Another chapter? So soon? Don't get too excited - I think it takes at least three to be a trend. Not the longest, not the shortest - perhaps at this juncture - just right. Enjoy - and THANK YOU to my reviewers! Made my day!

Sometime before dawn we resumed our trek to wherever this crew was dragging us. Stopping for rest did some good, as did Carter's attempt to play doctor. Well, medical doctor anyway. At least the bleeding stopped. Still feel hung over – but it should pass.

Carter is still wound up. Try as I might, she's not buying that I left Daniel for *Daniel* and not for her. It was not at all an easy decision. And, in hindsight, probably not a great one. But if these guys hadn't decisively turned in our direction, we'd still be trailing Carter and not in the mix.

"Look, I know you can handle yourself, Captain," I'd said. "You don't need to arm wrestle me to prove it," I'd added in an attempt to lighten the mood, which fell flat of course.

"Sir," she'd responded. Her tone was almost pleading, and it was not at all easy to continue with the look in her wide, blue-grey eyes.

When did I start feeling the need to convince my subordinates of something?

When did I stop being the hard-ass Colonel?

Why wasn't I just telling the Captain here to suck it up?

Was it because she was a woman? I doubted it – she's tough as nails when needed, and I admit – way – smarter than I am. Not as experienced, granted. And this trek, separation… situation… clearly has her rattled.

It takes more than a pair to be a fighter pilot – I've seen Carter's record – she's good. At least running missions over the Gulf you have the security of your bird. The objective is clear, the enemy is clear, your team is there to back you up, and you know your fighter can get you home. Air superiority is a great thing – it helps win battles – it gives you confidence – once your objective is in the bag, you're pretty damn sure you're going to make it back. Everything else is lost in the dust.

On the ground? Not the same story – and not something you can learn in the classroom. Carter is in for an education – but like I said, way smarter than me. She'll adjust.

Nope – I think this… softening… on my part has nothing to do with Carter – big, blue-grey eyes and all.

There's another blue-eyed scientist to blame for that one.

Yes – Daniel is concussed. Yes – Daniel is hypothermic. Yes – Daniel was out on his feet even before stepping through the gate. He's underfed, under-rested, overactive, and overwhelmed more often than not. He's been staying at my house – I see him stumble into awareness every morning, I hear him fail to let it flee every night.

Leaving him was so not an easy decision.

Through all our experiences together – I am absolutely sure of one fact - despite appearances, and despite his truly trying circumstances – Daniel is not fragile.

He comes across as a soft academic – and sometimes as downright flaky. But I saw him on Abydos – sure – he's lacking in skill, in training – but I know – Know - he's got more balls than most of the career soldiers I know.

But Carter doesn't know this yet. I know what she sees – I'd be a fool not to acknowledge the effect Daniel has on people – and on women in particular. She hasn't seen him in action yet. He was hurt on Chulak – subdued through the fighting from the slam into the wall at the hands of Apophis. Agonized by the kidnap and possession – brutalization – of his wife. Shattered by the loss of his only family.

I know what that kind of lowness feels like. I know how it overshadows your entire being.

And Carter's only seen Danny low. Except for their very first meeting, she hasn't been able to see him for what his is – what he's truly capable of.

God, I hope he's capable of it now.

"Carter," I said. "Don't flatter yourself too much."

Aha! That got a tougher look from her. Good.

I continued, "Daniel's not as bad off as you think. He's not…" I searched for the right word. "incapacitated." Not completely, anyway. I left off the details – including the fact he'd become so very quickly, or worse, if he took a clobbering like I had.

"He's tough, and he'll make it to the gate."

I hope I've convinced her.

Hell, I hope I've convinced myself.

A few flakes are drifting to the ground in front of me as we continue our trek, and even with the sun rising, the temperature hasn't come up much at all. The sky is a deep grey, heavy with moisture. It's going to snow alright. We'll all be in trouble if we stay out in the open.

"Sir?" Carter is saying, touching my arm and bringing me out of my reverie.

Not a hundred percent after all – I hadn't caught that we'd stopped.

We've been moving steadily toward the foothills, now so close it was hard to separate the sky from the mountains. Where the hell are we?

Then, I see it.

"Speak Friend, and Enter," I mutter.

"Sir?"

As if carved into the hillside. A great archway, almost completely circular, each supporting wedge of stone containing a symbol I sure as hell couldn't recognize – not that that was saying much. Almost reminiscent of the Stargate…

"Fuck." I bite out.

Carter is still looking at me questioningly. She's not getting it. Not the inappropriate aside – and not what this means for Daniel.

"Carter," I pause to gain some control of my voice. "I'm getting a very bad feeling about this."

OK. Maybe a little smarmy. Couldn't resist. Hmmm... I suppose it may be predictable what this means for Daniel - but - that remains to be seen! Let me know if you'd like more...