Title: Splitting the Circle
Rating: R (Violence)
Feedback: jm-webmistressfsmail.net
Spoilers: You need to have read 'Full Circle' and 'Circles of the Mind.'
Summary: A rescue mission is started, but Jack is deteriorating fast, and Debbie bullies Sam into making an impossible choice.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognisable characters and places are the property of MGM, World Gekko Corp and Double Secret productions. This piece of fan fiction was created for entertainment not monetary purposes and no infringement on copyrights or trademarks was intended. Previously unrecognised characters and places, and this story, are copyrighted to the author. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
Details: Jack/Other, Sam/Other UST, Sam/Jack UST, Angst, Drama, Future Season. MCKAY WARNING: Yep, he's nice in this one too, so if you don't like him, don't read this.
Author Notes: Many thanks to NG, who's been great for a very long time, and FinallyAssimilated, who's also a great writer and deserves more credit! Now, on with the story…
Archive: Gateworld, Fanfiction.net
Splitting the Circle
Copyright © Ruth, 2004
They were pretty sure that night had fallen. Debbie jerked a thumb over in Sam's direction.
"Has she calmed down yet?" She asked.
"You really have no idea, do you?" He replied.
"Jack, for goodness' sake! How can you be Ba'al? You don't look anything like him!" Debbie protested, "It's all very well telling me that I have no idea, but how about filling me in? Hmm?"
"He uses some methods of, well call it mind control." Jack began. Debbie snorted, and Jack shot her a glare.
"The stuff he used on Sam is called the Blood of Sokar. It's a very powerful hallucinogen - it can make things seem real when they aren't."
"Since when did you start calling her Sam again?" Debbie snapped.
"For crying out loud, Debbie!" Jack shouted, "What are you more worried about? Seriously? Getting tortured and killed by Ba'al, or me calling my 2IC by her first name?"
"She's not your 2IC any more," Debbie replied hotly, "I am."
Sam was woken by the noise of their fight, and Jack decided to try and talk to her again.
"I know it's hard to believe, and you know that I know it too, but this really is me, Sam."
She looked at him. For the first time in years, he looked properly at her, too. Those once bright blue eyes were darker, filled with an agony he could identify with. Her whole body was tensed, preparing to spring away from him if the moment arose.
"But that's what they always say, don't they Jack? In the hallucinations. It's what my father said to me, what Charlie said to you."
"Charlie?" Debbie asked, "Who's Charlie?"
Sam barked a short laugh.
"You've been together for two years and you haven't told her yet? Jeez!"
Jack shot Sam a pleading glance that she reluctantly understood, and remained quiet.
"Who's Charlie?" Debbie repeated.
The jaffa came again. Their footsteps pounding on the floor were like death bells for Sam, who turned into the wall again.
"Our lord wishes to see you, O'Neill. It seems he is anxious to be re-acquainted with you."
"Whoop-de-do!" Jack said, unenthusiastically, "Take me away, fellas!"
"General, please…" McKay whined.
"I've told you, Doctor McKay, there is not a team on this base that would risk…"
At that moment, Colonel Makepeace entered Hammond's office, without knocking. Noticing what he had done, he stepped back outside and knocked on the door before coming in again.
McKay watched this with raised eyebrows, and muttered,
"What a jerk."
"Colonel?" Hammond asked, ignoring McKay's swipe at Makepeace, "What can I help you with?"
"General Hammond, sir, it's about the rescue mission," Makepeace said, still standing rigidly at attention.
"What rescue mission?" Hammond asked, "I never authorised it!"
"Well, sir, SG-3 are prepared to undertake it if you will give us permission."
"Do you have some evidence to back up this strategy of yours?"
"Yes, sir…I think…Edelson was having some trouble downloading the information…"
Makepeace was interrupted by McKay, who smirked.
"Dear me, cavemen and modern technology just don't mix, do they?" He sneered, "You're probably downloading it into the base mainframe as we speak, screwing up some computer system or another…"
"Doctor McKay, that is enough!" Hammond warned. Makepeace glared at him.
"Colonel, you show me the data that proves it's safe and you'll have a go."
"Yes, sir!" Makepeace said, saluting Hammond and directing him to Edelson's office.
McKay was humming a little tune, and tried to exit the office when he walked into Colonel Makepeace, who was surprisingly hard to distinguish from a wall.
"You want to watch it, Sheila," he smirked, "Or you'll disappear up your own…"
Makepeace grabbed McKay by the scruff of his shirt, and held him up a few inches in the air.
"Now listen, Doctor," Makepeace snarled, "You just stick to your computers and notebooks, and my men will go save the real people, okay?"
McKay squeaked.
Makepeace lowered him back to the floor and left the room with a large smile on his face. He'd been wanting to do that for ages.
"Colonel O'Neill. It is a pleasure to see you again."
"Oh, it's always a pleasure to be tortured by you," Jack shot back.
Ba'al smirked.
"Yes. It is reassuring to see that your sharp tongue has not deserted you."
"Likewise."
"Tell me, Colonel, what happened to your relationship with Major Carter? I must say I was greatly disappointed when I heard that you were no longer a partnership."
"Sorry to disappoint you." Jack snapped.
"Yes, and what of this other woman? What is the attraction?" Ba'al turned around, his back to Jack. "I know which one I would chose, given the option."
"Fortunately, you won't have one," Jack replied.
"Maybe, maybe not," Ba'al smiled, turning back around to face Jack, a dagger in his hand.
"You remember our communal friend?" Ba'al asked, twisting the dagger in his hands, "Your major Carter has already experienced its power. I must say I greatly enjoyed hearing her scream."
"She wouldn't give you the pleasure," Jack snarled.
"Ah," Ba'al smiled, "Just as I thought. You DO still have feelings for her."
"No," Jack said, "But she's smart enough not to let you get one over on her, you snake-headed…"
"What a pity it had to end like this," Ba'al commented thoughtfully, letting go of the dagger.
"So, who's Charlie?" Debbie asked.
Sam had to control her shock at realising that Debbie was addressing the question to her.
"Charlie? He's uh.."
"Jack seemed very pained when you mentioned his name. He must be important to him."
"Charlie was a dog," Sam said, trying to sound serious, "A Burmese Mountain Dog. Jack loved him, but he died in a tragic accident…"
"Don't fuck around with me!" Debbie spat, "I know when someone's lying and that was the biggest one I've heard in a while!"
"Sorry, you're right," Sam admitted. "He was a German Shepherd."
"Damn you, Carter!" Debbie shouted, "I'm asking you a serious question, and you think this is FUNNY?"
Sam smirked, and looked over at Debbie.
"I'm going to die. We're all going to be tortured to death…or worse, by the most brutal system lord who has ever roamed the planet, and you know what really pisses me off?"
Debbie looked angry.
"I've got to die, with only YOU for company!"
Debbie snarled and moved across the room to Sam, who didn't appear in the least bit intimidated.
"What are you gonna do?" She laughed, "Hit me? Go ahead."
Debbie bit her lip and sat back down again, as far away from Sam as she could possibly manage.
"You're not worth the effort," she snapped.
"No, and if Jack hasn't told you about Charlie yet, he clearly thinks the same about you!"
That shot went home. Debbie turned away, and for a moment Sam felt a stirring of guilt.
What have you got to feel guilty about? She asked herself, for goodness' sake, Sam! Don't let her turn this around on you, not again!
Their silence was interrupted by the jaffa returning Jack to the cell, dumping him on the floor next to Debbie.
"You!" the jaffa said, pointing at Sam, "Our lord wishes to see you."
So, once again, Debbie was left alone in the cell with Jack.
"Well, Colonel Makepeace, if you're sure this will work…"
"100 percent, sir," Makepeace replied.
"Very well - you have a go. 0900 Hours tomorrow morning." Hammond agreed.
"Uh…General, don't you think it would be a good idea for me to go too? I mean, these marines are hardly capable of dealing with a standard operating system, let alone a complex series of numbers and doors, so should I…"
"Not in a million years!" Makepeace retorted.
"Ah - Colonel," Hammond said, "As much as I hate to say this, Dr McKay does have a point."
"Please God, General…" Makepeace begged.
"I'm sorry. He's going with you - but as a computer and technical advisor only. If he steps out of line at any moment…"
"Don't worry, I will!" Makepeace snarled, retreating from the room before he could get caught up in a conversation with McKay.
"I will give you this advice now," Hammond said quietly, "Do not antagonise Colonel Makepeace, doctor, because you will be the one who ends up worse off. Are we clear?"
"Crystal," McKay replied, and went off to bask in the victory of his first off world assignment.
"My love, it is such a pleasure to see you again," Ba'al smiled. He was stretched languidly on a chair as Sam was marched in, and left on the floor. She decided the best policy was to say nothing.
"Now you have gone silent on me once again," he commented, taking a drink from a glass of what Sam assumed to be wine. "Such a pity - you do have a beautiful voice, Major Carter."
Again, Sam said nothing. She knew not to be deceived by his apparent laziness, the way he was sprawled on the chair. He could be on her in seconds, and she knew from experience that he was at least ten times stronger than she was.
"I am willing to make you a deal, my love. The conditions are very simple. I will allow Colonel O'Neill to go free, but you must stay here. I am in desperate need of a new Lo'tar, and I believe you would fill the position quite…satisfactorily."
"Go to hell," She said, forcing herself to meet his eyes. She expected him to jump up, to hurl another dagger at her, do anything…but he stayed perfectly still.
"I beg you to think about this for a moment, my love," he said softly, "What have you got to lose? Your Colonel has eyes only for this other woman, and there is no one that loves you among the Tau'ri. You are completely alone."
"What about the other woman?" Sam asked, careful not to give Debbie's name.
"What about her?" Ba'al asked, sitting up a little more in his chair.
"What'll happen to her?" Sam persisted.
"She will remain here, with us," Ba'al smiled, "You can do to her whatever you wish. As my Lo'tar, I will give you the full authority to do to her as I do to you. I am sure you would enjoy it."
"I am not like you," Sam replied sharply.
"I think you are, my love. Are you seriously telling me that you have no grudge against her? That you have no wish to harm her as she has harmed you? This, I know, cannot be true."
"Let her go," Sam said.
Ba'al rose from his chair.
"Excuse me?"
"Let Colonel O'Neill and the woman go," Sam said steadily, "And then I'll think about your offer."
Ba'al laughed, and walked towards her.
"So smart. No, the deal works like this, my love. You agree to be my Lo'tar, and I let the two of them go. In that order. Otherwise…how do I know if you intend to deceive me?"
How will you ever know? Sam thought, but kept quiet. Was she doing the right thing? Hell, no! Of course she wasn't! She should have been keeping her own butt safe and not worrying about anyone else - especially Jack and Debbie! But no, her 'helping others' gene had gotten in the way again, and now what a mess she had gotten herself into.
"I am still waiting for your answer, my love." Ba'al persisted, running a hand through her hair.
A lifetime serving Ba'al? Had she completely lost her mind?
"No," she said.
His affection quickly turned to anger. He slammed her back into the wall, smiling as she grimaced in pain.
"First you say yes, then you say no! I do not appreciate being toyed with, my love!"
"Go to hell!" She replied.
She felt his hand contact her face in a sharp slap, and fell to the floor again. She struggled to stand up, and he grabbed her arm, pulling it behind her back and pinning her against him. It was then that she felt the cool blade of the knife kiss the skin of her throat.
"I would much rather send you there myself," he smiled, pushing the knife in just a little harder, watching as little beads of blood ran down her neck and disappeared into her shirt. "You will have time to regret your decision, my love, let me promise you now."
He pushed her away from him again, and ordered the jaffa to take her away.
When Sam got back to the cell, she found Debbie cradling Jack in her arms.
"How is he?" Sam asked, still shaken, sitting down on the floor.
"How do you think?" Debbie snapped, "I…I think he's been stabbed."
Sam went over to the pair of them, and gasped. It seemed that Ba'al was tired of using the sarcophagus. The blood still oozed from his wounds, and he was having trouble staying alert.
"Colonel?" Sam asked, then again slightly louder, "Colonel, you've got to stay awake."
The jaffa came for Debbie a few moments later.
"McKay, so help me if you don't shut up…" Makepeace threatened.
"I was just trying to tell you how you could get your laptop to work, seeing as you obviously have no idea!"
"Well you obviously have no idea that Goa'uld ships have a frequency that does jam up our laptops quite frequently!" Edelson replied, "And if you don't belt up, it'll stop working for a different reason!"
"I beg to differ, Edelson my caveman friend, but that is anatomically impossible!"
"Well, Major Carter seemed to be able to do things that were scientifically impossible, didn't she? I think we could give it a try." Makepeace smiled.
McKay flinched a little at the mention of her name.
"Aww…has the Doctor got a crush?" Edelson laughed.
"Trust me, baldy, it's called concern. You might want to try it some time!"
"Hey," Makepeace interrupted, "My team are just as concerned for her as you are. I've known Major Carter for a hell of a lot longer than you, and I consider her to be a friend. We'll get her back because it's our job. Now, are you gonna shut up, or are we gonna make you?"
"Shutting up," McKay obliged.
"Colonel?" Sam asked, gently running a hand through his hair, "Colonel, please wake up."
"Carter?" He asked groggily.
"Yeah, sir, listen to me - please try and stay awake. Don't go to sleep."
"Tired," he mumbled.
"I know," Sam said, biting back tears of her own, "But do this for m…do this for Debbie."
"You're…bleeding," he said quietly, pointing at her neck.
She put a hand to her neck and it came away sticky. She hurriedly wiped it on her jacket.
"I'm fine," she said, "let's concentrate on you."
"Knives," he murmured, "He used them again."
"I know," Sam said, trying to get a better look at his injuries.
"Carter - I'm sorry," Jack said.
"It's okay," Sam replied, still fussing with his shirt, "We'll get out of here, and…"
He reached up a hand to touch her cheek.
"No, I mean it. I'm sorry - about Debbie, about work - hell, the whole of the past two years!"
She turned away from him. He sure picked his moments!
"Sam?"
"I know," she smiled, taking his hand in hers, "I know you do."
"Do you forgive me?" He asked, brokenly.
"I…" Sam stammered, but Jack started to fall asleep again.
"No! Colonel, please…stay awake. Listen to me! I might be able to cut a deal…to get you out of here."
"Don't."
"I'll do it, I will!" Sam said, "But you'll be safe. Debbie can go with you, you can get back to the SGC and…"
"I'm not leaving you behind, Carter," he croaked, "Not an option. Never will be."
"Well, your staying here isn't an option either," Sam replied.
"Don't…do it," he warned her.
"But sir…"
"Dammit, Carter, I gave you an order!" He snapped, wincing as the pain got worse again.
"Your name, my dear, still eludes me," Ba'al commented.
"Why do you want to know my name?" Debbie asked bitterly, "You're only going to torture me again."
Ba'al laughed, twirling his fingers around a glass but stopping just before it reached his lips.
"You have been perfectly willing to share information about Major Carter," he said, very amused. "Your treachery does entertain me so."
"Let the colonel go," Debbie said, determinedly.
Ba'al laughed again.
"You are not the first to have asked for his release, my love - but unfortunately someone has made me a better offer for your beloved one."
"What are you talking about?" Debbie snapped.
"Unlike you, my dear, my tongue is not so loose," Ba'al replied, "But you have been most useful. I have enjoyed my time with you."
He slipped the ribbon device onto his hand and looked at it, as he would look at a lover.
"Don't kill me," Debbie said, "I'll - I'll do anything!"
"Would you sacrifice the life of your lover?" He questioned, still raising the ribbon device threateningly. He smirked as she paused.
"The other one would. Maybe your attraction does not go so deep?"
"Go to hell," Debbie spat.
"Perhaps you should remember who you are talking to," Ba'al threatened, drawing closer to her, "I hold your three lives in the palm of my hand. I have the ability to crush them in a mere second."
"Let…him…go," Debbie tried once more.
Ba'al shook his head.
"Your proposition is of no interest to me, my love," he said, and activated the ribbon device.
Debbie closed her eyes as the pain set in, her last thoughts of Jack as she prepared to die.
"Are we nearly there yet?" McKay whined.
Makepeace cast an astonished look back at the doctor.
"YOU were the one who kissed Hammond's ass to get here!" He snapped, "Do you want to rescue your girlfriend or not?"
"She's not my girlfriend," McKay replied.
"No - she's got more brains than to go out with you!"
"Oh, really? Well, she hasn't asked you out yet, has she?" He replied, annoyed.
"I hate to break up this argument, really - but we have a more important issue here," Edelson reminded them.
"We set up camp another 3 clicks North," Makepeace grunted, ignoring the hand movements that McKay was making behind his back.
"Debbie?" Sam asked, crouching beside the woman as she stirred.
Debbie groaned and put a hand to her head.
"What the hell do you want?" Debbie snapped.
"Well, that's gratitude," Sam sniffed, edging away from her again.
"Jack?" Debbie asked, crawling to his side.
"He's getting worse," Sam said quietly.
"Well, that's obvious," She snapped again. "Ba'al mentioned something about a better offer for Jack's freedom."
Sam paled, but Debbie didn't notice.
"Really?" She choked.
"Hm. Well, whoever the hell it is, I wish they would just get on with it! He clearly doesn't have that much time left!"
"Maybe it's not that simple," Sam stammered.
"WHAT?" Debbie exploded, "How much more simple can it get, Major? If he doesn't get out of here, he…will…DIE! Christ, you're so stupid!"
The thought stung. Debbie was right, wasn't she? If she didn't make the deal with Ba'al, Jack would die. It would all be her fault. Sam ran a hand over her face and back through her hair, barely acknowledging the torrent of abuse that poured from Debbie's mouth.
"…Damn scientists loose track of the real world… too bothered with your little computers…"
Jack. Her CO. They'd been great friends for so many years. They had parted on very bad terms - their two year separation hadn't made the situation any better.
"…Trailing around after him…jumping him that time in the locker room! You're no better than a damned bitch in heat!"
She'd been an embarrassment to him. The realisation struck her like a lightening bolt. Her feelings were completely one-sided. He found her annoying, boring…
"…He's lying here dying now, and you're saying it's not simple? This is all your fault!"
Her fault. It was all her fault. If she hadn't yelled at him that day, she would never have resigned from SG-1. They wouldn't have split up, she never would have been recruited into this mission. It wouldn't have gone ahead, and Jack…
She cast a look down at him on the floor and blinked back tears. Of grief, and anger. Anger at herself, for not preventing this. Damn Debbie. Damn her to hell for being right all the time!
"Are you even listening to me?" Debbie yelled. "This - is - your - fault!"
"What do you want me to do about it?" Sam replied coolly.
The slap connected with her cheek before Sam even knew what was happening.
"You're the one with all the brains, missus! You figure it out! Christ, when we get back to the SGC I've got grounds for a Court Martial…" Debbie shouted.
"If. IF we get back to the SGC," Sam reminded her, dodging another slap.
"Yeah, which ultimately is all…"
"MY FAULT!" Sam yelled back. "I KNOW! You already told me a thousand times!"
"Well then why don't you get off your lazy backside and do something about it?" Debbie roared.
The heavy footfalls of the Jaffa split up their argument, and Sam felt the hand of dread close in on her. It was time she made her choice - her life, or his?
"My love, I do hope you have reconsidered our arrangement," Ba'al smiled, gently hooking his fingers under her chin and turning her face to his.
"You let the Colonel and the other woman go…" Sam said steadily, "And I stay."
Ba'al's face broke into a twisted smile.
"Excellent," was all he said.
To Be Continued…
Author Note: AAGH! Sorry to leave it there. Please send feedback to jm-webmistressfsmail.net Who fancies another chapter??
Rating: R (Violence)
Feedback: jm-webmistressfsmail.net
Spoilers: You need to have read 'Full Circle' and 'Circles of the Mind.'
Summary: A rescue mission is started, but Jack is deteriorating fast, and Debbie bullies Sam into making an impossible choice.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognisable characters and places are the property of MGM, World Gekko Corp and Double Secret productions. This piece of fan fiction was created for entertainment not monetary purposes and no infringement on copyrights or trademarks was intended. Previously unrecognised characters and places, and this story, are copyrighted to the author. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
Details: Jack/Other, Sam/Other UST, Sam/Jack UST, Angst, Drama, Future Season. MCKAY WARNING: Yep, he's nice in this one too, so if you don't like him, don't read this.
Author Notes: Many thanks to NG, who's been great for a very long time, and FinallyAssimilated, who's also a great writer and deserves more credit! Now, on with the story…
Archive: Gateworld, Fanfiction.net
Splitting the Circle
Copyright © Ruth, 2004
They were pretty sure that night had fallen. Debbie jerked a thumb over in Sam's direction.
"Has she calmed down yet?" She asked.
"You really have no idea, do you?" He replied.
"Jack, for goodness' sake! How can you be Ba'al? You don't look anything like him!" Debbie protested, "It's all very well telling me that I have no idea, but how about filling me in? Hmm?"
"He uses some methods of, well call it mind control." Jack began. Debbie snorted, and Jack shot her a glare.
"The stuff he used on Sam is called the Blood of Sokar. It's a very powerful hallucinogen - it can make things seem real when they aren't."
"Since when did you start calling her Sam again?" Debbie snapped.
"For crying out loud, Debbie!" Jack shouted, "What are you more worried about? Seriously? Getting tortured and killed by Ba'al, or me calling my 2IC by her first name?"
"She's not your 2IC any more," Debbie replied hotly, "I am."
Sam was woken by the noise of their fight, and Jack decided to try and talk to her again.
"I know it's hard to believe, and you know that I know it too, but this really is me, Sam."
She looked at him. For the first time in years, he looked properly at her, too. Those once bright blue eyes were darker, filled with an agony he could identify with. Her whole body was tensed, preparing to spring away from him if the moment arose.
"But that's what they always say, don't they Jack? In the hallucinations. It's what my father said to me, what Charlie said to you."
"Charlie?" Debbie asked, "Who's Charlie?"
Sam barked a short laugh.
"You've been together for two years and you haven't told her yet? Jeez!"
Jack shot Sam a pleading glance that she reluctantly understood, and remained quiet.
"Who's Charlie?" Debbie repeated.
The jaffa came again. Their footsteps pounding on the floor were like death bells for Sam, who turned into the wall again.
"Our lord wishes to see you, O'Neill. It seems he is anxious to be re-acquainted with you."
"Whoop-de-do!" Jack said, unenthusiastically, "Take me away, fellas!"
"General, please…" McKay whined.
"I've told you, Doctor McKay, there is not a team on this base that would risk…"
At that moment, Colonel Makepeace entered Hammond's office, without knocking. Noticing what he had done, he stepped back outside and knocked on the door before coming in again.
McKay watched this with raised eyebrows, and muttered,
"What a jerk."
"Colonel?" Hammond asked, ignoring McKay's swipe at Makepeace, "What can I help you with?"
"General Hammond, sir, it's about the rescue mission," Makepeace said, still standing rigidly at attention.
"What rescue mission?" Hammond asked, "I never authorised it!"
"Well, sir, SG-3 are prepared to undertake it if you will give us permission."
"Do you have some evidence to back up this strategy of yours?"
"Yes, sir…I think…Edelson was having some trouble downloading the information…"
Makepeace was interrupted by McKay, who smirked.
"Dear me, cavemen and modern technology just don't mix, do they?" He sneered, "You're probably downloading it into the base mainframe as we speak, screwing up some computer system or another…"
"Doctor McKay, that is enough!" Hammond warned. Makepeace glared at him.
"Colonel, you show me the data that proves it's safe and you'll have a go."
"Yes, sir!" Makepeace said, saluting Hammond and directing him to Edelson's office.
McKay was humming a little tune, and tried to exit the office when he walked into Colonel Makepeace, who was surprisingly hard to distinguish from a wall.
"You want to watch it, Sheila," he smirked, "Or you'll disappear up your own…"
Makepeace grabbed McKay by the scruff of his shirt, and held him up a few inches in the air.
"Now listen, Doctor," Makepeace snarled, "You just stick to your computers and notebooks, and my men will go save the real people, okay?"
McKay squeaked.
Makepeace lowered him back to the floor and left the room with a large smile on his face. He'd been wanting to do that for ages.
"Colonel O'Neill. It is a pleasure to see you again."
"Oh, it's always a pleasure to be tortured by you," Jack shot back.
Ba'al smirked.
"Yes. It is reassuring to see that your sharp tongue has not deserted you."
"Likewise."
"Tell me, Colonel, what happened to your relationship with Major Carter? I must say I was greatly disappointed when I heard that you were no longer a partnership."
"Sorry to disappoint you." Jack snapped.
"Yes, and what of this other woman? What is the attraction?" Ba'al turned around, his back to Jack. "I know which one I would chose, given the option."
"Fortunately, you won't have one," Jack replied.
"Maybe, maybe not," Ba'al smiled, turning back around to face Jack, a dagger in his hand.
"You remember our communal friend?" Ba'al asked, twisting the dagger in his hands, "Your major Carter has already experienced its power. I must say I greatly enjoyed hearing her scream."
"She wouldn't give you the pleasure," Jack snarled.
"Ah," Ba'al smiled, "Just as I thought. You DO still have feelings for her."
"No," Jack said, "But she's smart enough not to let you get one over on her, you snake-headed…"
"What a pity it had to end like this," Ba'al commented thoughtfully, letting go of the dagger.
"So, who's Charlie?" Debbie asked.
Sam had to control her shock at realising that Debbie was addressing the question to her.
"Charlie? He's uh.."
"Jack seemed very pained when you mentioned his name. He must be important to him."
"Charlie was a dog," Sam said, trying to sound serious, "A Burmese Mountain Dog. Jack loved him, but he died in a tragic accident…"
"Don't fuck around with me!" Debbie spat, "I know when someone's lying and that was the biggest one I've heard in a while!"
"Sorry, you're right," Sam admitted. "He was a German Shepherd."
"Damn you, Carter!" Debbie shouted, "I'm asking you a serious question, and you think this is FUNNY?"
Sam smirked, and looked over at Debbie.
"I'm going to die. We're all going to be tortured to death…or worse, by the most brutal system lord who has ever roamed the planet, and you know what really pisses me off?"
Debbie looked angry.
"I've got to die, with only YOU for company!"
Debbie snarled and moved across the room to Sam, who didn't appear in the least bit intimidated.
"What are you gonna do?" She laughed, "Hit me? Go ahead."
Debbie bit her lip and sat back down again, as far away from Sam as she could possibly manage.
"You're not worth the effort," she snapped.
"No, and if Jack hasn't told you about Charlie yet, he clearly thinks the same about you!"
That shot went home. Debbie turned away, and for a moment Sam felt a stirring of guilt.
What have you got to feel guilty about? She asked herself, for goodness' sake, Sam! Don't let her turn this around on you, not again!
Their silence was interrupted by the jaffa returning Jack to the cell, dumping him on the floor next to Debbie.
"You!" the jaffa said, pointing at Sam, "Our lord wishes to see you."
So, once again, Debbie was left alone in the cell with Jack.
"Well, Colonel Makepeace, if you're sure this will work…"
"100 percent, sir," Makepeace replied.
"Very well - you have a go. 0900 Hours tomorrow morning." Hammond agreed.
"Uh…General, don't you think it would be a good idea for me to go too? I mean, these marines are hardly capable of dealing with a standard operating system, let alone a complex series of numbers and doors, so should I…"
"Not in a million years!" Makepeace retorted.
"Ah - Colonel," Hammond said, "As much as I hate to say this, Dr McKay does have a point."
"Please God, General…" Makepeace begged.
"I'm sorry. He's going with you - but as a computer and technical advisor only. If he steps out of line at any moment…"
"Don't worry, I will!" Makepeace snarled, retreating from the room before he could get caught up in a conversation with McKay.
"I will give you this advice now," Hammond said quietly, "Do not antagonise Colonel Makepeace, doctor, because you will be the one who ends up worse off. Are we clear?"
"Crystal," McKay replied, and went off to bask in the victory of his first off world assignment.
"My love, it is such a pleasure to see you again," Ba'al smiled. He was stretched languidly on a chair as Sam was marched in, and left on the floor. She decided the best policy was to say nothing.
"Now you have gone silent on me once again," he commented, taking a drink from a glass of what Sam assumed to be wine. "Such a pity - you do have a beautiful voice, Major Carter."
Again, Sam said nothing. She knew not to be deceived by his apparent laziness, the way he was sprawled on the chair. He could be on her in seconds, and she knew from experience that he was at least ten times stronger than she was.
"I am willing to make you a deal, my love. The conditions are very simple. I will allow Colonel O'Neill to go free, but you must stay here. I am in desperate need of a new Lo'tar, and I believe you would fill the position quite…satisfactorily."
"Go to hell," She said, forcing herself to meet his eyes. She expected him to jump up, to hurl another dagger at her, do anything…but he stayed perfectly still.
"I beg you to think about this for a moment, my love," he said softly, "What have you got to lose? Your Colonel has eyes only for this other woman, and there is no one that loves you among the Tau'ri. You are completely alone."
"What about the other woman?" Sam asked, careful not to give Debbie's name.
"What about her?" Ba'al asked, sitting up a little more in his chair.
"What'll happen to her?" Sam persisted.
"She will remain here, with us," Ba'al smiled, "You can do to her whatever you wish. As my Lo'tar, I will give you the full authority to do to her as I do to you. I am sure you would enjoy it."
"I am not like you," Sam replied sharply.
"I think you are, my love. Are you seriously telling me that you have no grudge against her? That you have no wish to harm her as she has harmed you? This, I know, cannot be true."
"Let her go," Sam said.
Ba'al rose from his chair.
"Excuse me?"
"Let Colonel O'Neill and the woman go," Sam said steadily, "And then I'll think about your offer."
Ba'al laughed, and walked towards her.
"So smart. No, the deal works like this, my love. You agree to be my Lo'tar, and I let the two of them go. In that order. Otherwise…how do I know if you intend to deceive me?"
How will you ever know? Sam thought, but kept quiet. Was she doing the right thing? Hell, no! Of course she wasn't! She should have been keeping her own butt safe and not worrying about anyone else - especially Jack and Debbie! But no, her 'helping others' gene had gotten in the way again, and now what a mess she had gotten herself into.
"I am still waiting for your answer, my love." Ba'al persisted, running a hand through her hair.
A lifetime serving Ba'al? Had she completely lost her mind?
"No," she said.
His affection quickly turned to anger. He slammed her back into the wall, smiling as she grimaced in pain.
"First you say yes, then you say no! I do not appreciate being toyed with, my love!"
"Go to hell!" She replied.
She felt his hand contact her face in a sharp slap, and fell to the floor again. She struggled to stand up, and he grabbed her arm, pulling it behind her back and pinning her against him. It was then that she felt the cool blade of the knife kiss the skin of her throat.
"I would much rather send you there myself," he smiled, pushing the knife in just a little harder, watching as little beads of blood ran down her neck and disappeared into her shirt. "You will have time to regret your decision, my love, let me promise you now."
He pushed her away from him again, and ordered the jaffa to take her away.
When Sam got back to the cell, she found Debbie cradling Jack in her arms.
"How is he?" Sam asked, still shaken, sitting down on the floor.
"How do you think?" Debbie snapped, "I…I think he's been stabbed."
Sam went over to the pair of them, and gasped. It seemed that Ba'al was tired of using the sarcophagus. The blood still oozed from his wounds, and he was having trouble staying alert.
"Colonel?" Sam asked, then again slightly louder, "Colonel, you've got to stay awake."
The jaffa came for Debbie a few moments later.
"McKay, so help me if you don't shut up…" Makepeace threatened.
"I was just trying to tell you how you could get your laptop to work, seeing as you obviously have no idea!"
"Well you obviously have no idea that Goa'uld ships have a frequency that does jam up our laptops quite frequently!" Edelson replied, "And if you don't belt up, it'll stop working for a different reason!"
"I beg to differ, Edelson my caveman friend, but that is anatomically impossible!"
"Well, Major Carter seemed to be able to do things that were scientifically impossible, didn't she? I think we could give it a try." Makepeace smiled.
McKay flinched a little at the mention of her name.
"Aww…has the Doctor got a crush?" Edelson laughed.
"Trust me, baldy, it's called concern. You might want to try it some time!"
"Hey," Makepeace interrupted, "My team are just as concerned for her as you are. I've known Major Carter for a hell of a lot longer than you, and I consider her to be a friend. We'll get her back because it's our job. Now, are you gonna shut up, or are we gonna make you?"
"Shutting up," McKay obliged.
"Colonel?" Sam asked, gently running a hand through his hair, "Colonel, please wake up."
"Carter?" He asked groggily.
"Yeah, sir, listen to me - please try and stay awake. Don't go to sleep."
"Tired," he mumbled.
"I know," Sam said, biting back tears of her own, "But do this for m…do this for Debbie."
"You're…bleeding," he said quietly, pointing at her neck.
She put a hand to her neck and it came away sticky. She hurriedly wiped it on her jacket.
"I'm fine," she said, "let's concentrate on you."
"Knives," he murmured, "He used them again."
"I know," Sam said, trying to get a better look at his injuries.
"Carter - I'm sorry," Jack said.
"It's okay," Sam replied, still fussing with his shirt, "We'll get out of here, and…"
He reached up a hand to touch her cheek.
"No, I mean it. I'm sorry - about Debbie, about work - hell, the whole of the past two years!"
She turned away from him. He sure picked his moments!
"Sam?"
"I know," she smiled, taking his hand in hers, "I know you do."
"Do you forgive me?" He asked, brokenly.
"I…" Sam stammered, but Jack started to fall asleep again.
"No! Colonel, please…stay awake. Listen to me! I might be able to cut a deal…to get you out of here."
"Don't."
"I'll do it, I will!" Sam said, "But you'll be safe. Debbie can go with you, you can get back to the SGC and…"
"I'm not leaving you behind, Carter," he croaked, "Not an option. Never will be."
"Well, your staying here isn't an option either," Sam replied.
"Don't…do it," he warned her.
"But sir…"
"Dammit, Carter, I gave you an order!" He snapped, wincing as the pain got worse again.
"Your name, my dear, still eludes me," Ba'al commented.
"Why do you want to know my name?" Debbie asked bitterly, "You're only going to torture me again."
Ba'al laughed, twirling his fingers around a glass but stopping just before it reached his lips.
"You have been perfectly willing to share information about Major Carter," he said, very amused. "Your treachery does entertain me so."
"Let the colonel go," Debbie said, determinedly.
Ba'al laughed again.
"You are not the first to have asked for his release, my love - but unfortunately someone has made me a better offer for your beloved one."
"What are you talking about?" Debbie snapped.
"Unlike you, my dear, my tongue is not so loose," Ba'al replied, "But you have been most useful. I have enjoyed my time with you."
He slipped the ribbon device onto his hand and looked at it, as he would look at a lover.
"Don't kill me," Debbie said, "I'll - I'll do anything!"
"Would you sacrifice the life of your lover?" He questioned, still raising the ribbon device threateningly. He smirked as she paused.
"The other one would. Maybe your attraction does not go so deep?"
"Go to hell," Debbie spat.
"Perhaps you should remember who you are talking to," Ba'al threatened, drawing closer to her, "I hold your three lives in the palm of my hand. I have the ability to crush them in a mere second."
"Let…him…go," Debbie tried once more.
Ba'al shook his head.
"Your proposition is of no interest to me, my love," he said, and activated the ribbon device.
Debbie closed her eyes as the pain set in, her last thoughts of Jack as she prepared to die.
"Are we nearly there yet?" McKay whined.
Makepeace cast an astonished look back at the doctor.
"YOU were the one who kissed Hammond's ass to get here!" He snapped, "Do you want to rescue your girlfriend or not?"
"She's not my girlfriend," McKay replied.
"No - she's got more brains than to go out with you!"
"Oh, really? Well, she hasn't asked you out yet, has she?" He replied, annoyed.
"I hate to break up this argument, really - but we have a more important issue here," Edelson reminded them.
"We set up camp another 3 clicks North," Makepeace grunted, ignoring the hand movements that McKay was making behind his back.
"Debbie?" Sam asked, crouching beside the woman as she stirred.
Debbie groaned and put a hand to her head.
"What the hell do you want?" Debbie snapped.
"Well, that's gratitude," Sam sniffed, edging away from her again.
"Jack?" Debbie asked, crawling to his side.
"He's getting worse," Sam said quietly.
"Well, that's obvious," She snapped again. "Ba'al mentioned something about a better offer for Jack's freedom."
Sam paled, but Debbie didn't notice.
"Really?" She choked.
"Hm. Well, whoever the hell it is, I wish they would just get on with it! He clearly doesn't have that much time left!"
"Maybe it's not that simple," Sam stammered.
"WHAT?" Debbie exploded, "How much more simple can it get, Major? If he doesn't get out of here, he…will…DIE! Christ, you're so stupid!"
The thought stung. Debbie was right, wasn't she? If she didn't make the deal with Ba'al, Jack would die. It would all be her fault. Sam ran a hand over her face and back through her hair, barely acknowledging the torrent of abuse that poured from Debbie's mouth.
"…Damn scientists loose track of the real world… too bothered with your little computers…"
Jack. Her CO. They'd been great friends for so many years. They had parted on very bad terms - their two year separation hadn't made the situation any better.
"…Trailing around after him…jumping him that time in the locker room! You're no better than a damned bitch in heat!"
She'd been an embarrassment to him. The realisation struck her like a lightening bolt. Her feelings were completely one-sided. He found her annoying, boring…
"…He's lying here dying now, and you're saying it's not simple? This is all your fault!"
Her fault. It was all her fault. If she hadn't yelled at him that day, she would never have resigned from SG-1. They wouldn't have split up, she never would have been recruited into this mission. It wouldn't have gone ahead, and Jack…
She cast a look down at him on the floor and blinked back tears. Of grief, and anger. Anger at herself, for not preventing this. Damn Debbie. Damn her to hell for being right all the time!
"Are you even listening to me?" Debbie yelled. "This - is - your - fault!"
"What do you want me to do about it?" Sam replied coolly.
The slap connected with her cheek before Sam even knew what was happening.
"You're the one with all the brains, missus! You figure it out! Christ, when we get back to the SGC I've got grounds for a Court Martial…" Debbie shouted.
"If. IF we get back to the SGC," Sam reminded her, dodging another slap.
"Yeah, which ultimately is all…"
"MY FAULT!" Sam yelled back. "I KNOW! You already told me a thousand times!"
"Well then why don't you get off your lazy backside and do something about it?" Debbie roared.
The heavy footfalls of the Jaffa split up their argument, and Sam felt the hand of dread close in on her. It was time she made her choice - her life, or his?
"My love, I do hope you have reconsidered our arrangement," Ba'al smiled, gently hooking his fingers under her chin and turning her face to his.
"You let the Colonel and the other woman go…" Sam said steadily, "And I stay."
Ba'al's face broke into a twisted smile.
"Excellent," was all he said.
To Be Continued…
Author Note: AAGH! Sorry to leave it there. Please send feedback to jm-webmistressfsmail.net Who fancies another chapter??