Chapter 15 - Revelations

When they reached Jack's house, Sam ran upstairs to take a quick shower and change her clothes. Aside from the dirt she had gathered chasing Chris through the tunnels; she also felt the need for a hot shower after getting sick in the park. Daniel made his way to the kitchen, intent on clearing the air at least a little between Sam and Jack.

"Hey Danny, nice of you to come back!" Jack greeted his friend. He looked behind Daniel for Sam. "I do hope you happened to bring Carter back with you!"

"Yes Jack, I did. She wanted to take a quick shower before dinner. She mentioned something about being dirty from climbing through tunnels today."

Jack frowned at the statement that reminded him why he was upset with Carter earlier. Daniel saw the frown and correctly interpreted why it was there.

"Listen Jack, I don't want to get in the middle of anything, especially about what happened today. But did you bother to let Sam explain things to you?"

Jack opened his mouth to fling out a sarcastic reply but then closed it. He needed to be honest with himself as well as his friends. "No. I guess I never really gave her a chance. I suppose she told you though?"

"As a matter of fact she did. Apparently, Chris ran off to the playground before Sam had a chance to tell him if she'd bring him or not. She had to run after him so he wouldn't get lost. She saw you and what's her name headed back to the bench, but by the time she had corralled Chris, you were gone. She headed to the Lost and Found tent right away. You know Jack; you don't have to worry about her so much. She can still take care of herself, even though she might look like she can't right now."

Jack sighed, "I know Daniel, I know. Sometimes it's just hard. She reminds me of Charlie when he was little. I think I'm afraid of doing something, or not doing something and she'll get hurt, just like he did," he finished quietly.

Daniel went to put his hand on Jack's arm, "That's not going to happen Jack. But I'd suggest you talk to her. She thinks you don't want her around. She even asked me if she could come home with me tonight."

"She did? What made her think that? And what did you say in response?" Jack narrowed his eyes at his friend.

"She overheard you talking to me on the phone. I told Sam I couldn't bring her home because of the new plans. And no, I didn't tell her any of that yet. I told her we would explain after dinner."

"Speaking of dinner O'Neill," said Teal'c, who had remained quiet during this exchange, "There appears to be smoke emanating from your outdoor appliance."

"Oh shit!" Jack yelled and he quickly ran out the door to tend to the steaks.

A few minutes later, Jack entered the kitchen carrying the platter of slightly charred steaks at the same time Sam entered. He stopped to look at her and gave her a slight smile. "You look nice Carter. Enjoy your shower?"

"Yes sir," she quietly replied. Sam had put on the one pair of shorts from Cassie that fit and a green striped shirt. She had combed her hair and pulled it back into a ponytail, a few wisps escaping around her cheeks. "Can I do anything to help?"

Jack had been about to say no, but decided he should let her help. "Sure, you and Daniel can set the table while I get the rest of the food out. Teal'c, can you get out the beverages?"

"Indeed O'Neill."

Once everything was ready, the four friends sat down to eat, carefully staying away from the topic of the afternoon's adventure and the Triplexus. Daniel did mention to Sam that they had still been unable to get a hold of her father. The Tok'ra had him on some important mission, like usual. Sam nodded in understanding, yet still felt a pang of loneliness at her father's long absence.

Sam, her stomach still not feeling too great, picked at her food. She ate a few bites of her potato and roll but pushed the meat around on her plate. This did not go unnoticed by any of the men, but Daniel at least knew why she wasn't eating.

"Something wrong with the cuisine Carter?"

Sam looked up at Jack, then down at her plate and over to the window. The sight of the meat was making her slightly queasy. "I'm just not that hungry right now Sir. Must have had too much junk to eat today."

"You do look pale Major Carter. Are you certain you are feeling well?" inquired Teal'c.

Sam glanced over at Daniel before answering. "I'm fine Teal'c. Really."

Jack didn't miss the exchange between Sam and Daniel. He decided to let it go for now but came around the table and squatted in front of her to feel her forehead. "You're not warm. Sure it's just that you're not hungry Sam?" he asked her quietly.

At his use of her first name, she almost told him the truth but didn't want to go back to the way things had been earlier. So she toned down the truth a bit. "My stomach is a little upset and I'm tired, that's all. I'll be fine, please stop worrying about me," she addressed all three of them.

Jack got up and went to the refrigerator and got out a can of Ginger Ale. "Why don't you drink some of this...it might help."

"Maybe you should go and rest on the couch for a bit Sam," Daniel looked at her meaningfully. "We'll join you when we're done. We have a lot to talk about regarding our recent findings."

Sam, eager to get away from the look and smell of the food, readily agreed. She left the room, taking her can of soda with her.

"You want to tell me what that was all about Danny?" Jack asked. He knew there was more to it than Sam had told him.

"Not particularly Jack," Daniel responded and he went back to eating his dinner. Teal'c and Jack raised their eyebrows at each other then resumed eating as well. As long as Sam wasn't in danger of becoming sick again, they'd both let things be.

Sam was lying on the couch, reading a People magazine. Her head was resting in the middle of the couch, her bare feet sticking over the arm on one side. As Jack, Daniel and Teal'c came into the room, Jack tickled the small feet hanging over the side. With a squeal, Sam pulled her feet in and sat up, surprised to see the grin on Jack's face. He seemed ready to let by-gones be by-gones. Well, so was she.

"Sorry Sam, I couldn't resist."

Daniel sat down next to Sam and took the magazine from her hands. "Since when do you read People Sam?" he asked.

"Since it's the only magazine around here besides fishing magazines," she retorted.

"Hey, they're both informative and entertaining publications. Isn't that what magazines are supposed to be?" Jack sat in his recliner and took his magazine back out of Daniel's hands.

Teal'c claimed the other chair and directed his question to Sam. He was ready to steer the conversation to the topic they were all concerned with. Namely the Triplexus and what he and Daniel had discovered.

"Major Carter, are you feeling better?" he inquired.

Sam smiled at him. "Yes, Teal'c. My stomach seems to have settled down." She shared another brief look with Daniel; one that was filled with relief as well as a little guilt.

"Do you require any nourishment?" he continued.

"No thank you. I'm too interested in finding out what you and Daniel have discovered to even think about eating right now," she stated.

Daniel looked to Jack who gave the archeologist a slight nod, indicating that he should start. Sam sat up straight, tucking her feet under her and looking intently toward Daniel. "Well, we already know what the figures of the woman and the girl are. Teal'c and I have discovered that the wiggly line with the two smaller lines coming out of it represent a Goa'uld symbiote. Apparently, the device was created to detect a Goa'uld in the body of a female host and destroy it by changing the host back into a child."

Sam frowned, deep in thought as she took in the information. Her eyebrows furrowed and her small nose wrinkled in contemplation. She spoke her thoughts out loud: "Then the device sensed that I carried naquadah in my blood. It reacted to the chemical, thinking I was Goa'uld, so it changed me into my present form."

"That is correct Major Carter. The inscriptions on the back of the Triplexus indicate that this device is intended to be used as a means of eradicating the evil that is the Goa'uld. The adult host is changed into a child and a chemical entered into the blood stream that impairs the symbiote for several days. After this time, it can no longer sustain itself in the body of one so young so it either leaves, or dies off," Teal'c informed her.

"So what is the purpose of this thing only working on women?" Jack asked curiously.

Daniel fielded this question. "The inscriptions on the back alluded to procreation as well. Teal'c and I guessed that whoever designed the Triplexus wanted to prevent more children being born who would then become target hosts or slaves for the Goa'uld."

"What if the Goa'uld left the child's body and went into another adult? Was there any indication about what would happen should this occur?" Sam asked curiously.

"Of that we are unaware Major Carter. Both Daniel Jackson and myself had the same concern."

All four members remained quiet as they thought about those implications. Then Sam once again spoke up. "So where does this all leave me? Did you find out how to change me back?" she asked hopefully.

Daniel and Teal'c looked at each other. From the pause in the room, Sam already guessed the answer.

"I'm sorry Sam. Nothing on the Triplexus tells us anything about reversing the process." After another uncomfortable silence he continued, "To tell you the truth, we're not sure it can be reversed. All indications showed that the women who were changed back to children stayed that way until they naturally grew older again."

Sam paled at the thought. She couldn't remain like this! It just wasn't possible!

Seeing her reaction, Jack broke in, "There is a plan B however Sam. Daniel and Teal'c have convinced General Hammond to let them go back to the planet to decipher the writings that are on the walls in the area where the device was found. They'll leave tomorrow morning." After looking at the other two men, he added quietly, "I'll be going with them. Someone has to keep Danny out of trouble you know," he tried to lighten the atmosphere. It didn't work.

"And I don't suppose I'll be allowed to come with, even though this does directly affect me?" Sam inquired, a bit of a bite to her tone.

Jack shook his head. "Sorry Carter. We don't know what effect gate travel would have on you right now. Besides that, you can hardly be expected to carry a P-90 along with all the other gear we will need."

Sam understood the reasoning, but still felt very left out. She so wanted to be doing something to help further this process along. "Will I at least be allowed to go back on base and work in my lab? I might be able to come up with something there. I was researching the electromagnetic field that the Triplexus generates before..." she stopped and looked at Jack, remembering why she had been interrupted.

"Before you tried the mountain climbing stint?" Jack asked with a slight grin.

Sam frowned at him, "It wasn't that bad."

Jack snorted in reply, then grew serious again. "Actually Sam, you are going to get at least one more day of vacation. Lucky you!" he tried enthusiastically.

Sam gaped at him. "So what am I supposed to do? I don't even have my laptop here and you won't let me go to my house. I can't sit around and watch TV all day or read your magazines! I'll go nuts!" By the end of this speech, she was standing up on the couch, becoming more frantic at the thought of sitting around by herself while the rest of her team was off trying to help her. She wanted to help herself!

"Take it easy Sam," Daniel assured her, holding out his hand to steady her on the couch. Sam realized just then what she was doing and sank back down, something akin to a pout on her face. "We've actually made some, uh, plans for you. Janet didn't want you to be along for too long so..." Daniel looked to Jack to finish. She was probably not going to like this one bit! He was right.

"Well Carter, you know how you mentioned last week that you haven't gotten to spend much time with Cassie lately?" Jack asked hesitantly.

Sam looked from one to the other. "Oh my God, please don't tell me that Cassie is going to baby-sit me? There's no way on this planet..."

"She's not going to baby-sit per se Sam. She's just going to spend the day with you. She doesn't start school for a few more days, so Janet thought this would be the perfect answer," Daniel filled in. Sam shook her head, then put it in her hands. She could not believe this was happening!

Teal'c, ever the clear-headed one of the group, spoke up. "Do you not wish to spend time with Cassandra Frasier, Major Carter? I believed the two of you to be very close."

Sam looked up at Teal'c. "It's not that Teal'c. I love being with Cassie. But how is she going to react to this? She isn't going to know whether to just treat me normally or get all overprotective like other people I won't mention." Sam looked over at Jack, then looked away.

"Sam," Daniel took her hand and made her look in his eyes. "Janet has told Cassie everything that has happened. If anyone can handle the change in you, Cassie can. She's actually looking forward to seeing you. I think she has plans to go to the mall, among other things."

Jack scowled slightly at this news. He wasn't sure if he wanted Cassie taking Sam out of the house. It was just another chance for her to disappear. He shook his head slightly, he better not go there again; it only caused trouble.

Sam sighed in resignation. If she had to be 'watched' by someone, she would prefer Cassie to Janet. The teenager might stare at her for a while, but then she would get over it and they would probably have a good time together. "All right Daniel. I guess I don't have a choice in the matter. What time are you heading out tomorrow?"

"0830, on the dot," Jack broke in. "Cassie should be over around 0730. She wasn't too thrilled about getting up so early on one of her last vacation days but, after Janet told her she would have lots of spending money for the day, she agreed. Unfortunately, it's my money she'll be spending," Jack gave a mock frown.

The others laughed and the tense moment was broken. Daniel and Teal'c got off their respective seats and Jack and Sam also stood up, although Sam stood up on the couch so she would be at eye level with the rest of the team.

"Well Sam, Teal'c and I should be heading out. I have a few more things to get translated before we head out tomorrow." Daniel came over to her and looked at her with concern. "Are you sure you're going to be all right?" He wasn't just speaking about tomorrow with Cassie. He was also referring to how she was coping with the day's events.

Sam nodded and gave him one of her bright smiles. "I'll be fine Daniel. Thanks so much for everything." And she wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a tight hug. Daniel hugged her back, glancing at Jack over Sam's shoulder and giving him a puzzled look. Sam wasn't usually this demonstrative, not that he was complaining of course! He was glad to be able to help her through this difficult time.

Sam released Daniel then moved to give Teal'c a hug as well, although not quite as tight as the one for Daniel had been. She wasn't sure how the Jaffa would react to a hug from a tiny Sam, but he took it in his stride; hugging her back and giving her a smile when she pulled back.

"We will do everything within our power to find an answer for you Major Carter," he assured her, then he bowed slightly and made his way to the door, Daniel following in his wake.

"See you tomorrow Jack. We've been given eight hours on the planet Sam. We'll meet up with you again tomorrow night and let you know what we've discovered. Good night," Daniel said as he and Teal'c headed out the door.

In the quiet that followed, Jack and Sam looked at each other, each waiting for the other to break the silence.

"So?" Jack began their usual awkward conversation starter.

"So..." Sam smiled in return.

"You sure you're OK with everything? I know it isn't what you would have planned..." he let the rest of his sentence remain unfinished.

"I know. But I'll be fine. I'll just have to make the best of it. Although I am looking forward to spending some of your money with Cassie," she grinned impishly at him.

He smiled back. "Just make sure you don't spend it on tattoos or body piercings. I don't want to have to answer to Frasier about something like that!" He gave a shudder at the thought.

"Oh darn, there goes that plan!" She smiled.

Jack tickled her in reply, then sat down next to her when she fell back on the couch laughing. He got serious then as he turned to speak with her. "Listen Sam, I want to apologize for this afternoon. I never should have let things get out of control like they did. I really thought I owed it to Sabrena to spend some time with her, especially with everything she did for Sara after Charlie died. She's changed though. Man, has she changed."

"Let's just forget about it Jack. I overreacted as well. I just hate feeling so... I don't know, useless?"

Jack tipped her chin up. "You could never be useless young lady, so don't even think it!"

Sam smiled in response, then said, "I really feel badly for Chris though. His mother doesn't seem to give him a second thought. The poor kid is so lonely for attention."

"I've been thinking about that too. I think I'll give old Bryan a call, let him know what's happening. Hopefully he can talk Sabrena into letting Chris spend more time with him."

"That would be great," Sam replied. She felt a yawn coming on and covered her mouth with her hand.

"OK, off to bed with you. I'll clean up the dishes then I think I'll head up as well. It's going to be a busy day tomorrow; I bet you'll have a lot more fun though!" he grinned.

"We'll have to compare notes in the evening I guess!" Sam got off the couch and headed towards the stairs.

Jack repeated his parting remark from the night before: "Good night little Sam."

She turned around and grinned at him. "Good night Big Jack!"

An hour later, Jack made a brief phone call to one Bryan Colton. Then he headed up to bed, stopping in Sam's room to make sure she was actually in bed before he retired for the night. He smiled in relief when he saw her tucked under the covers, the stuffed bear she had won resting on top of the pillow near her head. He walked over to her, brushed the hair out of her face and tugged the blanket up around her shoulders.

As he turned to leave, he heard his name spoken ever so quietly: "Jack?"

He turned back to her and stepped closer. "What is it Sam?" he replied in an equally quiet voice.

Never opening her eyes, Sam whispered, "Sabrena was wrong you know. Charlie was lucky to have you for a dad."

Feeling a slight mist in his eyes, Jack leaned down and gave her a kiss on the forehead. "Thank you Sam. That means a lot to me," he whispered. Then he turned and left, leaving the door slightly ajar in case she should need anything during the night.

A/N: I hope this chapter didn't get too long for you but the words just kept pouring out! Hope you liked the warm fuzzies at the end! Lots of fun in the next chapter!