A/N: Not quite the light-hearted chapter I was going for but I think you will still enjoy it! Two chapters in one weekend...I am doing well!

Chapter 20 – Brawling in Back Alleys

"You have a what?" they all asked at once.

"You heard me," Sam frowned as she continued to feel the offending tooth with her tongue. "Janet? What's going to happen if it falls out? When I get back to normal, will I have missing a tooth?" She was beginning to grow rather concerned with this whole new development.

"Well, kids do start losing their baby teeth anywhere from age 5 to eight. This should be considered normal for your present age. As far as what will happen when we get you back to normal, I'm not sure, but I'd hazard a guess that you won't be missing any teeth. This is after all a baby tooth and you have all your adult teeth as a grown-up."

Jack, who was beginning to find this rather humorous, couldn't help teasing her. "So, are we going to get a visit from the tooth fairy tonight?"

Sam gave him a look that could have frozen hell over, then she jumped down from her seat. "I'm going to the ladies room. I'll be back shortly." She desperately wanted to examine this tooth problem in the privacy of the restroom, where she would have a mirror to use as well. Jack moved to follow her, realizing he hadn't helped matters, when Cassie stood up.

"Let me go, Jack. I don't think she'll want to talk to you right now. You can't go in there anyway." Jack nodded and watched as Cassie hurried after Sam.

"What is this tooth fairy O'Neill and why did the mention of it upset Major Carter so?" Teal'c inquired.

"Later T, later," Jack responded.

-----------

In the bathroom, Sam stood on her tiptoes, looking into the mirror. Yep, she definitely had a loose tooth. One of her lower front teeth was tipped at an odd angle and there was a bit of blood along the lower end of the tooth. Just when I thought I was adjusting rather well to everything, something new has to happen, Sam thought to herself.

She turned away from the mirror as Cassie entered the restroom. "Are you OK Sam? Everyone is a worried about you. You left the table rather abruptly."

Turning back to the mirror, Sam replied, "I had to see this for myself. Plus I couldn't take any of Jack's teasing. Why does he have to make a joke out of everything?" she asked the teenager, not really expecting an answer.

Cassie just shrugged her shoulders, "You know Jack. I don't think he meant anything by it though Here, let me see your tooth." Cassie stepped closer and looked into Sam's mouth. "It looks like it will take a few days to come out, as long as you don't wiggle it too much. Maybe by that time, you'll be back to your old self." At the narrowing of Sam's eyes, Cassie amended her statement, "I mean your usual self!"

Sam sank back on her heels and sighed. "I need a few moments alone here Cassie. Will you go back and tell everyone I'm fine? I'll be out in a few minutes." When Cassie hesitated, Sam implored, "Please? I'll be fine, I promise."

"OK Sam. I'll see you in a few minutes." Sam smiled gratefully and Cassie left the restroom, heading back to the table to share what Sam had said.

Sam stood in front of the mirror a bit longer. She was not ready to go out and face the stares of her friends, even though they didn't mean any harm by it. Knowing that Janet or even worse, one of the guys, would come looking for her soon, Sam left the bathroom. But instead of heading back to their table, she took a right and headed toward the back of the restaurant. She knew from previous visits that there was a back door, so she made her way there and out into an alley in the back. She found some crates by the door and sat down on them, feeling more than a little self pity and trying to pull herself out of it. It was only a loose tooth for God's sake!

Anthony, the waiter who had been taking care of their table, spotted Sam leaving through the back door and followed. He was concerned; after all, the adults at her table had been keeping a rather close eye on her all night. He wondered why she was off on her own, and in the alley to boot!

--------

Meanwhile, back at the table, Jack was growing nervous. Cassie had been back for five minutes and there was still no sign of Sam. "That does it," he declared, standing up. "I'm going after her even if I have to drag her out of the restroom."

"Hold on Colonel. We don't want to start another riot. I'll go in while you wait outside the door. There just might be other women in there you know!" Janet moved to stand next to Jack. She didn't want things to get out of hand, especially over a loose tooth!

Jack nodded his agreement as he followed her to the ladies room. Janet came out a few seconds later, concern etched in her features. Jack knew something was up. "What is it?" he asked, coming straight to the point.

"She's not in there Colonel. There's no one in there."

"I knew it! She's up and disappeared on me again! She can't have gone far; one of us would have seen her walk by if she was headed out. You go and get the others, I'll start looking," Jack ordered, reverting to military mode.

The four adults and one teenager spread out in the restaurant, looking for one wayward young major who was nursing not only a sore tooth, but most likely a sore ego as well.

-------------

Anthony opened the door leading out back and peeked around, glad to see that the young girl was still in view, sitting glumly on some crates. Trying not to startle her, he sat a few feet away and took out a cigarette and lighter. When she glanced over at him, he stated casually, "You mind if I smoke? I'm on break and this is the only place I can go."

"I don't mind," Sam answered. She looked away.

"So," Anthony began in what he hoped was a conversational tone, "did something happen in there you want to talk about? I hope it's not the food!" He winked at her.

Sam smiled slightly, "No the food was great. It's just...I don't know if I can explain it. I'm just not myself lately. Lots of things happening that I don't quite know how to deal with. You ever feel like that?" She turned her gaze on him and waited for an answer.

Anthony smiled as he blew out a ring of smoke, "All the time. I think everyone does. That's life I guess. You never know what's going to hit you from one moment to the next, but you learn to deal with it." He looked over at her. "You are lucky in at least one thing, Princess. You have a whole lot of people who care about you. I can tell that just by looking at the group you're with tonight."

Sam looked down at her feet swinging against the crate. "Yeah. You're right about that. Sometimes they care a little too much, if you know what I mean."

Anthony regarded her thoughtfully. "Actually, I don't. I never really had anyone care about things like what I ate or drank, or if I was late coming back from the bathroom. I wish I did." He leaned back against the wall, giving her some quiet time to think. Sam did just that and she began to feel a bit guilty at leaving her friends the way she did.

She was just about to get up and return to the restaurant when she heard a crashing sound from around the corner. She and Anthony both sat up straight as two men came stumbling around the corner, obviously drunk. As they came closer, Sam could see that one of the men was Joe, the guy she had beaten at pool. She nervously stood up as he came closer, watching the gleam in his eye that was directed right at her.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the litl' pool shark, out for a smoke with her boyfriend," he leered as he came closer.

Anthony stood up quickly and blocked Sam from Joe's view. "Come on Joe, go on home now. You've had way too much to drink for one night and don't want to do anything stupid."

"Stupid? She's the one made me look stupid! Dumb litl' kid playing me for a fool!" Joe lunged awkwardly around Anthony and tried to grab Sam by the arm. Anthony, not a large man but strong in his own right, pushed Joe backwards hard enough that he fell over some crates and crashed to the ground.

"Knock it off Joe! I mean it now!" Anthony turned to the man who had accompanied Joe. "Hank, take Joe home before he gets himself into trouble, would you?"

He turned to look reassuringly down at Sam. "Don't worry Princess, I won't let him hurt you. Why don't you run inside now and find your family. You shouldn't be out here."

Sam was about to respond when Joe lurched to his feet and pushed Anthony aside so hard that he fell into the crates on the side of the door, hitting his head hard as he went down. Sam tried to go to him but Joe grabbed her roughly by the upper arms and picked her up. "You ain't getting away that easily missy!" Sam squirmed in his arms and yelled at him to put her down.

"Come on Joe,' Hank said nervously, "Put the kid down before one of those big guys comes out for her." He glanced from side to side as if expecting them at any moment.

"I'll put her down once she gives me my ten bucks back.!" Joe snarled.

"I won it fair and square and you know it! Now let me down!" Sam yelled as she squirmed even harder. Joe had a hard time holding her wiggling body and Sam took the opportunity to place a well aimed kick directly into his knee. Joe howled in protest and flipped her around, one arm across her chest, the other across her upper thighs to prevent her from kicking again.

"You'll pay for that you little brat," he growled into her ear. Sam, knowing she had a distinct disadvantage here, wasn't afraid to call out for help. As she hollered once, long and loud, she found a meaty hand clamped over her mouth. Sam had been in mid-yell, so her mouth was open. She did what had come naturally several years ago when she had felt a hand over her mouth in a dark cell; she bit down for all she was worth.

Joe yelled out in pain as he pulled his hand away from her mouth. At that same moment, the back door crashed open and two large men filled its frame. Jack took one brief look at what was happening and charged out of the door, Teal'c following in his wake.

When Hank saw the men appear, he started to move slowly backwards, holding his hands up in supplication. "I didn't do anything to her, I swear. It was all Joe's idea."

Jack ignored the other man and moved toward Joe. Joe backed up a step as well, still holding onto to Sam, although not nearly as tightly as he had before. He had blood dripping down his hand where Sam had broken the skin. Her mouth appeared bloody as well and Jack wasn't sure who did what damage to whom. In a deadly voice, Jack said to the man, "I don't know what the hell is going on here, but if you value your life, you'll put her down right now."

Joe, not a particularly bright man even when sober, decided to talk before doing what Jack had ordered. "I wasn't gonna hurt her, just try and scare her a bit. And get my ten bucks back from her, but she up and bit me, the little brat!"

"Hey!" Sam yelled as she squirmed some more.

Jack came a step closer. He wanted to just grab Sam out of this guy's arms, then take him down, but didn't want to risk hurting her. Very slowly, he said, "Put...her...down."

Anthony, slowly getting to his feet by the crates, spoke up, "Joe, do what he says if you know what's good for you. You've done enough damage for tonight. Let the girl go."

Joe looked from Anthony, to Jack and behind him to Teal'c. Finally coming to his senses, he slowly lowered Sam to the ground and stepped back from the angry man in front of him. Jack reached for Sam and gently pushed her behind him. Noting the deadly glare in his eyes, Sam grabbed onto his hand. "Please Jack, just let it go."

Jack glanced down at her, saw the bloody mouth, and felt the fury in him increase. He looked over to Anthony. "Will you take Sam in and bring her back to our table? One of the others will get her cleaned up."

Anthony nodded his head and took Sam by the hand. She pulled away and called out to Jack, "You can't just send me away like some errant child Jack! I don't want anyone getting hurt here. Please, come back in with me."

Jack turned to look down at her once again. "Sam, for once, just do what I tell you to without questioning me. I want you inside. I promise I won't kill the guy. Although he may wish I did, when I'm done with him!" He growled as he turned back toward Joe.

"Jack!" Sam tried again, but both Anthony and Teal'c pushed and pulled her into the restaurant. Teal'c returned outside to make sure O'Neill didn't seriously injure the man who had been manhandling Sam. Although if truth be told, Teal'c felt the guy deserved everything he got.

Sam returned to the table with Anthony, then went to the bathroom with Janet and Cassie to get cleaned up. She briefly told them what had happened and assured them that she was all right. Daniel went out back to meet up with Jack and Teal'c. He met them coming in the back door, Jack shaking out his hand from where it had connected with Joe's jaw.

"Jack?"

"Daniel?"

"You OK?"

"I'm fine. How's Sam?"

"She seems fine. A bit shaken up perhaps. Janet and Cassie are helping her clean up. What happened out there?" Daniel inclined his head toward the back door. He had only heard bits and pieces from Sam.

Jack sighed as they walked back to the table, "I'm not sure how things got started, but that guy she beat at pool apparently was pretty pissed and wanted to get back at Carter. Teal'c and I heard her yell and got out in time to see both of them rather bloody. You sure she's all right?" he asked in concern. His anger at Joe had overridden his common sense out there for a moment, but he was still concerned about Sam's well-being.

"Yes, apparently, she bit the guy's hand and it made her tooth looser. That's why she was bleeding." Daniel explained. "Do we need to send someone outside to pick up the pieces?"

"No, his buddy will be dragging him home. He won't be showing his face around here for a while."

All three men turned as Sam approached the table with Janet and Cassie. She had some blood on her shirt but otherwise appeared to be fine. Janet had placed the sling back around her shoulder and made sure it was securely in place.

Sam looked at Jack, relieved that he was in one piece, although she knew he would be. Joe didn't have a chance in hell against him. She was still a bit angry about being sent away like a child though, and was going to let him know it. Jack, seeing the glint of anger in her eyes, spoke up before she had the chance to.

"Look Sam, I'm know you're angry about me sending you in like that. I just didn't want you to get hurt. Like it or not, you're little right now and sometimes, maybe you need to accept that you can't do everything like you once did."

"I do know that Jack. Why do you think I yelled for help? I just don't appreciate being shoved aside. Plus, I didn't want you to kill some drunk who doesn't have the sense God gave a mouse."

Jack grinned at her comment. "Well, I didn't kill him. Just knocked a bit of that sense into him, I hope." Wiping the smile from his face, he regarded her carefully. "Are you sure you're OK? You were awfully bloody."

She waved him off with her good hand, "I'm fine. It made my tooth more loose and kicking him in the knee with sandals on wasn't the best idea, but I'll live." She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. "And not a word about the tooth."

Jack grinned, "I wouldn't dream of it Major."

Sam was about to add something else when Anthony came up to the group. "Are you all right Princess? You sure are one tough little lady!" he smiled proudly at her. "You can be on my side any time!" He turned to the others in the group. "Please accept my apologies for the behavior of one of our patrons. I feel horrible about what happened."

"None of this was your fault Anthony," Sam assured the young man. "In fact, if you hadn't been out there with me, things could have been a whole lot worse."

"Speaking of that Sam, why were you out in the back alley? We were looking all over for you," Daniel asked.

"I just... needed a few minutes alone," Sam replied. "I'm sorry if I worried all of you, I had a lot on my mind. I needed some room to think and breath."

"Next time, try breathing somewhere other than a back alley, OK Sam?" Jack said.

"I don't think there will be a next time, will there Princess?" Anthony gave her a wink, hoping she remembered their conversation. Sam nodded at him and gave him a slight smile. The others looked at each other quizzically, but said nothing.

"Uh... Princess?" Jack asked. He was amazed Sam let this guy get away with calling her that name. Sam and Anthony's smiles grew as they looked at each other, but neither one made any comment.

Anthony turned his smile to include everyone and announced, "On behalf of the management, I would like to offer all of you your choice of dessert this evening. On the house, of course!"

Sam's eyes lit up. "Dessert! I think I'll have some pie ala mode Anthony! What's your best pie?"

Looking over at Janet in horror at the thought of Sam consuming more sugar, Jack interrupted, "Uh, can we take that to go Anthony?" He had no intention whatsoever of letting Sam eat anything else tonight that contained sugar...just look where that had gotten them! As it was, it was going to be a long night.