"But-"
"Jack, it's too good an opportunity to pass up," she repeated. "It's not like I'd go alone, or anything."
"No," Jack said, scowling at Jacob. "You're not going to go alone. We'll go with you."
It wasn't like he could argue with her about this, after all. He knew she wanted to do it, and knew that she would never forgive him if he tried to keep her from doing what she thought was her job – and he supposed it was.
"It really is safe, Jack," Jacob assured him. "There's no one on this planet. It's deserted."
Jack's scowl didn't fade, and Sam noticed that Teal'c and Ian were wearing similar expressions of concern – and even Daniel didn't look like he was all that sure of the wisdom of her going offworld. But Sam was. She looked at Hammond – who was just as hesitant – and frowned.
"They need me to check it out."
Only the fact that Hammond knew – absolutely knew – that Jacob would never do anything to put Sam in danger could ever make him agree to this. That and the fact that Jack was correct; she wasn't going to go alone. SG-1 would go with her.
"Colonel O'Neill, assemble your team. And don't forget the dogs."
Jack looked ready to explode, but his voice was calm – way too calm if you knew him – when he answered.
"Yes, Sir."
He glanced over at Sam, giving her a look that none of them – including her – could read, and headed for the door with Jaffer behind him. Ian, Teal'c, Jack (the dog) and Daniel were on their feet immediately and following.
There was silence in the briefing room for a long moment, and Sam stood up.
"I'd better go get ready, too."
And she needed to have a talk with Jack, apparently, too.
Hammond nodded, dismissing her, and when she was gone Jacob looked at Hammond.
"It's safe."
"It'd better be."
OOOOOOOO
She found them in the locker room – exactly where she'd expected to find them. All four of them were changed before she walked in (which was a relief to Ian) and as she entered they were strapping on holsters. The heavy weapons they'd be bringing with them they'd still have to pull from the armory, but their personal firearms were in their lockers.
"Jack…"
He looked over when she said his name, and sighed. He knew she was upset by his reaction, and he didn't want her upset, but the last thing he wanted was for her to go offworld. That had been the whole point of bringing Ian in, after all – so she could stay where it was safe.
"Sam."
She came over to him, sitting down on the bench he had his foot up on to tie down the thigh thong on his holster.
"This could be an important find," she said.
"I know." He did, he supposed.
"A ship that belonged to the Ancients…"
"I know, Sam."
"It's worth the risk…"
He shook his head. She didn't understand at all. How had that happened?
"Nothing is worth risking you, Sam."
"I'm not going to be at risk, Jack," she told him. "And even if something did come up, it wouldn't be the first time that we were in danger."
"Before, I knew you could get away from the danger," Jack countered. "It's not that easy, now. You're not going to be able to maneuver like you-"
"I know," she said, interrupting, putting her hand on his leg because that was the closest part of him. "And I'll stay right beside you guys every minute, I promise."
She really wanted to go, and she didn't want this to come between her and Jack – like it had shown every sign of doing. He hesitated, and she knew he was thinking about it.
"You can even surround me."
He sighed.
"Just stay close to Jaffer, okay?"
The dog was uncanny in his ability to spot danger long before Jack was able to, and Sam would be best protected by being close to Jaffer – although Jack had no intention of letting her out of his sight, either.
Sam nodded.
"I will."
"Ian, see if you can find Sam a vest…"
Not that it would do anything to protect her and the baby if something happened, but he'd still feel better if she was wearing it.
Ian nodded, and headed for Supply, checking the load in his Glock and making sure he had extra clips for it stashed in his vest and holster both. He felt the same way Jack did; nothing was worth Sam's health – even though he didn't really even get a look at whatever it was they were going to go look at thanks to Pia.
OOOOOOOO
SG-1 – complete with Sam – entered the gate room about twenty minutes later, and Hammond was pleased to see they were practically bristling with weaponry. The more he thought about it, the less he liked the idea of this mission, and the less he liked the idea, the more he was considering telling Sam that she couldn't go. Friendship with Jacob or not, and friendly relations with the Tok'ra be damned. Only the fact that Jack had armed his team to the teeth – they were carrying
90's, as well as side arms, knives and Hammond could see the telltale sign of backup weapons in the bootlegs of Jack, Daniel, Teal'c and Ian – kept him from doing just that.
"Colonel?"
Jack scowled, not even able to smile when Pia went over and stood beside Ian, who took a step to the right and almost tripped over Jaffer.
"We're ready, Sir."
Normally he would have told them to be careful, but he knew this time he didn't need to waste the breath.
"You have a go."
Jack nodded, and they all waited for the gate to dial the coordinates Jacob had given the Sergeant while they'd been waiting for SG-1. When the gate activated, Pia stepped up the ramp, her hip brushing against Ian as she walked past him – much to Ian's annoyance. Jesus. He looked over at Jack, who nodded, and gestured for him to follow her, and Ian, Daniel and Teal'c all went up the ramp and through the gate, taking point before Jack would allow Sam to go. Jaffer and Jack (the dog) took flanking positions on each side of Sam as she walked up the ramp, and the three of them disappeared at the same time.
"Relax, Jack." Jacob said.
That wasn't going to happen, though. Not until he got her home safely.
He gave Jacob a look that plainly told him nothing had better happen, and then followed the retired general up the ramp and through the gate.