

Sam felt the tears rising in her eyes again. It was awful. She placed her hand over his on her cheek.

"So what do you look like, Shania?" he coughed raucously, trying to change the subject a bit.

"I've got curly black hair," his fingers touched her hair softly and entwined in the ringlets, "Brown eyes and my skin's more tanned," his fingers moved back to her cheek. She let out a soft laugh, "Not to mention, Daniel picked me out some local clothes."

"I bet you still look beautiful," he tried to clear his throat.

"What?" Sam asked surprised by his bluntness.

His fingers moved over her face. His fingers felt along her forehead and down to her other cheek, "I never told you, but I should have." Sam sat completely still as his fingertips brushed her skin lightly. She could see the emotion in his eyes, "I wish I could see you. I just wish..." Sam moved closer slightly. His fingers ran over her nose and down to her lips. His fingers ran over her lips making the tingle as he murmured, "He took you from me..."

"Not quite yet, Jack," she murmured as his hand moved back to her cheek. She shuffled closer on her knees, "I'm still here. I won't leave you to die in this godforsaken place."

"You are always here," he continued, "You're in here and in here." He lifted his hand and tapped his head lightly and then pulled his hand down to his chest. He placed his hand on the spot over his heart. He sighed; "Even when you're... not around... you have and al-always... will... be in here, Sam. I... I..." His shoulders shook as he coughed fiercely. She rubbed his back gently, but he shook his head. He just grabbed her hand as his heart-rending gags echoed around the room.

She heard the guards outside the door at the far end of the corridor.

Jack heard as well and murmured between chokes, "Go... Now!"

She jumped up grabbing her visor as she ran out of the cell and locked the cell door again. She then ran to the door nearest Jack's end of the corridor and stood in front of it arms folded.

The door opposite her opened and two guards wandered down the aisle towards her. They both gave her a nod and an "It's the end of your shift."

"Wh... What do I do now?" she murmured as she stepped aside.

The men laughed, as one said, "The sun is high. Go eat something."

The other guard spoke, "I have a message for you. Soreles wishes you to help with the hanging later."

"Hanging?"

The man laughed, "This man is going to suffer for stealing the weapon!"

"He didn't," Sam said before she could stop herself. They both stared at her strangely, "I know it wasn't him. It was another one from their world."

"You should not believe everything you hear, especially from him! He is delusional! He has been talking to imaginary people in there!"

"Yes. His friends. The Jaffa and the doctor."

"And the woman!" They both snorted at that, "Does he ever shut up about 'Carter'?"

"She's obviously his mate! I think that is more than obvious!"

Sam gave a dry laugh as she spoke, "Well, she is luckier than a lot of girls."

"What is that supposed to mean?" One of the guards asked.

"She is lucky that the man she loves returns her love. Not many girls get that lucky."

"Really?" The other man laughed, "She is in love with a thief!"

"Or she's in love with an innocent man," Sam said firmly as she walked past them, "Bye. Have a good shift."

"See you at the hanging!" One man called after her.

Sam stepped outside into the fresh air and took a deep breath. She was going to have to plan as she went from now on!

"Shania!"

She turned to see Salazar and behind him a half built gallows. He walked towards her, "Soreles wants you to help with the hanging."

"I heard," Sam said miserably. Salazar didn't seem to notice.

"You are to stand guard around the scaffold while the execution takes place. We do not want his friends trying to stop it." Sam nodded gently as he spoke again, "I was wondering if you would like to join me for lunch to celebrate your new job."

He was hitting on her! Oh she was SO not in the mood for this kind of crap! She turned to him and smiled politely, "I'm sorry. Grandmother is cooking and I promised I'd be there. Maybe another time."

Salazar smiled happily, "That would be great!"

Sam smiled and walked towards the prison gates. They lifted slowly and she began to walk to the house, her mind wandering over possible ways to save Jack now that she'd have to improvise.

It was her pensive daze that caused her to walk straight into Simrion who was running in a panic. She stopped him and knelt down so she was eye to eye with the boy, "Simrion? What's wrong?"

"Carter. Your friends! The weapons!"

Sam didn't need to hear the rest. She sprinted past the house towards the city centre. She ran and ran until she came to the laboratories. A crowd was gathered around them and Sam pushed through to the front.

Teal'c and Daniel were being dragged out of the building. One of the guards spoke to Daniel, "It seems your race wants to steal everything! You will hang with your comrade for such crimes!"

Daniel stared around and his eyes locked with Sam's. He yelled at the top of his voice and averted his gaze from her, "I'm sorry! We tried!"

Sam just listened and felt her mind overloading. What was she going to do now?

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Read on in 'S is for... Selfless Sacrifice (Part Two)'

Copyright © 2004 Sam I Am