Sam woke up just before dawn, scared and anxious, covered in cold sweat and trembling. The last thing she remembered was a flash of red light, awful pain and fear overtaking her body.
Carter calmed down her breath, sat on the bed and grabbed a bottle of water. It was cold and refreshing, but she knew that it will take more than a sip of water to chase this bad memory away.
The memory of Jolinar's death.
It would appear every now and then, reminding her of a great sacrifice the Tok'ra made by saving Sam's life. And Carter knew it was a small price to pay for such a gift.
She rubbed her neck, stood up and realized she was naked. Images started to flow in, reminding her what happened last night. Clothes thrown all over the room were a pretty good hint too.
She was not able to stop a smile from growing on her lips, as she was replaying her adventure with Janet. She felt good, and the best thing was, she had no regrets.
Sam took a quick shower, put on some shorts and AF t-shirt and with her hair still wet, she went out.
Fresh, chilly breeze caused goosebumps all over her body. Sun was slowly rising over the horizon making the view even more calming and quiet. Sam started to stretch her muscles and few minutes later she was running, forgetting about bad dreams with every step, in sort of a trans where her own blood pulsing and her breath were the only sounds.
An hour later, as she was approaching the front yard of Hammond's house, she saw Jack, sitting on a porch in a wooden chair with a big coffee mug in his hand. Her cleared mind started to project another set of images, mostly from their unfortunate talk yesterday.
I didn't know you're a morning person! – he said, as she stopped in front of the porch.
You don't know many things about me, sir… - she was breathing heavily, but slowly calming down.
And we're back to the whole "sir" thing…- he nodded his head – How are you feeling? Hope you're better…
What? – Sam looked at him surprised.
Janet told me you hadn't been well…I was going to talk to you, and she was leaving your room…I guess she was checking on you…
Sam hid the uncontrollable smirk. Oh, she was…
Oh, that! I was just a little bit sick, that's all…Must have been something I ate. – she didn't elaborate in case Janet was more specific and their stories wouldn't match.
So she told me…
I'm ok now. – She looked at O'Neill quite surprised – You wanted to talk to me?
As a matter of fact, yes, Sam, I wanted to talk to you. Why are you so surprised?
It's just…You are not really "let's talk" kind of a guy…
As you pointed out last night…
Yeah…Sorry for that. – Sam came closer and sat down on a chair next to him. She had this great need to explain herself, but then she remembered what Janet said. – Or you know what? No.
No? – Jack looked at her rising one eyebrow.
No. – Sam laughed quietly. – I'm not sorry for what I said. I wouldn't say it normally, that's true, but I won't apologize for saying what I really feel.
Now, you see? We're getting somewhere! – Jack turned his face to her and looked at her seriously. – It's my turn to say what I…think…aaaa! – he stopped her with a gesture from cutting in. – So listen. – he sighed deeply - What happened between us on P3-whatever was great, and beautiful, and I would probably go for it again if we went back in time…which we did…but anyway, back to the point. – He put his hand on her lap, bent over, looking her straight in the eyes. – It was something I have wanted for a long time now. I have very strong feelings for you Sam…hell, I think I can admit that I love you. But I regret we made love that night. – Sam looked shocked and hurt, but he only stroked her knee, and continued – I regret, that I tried something I will never be able to have again. Because now I will miss you and desire you even more…now that I know how it is to be with you. How we are together. Believe me, there is nothing I would possibly want more now, than just to be with you as more than friends. To be able to hold you in my arms and kiss you whenever I want, to be part of your life, life you would share just with me. But WE can't be. And we both know that, don't we?
Sam's eyes watered, as she realized that was exactly what she felt. And she couldn't possibly put it in better words. And there was nothing more to say. They knew each other too well to expect the other to resign from their commission. And even if that happened, it would interfere with their mission as a team, and that was just too big of a sacrifice for personal happiness. SGC was the priority in their lives, and as long as it will be, they can't be together as a couple.
Sam looked at her friend through tears, and saw a man who was just as miserable as she was. A man full of compassion, kind and fragile. A great leader, honorable soldier with a big heart. Her imperfect- perfect man, she couldn't have.
She let few tears roll down her chick, and then she smiled sadly.
Yes, sir – she whispered, leaning to him, and kissing gently for the last time. As their lips slowly parted, she hugged Jack very tight and with her voice breaking she said – I love you too, Jack.
He tried to stop her, as she tried to stand up and walk away, but he finally let go, hiding his face in his hands, and then brushing his fingers through hair with anger.
Sam run upstairs as fast as she could, stormed into her room and hid her face in a pillow, so that nobody could hear her crying and choking with tears.
Janet heard the doors across the hall being slammed, and she was jut about to come out and check out what's going on, when her cell ringed.
SGC med center.
She picked up, knowing exactly what she was gonna hear.
Urgent case. Some unexpected mission complication. They need her NOW. Right this second.
Dr. Fraser, there has been an accident during the mission on P5T 367. We need your expertise in Cheyenne ASAP.
What happened?
There is no time, ma'm. We'll fill you in as you and SG1 will arrive. Prometheus is ready to beam you on board. Please, get outside the house and wait for further instructions.
Understood.
Janet grabbed her jacket, purse and ran out of the room, bumping into Sam as she closed her door.
Her face was red and wet from tears, eyes swallowed and still watering. Janet said nothing, juts grabbed Sam's hand briefly and both women ran down the stairs.
Colonel, Daniel and Teal'c were already there.
Do we know what happened? – Janet asked Jack, noticing how both he and Sam avoided each other's eyes.
SG3 got into trouble I guess…They said that we'd be filled in at SGC.
Same story here…
Well, let's find out – Jack took a tiny device out of his pocket and squeezed it.
Mobile locating beacon.
Hammond appeared on the porch, and approached them, with his hands in his pockets, looking at them with a hint of sadness in his eyes.
SG1, sorry our weekend ended that way…But duty calls.
Well, sir, that's what we do … - O'Neill smiled – You're not going with us?
Retired, remember?
So?
General shook his head, with a sad smile.
Not this time, Jack. Not this time… See you sometime soon.
Thank you, sir!
Now off you go. God's be!
A White beam came down and embraced five people, making them disappear. A second later they were all standing on a bridge of 303 Prometheus vessel, watching Earth from its orbit.
Hello SG1, dr. Fraser, - colonel Pendergast saluted them from his commander's chair.
Colonel, permission to come aboard ? – O'Neill asked, saluting commander back.
Granted.
So, where to now?
SGC. Transportation station, get ready to beam our guests down to the SGC.
Sir, yes, sir! Beaming in 3…2…
Good luck SG1.
..1
Again, dematerialized on a molecular level, soldiers of SGC were transported as energy over 50 thousand km down to Stargate Command, and rematerialized in the briefing room.
SG1, welcome back. Sorry to drag you away from your vacation, but SG3 and Vertiana need you.
Major Davies and colonel O'Neill exchanged salutes.
Please, take a seat. I will tell you all we know at the moment.
When everybody sat down, impatiently looking at Davies, the major opened his inseparable briefcase and gave everybody a thin folder.
As you know, SG3 went to P5T 367 three weeks ago for a simple recon mission, during which they encountered Vertians.
Yes, the nation of scientists! – said Daniel.
I would rather go with the geeks…or NON – Nation of Nerds… - Jack rolled his eyes seeing Daniel getting all excited even hearing about their new friends.
Vertians seemed to be a totally pacifistic nation, focused on developing new methods of fighting with diseases, improving agriculture, and creating machines which enabled them fully use their natural habitat without any damage to the ecosystem. They also had perfect, impenetrable shields to protect their precious plants and labs from Goa'uld .
And all of that was the subject of a treaty that had been written and negotiated with Vertians for the last 3 weeks.
They're may be nerds to you, cause they don't have military at all, but they can help us! Besides I'm a nerd and you like me. Sam is one too, for that matter… - said Daniel with rabidity.
Gentlemen, please – Janet stepped in, cause that discussion could have lasted for days. – Major Davies, we are all aware of situation on Vertina. Last time I checked, SG3 was about to start another negotiation session – that was before the weekend.
Thank you, doctor. Indeed, they were suppose to start another round, but few hours ago, we received a strange report. MALP sent us series of pictures and sounds but without any context or commentary from our people, or anyone for that matter. Just those… - he started a slide show on a screen.
Strange, but beautiful lights, composed into complicated patterns, weird shapes of trees around the gate, and lots of sand twisting in the air.
The sounds are even more unexplainable.
He clicked another button on the remote he was holding, and played the first file.
Suddenly Sam felt the hair on her arms head and neck getting up, the skin covered with goose bumps, as the most amazing shiver run through her body, causing her senses to explode with colors, smell, sound, and taste. Sounds played through loudspeakers made her feel so deeply happy, calm and joyful that she wanted to run to it's source right now! She wanted to feel that infinite pleasure and happiness for the rest of her life, so she decided to go there and find the source…She put her hands on a table and…
I can't hear anything, Davies. Something is broken?
No, sir. We thought there is no audio in this transmission too. But it turns out, that when you boost the audio with some complicated equipment – sorry, I'm not able to repeat what it was. I'm sure major Carter will know… Major? Ma'm?
Sam tried to calm down her trembling senses, breathing deeply through her nose, so that nobody could notice what just happened.
Sam, you're ok? – Janet looked at her from across the table.
Yes, sorry…I just…Sorry. What was the question?
Jack looked at her surprised.
Davies was telling something about boosting the audio with one of your due-hickies, and he thought you'd know what's it called.
Oh yeah…I…
Nevermind. Davies, carry on.
Ehm…yes. So, that's what you get after the boost. – And he played another track.
Sam was hit by the same breath-taking feelings and experiences, while the other covered their ears with hands.
Turn it off, for cryin' out loud! – Jack yelled to Davies.
Sorry, sir!
When he turned off the player, everybody sighed relieved. Only Sam had slight problems with catching her breath.
What was that!
We don't know. It's not being projected on the planet any more – we checked. But there is no sign of any source. We also lost contact with SG3. General Landry wants SG1, dr. Fraser and her field team to go there and check it out. The primary order is a rescue mission of SG3. Any questions?
Are we gonna get some earplugs? – Jack already stood up, ready to leave.
Yes, sir. – Davies smiled. Kind of. That man seemed to never loose his serious face. – You'll embark as soon as you are geared up. The gate room is standing by. Good luck, colonel.
Thanks Davies.
Sam was waiting for the right moment, to tell Fraser or Jack about her experience during the briefing, but there was no such time. Carter felt it was very important, yet she couldn't force herself to talk directly to O'Neill.
They all headed to the locker rooms and started to gear up. It took them only few minutes, but those were the first few minutes Sam and Janet spent alone, without witnesses since last night. But there was no time to talk. As soon as all the buckles and buttons were in place, both women ran to the gate room. On the way, Sam decided finally to tell Fraser about effect the recorded sound had on her.
Janet, the sound we've heard was annoying to you, wasn't it?
Of course. It sounded like a really bad heavy-metal garage band. It was making me crazy!
Well, you see, I heard something quite the opposite. It was the most incredible feeling I've ever had! All my senses were…very stimulated…I felt so ecstatic…and happy…
Janet stopped in the middle of the corridor and looked at her.
Why you said nothing a the time?
There was no appropriate moment….
What do you think it means?
No idea…I just felt so…I have no words to describe it!
We should go now, but I'll check you out when we come back. – Janet gave her "that" doc. Fraser look.
Yes, doc.
5th chevron just locked, as they joined the group of 10 people – SG1, SG2 and medical team.
All right people, listen up! – O'Neill stepped on a ramp, facing the soldiers. – We'll go there, find SG3 and bring them back home. Piece of cake. We could use you later, so be careful, watch your backs cause we have absolutely no intel on what's out there. Any questions…?...Great.
Gate opened up behind Jack.
Ok, let's move out!
Everybody checked their weapons and gear for the last time, and walked towards the shimmering event horizon.
Roberts! Secure the parameter around the gate!
Sir, yes sir! – major quickly gave few commands and his team took position in strategic points near to the Stargate, so that in case of an attack, they could respond and keep the gate under their control.
Carter, Teal'c you'll go with doc. Fraser and Summers, Daniel and I will take the other two medics. The city is just 2 miles North-east from here. We'll go through the main gate – you'll take the east entrance.
Yes, sir. – Sam looked directly at Jack, and saw that spark in his eyes, that told her, he couldn't live without it. Without action, without excitement, adrenaline spike, danger and fear. Could she?
Radio contact every 5 minutes. Report every strange activity.
Yes, sir…
Sam wanted to add something, but the strange cloud draw her attention from Jack. It was strange, cause the cloud was green and shiny.
Colonel? – Sam pointed the sky behind Jack
Jack turned around, watched the cloud for a second and without hesitation gave the order.
Daniel , dial home.
But Jack…
Dial home, damn it! We have no idea what it is! Sierra Golf 2, we're going back home. – he said to the radio on his arm.
Daniel reluctantly started to push the symbols on DHD, dialing Earth's address.
The cloud was getting closer very quickly and clearly heading towards them. Sam could see small beams of green light appearing from time to time inside the cloud.
Sir, I think it's scanning the surface with those green beams! It might be looking for something… - gold, red and blue beams started to appear next to the green ones, and come more and more out of the cloud. Trees on the way of the cloud began to move in very unnatural way, floating and banding. The sand started to rise and twist . – That cloud is what caused those strange effects we saw through MALP!
No kidding… – Daniel was already transmitting the iris code.
The cloud was few meters from them, and suddenly they heard that sound, only it was 100 times louder.
Eleven people covered their ears with hands, screaming out of pain, slowly falling to the ground.
Just one was still standing, looking at the cloud fascinated, overtaken by the feelings the sounds were giving her. All Sam wanted at that moment was to be taken by the cloud, embrace by it.
The screech of her radio was like a nudge. Sam snapped out the ecstasy for a second.
SG1! This is SGC. What's your status?
I don't…I… - Sam shook her head in hope it'll help – The cloud…I'll try to help them…
Major Carter? Come in!
But Sam couldn't hear the radio anymore. Her only goal was to help the people on the ground, crawling in pain. Still trying to fight the overwhelming need to just stand there and listen to the music, Sam grabbed the nearest soldier and helped him stand.
Come on, go through the gate! Lean on me!
She helped him, dragging him closer to the event horizon, and pushing him through. The goal – saving her friends – was helping her stay focused. Took her few minutes to transport SG2 and medics. Finally she got to Daniel, and Teal'c. The first one was a piece of cake, comparing to huge Jaffa.
Jack saw her dragging Teal'c by his gear vest.
Carter! What…is going on!
I'll get to you, sir! Just a moment!
Janet was lying just by the DHD, so she was the easiest to move. Sam decided to take Jack first.
She took him under his arms and slowly dragged him to the Stargate. Is cost her a lot – she was exhausted, her muscles were getting weaker with every second.
Suddenly she heard a low, constant sound, vibrating through her body like a huge subwoofer sound. Slowly, the pitch begun to change and rise.
The cloud was accumulating an energy charge.
Carter quickly pushed Jack through the gate and rushed to Janet, but her legs denied her cooperation and she tripped, rolling down the pedestal's stairs.
She landed on her back, feeling every muscle pulsing with pain.
The sound was higher and higher, somehow she felt the charge is close to go critical. She crawled to Janet, and covered her with her body, cause that the only thing she could do now. The sounds tried to take over her again, but she cluenched her teeth and force herself to fight it.
Sam?
The cloud will blow up!
What! I can't…
Incredibly loud thunder announced what Sam expected.
Colourful beam hit the Stargate, causing the event horizon to fluctuate and break intensively, but the hit didn't destroy the gate or break the connection, like Sam feared it would.
Carter saw her chance in that brief moment after the burst.
Come on Janet! Let's go!
I can't move…!
I'll help you… - Sam stood up, grabbed tiny doctor, and carried her on her arm to the gate.
The cloud was already embracing the gate, so Sam threw Janet into the wormhole, and before she stepped through herself, she saw small green, gold, red and blue beams hitting the Stargate.