The week started off as many had that summer, hot and dry. So when the rain started to fall they were initially delighted. It seemed to herald the change of season and hoped for cooler weather. But the gentle rain turned to down pours, driving relentless rain with the evenings chill in the damp three quarter built shelter. After a day or two there wasn't much to do in the camp. The stores were inventoried, organized and reorganized. The light was poor for reading and the batteries were too low to waste for light or music. Since the nights were cool Carter seemed to snuggle closer and closer to the colonel. While this had its decided advantages it also brought an added layer of frustration to his life he just didn't need. He found himself becoming more and more withdrawn and annoyed with everything in general. No longer the genial Jack, he became the sullen, formal, bastard most people at the SGC gave a wide berth to.

In the driving rain O'Neill accompanied Carter to the Stargate for the scheduled conference call and resupply. But the gate only sputtered and failed to lock. Consequently the only thing they got for their effort was wet. And not just wet but soaked to the skin. When they returned to the rock shelf Carter proceeded to strip off her wet gear and then wet clothing. O'Neill's mantra was loosing it potency although he was not loosing his. He had been grousing about their wasted morning, he now barked at her to show some decorum and said he was going to take a walk. He said he needed some air.

He had been listening to the MP3 player the other day. Crap that must have been 5 or 6 days ago now. There was it seemed every cover to Knocking on Heavens Door ever recorded. What the hell was that about? Talk about depressing. He probably should have been listening to it during the berry incident. Then there were all the covers to In the Pines and here they sat without one fucking tree. Well that wasn't true either. They were just a damn long way away making it a royal pain in the ass to lug back fire wood. But he couldn't get the song out of his head. Some were kind of cheerful but he didn't like those as much as the versions by Kurt Cobain and Leadbelly. "In the pines, in the pines where the sun don't ever shine." Tell me about it. He was feeling about as rotten as the weather and the song.

Sam was totally confused. They had given one another privacy by just not looking. She trusted him implicitly. And she had no idea why he was in such a rotten mood. Sure it had been raining for over five days straight, and food store were again low, and they fail to connect with the SGC, and there was no word on her dad and the transport home, and they were alone on this God forsaken, barren, poisonous rock with just each other, their feelings and the regulations and duty and honor. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Now she was depressed, angry and close to tears. And she'd be damned if she'd cry. She enjoyed sleeping close to him but had noticed him inching away from her. Morning breathe or too much temptation. Oh well, maybe he'd be better if he got some time to himself. He had been grousing about the food supply and last time that happened he just about stopped eating to make sure she had enough. He had promised that she would see her dad again and he added "in this lifetime". Would he do something drastic? No he wasn't the type. She tried to push away the things that Daniel had told her about, the way he was on the very first mission. He had been out in the rain for hours now and it was getting late. Sam prepared the evening meal but still he failed to return. She swallowed a few mouthfuls but had no appetite. All she could thing of was 'Is he angry with me?', 'Is he hurt?', 'Will he come back?' She geared up and went in search of the Colonel. And there she found him, just sitting in the rain on a rock kicking at the stones at his feet. She knew he was aware that she was there but he said nothing. She figured it was up to her since she had no desire to stand there all night in the now drizzle.

"Sir, I apologize if I acted inappropriately."

He looked at the ground, then at her for a beat or two and blew out a world weary sigh.

"Major, I'm sorry for acting like an ass."

"There's some dinner ready, Sir. We can't afford to waste the food."

"Go back and eat, Major. I'll be along"

She trekked back to the camp, at least he wasn't hurt. Strike that. He was hurting but what could she do but wait for his mood to swing around. Maybe his good nature would return with the sun. Meanwhile she would try to keep up her spirits, dad would eventually arrive and they would go home. And then, and then, oh yeah, then she would get out from under O'Neill's command. And then what – never speak to the SOB again or jump him first chance she got?

O'Neill returned in the middle of the night leaving puddles where he stepped, shivering with the cold. He stripped down and threw on some dry clothes. He pulled his sleeping bag to the edge by the door off by himself or as far as one could get in the tiny room. Carter, although she did not stir, was quite aware of his actions. She was quite amazed how much it hurt her.