Stargate Command
Colorado Springs, CO
September 25, 1997

"All right. Wait a minute. Let… Let me get something straight here. Engaged?"

Catherine chuckled at his bewilderment. "Didn't I tell you you would have liked Samantha?"

Jack's mind was spinning from the revelation. He still wasn't sure what to think of Daniel's story but it didn't seem like something he'd make up. Teal'c's theory about it being a vision didn't really jibe either, at least not with the engaged part. He hadn't told anyone about his night with Sam or that he'd wanted more, so how could Daniel have possibly known?

But damn, engaged?! He'd liked her a lot and enjoyed the time they spent together in DC, but that wasn't the same as getting married. Sure, if they'd lived in the same area and his life wasn't so weird, he would have wanted to try dating or a serious relationship. Hell, he'd even suggested as much back then before she'd reminded him of the long distance and how it wouldn't work. She'd been right, of course; it was unfair for him to expect her to be there whenever he was actually on Earth and in the neighborhood. But Jack knew Sam was the kind of woman he liked. The one he'd fall for, hard, if given the chance.

Right now, though, he would be happy with just knowing she was still alive. They hadn't heard anything about a Tau'ri female off-world and for all they knew, she really was dead. No one deserved that kind of fate, but especially not someone like Sam. She'd accomplished so much for the greater good and was kind, funny and crazy intelligent. Jack hadn't given up hope of finding her yet, just like he was still hopeful they'd find Sha're and Skaara, but he also had to be realistic.

"I told you, I must have ended up in an alternate reality or something when I touched that mirror on P3R-233. Those exist, right Catherine?"

Pulled from his thoughts by Daniel's question, Jack turned to the older woman for an explanation as well.

"Um, I believe the whole concept of alternate realities, entire alternate universes, was predicted by Einstein a long time ago… but that isn't really my area of expertise. Unfortunately, Samantha was the physics expert. We're still looking for a replacement for her, but considering the budget review it might not even be necessary."

"If I wasn't in an alternate reality, then why couldn't you guys find me on that planet? And how did I get this injury?" Daniel indicated his bandaged shoulder. "It's not like there was a staff weapon in that lab, unless you think Teal'c shot me."

"I did not."

Jack clapped the Jaffa on his back. "Yeah, didn't think you did, T."

"So, was I there? In that alternate reality of yours," Kershaw asked, looking at Daniel with curiosity.

The archaeologist grimaced and shook his head. "Nope. I know I was most likely dead because Egypt had been bombed," he referenced to his telling of events earlier, "but I have no idea where you were, Christina."

"Serves you right," Catherine said with a teasing smile, "for being rude to me when I invited you to join the translational team, Daniel."

Jack rolled his eyes at all the questions, although he had to admit he found it hard to believe his alternate him was a general according to Daniel. And engaged, he reminded himself. To Sam. The hot blonde who'd dazzled him with her luminous smile that day in the bar. He briefly wondered if their alternates had met the same way. Had the other Sam taken the other him up on his offer to stay in touch?

Christ, he hadn't ever considered getting married again. Not after screwing up his marriage and destroying Sara in the process. So, what was it about this alternate version of himself that made the guy capable of committing himself like that again – to love like that again? Maybe if Charlie hadn't died… Or maybe, Jack thought, he should be asking what it was about Sam that made the other him to risk his heart again.

And hell, did this all mean he actually believed Daniel's crazy story? Well, it wasn't like his life hadn't been weird the past year, he thought. If aliens were alive, then why wouldn't alternate realities be a, um, reality?

"… maybe if we tell him, he sees why the Program is so important," Daniel said.

"Huh?" Jack raised a brow when everyone was looking at him.

"Daniel Jackson suggested revealing Apophis' plans of attack to Senator Kinsey for him to understand the value of Stargate Command."

Jack made a face at the thought of the upcoming hearing. He just knew that damn Samuels – a lieutenant colonel now, talk about failing upwards – had poisoned the senator's mind about the SGC. Hammond hadn't told them much yet, but Jack could read the General pretty well after working with him for months. The man was clearly concerned, especially if he called on Jack of all people to defend the SGC's importance to some pencil pusher. "Thank you, Teal'c. For right now, I think it would be best to keep that bit of information to ourselves, though. Our little ace in the hole, okay Daniel?"

"Why?"

"Just because."

Catherine eyed him in that way she had, before nodding to herself. "I agree with Jack, Daniel. Let's wait and see what will happen in the hearing first."

"I just can't believe one man has so much power," Kershaw said chagrined and turned to him. "Do you really think they'll close down the base if the Senator isn't convinced by us, Sir?"

Jack rubbed a hand over his face and sighed. "I don't know, Lieutenant. Could be. It's certainly not what you signed up for, is it?"

To his surprise, she chuckled. "Are you kidding me, Colonel? I might not have known what I was signing up for, but this is the best assignment I've ever had. I'll be pissed if they shut us down, especially if it's because some politician disagrees with how the General runs things. I know it's probably different for you because of your experience in black ops and stuff, but can you imagine a better way to learn about ground combat for someone like me?"

"Can't argue with that, Kershaw," he replied, smirking. Sometimes, he forgot she was still green and that, combined with the fact she was a woman, meant SG-1 had to be the assignment of a lifetime. Where else would they let women fight on the front lines?

"But don't you think anything after this will seem… well, disappointing, I guess?"

Kershaw looked up and shrugged. "I'm Air Force, Daniel. The brass decides where I'm needed and that's where I go to serve my country. I still count myself lucky for having been assigned to SG-1 in the first place."

"Ah, to be young again," Catherine said, smiling. "For me, it ends here with the Program. If they shut it all down, I'll retire again and focus on Ernest. And I suspect the same goes for you, Jack?"

"Sure, I retired once." He frowned, realizing the idea wasn't as appealing as it once was. If only he'd be able to save Sha're, Skaara and Sam before that senator shut it down…

"If this world does not intend to continue its struggle against the Goa'uld, then here I do not belong."

Daniel nodded as Teal'c spoke. "I might join you. I know I'm not a warrior like you or Jack, but I made a promise to Sha're and her father."

"Let's just hope that won't be necessary," Catherine said, getting up from her seat. "There is still a chance we will be able to convince this Senator Kinsey. But not on an empty stomach, so why don't we all get some breakfast?"

Goa'uld Mothership
Planet unknown

Bra'tac and another Jaffa had escorted Sam back to her private chambers and it had taken her a minute to realize she needed to dismiss them before they would actually leave. Bra'tac had given her an inquiring look when she sent the human servants away as well, but she needed her privacy. The moment they were gone, she ran to the other side of the room and threw up in a basin. It didn't take long to empty her stomach contents and it was mostly bile - she couldn't even recall the last time she'd eaten anything. But it wasn't until the dry heaving stopped that she turned away. She cleaned her mouth with water from a nearby pitcher and finally took a good look around the room. It was different from before the ceremony; there was a steaming bath waiting for her.

Sam almost sighed with relief and made her way over to the tub. She couldn't wait to feel clean again. Her hands trembled when she stripped and by the time she was sitting in the bath, her whole body was shaking and tears started rolling down her cheeks. The water sloshed around her but not even its heat could warm her up; she was chilled to the bone. She pulled up her knees and wrapped her arms around them, making herself as small as possible.

All the feelings she'd been holding back during the ceremony came crashing down around her and a sob racked her body. She couldn't believe what had just happened. That she'd actually… that he had…

Shaking herself, Sam grabbed a nearby cloth and used it to wipe away her tears, before cleansing her whole face. She moved onto her neck and arms, grimacing at the makeup stains on the cloth and the mess it made on her arms because of the oil on her skin. She started rubbing harder as she remembered the slick feel of Klorel's hands on her skin and didn't stop until the flesh started to redden. God, why had she done it? Let him do it? Her stomach churned at the memory of Klorel's hands and mouth on her, him being inside of her, his grunts of pleasure…

"No, no, no…" All traces had to be removed. His sweat, saliva and semen… God, she had to get it off! Frantically, she started scrubbing until her skin was pink and clean. Her thighs were almost raw by the time she stopped but just the thought of him touching her intimately and his semen covering her made her skin crawl.

"Calm down," she muttered. Breathing heavily, she leaned back in the tub and put the cloth away. She closed her eyes and tried to focus.

Carters aren't quitters.

Sam grimaced at her father's old mantra. He was right, of course. She had simply done what she needed to do to survive. There was no changing that. If she hadn't gone along with the ceremony, either Apophis and Klorel or Herit would have noticed. Just the thought of having to put herself in that position was enough to make her sick again, but it had been the only way.

"Enough moping around, Sam," she told herself. This was the situation she found herself in after her own CO betrayed her; she would have to make the best of it if she wanted to survive. At least she was still in control of her own body, even if the things she had to do to keep up the pretense were repulsive. It was time to start acting like a Goa'uld and she was pretty sure they didn't usually have meltdowns in their baths. What if someone came in and saw her like this?

Angrily wiping at her tears, Sam got up and stepped out of the tub. She winced when she walked over to the mirror after grabbing a towel. Her body was sore and it hurt, but there was no time to dwell on it. The mirror's reflection showed small bruises were already forming and she could see the spots where Klorel had nipped at her skin or been otherwise rough with her. Herit had mentioned something about going into the sarcophagus after the ceremony to heal, but Klorel had called dibs on it and Sam had no idea how long he'd be in there. How was she supposed to cover up?

Her gaze lingered on her abdomen and she gently placed a hand on it. Pregnant. She still couldn't quite believe it but knew it to be true. Herit had been pretty insistent on Sam keeping the baby and that scared her. The Goa'uld – all three of them – had been rather eager for her to become Herit's host so why would Herit willingly go to sleep and give up control for Sam to be able to carry her unborn child?

Jack.

That was the only reason she could think of; they saw him as the leader of the Tau'ri and wanted revenge on him. She had felt Herit's probing and apparently the Goa'uld had discovered who'd impregnated her. They would use the baby to either lure or torment Jack and that was unacceptable.

Sam knew she had to get away from Klorel and Apophis. She couldn't tell them about the pregnancy, like Herit had wanted. That meant there wasn't much time left, though. Soon, she would start showing, especially if Klorel wanted more… intimacy.

Gulping, she wrapped the towel around her body. That didn't matter. Nothing did. She had someone else to think of now. The baby's safety had to come first. Even if it meant she would have to go along with everything Klorel wanted until there was a chance to escape.

Home wasn't a possibility anymore. At least, not anytime soon. Not after Grieves had betrayed her. Who knew what he'd told everyone? For all she knew, she'd been labeled as a traitor and her father had buried an empty casket on his own. If he'd even bothered to show up…

Shaking herself, Sam tried to lose that train of thought. There was no point in it. Right now, all that mattered was escaping. Not to Earth. She had no GDO or IDC and there was a good possibility a firing squad would await her on the other side of the gate, even if she somehow managed to get them to open the iris for her. She had to go somewhere safe, without Herit realizing it and taking back control…

"I'll find a way," she murmured, one hand brushing over her belly.