For the first time in a long time Jack felt comfortable. He was warm and relaxed and surrounded by the most wonderful, soft blanket. There was something lying just outside his consciousness, something that told him he shouldn't be feeling this way. Not only was it somehow wrong, he was pretty sure that if he allowed himself to think too hard, the comfort would leave and the pain would return.

For now, however, he just allowed himself to rest and enjoy and not to think. He could worry about – whatever it was – later. He figured he deserved this, even though he knew it was only for a short while.

He must have drifted off again, because this time, when he woke up, he was more aware. He knew instantly that the ground underneath was hard and uncomfortable, the air around him frigid, and every bone and muscle in his body ached. The only good news was that most of him – except for the part in direct contact with the ground, was warm.

He managed to pry his eyes open. It must have taken him at least ten seconds to realize that S – ur Carter was lying right next to him, sound asleep. Why the hell she was there he had no idea, although part of him decided to just ignore it and enjoy. He continued to look at her until something began to niggle in his subconscious. He was starting to remember bits and pieces and they were making him decidedly uncomfortable …. Kinsey – Morris – Stargate – Crap! They'd come through the gate and had ended up on this god-forsaken planet made of ice.

He next started remembering the trip from the gate to the caves – he glanced around – yup, they were in the caves all right. After that things grew a little hazy, although he remembered being tired and cold. He frowned – he'd said something to Sam but couldn't quite remember …

Just then Carter's eyes opened, slowly. She clearly needed a moment to figure out where she was as well. It was when those eyes focused on him, and grew suddenly big, that he knew she had remembered.

It was at that precise moment that a memory of his own popped into his mind. He winced and closed his eyes. Oh god … He finally opened them again and looked at her.

"Uh Carter – tell me I didn't –"

"Didn't what Sir?" she asked softly, although there was a slight twinkle in her eye.

"That I didn't uh – ask you to – uh -"

"To what Colonel?"

"Hell – to you know!"

"Sleep with you Sir?" The twinkle grew into a huge grin. "Fraid so Colonel. The President heard it clearly too."

"Crap!" He closed his eyes, although they popped open almost immediately. Carter seemed way too relaxed about the whole thing. "uh Carter – It kind of looks like you took me up on the offer."

This time she winced, and turned a little red. With a small shrug – which looked and felt quite amazing, considering their close quarters – she explained. "Well, you were freezing cold and we were worried about you. I explained to the President that all you meant was that in emergency situations it's a good idea to share body heat to stave off hypothermia."

He was silent for a moment. "He believed you?" he asked.

She shrugged again. "Well, he ordered me to get in – to slee – to keep you warm Sir. He kept watch while I – uh – was here. I meant he watched the prisoners." She started to push back the covers. "I guess it's his turn now."

"He's not sleeping with me!" Jack stated categorically.

Sam laughed and pushed herself to her knees. She then fixed the covers around him. "No, I'm sure he doesn't want that either Sir. You just rest and keep warm and Siler will get us back in no time."

He scowled, hating the fact that he was stuck on his ass – well, on his back to be precise, while Carter and Hayes looked after everything. He heard a rustling sound and then the President's voice came to him from overhead.

"Feeling warmer Jack?" he asked. Jack listened carefully but could discern no sarcasm or humor in the other man's voice. He finally looked up, to see Henry with nothing more than a concerned look on his face.

"I'm fine Sir", he said, attempting to push himself up. Before he had a chance to do much, Hayes had knelt down and put his hand on Jack's shoulder.

"Take it easy – no need to get up. Kinsey and Morris are secure and Major Carter will watch them. Nothing else for you to do."

"How long was I out?" he asked Henry.

"Almost three hours. You're looking a bit better – I was worried about you when we got here. You were almost dead on your feet and you were a bit delirious."

"Yeah, about that – I think I said some things -"

"Nothing that I can remember Jack. You just muttered a bunch of nonsense and I didn't even pay attention."

Jack peered at his Commander and Chief for a moment and then nodded. "Thanks."

"No problem", Henry grinned. "Now, I'm going to get some shut-eye myself – and no, I'm not going to snuggle with you. I am however, going to bunk down beside you so let me know if you need anything."

Jack nodded again and then allowed his eyes to drift shut. Carter was in charge and he knew he could rest. He once again decided to allow himself freedom to dream what he knew he shouldn't – but what the hell, he could still smell her as if she was next to him, and he still felt her warmth. What would a few dreams matter?

"General Hammond, this is Lieutenant Sutherland – from Quantico Sir. I helped Colonel O'Neill and the President escape." He listened for a moment. "Yes Sir – thank you. But I want to know what I can do to help now. We have to rescue the others so that Sergeant Siler can get Colonel O'Neill, President Hayes and Major Carter back home."

Hammond conferred quietly with Sutherland and Frasier in the SGC – and Colonel Bye on his side. They knew they had to do something to get more soldiers down into the base and to save his people.

"Listen, here's what I want you to do." Hammond spoke for the next ten minutes. "Do you have that?"

"Yes Sir", Sutherland looked at Janet and then nodded. "It'll take us a while since there are only the two of us."

"We'll wait for your signal. Good luck!"

After the young Marine signed off he looked at the Doctor and grinned. "Okay Dr. Frasier – let's kick some butt!"

The first thing they did was wait until it was officially 'night –time'. In the underground base, with only artificial lighting it was impossible to know the time or whether it was night or day, but the base was on a twenty-four hour schedule and at nine o'clock the lights dimmed automatically – unless there was an override. They both figured that the soldiers, as well as their people, would be tired – all except for Teal'c that was. There would be patrols and watches, but many of the soldiers would bunk down for at least a few hours.

"How long until the guys in the brig wake up?" Sutherland whispered. They couldn't afford to have more enemies patrolling around.

"Another hour or so is all", Janet replied.

Sutherland thought for a moment. "Let's see who they have watching them. Do you still have some of the sedative?"

"Uh – yeah. You want me to give them more?", she asked, sounding a bit concerned.

"If you can. Let's check it out."

It turned out that there were two men watching the unconscious people. They were playing cards in the brig, where Gabriel and the others were 'sleeping'. Neither of the guards knew what hit them as they were taken down by a zat.

"Do your stuff Doc." The young Marine watched as Janet Frasier pulled out her supplies and proceeded to inject everyone – including the guards. Afterward she put the needles in a portable 'safes' container and then turned to her co-conspirator. "Okay, we have another four to six hours."

"Good – and we got rid of two more. Let's head to the exit."

The two of them walked quietly, but purposefully towards access shaft Z-28. It was in the remotest part of the base and was the most difficult to access. The shaft itself was narrow and old and it ended in a part of the base used only for storage. The room in which it was found was small, practically a closet. It was for that reason that they'd chosen it.

Sutherland held up his hand, silently stopping the Doc. He made some gestures, and she nodded in reply. Squatting down she lifted the small mirror she carried and slowly, carefully stuck it around the doorway into the small room. She watched closely and then turned and mouthed 'four' to the young man who gave her a thumbs up sign.

The two officers – one Air Force, the other a Marine, placed small objects up and down the hallway. Once done, Janet pulled open her pack and pulled out a strange looking machine. Once that was done she and Sutherland opened a door in the hall and quietly entered, closing but not latching the door.

"All set?" she asked. He nodded and then both of them placed a mask over their heads. He watched as Janet then looked down at the small machine and flicked a switch. Immediately there was a soft 'hum'. "I hope this works", she whispered through the mask. He smiled and held up crossed fingers.

They both stood there for another few seconds when there was an abrupt 'pop', followed by a series of other ones. They heard a shout and soon three of the four men in the small room had poured into the hallway now filled with smoke.

"Radio Javitz!" one of them said frantically, coughing and sputtering.

"I'm trying! I can't get through!"

"I can't either Sarge! My radio isn't working."

"What the hell is going on? Someone has to be trying to get inside. Watch your backs! Mario – watch the shaft and make sure no one gets in. I'm going for Javitz!"

As the soldiers were speaking, Sutherland had slowly pushed open the door and pulled out his zat. The smoke was so thick by this time that he couldn't see anything, but he sprayed the hallway with zat fire and heard, rather than saw, three 'thuds' as bodies hit the ground.

Janet had made her way quickly to the small room where one man had remained. She knew this was the most dangerous part. The man inside had to know that something was really wrong and he'd be dangerous. She could get herself shot!

She took a deep breath and pulled off her mask. Stepping up beside the door, but not in front of it, she shouted inside. "Are you okay in there soldier?"

There was a cough but no answer. He wasn't stupid this one, she thought. "Soldier – it's me, Stephanie Jenks – I worked with Dr. Gabriel and Vice-President Kinsey. The drug wore off and I was sent to check on you guys and bring you something to drink. Are you okay?"

There was another cough and then – "come in and let me see you", the young soldier said. "Keep your hands in the air where I can see them."

By this time Sutherland was beside her and he gave her the go ahead with a mouthed 'be careful'. She gave a quick okay and stepped forward into the doorway. She just prayed that the soldier had never seen Jenks.

"You the nurse?" the young soldier asked as soon as she walked into the room.

"Yes. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine – what's going on? Where are the others?"

"They've gone to get help. It looks like someone up top is trying to send down chemicals to get us out of here. I just want to check and make sure you're okay. This stuff can be nasty."

The soldier looked at the tiny woman in front of him and visibly relaxed, although he didn't drop his weapon. As Janet approached he grew startled and lifted his gun. "What are you doing?"

"Just checking you out", she said reasonable. "Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you."

He looked at her and again relaxed. There was something in her voice that made him trust her – which was his biggest mistake, something he realized as soon as he convulsed in pain from the zat.

"Thanks Lieutenant", Janet said. "What of the others?"

"I'll tie them up if you want to let the General know we've secured the shaft."

With a relieved grin – and a slightly guilty look at the downed soldier, she clicked her radio. When it didn't work she frowned, until she remembered the scramble device that Siler had rigged up. She quickly retrieved it from the other room and turned it off.

"General Hammond?"

"Yes Dr. Frasier?"

"Entrance secured Sir. You can come down anytime!"

"Nice job. We'll be there shortly."

Teal'c had watched silently for all the hours that they were held in the one room. The soldiers had taken the prisoners, one at a time, to use the facilities, but other than that they hadn't been able to move. He knew that the humans would be getting hungry, and both they and Javitz' men had to be very tired. The General himself appeared increasingly nervous and couldn't sit still for more than a few minutes at a time. He paced around the room and went back and forth between the Briefing room, Hammond's office and the Control room. He seemed fascinated with the gate, but hadn't ventured into the gate room itself. It was as if he was frightened of it.

"Marcos, go check on Gabriel. He and the others should be waking up about now. After that check to make sure that all the entrances are secure. We don't want someone trying to sneak onto the base."

"Yes Sir."

Teal'c watched as the man 'Marcos' left. There remained only six of the infiltrators, Javitz included. He glanced surreptitiously at the man 'Mercer'. He wondered about him. O'Neill had seemed to have viewed him differently, although Teal'c didn't know whether to trust him or not.

So far he had not had the chance to do anything without putting the others at risk. The SGC people were all sitting at the table, silent now although for a while they'd made desultory conversation. A few of them had their heads resting on the table, appearing to be asleep. The soldiers also looked tired and bored. Teal'c wished for a diversion so that he could take the General down.

Janet watched as Sutherland tied up the four soldiers. They were coming around now, but he simply warned them to be still. "We won't hurt you. We just need you to be quiet", he told them as he stuffed gags in their mouths. He then pulled them into the small room and jammed the door shut with a metal bar. "That should hold them long enough to allow the General and his people to get down."

They both waited, knowing it wouldn't be long before their rescue team arrived, although the seconds seemed to move slowly. Janet suddenly tilted her head and listened carefully.

"I think they're coming", she finally said. "I hear voices."

"Yeah – well I think we've got someone coming down here too", he stood up suddenly and quietly walked to the end of the hallway. Before he had a chance to react there was a shout. Damn it! They'd been seen and whoever it was had turned and taken off at full speed.

"He's going to warn the others", she cried. "General", she thumbed the radio. "We've been made. It would be good if you would get here now Sir!"

The claxons went off – obviously whoever had seen them had decided to warn everyone that someone was coming.

The moment the alarms went off Teal'c knew it was time. Without pause he launched himself at General Javitz. There was a short burst of gunfire and everything went black.

Jack woke up, this time for good. It wasn't that he felt particularly rested, it was just that his body didn't seem to want to let him sleep anymore. Unfortunately, this time waking up wasn't nearly as nice. There was no warm wom – ur hot water bottle next to him. Instead, he could hear the snores of the President. With a soft groan he pushed himself to a sitting position and looked around the dim cave.

Sam was sitting on a rolled up sleeping bag, leaning up against a pack of supplies watching the two prisoners. Kinsey and Morris were glaring at her, but she seemed unperturbed by their expressions. Looking carefully at Carter he was pretty sure it was a façade on his Major's part. For a fact he knew she was really pissed at Kinsey. He'd really better not try anything or he was going to be in trouble.

With another groan he managed to push himself to his feet – which finally caused Sam to turn away from the prisoners towards him. "Sir – you shouldn't be up!"

"Sorry Major but – nature calls."

"Oh – uh – the latrine is just outside to the right about twenty paces."

"Thanks Major. I'll be right back."

"Are you sure you can handle it on your own Sir?" she asked innocently.

It was only when he turned to stare at her that she seemed to realize what she'd said. If it hadn't been so dim in the cave he was pretty sure he would have seen her turn all sorts of shades of red. "I've been handling it on my own for quite a few years Major, although if you really want to help …?"

She choked and finally had to put her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing. He grinned back at her, enjoying the brief – if slightly naughty – interlude. "I'll call if I need your help Major", he told her as he limped out of the cave. It was only when he was outside that he admitted that he wished he could call on her! Not that he needed help – but the handling part. "Stop it O'Neill", he warned himself. "You're so gonna get your ass in trouble."

Just the short walk to the latrine – in the frigidly cold weather – seemed to take everything out of him. When he returned he managed to make it over to Sam and sit down or, to be truthful, collapse beside her.

"Jack?" she looked at him worriedly.

"I'm fine – okay, so not fine but I'll do. It's just cold out there!"

"Here, move closer and drape this around you." She stood up and grabbed a blanket and put it over his shoulders. "And here, you need something to eat." She retrieved an MRE and began to heat it up.

"Why how sweet", Morris sneered. "Your little woman looks after you real good, doesn't she O'Neill?"

Jack looked up at the bruised and battered Marine and decided not to hit him again, although he felt like it. "This 'little woman' has saved me, the Earth and in fact the whole god-damned galaxy numerous times. She's also kicked more alien butt that anyone I know." He turned to Carter. "How many Jaffa have you killed so far?"

"Uh – not quite sure Sir", she answered with a straight face. "I'm afraid I lost count a few years back."

"You hear that Morris?" I suggest you keep your mouth shut unless you'd like to experience what a pissed off Sam Carter can do. Little woman!" he shook his head. "Kinsey, you really pick 'em, don't you."

"I didn't pick him O'Neill", Kinsey answered calmly. "But he is right – you and Major Carter are getting awfully cozy. I always knew something was going on between the two of you and it's obvious I was right."

"You're talkin' out of a hole Kinsey – and it's not your mouth. Carter and I are friends and colleagues, nothing more. Although that would confuse you I guess, since you have neither. You have lackeys and sycophants and they're a totally different breed."

Kinsey laughed and moved his body to get more comfortable. As much as he was trying to look as if he didn't have a care in the world, Jack could tell the man was pale and sweaty. He's scared, Jack realized. Good! He should be.

"You really don't get it, do you O'Neill. What I am trying to do here is save our planet. You think I did all this for personal gain?"

O'Neill pursed his lips and thought for a moment – making it very obvious. "Uh – yes", he finally answered.

"Well I didn't", Kinsey answered angrily. "I did this for you – don't laugh Major – I did this for everyone, everyone on Earth. Hayes was too weak to see what was happening. He pandered to all our so-called 'allies', giving our best and getting nothing in return. We are the ones who should rule the galaxy – not the Goa'uld or the Tokra or the Asgard. Humans are the best this universe has to offer and damn it, we need to start letting others see that, not giving in to our allies and sitting back and twiddling our thumbs."

"So, you think by staging an assassination, framing innocent people and taking over you're going to show everyone how superior humans are?" Jack leaned back and laughed. "I always knew you were a fool Kinsey. All you're gonna do is confirm to our allies that humans are not to be trusted. Your actions aren't going to save Earth, they're going to make it more vulnerable when aliens out there realize we are fighting among ourselves for power – yes, don't deny it – for power and control."

"If only you'd joined me O'Neill. Together we could have made Earth strong, invincible. Instead we're weak and as long as Henry is in charge we'll stay that way!"

It was at that moment that Jack realized that Kinsey was crazy. Not crazy bad, but crazy crazy. He was a megalomaniac and out of touch with reality. He just shook his head.

"Darn", he said. "And here I could have been working with a self-centered bastard who thinks he knows better than anyone. What a missed opportunity! Wait – I'm afraid that I'm pretty happy where I am now. You'll be gone soon Kinsey – gone and obsolete."

There was silence in the cave after that. Morris was either asleep, pretending or he was actually unconscious. Jack didn't really care while. Kinsey didn't seem to want to talk anymore – at least not for now. As a result, Jack felt his eyelids begin to close again and knew he needed to get back to bed.

"I'll help Sir", Sam said gently. She stood and helped him to his feet. "I'll just walk with you to your sleeping bag. I'll keep watching the prisoners. Siler should be here soon too."

She helped Jack get back into his sleeping bag. Sam wanted to reach out and stroke his head, but knew that it would be construed wrongly by some of the people there. She sighed – why did life have to be so complicated?

"It wasn't to preserve heat", Jack mumbled.

"What Sir?' She leaned forward to try and figure out what he was saying.

"It wasn't to preserve heat", he said again. After a longish pause he spoke again. "Really did – do – want to sleep with you Carter."

She stared at him for a moment and watched as his breathing evening out and he was sound asleep. It was only then that she spoke.

"Me too Sir – me too."