Every S/J fic writer has to do it at least once, right? Here's my Sam and Jack lost on a planet fic. Hope you enjoy it, and I really hope I can make it original enough to be something fresh. We'll see. This starts with the mission immediately following "Shades of Grey", so it's late season 3. Expect it go very AU from there. Oh, and our heroes aren't exactly on the best terms to be stranded together. Expect some angst. Sadly, I still don't own these characters or my own personal stargate.

"Jack, Teal'c's been hit. I'm not sure how much longer we can hold the gate. They just keep coming," Daniel yelled into the radio. "How far out are you?"

"Too far, Daniel, too far. Take Teal'c through the gate. There's no way Carter and I will make it though these jaffa. We'll find cover," Jack ordered as he glanced over at his 2IC. This was not good. SG1 hadn't exactly had it easy lately, and Jack really didn't relish the idea of being alone with Carter at the moment. It was obvious he wasn't her favorite person right now. She was being her usual professional self, but maybe that was the problem. Carter was being extra professional. He'd hurt her when she came to speak to him about his sudden "retirement". While she said they were fine and his apology wasn't necessary, Jack was pretty sure he had damaged their friendship. Yep, it was going to be a long night. "Carter, we have to fall back and wait for reinforcements. Get to the tree line. I'll cover you."

"Yes, sir," Sam replied as she quickly complied with his order. Soon they were weaving in and out of heavy brush trying to put as much distance between themselves and the stargate as humanly possible. They kept moving until Jack was completely sure they'd lost any jaffa who might be following. "Sir, what's the plan?"

"We'll stay our of sight until we either hear the Calvary or the jaffa give up and leave the planet, Carter. I think we are pretty safe here, but we need shelter before night falls."

Sam nodded, "yes, sir. Maybe there's a cave in those bluffs. It can't be more than four clicks from our position, sir."

Jack cringed. He was used to Carter's repetitive use of the word sir, but this was getting ridiculous. Yep, she was still mad. This was going to be a really long night. "Lead the way, Carter. I've got your six."

Sure enough, there was a small cave and it looked like a good defensible position. Jack and Sam opted not to start a fire. It was warm, so they wouldn't freeze. They didn't want to take any unnecessary risks anyway, and, honestly, they were physically exhausted. With darkness descending, they sat in silence eating their MREs. Jack took a moment to really look at Sam. She looked a little thin to him and maybe a little pale, too. He wondered if Janet had noticed then he chastised himself for not seeing it sooner. He was her commanding officer. She was his responsibility. He should have realized she wasn't feeling well. Knowing she'd be offended if he mentioned his observation, Jack kept his opinion to himself. "Carter, I'm taking first watch. I'll wake you in a few hours. Get some sleep."

"Yes, sir," Sam responded before unrolling her bed roll and lying down.

Jack watched her silently. He really wanted to make things right, but he honestly didn't know what to say. He had taken things a little too far, and fixing this thing between them seemed impossible. Maybe it was for the best. As much as he enjoyed their friendship, he was her commanding officer. They shouldn't be friends. They shouldn't be anything more than what the Air Force regulations required. He shouldn't have dreamed of her smile when he was stranded on Edora. He shouldn't have longed to hear her voice more than he longed to hear any other as he worked to help the villagers rebuild their homes. He definitely shouldn't have imagined he was holding her as he held Lara in his arms. And he really shouldn't have so desperately wanted to kiss her senseless when she came to talk him out of retiring. That was wrong. He needed to take his cue from Carter. She was right. Professional was better. Had he been more professional, he'd have noticed she wasn't feeling well and left her at the SGC. She'd be safe right now.

Morning came too early, but they'd both managed to get a little rest. "The radio's been silent. I'd have expected to hear from the SGC by now," Jack remarked as he finished his breakfast bar.

"Me, too, sir," Sam agreed. "Should we see if the gate is clear?"

"Let's wait until later in the day then we'll do a little surveillance. It is a bit odd that the jaffa haven't come looking for us, isn't it?" Sam merely nodded, taking another bite of her bar. "Something just seems off about this whole situation," Jack continued. "We haven't run across anyone but that battalion of jaffa. Why were they here? No village to terrorize, nothing of any value," he added, "why jaffa?"

"I'm not sure, sir. It's almost like they knew we were coming, but that's impossible, right?"

Jack nodded. He certainly hoped it was impossible, but it did feel a little like an ambush. Something was definitely not right about their situation.

They waited until after noon to hike back to the stargate. Jack kept his eyes peeled for jaffa, but they found none. It was puzzling. He knew the jaffa knew they were still on the planet. They'd had to shoot three as they fled, so why weren't they looking for them? And, where were the reinforcements Jack assumed Hammond would send? The closer he and Sam got to the gate, the more uneasy Jack felt. What was going on?

Sam was leading the way. He knew she saw the problem before he did. The MALP was exactly where they'd left it, but the stargate was gone. Stranded again, and this time, his best hope of getting home was standing right beside him.