Sam decided to hide out in her lab. She needed to recalibrate the dialing sequence if they were going to start calculating the addresses from the Abydos cartouche anyway, and she needed something to focus on other than poor Major Kawalski. What happened to him could have happened to any of them. Of course, she also didn't want to wonder around the base. By now, the gossip mill was likely going crazy. She and Jack, no, she mentally corrected herself, Colonel O'Neill, would be the source of gossip for awhile. She really should have just let him deal with the alien marriage alone. Now, not only were they the talk of the base but she couldn't get him out of her head. She'd always been a sucker for lost pups, and the colonel definitely qualified. She was going to have to keep her distance from him somehow. Maybe he'd decide to go back to his retirement, but Sam kind of doubted it. He seemed pretty vested in the program now that he knew there was a real threat out there. He'd probably get himself killed on some alien planet and he'd consider it justice because of his son. No, she had to nip these feelings of hers in the bud now.

There was a knock on her door before Catherine stepped inside. "I had a feeling I'd find you here," the older woman said with a smile. "I picked us up some lunch. Blue jello for dessert, of course."

""Thank you," Sam said returning the smile. "I was just working on some calculations."

"And hiding out, I'm sure."

"Is it that obvious?"

"Only to your friends. I'm sure the threat of being made a goa'uld queen was a little nerve wracking."

Sam nodded and hoped Catherine wasn't going to bring up the little charade she and the colonel had put on while they were in Abydos up. "I know it's not Major Kawalski threatening me, but it is a little disconcerting."

"Yes, and being romantically linked to Colonel O'Neill so publicly probably didn't help either," Catherine said as she took a bite of her sandwich.

"Um, well, what I said in the briefing room was the truth. Nothing happened. We were just trying to handle an awkward misunderstanding."

"I'd believe that if the poor colonel wasn't making doe eyes at you from the moment you returned through the gate, Sam. Maybe nothing happened, but I have a feeling it's not because neither of you were interested."

"Catherine-"

"No, listen to me for a minute, Sam. I'm not upset with you. In fact, I have no problem with you and Colonel O'Neill pursuing a romantic relationship. I, for one, think you need something in your life besides work. I just want you to be happy." She paused. "I was young and in love once. Ernest was as invested in the stargate program as I was and we were quite a team. It ended badly. We managed to get the gate open, but we really didn't know what we were doing. Ernest went through and never returned. I've never stopped missing him, but I wouldn't take back one minute of the time we had together. Don't cheat yourself out of something wonderful because of a little gossip."

"Catherine, it's a little more complicated with Colonel O'Neill. He lost his son. He was suicidal when I met him then he was all to willing to sacrifice himself on the mission. I can't give into feelings for someone like him. I just can't go through that right now. It's better if we just keep things professional."

"I see. Can you do that Sam, keep it professional? Because, I have it on very good authority he's going to be around awhile."

"Yes, the stargate is important. This threat is real. You saw Kawalski. If there really are others like Ra and they showed up here on ships, we wouldn't be able to defend ourselves."

"Okay," Catherine said, "if you need to talk, I'm here."

"Thank you. Want me to show you how far I've gotten after lunch?"

"Please."

Sam and Catherine made a lot of progress that afternoon, but Sam was very happy to get away at the end of the day. She needed some distance from Jack O'Neill and the whole situation. Being home with her cat on her lap and a cup of chamomile tea in her hand helped a little. Life sure had gotten complicated all of the sudden. Why couldn't West have sent someone else to that cabin?

The next morning, Sam was paged to the observation room in the infirmary. Dr. Warner had already begun the procedure of removing the symbiote from Major Kawalski when she arrived. She stood beside Catherine and as far away from Jack as possible. Jack looked nervous. Part of her wanted to reach out to him, but she just couldn't make herself do it. The procedure didn't take nearly as long as she would have expected, and soon she was back in her lab.

"Dr. Carter," one of the SFs said after knocking on her door, "Major Kawalski is awake and would like to speak with you."

"Of course," Sam said with a smile as she followed him to Kawalski's room.

Kawalski was sitting up with a smile on his face when Sam arrived. "Dr. Carter, I just wanted to apologize for my behavior."

"It wasn't you, Major Kawalski. It was the goa'uld," Sam assured him.

"Guys, would you mind giving us a minute?" Kawalski asked looking at the SFs who had been left to guard him. The men looked at Sam who nodded for them to go ahead and step out of the room. As soon as the door closed, the expression on Kawalski's face changed. He jumped up from the bed with his eyes flashing, "you foolish woman. Did you really think you could get rid of a god so easily.?The blending was already complete."

Sam tried to get to the door, but Kawalski got to her first. She struggled against him but she was no match for him. Throwing her over his shoulder, he used his other hand to quickly take out both guards. Sam must have blacked out because soon she found herself lying tied up on the gate room floor, and the gate was activated.

From her position, Sam saw Catherine and General West rush into the control room. She also saw Jack. He'd made it into the gate room before the blast doors closed. She scrambled to her feet, arms still bound, as Jack attacked Kawaski. "You're not taking her anywhere," Jack yelled.

"You fool," Kawalski shouted. "I'd have let you live another day."

They wrestled on the ramp with each taking the upper hand for a moment at a time. Sam watched in horror. She didn't want to watch Jack die. She got as close as she could in an effort to help, but Kawalski shoved her back down. As she fell, she bumped her head. She could feel the blood trickling down from a gash on her forehead and she didn't dare try to get back up. Her head was swimming, but she couldn't take her eyes off the battle in front of her. Finally, Jack managed to get Kawalski's head partially into the active stargate. "Shut it down," he shouted and Catherine shut down the gate. Kawalski fell dead on the ramp, and Jack ran to Sam. "Are you okay?" he asked as he untied her hands.

Sam nodded. "A little dizzy," she said trying to stand. "I'm sorry about Kawalski. He was your friend."

"My friend died on the table," Jack said scooping Sam into his arms. He looked up at the control room. "We need a medic."

Jack opted to carry Sam to the infirmary even though the med team brought in a stretcher. Sam didn't even bother complaining. It felt right to be in his arms even though she knew it only complicated their relationship further. He was alive, she was safe, and the goa'uld inside Kawaski was dead. She'd worry about the rest when her head stopped spinning.