Author's Notes: I'm so sorry for the delay in posting this last chapter!

"Are you hurt?"

"No, we're fine now," Daniel answered.

"What the hell happened last night? What were those things – how did you manage to shake them?"

"We –"

"We'd no idea where you were. Did you not think to try and check-in at some stage?"

Daniel winced at Jack's questions. "It's nice to see you too, Jack."

"We didn't know if you were even alive," Sam added quietly.

"We tried to contact you. A number of times," Daniel replied.

"No message came over the radio."

"Actually, we think it did. You just didn't hear it."

"Excuse me?"

"Daniel Jackson is indeed speaking the truth," Teal'c interjected from his position at the door.

Jack strained his neck to look at his friend and realized he was still bound by the ropes. "We could use a hand here," he sighed and tried to shake his arms to emphasize his point.

"Hm? Oh! Of course," Daniel answered. He took two steps forward then hesitated. "You can see us OK, right?"

Jack pulled a face. "What? No, Daniel. You're a figment of my imagination." He rolled his eyes. "Are you sure you're OK?"

Daniel threw his hands up in a defensive gesture and quickly moved to his teammates. "It certainly sounds like you, anyway," he muttered. Unfortunately, his comment wasn't quiet enough for Jack to not pick up on it.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I think we need to talk."

"Ya think?"

Jack nodded his thanks to Daniel and rubbed at his wrists once they were freed. When Sam was also released from her restraints, he moved to her side. "I gotta check your –"

Sam's face was now sporting a large bruise and there was a bump above her eye. He frowned and carefully brought his hand up to the side of her face, his fingers reverently tracing the butterfly closures that now covered the gash.

"Sir? What's wrong?"

His eyes shifted to Sam's and he caught her panicked expression moments before her fingers tangled with his. When she felt the stitches, her expression matched Jack's.

"How did –"

"Like I said," Daniel interjected softly. "We need to talk."

"So, start talking," Jack answered as he helped Sam to her feet.

"What is the last thing you remember O'Neill? Major Carter?" Teal'c asked as he joined them in the center of the room.

"Uh," Sam hesitated and closed her eyes.

"There was a fire," Jack supplied, with a quick glance at Sam who nodded in agreement.

Daniel studied them both but didn't say anything.

"The celebration was about to end and the elders had set fire to the sculpture."

"There was a weird smell," Jack cut in, then shrugged. "The smoke got in my eyes."

"I remember people screaming – and then I was being chased."

Daniel's eyes narrowed at Sam's words. "By what?"

"An animal? Or a creature of some kind? I don't know, I never got a good look at it."

Jack nodded. "They were fast."

"Were you two together?"

Jack and Sam shared a look at Daniel's question, but it was Sam who answered. "No, Daniel."

"Interesting," he muttered as he folded his arms across his chest and tucked his hands underneath. "So, how did you find each other?"

"We – ah – bumped into each other."

"Literally," Jack chipped in as he pointed to Sam's head. "In the middle of a corn maze."

"A corn maze?"

As Daniel shared a concerned look with Teal'c, Jack felt his frustration increase.

"Daniel," Jack snapped. "You said we needed to talk, but Carter and I seem to be the only ones who are doing that. Care to explain what the hell is going on?"

"OK, sorry. Do you remember anything else?"

Jack sighed heavily. "Aside from almost being attacked by those creatures and then waking up like this? No. Carter, do you have anything you want to add?"

She winced at his brusque tone. "No, Sir."

With an impatient look, he turned to Daniel who hesitated slightly, then said: "Last night, the elders were explaining the significance of the ritual and what it represents for their people. According to their tradition, the celebration signifies the end of one season and the commencement of the next."

"Yeah, I remember you saying something about that," Jack said, running a hand across his forehead.

"Well, when I asked what the new season would bring, the leaders said they are entering the winter months. Not so dissimilar to Earth, the plants, animals – nature in general – slows down, but when Sekhmet ruled over the planet, she became angry when the crops didn't grow or animal sacrifices couldn't be made. It was because of nature, but being a Goa'uld, Sekhmet believed that the people were deliberately withholding the sacrifices. She thought they were turning against her, so she came up with a way to keep them loyal."

"Of course she did," Jack said with a tight smile as he sat down on the stone bench.

"But her plan didn't work. The effects were only temporary, so Sekhmet killed them. She murdered most of their people – only a few managed to escape and start a rebellion and – somehow – they managed to overthrow her. She took so many lives but over time those who remained were able to reproduce and added to their numbers once again. Now, every year around this time have this celebration as a reminder; it's a way for them to enjoy what their ancestors never had – their freedom."

"That still doesn't explain our lapse in memory, Daniel."

"Uh, well, the leaders started to tell us about the different plants – or elements – that were used as part of the celebration, but it was only when we looked around, that we noticed something wasn't right."

Sam stepped closer to her teammates. "What happened?"

"Everyone started to collapse," said Teal'c. "On closer inspection, they appeared to be in a deep hypnotic state."

"Hypnosis? All of them?"

"Not exactly," Daniel grimaced. "Do you remember how the locals said that all flora had a purpose here?"

Jack narrowed his eyes at the archaeologist as a horrible feeling started to stir in his stomach. "Yeah?"

"Well, it turns out that something may have been – just slightly – lost in translation during our initial discussions."

"Come again?"

Pushing his glasses up his nose, Daniel waved a hand in the air. "According to the chief elders, the substances used in last night's celebration – are known for their medicinal properties, but the word 'medicine' seems to mean different things here, depending on the context."

Jack groaned. "Oh, why do I not like where this is going?"

"It's actually really interesting," Daniel continued as if he hadn't spoken. "As we know, plants have been the basis for medical treatments throughout much of human history. In ancient Egypt, for example, herbs are mentioned –"

"Daniel? Get to the point."

"I am."

"Then get there quicker," Jack retorted.

"Well, when we think of medicinal, we tend to think of something relating to, or being used to cure disease, or relieve pain."

Jack waved a hand in the air impatiently. "Yeah?"

"Well, here, medicinal can also cover recreational use."

"Recreational?"

Daniel nodded at Sam's question.

"As in…"

"You were high."

Jack turned to look at Sam, who had a look of shock and horror on her face and he was pretty sure his expression wasn't much different. "We were stoned?"

"One of the substances is called Booglas – it's a hallucinogen," Daniel explained.

"When Daniel Jackson and I were informed of this, we attempted to locate you and Major Carter immediately."

"We did find you," Daniel stressed. "But before we could explain anything, you shouted for us to take cover – but there was nothing there – and when we tried to call you, you started running."

Sam frowned. "What are you saying, Daniel?"

"There were no creatures."

"Daniel," Jack placated. "We saw them. They were on our tail."

"No, that's what you thought you saw. When you and Sam split – Teal'c tried to follow you and I went after Sam. The creatures you're talking about – it was us. We were chasing you."

"But I heard them – screaming and crying."

"It was us trying to call you back – and over the radio," Daniel admitted, but Jack could see he was trying hard to hide his amusement. "The substance – it alters your brain chemistry in some way. Like a side-effect, if you will, it distorts the things you see and hear. It's why Sekhmet introduced it to the planet. She used it to try and keep the people devoted to her and abide by her wishes."

"Have I ever said how much I hate the Goa'uld?" Jack asked as he got to his feet. He ran a hand through his hair and then froze. "So, let me get this straight," he said, holding up his two index fingers. "The two of you were fine. No hallucinations… nothing?"

"We were unaffected by the celebration," Teal'c confirmed with a nod.

"Huh. So why were Carter and I the only ones who –"

"P3X-797."

Jack turned to look at Sam. "What's that, Carter?"

"P3X-797," she repeated. "The Touched."

"What's that got to do with –" Jack closed his eyes and let the rest of his sentence go unfinished. "Ah, crap."

"We don't know for sure," Daniel said quickly. "But that was the conclusion we came to. I think my meds and Teal'c's symbiote protected us from the – uh – substances."

"It would make sense," Sam agreed.

"Nothing about this makes sense, Carter!"

Sam went to respond, but Jack caught the moment her expression changed. He knew that look – it was the one where her science brain suddenly kicked into high gear.

"Daniel, when you asked if the Colonel and I were together last night, I said no – and you said that it was 'interesting'. What did you mean by that?"

Jack glanced from Sam to Daniel. "Yes, Daniel, please explain."

When the archaeologist started to fidget, Jack raised a brow in suspicion. "Daniel?"

"Uh, I'm not sure I want to –"

"Daniel – we need to know," Sam stressed when he seemed reluctant to share the information.

"The celebration is two-fold," he sighed. "In addition to celebrating their freedom, the inhabitants also use the ritual to honor the lives of those lost – by bringing new life to their world."

"When you say 'bring new life', you mean –"

"The elders informed Daniel Jackson and myself that one of the other substances used throughout the duration of the celebration has a particular purpose," Teal'c added. "It is said to increase ones sexual desire and intimacy with a partner."

Jack shook his head. "Whoa, T! What?"

"It's an aphrodisiac," Daniel supplied with an embarrassed smile. "That's why I asked if you were together, because –"

"Oh, my god."

Jack turned to look at Sam but found her staring wide-eyed at the bench. He frowned but when he risked another glance at her, he noticed a faint blush spread across her cheeks. His concern turned to intrigue, especially when Sam met his eye and her blush deepened. He thought about commenting, only for Daniel to clear his throat. When Jack looked over, the archaeologist had followed their gaze, a mild expression of alarm on his face.

"Uh, you guys didn't –"

"No!"

"Of course not, Daniel!"

"At least I don't think –"

"No."

"It's not like that, Jack," Daniel said quickly. "The plant is supposed to enhance your unconscious mind for one evening so that, uh, well –"

"We get the idea," Jack muttered.

"It is fascinating when you think about it," Daniel said brightly. "The effects are actually said to draw soulma – uh – you know what? Never mind," he trailed off, seeing the thunderous look on his friend's face.

The four team members fell into an uncomfortable silence as they thought over the events of the previous night and what did – or did not – occur. Finally, it was Sam who broke the silence.

"What happened to your hand?"

"Oh, uh," Daniel winced slightly as he tried to hide his bandaged fingers. "You bit me."

"What?"

"It's fine. It – well – it'll be fine."

"Daniel, I'm so sorry."

"It wasn't your fault, Sam," he smiled. "When I saw you last night – I was just so glad to find you and I didn't think – I didn't realize the effects of the drugs would be so strong, and I must have scared you, so when I put my hand on your shoulder to try and calm you down – you bit me."

Sam frowned at the information and Jack could see her trying to think back desperately to the previous night. His own memories were vague, but he could just about remember one of the creatures entering the room towards Sam and imagined it reaching out for her and –

"Oh, god, Daniel," she groaned. "I thought you were –"

"Like I said," he interrupted with a small smile. "It's fine, Sam."

"Uh," Jack winced as the memories continued to surface. "Daniel?"

"Yes, Jack."

"I shot something last night – here – just outside of the door."

The two men studied each other carefully and Jack already knew the answer, but decided to ask anyway. "What was it?"

"It was me."

A snort from Sam was the last response he expected, but her amusement was short-lived by Teal'c's next words.

"And I subsequently shot you, O'Neill – and Major Carter, for which I apologize."

"We, ah, decided to restrain you both in case – well – just to be on the safe side," Daniel hedged.

It took a few moments for Jack to process the information, and he straightened. "I take it you patched up Carter's head too?"

"Yeah," Daniel nodded.

"Thanks, Danny."

With a quick glance around the room, Jack suddenly felt like he needed some air. He cleared his throat. "Do you have everything you need for now?"

When Daniel nodded, he clapped his hands together. "Alright. I suggest we go home and suggest SG-9 take over the negotiations."

With the approval of his teammates, he gestured for Daniel and Teal'c to lead the way. He waited until they left the room before he reached out and placed a hand on Sam's arm. "Sir?"

"With everything that happened last night… Are we OK, Carter?"

"Oh."

He tried to ignore the blush that returned to Sam's face, but when she bit down on her bottom lip, he knew he wasn't going to forget that look anytime soon.

"We're fine, Sir. I mean, it's not like we actually did anything while we were – uh…"

"Zonked?"

Despite the circumstances, she smiled. "Yes, Sir."

He grinned. "Good. Shall we?"

They walked side-by-side to the door when Sam hesitated.

"Carter?"

"I was just thinking."

"About?"

"Our mission reports."

"Ah… What about 'em?"

"Well, with all due respect, Sir, what are we going to write?"

"That we had the whole experience, Carter."

"Sir?"

"Sex, drugs, and rock'n'roll'."

When he threw a wink in Sam's direction, she chuckled softly and started walking.

"Ya sure, you betcha, Sir."

Author's Note: I'm not that happy with the ending, but all my other attempts were even worse. Thank you so much for sticking with this!