The transport beam took both of them by surprise. Sam started glancing around to try to figure out where they were. They definitely were not on an Asgard ship even though that was Asgard beam technology. Jack just stood there disgruntled at the fact that his perfect moment with Sam, back on his patio, was ruined.
"What in blazes….why does that always happen at the most inopportune moments?"
"Jack…um, I hate to say this, but…"
"But what?"
"This looks Goa'uld."
Unfortunately, her suspicions were confirmed an instant when the lights clicked on around them. Their hearts fell when one of their most hated enemies was revealed. The rage within Jack was instant, not only for his hatred of Ba'al, but because Sam was standing next to him, in harms way. He could feel the heat starting to radiate through him.
"Ba'al. Well, you little…"
The confusion on Ba'al's face was obvious. This was not what he had expected.
"What is this? I only had wanted General O'Neill."
"Well, looks like you got a two-for."
"Oh, I'm not complaining. Although Colonel Carter is unexpected, she is a most valuable addition."
Ba'al reached out and stroked Sam's cheekbone and grab hold of her chin. Jack couldn't help but notice her wincing in disgust and anger.
"Plus, beauty like that is welcome here any time."
"HEY! Don't you dare…"
"Oh, don't worry General. I won't harm a single hair on her head...yet."
He forcefully yanked his hand away, causing Sam to propel back slightly. Jack reached out his hand to steady her.
"Take them away."
Ba'al turned and walked away. Although the Jaffa were no longer under his service, he did have a collection of remaining Goa'uld to follow his command. Two of them pulled out needles and, without warning, jabbed Sam and Jack in the deltoid. They barely had the time to glance at each other before they went limp.
They awoke a couple of hours later in a cell that Jack both knew and dreaded. The yellow walls were definitely not soothing. Sam was not so much in dread as complete worry.
"Jack, we have a problem."
"Besides the obvious?"
"Yeah. It's not like we got taken captive during a mission. I'm not due back to the SGC for a couple more days. Nobody will know that I'm even missing until then."
"I would worry too much about that."
"Not worry? Why wouldn't I worry about that?"
"Because I am due back to work bright and early tomorrow morning. They will notice that I'm gone. They will come looking for me."
"Well, ok, let's assume they find you missing and start a search, even when they do find out, their first thoughts aren't going to be that you were beamed aboard a Goa'uld mothership and being held captive in what appears to be a Goa'uld fortress."
"Well, it wouldn't be the first time something like this has happened to me. Let's face it, stranger things have happened."
She just starred at him.
"Seriously. Don't worry about it. When they realize that I'm missing, they will search my house."
"And I appreciate the thought, but its not like being beamed away leaves any evidence."
"So you would think, right? However, after getting so many surprise visitors in my house in Colorado, I took the advice about a better security system. In my new place, I installed video cameras. There was one pointing right on us on the patio."
There was a period of silence. Jack thought that Sam would be at least a little relieved, but she still seemed lost in thought. Then, she started chuckling which made Jack even more confused.
"Well, I don't think our feelings for each other will be a secret anymore!"
He just shook his head, smiling. Only she could make him smile like that in the most compromising situations. However, he knew what the future held for them, and he knew he had to be truthful with Sam.
"I think our biggest worry isn't the fact that they won't notice we were missing. Our biggest worry is the fact that the last time I was in a place like this, it was impenetrable. You needed Lord Yu to attack Ba'al to help me escape. Well, there are no more Lord Yu's."
He saw her face drop, and his heart dropped in unison. He always did hate seeing that look on her face. At least this time, he didn't have to hide his feelings. He pulled her into a hug.
"Hey, now. It doesn't mean that there isn't hope. They'll find a way to get us out of here. They always do."