Its so close to finished now, that I almost split this chapter in half at the divider, but thought you might like a nice long one… And the second part is much more interesting, with a nice cliffie! Still… it's rather tempting to draw it out an extra few more days. Anyway, I'm really close to 600 reviews… do you think ya'll can do it before the story is done? (Smiles her best smile and bats her eyelashes.) Free kittens if you can do it!

And if we don't get Carter back in time?" Jack asked the question he could see forming in Carter's mind, under her growing panic.

"Then she has to wait another nine months until the machine can tap into the power source again." Daniel's pronouncement was met with silence.

Chapter 65

Sam's mind was running in panicky little circles. Nine months? Nine MONTHS? Trapped in a cat's body? They seriously didn't think that she would go for that plan, did they? Sam tried to stand up. She needed to pace. She needed to get to the gate room! A hand on her back held her in place, gently but firmly preventing her from rising.

"Carter, Relax. We'll get this straightened out." The Colonel was speaking to Daniel again, questioning him about his information, but Sam wasn't really listening. She couldn't believe he expected her to relax, at a time like this. She squirmed under the Colonel's hand, refusing to sit idly by while her fate for the next nine months was decided.

Feeling Carter's movements, Jack turned his attention back to her, he could tell she wasn't really listening to him; her eyes were wide, ears flattened back. If it weren't for that broken leg she'd have probably bolted. "Sam." He said softly, using her first name to catch her attention. When she focused on him, he spoke quietly to her. "We won't let you stay this way any longer than we have to. We'll convince the General and the Doctors that you have to go. And if we don't convince them... well that's never stopped SG-1 before now has it?" Jack locked his eyes with hers, watching the comprehension dawn. He knew it was hard for her, hell it would have been hard for anyone, but after all the things she'd been through, and he doubted he even knew half of what had happened to her in the past two months, he could see why she'd be desperate to get back to normal as soon as possible.

"Look, Daniel and I are going to go talk to the general now. You try and rest, and I'll be back as soon as we know anything, ok? I promise you Sam, I won't let you stay this way, not if I can help it." Daniel was nodding his agreement as well. If Teal'c were here he'd probably agree too.

Sam didn't have much choice in the matter. She had to trust in her team. As they left, she said a quick fervent prayer that whatever happened, her days as a cat would soon be over.

In the end, the meeting was brought to Sam, because it was felt that since it concerned her, she should be part of the discussion. Hammond, SG-1, Dr. Fraiser, and Captain Brunsfeld were all in attendance, chairs pulled up around Sam's bedside. Jack and Janet helped Sam to sit up because she refused to lie still; she wanted to be able to see what was going on while her fate was decided.

The General listened quietly while all the information was reported, everything that Daniel and the team of scientists had learned about how the device functioned, which actually amounted to very little. Basically, they really had very little idea what would happen. Dr. Fraiser and Captain Brunsfeld gave an update of Sam's condition and their concerns about her ability to withstand gate travel and the transformation in her current weakened condition. Dr. Fraiser also added her own concerns for Sam's emotional well being should she be forced to remain in her current state for such a long time.

Finally, Daniel helped Sam to use the laptop, and they all patiently waited while she painstakingly typed out her desire to return to normal as soon as possible despite the risks. She argued that it was her choice, and her feeling that as long as everyone else stayed outside of the main chamber while the device activated, that the risk to anyone else being harmed was minimal.

Jack, Teal'c and Daniel all also argued on Sam's behalf. While they were just as worried about the risks of attempting the reversal while she was so weak, they were even more concerned about how Sam would react to being stuck as a cat for nine more months. And Jack also pointed out that somehow, someone had already breached the base security once to get at her. She wouldn't be safe to leave the base, and it would be cruel to keep her cooped up inside the entire time.

Eventually, everyone had finished his or her arguments. General Hammond sat with his hands folded in front of him considering all of their words carefully. Finally he raised his head up and looked at each of his people carefully, before settling on the small cat that was previously a human woman and one of his best and finest officers. She met his gaze evenly, sitting up just a little bit straighter. There was no mistaking the human intelligence in the animal body.

"You have all made very convincing arguments. But I believe only one course of action would be fair." The General paused, taking a deep breath. Everyone was watching the General, except for Sam who had closed her eyes tightly, body stiff, waiting. "That is why I am authorizing SG-1, including Major Carter to return to P3X-929. Additionally, Dr. Fraiser, Captain Brunsfeld, and any personnel they feel necessary, will accompany SG-1. I expect every precaution to be taken to prevent another repeat of the events that changed Major Carter into her current form. You leave in three days, and not a day sooner. Major Carter is to remain in the care of the infirmary staff until then." General Hammond had decided that it would be wrong to expect Carter to remain in her present state for months, but he did want her to have the best chance of coming out unharmed that he could give her.

Everyone had different looks on their faces, ranging from relief to worry, or a mix of both. Sam still had her eyes closed and had lain back down on her bed, events finally catching up with her. General Hammond stood, crossing to her and gently laid his hand behind her head. When she looked up at him, he nodded at her, silently communicating his support. Removing his hand, the General nodded to the others and excused himself.

Sam let the news sink in. She was going back. A new string of worries assaulted her mind. Would it work? Would she be normal again? What if it didn't work? She felt a hand again on her head and back, and looked up into the concerned face of Daniel. Just behind him stood Teal'c, watching her. Colonel O'Neill was standing on her other side, a look of determination on his face. Sam realized that whatever happened she still had her friends. Physically and emotionally exhausted from the day's events and the stress of her injuries, Sam finally gave in to sleep, surrounded by the support of her friends.

Meowmeowmeowmeowmeowmeowmeowmeowmeowmeowmeowmeowmeowmeowmeow

Three days later, Sam stood in the doorway of the infirmary, carefully keeping all four paws, well three since she wasn't allowed to stand on the fourth, inside of the infirmary. Janet looked on exasperated, shaking her head. She'd forbidden Sam to run off searching for the rest of the team, not wanting her wandering the mountain alone and getting in trouble. Janet was pleased and surprised how much Sam had improved in the past few days. It was as if the news of being allowed to go back had brought back her "mojo," a word she'd heard Colonel O'Neill use.

She was still underweight, and Janet suspected more than a little sore in places, but aside from this morning, she was eating nearly as well as before her abduction, and was now maintaining her weight, if she hadn't gained all that much back yet. She was moving around now too. After one more day of enforced bed rest, Sam had been nearly going out of her mind, so they had started allowing her to have short periods out of the bed. Sam tended to follow Janet around for lack of anything else better to do. This morning, Sam had been impossible to keep in bed.

"They'll be here Sam." She told her friend and patient in the doorway, receiving a distracted meow in response, as the cat with the human mind refused to take her eyes off the hallway. Janet shook her head again, and continued to double-check the supplies she was placing in several packs with the assistance of a field medic and a nurse, who were also coming along. Captain Brunsfeld would be meeting all of them in the gate room.

Janet smiled as Sam started to meow in response to the voices now in the hall, the objects of her excitement coming into view, as a fully geared up SG-1 came into the infirmary.

"So, Doc, ready to go? Can we spring Carter outta here now?" An insistent mrow echoed from the floor, everyone very careful not to step on her.

"Just one moment, while I check over everything here." Janet was surveying the three field packs, and one smaller pack. The last contained clothes, blankets and rations for Sam when she woke up. The rest contained an assortment of medical supplies, equipment, and a collapsible stretcher. Janet wanted to be prepared for the worst.

The Colonel was also looking at the supplies. "You leave anything here Doc?"

Janet merely narrowed her eyes at the Colonel, and chose to ignore the comment, checking the packs one last time, making sure they were secure. She didn't go off world all that much, and was just a little nervous. She smoothed down the front of her unfamiliar green fatigues.

Jack had turned his attention to his second, who was trying her best to remain in one place, her head swiveling about as she watched the medical staff pack, her tail twitching back and forth betraying her excitement.

"We better get you ready too Carter." He said. When she looked up in question, he held up something small and black, opening it to reveal what looked like a tiny SGC vest, two small metal tags pinned to the "front" of it. Jack grinned at her confusion. "When Siler heard you were going off-world, he made this out of pieces of old vests."

He gently lifted her onto a nearby table, letting her take a closer look at the little vest. The little tags were her dog tags, Jack had kept them for her. When she seemed pleased with it, he carefully helped her to slip it on, adjusting the straps and ties. She wriggled a bit at the unfamiliar weight, but seemed pleased, meowing softly as he patted the last strap into place, checking to make sure it was secure and wouldn't chafe her anywhere.

Janet finally announced they were ready to go, and a flurry of activity followed as packs were sorted out and they all headed for the gate room, a desperate yowl stopping all of them before they got too far. Jack dashed back in, lifting Carter off the table and tucking her under his arm, before rejoining the group on the way out.

Everyone stood in front of the gate, while it dialed, checking packs and supplies. A MALP had already been sent through the gate earlier, giving back favorable conditions. Sam wriggled in the Colonel's hold. She really didn't want to be carried through the Stargate by her CO no less. Jack looked over at Janet questioningly, who had also noticed Sam's squirming.

"OK, but just through the gate, I don't want her going the entire way on foot, she needs to save her strength." Janet knew Sam hated being carried around.

Sam meowed in response as Jack set her down, watching her intently as the gate activated with its familiar Kawoosh!

"SG-1, you have a go." Came the familiar command from the control room. At Jack's nod, Teal'c strode confidently up the ramp and through. Jack motioned for Carter to go next, wanting to be available to help out in case she needed. But Sam didn't have any trouble, despite her slow progress. Jack waved everyone else ahead, falling in step behind, making sure there were no stragglers.

When Colonel O'Neill got to the other side, he quickly checked for signs of danger, and relaxed slightly when he saw none. Teal'c returned from a quick perimeter check, nodding that he had found nothing unexpected. The Colonel did a quick head count, Daniel was helping out the medical staff, Captain Brunsfeld and Dr. Fraiser's nurse hadn't been through the gate before and were looking a little green. Someone was absent however.

"Carter?" He called, frowning in concern.

"Mrow?" Came the reply, and the Colonel's frown deepened while he looked around in bewilderment. He couldn't see her anywhere around the gate, which was surrounded by tall waving grass.

"I will retrieve Major Carter." Teal'c said as he waded into the grass. His sharp eyes had caught what was out of place, a small furry blonde tail poking up among the tops of the grass, no doubt blending in with the fuzzy tips of the tall yellow-brown grass to the untrained eye. Stooping, he lifted his comrade up, settling her across his shoulders so that she could lean against the pack he was carrying for the medical team, and leaving his hands free for his staff weapon.

"Carter, don't do that to me again!" The Colonel admonished her, receiving an apologetic meow in response. At least he thought it was apologetic. Putting on his sunglasses, the Colonel ordered everyone to move out. A clearing separated the Stargate from the large temple, and the group crossed it quickly. Teal'c took point, Carter riding comfortably on his shoulders, looking too damn cute in her little vest, small head swiveling to take in the view.

Jack pulled his thoughts back to the situation at hand, concentrating on making sure no one delayed in entering the temple. Soon they were all clustered around the device in the center of the room that had started the whole mess. The Colonel ordered everyone to keep a safe distance, Daniel pointing out a circular design on the floor in which he said that the person being transformed needed to be inside of. Jack ordered everyone to remain outside of it just in case. Daniel had helped Sam down off Teal'c's shoulders, passing her to Captain Brunsfeld who had given her a quick once over, before setting her down. She now sat just outside the circle, studying the device intently.

"Ok, Daniel, you can make this thing work?" Daniel was studying the device as well, comparing his notes with the markings on the device, frowning in concentration. At Jack's question, he looked up, nodding distractedly before returning back to studying his notes.

"Well what are we waiting for? Lets do it, and get out of here." At the Colonel's abrupt command, everyone snapped into motion. Dr. Fraiser and Captain Brunsfeld approached Sam, helping her out of the vest and taking off the splint, deciding that both items would be too small for her human form. At Daniel's urging, Janet laid out a thick blanket inside the circle and assisted Sam to lie down on it. Janet covered her with another blanket and Jack wondered why, before he suddenly realized that as a cat she hadn't needed to wear clothes. When she changed back, she would be wearing absolutely nothing... Jack turned away to scout the perimeter of the room and hide his suddenly pink cheeks.

Finally, all was ready, and Daniel suggested that everyone else leave, explaining that there would be a delay while the machine drew power after he pressed the right controls. Jack ordered everyone else out; remaining behind while Daniel pressed two different glyphs on the machine. There were no lights, no sounds. No indication that the device was activating. No wonder Carter, who had had been standing inside the circle trying to figure the thing out, hadn't known that her light touch in the proper sequence had activated the panels.

Daniel looked up, nodding when he'd pressed the right symbols. Jack ordered him out, casting one last look over his shoulder at Carter. "See ya soon Carter." He hated leaving her alone, but he knew he could do nothing but get knocked flat on his back again, and well... he wanted to be able to see her as soon as he could again.

Jack moved everyone back from the doorway, and they stood watching. And... waiting. For several minutes, nothing happened, and everyone began to shift around. Jack glared at Daniel who just shrugged. He'd explained that they really didn't know how long it took the device to power up, but he was confident he'd pressed the correct two symbols in the right order.

Inside, Sam lay, her worry growing as time passed slowly and nothing happened. She worried that Daniel had made a mistake, or that maybe he'd been wrong on the time and they were already too late. And she still worried that the transformation wouldn't work.

All thoughts ceased in the next moment as a blindingly white flash overtook the room. Pain exploded, making her feel like her entire body was on fire. And then, Sam knew no more as blackness overtook her.