Hello all. I've started another story (I'm still without husband and kids so have time on my hands). This one is adventure but also romance. I tried not to be too shippy in my last story (although the UST was definitely predominant) but this one will have some romance - and definitely some angst. As for whump - well, you know me - I can't resist. I hope you enjoy and please - feedback is my favorite thing!

"Colonel, what's the hold up?" Hammond spoke into the mike in the control room.

"Just waiting for Carter Sir." O'Neill answered, impatience in his voice. It was unusual that they had to wait for Sam. It was always Daniel who held them up.

As the rest of the team stood there waiting, Jack thought about how things had changed. Ever since Sam had gotten involved with that Pete guy it had felt like they had lost the closeness they had had as a team. Everyone tried, but somehow things were different.

Jack wanted her to be happy. He was the one who had told her time and time again to 'get a life'. Why he was shocked when she had was beyond him. Not just shocked, he admitted to himself – hurt was more like it. Of course, he'd never admit that to a soul. Nope, he'd made darn sure nobody would suspect his true feelings, least of all Sam.

The doors to the Gate room opened and she came hurrying in, adjusting the straps on her pack as she did so.

"Sorry Sir." She looked up, guilt written all over her face. She had always prided herself on being punctual.

"Late night Sam?", he asked, mostly in jest.

When she looked even guiltier and mumbled a soft 'yes Sir', he felt a surge of anger – not jealousy, no not that – rush through him. It made him snap at her.

"Next time I suggest you remember that you have a mission the next day. You're expected to be here on time Major!"

"Yes Sir", she answered, standing up straighter and focusing her eyes on his forehead.

"Come on Jack. It's not like Sam's late all the time. In fact, I don't remember her ever being late for a mission before." Rather than making him feel better this just exacerbated the whole thing. He turned to Daniel and snapped at him.

"I suggest you keep your thoughts to yourself, Dr. Jackson. In case you've forgotten I am Carter's commanding officer and have every right to rebuke her ."

"Hey, what's gotten in .."

"It's okay Daniel", she interrupted quickly, recognizing that the Colonel was in a 'don't mess with me' kind of mood. "The Colonel is right. I shouldn't have been late."

"Happy to know that you agree with me Major", he answered sarcastically. "Now, if the two of you are finished I suggest we get going before the Goa'uld figure the Tauri have gone extinct." Turning, he indicated to Walter that he could dial. As the Gate began to spin, he thought about the upcoming mission – anything to keep his mind from dwelling on what Sam could have been doing on her 'late night.'

As far as they could tell, P8V 359 had not been discovered – or at least conquered – by the Goa'uld. The Malp had shown some evidence of a local population but nothing that indicated the presence of any kind of technology, Goa'uld or otherwise. What was interesting was they had captured an image of some kind of large building or temple. Daniel was sure it was of Ancient design. That was the reason for this trip.

Jack hoped it was going to be an easy one. After everything they'd gone through in the last few months he didn't really feel like he was operating at his best. He was definitely not relishing the thought of a hard mission.

In fact, now that he thought about it, he might ask the General for a bit of leave when they got back. A nice trip – all alone – to his cabin might be just what he needed. Getting away from all responsibilities (other than to try and catch some fish!) would be just what the doctor ordered. He wouldn't have to worry about pesky archaeologists or inscrutable alien Jaffa – who knew him much too well – and certainly he wouldn't think of blond haired, blue eyed Majors who 'had a life' outside the SGC. Yup, going to the cabin was just what he needed.

So engrossed was he in his plans that he stayed standing there, even as the gate opened. It was when Hammond's voice came sharply again through the speaker that he started.

"On our way Sir", he turned and gave his usual sloppy salute and then led his team forward. As Daniel started to follow he glanced over at Sam with a questioning look. She shrugged – she didn't know what was wrong either.

Teal'c trailed up the ramp, the last one to leave. Although his expression hadn't changed, inside he was worried about O'Neill. Something was definitely 'up' as his Tauri friends would say.

"Carter, you and Daniel wait here while Teal'c and I check things out." He walked down the ramp, not looking at any of his teammates. For some reason he still felt angry.

"Uh Sir, would you like me to .."

"I told you to wait Carter. Anything in that you don't understand?" Okay, so he was being a bastard. So sue him!

"No Sir." She stood quietly, unsure as to what was wrong with the Colonel. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Daniel take a breath as if to start speaking. She reached out and grabbed his arm, shaking her head as he looked at her.

Once Jack had left the immediate area Daniel turned to her.

"What the hell is wrong with him? I've never seen him act like this to you before." Daniel was furious at Jack.

"I don't know Daniel. I guess maybe he's just angry because I was late."

"Oh come on, I'm late all the time and he never gets that pissed off. There's something else. Did you two have words or something?"

"No, nothing. In fact, I've barely seen the Colonel in the last few weeks. The last time we spoke, outside of missions, was after I got back from the Prometheus."

Daniel stopped, realizing that he hadn't really seen Jack since then either. He'd been so caught up in some new discoveries that had been brought back by SG7 that he hadn't spent anytime with his friends outside of work. It had been weeks since they'd had a 'team night'.

"Maybe we need to get together when we get back – have a barbeque or something. Jack's probably just feeling lonely or something."

Somehow she had a hard time picturing the Colonel as 'lonely'. He seemed such a self-sufficient person. That was probably unfair, she realized. He had had a family at one time so hadn't been a loner his whole life. From the little bit she'd gathered in her years on SG1 he'd had a good marriage until it was destroyed by the death of his son.

It was hard to imagine the Colonel as a husband and dad – cutting the grass on the weekends, teaching his kid to swim or skate, making love … Okay – definitely don't go there Sam! For some reason, the thought of the Colonel in any kind of romantic relationship really bothered her. She didn't know why. He was obviously attractive and very clearly 'heterosexual' but it still upset her. Although she'd known he'd had relationships with women (although you couldn't exactly call the thing with Kynthia a 'relationship'), they had only been brief, and usually as a result of some mission gone bad (think Laira). As far as she knew he didn't date, or at least he never spoke about it.

So, thinking of him as 'lonely' kind of made her feel weird. It was as if it made him more human somehow – not just the acerbic, sarcastic, funny, brave commander that she knew he was – but a man, a 'guy' with needs and desires.

Quickly stopping her rampant thoughts she turned to Daniel. 'Yeah, that'd be great."

"Hey, you could invite Pete. We haven't really gotten to know him."

She nodded and smiled but thought to herself that that was the last thing she wanted to do. It was important to her to keep her work life and her personal life separate. Why that was she couldn't explain. She just really, really didn't want Pete and Jack – no, Pete and her team together. It would be just plain weird!

Just then the Colonel and Teal'c returned.

"Okay campers, everything looks okay. Let's head out. I'll take the lead, Teal'c you follow with Daniel. Carter, you're got our six." Again, without actually looking at any of them he turned and started walking. This time it was Teal'c who raised an eyebrow.

Okay, thought Sam, it's not just me. Something is definitely wrong.

The four teammates headed out, walking towards the small village that lay about 6 kilometers from the gate. The path led through a forest but it looked pretty clear so it should probably take them no more than an hour, hour and a half at most.

As they walked O'Neill began to feel ashamed of himself. He knew he was acting like a child. He had to get a handle on himself. Sam was forbidden territory. He'd known that since the beginning – or had at least acknowledged it when he first realized his feelings went far beyond what they were supposed to in a commander/subordinate relationship.

At one time there had been the hint that she felt more for him as well but she had very definitely gotten over those feelings. Probably not much more than hero worship, he thought. It wasn't uncommon for soldiers to develop a crush on their superior, especially when they worked together as closely as he and SG1 did. It was the same sort of thing that teachers and professors dealt with all the time.

Realistically he knew she was much better off with someone younger and less 'damaged' than he was. He carried way too much baggage from his years in the Air Force – and even more from his disastrous personal life. No one, least of all someone as great as Sam Carter, needed that.

The fact that, when he was with her his baggage become bearable couldn't, shouldn't weigh in his relationship with her. She treated him like a friend and he should be satisfied with that. He just couldn't help it if the thought of her sleeping with that damn cop made him want to go out and shoot something. Maybe they'd find a few good Goa'uld today and he could satisfy his urge.

They'd been walking just over an hour when suddenly the trees thinned and they could see the village in front of them. A few people were in the fields, clearly planting or hoeing or something. A few kids were running around and some of the women were gathered at what looked like a community well. Yeah, just a simple little country village. Didn't look like anything interesting around here.

"Okay Daniel", he said as they neared the village. "Do your stuff." The people had, by now, caught site of the visitors. Startled, they all stopped and stared. The women moved first, looking frightened at the site of SG1. They very obviously were unused to strangers. That was probably a good thing, thought Jack. Must mean no Goa'uld.

One of the men who had been in the fields rapidly approached the strangers. He was carrying some kind of tool which would serve as a weapon if he needed it.

"Hello", called Daniel, stepping forward. "We are peaceful visitors come from a far land."

The man stopped and stared. Uh oh, he probably spoke some other language.

"What is it you want with us?" he asked. Okay, so he could speak the language.

"We are simply here to meet new people and exchange ideas. We offer you no harm. My name is Daniel Jackson, this is Teal'c, pointing to the big man, Samantha Carter and Jack O'Neill." The man hadn't reacted at all when he was introduced to Teal'c, simply glancing at his tattoo and then away. This was a further indication that they hadn't come across any Goa'uld or Jaffa. "Can I ask your name?"

"I am called Amdahl. This is my village. We too are peaceful people. You are welcome, we simply ask that you do nothing to disturb our way of life."

"We promise, we will not. We thank you for your hospitality and we will observe any rules or customs you wish. We wish to learn about you and share knowledge of ourselves."

Amdahl nodded and clapped his hands. A young woman came running up. Daniel didn't venture a glance at Sam, knowing that this kind of subservient behavior from women really ticked her off.

"Yes lord?" she asked.

"You will take them to our home and offer them food and drink." Turning back to his guests he spoke.

"Martia will look after you. This evening you will join us and we will talk. Today the men must work in the fields. It is a short time for planting."

Daniel thanked him and assured him they'd be fine. As Amdahl and the other men returned to their work the team turned and followed Martia back to her 'home'.

"Please, I am honored to have you enter our house", she stood by the door and gestured for the team to enter in front of her. When they walked in they could see that the hut seemed to be divided into two rooms, the one they were in was the public room/dining room. The floor was covered with rugs and furs and she indicated that they should sit.

As the four members of SG1 sat they looked around at the very humble interior of the room. Martia had walked to a crude stove in the corner and began to ladle something out of a large pot. A young girl – her daugher maybe? – took a pitcher and poured glasses of water for the team.

"Thank you", smiled Daniel as the young girl handed him the glass. She stared and then retreated to bring another one. She handed a glass to Sam and smiled, clearly at ease with a woman. When she approached Jack she looked serious but he caught her eye and winked which caused a small grin to appear on her face. Teal'c – well, he clearly terrified her. Sam reached out and took the glass from her and handed it to the Jaffa. She looked relieved.

"Sooka – leave our guests. You must see to your sister." The young girl nodded her head and left for the other room. The team could hear the voices of another, younger child.

Martia began bringing over the soup or stew and served it to the team. Cautiously taking a bit Daniel looked surprised and nodded at his friends.

"It's very good. Thank you Martia. You are a kind hostess." She looked pleased – and maybe a little relieved – at his words. It made him wonder how the women were treated on this planet.

"Can you tell us a little about your village?" Daniel asked. Martia looked startled at this, unsure how to handle having a man actually want to hear her speak.

She started slowly, haltingly. The rules of hospitality meant that she had to answer his request, but the training of a lifetime, in which women were to remain quiet, in the background, made it difficult for her to speak.

It became easier when Sam, seeing her difficulty, took over the conversation from Daniel. She felt much more comfortable interacting with another woman. The men, realizing that this was so, remained quiet, allowing Sam to take the lead.

They found out that life was rather simple in the village. Girls were married off at a very young age to men chosen by their fathers. Their job was to look after their husbands and bear children. They took no part in the running of the village or made any decisions. That was purely the realm of men. As she spoke it became clear that physical 'correction' was often used against the women. They expected it as part of their lot in life. Sam was so angry that if Amdahl had walked in at that moment she probably would have zatted him.

There was little else of interest in her narrative. They got few visitors, only a few people from other villages. The most contact they had was at a once a year festival where people from many communities would come together. This is where marriages were often arranged. It was better to marry outside of the village, she said. The team realized this was probably to prevent too much 'in-breeding'.

She had never heard of anyone called "Goa'uld' and was shocked when they asked about people with snakes inside them. In fact, she got quite frightened when that was even mentioned – not because she knew anything about them – but simply because it was a completely foreign concept to her.

Satisfied, after talking to Martia, that the Goa'uld had never visited this area, the team settled back and relaxed. It was then that Daniel asked Sam to mention the temple.

Martia's reaction was to be expected. The temple was only for men – women weren't allowed and the men never spoke of it. She had no idea what was there or what it was used for. The men went once a month for a day and a night. She looked slightly distressed at this. When pressed, it turned out that most of the 'correction' of the women occurred after the men returned from their visit. In truth, the women all lived in fear of these monthly visits to the temple.

"That's curious", Jack spoke softly to Daniel. "I wonder what that's about?" Daniel snorted.

"The probably go and get drunk and play cards. They come back with a hangover and beat their wives. If they had TV I'd suspect they were watching a football game or something."

Jack gave a small grin. 'Yeah, sounds about right. I guess we should check it out though. Let's ask Amee tonight."

"Amee? Jack, you never change do you?" The Colonel looked at him in complete innocence.

"Nope. Why should I want to change. I'm perfect the way I am." He gave a satisfied smirk to Daniel who just rolled his eyes in return.

When Amdahl returned that evening they saw Martia change from a shy but pleasant young woman to a frightened ghost. She tried everything she could to wait on Amdahl while trying to disappear into the woodwork. When a cry was heard from the back room she appeared terrified. She looked over at her husband but it wasn't until he nodded that she moved to the other room. The crying stopped quickly.

"I apologize for the noise. Martia is not a good mother. She has yet to learn to keep the children under control. Although what can you expect – they are girls!" the last was uttered in complete contempt.

"I am thinking of getting a new wife, one who will give me strong sons. She has been a disappointment."

O'Neill quickly reached out and grabbed Carter's arm. He felt as sick as she did but knew it would do nobody any good, least of all Martia, to try and interfere.

"What do you do with a discarded wife?' asked Jack in a conversational tone. He might have to consider saving this woman.

"I return her to her father. He can do with her what he wishes. She will most likely become a house servant."

"What about the children?" Daniel asked. Jack glanced over at him and was surprised to see the deep-lying anger simmering in his friend. It was not very often that Daniel let anything from other cultures bother him.

"I will most likely keep them. The older child is good enough to serve me. The younger – I don't know. I may sell her to one of the other villages." He spoke calmly, as if he wasn't talking about his own children.

Knowing he'd better change the subject before his team decided to cause a major 'diplomatic incident' he turned to Amdahl and asked,

"We saw that you have a temple a short way from the village. Can you tell us what that is for?"

Amdahl looked startled and, for the first time since they'd met him, unsure. He was definitely struggling with whether or not to tell these strangers anything.

"I can not say. It is against our rules to speak of it. I can take you and show you if you desire. Tomorrow is our day of "Prorana" when the men go to the temple. The woman of course can not come." He hadn't once looked at Carter the entire time they'd been here. When he spoke of 'the woman' all of them could hear the venom in his voice.

"Of course not", Jack agreed, not looking over at his Second. He was desperately trying to keep from strangling this man and was using every bit of diplomacy he had in his body (which wasn't much, he admitted to himself), but right now it looked like the usually more diplomat ones on his team were having a hard time of it.

He glanced at Sam and caught her glaring at him. She quickly turned her face away as he looked at her. Come on Sam, he thought, you gotta know I'm not liking this guy anymore than you are! He just didn't want anything taken out on Martia. He was actually quite disappointed that she would think he was okay with this.

Facing the 'chauvinist pig' Amdahl, he smiled. "If it's okay with you Daniel and Teal'c will accompany you. I will stay here with 'the woman'." He was worried about what went on in that temple and didn't want to leave Carter defenseless if anything happened to the rest of them. Daniel needed to be there because he'd be able to interpret any kind of cultural activity. Teal'c he sent for the muscle.

As much as he really didn't want to be with Sam right now, he knew he was the logical choice to stay back. They could just continue to avoid each other the way they had been the last few weeks.

"Yes, I understand. It is dangerous to leave a woman on her own in a strange place." God, the man actually was concerned for Sam – that was a surprise, thought Jack. Then he continued.

"She could cause trouble which would bring shame to you. You would then have to punish her." Jack had to bite the inside of his lip. He so wanted to pummel this guy.

"Yeah – wouldn't want to have to 'punish' Carter." he said through his teeth.

"No, it is wearisome to have to do so. I do have some tools that make it easier, however. I will leave them with you."

"Why thank you Amdahl, that's very kind of you." Yup, he was so going to beat this guy to a pulp before he was done. As he saw Sam from the corner of his eye he couldn't help a small grin - if she doesn't beat me to it, he thought.

The four friends slept on the floor in the outer room that night. Martia quickly made beds for all of them and then scurried back to the other room with Amdahl. They heard noises shortly after – grunting and what sounded like slaps – followed by whimpers and then a louder 'smack'. Sam stood up and it was all Jack could do to stop her.

"Sir, let me go", she demanded.

"No Sam, not now. It'll just be worse for her in the long run. I know it's hard. I don't like this any more than you do."

"Really Sir? You could have fooled me!" she spat.

He stepped back in shock. Did she actually think that of him? He was incredibly hurt, which immediately showed itself in anger.

"I try Major, I try." He turned and walked to his sleeping bag and laid down.

"Go to sleep major – that's an order!" he closed his eyes and tried to calm his wildly beating heart.

Daniel looked over at Sam in shock. Surely she knew Jack well enough to know there was nothing he hated more than bullies who picked on those weaker than themselves. He had seen Jack's anger and disgust – and his attempts to hang on to his temper. He was surprised that Sam hadn't also. Usually she was very discerning as far as Jack went. Something was really off.

She looked back at him and said a sharp "what!" When he didn't answer she flopped down on her sleeping bag and attempted to close her ears to the sounds coming from the other room.

She didn't know quite why she'd reacted the way she did. She knew, just as did Daniel, that the Colonel would be disgusted at how Amdahl was treating his wife. For some reason though she'd become increasingly angry at the man. It had started this morning when he'd gotten mad at her for being late and had grown throughout the day as he'd ignored her. She felt totally pissed at him but couldn't quite figure out why.

She had been unfair to him though. He was just trying to deal with this situation in the best way he could. The fact that he wouldn't' leave her alone the next day spoke of his concern. She would have to apologize to him. With a sigh she closed her eyes and tried to sleep.

The next morning the team ate the breakfast Martia prepared and then Teal'c and Daniel headed out with the rest of the men. Whereas the men appeared happy and excited, the women of the village all had anxious expressions on their faces. They clearly dreaded whatever this was.

Jack turned towards the centre square with the community well – and saw the women scurry away. They looked at him in fear. Damn – it was obvious that they had been taught to hate and fear men. Turning away, he decided not to spoil what was there 'social' time together. He headed back to Amdahl's house.

Entering, he saw Carter speaking quietly with Martia who looked to be in tears. The Major looked up and gave him a worried look – at least she no longer seemed angry.

He walked over and sat down. "What is it?" he asked quietly. Martia immediately stood up and walked to the stove where she stirred whatever was cooking.

"She was telling me what happens when the men return, Sir." She was seething. "Whatever happens at this 'temple' the men come back violent and angry. Many women are hurt quite badly, some even die and the men are never punished. She seemed shocked that I would even suggest such a thing."

He reached out and put his hand over Sam's to offer some comfort. She looked up at him gratefully. "Martia says she thinks Amdahl may use this time to kill her. She knows he wants to get rid of her because she hasn't born him a son. She is fearful for her children."

"God Damn it!" he practically shouted. Standing up he moved as far away from the two women as he could get, not wanting to frighten Martia with his anger.

"We've got to do something Carter. But what? We can't take all the women from the village. Even if we try and take Martia we could be in trouble."

"I know Sir – but we can't let her die."

"No, of course not. I'll think of something Sam." he answered, running his hands through his hair. "Maybe if I try and buy her?" Although the idea was repugnant, he would be willing to do it to save her life. "I'll have to see if I can get the girls too. She shouldn't have to lose her children!"

Turning, he stomped out of the house. He had to calm down.

Sam watched as he left. His display of anger had left her with a feeling of relief. She had known how he must feel but it did her good to see his anger. It also gave her a strange 'pang' around her heart. He truly was a good man.

Jack walked a short way from the village, trying to get his anger under control. He knew it would do none of them any good. He had to figure a way to help this woman – maybe all the women – but he just didn't know how. This was turning into a really shitty mission!

Just as the thought came he heard a sound – one he recognized but hadn't thought to hear on this planet.

Starting to run back to the village he realized the day had gotten much worse!

As he arrived he heard the screams of the women and children and the sound of zats. A dozen or more Jaffa were in evidence, rounding up the women and the children. He ran around one of the buildings, trying to hide. Where was Sam? He looked around frantically but couldn't see her.

"Who is this?" he heard the dreaded sound of a Goa'uld voice. "You are not of this village. Who are you?"

Sam's voice answered (damn!). "I'm from the next village over. I was just visiting my cousin." There was a pause and then the sound of a slap and a short cry. Bastard! Jack fumed.

"You will not lie. Where are you from?" When Sam didn't answer he turned to one of the other women who was cowering in fear.

"You, tell me where this woman is from." The woman sobbed but spoke.

"She came yesterday. She is not from here. I do not know who she is but she is with a man."

"A man? Where is he?" Another loud slap and the woman screamed. "I do not know – I saw him walking away from the village."

Damn, now they knew he was here. He just hoped no one said anything to them about Daniel or Teal'c.

"My Lord – we must leave soon. We are to be at the rendezvous by tomorrow."

"I know fool!" the Goa'uld shouted. "Round up the younger women and the children. I do not want any of the older women. And find that man – I want to know who he is. You will come with me woman and you will tell me who you are."

God – they were going to take Sam. What could he do to stop this? He only had his pistol with him and couldn't hope to best 12 or more Jaffa.

Right at that moment he heard a shout and turned to see two of the snaky bastards running towards him. Pointing his gun he got off a couple of quick shots, downing one. He turned to head in the opposite direction when he felt a burning pain along his side. Falling to the ground he watched as two more Jaffa came up and stood over him. He saw one of them pull his foot back. He lost consciousness the moment it connected with his side.

Sam saw them drag the Colonel's body out from behind one of the buildings. Oh God, she prayed he wasn't dead. As they brought him near she could see the rise and fall of his chest. He was alive.

The Jaffa gathered a group of crying women and children and then forced them to walk away from the village. She was grabbed by one of the guards and pulled along. The Colonel was slung over the shoulders of one of the bigger Jaffa.

After a few minutes they arrived at the Alkesh. They were pushed on board and the doors closed.

As the vessel took off Sam said a small 'thank you' that Daniel and Teal'c hadn't been found. At the same time, she knew she and the Colonel were in deep trouble.