The cycle after Jack and Sam arrived on Ollan a full ship of new villagers arrived. Only a partial ship of 'newbies' arrived the next cycle. Rania and Teal'c were made mentors for one of the new couples. No ship appeared during Sam and Jack's third cycle on Ollan.
Jack woke to find Sam awake and staring at the ceiling. This was becoming a habit for Sam. Jack had found her staring at nothing every morning for a week. He was worried, but every time he asked what was wrong she gave her usual response of "nothing." Today was no exception. He pulled her close and whispered in her ear. She kissed him good morning but insisted she was fine. She pulled out of his embrace and got ready for breakfast.
After breakfast, Sam visited a few of the pregnant women and checked on their stasis. She saved Rania for her last visit. Nynan joined her on her rounds after she finished cleaning up from breakfast.
"Good morning, Samantha. Good morning, Nynan." Rania smiled as the women entered her hut. She was folding laundry as the two friends sat at the small table in the kitchen.
"How are you feeling today?" Sam decided to begin with the medical part of her visit.
"I am fine. This is not my first conception. If I recognize any problems I will let you know immediately. So far, this conception has been one of the best I have experienced. I should not be surprised since Teal'c is an exceptional mate. It makes sense our child would also be exception." Sam smirked as Rania spoke. It was obvious Rania wasn't too humble.
"I'm glad everything is going well." Sam fiddled with a spoon left lying on the table.
"Something has been bothering both of you for several days. Are you ready to speak of it?" Rania continued her chores as she spoke. Sam looked at Nynan. Nynan nodded her consent to Sam.
"You're very perceptive Rania. We wanted to ask you about the three cycle deadline for conception." Rania nodded her head as Sam spoke.
"You are worried because neither of you has yet conceived." Rania's statement was really a question. Sam and Nynan both nodded yes to her inquiry. "You are right to be concerned but if things go as usual you still have more time to fulfill your duty."
"How much more time?" Nynan wrung her hands in her skirt as she asked her question.
"Usually the overseers do not arrive until after the most recent villagers have had at least three cycles in which to fulfill their duty."
"That gives us a couple more cycles." Sam smiled as she spoke and looked over at Nynan.
"Yes." Rania sat at the table facing Sam and Nynan. "If this extra time is not enough however, I fear for you Samantha." Rania reached out to Sam. "I was present when you were both initially interviewed. Nynan and Daniel have never conceived. If they do not in the time provided they will probably be taken back to the breeding center and remated. Usually the need for breeders is great and the masters are willing to take a risk on two young but as of yet unproductive people. Although Jack is old for a new breeder, he is in good condition and has produced a child in the past. He'd probably be given another chance to mate. You, Samantha, are a different story. You lost a child before it was born. If you now appear unable to conceive you will probably be eliminated here." Nynan gasped at Rania's description but Sam sat stone still. Rania was surprised at the lack of reaction from Sam.
"I'd expected that." Sam's pale face gave away her concern. Rania let go of her hand and stood. She went back to her chores as Sam and Nynan stood.
"Thank-you for being honest with me, Rania. Please do me a favor and do not tell any of the men." Rania turned and looked at Sam, a question on her face. Sam held up her hand to stall Rania's question. "If you tell Teal'c or Daniel then they will tell Jack. Jack will react badly and would put himself in danger to try and save me. He can't know." Rania immediately nodded her understanding and consent. Nynan hesitated but Sam stared her down until she also consented by nodding her head in agreement.
Several weeks passed and none of the women discussed Sam's predicament with the men. Nynan began to show the initial signs of pregnancy so Sam added her to her daily visit schedule. SG-1 settled into a routine while searching for an escape. Eventually, Jack decided the only way off this planet was by ship. He broke the news to them over mid-day meal.
"Well, we've looked in every quadrant we mapped and there's no sign of other villages or a stargate. Rania says an overseer ship should come in another cycle, two at the most. We need a plan so we can take that ship and get off this rock."
"I think I have a solution for that." All eyes turned to Sam as she spoke. Jack's eyebrows rose. He was surprised she had an idea and hadn't talked to him about it. "If we try to attack while the ship is on Ollan we risk injuring numerous innocent villagers. Since I haven't conceived, Jack and I will be returned to the breeding center. We can hijack the ship and bring it back. That will minimize the risk to the other villagers." Jack's eyes widened as he realized this is what had been preoccupying Sam's mind the last few weeks.
"That's not much of a plan. How do you think you'll be able to hijack the ship?" Daniel watched Sam as he spoke. He hoped Jack would squash her thoughts.
"We'd have to work on that part." Jack looked from Daniel to Sam as he spoke. "The concept of taking the ship in flight rather then on the ground is good. Rania, how many guards are on the ship?" Rania was still opposed to these talks but she'd stopped leaving mid-discussion when she conceived.
"They bring few guards because they use the guards stationed on planet. Once those being returned to the breeding center are loaded they are placed in cages and do not require much supervision. When I went back to the breeding center there was only ten or twelve guards and crew on board with the three examiners."
"That's what I hoped to hear. Are there any opportunities for escape?" Jack watched Rania ponder his question. He reached under the table and placed his hand on Sam's thigh. He rubbed her leg, hoping to show his support of her and her idea.
"We were never released from the cage during the trip. Food and water was provided through the bars. We were not given any opportunity to wash. It was similar to our voyage here."
"I see. This'll take some thought. Let's meet again in three days for mid-day meal. Think about ways to get out of that cage and incapacitate the guards and crew." There were silent nods around the table. Each couple left and went separate ways. They tried to not meet all together too often because they didn't want the other villagers to become suspicious. Sometimes the guards felt the need to show they were still in control and none of them felt like being targeted as troublemakers.
Jack followed Sam to the river. Sam sat on the bank and began picking grass blades. She discarded several until she found one she liked. She placed it between her thumbs and blew. It made a shrill high whistle. Jack smiled and sat beside her.
"Is that what's been bothering you lately?"
"The grass?" Sam looked out over the river.
"No, the fact that you aren't pregnant." Jack placed his hand on her knee and squeezed.
"Maybe a little." Sam leaned her head over onto his shoulder.
"It takes time, Sam."
"Maybe, but it's more likely that it won't happen, not for us." Jack couldn't accept her words.
"That's ridiculous. I certainly enjoy trying." Jack squeezed her waist and pulled her closer. He was rewarded by a small smile and a light slap on the arm.
"Look at it from my perspective. I've been on powerful birth control for more then half my life. My last dose of birth control wouldn't have even worn off until a few weeks ago. I'm past the ideal age for conception and I've lost a child during pregnancy before. I'm a lost cause."
"Not to me." Jack reached out and turned her head so she was facing him. Her eyes were downcast so Jack had to tilt his head to see her eyes. "It's a good thing that you haven't conceived. This isn't the place or time for us to have a child. Let's both hope the birth control holds out a little longer." To her his words meant he didn't want a child with her. Her heart sank but she maintained a brave face. Jack thought he'd told her he wanted to keep trying once they were free. Neither knew what the other thought and neither had the nerve to ask, as usual.
Jack used some of his spare time to fashion a lock picking kit for Sam. This solved the getting out of the cage piece of the plan but they still had to incapacitate the guards. No one had any ideas about how to stash any useful weapons in the meager clothing they were provided. Even hiding the lock picking kit was going to be hard. Rania sewed a pouch Jack could tie to the inside of his pants to hide the kit. Everything she designed for Sam was too obvious, just as Sam had asked.
Sam wanted to be sure the tools were all with Jack. She had to be sure Jack had everything he needed on him, since she wasn't likely to make it aboard. She also had to teach him how to pick a lock without giving away her real reason for him to need to know. Sam didn't like lying to Jack and she was afraid he'd catch on.
Sam woke before the first bell and saw Jack laying beside her on his back with his arms stretched out wide. This wasn't his usual sleeping position. Usually he was on his side and curled into a ball, a position that had helped him sleep in some small and strange places over his career. Sam decided to take advantage of his position. The number of sexual episodes they shared had decreased the longer they lived together. For Sam the decrease in activity was a defense mechanism. She didn't want Jack to be too tied to her when she was executed. Jack thought it was best to minimize the chances Sam would get pregnant, not only because this wasn't the time or place for them to have a child but also because that was the only way onto the ship. Even though they didn't have sex as much as when they first arrived, they both still enjoyed touching and caressing often. Sam scooted closer to Jack. She placed her head on his chest, wrapped her arm around his waist, and placed one leg across his groin. She was settling into position when he suddenly moved. Sam found herself on her back with a smiling Jack leaning over her.
"Gottcha." Jack leaned down and kissed her. It was a deep powerful kiss that quickly escalated. Sam's attraction to Jack had grown as they lived together and she found it impossible to not melt in his arms. She never said no to his advances but she tried to not ask him too often. Jack's tongue caressed the palate of her mouth and all other thoughts left her mind. She ran her hands up his back. He moaned into her mouth. The first bell rang and Jack pulled back to look at Sam.
"I love early morning sex." He smiled at her as his left hand caressed her breast. She closed her eyes and moaned.
"You love sex." She rubbed her groin against his leg.
"I love you." He kissed her again. He released her lips and began kissing down her jaw. His tongue and lips caressed her neck, which she opened to his ministrations by turning her head. She used her nails to trace shapes on his back and his sides. Every once in a while she would hit a spot that made him buck. He took a deep breath but refused to give her control. Her breathing was ragged and loud.
He placed himself between her legs and spread them apart. His hands were behind her knees and he pushed her legs up to her chest as the second bell rang. They both knew their time was limited. They satisfied each other quickly.
"Morning sex really is good." Sam smiled. She felt his predatory and possessive grin on her chest. Her statement had fed his not so fragile male ego. "But we'd better get ready before the third bell rings." She kissed the top of his head and pushed his shoulder. He took the hint and rolled off her. Sam cleaned herself and pulled a dress over her head as the third bell rang. Jack slipped on his pants from yesterday and grabbed a tunic. They quickly walked to the main hall where breakfast was waiting.
Jack found Sam waiting for him at home when he finished repairing one of the houses assigned to his building team. She must have checked on all the pregnant women quickly today. As more women got pregnant Sam got busier. It wasn't unusual for her to be gone until mid-afternoon these days. Sam looked nervous. She was playing with a cup of tea, brewed from aromatic but not overly flavorful leaves found near the village. Sam laid out a lunch of meat, bread, and fruit.
"How was your morning?" Sam smiled as she talked and placed the food on the table.
"Fine. I fixed some shingles and a door, nothing too challenging or exciting. What did you do this morning?"
"I made my usual rounds although I've decided there are too many women to see everyday so I've set up a rotation system. I think most of them will be relieved to see less of me, at least until they're further along."
"Makes sense." They both began eating, although Sam was really just nibbling. "Do you have plans for this afternoon?" Sam shifted nervously, trying to decide on a response. Jack watched her out of the corner of his eye, hoping he wouldn't have to press her.
"I thought it was time you learned how to pick locks?" Jack's brow crinkled.
"That's your job."
"But I was thinking if we get separated into different cells but you have the tools you might have to pick the lock. It can't hurt for you to know how, can it?" Sam looked so sincere but Jack knew there was more to the story, something she wasn't willing to share.
"I guess that makes sense. I know the basics of lock picking, I'm just not as proficient as you."
"Then practice will make perfect. We can both get use to the equipment and the locks they use around here." After lunch they scavenged the tool shops until they found a couple old locks they could borrow. They hid them in their house and used their afternoons to practice.
Through her work, Sam identified some local plants that could be used to make sedatives, useful for difficult deliveries and serious wounds. Sam stashed several handfuls of the plants and made her own highly concentrated batch of sedative. Jack made small darts. They coated the darts in the sedative and planned to use them on the guards. Rania's pouch was just large enough to fit the lock picking equipment and eight darts. Jack began carrying the pouch tied inside his pants everyday, since they didn't know when the overseers would arrive.
He had been carrying the fully loaded pouch for three orbitals when the ship arrived. Everyone went out to the village square and lined up as couples. The village elders and guards greeted the three overseers. They walked among the couples just looking at each and greeting them. Rania was given much praise and presented to the village as one of the most successful breeders on Ollan. She glowed under their praise and rubbed her extended belly as they spoke.
Nynan and Daniel were given nods of approval and sent off, like the other couples that were visibly expecting. Jack and Sam were placed among a small group of couples that did not show any outward signs of pregnancy. They were lined up outside of a tent brought and erected by the guards from the ship. The overseers had each couple enter separately. Three couple went in before Jack and Sam. Two couples exited smiling and hugging. The third couple spent a long time in the tent. Jack kept his arm around Sam's waist as they waited.
"Jack, I need to ask a favor of you." Sam whispered into his ear. She saw the guard coming out and she knew they were about to be called, even though the third couple had not yet left the tent. "No matter what happens in there you have to promise me you'll take that ship and come back here to rescue our friends."
"Sam?"
"Promise me." She hissed at him. He saw the fierce resolve in her eyes and nodded as they were motioned towards the tent.
"I promise." He gripped her waist harder as they walked towards the tent. Sam looked around as they entered the tent but Jack locked eyes with the overseer. The female half of the third couple was caged in the corner. She was sobbing quietly, trying to avoid the guard's wrath. There was no sign of her mate.
"Kneel." A guard pushed Jack's shoulder. Jack hesitated but did as was requested. The overseer approached Sam. He was holding a scanning device. He scanned her whole body, concentrating on her abdominal region.
"It isn't his fault. Let him go." Jack looked up at Sam in confusion.
"What are you doing, Sam?" Sam ignored his question. She focused on the overseer.
"Please, he's sired a child in the past and he can do so again. He's strong and will produce strong children." The overseer nodded.
"You wish to protect your mates life in the event you are barren." Sam nodded. Jack began to stand but the guard pushed him down.
"Don't do this Sam!"
"Silent!" The guard hit Jack in the ribs. Jack fell to his side and grabbed his chest. He rolled onto his back and looked up at Sam. Her eyes widened and flashed panic as she watched his pain. She reminded herself she was doing this for him and their friends.
As she turned away from Jack to face the overseer there was a loud explosion from the edge of the village. Jack and Sam were forgotten as the guards and overseer ran out of the tent. Sam knelt beside Jack and helped him sit up.
"Jack?" He grabbed Sam's arm.
"What the hell were you doing?"
"Trying to make sure you made it onto that ship."
"That wasn't the plan."
"Yes it was, you just didn't know it."
"What the hell does that mean?" There was another explosion, this time closer to the center of the village.
"We don't have time for this now. Let's find out what's happening." Sam stood and pulled Jack up. He winced in pain but followed her out of the tent. Villagers were racing around in a panic. Sam and Jack looked out in the direction of the explosion and saw the overseer ship engulfed in flames. The Prometheus hung over the village. Jack smiled and hugged Sam as a loud voice rang out.
"This is Colonel Reynolds. I am here to free all villagers who wish to leave. We will provide you with transport to the world of your choice or help you find a new home. Anyone who stands in our way will be eliminated." Jack and Sam watched as the guards dropped their weapons. The overseers yelled at the guards but they refused to fight the powerful aliens hanging in the sky.
Colonel Reynolds ringed down three SG teams who quickly took control of the villagers. Sam, Jack, Daniel, and Teal'c identified themselves to the first group that arrived. The Major in charge radioed Colonel Reynolds. The third group that arrived included Jacob. He grabbed Sam and gave her a fierce hug.
"Dad!"
"Oh, thank God Sammie! I'd started to wonder if we'd ever find you!" He hugged her for too long and he didn't show any intention of let go.
"Perhaps once we get out of here you'll tell us how you did find us?" Jack watched the reunion with joy but he was also ready to get out of town. Sam and Jacob understood his message. They separated and began helping the SGC men get the villagers into groups so they could be transported onboard.
Sam was thrilled to find out General Hammond had sent care packages for each of them. Hers contained panties and a sports bra! Her BDU's felt wonderful. Daniel, Jack and Teal'c also quickly changed clothes. Nynan and Rania watched Sam change with great curiosity. Nynan decided to try the panties and BDUs but not the bra. Rania decided she was happy with her old clothes.
It took a couple hours to get everyone settled. Sam, Jack, Daniel, Nynan, Teal'c, and Rania joined Jacob, Colonel Reynolds, and few other senior staff for lunch. MRE's were just what the doctor ordered as far as Jack was concerned because they tasted like home.
"So Jacob, ready to tell us how you found us?" Jacob smiled at Jack across the table.
"They sold me to the Tok'ra, just as you planned. As soon as I got back I went to Hammond and told him the whole story. He authorized a rescue mission with the Prometheus. We used the stealth mode provided by the Asgards to monitor the planet where we were initially processed. Sam's life signs weren't detectable so we didn't announce our presence."
"Sam's life signs?" Daniel's question caused Jacob to smirk.
"Because Sam has the unique protein and naquada left by Jolinar it's easy to separate her life signs from other humans. You scan just like every other human, which makes it hard to distinguish you from space." Jacob pointed at Daniel.
"Oh, that makes sense."
"Don't worry Daniel. The plan was to find all of you, not just Sam."
"Well of course, I never meant...I mean..." The table erupted in laughs as Daniel painfully tried to explain why he had asked his question.
"Anyway, we followed numerous ships filled with humans leaving the planet. We scanned the different plants where these people were sent but we didn't find any sign of Sam." Jacobs eyes glanced at Daniel who ducked his head. "Colonel Reynolds suggested a new tactic. He said we should follow some of the smaller ships that only contained a few people when they left. These ships often returned with a few more passengers so he assumed they were bringing people back from other planets where large numbers of captives were no longer being delivered. This was the second planet we visited by following one of these smaller ships. It took some time to detect Sam's presence but as soon as we did we rendered their ship useless and picked you up."
"Damn good thinking Reynolds. I'll make sure to say so in my report." Jack wiggled his fork in Colonel Reynolds directions as he spoke.
"How long have we been gone Dad?" Jacob winced and looked around at all the occupants in the room.
"Ten months." There was a collective gasp from around the table. "I'm sorry it took us so long, Sam."
"You did your best and you got us out. We couldn't ask for more." She squeezed his hand to reassure him. Jacob nodded.
Sam went with some of the other scientists to plot courses to the three planets where they would be dropping off passengers. Jack wandered the ship catching up on news and bugging people until dinner. Jack ate his dinner with Daniel and Nynan. Neither had seen Sam since lunch and she didn't make an appearance during dinner. Jack went looking for her as soon as he finished eating. He figured she'd found some piece of technology and lost all sense of time. He smiled at the thought; it would be good to see her back to her old self.
Sam wasn't in any of the labs or shops. Jack swung back by the mess hall but still no Sam. He walked past her assigned cabin but it was empty. As he continued down the hall he heard sobs and voices. He slowed down as he recognized Sam and Jacob's voices. Eavesdropping wasn't his style but he also didn't want to intrude.
"Ah, god, Dad, it was awful." Sam's sobs made Jack cringe. "I've never had to do anything so hard and so...awful."
"You've already used awful." Jack imagined Sam rolling her eyes. "I'm sure he'll understand why you had to lie to him. The concept of doing the job that has to be done isn't new to Jack. Just talk to him Sam."
"What if he doesn't understand?" Jack had heard enough. He moved away from Jacob's room and moved back towards the cabin he'd been assigned. She'd been lying to him. His head reeled at the concept that everything they'd just experienced had been a lie. He knew she would do what was necessary to protect her team and get them out alive but he hadn't realized she was a skilled enough actress to fool him. He had given her his heart and it had all been an act for her. He closed himself up tight, refusing to let her hurt him. He lay quietly on his bed feigning sleep when she knocked. As he lay, listening to her leave, he planned his escape. As soon as they were back on Earth he was quitting and getting as far away as possible.
It took them six days to drop off their passengers and head home. Nynan and Rania decided to come to Earth with Daniel and Teal'c. Sam and Jack had gone back to being the General and Colonel, although both were feeling the strain. Nynan found Sam crying in a storeroom four days into the journey home.
"Samantha?" Nynan knelt down next to her friend.
"I'm fine, Nynan. I just needed to release a little pent up stress."
"It's about Jack isn't it?"
"Nynan, don't." Sam dropped her head onto her bent knees.
"Why have you stopped being with each other? Do you not love him?"
"It isn't that easy Nynan. On our world we aren't allowed to be together." Nynan's eyes widened.
"But you are in love, are you not?"
"I thought we were but I'm afraid he was just doing what had to be done in order for us to survive." Nynan shook her head no.
"Jack was not pretending, nor were you. Tell him how you feel."
"I'll think about it." Nynan rubbed Sam's back and shoulder before she left her friend to think.
Daniel and Teal'c both tried to get Jack to listen to reason but he refused to discuss his feelings for Sam. He told them it was just between them and he'd appreciate it if they'd stay out of it. Jack stalked through the ship, scaring the airmen and civilians. Sam spent most of her time in her room or the labs, immersing herself in technology, her one true friend. Jacob visited with her often but she refused to discuss her captivity with him again. He decided it was easier to push Jack.
"Jack, I've been looking all over for you."
"Then you were looking in all the wrong places." Jack was shadow boxing in the gym.
"Right, we should be getting back to Earth later today."
"So I've heard."
"Do you plan on continuing to hurt her after we land?" Jack stopped boxing. He dropped his arms and his head.
"Stay out of this Jacob."
"No can do, Jack. She's my daughter."
"We'll figure it out."
"Not unless you talk." Jack sighed.
"Let's get home and we'll see what happens."
"You can't just wait and see Jack. You'll have to take action."
"I know what I'm going to do and when we get home I'll do it." Jack turned to face Jacob and Jacob didn't like what he saw. Jack's set determined jaw was a clear indicator that whatever Jack had planned was going to crush Sam.
"I'll track you down and kill you myself if you hurt her."
"Don't push me Jacob." Jack pushed past Jacob making Jacob take a step backwards. Jacob watched in dismay as Jack stormed out of the gym. No one saw Jack again until they were landing several hours later.
