I need to apologize to everyone for a mistake in the last chapter. Two of my readers kindly pointed out that I had Hammond send through a MALP, which would have stayed by the gate on Mariscola as there was no way to get it back. Since this would have messed up the story - I am doing a retrofit of the chapter. It's kind of a strange thing to do - so I am sorry - but better that than trying to figure out what the heck to do with a big piece of equipment lying around. So - for the sake of the story - I have now changed the MALP in the last chapter to a UAV. We will all just all pretend that it flew away from the gate and crash landed in the middle of the desert! Again - my apologies.

Item #2 - someone else mentioned about the gate dialing in the last chapter just before Sam was captured as somehow being incorrect. In case I didn't make myself clear, the gate at the SGC dialed - it did not connect. The gate would have turned and the chevrons would have lit up, but as Sam didn't punch in all the coordinates it would have died before the 'kawoosh'. Walter, Hammond etc. would have known someone was trying to dial in. Hope that clarifies things.

Finally - I'm extremely, insanely busy this week so this is a rather incomplete chapter. I had wanted to take it further, but it was this or no update at all and I figured you'd all prefer something rather than nothing. I will try and update soon although I can't promise with work and travel schedules. Thanks for your patience.

Vini

Trada grinned at him but it wasn't a pleasant expression. He had obviously learned well at his master's knee. For some reason though, the look made Jack's fears disappear into the background. He didn't know why, but suddenly he felt a surge of adrenaline, or courage, or something. He stopped shaking and felt a strange calm wash over him.

"You're not planning on sending me through the gate, are you?" he asked.

"Yes of course we are", Trada laughed. "However you won't be in one piece when we do." He slowly raised his weapon to point it at the man in front of him. The other soldiers just stood and watched, clearly planning to enjoy what was about to happen.

Jack had a brief moment where he wondered what the weapon did. He rather suspected it caused the most amount of damage with the most pain. These aliens, whoever they were, were certainly expert at cruelty.

All those thoughts passed through his mind in a few brief seconds, meanwhile his body was already on the move. Before Trada had time to completely lift his weapon, Jack had sprung into action. Without a single thought or plan he reached out and grabbed the other man's wrist and pulled him sharply forward. He then twisted his arm, causing him to drop the weapon and to twist in agony. Jack then lifted his other hand and hit Trada sharply on the jaw with his fist. The alien was out cold before he even hit the ground.

As the other man went down, Jack turned and without hesitation grasped the arms of two of the men watching and swung them together so hard they both connected with a sharp 'crack' and then fell to the ground. He almost laughed at the sight which reminded him of the three stooges. He didn't have time to dwell on the strange things his mind remembered.

That left one alien – who by this time had drawn his own weapon and was pointing it squarely at Jack. Knowing that he had no choice – it was this or die – he threw himself forward in a spectacular dive. He hit the other man below the knees and they both flew to the ground. The next few minutes were a ferocious struggle for victory as both men knew that to lose meant death and so they fought with everything they had in them.

Jack could hear the others begin to come to and he knew this was it. There was a sudden loud 'crack' and both men went still. It was a few seconds before anyone moved.

Jack forced himself to stand up, refusing to think about what had just happened, again knowing that it had been a choice between him and the alien. He immediately searched for one of the alien weapons and when he found it he picked it up praying he could figure it out quickly as Trada was starting to get up.

"Stop" he told the other man, "or I'll shoot!" Instead of stopping Trada rushed at him. His reaction was immediate; he pushed the button on the handle. The blue light which appeared hit the other man who instantly convulsed, screaming in pain. Jack took his finger off the button but it didn't stop the screaming. Instead, the next thing he knew Trada began to – simply disintegrate in front of his eyes. Jack looked on in horror, never having seen anything like it and knowing there was nothing he could do. It was a slow but agonizing death and he could feel the nausea rise as he watched the other man writhe in pain. Soon however, it was over and what little remained of Trada soon disappeared into thin air. Jack wanted the throw the weapon far away, but knew there were still two of the enemy he had to watch for.

The two who had received the 'stooge' treatment had come to and were watching him. He had turned the weapon on them as soon as he knew Trada was no longer a threat and so far they were sitting quietly, their faces blank with terror. He hoped that they wouldn't try anything because he really didn't think he could push the button again although he was sure they didn't know that. When they hadn't moved after a few seconds he figured they were as frightened of the weapon as he was. The only problem was he didn't quite know what to do with them. At that precise moment the gate began to turn.

Sam was both angry and frightened. She prayed she'd done the right thing by agreeing to go with James and the alien, although she had a horrible feeling that Pasha didn't mean to keep his word. She wondered if she would ever find out if he'd really let Jack go. God – she shouldn't have come with them so easily. She should have stayed and fought.

She glanced over at her human companion and could tell he was as frightened as she was, although she knew that didn't mean anything and that she couldn't count on him for help. He was a worm, a total, complete, absolute worm!

"You shouldn't have tried to break our engagement" he hissed, checking to make sure Pasha wasn't listening. "Everything would have been fine if you hadn't decided to go back to that idiot."

"He's not the idiot!" she glared at him. "Do you really think Pasha is going to let either of us live? Look at him. He enjoys causing pain and suffering and he's not going to leave any loose ends here."

"He promised me money in return for my help. He'll find his scepter and then he'll leave – and I'll be rich. He has no reason to kill me, not when I'll have helped him and he has no more reason to come here."

"James – he doesn't need a reason, don't you get it. He's going to kill us both."

"Silence woman" Pasha moved closer. "We will leave shortly. You are to remain quiet as we travel."

"How are we going to travel?" she asked, looking around. They'd exited the valley with the gate but as far as she could tell there was no way to get to the ranch without walking. "I don't see any horses and there are eight of us."

"I said to be silent."

Sam stood quietly after that, deciding that it was better not to anger the alien. She was certain by now that he was mad - there was a look in his eyes that indicated he'd left decency, humanity and sanity behind a long time ago. She continued to watch, however, knowing that her life depended upon taking any opportunity to get away.

Soon she saw dust on the horizon and within a few minutes a wagon was pulling up, driven by someone she'd never seen before. She looked at James, only to see him looking every bit as puzzled.

"You don't think I was going to rely just on you", Pasha smirked at him. "I have many resources. William has been in my pay for a long time. Come – into the wagon. We have a long way to go."

The men in the Control Room watched as the gate dialed. The moment the event horizon appeared the General nodded and the MALP made its slow way up the ramp and through the blue of the gate.

"The MALP is on route", Walter said, watching his computer. "It will arrive in 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1- it has arrived."

The General, Teal'c and Daniel Jackson all watched as the picture became clear. They could see the platform and some trees off to the side. The camera slowly began to pan in a 198 degree arc.

"Stop!" Hammond called sharply. "Move it back." They all leaned forward as figures came into view. They could see three men, two of them with their hands in the air. The third had stepped back, out of camera range, although they could see his hand which was holding some kind of weapon.

"What's happening? Who are those people?" Daniel wanted to know. No one answered although they all continued to watch the screen.

"Wait!" Daniel cried suddenly. "Zoom in on his hands", he told Walter, referring to the man with the weapon. "Oh my God! Can you move the camera to get that man in the picture?"

The other two men were looking curiously at him, wondering what was going on. "The hands", he said, "don't they look like familiar?"

The others didn't have a chance to comment before the camera moved and suddenly they could see the face of the man with the weapon.

"Oh my dear God! Give me audio!" Hammond cried. After Walter had flicked a switch and nodded Hammond leaned forward and spoke. "Colonel O'Neill, it's me, General Hammond. Teal'c and Dr. Jackson are with me. Are you alright?"

Jack started when he heard the voice, a voice which sounded very familiar. He'd been worried when he first saw the machine come through even though it had seemed somehow familiar. He'd watched carefully as it moved and had finally allowed it to focus on him.

"General Hammond?" he asked. "George?"

"Yes Jack, it's me! It's good to see you son. Uh – are you okay? It looks like you could use some help."

Help? Oh God – Jack suddenly felt a huge sense of relief. "Yes Sir, I could definitely use some help here."

"Roger that Jack. Just hold on. We'll be sending someone through momentarily. We're going to shut the gate while I get a team together. We'll redial in twenty minutes."

"Yes Sir", he answered. "Uh – you said Teal'c and – Daniel were with you?"

"Hi Jack", Daniel leaned down and spoke into the microphone. "It's great to see you", he cried, a huge grin on his face.

"It is indeed a relief to see you well O'Neill. We will be with you shortly." Teal'c too looked happy, although only those that knew him well would have been able to identify how excited he really was.

"Okay." Jack grinned and gave a sloppy salute. The men in the Control room had trouble not choking up – it was such a 'Jack' gesture – one they hadn't seen in a long while.

As the gate shut down there was a moment of stunned silence in the Control room, finally broken by General Hammond. "Well, I certainly didn't expect that!" he said with a small grin. "Walter, get a team down to the gate immediately! Teal'c, Dr. Jackson, go get yourselves geared up. We have a lost Colonel to retrieve!"

Teal'c and Daniel practically ran to the men's locker room. They changed silently and grabbed their gear. As they made their way down the corridor it was Daniel who finally asked the question on all their minds.

"Where was Sam?"

"I do not know Daniel Jackson", Teal'c replied. "We can only hope she is well."

"Yeah – although it looked like Jack was all alone."

"She may have been somewhere else temporarily. There is no use in speculating. We shall find out shortly."

When they arrived in the gate room SG3, with Reynolds and his team, was waiting for them, big grins on all their faces. "Leave it to Jack to make such a dramatic return", Reynolds laughed. "We're ready to head out Sir", he called to the General.

"You have a go", Hammond said as soon as the gate was open. "Just bring him back safely!"

"Will do Sir. Let's go men!"

Jack watched anxiously as the gate turned again and the wormhole reestablished. He could feel his heart beating quickly, unsure what was going to happen when his – friends – came through. He didn't have to wait long before a body emerged from the event horizon, followed closely by five more.

"Jack!" the first man cried, taking a look at the two prisoners. "Caught some more bad guys I see!"

Jack looked at the man who had spoken but didn't recognize him. He sighed silently. It had begun. "Yes, and I could use some help", he called. "My hand is getting a bit tired."

While Reynolds and his men secured the prisoners, Daniel and Teal'c rushed up to their friend. Daniel reached him first and threw his arms around him. "Jack – God, it's so good to see you. We thought you were dead!"

Jack felt himself grow emotional as his friend held him tightly. "It's good to see you too Daniel", he said quietly. He marveled to himself how true his words really were. He hadn't even realized how much he'd missed his friends.

Soon he was pulled away from Daniel and Teal'c wrapped him in a bear hug. "Hey big guy", he whispered. "It's good to see you too."

"And you O'Neill", Teal'c said, almost overcome with emotion. "As Daniel Jackson has said, we worried that you had perished. It is good to see that was not the case."

"Uh Jack", Daniel frowned, his face conveying his concern. "What about Sam? Is she – did she make it?"

"Yes", he answered simply. "But she has been kidnapped by an alien by the name of Pasha. These two", he indicated the prisoners, "and that one", he pointed to the dead man, "were left here to guard me."

"And you took care of all three of them?" Reynolds looked impressed.

"Actually there were four", Jack answered. "I had to shoot him with this", he held up the alien weapon. "It uh – disintegrated him."

"Kind of like a zat?"

Jack just stared at him, unsure what a 'zat' was. "Uh – yeah."

"Well I can see you haven't lost your touch O'Neill", the other Colonel laughed. "Four men and not a mark on you! So, who is this Pasha guy and why did he take Major Carter?"

"He is looking for something on her ranch." When the other men looked confused he knew he had to explain better, but he was impatient, worried about what would happen to her if they didn't hurry. "Look, I'll tell you on the way but we need to go."

"Okay ", Reynolds nodded. "What do you want us to do with the prisoners?"

Jack looked at him blankly. He didn't have a clue what to say. "I – whatever you decide is fine", he finally told the other man. He knew he sounded unsure – probably very different from the Colonel O'Neill they all knew. He felt a sense of shame, but didn't know how to deal with this situation. He was still reeling from the fact that he'd killed two men and incapacitated two more without even thinking about it. He was really starting to wonder what kind of man he'd been.

Teal'c raised an eyebrow at O'Neill's hesitance. When he didn't elaborate, but continued to look unsure, Teal'c turned to Reynolds. "I suggest two of your team stay and guard them Colonel Reynolds, while the rest of us go in search of Major Carter."

"Yeah – that's a good idea Teal'c." Jack looked relieved. "Come on, we have to go get Sam."

"Where has she been taken?" Daniel wanted to know. He was worried about Jack – there was something wrong, although he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was. The Colonel seemed unsure, which really wasn't like him, but it was more than that. He'd have to worry about it later though. For now they had to get Sam back. "Do you think she's okay?"

"Yes – I think – she's fine, although she's in danger. I told you. They've taken her to the ranch – to her ranch – to find something that belongs to Pasha. It's a long story. Come on let's go."

"Okay, we're coming. Reynolds?"

"Boscoe, you and Wade stay here and watch the prisoners. Jack, how far is it to the ranch?"

"Uh – about a four hour ride."

"When you say ride do you mean by car?"

Jack frowned, looking puzzled. "No – by horse."

"Horse?"

"Do you not have horses on Earth?" he asked Reynolds.

The men stared at Jack, all of them wondering what was up with the Colonel. They were starting to realize there was something – different – about him.

"Uh – no, I don't think we have any horses available. Can anyone think of another way to get there?"

"No. Please, you must be able to get some horses so we can travel. Sam's life is in danger. Can you not bring them through the gate?" Jack looked from one person to another, frustrated at the delay. They needed to get Sam home now!

"It might be a bit hard Jack", Daniel said. "I don't even know where Hammond would get horses. Reynolds, do you have any ideas?"

"Not right off hand. We could ask the General what he suggests."

"What about dirt bikes?" Petersen suggested. "I ride quite a bit and the land around here seems similar to what I'm used to. We could get certainly get over the rough terrain and we'd move a lot more quickly."

"Yeah, that's possible. Boscoe, dial the gate and let's see if the General can come through for us."

Jack watched as this 'Reynolds' took control and had one of his men dial the gate. He was relieved that the Colonel seemed to know what to do in this situation because he didn't have a clue.

"Are you okay Jack?" Daniel asked him quietly. "You seem -"

"What?" Jack asked sharply.

"I don't know – just – different somehow. Are you sure everything is okay?"

"I don't know", Jack threaded his hand through his hair. "I – was injured", he said, not really wanting to continue.

"Can you tell us what happened O'Neill?" Teal'c had approached and stood silently watching as O'Neill tried to gather his thoughts.

"The alien – Pasha – the one who has Sam, he was the one who captured us before. Sam told me the two of you were there too, but that you went to get help."

"Sam told you?" Daniel said, looking confused.

"I don't remember anything about it Daniel", he answered. "She told me that when we were captured Pasha said something about us desecrating their holy place. He – did – something to me which – which damaged me." He closed his eyes briefly and then opened them and looked directly at his friends. "Whatever it was, it caused serious – brain damage. I was pretty much out of it for months and Sam had to look after me. I still – have trouble remembering things. I don't - " he pointed to Reynolds. "I don't know him," he explained.

"Him – you mean Reynolds? But you've know each other for years. You mean you really don't know him?" When Jack shook his head Daniel whistled softly. "What do you remember?"

"Very little", Jack confessed. "I remember the two of you and General Hammond. I remember Janet – a little - and I remember Charlie. Other than that, it's just bits and pieces of things."

"Oh God Jack – I'm sorry. But it's coming back to you?"

"Maybe –I'm remembering a few things, but nothing very substantial. Sam thinks it will come eventually although I sometimes wonder."

"Other than that are you okay?"

"More or less although I still get confused and tired." He took a deep breath. "I'm sorry – I'm not the same person you knew before. I'm not Colonel O'Neill", he told his friends. "I can't do those things any more. I don't – I don't know how to save Sam!" He hated to admit it, and felt both angry and ashamed at his inability to think clearly. He knew he had to save her – he just couldn't figure out how.

"Hammond says he'll have the bikes here in an hour", Reynolds called over to them. He walked towards the three members of SG1. "In the meantime why don't you give us some more details about this guy that has Major Carter."

O'Neill nodded, grateful for the interruption, although Teal'c and Daniel both looked terribly concerned. They didn't say anymore, although Jack knew more was probably coming later. In the meantime he began to tell them about James and Pasha – and the story the alien had told about the fight between him and his brother.

"You mean to tell me this is all about some stupid artifact?" Petersen griped.

"Uh – yes", Jack answered, not understanding the amused looks that passed between everyone but Daniel.

"In many cultures the symbol of power is vitally important. It confers legitimacy on the person in power and without it the people won't follow him or her. I expect that's what's happened in this case." Daniel explained.

"Yeah, that, and the guy's nuts!" Jack huffed. The others all grinned, pleased and relieved to hear O'Neill sound more like himself. "When are those – what did you call them – dirty bikes getting here?"

"Dirt bikes", Reynolds answered, again looking confused. "Uh – are you okay?"

"He was injured Reynolds", Daniel explained. "A head injury. He forgets things sometimes."

"God – I'm sorry Jack. I hope you're okay?"

"I suggest we prepare ourselves for the journey", Teal'c interrupted, knowing how much O'Neill hated to be the center of attention.

The men were all ready to go and had even had time to eat a quick lunch when the gate opened again. They stood up and waited until, without warning, a dirt bike appeared through the event horizon. Teal'c retrieved it quickly and handed it off to the men who were waiting. He then stood and waited until all the dirt bikes were through, at which point the gate shut down.

"So", Reynolds looked at his rag tag group, each one of them now standing by a bike. "Let's go and kick some alien butt!" he cried.

Everyone but Boscoe and Wade and the prisoners, mounted their bikes. After Reynolds had showed Jack how to operate it, he was up and running like a pro.

"Let's move 'em out", Reynolds called.

Jack started to move, his friends close beside him, and for the first time since Sam had been taken, felt some semblance of hope. "We're coming Sam", he whispered. "We're coming!"