The sun beat down on the dried mud, baking it further. No water had run on the wide riverbed for hundreds of years.

All except one flourishing patch of green. No water could be seen entering or exiting the small forest, yet the canopy was the most vibrant green Sam had ever seen.

"Sir, over there." She pointed at the forest.

"It's a forest, Carter," he said, not bothering to look up from the shoelace he was tying.

"But where's the water?" Daniel asked. "Jack, there's not a drop of water to be seen."

"Good job we brought our own then." The colonel patted the canteen hanging off his rucksack. Daniel sighed at his lack of curiosity.

"Could it not be supplied from an underground source?" Teal'c suggested. Sam shook her head.

"If there was an underground river we should see much more forest spreading out in a line along its route. The fact that it's growing in a tight circle makes it far more likely that..." She trailed off.

"Spit it out Carter." O'Neill said.

"I'm not sure sir, but this could be an indication of advanced technology. I think the forest is growing around a single source of water, which is hard enough to find in a place as arid as this. Add to that there's no sign of any water running out of the forest. Technically it's possible for there not to be any water running out of a forest, but the trees on the edge would be much shorter due to only getting the run off from the centre of the forest. The ones over there look to be thriving along with the rest. There must be some kind of technology keeping the water inside the forest." O'Neill had long since stopped listening and was scanning the outer rim of the forest with his binoculars. Nodding, he started towards it.

"Move out."

His thunderous voice echoed around the chamber as he summoned her before him. She knew she had crossed the line this time. And yet part of her, quite a large part, couldn't care less. She had only done what had felt right.

"What is the meaning of this?" He hissed, lowering his voice so that only those closest to him could hear. "I wake to hear this news not from my advisors but from the maid who served me breakfast. Has it come to this? That you must embarrass me and prattle to the whole Kingdom?"

"Father, I wasn't trying-" She tried to protest, but he held his hand up and she fell silent. She had felt it's wrath too often.

"You are too old for silly games. It is time you started your duties as Teredd." She frowned. Starting her duties had always been presented to her as something to aspire to, the greatest reward she could be given. Not a punishment for a stolen kiss. Her father ignored the frown and continued.

"Many men have petitioned me for your hand," her heart plummeted. Of all the things he could ask of her, she had always prayed it would never be this. There was a small movement in the corner of her eye. Midway up one wall the curtain that hid an alcove twitched. Her heart fluttered. She was there. Her father's words fell on deaf ears as she stared at the curtain, willing it to twitch again so that she could catch sight of her love. Memories of the previous night flooded her head.

Cold flagstones along the path that led to the edge of the palace gardens. Her heart raced, anxious to see if her love had accepted her invitation. A large bush momentarily hid her from view of the palace and she dodged behind it. The ground was criss crossed with thorns, but she barely felt them as she practically flew to the hidden gate in the wall. The key she had snuck from the guard that morning beat against her chest as she ran. She pulled it from her neck and fumbled with the lock, hurling herself at the door when the lock finally clicked back. It barely opened a few inches, but it was all her slim frame had needed to squeeze through. The smell of the air outside the walls was sweet and fresh as opposed to the cloying scents ladies of the court had filled the air with. She leant back against the wall and caught her breath.

"Cari?" She jumped at her name and turned, her reply catching in her throat.

There she was, standing before her. Her brown hair was tied back, revealing far more of her face than she ever dared show at the palace. Cari felt she was only just seeing her childhood friend for the first time.

"How did you know about the gate?" Cari gave a start. Of all the questions she had expected, this was not one of them.

"I, um, followed you last night. Only as far as the wall. " She mentally kicked herself. Way to show bravery, she thought. But instead of pointing out her lack of courage, her love gave her a heart-stopping smile.

" I'm glad you did." Cari raised an eyebrow, silently asking a question.

"I can truly be myself outside the palace. No one cares out here. I can be me without worrying about anything." She hesitantly took a step towards her. "And as long as you're not recognised, so can you." She pulled a cap from her pocket and tugged it onto Cari's head, carefully tucking her hair up into it. Then she knelt and rubbed her hands in the dirt. Standing up, she hesitated once more. Cari sensed her awkwardness. Her heart hammering in her chest, she closed the gap between them in a single step. The dirt was gently put on her cheeks and forehead in a nervous caress, confidence building as time went on. Cari leaned into the touch, sad when it finally pulled away. She was flashed a nervous smile.

"There, you look a commoner like me."

They had taken off running then, whooping and yelling with pure joy. Right around the village, ignoring indignant cries from the inhabitants. Their bare feet hammered against the ground, not caring where they were headed.

The moon rose on the two of them leaning against a tree catching their breath far away from the village. Thin shafts of moonlight played through the canopy leaves, catching on their hands as they gingerly reached towards each other.

"You will heed me!"

Her father's stern voice snapped her from her reverie. Her head spun back to him, her eyes wide, body trembling. She felt like a child, except that children cannot be punished for breaking the laws. She had lost that right just over a year ago.

"Let me heed your wise words," the automatic response fell from her mouth, all sincerity having been sapped from it years earlier.

He raised his fingers and clicked, pointing at the hidden alcove. For a second time, Cari's heart plummeted.

"It is clear you cannot concentrate with such a...distraction. Allow me to refocus your mind."

From behind the curtain there came a muffled cry and the sound of struggling. Anger flared up inside her.

"Leave her alone! She did nothing wrong!" Her father raised his hand for silence, but she refused to back down. "Why must we live by these archaic rules? Outside the palace this is accepted, even celebrated. Yet in here we're living three centuries ago, adhering to rules that were written before many things were understood. Out in the village they understand! No matter who it's between, love is love!"

She didn't even see the hand coming. Pain exploded across her face as she was thrown back against the floor. She could already taste the bitterness of her blood as it trailed down her face.

From up in the alcove the sounds of struggling got louder, screams of pain stabbing out into the silent chamber below. Something inside Cari snapped.

" She isn't to blame. It was me. It was all me. Leave her out of this. Please!" It was all she could do not to let the tears fall as she pulled herself to her knees and faced her father.

For a moment the room was silent. In that moment she dared let herself hope her father would understand.

The silence was shattered by a gutteral scream. Cari's breath caught in her throat as she spun around.

Their eyes locked. As she descended, all Cari could do was silently apologise. All she got in return was fear.

Her body hit the cold stone floor with a loud thwack. The same gutteral cry was echoed by Cari as she launched herself towards her love, cut short when a guard caught hold of her robe. It pulled tight across her throat and once again she fell to the floor, gasping for breath. Before she could try again, the body was unceremoniously dragged to the exit and from her sight.

This time she could not stop the tears. Anger and hatred filled her voice as she turned towards her father.

"I will never forgive you for what you have done. Her blood is on your hands." Her father merely gave her a tired sigh.

"No, child. It is on yours."

Sam stiffened as she reached the forest, eagerly searching the tree line for signs of technology. O'Neill seemed to sense her train of thought.

"Find anything yet?" She shook her head. Daniel jogged up to join them when they stopped at the edge of the forest.

"What're the chances of something happening to us the moment we step inside?"

"I think the chances are considerably higher than usual." Teal'c stated. "We are being watched." The colonel immediately dropped, along with Sam, both surveying the innards of the forest with unease.

Sam was the first to see her, their eyes locking silently for a few seconds before she quietly alerted her CO to her presence.

To be fair, the colonel was friendly. More than was perhaps necessary, but Sam knew it was his nature. His greeting had come over a little too enthusiastic and it had taken another few seconds of silent encouragement from Sam for the woman to come out from the trees. She approached them, barefoot on the blistering sand, taking time to look carefully at each one of them. Finally she spoke.

"I am Cari Teredd. Who are you and where are you from?"

Sam looked closely at her. Her diminutive form was deceptive; her brown eyes had an inner strength to them that she had only seen in someone once before. Sam mentally kicked herself away from that train of thought and forced herself to focus on the woman. Just beneath her left eye was a small scar from a years old wound. That was the only scar she bore, something that struck Sam as odd. The clothes she wore were simple, her face and hair streaked with dirt, indicating a hand to mouth existence. But that always went with scars. Something didn't add up right. She tried to catch O'Neill's eye, but he was oblivious, giving the woman his full speech about peace and friendship. He was still vague about any details pertaining to earth. Military training can curb even the most basic of instincts.

This time Sam allowed herself to follow the train of thought. It had been military training that had stopped Janet from saying anything for all those years until one fateful day. They had been standing in Janet's kitchen, Cassie was away at camp. Sam had been in the room many times before, but something was different. It took a while for her to realise, but all mention of Janet's career had been removed. She wasn't one to openly flaunt it, but there were a few pictures of fellow officers from previous postings and her passing out certificate that hung on the walls. Usually.

" Janet?" Sam questioned, suddenly worried. "Is everything ok?"

Until this moment Janet had been staring at the counter-top. Then she looked up, straight into Sam's eyes, fixing her with a gaze revealing far more inner strength than Sam had given her credit for. For a long moment, Sam had been lost in the brown depths of her eyes. What Janet said barely registered, but the step forwards did. The step that closed the gap between them far more than it ever had been before. Bodies brushing against each other, they each leaned in to the kiss instinctively. Military training could only go so far.

Sam was jolted back to the present when Daniel called her name. She found everyone was looking at her expectantly.

"Sorry." She said automatically. "What was the question?"

"She asked your name." Daniel quietly supplied.

"Oh, um, Major Samantha Carter, US air force. You can call me Sam." The response fell from her mouth automatically. Apart from the last bit. She normally reserved that for friends. For the people she trusted. Realising Sam was lost in her own thoughts, Daniel tried to shield her by stepping forwards and asking a question of his own.

"How can you understand us?" Cari looked at him quizzically.

" I looked. Can you not look? " Daniel furrowed his brow.

"I'm not sure what you mean. " This time of was Cari who frowned.

"I cannot explain it any other way. It is simply...looking. I look at what you are thinking, then I can understand you."

This snapped O'Neill to attention.

" You can read our minds?" Cari was taken aback at his sudden change in tone.

"Only what you are thinking. You have control over what I can look at." O'Neill nodded, not quite convinced. "Let me take you to my father," she changed the subject. "I'm sure you would rather talk to the actual leader rather than the next in line." She turned and hurried away, not waiting to see if they would follow. A silent exchange passed around the team, resulting in O'Neill following her after quietly warning them to be careful.

It took the best part of an hour before the forest around them gave way to a small bustling village clustered around the ruins of an old castle. Daniel instantly appraised it, giving them a potted history of the numerous Gou'auld that had ruled and left their marks on the castle walls. It struck him as odd that the planet had been invaded so many times and yet the village seemed to be far from primitive.

"Remember the desert all around this place?" O'Neill replied when he voiced his concern. Daniel quickly closed his mouth, suddenly overcome with images of Jaffa fighting in the sands surrounding them.

Cari led them to the gates of the castle, the one part that had no signs of decay.

"You three may go in," she gestured at the three men. "I can show you the village." She finished, turning to Sam. Sam started at the thought of being separated from her team, but was quieted with a look from the colonel.

"Go with her, I doubt what we'll see in here will reflect what these people are capable of." Cari gave him a beaming smile, agreeing with his proposal. He gave a rough cough and muttered about trying to please. Sam stifled a snigger.

"When you go inside, turn left, then take the third corridor on the right. The door at the end is his listening chamber." O'Neill frowned a little, trying to memorise the directions, then nodded and knocked on the gate. Cari smiled again and pushed it open.

"We have not needed to lock the gate since my grandmother lead us." O'Neill gave a bemused wave and led the three men inside. Sam cocked her head quizzically.

"If the directions aren't simple, why didn't you go with them?" The smile fell from Cari's face like a stone.

"My father and I do not speak." She looked at the ground, unwilling to follow the conversion further. Sam bit her tongue, wishing she hadn't asked. The smile on Cari's face had brought a warmth to her that she hadn't felt for over a year. Since she and Janet had broken up. This time it was Sam who looked at the ground, unwilling to follow the train of thought even though there was no stopping it.

She and Janet had been together for just under a year after that first kiss, desperately trying to keep it all a secret. Cassie had immediately worked it out and, not realising what a taboo subject it was, had almost told the colonel six months in. Luckily, Sam had walked in at the right moment and stopped her, but it drove home to the two women what a fine line they were treading. They had scaled it back then, only going out together once or twice a month, but the strain of keeping the secret was too great, especially with Janet's fears of losing Cassie if anyone found out. The split had been amicable, but Sam would still wake in the middle of the night, reaching out for a hand that was no longer there.

She mentally shook herself as Cari started off into the village, wanting to be alert for the tour. If there was a technological reason for Cari's claimed telepathic abilities, she was determined to find it.

It was two hours later when the two finally got back to the gates. All traces of their awkward start had gone and the two were laughing and talking like old friends. Cari's shouts of laughter echoed down the stone hallway as they made their way to just outside the listening room where they had arranged to meet the rest of Sam's team. The colonel hadn't said much about their side of the encounter when he called Sam for check-in and she was curious as to what had transpired. The three men were sat on the floor outside the room, awaiting the ladies' arrival. Teal'c quirked an eyebrow at Cari, but neither would tell what had been so funny.

"Well that was a pleasant waste of time." O'Neill said one they were within earshot.

"Indeed, it was curious that pleasantries was all that he offered." Teal'c said, noticing Cari's frown.

"But it's obvious trade with your people would be beneficial to us." Cari said, confused.

"Believe me, we're just as confused as you are on... that... one..." O'Neill trailed off as all colour drained from Cari's face. He felt a presence behind him and whipped round to see the door to the room had opened and a guard was stoically staring out at Cari.

"Sorry if I caused offence." He added, but the guard didn't acknowledge him.

Sam instinctively placed a hand on Cari's shoulder but she shrank away from the touch like she'd been burnt.

"You told him about her." Her voice was small, half what it had been mere seconds earlier. It took a few seconds for the colonel to catch onto what she meant.

"Carter is part of my team." He told her, but she said no more as she walked forwards as if pulled by some invisible force into the room. The guard moved aside to let her pass but slammed the door in Sam's face when she tried to follow. Jerking her head back just in time to avoid injury, she then turned to the others in confusion.

"What's going on?"

"How should I know?" The colonel replied in exasperation. "You're the one who just spent the last two hours with her. Did she happen to mention anything?" A frown crossed Sam's face momentarily.

"Only that she and her father don't speak. Nothing else."

"Well she's obviously just gone in to speak with him." Daniel said. "When we said Sam was with her, did you guys notice anything?"

"No, Daniel, I didn't because I was trying to work out why the damn guy didn't want to do anything other than say hi."

"But that's the point," Daniel said excitedly. "It was only after we said that that he clammed up."

"You can tell?" The colonel asked incredulously, "'cos he seemed pretty clammed up from the start." Daniel fixed him with a stare.

"Jack, I'm sure of it."

Within the chamber, Cari was standing before her father. She hadn't been within the room for two years and the events of her last visit were playing over and over again in her mind. Worst of all was the scream. It still echoed around the walls for her.

She couldn't bring herself to look at her father.

Murderer, she thought.

"This is the listening chamber. Speak if you wish to be heard." Her father's admonishment rang out in their tongue. Fury burned though her and she glared at him, letting him feel the full force of her anger. It bounced off him like waves off an ice shelf.

"We never finished the conversation." He said simply, knowing that Cari knew what he was talking about. Cari stared blankly at him.

"Is this it?" She asked. "Is this all you have to say?"

"Do not change the subject again."

"Again? You call what happened 'changing the subject'?" He looked at her, his features set in stone.

"As I was saying, your marriage is of great interest to this realm. I believe I have found a suitable match." Cari's heart stopped. The rest of the room disappeared from view, her vision tunelling to her father's reclining form. Her breath caught in the back of her throat as he gestured to one side.

She didn't see him coming, just felt a large hand roughly snake its way around her waist and pull her towards him. His breath was hot, panting.

Using every fibre in her body, she pushed him away, barely registering the thud as he collided with the floor. She looked at her father.

"No." His face was fast turning puce as he gestured once more at the would be suitor. She took a few steps backward.

"No!" With a cry of anger he stormed down from the raised dais he was on. He took hold of her shoulders and spun her to face him.

"You will do as I say." He hissed. She could feel his hands shaking as he held her. She wished Sam would come bursting in.

He looked at the thought in her head and raised his hand. The force of the impact threw her backwards once again, opening up the scar he had given her two years before.

"How many more are there?" He roared.

"None. You murdered the last one, remember?" She roared back. His face took on a cruel look as he looked towards the door and signalled to his guards. All to late she looked into Sam's mind and saw her rushing at the doors.

"Sam, no!" She cried in English, racing towards her. Too late. As soon as Sam was clear of the doors, a guard side tackled her, causing a sickening crack to echo out as her head collided with the floor. Cari flew to her side, ducking out of the grip of the guard that tried to stop her. She cradled Sam's head in her lap for a few precious seconds before another guard pulled her roughly to her feet and threw her to her knees before her father. Gripping the tips of her ears between his nails, he forced her to look upon her father's towering form of fury.

The doors burst open once again to reveal the rest of SG1, guns ready.

"Sam's hit her head. I think she's lost conciousness." Cari said loudly, unable to look at Sam's rescuers. The nails dug into her ears, causing her to cry out with pain.

Daniel was kneeling over Sam, checking her for a pulse when she took a ragged breath and opened her eyes.

"You okay?" He asked quietly. Sam nodded and winced, regretting the action. "Let's get you out of here."

"And Cari." Her voice rasped against the back of her throat. "Get Cari out of here." Daniel looked to the colonel for an answer, but he hadn't heard.

"Tau'ri, leave! This is none of your business." Her father's roar only grew louder, his accent thick as he forced his mouth around the foreign sounds. The nails had dug in far enough to draw blood. Tears blurred Cari's vision, but she looked into Sam's mind and heard her plea. She knew she had to act. This time she would not stand back and do nothing.

"I want to go with them." She said, but he refused to listen. "I said, I want to go with them." His hand struck her once more, this time giving her a bloody lip.

"Hey hey HEY!" O'Neill moved forward, gun raised. "That's your own kid. Have you entirely taken leave of your senses?" Her father glared at him.

"You may leave at any time. I will not obstruct you."

"Take me with you!" Cari cried out as her ears were painfully twisted. O'Neill didn't hesitate and a well placed kick sent the guard holding her crashing to the ground. Acting purely on instinct, Cari jumped up and ran over to Sam. Sharing her barely conscious weight with Daniel, she led the way from the room. Behind them there erupted a cacophony of thuds as O'Neill and Teal'c fought the persuing guards off by hand. The colonel was still trying to keep bloodshed to as minimum.

Cari crashed through the forest, taking the most direct route to where she had first seen the team. Brambles tore at her clothes and skin but she didn't feel them. Gunfire started behind them as Teal'c and O'Neill fought off the ever increasing number of chasing guards.

Time lost all meaning; it felt as if she had been running forever by the time they finally reached the edge of the forest. Most of the guards had given up the chase when they saw their comrades so easily cut down by the gunfire, the others had been lost in the forest. Yet Cari refused to slow down, running at fill tilt as Daniel pointed her in the right direction. Sam had long since lost her battle for conciousness and her toes dragged limply in the sand. Daniel practically fell on the DHD, slamming his hands onto the coordinates for earth as he did so. Cari barely noticed as she took all of Sam's weight. The exertion of running so fast and so far took its toll on Daniel and he bent over, retching soundlessley beside the DHD. O'Neill and Teal'c were beside them by the time the wormhole had opened. Teal'c gently supported Daniel as O'Neill sent through his IDC. O'Neill put one arm under Sam's trailing one, trying to take the weight from Cari.

"Stick with me, ok?" He instructed her. She nodded dumbly. He recognised the telltale signs of shock and hurried them all through the gate.

As his foot hit the metal of the runway at the SGC he barely had time to turn and catch Carter as Cari's legs gave way beneath her. Her eyes were closed before she hit the ramp, never registering the grey walls of the SGC.