This is much shorter then I intended it to be. I hit an unexpected block, so this about half the size it should be. Many thanks to everyone who reviews! I'm losing my pride, so I might end up becoming one of those authors that requires five reviews before they update. For now I just simple hoard any reviews I get. This chapter is a brief Kat/Stephen interlude. Oh, and I own little to nothing.

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Wednesday night sleep evaded her, so Kat called Daniel up for a chat. She was listening with half and ear about his latest archeology work while absentmindedly imagining tricks she could teach George. Would cat treats or dog treats work best? Oh, duh. Kat seized upon Daniel's pause and asked him a question.

"If you were a machine, what would you eat?"

"Sorry, what?"

Kat rolled her eyes. "If you were a machine, wh-"

"So you really did just ask me that. Maybe you need to lay down."

"No I'm fine. I'm just thinking about work. Nuts and bolt do you think, or an oil of some type?"

"I don't know. There are a lot of different kinds of machines. Kat, are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, yeah." Kat assured him as she surveyed her room for things a machine might eat. It would have to be the right size to feed to George, and she'd probably need a verity. Flipping over a picture frame she found some tiny screws and doubtless there was something in the lab that could tempt him.

"Hey Daniel, I just had an idea I have to try out. Um, if I die I love you like family yeah?"

Kat hung up to Daniel's slightly panicked protests. She was ninety-five percent sure this would work. There was only a small five percent chance she'd blow herself and the lab up, all and all, good odds. Throwing on her robe she palmed the tiny screws and headed for the lab. Half way there Kat realized it might have been a good idea to change, or at least put on some shoes. Running around the SGC in pajamas and a robe covered with ducks at three something in the morning was not going to be good for her reputation. Luckily she only passed two startled souls in her night dash to the lab. Flipping on the lights she scrawled a quick note of 'silence please, delicate testing occurring' and taped it to the lab door. Hopefully that would prevent someone from barging in and getting the lab blown to bits. A quick rifle through a couple draws yielded some delicate wires, microchips, and specialty oil. With the tiny screws from her room Kat had a nice little feast for George. Keeping her movments smooth she pulled George out of the containment and held her breath. George scuttled a bit around the table before tuning his sensory probes towards Kat.

"Hey Georgie. How do you like this huh?" Carefully she placed one of the screws in front of him. Her mouth dropped open when he sprayed it with a solution that caused it to disintegrate and than suctioned the dust up. George peered up at her. Well peered was the wrong word since he didn't have eyes, but he did focus his attention back on Kat. Biting her lip she tried to think of what to teach him first, and how. Forcing his legs into a bend probably wasn't the best idea. If he got pissy he could weaponries on her fast. A few minutes passed as they just watched each other. Finally he settled down towards the table, it wasn't a sit, but it was close enough.

"Good!"

Kat gave him a second screw. He settled back again. She repeated the process, and in no time Kat was telling him to sit and getting results. George seemed to enjoy training and was a quick learn, must be a robot thing. His little sensory rod wiggled whenever he was about to do something that would earn him a treat. They moved on to coming to a finger wiggle, and then pushing around objects on the desk. When she had to get up to get some more treats, George crawled off the table and halfway up her leg to see what she was getting, so climbing on command was the next trick they worked on. All these tricks were fun, but blowing shit up was what would be really cool. Kat powered up a computer and found a sound bite. Saying a silent prayer Kat played the sound bite loud enough to startle George. Instantly he weaponrized, making sure to keep them pointed away from her. That had to be a sign of progress, didn't it? That he'd make a point to not endanger her. She cautiously slid a microchip towards him. He folded his weapons back within, and tugged the treat towards him with one little leg. As he ate it, she played the sound again. As soon as he reacted she slid him a treat. George studied her for a moment before he weaponized without her prompting.

"You're so smart! Here, have a screw and some oil."

Kat smiled as George started to fiddle with her pensile. Checking the time she had to smother a yawn, it was five already. They'd been at it for two hours.

"Okay George, we should probably stop. No you can keep playing with that, I'll clean up first." Humming softly she started putting up her computer and treat scraps. Considering she could have blown the lab up, this little experiment had gone fabulous. How wicked would a sentient weapon be? George would be an awesome pet. Everyone wanted a pet that could kick major ass. It would just take a little convincing on the part of the SGC. Kat was startled from her thought by the door swinging open.

"Carter?" The whispered hiss did not sound happy. Moving quickly towards George and the table she answered.

"In here, but be quite."

The door eased open to reveal a scowling Stephen. Oh dear, the shit was about to hit the fan. He was on her in seconds.

"What is your problem? I nearly got court marshaled! Hacking my email? Real mature."

George had tensed and watched Stephen as soon as he entered, but since the rant never reached above a pissy whisper George stayed still. Kat shot him a concerned look before facing Stephen.

"Now is really not a good time for this. And they've figured out you didn't do your email, so why would they court marshal you?"

She tried to start herding him out as she spoke. He really needed to get out of here before George got upset.

"So you did-"

"You said it was hacked, no shit Sherlock, you didn't do whatever it was your self. But you probably deserved whatever came to you."

"You arrogant self absorbed little brat! I ignored you so you decided to get me fired? You need to get the hell over yourself!" By the last word he was yelling and stabbing a finger in her face.

"Shut up!" With a hiss she shoved him towards the door, mad at both his words and his volume. Glancing at George Kat froze. Her little man was weaponized and pointed at Stephen. The buzz he was admitting told her he was about to blast.

"Fuck!" Kat threw herself at Stephen, tackling him to the ground. Heart pounding she laid on top of him, waiting for the pain to kick in or the explosion to sound. His arms had reflexively wrapped around her and she tried not to notice the feel of his body under hers.

"What the hel-"

"Shut up and DON'T MOVE!"

Carefully she eased herself up and looked for George. He was at the edge of the table, weaponed but not powered up.

"Hey George. Did you not shoot because I got in the way? Aren't you a good man." With trembling hands she scooped him up and put him in the containment case.

Once she heard the ping that signaled it's shield activation Kat let out a breath. Holy fucking hell that had been a close call, it was a miracle she wasn't dead, let alone that the lab was intact. She'd nearly got herself killed out of arrogance. Her knees decided now would be a chill time to stop working and Kat slumped to the floor. Stephen might have had a point about that arrogance, considering it had nearly gotten them both killed. Fuck.

Stephen glared at her from the floor. "Have you finished your psychotic break? Can I get up?"

"Sure," Kat waved a hand in dismissal, "and you're welcome."

"What should I be thanking you for? Being mauled?"

She shook her head. "Walk towards the containment box. It should probably only take a few steps."

His yelp told her that George had fired at him. The shield kept it from causing any damage, but it still made an impressive flash.

"You're welcome."

"What was that?"

"That was George, or Weapon 5 from P3682. We were working when you came in. Either the yelling or your threatening me, it set him off. And there was no shield to protect you. You're fucking welcome."

Blinking at her he seemed to get the point. "Thank you. So you could have gotten hit when you jumped?"

Trying to still her shaking hands Kat nodded. "I figured at best we got some minor injuries and lab damage."

"And at worst?"

She shrugged. "We ended up dead. But I was lucky and he didn't blast when I got into the line of fire."

Stephen moved over to where she sat, looking down at her thoughtfully and with some confusion.

"So you risked your life for me?"

"Not really. It was my fault you were in danger in the first place. I couldn't just let you die. It was a pride thing."

He snorted then flinched. "Could you tell it to stop?" Seeing her face he explained. "It keeps trying to blast me."

Kat took his offered hand and let him haul her up. She would have preferred to get up on her own, but considering her disobedient knees and shaky hands it hadn't seemed like an option. As she swayed he leaned in and steadied her, pulling her up against his side.

"It's shock." Kat made sure to point out as she settled against him. Looking at George she smiled and waved a hand to get his attention. Immediately he put his weapons away.

"Good boy! You're so clever." She wiggled her fingers against the box and George scuttled forward and followed her fingers with a few of his legs.

"It scares me that you have that kind of control over that kind of weapon."

Kat shot him a look. "It's what they pay me for, and that control just saved your sorry ass."

Stephen tugged her away and towards the door. "So you're supervising scientist knows about this little experiment?"

Kat opened her mouth, than closed it with a snap.

"That's what I thought. The SGC is seriously going to regret hiring you when you eventually blow us all up."

Resisting the urge to stomp on his foot, since he was basically holding her up, she simply smiled sweetly.

"We'll all be dead, so you won't be able to say 'I told you so'."

Stephen rolled his eyes. "Alright smart ass, lets get you to the infirmary."

"What?" Kat attempted to dig in her heels and halt her walking crutch, but he just hefted him up against his hip and an inch of the ground.

"I don't need the infirmary! I'll just sleep it off before work." She punctuated her claim with struggle.

With a sigh Stephen swung her up bridal style, mimicking her earlier "It's shock. You should get checked out Carter. You can't wreck havoc if you're not a hundred percent."

Glaring at his chin she muttered, "And carrying me is necessary?" He had a five o'clock shadow, which wasn't kind of sexy. Nope.

"You're a problem employee. I figured I save myself some trouble and just carry you."

She thumped his shoulder with the back of her head. "I'm the problem? You're the one that that barged in and threw a hissy fit."

"Don't even act like I wasn't justified. We both know you hacked my email." He felt her denying head shake and cut her off, "I have no issue with carrying you like a sack of potatoes."

Being carried to the infirmary was humiliating enough; there was no way she was going to be brought in over Stephen's shoulder. So Kat decided to keep her silence.

The nurse in the infirmary didn't even blink when Stephen came in and dumped Kat on to one of the beds, duck pajamas and all.

Kat scowled at him from her awkward angle. "You want your Facebook hacked too?"

Stephen's grin had a toothy edge. Part smile, part snarl. "Later Carter, I have to go file a accident report. One of the weapons techs went against protocol and nearly damaged SGC property."

Kat's mouth dropped open and her eyes bugged out. "You wou-"

"She's suffering from shock. Make sure she's alright before releasing her." Stephen's order to the nurse cut her off. And then the smug bastard sauntered out. Kat continued to stare at the door as the nurse checked her over. He'd handled that like a boss. Well shit, if he wanted to raise the stakes, she was game. And Kat was confiscated enough to admit he'd thoroughly won this round, but like Stephen had said, she was destined to blow up the SGC, so she could probably handle one airman.

Next chapter should be longer and have some more Sam/Jack/Kat action.