Chapter 3

"Actually, according to the lab results there seems to be a sort of addiction," the doctor said before I could say anything further. "Your body seems to crave his pheromones. Your unconsciousness is the by-product of withdrawal. You probably identified with his scent because he was the closest to you when you were infected. Let's test something shall we, Daniel may I have your shirt?"

"He he, Sam, you can never say I never gave you the shirt off my back now," I said snickering and handed her my shirt.

She smiled and took the shirt with a grin. "Thanks, Daniel. I own you one."

"Hey, Danny boy, go get another shirt on before the nurses all flock your way," Jack teased.

Outside, fully clothe again, I paced, waiting for the ten minute mark to see if my shirt did the trick. What would I do if it didn't work? Did I want to spend the rest of my life attached at the hip to Sam? I ran my fingers through my hair and sat down on the floor. The more I thought about it the more it didn't scare me. Was I falling in love with my best friend? Someone my best friend was in love with? Someone who didn't love me? Who was getting married? A nurse tapped me on the shoulder and interrupted my thoughts.

I walked in and Sam was still there, standing and talking. My heart leaped, but from joy or sorrow I didn't know. "Great, fifteen minutes and nothing happened, Daniel," she exclaimed.

"I'm glad, now I don't have to tag along like some puppy," I said not sure if I was disappointed.

"Sorry to burst any bubbles but the shirt is only a temporary solution. His pheromones won't last long on it, especially since human scent isn't as powerful as a dog's. It should just help out when she has to go to the bathroom or want a long bath. We need to find a way to neutralize the drug all together."

"I guess we are still stuck to each other then," Sam said.

"I'm going to give you a sedative and send you off to bed. Hopefully, I'll have some good news when you wake up. You just have to sleep somewhere near Doctor Jackson so that you can be exposed to him. I don't want to chance any withdrawals while you sleep. Who knows what it is doing to you in the long run," the doctor handed her some pills and she swallowed them with a grimace.

"Sleep tight, kids," Jack called out sarcastically as we left.

"So, your quarters or mine?" I asked trying to break the ice.

"I'll be fine in your lab. You do have a cot don't you?"

"Yes, I do but it isn't very comfortable. Besides, it doesn't have room for both of us. Were am I going to sleep?" I said teasingly.

"You're right. Let's grab some stuff from your lab so you can work while I sleep. You shouldn't be taken away from your work because of this," I could tell from her tone she was feeling guilty.

"Sam, don't do that."

"Do what?"

"Feel guilty. It wasn't your fault. You didn't ask to be drugged, to be subjected to a macho-male dominated world that sees you only as a piece of property to be traded or sold."

"At least you were closer. I just shudder at the though of being addicted to that Ralon fellow," Sam said as we made it to my lab. "I can just see the conversation now. Sorry, Pete, I have to sleep with Daniel or I may die."

"He sounds very understanding, Sam," I stated trying to hide my jealousy.

"Thanks, Daniel," Sam said as she fiddled with the ring.

"Hey, grab that stack of books please," I gestured towards a pile of four books. The top one was titled: Tabula Imperii Romani - Map of the Roman Empire - Lepcis Magna.

I grabbed some pictures taken by SG-13 on their last mission and my laptop and we both headed out the door. We ended up in the VIP guest quarters that had the queen size bed because Sam refused to let me sleep in a chair at the desk. The drugs took their toll and she was asleep before too long. I knelt at the side of the bed and brushed a strand of hair away from her face. She looked so peaceful and happy lying there. I sat there and the last thing I remember was how content I was before I too fell asleep, my computer still unplugged and my books undisturbed.

When I awoke Sam was staring at me. She grinned when she saw I was awake and handed me a tissue. "You're drooling a bit there," She said pointing to my cheek.

I wiped it away embarrassed and stood up, my body complaining all the way.

"What time is it?" I asked.

"Almost six. I'm surprised you fell asleep. Especially like that. Your back must be killing you. That had to be the worst position to sleep in."

"Yeah, I haven't fallen asleep before ten since I was a kid. I'm fine though, nothing a good shower can't cure," I grinned

"Here let me massage it for you. I'm pretty good," Sam said turning me around before I could protest.

She was right. Her massage was good but then I felt her stiffen.

"What is it?" I asked warily.

"Maybe you should go. These damn urges are really getting to me. You are starting to become irresistible," she said with her head in her hands.

"Sorry," I handed her my shirt and left. I walked to the locker room without noticing the stares. Instead I was thinking, what if I had stayed? Would she have given in to her desires? Would I?

After I had a cold shower and straightened out my thoughts I picked up Sam and let her take a shower, with my shirt as close to the shower as it could get without getting wet, before heading to the infirmary.

"Well, doc, please tell me you have some good news," Sam asked as we walked in.

"You are in luck. All our tests show that a shot of testosterone and a few other things and a heavy dose of his pheromones should do the trick. We think that the cure is naturally present in semen, and before you say it, no you don't need sex. We can duplicate the hormones and inject it directly. I suggest Daniel workout a bit to work up a sweat and build up his pheromones so they are stronger, but that is about it."

After an hour in the gym I felt like another shower but Sam said I was like a mountain man, rugged and sweaty.

At the infirmary she was given her shot and I held her close so that she would get a big dose of me. I looked into her eyes and she leaned in. Our lips met and she kissed me with a passion that I hadn't felt since Sha're. I felt lost and found at the same time. If she was the only one affected then why did I not want to stop and let her go?

SG-14 returned on schedule and came running down the ramp.

"Sir, we need to talk to you, Carter is in danger of," the CO never finished because Sam walked in. "You're okay."

"And cured," Sam said mischievously, knowing what must be crossing their minds.

"Cured?"

SG-14 all turned to look at me, their faces showing what they were thinking. Jack couldn't help it. He started to laugh. He laughed and laughed until tears were streaming down his face. Sam looked at him and grinned, she was content in his presence and happy.

I can see she loves Jack and I realize at this moment I love her, but I will never tell her. I will never give voice to my feelings, for her happiness is worth it, and if she is happy with Jack or Pete, then I will be too.