Title: Five Seconds
Author: Angel Leviathan
Spoilers: Anything, everything.
Season: Early Season 7
Disclaimer: SG-1, characters, concept, etc, aren't mine.
Notes: None.
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It should have been a simple choice.
Then again, he should never have had to make such a choice. He should never have been in such a situation.
She should never have been in such a situation
He should have prevented it.
Or so he thought.
"The code for the protective device you have around your Stargate. Now. Or she dies."
To her credit, she didn't flinch. She didn't even look afraid. She didn't plead with him to save her, she didn't panic. She just stared straight ahead, at him, eyes glazed over, almost disinterested in the situation.
He felt strangely proud of her.
But that wasn't the issue.
"Put the gun down and I'll think about it," Jack replied.
Meritaten narrowed her eyes, glancing back over her shoulder for a mere second to regard him with a look of utter contempt, "I am not a fool, Colonel. I have lived for thousands of years and seen much more interesting stalling tactics."
"Who's stalling?" he said softly.
The Goa'uld laughed, "How ironic that she will essentially die by your hand."
He took a step forward, fists clenched at his sides, only just able to stop himself.
Sam simply shook her head and continued to gaze steadily back at him.
Human weapons. Why the hell was she using human weapons? Why the hell was she using his weapon?
So it had come to this.
Earth or his love.
Even if he did give in, Meritaten would probably shoot her anyway, for some sort of sadistic kick.
But if he gave in, she might live.
And the SGC would be destroyed.
Followed by enslavement of the human race.
"Five seconds, Colonel. And she's gone."
Earth.
Sam.
Earth.
Sam.
Earth.
Sam.
Why not him? Why wasn't he on the receiving end of that gun?
"Five…"
No win situation.
Nothing…
Everything…
"Four…"
He'd never told her.
Never uttered a word.
Came close to it…but never…actually…
"Three…"
Why did he have to fall in love with her?
What had he done to deserve this?
What had she done?
…There…he…nothing…couldn't…duty…
"Two…"
He stared straight back at her, desperate.
And she smiled.
She actually smiled.
A gentle smile that turned into one of triumph as she redirected her gaze at her executioner, "He'll destroy you for this."
"One…"
She fell to the floor.
And he lost his mind.
-
Fin