Work and Worries

SG-1 said good night to their hosts and headed to the guest cottage they were to stay in. When Sam and Daniel entered the cottage, Teal'c motioned to Jack that he would check the perimeter of their temporary residence. As he walked off around the corner, Jack entered the cottage.

"Carter, wait a sec. I want to check out the rooms quickly. You and Daniel check the kitchen," and Jack went off to make sure the bedrooms and bathroom were clear. He didn't want to take any chances: he still had that awful feeling that something wasn't quite right.

Daniel turned to Sam; "What is that all about?"

"I'm not sure Daniel. We'll have to ask the Colonel when he comes back." They went into the kitchen, checking that everything looked normal. They weren't quite sure what they were supposed to be looking for but all seemed well in that room.

Jack came back into the living room from checking Sam's bedroom and the bathroom. As he headed toward the other two bedrooms, Daniel called after him. "Hey Jack, you want to tell us what's going on? Since when do you check out the accommodations when we know the people as well as we know the Kortaulians?"

"Hang on a minute Daniel, I'll explain it all in a moment," and he continued on to the other two bedrooms.

Teal'c entered the cottage just as Jack returned from checking the last two rooms. "Anything we should be aware of T?"

"Everything is as it should be O'Neill," responded Teal'c.

"All is clear in here too," Jack affirmed.

"OK, now that we have established that things are safe, do you mind explaining to Sam and me just what the two of you are so concerned about?" Daniel hated being left in the dark by these two and it seemed to happen an awful lot.

"Sit down Danny, Carter." As they sat on the couch provided, Jack and Teal'c took two chairs and sat as well. "Carter, do you know who Baryon is?"

"Yes sir. Isn't he Roan and Shayla's father? I remember meeting him briefly when they were on Earth. He didn't talk much as far as I recall," answered Sam.

"Still doesn't," replied Jack. "Teal'c here says the guy had been watching you quite a bit today. Were you aware of that?"

Sam looked down at her hands, remembering the man who had given her such a look of hatred during the noon meal today. She hadn't been aware at the time that it was Baryon. "Yes sir," she answered quietly. "I saw him watching me at lunch. To be perfectly honest, he made me feel uncomfortable."

"Uncomfortable how, Sam?" inquired Daniel.

"I can't explain it Daniel, but he had a look in his eyes like he absolutely hated me. He doesn't even know me enough to hate me."

"I too saw him look upon Major Carter with malice today. I do not understand how he could feel this way. I do not believe Major Carter has done anything to this man to make him feel anger toward her," Teal'c added to the conversation.

"Could it have anything to do with the fact that his children were not rescued along with the others?" Daniel suggested. It was the only link he could think of. No one they met ever hated Sam! He hated to think of any of the villagers harboring bad feeling toward them but, like Jack and Teal'c, he wouldn't ignore any potential threat to Sam.

"I suppose it could, but that doesn't really matter at this point. We need to make sure that Carter is not left alone for the duration of this trip. I don't want anything at all to go wrong here kids." This was supposed to be a good will mission and Jack didn't want anything to happen that could cause bad will between the two cultures. Added to that fact, he didn't want anything to happen to any of his team mates.

"Sir, I appreciate the support and concern from all of you but I am perfectly able to take care of myself," responded Sam.

"I know that Major. But you are also with those children most of the time and I'm sure you don't want anything to happen to them," he replied in a voice that carried a slight reprimand. At this comment she shook her head, indicating her agreement with him. "All right then. One of us will always be with you or nearby. If you're going to go off anywhere, you need to let one of us know, understood?"

Sam nodded. "Yes Sir." She hated being looked after like she was some helpless female but she could see his point. She certainly didn't want any of the children to come to harm because of her stubbornness.

"Good. Now let's get some shut eye. Danny, you and I can bunk together. The middle room has two beds. Teal'c you can have the room closet to the door. Carter has already picked out her room. Lock up the door will you T? See everyone bright and early. We're going to be helping the villagers with some construction tomorrow!"

Everyone moved off to their respective rooms. As Sam was getting ready for bed, she noticed her equipment pack set in a different spot than where she had placed it. She wondered if the Colonel had moved it during his sweep of her room. She looked through her pack quickly to make sure nothing had been misplaced. That was odd, she thought. Where was her utility knife? She always kept it in the side pocket but it wasn't there now.

Sam opened the door to her room and walked out into the living room, intent on asking the Colonel if he had moved her pack or if the other guys had borrowed her knife for something. Through the semi-closed doors to their rooms, she could hear the sounds of deep breathing. They were already asleep; she'd ask them in the morning. Sam went back to her room and finished getting ready for bed.

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The next morning, she was awakened by Jack pounding on her door. "Come on Carter, get a move on it. Treyem and Maresa are waiting breakfast on us!"

"I'm coming sir!" she shouted back, not in the happiest of tones. She hated to be woken up by someone pounding on the door! Sam quickly got dressed and met the others in the living room of the cottage. "All set sir." And she was hustled out the door and to breakfast so quickly that she totally forgot to mention the missing knife.

After breakfast, Jack addressed Treyem. "So Treyem, you mentioned yesterday having us help with some of the construction around here?"

"Yes Colonel O'Neill. I was wondering if you and Teal'c would be willing to help work on the roof of the meeting house. It is nearing completion and we would certainly appreciate the extra pairs of hands."

"Of course. But what about Carter and Daniel? I don't know about Danny here, but Carter is pretty good at building things," he looked over at her with a small smile.

"Actually Colonel, I had something different in mind for them. I think our children would greatly benefit from having Dr. Jackson and Major Carter give them some lessons today. Dr. Jackson could teach them some history of your people and I was hoping that Major Carter might be persuaded to give the children a science lesson or two." Treyem looked eagerly upon the two scholars.

Daniel quickly spoke up before Jack could say anything. He would much rather teach the children about history than stand up on a roof and pound nails! "That's a great idea Treyem. I for one would be honored to teach the children something about our culture. They in turn could teach me about yours."

Jack narrowed his eyes at Daniel: he wasn't fooled one bit by his little speech. He knew Daniel wasn't very adept in the area of construction. Sam, wanting to avoid any confrontation between the two, spoke up as well: "Treyem, I agree with Daniel. We would be honored to work with the children today. That is of course, if it is all right with Colonel O'Neill." She looked to her CO with innocent eyes.

Jack wasn't fooled for a minute, but had to agree with her. She could keep Daniel out of trouble (the man really wasn't very good around construction) and Danny could keep an eye on her. Besides, it had originally been Treyem's idea so it's not like Danny had this planned all along.

"No problem Treyem. Teal'c and I can handle the heavy labor for today. Just remember our discussion last night Daniel. It's your responsibility while Teal'c and I are otherwise occupied."

Daniel nodded. He knew what Jack was referring to. He'd keep an eye out for any trouble. Treyem smiled gratefully and led the two scientists to the building where the children waited while Jack and Teal'c headed to the meeting house to work on the roof.

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It was early afternoon and the sun was starting to get a bit warm. The men who had been working on the roof had stripped off their shirts and tunics in order to cool down a bit. Teal'c seemed to be the most unfazed by the heat. He continued to haul roofing materials up to the top and pound in nails with little effort. Jack stood up to stretch his back muscles. He really was getting too old to be doing stuff like this, he thought! As he rested his aching muscles, he saw Carter, Daniel and five of the children heading off toward the lake. Josef and Kellan had been corralled into working on the meeting house for the afternoon. They were pleased to be given such responsibility.

"Hey Carter," Jack yelled from the roof, "Where are you headed?"

"We're just going down to the lake, Sir, to complete our study of habitats," she yelled back.

"AHH, well, just don't let me hear that you decided to skip the lessons and go swimming. I'll be very upset with you, you know!"

She laughed up at him, "Don't worry Sir, I'd never dream of it!"

He smiled back at her and the children. He really loved bantering with her; Daniel too.

In a more serious tone he added, "Keep your eyes open: both of you."

She and Daniel both nodded in response. Sam turned and took Anya's hand as they continued down to the lake.

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The children were having fun wading in the water as they collected plant samples to discuss with their two guest teachers. Daniel and Sam stayed on the shore, carefully watching the children and answering their myriad questions.

"Major Sam, didn't you say that the minerals found in water can sometimes harm the plant life?" asked Jalia. She was extremely interested in anything that had to do with plants or wildlife and tended to ask many involved questions.

"Yes I did Jalia. Did you find something interesting there?" responded Sam.

"Not really, I was just wondering if we could take some samples of the water and look at them later. Dr. Jackson mentioned that you had something that could see really tiny things. Is it back on the wagon?"

"Yes it is. It's called a microscope. That's a great idea Jalia." Sam looked in her pack for a few vials to collect some water samples. "Darn, I left the extra vials on the wagon. Daniel, I'm going to run back to the wagon and grab some more vials so the children can collect water samples."

"Uh, Sam, I don't think that Jack would appreciate you doing that on your own. You know he told us that you were not to be left alone," Daniel reminded her quietly. He didn't want Jalia to overhear and become worried.

"Daniel," Sam responded in an equally quiet voice, "the wagon is at the edge of the village, only about five minutes from here. I can take care of myself for five minutes! I'll go fast, I promise."

Daniel looked warily at her, then at their surroundings. There had been no sign of Baryon all day and things were very peaceful out here. He knew that Sam could take care of herself; a lot better than he could take care of himself sometimes! "OK," he sighed. "Just make it quick. And holler if you need me. You should be well within hearing distance."

"Don't worry so much Daniel! I'll be fine." With that, Sam got up and headed to the wagon where some of her supplies were still kept. She continued to survey her surroundings as she walked. She was confident in her abilities but wasn't about to take any chances either.

Baryon saw her get up and leave from his hiding spot in the trees. He had been watching them by the lake for almost an hour. He smiled to himself as she made her way down the path. Her overconfidence just might be her undoing!

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Sam reached the wagon in no time. She opened one of the containers and rifled through it, looking for the extra vials that she had packed away. Good, there they were, she thought to herself. She placed them in a small bag and relocked the container. Now to head back to the lake. As she turned around, Sam came face to face with Baryon. She gasped out loud at this unexpected encounter. Up close, the glare of pure evil in his eyes caused her mind to go completely blank.

TBC – I really love ending the chapter with a good cliff hanger! :)