Author's Notes: Uhh, this chapter's short but I felt it was important. Sam needs to fess up to why she didn't tell Jack about the buyer. Jack needs to realise why.

Disclaimer: I only own the original storyling and characters.

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The pupils of Sam's eyes had never been smaller. The instant the goa'uld mentioned buyer' they had shrunk to two pin pricks. Carter had thought this done with, she'd escaped, no buyer no nothing. Her mind screamed at her to get away, the memory of almost dying after being kidnapped from one of the safest places on earth was to much.

I don't think so. She spoke, surprising herself at how steady her voice was. The goa'uld laughed.

Like you've got a choice. He replied and raised an already active ribbon device to the woman's forehead. Her breathing slowed as the pain filtered down, it wasn't as bad as Sam had experienced, the goa'uld must have only been trying to render her unconscious, not kill her. Funny the things that spring to your mind when in a bad situation the Major mused.

On the edge of her consciousness Sam heard a shot, then another. The pain abruptly stopped, and Sam slumped over. She lay on the ground on the edge of wakening feeling the cold concrete beneath her. It helped, it was sobering. She pulled herself to a sitting position just in time for the Colonel to lurch into view.

Was his breathless query.

Yeah, I'm good. Came the hoarse reply. What is it with this country and wailing on me? She asked as the helped on another to their feet. The forensic scientist was dead, Jack checked his pulse non-existent. No use to even try CPR, once a ribbon blast killed you, you pretty much stayed dead. Unless there was a sarcophagus handy, and there wasn't.

Something you want to tell me Carter? Jack asked as they exited the alleyway. Why was it always alleyways too? Sam mused. She noted the goa'uld were also long gone.

I thought you were unconscious Sir.

Not for all of it, tell me what's going on.

I'd rather not Sir. He stopped and turned to face her.

What buyer? He demanded. What were they talking about?

I don't have to tell you.

It's an order Major. Sam sighed, she supposed better to spill it.

Patrice Conrad had some buyer lined up for when she was finished with me. That's all I know, she never said where or when or anything other than they wanted knowledge of the goa'uld or something. She said I was a valuable commodity.

Carter! This is serious! O'Neill growled. Why didn't you tell me?

It wasn't important, I don't know anything else about this guy anyway, nothing of substance.

Yet obviously he, she or they have the contacts to get a bunch of goa'uld after you! Not to mention the further breech of security.

I didn't think you'd believe me. Y'know Crazy Old Samantha Carter. Jack looked away, he'd never forgiven himself for the episode with Orlin. He should have believed her then.

Carter! You know we wouldn't have!

Yeah well, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. You weren't gonna make me a fool Colonel, Sir.

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Nym - 25/04/03

woohoo! Two things, 1: For Easter I got a stargate egg! It had Staregg, SE-1 from the SEC written on it in pink! 2: For all my Australian reviewers Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oi, Oi, Oi!