Author's note: Special thanks to those, who commented on my worries last time! Your wise words really helped me a lot! I've thought it through thoroughly and decided that you were right! So 'Thought' will remain online and everyone can judge for themselves, if it's original enough. I, for myself, still think it's one of my best chapters.

So, this time, I'm trying something different: a third person view on SG-1…

Around the regs

Chapter Eleven: Memory

"Sir!"

Colonel Reynolds swiveled around at the alarmed outcry. With trained speed his eyes went over his spread out men, trying to judge who had called out for him. His eyes wandered over his own men, and then SG-2, but it seemed to be one of SG-9's men, who had shouted over to him. Now, one of the men waved towards him and Reynolds jogged over to him. Next to Sergeant Grogan – who had called out to him – and Captain Clark – who had waved – from SG-9 kneeled Sergeant Satterfield, examining something on the ground.

"Something the matter?", Reynolds' radio crackled to life, ricocheting Major Lorne's voice. Major Lorne was SG-9's current leader and he was probably only worried for his team. Still Reynolds couldn't suppress the unnerved tinge to his voice, when he answered: "Not that I can see. Hold your position, Major, I will handle it!"

Then, turning his attention to the rookies, Reynolds asked: "What did you find?"

Sergeant Satterfield, a woman that looked a lot younger than she probably was, hauled herself off the ground. Reynolds could see the worry in the woman's face, when she held something out on the palm of her hand for him and the rest of her team to see. Reynolds bend forward, his eyes examining the dirtied something. For a moment he failed to see, what it was, even when Clark and Grogan sucked in their breaths sharply. Then, suddenly, his brain provided him with the adequate explanation. Swiftly, Reynolds snagged the item from Satterfield and held it against the light of the sun. It was a broken dog tag chain. The dog tags still dangled on it, although dirtied and covered in dried mud.

"Whose…?", Sergeant Grogan inquired choked.

Reynolds' eyes skimmed over the dog tags briefly and then, resignedly, he let his eyes fall close for a moment. "Major Carters.", he reported, when he opened his eyes again.

Grogan and Satterfield exchanged sad glances and for a moment Reynolds had to remind himself that they had already interacted with SG-1 and knew them. Of course, they'd feel concerned. And with this discovery, Reynolds had to say he himself was beginning to worry as well. Stashing the dog tags in the pockets of his flak vest, Reynolds thought things through quickly. SG-1 had gone missing on this deserted planet over a week ago. By now Reynolds was leading the third search party with the intention to find any sign on their whereabouts or their destinies, because, so far, none of the previous search parties had had the luck to even stumble upon a footprint of SG-1. It was as if they had just disappeared. No matter, how many SGC soldiers went to this planet or how many UAV's they sent, none discovered anything: nothing of SG-1, but also no enemy, no hostile inhabitants, no dangerous animals, not even an antagonistic plant! Which didn't mean that there couldn't be dozens of mishaps that could have happened to SG-1, but so far, this planet seemed to be one of the most peaceful they had ever set foot on! It just made SG-1's disappearance even more mysterious.

Until now Reynolds had hold onto the thought that Jack was an experienced, capable soldier, who knew how to keep his people safe, but maybe there was more to it than he had allowed himself to think about. Because Major Carter was a very scrupulous person and she certainly would not just 'lose' her dog tags. There had to have happened something, at least to her.

Reynolds sighed with the urge to rub his temples tiredly. SG-1 was a good team and one he was close friends with. He liked all of them, and he would seriously regret, if something happened to either of them! Still, Reynolds was determined to find out, what had happened. He would not leave until he had solved this mystery. Even more so, since General Hammond had ordered this to be the last search party. Although Reynolds had not had the slightest difficulties in finding volunteers for this mission, the General had made it clear that at some point they didn't have the opportunities and sources anymore to discard on a team gone MIA…

"Sir?", Grogan's voice ripped him from his thoughts.

Sighing, Reynolds reached for his radio. "Okay, everyone, listen!", he called out and could see several of his men grab for their radios. "We've finally found some evidence of SG-1! I want the search to continue just as before! And keep your eyes open! Maybe we've stumbled upon something here…"

Nods were seen all over the large terrain the SG teams covered. Routinely, the heads of each SG team, Major Lorne of SG-9 and Major Ferretti of SG-2, called in to confirm his order. Briefly, Colonel Dixon of SG-13, who had stayed back with his team to guard the Stargate, spoke with him to discern their further measures.

While talking to his friend, Reynolds followed Grogan's figure trailing over the meadow in front of him, the rookie's face lowered so his eyes could roam over the ground, while Satterfield next to him looked around with her field glasses, keeping watch over the trees and bushes further away. The planet had a lush vegetation, so in their half-a-day-hike they'd come across everything from thick underbrush to forest-like-trees to grassy meadows.
Reynolds' men spread out widely to cover a large area whenever they could, but there had been times the way had been so overgrown, they had to trudge one after the other down some dirt roads. Luckily the meadow they crossed right now not only allowed them to distribute, it also provided them with a clear sight. And, Reynolds contemplated, when they would have finally climbed that hill they currently mounted, they'd be able to gaze even further. Maybe then they'd finally be able to shed some light onto the–

Reynolds stopped himself suddenly, when he almost ran into Grogan's back. Satterfield had her arm outstretched, her hand fisting into the man's upper arm, so Grogan had to stop.

"Satterfield?", Reynolds asked with a raised brow, looking pointedly down at her arm, which effectively cut off his way. The woman pushed her field glasses at the superior officer and wordlessly pointed towards something in the distance. Irritated Reynolds grabbed onto the item and put it to his eyes. He followed her pointing arm and made out a small river at the bottom of the hill. Right behind the small stream dense, bushy and impenetrable trees grew into a huge forest that covered the whole distance Reynolds could look at from the hill. But what caught his eye – and had obviously caught Satterfield's attention – was a little, bright patch of color skipping between the rocks at the streams edge.

Immediately, Reynolds signaled for his men to take cover and they distributed the silent gesture through the rows, until he could see the last officer drop to the ground mutely.

Reaching for his radio, Reynolds ordered: "SG's 2 and 3, with me! Take care to go unseen! We'll check out that stream below! SG 9, hold position, in case we need to retreat, you'll be our back-up."

Skidding around Grogan and Satterfield, Reynolds carefully began his descent. The hill was steep, but thankfully evened out quickly into a grassy area that was strewn with boulders. It provided good cover for Reynolds and his men, but it effectively cut off their sight, too.

In a line, Reynolds, Lieutenants Johnson and Judson and Major Warren from SG-3, and Major Ferretti, Captains Penhall and Casey and Lieutenant Sands from SG-2 efficiently made their way through the large blocks of rock, their P90's pointed forward solidly. When he could hear the quiet gurgle of the stream's water, Reynolds gave the sign to halt. His men ducked behind the boulders they were currently hiding behind. As quietly as possible, Reynolds inched his head around the rock he was crouching behind.

The sight he was presented with was so absurd and unexpected, he actually closed his eyes for a second. Still the picture didn't change, when he opened them once more. In front of him, only separated through the small stream sat Sam, Major Samantha Carter, in her dirtied BDU pants, combat boots and a black tank top, obviously trying to wash stains from her BDU jacket. She was so concentrated on the task that she hadn't noticed the men sneaking up on her, muttering heatedly under her breath, while attacking her jacket determinedly. Reynolds could not see anyone of her team anywhere, but surely, they had to be close?

The Colonel was glad to see the blonde woman! He wanted to run up to her and hug her, so relieved was he that she was well and alive! But his instinct and military training ensured that he kept the circumstances in mind. Even if she was here, unharmed, something had to have happened to her and SG-1. Because why else would they have disappeared?

Reynolds lowered his P90 and quickly left his hide-out. He knew his men would cover his six, if this was a trap. But he had to take this chance!

"Major Carter!", he called out.

The blonde Major's head snapped up, her impossibly blue eyes narrowing in on him instantly. Reynolds smiled at her reassuringly, but his grin slipped, when he saw her expression fall at his sight. Her relaxed face tensed, her expression turning into alarm. He opened his mouth to ask her for her well-being, but she didn't let him. Letting her jacket drop unceremoniously, Sam bolted for the trees behind her, as if she'd been presented with the devil himself!

Baffled, Reynolds watched her slim figure disappear hastily between the tree trunks. "Damn it all! Sam!", Reynold called after her, completely taken by surprise.

Cursing, the Colonel dashed through the small river, calling for his men. "Warren and Penhall, stay back! The rest, come with me!"

Splashing was heard, when the men trampled through the water and then the heavy thumping of military boots stomping over the earthy ground filled the silence in the forest. Reynolds kept his eyes on Sam's head, her blonde hair a dead give-away in the half-dark forest, where her combat uniform let her merge with the surroundings. From time to time she glanced back over her shoulder at the men chasing her, obviously trying to get rid of them. Oh for the love of…! Why was she running away from them?!

"Major! Wait!", he called out to her, whenever he had enough breath left over, but she ignored him. He even ordered her to stop, but in vain. Reynolds could see that she wasn't even trying to be stealthy, she was purely going for speed, trying to escape them with all her legs would allow her.

"Damn, damn, damn!", Reynolds cursed inwardly. Sam may be their only link to SG-1 right now! Why wasn't she cooperating?! "Don't lose her!", he ordered his men.

Suddenly, the trees receded and gave away to a clearing. An improvised camp was set up on the clearing with a small campfire lighting up the half-darkness surrounding them. Sam dashed onto the clearing shouting something in what Reynolds could only describe as a frightened voice. Two figures at the campfire jumped up, rushing for her immediately. Reynold signaled his men hastily and with raised weapons the six Air Force officers stormed onto the clearing, immediately forming a half circle around the figures.

"Hands up, where I can see them!", Reynolds shouted routinely. "Don't move!"

To his utter astonishment, however, Reynolds was faced with a rather familiar sight. Of course, there was Sam, but standing right next to her were Daniel Jackson and Teal'c. Daniel had an arm around Sam, pushing her behind his body to shield her in between himself and Teal'c. Teal'c had tried to bend for what Reynolds deemed to be Sam's P90, although his staff weapon was also lying close, but when the Colonel had called out his warning, the large Jaffa had stopped in his tracks, now standing tensely next to his team mates.

"Dr. Jackson? Teal'c?", Reynolds inquired confused but neither of the men flinched at Reynolds' words or seemed to find themselves addressed somehow.

"What the hell is wrong here…?", Reynolds wanted to know. Nothing here seemed to make any sense!

"Who are you?", Daniel asked instead of answering his question.

"Who am…!", Reynolds trailed off stunned. "Doctor Jackson, you know me! I'm Colonel Reynolds!"

There wasn't even a single spark of recognition in the archaeologist's eyes, Reynolds had to admit. Neither was there in Sam's or Teal'c's. It was as if they were seeing him for the first time…!

"Sir, I don't think they know, who we are.", Johnson murmured next to him. Yeah, thanks, the thought had crossed his mind as well…

"Why were you chasing Samantha?", Teal'c's voice droned monotonically. Samantha?! Reynolds was aware, he was probably gaping, but he had never heard the Jaffa address Sam by her first name, even less with 'Samantha'. And, furthermore, Reynolds knew that the blonde woman didn't like to be called 'Samantha', even though she did not object or flinch at all at Teal'c calling her that.

In the stunned silence that followed, Reynolds' radio suddenly cracked to life, Colonel Dixon's voice cutting through the quietness: "Reynolds, can you hear me?"

Reynolds saw the three members of SG-1 recoil in surprise, as if they'd never seen or heard a radio. "Loud and clear, Dave.", he answered. "What's the problem?"

An exhausted sigh came from the line. "Listen, we have a situation here. Bosworth somehow managed to trigger some weapon Balinsky thinks to be a defense mechanism at the DHD when we dialed back to the SGC to report… Long story short, Bosworth was caught in some light flash and seems to have lost part of his memory. I'll send him back to the SGC, and Balinsky is working on shutting the weapon off. So be careful on your way! Maybe there'll be even more traps."

Without noticing, Reynolds copied the tired sigh. "Actually, that explains a lot about our situation here…", he muttered into his radio.

When there was confused silence on the other end, Reynolds added: "I'll explain later. Thanks for warning us! Reynolds out!"

A defense mechanism that erased memories. Yeah, no wonder SG-1 hadn't reported back to the SGC or didn't seem to recognize him…! If SG-1 had accidentally stumbled into this trap on their way back home and lost their memory, then it all made sense!

Reynolds looked back to the two scientists and the Jaffa, who were regarding him with cautious gazes, as if he were the enemy. For a moment he thought about what they must see: not their friends and comrades, but six heavily armed men pointing their weapons at them. Reynolds lowered his P90, and instantly his men followed his example. They still had their fingers on the triggers, safeties off, but the barrels pointed towards the ground.

Reynolds opened his mouth, trying to explain it all to the people in front of him that eyed him warily, when a tiny, important detail reached his brain. Oh, he should have noticed before! Gripping his weapon tighter in a habitual movement, his eyes zeroed in on Sam and he asked her: "Where's the Colonel?"

He was met with a blank stare. Reynolds was puzzled what this had to mean. But then it dawned on him. Maybe she didn't understand what he'd been talking about. From the way she was totally ignoring her own weapon, he assumed she had forgotten about her military training as well. So of course ranks would tell her nothing.

"Where's–?", Reynolds was cut off, before he could end his sentence.

"Weapons down!", a quiet, strong voice commanded the moment Reynolds felt something being pushed into his back. And well, he'd been in the military long enough to know exactly what a barrel pointed at him felt like.

"Jack?", he asked, while slowly letting his P90 fall back against his vest, secured. Reynolds didn't need to look or recognize the voice to be sure that it was his friend, because, honestly, only the Special Forces soldier would be able to sneak up on him and his men unnoticed! A few of his men swirled around, taking aim at Colonel O'Neill, while the other's attention stayed with the rest of SG-1.

"Who are you and why are you pointing weapons at my family?", Jack now hissed at him with an icy voice.

"Family?", Reynolds thought confused. But then it dawned on him that this was probably how SG-1 saw each other, now that they had all forgotten about their background together. Even though their memory was lost, feelings and a certain awareness of each other had seemed to linger. This also had to be the reason, why they had stayed together after losing their memories; why they didn't see each other as enemies. They didn't know anymore that they were a team, but they were aware on some subconscious level that they belonged together. And because they couldn't explain the feelings they had towards each other any better, they chose the context of a family, because it was closest. Reynolds was well aware of how close SG-1 actually was. So this here matched, actually.

"I'm Colonel Albert Reynolds.", Reynolds said calmly. "I'm a friend of yours and your… family. We're here to bring you back!"

"Don't believe them, Jack!", Daniel Jackson hollered into his statement. "They ambushed Samantha at the river and chased her through the forest!"

Reynolds tried to explain that, but immediately after hearing that declaration, Jack growled lowly and dangerously behind him, making Reynolds' hairs stand on end. Normally, Jack's laid-back attitude and his habit to play dumb made one forget how dangerous the man actually was, even with all the stories flying around about him, but now Reynolds was acutely aware, that the other man could as well end his life within a second. And, apparently, he wasn't the only one to notice. Major Ferretti, the one who probably knew Jack the best within their group, moved forwards quickly, trying to come to Reynolds' help. With a swift movement, the Major rushed towards Jack, forcing the Colonel to divert his attention from Reynolds.

"Jack!", Sam's voice called out in warning and if the situation wouldn't have been so serious, Reynolds would have taken a second to be stunned at the Major calling her CO by his given name. But he had other problems right now. The concentrated silence behind him told Reynolds that, despite her warning, Jack was already well aware of the situation. The seconds seemed to stretch and Reynolds actually held his breath, while he watched Ferretti storming for them from the corner of his eyes.

Then, thankfully, Reynolds felt the barrel of Jack's gun move away from him to intercept the Major coming at him. Reynolds, having anticipated this move, shot around immediately and used the bottom of his P90 to stop the Colonel, slamming it in the other man's side. Then, to get Major Ferretti out of the very concrete danger he was in, Reynolds grabbed the barrel of Jack's P90 and pushed against it, getting it out of Ferretti's way. Jack resisted him with everything he had, and while Reynolds was younger, he felt himself struggle heavily. Luckily, Ferretti came to his help and together they managed to disarm the Colonel.

"Jack!", Reynolds could hear Sam and Daniel call out worriedly in the background, when Ferretti pulled back and pointed his own P90 at Jack, while Reynolds quickly secured the weapon he had taken from him. Jack glared at them heatedly, but with the weapon pointed directly at his broad chest, he didn't seem willing to take any chances.

"I take it, you're not coming with us voluntarily?", Reynolds asked, slightly out of breath.

"The hell I will.", Jack confirmed.

Reynolds sighed. So what was he supposed to do now? Jack's Special Forces past ensured that he was more than suspicious of them; his caution and mistrust towards them would make sure that he wouldn't trust them, whatever Reynolds may tell him now. And apparently, whatever Jack seemed to decide, the rest of SG-1 would follow habitually, even if they wouldn't know, why, right now. So, with Jack being his stubborn self, Reynolds assumed that nobody of SG-1 would be willing to cooperate at the moment. However, to get them to trust him once more, he'd have to bring their memories back. Unfortunately, for this to happen, he'd have to bring them to the SGC, so Doctor Fraiser and the scientists could work on that. Which brought him back to the problem at hand: how to get the obstinate SG-1 to go back with them…?

Reynolds glanced at Jack's hostile expression and sighed. Yeah, no way this would go without some resistance, would it? Inhaling deeply, Reynolds hated himself for what he was about to do, but really, which option did he have?

"Tie them up!", he ordered his men, motioning for Sam, Daniel and Teal'c. Ferretti was already reaching for his cable ties to do the honors on Jack.

"Jack?", Daniel called out insecure, when Reynolds' men descended on him and Sam. From the corner of his eyes, Reynolds saw the blonde woman shooting uncertain gazes at Jack, while Daniel cautiously pushed her back when he retreated step-by-step. When he saw that the Colonel was momentarily distracted, his intimidating gaze settling onto the blonde woman not far away, Major Ferretti took his chance, stepped up to Jack quickly and bent his arms on his back. When Jack looked ready to struggle against his friend, Reynolds strode up to Ferretti and snapped the cable ties to Jack's wrists, fastening them carefully. He wanted his friend bound, not injured by accident.

Again, Reynolds heard Sam call out and risked a quick glance. Captain Casey had her secured, her arms pushed against her back, while the Captain tried to clasp the cable ties closed. Reynolds could see that the Captain tried his best to be gentle with her, his face contorted with guilt, but Sam struggled against him. Not to get free, from what Reynolds could see, she barely acknowledged the Captain holding her, but rather to get to Jack, Reynolds noticed. Her eyes were glued to him, taking in the picture of Reynolds and Ferretti restricting him.

Jack grunted, more displeased with the situation than in pain from the cable ties. He gazed back at Sam, his eyes squinting at the Captain confining her. "Don't resist!", Jack suddenly ordered.

Reynolds was mildly astonished by that, but then again, Jack couldn't know that they weren't going to do anything to them. To him they were enemies and capable of unthinkable cruelties. And they had the upper hand: they outnumbered SG-1 and had cut them off from their own weapons and any possibility to defend themselves. So Jack did, what military training ensured him to do: he tried his best to keep his team safe. Which, for now, meant to surrender.

Sam slumped against Captain Casey at Jack's order. She looked utterly unhappy with the situation, but stayed calm. In the meantime Johnson had bound Daniel and Judson and Sands worked on Teal'c, but only now that he had gotten the order from Jack to capitulate they dared to restrict the Jaffa.

Reynolds sighed at the sight he was presented with. SG-1 captured and bound tightly. This was so not how he had imagined bringing them back. "Let's go.", he said tiredly, signaling for his men.

Casey stayed with Sam, guiding her gently with a hand to her arm. Johnson kept his P90 pointed loosely at Teal'c, because seeing that Reynolds and Ferretti still stayed with Jack, Teal'c proved to be the greatest danger at the moment. Sands and Judson hurried to pack everything together from the camp that could lead to the SGC or could still prove necessary to them. Then Judson joined Johnson in guarding Teal'c and Sands copied Casey in putting a hand on Daniel's upper arm to lead him away. At Reynolds' sign Sands and Daniel took lead with Casey and Sam following. Judson, Johnson and Teal'c as well as Reynolds, Ferretti and Jack came after them.

Reynolds couldn't help another sigh at the sight of Jack's hostile expression he was presented with, when they started on their way. Yeah, so not how he'd wanted this to end. At least he'd managed to bring back SG-1, alive…

SJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJ

Reynolds trudged around the camp they had hastily set up half way back to the Stargate. He had checked in with Colonel Dixon and confirmed that tomorrow, when they would arrive at the Stargate, Doctor Balinsky could ensure they were able to walk through without such a disaster that had happened to Bosworth on the routinely check-in with the base.

Reynolds passed the campfire, where the majority of SG's 2 and 3 were sitting, eating their MREs. SG-9 was scouting the perimeters, ensuring their safety. Reynolds nodded quickly to his men in passing and then wandered over to SG-1. Jack, Sam, Daniel and Teal'c sat with their backs against smaller trees, one of their hands still bound to their backs and their bodies secured to the trees, because the moment darkness had begun to settle over them, Reynolds had practically heard the wheels turn in Jack's head, mulling over, how he could escape. So Reynolds was not settling for any risk. Actually, the Colonel was astonished Jack even put up so much of a fight. From his encounter with the memory erasing device he shouldn't be able to remember anything anymore, or not? Dixon had said Bosworth had only lost part of his memory, so perhaps there were still things left SG-1 remembered? For example, Jack and Teal'c had seemed able to wield a P90, whereas Sam had made no attempt to take her weapon. So was it different for anyone, what exactly they were remembering? Or were they only acting out of feelings…? Reynolds was no Doctor, so seeing that he was about to give himself a headache with those thoughts, he would gladly leave the analyzes to the scientists and concentrate on getting SG-1 back to the SGC unharmed.

Reynolds strolled over to SG-1, watching their doings. Although they were bound to the trees, one of their hands was freed, so they could eat their meals, a few of the MREs Reynolds team had packed. Reynolds stepped up to Ferretti and Warren, who were keeping a careful eye on their 'prisoners'.

"Warren, take a break.", Reynolds ordered. The Major nodded gratefully and disappeared in search of some food. Reynolds stepped up to Ferretti.

"I'd ask you to take five as well, but I assume you–?"

Ferretti interrupted Reynolds immediately. "I'm not leaving them.", he said confidently. Reynolds was not surprised, but still Ferretti explained: "Jack's my friend."

Reynolds nodded and his eyes wandered over to the silent man Ferretti had spoken of. Jack's eyes were closely observing them, the MRE in his lap almost untouched. Reynolds almost smiled at the so-typically-Jack antics. He walked over to the older man and crouched down in front of him.

"You know? It's not poisoned.", he smiled at the man.

Jack raised an eyebrow, before rolling his eyes. "Obviously.", he said, while nodding with his head towards Daniel, who was cheerfully digging in. Reynolds wanted to laugh, but held it in. Daniel Jackson was almost devouring the MRE, which left the man wondering, how SG-1 had coped the past week. What had they been eating? He'd have to ask Jack, when the man was back to his usual self. Next to Daniel Teal'c seemed immersed in his kel'no'reem, although Reynolds suspected that the Jaffa had an ear on their conversation. His MRE box was also emptied. Next to Teal'c and farthest away from Jack – Reynolds wondered how that had happened – sat Sam, her attention now closely on him and Jack, her MRE already consumed.

"So…", Reynolds continued, turning his attention back to Jack. "Why don't we talk a little? You wanna tell me, what happened?"

Again Jack raised an eyebrow, but this time it clearly conveyed something along the lines of 'are you fucking serious?'.

"What's the first thing you remember?", Reynolds asked nevertheless.

"Hey, why don't you loosen my ties and I'll show you exactly, what I remember?", Jack suggested sarcastically.

Reynolds actually snorted at that. "Nice try, old friend, but not until you're back to normal."

"I'm not your friend.", Jack declared haughtily.

Reynolds smiled sadly and tried to not take it personally. Of course Jack hadn't meant for it to become the offense as which Reynolds saw it, because he essentially couldn't remember him. Or anyone else for that matter. Which made Reynolds wonder…

"So, why did you proclaim them to be your family?", Reynolds asked curiously, pointing towards SG-1. Behind him, Reynolds heard Ferretti shuffle, obviously listening in closely. But again, Jack didn't seem willing to cooperate, because he just looked on disinterested over Reynolds shoulder. Reynolds sighed. But then a thought took hold in his brain. Well, well, let's see if he couldn't get the Colonel motivated to collaborate.

"Major!", he addressed Ferretti. "Go and bring Sam over."

Reynolds didn't see Ferretti's reaction, because he kept his eyes on Jack, but whatever the Major may think, he complied wordlessly and immediately. Still, Reynolds action had the inquired effect, as Jack's eyes instantly snapped up, first to Ferretti and then to him, his gaze blazing into Reynolds'. Almost instantly, Jack's expression cooled, shifting back to his unreadable poker face, but for a moment Reynolds had seen more rage in the man's eyes than ever before. Given, he'd not often seen Jack in action, but the quick gaze he'd been presented with reminded him once more, why most of Jack's file was blackened. The man was dangerous.

"Sir.", Ferretti announced himself and shooting a quick glance over his shoulder, Reynolds saw Sam stand in between him and the Major, her hands getting pushed against her back.

"If you so much as touch her…!", Jack growled threateningly under his breath, only loud enough for Reynolds to hear. Reynolds thought of feeling repulsed by the mere suggestion, but again Jack didn't know right now, who he was. So he was treating Reynolds as the enemy.

"How about this?", Reynolds suggested calmly. "You answer my questions and I'll leave her here. With you."

Jack was surprised, more than surprised at Reynolds' offer. Clearly, he'd expected something else. Behind them, Sam whimpered, almost inaudibly, but the tiny sound was enough for Reynolds to hear how much she wished to stay here. The Colonel's eyes flickered over to her and for a tiny second he couldn't suppress the longing in his eyes. Gotcha, Reynolds thought. And actually, it was a lecture he'd been given by Jack: just make the bait tempting enough and the fish will gladly jump onto your hook. Yeah, and Reynolds had been long enough with the SGC to know that Jack would do almost everything for his team, and probably a tad bit more for a certain Major. The bit, everyone at the SGC always overlooked when being in the presence of the Colonel and his 2IC, pretending to not have noticed anything. Thus Reynolds wasn't overly surprised, when he saw the Colonel give in.

"So. Question.", Jack ordered gruffly.

"Why do you state them to be your family?", Reynolds repeated.

Jack looked at him calculatingly, as if he couldn't understand, why this was so important to Reynolds. "Because they are."

Reynolds shook his head. "Am I right to assume you've all lost your memory?", he inquired.

Jack nodded. "We don't know, what exactly happened, but we came to at this huge metal ring. None of us remembered much."

"How did you know that none of you was an enemy?", Reynolds asked.

"Well, we all wore the same clothes…", Jack began, but Reynolds quickly busted this excuse. "Well, so do we.", he said, motioning towards his men.

"None of them attacked me.", Jack growled.

Reynolds nodded. "How did you know, who you were?"

"Samantha and I had these metal plates around our necks with our names on it. Daniel had some written documents with him with his name on them. As for T… it took a while, until one of us remembered his name, and I still have the feeling it's not his actual name, but he seems okay with it.", Jack explained.

Well, Reynolds mused, this explained, why they kept calling Sam 'Samantha'. They were sticking to her name engraved on the dog tags they had found earlier, not remembering that she was usually going by 'Sam'. "His name is Teal'c.", he informed Jack absentmindedly, motioning in Teal'c's general direction.

Jack shrugged and Reynolds assumed that the black ops soldier didn't so much as believe him a word.

Well, back to the topic. "So despite the memory loss you found out, who you all were and in what connection you stood to each other?", Reynolds questioned.

"I just said that, didn't I?", Jack shot back impatiently.

Reynolds said nothing to it, but rather waited for more. Jack sighed. "We all had these feelings… somehow we knew that we knew each other. That we were close."

"How close?", Reynolds prompted. Suddenly he had a bad feeling tingling up his spine that told him he was onto something he may not want to know.

Jack's eyes squinted. "T and I are close. I know he isn't one of us, but he is a close friend. To all of us.", he began. "Daniel and Samantha are close, but in another kind. He's her older brother. He and I are friends. Most of the time."

So far Reynolds wasn't really surprised. The feelings they had about each other matched the bonds they had formed before their memory loss. Which almost made Reynolds dread to ask…

"What about the Major and you?"

Jack seemed confused. Reynolds chastised himself immediately. He kept forgetting that ranks wouldn't tell them anything.

"Samantha.", Reynolds clarified, feeling uneasy. Jack looked up at the woman standing behind Reynolds, and for the first time since they'd found SG-1, the Colonel smiled. Serenely.

"She's my wife.", he said with absolute certainty.

Reynolds felt the air leave his lungs abruptly. Yeah, just what he'd dreaded to hear! Oh god, Jack and Sam were some of the best officers the SGC had to offer, but this here could get them in serious trouble!

"Alright…", Reynolds choked out through gritted teeth. He needed a moment to think!

Standing up swiftly, he motioned for a rather pale Major Ferretti to bind Sam next to the Colonel to the tree. The Major complied and the moment he stepped back, Jack used his unbound arm to push his untouched MRE at her. Reynolds and Ferretti trotted back a few steps, but they were still able to hear the hushed conversation between the two officers of SG-1.

"Eat.", Jack ordered her with what Reynolds recognized as his CO-voice.

Sam looked at him puzzled. "But…! What about you?"

"I'm fine.", he assured her.

Sam looked about ready to protest, when he silenced her with a well-placed stare. "Samantha, I know you haven't eaten properly this last few days! Eat! I'll be okay."

Reluctantly she nodded and then picked up the food. Jack settled back against the tree and put his free arm around her shoulders. She finished the food in record time and then, sighing, she leaned into his embrace, looking as relaxed as possible in her situation. He turned for her and placed a kiss on top of her head. She looked up and then nuzzled into his neck.

Reynolds wanted to run his hands through his hair in frustration. Catastrophe! This screamed disaster! The Colonel's thoughts were racing, contemplating what he could do to help those officers, because he damn well knew Jack would've done the same for him. Sam probably too.

"Sir?", Major Ferretti asked quietly next to him.

"Yes?", Reynolds asked back.

"Permission to speak freely?"

Reynolds sighed. "Of course, Lou. What is it?"

The Major heaved a breath. "I'd like to forget about what I just heard and saw…!", he said boldly.

Reynolds smiled at that. "Yeah, sounds like a good idea.", he admitted, before pondering: "But actually, I think it may be wiser to forget after we've helped them through this here."

Ferretti grinned to that. "You're right.", he stated. "They still need our help. But when we're through? I'm probably not remembering anything…"

"Actually.", Reynolds agreed. "I just may be, too."

A/N: One of the first things I have actually written, so the SG teams' members probably aren't really correct. I've gone with what I knew then about the teams and added cameo appearances or devised persons to fill the rows. I tried to correct it, but I'm not really sure, if i succeeded. But who cares anyways, the story isn't about them...