Genre: Angst, Family/Friendship

Rating: K plus

Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate, Stargate SG1 or any of the canon characters that appear within this tale. I am merely borrowing them...because my OC decided she wanted to come play and didn't give me much choice in the matter!!!

Author's Note: Set in early Season 7.

"Unscheduled off-world activation."

The call echoed through the corridors of Level 28 as the alarms started to clarion call security teams to the Embarkation Room. The five people sitting at the table in the briefing room exchanged glances before filing down the short spiral stairway to the command centre.

"Who is it?" The oldest man rumbled.

"It's an IDC signal sir, but it…we're having trouble isolating it."

"Let me see." The woman swept into a chair and began tapping away at the keyboard. "Sir, I think I can clear it up enough to get identification."

Sure enough, the screen flashed with recognition.

"SG-2?" The grey-haired male frowned. "They're not off-world at the moment."

The bald man frowned. The tall dark-skinned male raised an eyebrow.

"Were not the members of the SGC recently tested for possible incursions?"

"Yes they were." The one addressed as 'Sir' growled. "Very well, open the Iris."

He nodded to his second who in turn nodded to the dark skinned man. The pair of them disappeared out the nearest exit, collecting weaponry from the airmen outside before positioning themselves just inside the blast doors of the Gate Room. The Iris unfurled, revealing the shimmering event horizon of a fully formed wormhole. As they watched, a figure clad in desert camouflage BDUs' and a full utility belt stepped onto the ramp, their face turned back towards their departure and a hand raised as if they were waving goodbye to someone. Hearing the sounds of numerous weapons being readied for fire, the figure turned, a moment of confusion upon their face before they spotted the two men in one corner.

"Jack! Teal'c! Told you I'd only be a couple of days." Removing her cap, the young woman ran her hands through her hair, tugging it loose from a band and ruffling the shoulder-length chestnut strands. "I really need to get the sand out of my hair. Can I grab a shower before debrief?"

She raised hazel-green eyes to meet two pairs of deep brown and smiled brightly before noticing all the weaponry.

"What? Did something happen?" Suddenly she strode forward, a blazing intensity to her movements. "Tell me!"

"Woah!" At the protest, she stopped, eyeing the room carefully. When she tried to take another step forward, off the ramp, the chime of a zat made her pause.

"Teal'c…" The look of confusion in her eyes was strangely familiar. "It's me…I swear. I only went to Abydos…nothing happened. It's really me."

"Colonel O'Neill!" The voice over the speakers didn't even make the men flinch although the young woman did look up briefly. "Please escort our guest to quarters."

"Yes sir!" O'Neill beckoned. "If you'll come with us."

The woman retreated a step, her head shaking slowly.

"No…no…there's something wrong here." She began to look around desperately, fear creeping over her face. "You know me. We've been working together for six years…Jack!"

As O'Neill moved forward, lowering his weapon and spreading his hands, from the opposite door the other members of his team came in. The woman turned, took one look and gasped in horror.

"No!"

She fell backwards onto the ramp, yelling.

"Can't be! It can't be! He's here! Impossible! Wrong, WRONG!"

In the blink of an eye she had ripped her own zat from the holster on her thigh, aiming at the newest arrivals. She fired just as a ball of electricity enveloped her, her shot hitting the wall as she crumpled to the floor.

"Thanks Teal'c." Major Carter stared down at the unconscious body. "I wonder who she is."

"I'm wondering how the hell she got SG-2's IDC." O'Neill quickly took the zat from the outstretched hand and checked for other weapons. Satisfied he straightened, studying the woman's profile. "Does she look a little familiar to anyone else?"

Teal'c also studied the woman's face.

"Perhaps."

"Erm, guys? Don't mean to interrupt or anything but," Behind them, Doctor Jackson was pointing at the burn mark on the wall just inches from his shoulders, his blue eyes wide. "I think she was aiming for me."