He couldn't have just vanished. It was impossible.

That is what she kept telling herself, repeating the mantra over and over in her mind. Though, even Sam had to admit, Daniel had a propensity for getting lost.

"Major?"

"Nothing, Sir," she replied, shifting her weight onto one leg. Though part of her wanted to avoid her superior's gaze with all her might, her other half stubbornly looked back. "We've checked the same ground three times and there's no sign of him."

"There do not appear to be any markings to indicate DanielJackson left the area."

Colonel O'Neill said nothing for a moment, but the rigidity of his features told her all she needed to know. Shamefully, she glanced away, scanning the horizon for any sign of Daniel.

He was right with her. He had been right with her.

"Well, he can't just disappear," O'Neill muttered, snapping her out of her thoughts.

"He has done so before," Teal'c commented.

O'Neill appeared to consider this, his head tilting as he nodded. "Yeah. You sure you didn't see something like a Quantum Mirror or anything?"

Sam shook her head. "Not at all, Sir. I doubt Daniel would willingly just touch—"

She didn't even bother to finish her sentence based on the way it was being received.

Obviously frustrated, the colonel rubbed his temples, closing his eyes as he assessed their situation. "What was the very last thing you were doing, Carter?"

"We were taking soil samples, as requested. When we were finished, I thought it would be advantageous to take a look a little farther into the woods. While I checked the undergrowth, Daniel explored the muddy basin near where we took our samples."

"You let him do this by himself?"

Sam steeled herself. "Sir, Daniel is more than capable of holding his own. Besides, I could see him from my location. The last I checked, he was sitting on a rock, videotaping the area."

The colonel sighed. Sam couldn't really blame him. She didn't see how usefully videotaping P3X-909 could be, considering the planet was barely inhabitable. If she were to speculate on the possible results of the samples they had obtained, she was willing to bet they would be useless as well.

"I heard him call out my name," she continued. "When I got there, he was gone. All that was left was his pack and supplies."

"Yeah." Colonel O'Neill licked his lips, taking a quick scan of the land around them. "Well, standing here isn't going to help. Why don't we double back to the spot where you last saw him and take it from there."

Sam nodded, trying to keep the dejection from showing in her face as she walked. Not only was she overcome with the worry she felt for her friend, but she felt the weight of "losing" him while he was with her. Technically, he wasn't under her command, but she did still feel responsibility over him. Daniel was no soldier. Despite all the battles he had fought with them, she just could not shake her protective feelings.

Old habits are hard to break, she mused, thinking back to her childhood. Guess that's the joys of being a sister.

Sam adjusted the strap on her shoulder, and held her MP-5 ready as she surveyed the land. They were nearing the location where she and Daniel had first begun their sampling, and where this new nightmare had begun.

"Alright," Colonel O'Neill said curtly, stopping at the edge of the undergrowth. "Let's fan out. But stay close and be on guard. Don't need any of us going the way of Daniel, got it?"

Teal'c nodded.

So did Sam. "Yes, Sir, I'll—"

She frowned, her eyes catching a slight shimmer in the distance. Curious, but nervous, she pushed down the flutter in her stomach, and started to move forward, each step more insistent than the first.

"Carter? Carter!"

Sam broke into a run, her boots pounding into the alternating layers of mud and dirt while she focused on the boulder ahead of her. She hadn't been imagining it.

Not at all.

First, she noticed the shimmer of slicked-back hair, then the sheen of wet skin.

Stunned, she cut short.

"Carter!"

O'Neill was immediately by her side while Teal'c quietly stopped behind her.

"What the hell?" the colonel managed to say.

Sam blinked. "He's—"

"Naked," Teal'c stated.

"Yeah, I noticed that," Colonel O'Neil said quietly. "What's that all over him?"

Sam shook her head. How the hell should she know? Whatever it was, it was brown, thick, but shiny, and Daniel was covered in the substance from head to toe. Almost oily in nature, from what she could guess, based on the way it greased his body.

Where were his clothes?

"DanielJackson appears to be trapped." Teal'c took a step forward, handing O'Neill his staff weapon. "I shall retrieve him."

"Whoa," the colonel began, holding him back. "Not until we figure out what that stuff is. Carter?"

"It could be harmless or it could be toxic." She frowned, her heart thumping as she studied Daniel's limp form. "Either way, we need to get him out of there."

"Alright, suit up, folks."

She nodded, unhooking her pack. Quickly, she withdrew her MOP gear and dressed hastily, before finally securing her mask. Using care, she stepped forward, edging closer towards Daniel, knowing that Colonel O'Neill and Teal'c were geared and ready behind her.

"Daniel," she called as she pressed forward. Now that she was closer, she could analyze his features in more detail. Back to the ground, front forward, she noticed his eyes were closed, and his face peaceful, as if he were in a deep dreamless slumber. There appeared to be no signs of struggle, both physically and mentally, and from what she could tell, just from a precursory glance, he was in good health.

Then again, she was limited to field medical experience, and would feel far more comfortable with having Janet look at him.

"Daniel? Daniel, can you hear me?"

Still, he made no move.

Marred with apprehension, Sam leaned forward, careful not to lose her balance and fall into the pool herself. She reached out her gloved fingers and prodded Daniel for a pulse, or any sign of life.

She breathed out. "He's alive. His chest is rising and falling. I'm making out a heartbeat."

"Good." She could hear the relief in her commanding officer's voice.

She only wished she could feel that relief. Daniel was alive, but who knew what kind of exposure he could be suffering from the substance.

"Sir, this substance is all over him," she said through her mask. "I recommend that we remove him now. I have no idea what effect this is having on him."

"Yeah, I know. Let me help you." O'Neill was by her side before he finished speaking. "Don't get any of that on you."

Together, they dragged Daniel forward, pulling his legs out of the pond of brown colored liquid that had pooled in the ravine below. Sam thought she heard the colonel curse once, nearly tripping as they heaved Daniel out of the grime and onto steady ground.

"You'd think that stuff didn't want to let go," he muttered, snarling as he glanced down at his suit. "Well, this isn't pleasant."

"It's highly adhesive," Sam commented, concerned as she watched the substance cling to her gear. "I-I don't like this, Sir."

"Damn," O'Neill swore. "This is giving me the hibbijibbies. Teal'c, get over to the Gate and call in a medical team. Inform Hammond of our situation and advise quarantine measures."

Teal'c hesitated, his dark eyes studying his teammates. "O'Neill—"

"We're fine, Teal'c. Just get a team out here right away."

Teal'c bowed in response, stealing one last worried glance in their direction before he left. Sam watched him go, keeping close to Daniel, and monitored his breathing. She could only hope that whatever happened, Daniel was going to be okay.

Based on the cool silence coming from her commanding officer, she knew he was wishing the same.