Sam resisted the urge to pull at the top of her slave outfit as she followed Jack through the woods at the edge of the city. She was thankful Daniel and Teal'c had left earlier to find a good position to covertly watch because she didn't have to deal with them trying not to look at her. Of course they'd be professional, but it was still embarrassing for men she considered brothers to see her half naked.

Luckily, the journey back had been much quicker with the aid of the transport rings, and it had taken Sam less time than she'd anticipated to rig the slave cuff to emit an electromagnetic pulse. The cuff was securely attached to her arm, but could easily be removed at any time; however, if Jack had to pretend to punish her, it would only emit a static electricity shock to her arm. Everyone was counting on her acting skills if need be. Yeah, no pressure at all.

"How are you doing?" Jack asked her, his concern flittered across her mind.

"Fine," she replied and internally cringed as she realized he recognize that as a lie.

As Jack sighed and took her hand, leading her behind two large trees. She tried to pull her free, afraid someone would see. Teegan has given them a brief tutorial on what was and was not acceptable in the city. A master holding his slave's hand would most definitely draw attention.

Jack stopped, but refused to release her hand. "We're still outside the city. I think we need to talk before we go any further."

"You want to talk, now!?" She stared at him.

"This is the first time we've been alone since Daniel came barging in. We can take five minutes to discuss what's happened in the last 24 hours. We both need our minds clear once we reach the city," he reasoned. "Now Major," he said finally dropping her hand, "how are you doing?"

Sam reacted to the military designation like it was a lifeline. She could think through the situation by stepping back from it; by becoming an observer. As Major and Colonel, logic and formality took over. "I honestly don't know how to answer," Sam said. "I can feel our bond; I know what your thinking, feeling, but it's still jarring at times."

"I feel the same way," Jack nodded. "You're in here," he pointed to his for head, "and I like it, but it's also distracting. Will this be a problem? Just say the word and we abort the mission."

"You'd prefer to abort," she shook her head and sighed. "We can't. These people need our help. We'll figure this bonded thing out as we go. I've been 'Carter' and you have been 'Sir' for a long time. I can function and think clearly in that role."

"Then that's how it'll be. But first," he gently cupped her cheek, "how is Sam doing? I never got the chance to ask if you were okay this morning."

"I'm fine," she whispered, but cringed as soon as the words left her mouth.

"Just think of me as your own personal lie detector," he chuckled. "Want to tell me the truth?"

"No," she said, but her mind instantly complained, I'm exposed, defenseless and sore. How do you think I am?

Jack laughed at her internal sass; he was learning there was a lot to Sam he didn't know. "The exposed part I can see, but you definitely aren't defenseless," he stared at her intently. "Did I hurt you last night?" His concern for her was evident in his eyes and his mind.

"What? No!" Sam felt herself turn beet red, but couldn't bring herself to answer him; willing her mind to shut up just this once. She felt the moment Jack comprehended what sore meant as his concern was replaced with his memories of last night.

"Seriously!" She chastised him; but despite any discomfort, her body was already beginning to respond. "Stop right there," she ordered. "How can you even think about that right now."

"Hey, I'm a guy," Jack defended. "Doesn't mean I'm actually going to act on it. You wouldn't believe how many times I've fantasized about you while off-world."

Great, now I'm going to be thinking about how fantastic you are in bed, the thought escaped before she could stop it. Jack tried to cover his laugh with a cough, but Sam could see the male satisfaction on his face. "I'm never getting used to this," she grumbled.

"I'm liking it; I finally know what you're thinking," Jack quipped.

"All of this just seems to come easy for you," Sam sighed. "I'm not picking up many of your random thoughts."

He suddenly grew serious. "Your thoughts and emotions are so strong right now, I can't help but hear them. Trust me, I'm feeling the same way you do; I'm even sore, too," he said softly. "In this situation, I'm just better at compartmentalizing. I'm sure it'll get easier once we are back home. Now, come on, Major," he said taking them out of Sam and Jack mode and back to Major and Colonel. "We've got a mission to complete."

—POV—

Daniel and Teal'c crouched silently behind a building a few hundred feet away from the palace entrance. It had taken them little time to make it into the city, which seemed to be deserted. Except for a few men milling about, the streets were completely empty.

"I do not like this," Teal'c said.

"Something is definitely different from the last time we were here," Daniel said as his anxiety increased. "Maybe the attack on the auction scared everyone away?"

"That is unlikely," Teal'c said, his gaze never wavering from the palace entrance. "I have counted no less than ten men and ten women entering the palace since we arrived, but no one has exited. I believe everyone has congregated inside."

"That's not good," Daniel shifted and reached for his walkie. "We need to warn Jack and Sam."

"Freezing! Hands up!" a loud voice boomed behind them.

Daniel and Teal'c slowly stood and turned. With a quick movement, Teal'c lunged for the man holding a weapon, tackling him to the ground. Four more palace guards suddenly appeared. Drawing his zat, Daniel fired hitting two, but missing the others. As one jumped on top of Teal'c, the other faced off against Daniel. It took little time for the two members of SG-1 to subdue the remaining guards.

"Crap," Daniel muttered drawing Teal'c's attention. "My walkie was crushed in our little fight. Let me have yours," Daniel held out his hand.

"My communications device was also damaged in the struggle," Teal'c was not pleased.

"How are we supposed to communicate with Sam and Jack now?" Daniel's mind raced as he tried to come up with a solution. "We have no way to warn them and they have no way to call for help."

"We must retrieve another communications device from the Tok'ra ship," Teal'c told him. "It is the only logical option. Hopefully, we will make it back before O'Neil and Major Carter require assistance."

"Hopefully, they don't require assistance at all," Daniel said roughly. "Come on, we can make it back to the rendezvous point in a little under twenty minutes."

"I should stay here," Teal'c said. "Perhaps I can provide assistance if needed."

"Bad idea, Teal'c," Daniel argued. "If you stay here then I have no way of contacting you or Jack and Sam. What happens if we can't find you? No, it's too risky."

"Very well," Teal'c quickly bowed his head. "But let us move quickly."

Daniel took off at a jog following Teal'c. Sam hadn't quite finished the modifications to the slave cuff before they left, maybe she and Jack were still a distance away. Maybe luck would be on their side.