Sam stood under the hot spray of the shower while a million thoughts whirled through her head.
At least something good was coming out of this. The heated water beating down upon her was helping to defeat the pounding headache she had since she woke up in Jack's… the Colonel's, she corrected herself, arms that morning.
Just what had gotten into them last night?
It was wonderful.
It was terrifying.
It was wrong, but from what she remembered it felt oh so right.
She mentally shook herself. She so shouldn't be having these thoughts.
Sam knew they had been in tight spots before, but she just couldn't see a way out of court martial this time…. unless...
As the aching fog continued to lift from her brain she started to wonder about the samples that Daniel and Teal'c had collected. Normally collecting samples indigenous to the planets they visited was her job. They must have found something of interest. Perhaps there was something to help explain away her and the Colonel's rash actions.
Of course everyone knew that she and the Colonel had feelings for one another, but she knew deep down in her heart that neither one of them would have purposely done anything to jeopardize their working relationship or the status of the team. Maybe somehow, there was hope for them yet.
Hope quickly turned back into terror as Sam realized that in order to explain what occurred on that planet and to clear themselves they would first have to admit to what had happened.
*******
Swallowing back the lump of fear in her throat one more time, Sam tapped on the door to Janet's office.
She knew she could trust her friend. She only hoped that Janet could stall the report to General Hammond on their findings long enough for her to work out a story. Which meant she would have to talk to the Colonel about it too.
The sound of Janet clearing her throat brought her out of what was quickly becoming a deep introspection.
"You gonna stand there all day or are you going to come in and tell me what's bothering you?"
Sam smiled weakly and walked into the office as Janet stood aside to let her in.
Once both seated Janet asked, "What's going on Sam?"
"I'm not completely sure myself yet, but I think you may want to take a look at these."
Having said that, Sam set her box of samples up on Janet's desk.
Janet opened the box and looked at its contents.
"Sam this looks like a mini buffet. What is all this?"
With a slight look of humor Sam replied, "I guess it is a mini buffet, but I suggest you run some tests on it instead of eating it."
Janet gave her a puzzled look.
"The Colonel and I seem to have had an adverse reaction to something in there."
"Well, that explains the 'mother of a headache' that the Colonel was complaining about during is post mission exam. How are you feeling?"
"My head's mostly better. The hot shower helped."
"Do you have any other symptoms?"
"No. Not really. I'm feeling a bit hung over I guess. But other than that I'm ok."
Sam gave a long sigh and ran her hand through her hair.
"Then why do I suspect that you're not telling me the whole story Sam?"
"Cause it's a really long story that I'd rather not go into right now. I guess I might as well though since it's bound to come up in my post mission exam anyway."
"Oh really?" Janet said with a controlled measure of surprise.
"Let's just say that you should check those samples for anything that might look like some type of aphrodisiac type drug."
"Sam?" Janet was looking very concerned now.
"It was consensual… although I don't think either one of us were really in control of our faculties at the time."
"Oh my god," was all Janet could utter.
After a moment Sam began to speak again.
"Janet, I know it's a lot to ask, but is there any way you can keep this under wraps for a little while until we can get it all figured out?"
Pulling herself together, Janet put on her metaphorical doctor's mask and readied herself for the work to come.
"I'll see what I can do. In the mean time, we need to get on with your exam and I'm going to run a few extra blood tests too. I'm also calling Colonel O'Neill and the others back in here for extra blood work. Go ahead into one of the exam areas and I'll be there in a moment."
******
After dismissing Sam from her office Janet picked up the phone to ring General Hammond.
"General Hammond," the gruff voice answered on the other end.
"General, it's Doctor Fraiser."
"Yes Doctor, what can I do for you?"
"Well Sir, I was hoping you would grant my request to postpone SG1's briefing until I can run some further tests on them."
"Is there a problem Doctor?"
"There may be Sir. It seems that the team has had some adverse reactions to something they came in contact with on the planet and I'd like to run some tests on the samples that were brought back and run some extra blood work on them as well."
"Is the rest of the base in any danger?"
"No Sir. I don't believe there is any danger of contagion, but I do think it would be wise to keep SG1 on base until the tests have been concluded and the briefing is through."
"Ok Doctor. I'll take your word for now, but I expect a full explanation as soon as possible."
"Thank you, Sir."
**************
Sam pulled back the curtain, ready to exit the exam area, just in time to see Colonel O'Neill entering the infirmary.
She stood still as his eyes darted towards her then nervously around the room. His discomfort was all too obvious to her.
Before he turned away in search of Janet she needed to speak to him.
"Sir?"
He looked up in a panic as she addressed him.
Crap!
"Uh, Colonel…."
His stance relaxed slightly.
"What Carter?," he asked wearily; still not looking at her.
"We need to talk."
Jack let loose a long exasperated sigh.
"Not like that S…. Colonel." Sam took a tight hold onto her emotions as she delivered the next sentence. "We don't need to make an issue of this, but we do need to consider what will be going into our reports and what will come up in the briefing."
"Fine Carter. Meet me in my office in about 15 minutes. The Doc should be done torturing me with her needles by then."