Stirring slightly, Sam shifted her body, only to find herself held fast in a man's arms.
"Jack?"
Her voice was still clouded from sleep, but she froze immediately when she realized what she had said.
A deep rumble of quiet laughter vibrated against her face as Teal'c moved enough to allow her to sit up off of the floor.
"Teal'c? What's going on?"
Sam scrubbed her right hand through her hair.
With a smirk, he answered, "I believe you were successful in your quest."
"Oh."
Ducking her head, she blushed shyly.
"It's not what you think, really. We talked."
"Indeed."
Annoyed at the look her friend was leveling at her, Sam defended, "We did. Just talk, I mean. He helped me understand that I'm not crazy, and that I should trust you guys to fix this."
She got to her feet and then sat on the bed, noticing that all the candles had burnt themselves out and the overhead lights were on.
"How long was I out?"
"For several hours. DanielJackson has been able to contact the Asgard. They are to arrive within the hour."
The Jaffa stood effortlessly and motioned Sam to the tray sitting beside the bed.
"You should eat something. I will return for you when the Asgard contact us again."
"Thanks Teal'c, for everything. I don't know what I would have done without you or Daniel believing in me. I know Jack appreciates it, too."
With a nod of his head, Teal'c turned to face the door, but paused before exiting.
"MajorCarter, perhaps it would be wise to change your attire for the meeting with the Asgard."
Laughing, she replied, "I was planning on it."
"It would also be prudent to refer to O'Neill as you have always done in the past. It would behoove us not to arouse suspicion."
Sam swallowed.
"I know, until all this happened, I would never have been so careless. I'll have to keep my guard up."
"As will I."
Teal'c opened the door, and left her sitting on the bed, alone for the first time in days.
o0o
She glanced at the tray of food, but decided to forego eating for a hot shower instead. She picked up the robe that lay at the end of the bed and slipped it on over her scrubs. Walking over to the door, she found it to be unlocked, but not unguarded.
"Excuse me, airman." Sam said firmly, as she brushed past him into the corridor.
She knew he was probably under orders to stay with her, but when they reached the elevator, he seemed hesitant to slide the keycard into to reader.
"I just want to clean up and change clothes. If you would rather a female take over for you, I wouldn't care."
He nodded and slid the keycard through quickly.
"Yes, ma'am. I'll call Griggs once we arrive at the locker room."
"Fine by me." Sam stated nonchalantly, stepping into the now awaiting elevator.
The trip to the showers passed in silence, and except for the exchange of guards, there was no conversation.
Sam showered and dressed in record time, securing her watch to her wrist, she noted the time and estimated that the Asgard would be arriving in less than fifteen minutes.
Moving toward the exit, she saw the brief look of pity on Griggs' face.
"Something you'd like to say, Airman?"
"No ma'am."
The junior officer stared intently at her boots in shame.
"Good. Let's go."
Sam pulled open the door forcible and stalked out to the room.
They entered briefing room, but slowed their pace when Sam seemed to stagger from the exertion. If it were not for Griggs' quick reflexes, Sam would have fallen face first to the floor.
"Major, are you alright?"
The airman watched in horror as the woman before her started to convulse.
"Someone call for a Med Team!" She bellowed into the empty room.
Suddenly the door to Dr. Weir's office flew open as Teal'c and Daniel burst into the room.
"Sam!"
Daniel kneeled down next to her and felt for a pulse.
"Teal'c call Thor, tell him to beam us up now."
The Jaffa returned to the office and grabbed the Asgard communicator off of the desk. He then took it to Daniel and watched as the man activated it and the two figures were then engulfed in a blinding light.
o0o