"It's not like that, Jack," Ian said, knowing he was damning himself and unable to do anything to help it.

"Then tell me what it is like."

Ian hesitated. It was his chance to explain everything. To make sure that Jack – and Sam, ultimately – knew that he wasn't the bastard that Jack was certain he was, now. But it would have been the wrong thing to do, and he couldn't bring himself to disgrace Cassie just to save his own hide.

"I… can't… you just have to trust me that-"

"Let me guess. The dress fell off?"

Jack's eyes were flashing anger, and Ian knew that there was nothing he could say. But he had to try.

"It was a misundersta-"

"Misunderstanding my ass. I told you what I expected of you, and you gave me your word that you'd-"

"I didn't touch her, God damn it!" Ian shouted, his own temper flaring. "I told you I wouldn't and I-"

"SG-1 report to the briefing room…"

The announcement stopped Ian in mid yell, and made Jack scowl.

"Jack… you have-"

"Colonel," Jack corrected him, his eyes cold and flat. "Don't ever forget that, Cadet."

Ian felt like someone had kicked him in the stomach, but he didn't let it show. Instead, he headed for the door, unlocking it.

"We're not done here, Cadet."

"Go fuck yourself, Colonel."

He pulled opened the door, and almost ran into Sam, who was just reaching for the doorknob, undoubtedly to make sure Jack hadn't killed Ian so they would both be able to report to briefing.

"Sorry, Sam."

"Ian…"

She turned and watched as he stalked past her, every muscle of his body seeming to be tense, and then turned to look at Jack, who was just as angry.

"What did you say to him?"

"Nothing."

"Did you-"

"Do you know what he did?" Jack interrupted.

"No. And neither does Janet. Did he tell you something he didn't tell her?"

Jack scowled, and headed for the door as well, brushing past Sam and heading for the briefing room without answering her. Ian hadn't told him anything, but he didn't have to. Jack wasn't stupid. He could figure it all out on his own.

Sam watched him go, dismayed by the sudden turn of events and knowing full well that Jack was making assumptions that he shouldn't. Unsure, though, what to do about it – at least for the moment – Sam went the same direction he had. She didn't need to sit in on the briefing, but given the way things were going just then, it wouldn't be a bad idea.

OOOOOOOO

Everyone else was waiting in the briefing room when Ian got there – sans Jack, of course. Jaffer had been out with Teal'c and Jack (the dog) for a quick run to get rid of some energy before settling into a briefing, and the big lab wagged his tail cheerfully at Ian when the Cadet came into the room and took the seat next to Daniel.

"You look awful," Daniel said, looking him over. "Are you feeling-"

"Where's Colonel O'Neill?" Hammond asked.

"He's on his way, Sir," Ian said, running his hand along Jaffer's shoulder when the lab came over to mooch a little loving.

"Are you all right, Cadet?" Hammond asked. "You look-"

He was interrupted by the arrival of Jack, who was still wearing a thunderous scowl. He glanced at Ian and then took the seat next to Teal'c, who looked at Jack and then over at Ian. A blind man could have seen the tension between the two, and it didn't take a genius to realize something had happened.

"Is everything all right, Colonel?" Hammond asked.

"Fine, Sir."

Hammond frowned, and looked at Ian, silently asking him the same question.

"I'm fine, General."

Since neither of them looked 'fine' and Ian looked downright terrible, Hammond wasn't convinced, but he didn't say anything – figuring that if it was a personal matter, then they'd get it fixed on their own. Or Sam would step in and make them fix it.

As if his thoughts of her had summoned her, Sam entered the room just then, giving Hammond a shaky smile, and walking over to sit next to Ian, much to Jack's annoyance, the General could tell. Ian looked over at her, but he didn't say anything, and Hammond decided that he'd better get things started before whatever was going on opened up into an all out confrontation.

"Doctor Jackson?" He turned to Daniel. "Have you found anything that might be of use in deciphering the symbols on the walls of the ruins you found?"

Daniel had been glancing back and for the between Ian and Jack, and turned his attention abruptly back to General Hammond when he heard his name.

"What? Oh… sorry… yes." He checked his notes, a little flustered by the amount of tension and anger he could feel in the room. "It appears that the building we found was similar to one of several kinds used in the ancient Asiatic ritual of Ja-kar." He saw the blank looks, and translated without being asked to. "Throwing out of demons. Exorcism."

"Which means…?"

"It might mean nothing…" Daniel said, shrugging. "But this symbol right here is the Lao symbol for snake – or large worm, or wyrm; spelled w-y-r-m. Another word for a dragon – or a snake. If it's not metaphorical, it might mean the drawing out – or exorcism – of a snake."

"Or a Goa'uld." Teal'c said.

Daniel nodded.

"Are you telling me these people knew how to get rid of the Goa'uld?" Sam asked, interested despite the distractions going on around her.

He shrugged.

"I'm not positive. But it's possible." He looked at Hammond. "If we can find more of these buildings – and in better shape – it's possible that we might actually find the method they used for their exorcisms – and it might be something that we can use."

"Or it might just be a way to get rid of leeches…" Hammond said.

"Maybe," Daniel admitted, shrugging once more. "But there's only one way to find out, and I think it's definitely worth going back to take another look around and see what we can find."

"Colonel O'Neill?"

Jack jerked his attention from where he'd been glaring at Ian, who was still rubbing Jaffer's ears while the lab rested his head on the cadet's leg.

"Sir?"

"SG-1 is authorized to go take another look around, to see if you can find more of those buildings. You leave in fifteen minutes."

Hammond stood up before Jack could say anything, and Jack scowled. He didn't want to take Ian offworld with him. If he couldn't trust the bastard with Cassie, he certainly didn't want to trust him to watch his back. He stood as Hammond walked into his office and followed him in, closing the door behind him.

"General, I'd like to ground Cadet Brooks for this mission."

Hammond was hardly surprised, since he'd been watching the dark looks passing between the two of them the entire time Daniel was talking.

"Why?"

Jack scowled.

"I'd rather not say."

"Then permission denied. I went to a lot of effort and stepped out on several limbs to bring him into the SGC – on your recommendation, Colonel – and I'm not about to let you change your mind now. Whatever's bothering the two of you had better be rectified, because I'm not going to go to the President, or the Commandant of the Air Force academy – or to his father – and tell them all that I've changed my mind."

"But-"

"You're dismissed, Colonel."

Jack scowled.

"And you'd better wear your rain gear, because they tell me it's still raining where you're going."

Oh, he looked like he wanted to say something, and Hammond knew it, but Jack could tell from the set expression on the General's face that he wasn't going to change his mind – no matter what Jack said.

"Yes, Sir."

Damn it.