Summary: Memory tampering yet again, but not quite what you might expect.

Pairing: Jack/Sam

A/N: Oh look, a new chapter. I'm starting to get back in the groove, so to speak. We're working our way more into the plot now, so hopefully I can keep the updates flowing.

A/N 2: Sorry about the delay in updates. I lost my mother very unexpectedly and I've had trouble concentrating on the stories I'm working on.

Disclaimer: We all know the drill; I don't own them and I am not making any money off this. It's just for entertainment. Please don't forget to review: we writers need our sustenance. :o)

Not Again! by Oz Lovi

Last Time: "Daniel!" she squeaked before tossing a small piece of bread at him. That only succeeded in making him laugh. It wasn't often that he got the chance to fluster her and she did do the same to him yesterday. After a moment she finally gave a low chuckle herself.

Once everyone had settled down they finished their meals and finalized their plans. If all went to plan, -yeah when did that ever happen-, they would be back on Earth in two weeks.

Chapter Ten

The day had gone by rather calmly and by afternoon Daniel was starting to do some cautious poking around. His target was the older, Head Sentry that Sam had told him about one evening. The man had apparently been in charge for a long time and his son was also now working as a sentry in the palace. Being as inconspicuous as possible, he walked by the older man and 'accidentally' lost his balance. Grabbing his ribs as if in pain, which was unfortunately not all acting, Daniel accepted the hand the other man offered to steady himself. "Thank you. The ribs aren't completely healed up yet and sometimes it gets the better of me."

"It's alright. I've broken a few myself over the years." The older man let go of Daniel's arm and resumed his post by the inner palace doors.

That was the opening he'd been hoping for. Determined to get a conversation started, Daniel gave the man a look of awe. "Really? I would have thought it would be much safer here in the palace."

Giving the younger man a quizzical look, the sentry hesitated before deciding that his curiosity was genuine. "I served in the border wars for many years before I was given this post. Our current leader is the third I have served. The first fell in battle, the second..." He paused and seemed to rethink answering any further.

"What happened? Oh I'm sorry, if it's forbidden to speak of it I don't want to cause you any trouble or dishonor you or something." Watching the the sentry closely, he could tell he was starting to cave. Daniel had done his best to sound truly regretful of his apparent offense, and the other man seemed to be going along with it.

Heaving a sigh the sentry looked Daniel in the eyes, "It is not forbidden. No one knows what happened to him. Not for certain."

Ah ha, he may be onto something here. Of the various servants he'd spoken to, this man was the first to seem to have any idea of what occurred. "May I ask what you think happened?"

With a suspicious gaze, the sentry considered Daniel for a moment. "You are a friend of Samantha? The one that saved the worker in the mine?" Getting only a nod in reply he continued to question him. "Are you to be trusted or is our new leader unknowingly harboring a traitor?"

Daniel was honestly taken aback, "I would never do something to intentionally hurt him or Samantha. She's like a sister to me. And believe me, if I did something against him it would hurt her." The other man still hesitated, so Daniel did the only thing he could. He told the truth. "He asked me to find out what happened to the previous ruler. If you don't want to believe me, you can ask him and Samantha both. I was trying to be discreet and you are the only person so far that seems to have any idea what went on."

Looking around the large hall, the sentry spotted one of his men and beckoned him over. "Take this post, I am needed by his highness." The younger sentry nodded and took up his position. The older man headed toward Jack and Sam's room with Daniel in tow. At the door he knocked loudly and waited. It was only a moment before Jack opened it with a puzzled look on his face.

"Daniel, did you get yourself in trouble?" All Daniel did was put his hands up in a 'not a clue' gesture.

"Highness, may I enter?" Getting a nod the older man stepped in with Daniel. The second the door shut he asked, "Do you trust this man?" Again he only received a nod. "You told him to find information as to the disappearance of your predecessor?"

"Yes I did."

The sentry gave a slight bow toward Daniel and stated, "No one knows for certain what became of him, but I do have suspicions as do a few of the other long time sentries. There was some dissension among the ranks, if you will. The generals did not agree with his plans to pull away from the few remaining border conflicts and focus on the reconstruction of our lands."

"You think they got him out of the way, so they could keep some control and spur on the war?" Daniel was shocked. He'd thought that maybe someone wanted control and had tried to use Jack to get it, but to do it because they wanted more war? What were these men thinking?

"They installed me as the new leader because I'm a soldier and they thought they could control me. That figures." Seeing both men give him a puzzled look, Jack explained, " The past few meetings I've had with them have been about the war. I didn't realize that it was down to only a few small skirmishes and disputes. They put it forth as an invasion force trying to push their way in to take over. So far, I haven't ordered any withdraw of troops from the borders because I didn't want to risk a larger conflict if they pushed into the area farmland." Knowing that the generals were the one's that had messed with his memories, made Jack certain that they were behind the true leader's disappearance.

"We need to find out what they actually did with the previous ruler. Can you think of any way to find out without the generals knowing about it?" Daniel directed his question to the sentry, who seemed deep in thought.

After a moment he looked up at the others with determination. "I know of someone that may be able to assist us. If your predecessor is alive, what do you intend to do?"

Jack hadn't expected the question, but it was valid. If this man was going to risk his neck to find the information, which the generals would not want to be found, they should be up front with him. "I intend to reinstate him as the rightful leader and go home."

"Why would you do such a thing? You have power and privilege. Not to mention your Samantha."

"I've never desired power or privilege. As for Samantha, we'll have each other no matter what happens." The sincerity and certainty in his voice was no act and the other man could obviously tell.

"Where is home?"

Daniel picked up the explanation, "Through the stargate. Our world is very far away and that's how we get there."

The older man gave them a stunned look. "You were the visitors that came through the circle to meet with our leader. I was not part of the force detailed to escort you or I would have recognized you on sight." Giving Jack a narrowed look he asked, "Why did you take the position of leadership so willingly?"

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