It was difficult to convince Pete to go with Jacob to scout out the area while SG-1 regrouped to discuss their options. The cop protested, accusing them of keeping him in the dark. It didn't help that he was right. In the end, Sam pretended to be friendly and asked him to help because her ribs were sore. Not wanting to look like a total tool, Pete begrudgingly agreed.

"What's goin on Sammy?" Mark asked as soon as Pete was out of sight. "You've never been one to ask for help."

"I'm gonna level with you—" Jack started.

"Sir, let me," Sam urged and at his resigned nod, pulled her brother to the side. "Mark, this entire mission was a set up from the beginning. We think a group called the NID has gotten to Pete, convinced him to help them undermine the SGC."

"You think Pete is what," he scoffed, "some sort of spy?"

"Shanahan's too stupid to be a spy," Jack interjected with a harsh laugh. "At most he's a clueless lackey."

"Sir—" Sam scolded at Mark's angry look. Now was not the time to bring his personal feelings about Pete into the situation.

"I refused to see the red flags, but the last few days," she trailed off a bit. "He convinced you to file a complaint with the AFIG. That's one of the little known avenues civilians have to shine a light onto the inner workings of the Air Force. Given what you've accused us of, we're lucky General Hammond intercepted the report."

"Of course he did," Mark said through gritted teeth.

"I'm hoping you'll rescind it," Sam told him gently, reaching for his forearm.

"You can't be serious! What's going on out here needs to be investigated!" Mark growled. "I don't care if it was planned or not, these people," he pointed to her team, "convinced you to drag me out here under false pretenses. We've been shot at, you're hurt, and we can't even get home!"

"I admit it hasn't gone as well as we had hoped," she conceded. "But that's why we're reading you in now. What happened on the other planet wasn't planned. Someone knew we were going to be there."

"What are you saying? That your little bogus plan isn't so fake anymore," he asked incredulously.

"Yes," she answered simply.

"Look," Jack finally spoke. "Regardless of how you feel, the danger is real and I'm convinced Pete has something to do with it."

"Jesus Sam," Mark threw up his hands. "How can you think that? You're engaged to the man!"

"No," she said firmly. "I'm not."

"What?" Mark stopped suddenly and looked at her. "Since when?"

"Since yesterday."

"So you're just going to throw away the chance at a decent life with a good guy," he placed his hands on her shoulders.

"Look," Sam stepped away from her brother, not wanting to get into specifics. "All you need to know is Colonel O'Neill did not coerce me into anything the other day. I left with him of my own free will after getting into a fight with Pete."

Mark studied her closely. "Were you ordered to break up with him? The military says jump and you always ask how high. Or is Pete right?" He gestured angrily at Jack, "are you simply covering up that you're screwing your commanding officer?"

"Hey!" Jack got in between them and forced Mark back a couple of paces without touching him. "I don't care who you are, you don't speak to one of my people like that. For Christ sake, she's your sister. Carter is one of the most talented and intelligent officers I have ever served with. I'd trust her with my life; in fact I have on multiple occasions. You may not agree with her. You may not like me. But you will respect her." Jack turned to Sam. "Tell him."

"Tell me what?" Mark said stiffly.

Sam closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Everyone else on this planet knew the truth, why not her brother. "The reason I left Pete was because he hit me." There, the truth was out.

"What are you talking about?" Mark shook his head as if trying to change what she'd said.

"Right before my team showed up, Pete and I got into an argument. He accused me of improper behavior," she refused to look at Jack. "I know more words were exchanged and I don't remember exactly who said what, but he ended the fight by backhanding me across the face. I think it would have gotten more physical if they," she gestured at the team, "hadn't been knocking on the door."

"Carter answered the door with a swollen cheek and a split lip," Jack told him.

"And you let the guy live?!" Mark said after several seconds, shocking them all, and drawing a harsh laugh from Jack.

"Against my better judgement," Jack told him.

"Sammy, why didn't you just tell me?" Mark suddenly hauled her into his arms.

Sam was stunned speechless as she slowly embraced her brother. "We haven't exactly been on the best terms," she said cautiously. "Pete is one of your best friends. I wasn't sure you'd believe me."

"Was," Mark hugged her tighter before stepping back. "Was one of my friends. I'm not friends with people who hurt my sister."

"Wow," Sam shook her head. "I should have given you more credit."

"And I really wish you would have just told me all of this. Would have saved us a heap of trouble."

"Not exactly," Daniel said. He and Teal'c had been off to the side, quietly suppressing their need to make Mark understand. "We still need to figure out who Pete is working with."

"Daniel Jackson is correct," Teal'c agreed. "I see no reason not to continue with the original mission."

"Which was?" Mark hesitantly asked.

"You see," Daniel began, "the Jaffa have this—"

"We were going to scare it out of him," Jack interrupted.

"Yes, that," Daniel glared.

"Which is why we thought Dad had arranged for the Death Glider," Sam explained. "It turns out that wasn't his doing."

"Wait, so if it wasn't dad and it wasn't you, then who was flying it?" Mark looked at her as his understanding finally dawned.

"Exactly," Sam said. "That's what we need your help to find out."

"My help—what in the world can I do?"

"I'm glad you asked," Jack said with an evil smile.