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Daniel and Sam made their way to his office with Bra'tac's sketch in hand. By the time they had stepped inside, he had already filled her in on what he had deciphered so far. It was much more than Sam would have expected anyone else to have translated in the few minutes they had been sitting in the briefing room. Then again, Daniel wasn't just anyone.

He picked up a marker and began writing on the dry-erase board that he often used to brainstorm, copying the symbols carefully from the sheet of paper in his hand.

"Okay," he said, once he'd finished. "I know that this…" He circled a section of symbols. "…means 'to search or discover'." He scribbled the translation below the other text. "This over here is 'sacred temple'." He stepped back for a moment and frowned. Sam sighed and stretched her arms. She could be of little help for this part.

"Daniel, I'm going to run to my lab and get my laptop. I'd like to check out the gate address."

Daniel nodded distractedly, continuing to make notes on the whiteboard.

Sam hurried down the hallway to her lab, the gears in her mind clicking and whirring with thoughts and ideas.

Kar'yn was young and inexperienced. She had been fearless and strong in fighting against the mistreatment of her people by Moloc, the Goa'uld on her homeworld. Still, she had no understanding of the other Goa'ulds in the galaxy, and couldn't be expected to show the wisdom of a seasoned warrior like Bra'tac. Sam couldn't blame Kar'yn for her curiosity, and she knew that the Jaffa traditions did not put much faith in the abilities of a woman. In Kar'yn's place, she may have been tempted to take the same action.

She had just turned a corner and stepped into the doorway of her lab, her mind going over the System Lords still living who could be responsible for Kar'yn's disappearance, when she nearly ran straight into Kerry Johnson.

The woman was standing just inside the room, and Sam stopped herself before there was a collision, stepping quickly around her and trying to keep the annoyance out of her voice when she spoke.

"Can I help you?"

Kerry set down the picture frame she'd been holding, and Sam noticed with irritation that it was a photo of SG1. She couldn't identify the sick feeling that was churning in her stomach, but for some reason, she didn't want the woman anywhere near her personal things.

"I have a meeting with Sergeant Harriman this morning, but I got here a little early. I heard you were back and I thought we might get a chance to talk." Her thick curls bounced cheerily as she spoke. Sam bit back the harsh words that were threatening to escape from her lips and tried to smile.

"Look, Miss Johnson," she said, hoping the words didn't come out too disdainful. "I really don't have time right now. I just stopped in to get this." She picked up her laptop and started back towards the door. Kerry turned her head sideways and smiled at Sam. Sam tried not to grit her teeth.

"You don't like me very much, do you Colonel?" There was laughter in Kerry's eyes, and Sam felt slightly embarrassed. Surely she wasn't that transparent. She tried to feign confusion and shook her head.

"I like you fine, Miss Johnson."

"Kerry. You can call me Kerry."

I don't want to call you Kerry.

Sam sighed and set the laptop down. "Okay, Kerry. What do you want to talk about?"

Don't say General O'Neill. Don't say General O'Neill. Please don't say General O'Neill.

Kerry eyed Sam curiously, and a wide grin spread across her face. "Jack didn't tell you we broke up, did he?"

Sam just stared. She was afraid to believe the words, but hope pounded away inside her chest and she shook her head slowly.

"That is just like Jack, isn't it?" Kerry's eyes danced, but Sam thought she could detect a trace of regret in her voice. "Well, we did. Actually, I called things off. A girl just can't compete with…" She stopped and stared at Sam for a moment, and then shrugged. "Well, you know."

Sam didn't know. She was confused by the entire conversation, and couldn't figure out why this woman was in her lab, telling her these things.

"Oh," she mumbled. "Well, it's really none of my business."

Kerry laughed. She stepped a bit closer and spoke softly. "Well, it's none of my business, but are you still getting married?"

Sam blushed. Kerry was right. It wasn't her business. She wanted nothing more than to tell her so.

"Look, Miss Johnson…"

"Okay, okay." Kerry threw up her hands in defeat. "Never mind." Her feelings looked a little hurt, and, in spite of herself, Sam almost felt guilty.

"I'm not getting married," she found herself saying, and was instantly sorry she had when Kerry grinned again.

"Well, don't you think he'd want to know?"

Sam frowned, wondering how Kerry could possibly know that she hadn't told Jack.

"I really have to go," she replied, picking up her laptop again. Kerry didn't try to stop her, so Sam held out her hand in front of her, gesturing for Kerry to lead the way out of the room.

As if things couldn't get any more uncomfortable, the person Sam least wanted to see at that moment stepped in Kerry's path.

Seeing the two women standing together, General O'Neill's face jumped between several different emotions at once, and he cleared his throat awkwardly.

"What's going on?" he asked slowly.

Sam tried not to groan at Kerry's cheerful laugh.

"Oh, we were just having some girl time. I have to run. I'm late for a meeting. Good to see you, Jack. Bye, Colonel Carter." Her eyes lingered on the General for a moment before she turned and bounced down the hallway. Jack watched her leave with a lost expression, and then turned back to Sam.

"Uh…I forgot why I came in here."

Sam was too tired for the usual song and dance. They were alone. Again. She rubbed the back of her neck and tried to think of the easiest way to bring up her cancelled wedding.

Now or never.

"Sir, there's something I have to…"

"Oh, now I remember!" he cut her off, snapping his fingers. "They need you in the control room. They got the MALP readings back. I want you to take a look."

Sam wasn't stupid. She could tell he had cut her off on purpose. She tried one more time, stepping a little closer and lowering her voice.

"Yes, sir. But I really do want to talk to you about…"

"I'll tell you all about it later, Carter," he interrupted, waving his hand dismissively.

Sam felt like slugging him. He thought she wanted to ask him about Kerry? That was the last thing she wanted to talk about. Before she could speak again, Jack had turned on his heels and headed back to the control room. She squeezed her eyes shut, hoping she could make it through the day without losing her temper.

Tucking her laptop under her arm, Sam reluctantly followed the General out of the room.