And here you go ... another chapter! I'm on a roll.

Clarice admitted to herself that she felt a bit intimidated – something she wasn't used to. She'd spent her adult life fighting for abused women and children and she didn't let much get to her – and she certainly didn't let things intimidate her. But this – hell, this was different. This wasn't some lawyer or angry husband – this was the American government, the Air Force – and she could admit that she was a bit freaked out. Still, she wasn't going to cave. Nope – they could bring out the big guns, real or symbolic – but she wasn't going to let them know where that young woman was hidden.

"Thank you for coming Ms Berenson", the general – she was pretty sure he had said his name was Hammond – said to her. He offered her a chair and then sat down. She glanced around at what seemed to be some kind of board room and then sat down herself. She looked at the strange metal wall behind her, wondering what was on the other side. This place, so far underground, was definitely unusual.

"So, why am I here?" She asked, calm but forthright.

"Uh – I'll get to that in a moment Ms. Berenson, but first, I need you to sign a few papers for me." He pushed a file folder towards her. "What I'm about to tell you is highly classified. Please take a few minutes and read over the papers. Once you've signed them I'll explain."

She frowned for a few minutes but then finally took the folder and opened it. Her curiosity was very definitely peeked. She read the papers carefully – she had been trained as a lawyer, even though she wasn't practicing. She read them again just to be sure and finally looked up at the general, her eyebrow raised. "Wow – sounds very serious."

"It is, I assure you."

"But tell me general – why would I want to sign these? You say you have something important to disclose, but I don't know if I really need to know – whatever it is."

"No – you probably don't", the general agreed. "However I do know a bit about you Ms. Berenson, and I know that you fight for justice for your clients and that you believe in doing what's right."

"Yes", her eyes narrowed. What was this man getting at?

"Well, I'm afraid you can't really do that without all the facts. I want to share those with you – to explain why we need the information on the young lady. Once you know, and you have all the facts, then you can make a fair and just decision."

"I'm not going to tell you where she is", Clarice answered bluntly. "No matter what you say or do."

"Even if I can prove to you, without a shadow of a doubt, that what she's told you is a lie?"

Clarice opened her mouth, but then shut it. What the general had said was the truth. She did believe in justice – and refusing to listen to all the facts was neither right nor just. "Fine – but I don't think you can convince me", she said.

"So you'll sign?"

"Yes, I'll sign." She reached for the file again and began to sign all the pages. She wondered briefly how much of her decision had to do with justice and how much had to do with her insatiable desire to find out what the hell was going on. Once she was done she closed the file and handed it back to the general.

Hammond looked at the file – carefully checking to make sure everything was signed properly. "Thank you", he said. "Now, just to remind you again of what you've signed – I'm going to tell you the most classified information our government has – and you have agreed never to disclose any of it – to anyone, ever. If you do, you will be guilty of treason against the United States and will be prosecuted. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I understand."

"Good – then we can proceed." At that Hammond hit the intercom in front of him. "Colonel – you can come in now." A few seconds later a tall, gray haired man entered the room, followed by three others – a younger, dark-haired man, an older man – dressed rather strangely in what looked like some kind of homespun clothes – and a huge, African American man with a tattoo on his forehead.

Clarice looked at the dark-haired man and immediately recognized him as the one who had approached her to get the name of the young woman who had come to her for help. When she looked at the others she suddenly wondered what the hell she'd gotten herself into. She shifted uncomfortably in her chair.

"Ms. Berenson – I believe you know Dr. Jackson?"

She nodded. "Yes, we met."

"This man here is Teal'c – he uh – works with us. Beside him is Jacob Carter – a retired general and friend. And this man is Colonel Jack O'Neill."

"What?" She sat up at that. "This is the man – there's no way in hell I'm going to deal with him." Clarice instantly recognized the name. This is the person Amy had told her had abused her. He obviously had powerful friends.

"Please", General Hammond held up his hand. "Please just listen. Colonel O'Neill has done nothing – but we'll explain, just give us a chance."

She looked at the Colonel – and saw someone who was obviously a strong man – but also someone who appeared worried and stressed. She wondered about that – although it could be that it was guilt that was making him look like that. "Fine", she snapped, "but I don't like it."

Hammond sighed, knowing this wasn't going to be easy. "This will take a bit of time, but please bear with us. I'm also afraid that you're going to have trouble believing what we're about to tell you, but I assure you, it's all true – and we can prove it."

She settled back in her chair and looked at the men at the table. She wanted to laugh and curse at the same time. They all looked worried – and well they should. She was no push over. It also didn't go unnoticed that there were no women present. This definitely was a man's Air Force!

"I'm sorry that Major Carter isn't here", Hammond suddenly informed her. "She's actually the expert on all of this, but I'm afraid she's – incapacitated at the moment.

The Colonel's eyebrows went up at that and Clarice suddenly wondered what that meant. "Uh – I hope she's okay" she answered, more to say something than because she really cared.

"She's fine", the Colonel answered with a small smile. "She's – very pregnant."

"Oh. I see – well, at least there's a woman involved. I wondered."

"Oh, she's more than just a woman", O'Neill said with a laugh. "She's our resident genius."

Clarice just nodded, not wanting to engage in conversation with the Colonel. "So", she said, turning back to the general, "what is it I need to know."

"Dr. Jackson, why don't you start? You can give her the background."

Jackson nodded and then turned to Clarice with a smile. Of all the people in the room, she felt most drawn to this man. He seemed nice – and sincere. He was also rather attractive, although too young for her. O'Neill was more her age – although she figured he'd be a challenging one – probably too challenging.

"Well – it all started back in 1928 when an artifact was discovered in Giza …" Daniel continued on with the story of the Stargate. Clarice sat quietly, listening to what seemed like a fairy tale, although the men with her all appeared to believe it.

"You're telling me – that people can travel through this – ring – to other planets?" she asked incredulously. God – they must think she was an idiot. Why in hell were they telling her all these lies? Did they really think this was going to make her tell them about Amy?

"Yes, that is true", the large African American man spoke for the first time. "I spent my life travelling through the Stargate. I was a servant to the Goa'uld – although no longer. I am now free."

Well isn't that nice, she thought to herself. This was ridiculous. She stood up. "I'm sorry – but I really don't have time for this", she started to say.

"Sit down."

"What?" She looked over at the Colonel, who had spoken softly but in a voice she knew few ignored. "You have no right -"

"Sit down Ms. Berenson", O'Neill repeated. "You said you'd listen and we're not done. I know this is hard to believe – but it is true and we will prove it to you. Now sit down."

She sat. She suddenly believed what Amy had told her. This man was frightening.

"I'm sorry Ma'am", Dr. Jackson said softly. "I know this seems crazy, but Jack's right. We can prove it to you. General?"

"Go ahead Dr. Jackson."

With that the young man stood and went to a panel on the wall and hit a button. Immediately the metal door went up. Clarice turned and watched and, with a look at the general, moved over to the window. "What is that?"

"It's the Stargate", Dr. Jackson moved to stand beside her.

"That? That's this – gate – that can take you to other worlds?"

"Yes."

"How many?" It's not that she really believed them – but – she might as well pretend."

"Thousands? Maybe hundreds of thousands – we don't really know."

"And you've been to some of them."

"Mmm hmm – but only a fraction of them."

"Why?" she asked.

"To explore – to discover new worlds, new people."

"To boldly go where no man has gone before?" she asked sarcastically. This was ridiculous! She turned sharply and strode back to the table. "I think I've seen enough. I'd like to leave now."

"Oh no", the Colonel again spoke. "you haven't seen enough at all. You clearly still think we're lying so I'm afraid we'll have to prove this to you. Teal'c – over to you."

The large man bowed his head once and then proceeded to lift his shirt. She looked at him in astonishment – what the hell was going on now? Before she had a chance to speak she noticed his abdomen – and the fact that there was some kind of mark on it. Without warning he stuck his hand into his stomach - and she screamed.

"Oh my God! What are you doing?" He didn't answer but – as she watched – he proceeded to pull something out. She thought she was going to be sick – it looked like some kind of snake.

"Meet the Goa'uld", O'Neill told her. "That is the evil alien parasite we told you about. Well – actually it's a baby evil alien. They get bigger and then they burrow into your neck and control you."

She backed away from the table, attempting to swallow. She'd just walked into a nightmare. "Who the hell are you people?"

"We told you Ms. Berenson. I'm a general with the Air Force. Everything we've told you is true. I'm sorry about the demonstration – I know it's – startling, but you have to see that Teal'c is not – human – sorry Teal'c."

"It is fine general."

"He's what we call a Jaffa – his kind have traditionally served the Goa'uld – the 'evil aliens' Colonel O'Neill spoke about. But he and many of his race are now fighting against the Goa'uld. Teal'c is a trusted ally. Uh Jacob?"

"My turn?" the older man asked jovially.

"Don't tell me you are one of these Jaffa too?" Clarice asked breathlessly. She still felt sick – and terrified – but suddenly was wondering if what she had been told was the truth.

"Nah – he's a Tokra", O'Neill told her. "They're kind of like the Goa'uld – you know, snakes in the head – but they're the good guys. At least Jacob is."

"Jack!" Jacob glared at him and the Colonel shrugged.

"Hey – you are a good guy Jacob, you and Selmac – I'm afraid the rest of you are a little suspect."

"Colonel O'Neill, this is not helping." Selmac spoke up for the first time, her deep voice startling the woman they were trying to convince.

"That's Selmac", O'Neill explained. "She's the snake."

"Colonel O'Neill!"

"Sorry Sir", Jack looked at Hammond apologetically. He just couldn't help it. He wanted to shout at this woman, instead they were trying to make her believe in everything to get her cooperation. It was driving him crazy.

"There's – you're telling me there's a snake in your head?"

Jacob sighed – leave it to Jack! "Well – technically I guess that's true, although we don't think of it like that. Selmac is a Tokra symbiote. She and I share this body. It's a – a partnership that's mutually beneficial."

"Yeah, the snake gets legs and Jacob can eat as much pizza as he wants", Jack snickered.

"For God's sake Jack!" Jacob practically exploded and the general looked angry. Daniel tried not to smirk and Teal'c raised an eyebrow.

"Sorry." Jack turned to the woman. "Look, I don't mean to be a jerk here – okay, so yes I do – but you have to understand that everything Daniel told you is the truth. I've been going through the gate for years now, as have Daniel and Teal'c and Sam."

"Sam?"

"Samantha Carter – the one we told you about."

"The woman who's pregnant?"

"Yes. Anyway, we're a team. Jacob here is a former general – and Sam's father."

"Sam is one of these – Tokra?"

"No – Jacob became Tokra when he was dying of cancer. He accepted the symbiote as a way to stay alive. They uh – have healing properties – anyway, like I said, what we're telling you is the truth. Teal'c here is from another planet and – half of Jacob is. We do travel through the gate – you can come with us if you want, if you need us to prove it to you."

"Okay – say I believe you – what does this have to do with Amy? She is a young woman who ran away because she was frightened of the father of her child – and she told me you were that man Colonel. So tell me – what do aliens and gates and other planets have to do with that?"

"They have to do with that because Amy – or Saeena, which is her real name, is also an alien. She is from another planet. And I did not abuse her. I did not hurt her in any way. In fact I've done everything I can to make sure she is okay."

"And I suppose you're not the father of her child."

O'Neill sighed and rubbed his hand through his hair. "I'm afraid that is true. Yes, I'm the father – but she's not the mother."

"What? What the hell are you saying?"

"It's true Ms. Berenson", Dr. Jackson broke in. "She's a surrogate. The child belongs to Jack and Sam – Samantha Carter. It's their child. Saeena – Amy – is a surrogate. She ran away because she wanted to keep the child, even though it's not hers. She lied about everything. She wasn't abused – in fact she was staying with one of our doctors and her daughter – you can speak to her if you want. She was doing well – at least we thought she was. We had no idea she wanted to keep the baby."

"Okay – this makes no sense! You just told me that this Samantha is pregnant. If she's pregnant then why is Amy – Saeena, whatever, carrying the baby you say is hers?"

"Because – ah hell Jack – just tell her."

Jack took a deep breath, hating that he had to tell this woman anything, but knowing it was necessary. "We were on a mission – yes, on another planet – when Sam and I were kidnapped." He paused, taking a drink of water. "We – they – the aliens, collected samples -"

"Samples?" Clarice asked, when O'Neill paused. "What kind of samples."

Jack closed his eyes briefly. He didn't need to be embarrassed – but okay, he was. "They collected sperm from me and eggs from Sam. The fertilized the eggs to create human embryos."

"What? Why?"

"Because they wanted to make hosts for the Goa'uld", he explained sharply. "it doesn't really matter why – just that they did. Anyway, we were rescued, but one of the aliens who did this escaped with some of the embryos. We followed him, but before we had a chance to capture him he'd managed to implant a couple of them – one into Saeena, the other into Sam. So, both of them are pregnant – with my – our children. The child is not Saeena's. Look, she was given the option of whether or not to carry the child and she chose to keep it. Daniel was right – we had no idea that she was having trouble with the idea of giving it up. She lied to everyone and then ran off. Look Ms. Berenson – the child she is carrying – it's mine and Sam's – and we're frantic. And Sam is pregnant and about to have a child too – and this is killing her. We need to find her."

"I – there's no way – I". Clarice took a deep breath. "All of this sounds crazy. I'm trying to believe you but – I just don't know. Aliens, other worlds, enforced pregnancies – look, I can't make a decision right now. I'll have to think about this."

"How long?" Jack asked, sounding weary. "Our babies are due any day now."

"I – don't know. I don't know if I even believe this!"

"Okay", Jack stood up. "Then you have to come with me."

"What? Where?'

"Through the gate. You don't believe us – then let us show you. We'll take you to another world and you can see for yourself that what we're saying is true."

'No – no I can't go to another world – if such a place even exists."

"Oh, it exists Ms. Berenson, and we're going to prove it to you – unless you're too afraid to come with us."

Damn it! She hated when someone challenged her like that. There was no way she was going to be accused of cowardice. "Fine – but I still don't think I'll believe you. You could be taking me to some – fake place – a set of some kind."

"General, with your permission?" Jack looked over at the older man who smiled.

"Just take care of her Jack. I don't want anything to happen to her while you're gone."

"Of course not Sir", he nodded, not missing the look of fear that crossed the woman's face. "Come on Ms. Berenson, let's get you suited up. Daniel, Teal'c, you coming?"

"What about me Jack?" Jacob asked.

"Sure Jacob – the more the merrier."

They took her to what looked like a woman's locker room and handed her a stack of clothing. After asking her shoe size she was provided with combat boots which she took carefully. This whole thing was utterly bizarre and she really didn't know quite how to react. It was only as she finished dressing that she noticed someone standing quietly by the lockers. She lifted her head and saw a very pregnant woman looking at her.

"Samantha Carter I presume", she said softly.

"Yes", the woman nodded. "And you're Clarice Berenson."

"Yes, that's me. I thought you weren't here."

"Well, Jack wanted me to stay home", she suddenly grinned, "but now that I don't serve under him, I can ignore him."

"You served under him?"

"Mmm hmm – for seven years. Now we're engaged."

"I – see. I didn't think that was allowed."

"Well, normally it's not – but because of the pregnancy – and the fact that it wasn't our fault – the Air Force has allowed us to get married."

"I – see. When you say it wasn't your fault -?"

"Didn't they explain?" Sam asked gently. "Aliens fertilized my eggs with Jack's sperm and then implanted an embryo – in both me and Saeena. Jack and I – we didn't –" Sam smiled. "We were good officers and never acted inappropriately with one another. The pregnancy wasn't either of our faults and the Air Force knew that."

"I see. Well, I'm glad it worked out for you."

"It hasn't – not yet. Not until both my babies are born and safe with me and Jack. Ms. Berenson – I respect what you do – I really do – but in this case you're wrong. Saeena is carrying my child. I don't know if you have any idea what that means – but the fact that she's run away – it's killing me, and it's killing Jack. He's already lost a son – and I lost one of our babies – and we can't lose another one. Please – I know you're all about protecting women and children but in this case – I'm afraid I'm the woman that needs protecting – and so does my child. You have to tell us where she is. You can even stay with her once we find her – and she has an advocate that's assigned to her. We don't want to hurt Saeena – I just want my child."

Clarice swallowed, suddenly finding herself beginning to believe. If what this woman had told her was true – then she'd have to rethink everything. Still, she wasn't quite ready to believe – not yet, not fully. "Uh, I think I have to go. They're waiting to take me – somewhere." She smiled. "Look, I'll think about what you said, okay? I don't want you to be hurt but – I have a responsibility to protect the women who come to me and I need to be sure."

Sam nodded. "Just please – keep an open mind, okay?"

"Okay."

"And – enjoy your first time through the gate. It's pretty – amazing."

Clarice laughed. "I hope so. I must admit, this is the last think I expected to have happen when I woke up this morning."

The blue of the – what did they call it – event horizon – was startling and strangely beautiful. It was like nothing she'd ever seen before – and her belief was starting to grow. "So – now what?" She looked at the man beside her – the man she was having a harder time believing was an abuser.

"Now? Now we go to a new planet." O'Neill turned around and looked at the general, who was standing in the room behind glass.

"You have a go Sg-1. God-speed."

"Thank you general. After you Ms. Berenson."

She looked at him with huge, frightened eyes and he wanted to laugh. Instead he held out his arm. "How about together?" She nodded and grasped his arm – tightly – and together they walked through the blue to a new world.

Sam had suggested they go to the pink tree planet. Actually, it had some usual number designation, but he's always referred to it as that – for very obvious reasons. The trees really were pink. Sam had explained the reason why that was, but as usual he'd tuned her out. He'd simply stared, thinking how much he preferred green trees, although he'd never admit that to anyone.

So – pink tree planet it was. He had agreed immediately when she had suggested it – it was probably one of the most alien looking planets they'd visited. Everything was different about it – from the pink trees, to the three moons in the sky to the weird plant and wild-life. Although they hadn't discovered any sentient life, they had discovered a number of species that were unlike anything on Earth.

Daniel had been excited – as this planet was one which hadn't seemed to have been colonized from Earth. There was no evidence that the Goa'uld have ever been here – or that anything other than small mammals had ever inhabited the planet. It was also considered safe – so a good place to introduce Ms. Berenson to other worlds.

Clarice felt like she wanted to throw up the moment she walked through that weird gate. As soon as they'd exited she'd bent over – trying desperately to not lose her dinner. She felt humiliated – and rather frightened.

"Sorry – forgot about that." O'Neill was still holding onto her arm and sounded remarkably sympathetic. "It's been a while since my first time through. It hit us all like that at first."

"Hell – I felt nauseated for months", Daniel explained. "Sam threw up."

Clarice wanted to giggle – the men were clearly trying to make her feel better – and were actually succeeding. The nausea began to die down and she slowly stood up – to see a sight she never would have imagined.

"Oh my God!" This place was – weird – wild – bizarre – like nothing she had ever seen. It was also, very obviously – real. She was pretty sure that no one could recreate something so different from Earth. She turned to her companion. "It's true – everything you told me – it's true!"

"Yup", O'Neill grinned. "So, how does it feel to be thousands of light years from home?"

"Thousands? Really?"

"Yup", he repeated. "Not quite sure how many - but I know it's a long way. You're standing on a different planet Ms. Berenson – and there aren't many people who can say that."

"My God – it's all true." She turned slowly, trying to take everything in. "The aliens – that snake inside them – I can't – I can't believe this."

"No?"

"I mean – yes, I believe it but – it's impossible."

"No, it's not. But remember, you can't tell anyone."

"I know – and that's going to kill me. How do you do it? How do you go through to other worlds on a regular basis and not tell anyone?"

"Well, it's easier for us because we have each other", O'Neill told her carefully, gently. "But it's not always easy. We do this because of Earth – we do it for our planet and our people. We do it because it's right."

At that Clarice looked up at Colonel O'Neill – and looked deep into his eyes. What she saw there was the thing that finally convinced her. "I'll tell you where she is", she said, "but first I'd like to speak with her."

Jack closed his eyes, embarrassed at the moisture that immediately filled them. "Thank you. That means – everything."

She smiled slightly – the man's emotion convincing her completely that she was making the right decision. "Uh – but can I look around a bit first? I mean – I expect this is my one and only time through the gate and I would like to make the most of it."

"Of course", Jack laughed. "Hey Daniel – we should see if we could find one of those squats for her."

"Squats?" She asked, curious.

"Jack named it that", Daniel explained. "He figured it looked like a combination of a squirrel and a cat – hence 'squat'. Only he could come up with something like that!"

Clarice laughed. She had visited another planet and she was going to see a squat! Her life was very strange.

Jack watched as the woman followed Daniel and Jacob. He then glanced over to where Teal'c was standing, watching him.

"It has been a good day O'Neill", his friend commented.

He looked around at the strange world and nodded. "Yup – a great day Teal'c, a great day."