For disclaimer and warnings see part 0/1.

Teal'c had entered the palace when Janet's warning came. Trusting Major Carter explicably, he immediately left the palace. He had watched the villagers enough to know their only hope was invisibility. Their fanaticism and shear numbers more than made up for their lack of technology. If they were discovered, they would surely suffer the same fate as Major Carter, perhaps worse. Anything that could alert the natives to their presence had to be avoided.

He quickly left the valley, returning to the Stargate. He tried to dial Earth again, unsurprised when the glyphs didn't activate. He again checked the inside of the DHD, wishing he knew more about how the Stargate worked. One of the things he most admired about the Tau'ri was their desire to understand how things work. During his time with Apophis, any Jaffa trying to unlock the secrets of the God's magic would be executed. Since joining SG-1 he had tried to overcome his lack of knowledge. Although he had learned more than he thought possible as First Prime, Teal'c still couldn't comprehend any of the advanced problems the Gate had been known to have. Feeling useless, there was nothing more that Teal'c could do besides make sure there were no loose connections and none of the crystals burnt out.

Rising to his feet, he again tried to establish a connection to the SGC. Disheartened by his lack of progress, he turned to make his way to the clearing, noticing for the first time the dark clouds that were rapidly rolling in. Reaching for his radio, he contacted Dr. Fraiser instantly. "Dr. Fraiser!"

"Yes Teal'c?"

"There is a severe thunderstorm rapidly approaching your position."

"How severe?"

"Extremely. I suggest you find shelter immediately." Teal'c stopped as a howl of thunder could be heard over the radio. When Janet replied, he could tell her attention was elsewhere.

"I don't think the shelter will be enough." She thought for a moment before continuing. "What about those caves you saw?"

"I have not yet explored those caves," he reminded her.

"I don't think we have a choice." A sharp rumble reinforced her words. "Teal'c, where are the caves?"

"The caves are approximately two miles in a north-eastern direction." Teal'c didn't like sending them into an unknown area, but it would be worse staying out in the open. "Do you require assistance with Major Carter?"

"I'll manage," she told him. He could hear the sound of movement, the soft brush of fabric on fabric as she hoisted her pack. "What about you?"

"I will attempt to find shelter nearby," he told her, relieved she was already moving. "When the storm passes, I shall join you."

"Be careful Teal'c. I don't need two patients." He acknowledged, signing off and praying his friends survived. He would never forgive himself if harm befell them because of his inattention. He swiftly sought out his own shelter. He could never help his friends if he did not take care of himself.

SG1SG1SG1SG1

Janet looked up as she stuffed supplies into her bag. How the hell had this storm come up without her knowing about it. Throwing everything she didn't have room for into the Glider, she shut the canopy hoping the ship would withstand the forces of nature. Donning her jacket, she flung the bag over her shoulder and headed toward her best friend. "Sam! You need to wake up now!"

Kneeling down next to her friend, she firmly patted her cheek until Sam's eyes fluttered open. "Janet?" she whispered as she tried to focus on the doctor's face.

"Sam, you have to get up now!" Janet said in her most authoritative voice. Sam managed a half nod before her eyes started closing. Janet regretted giving her that last dose of morphine now. She probably wasn't in pain anymore, but Janet couldn't drag a drugged up major two miles. If she could get Sam on her feet hopefully she could rally enough strength to make it to the cave. Deciding to try another strategy, she gave Sam a little jostle. Sam, not liking the move, opened her eyes to glare at the doctor. "On your feet soldier," Janet yelled when Sam scowled at her. "You have to move now, Major!"

Sam's eyes jerked wide as she automatically tried to obey the command. Janet reached out and grabbed Sam's uninjured wrist, ignoring the small grimace of pain as she pulled her friend to her feet. Janet started walking toward the cave, swinging Sam's arm around her shoulder to help the taller woman walk. Sam rallied better than she thought, managing to stay on her feet for most of the journey. Halfway through their trip the storm caught up with them. Hurricane force winds ripped around them, while freezing rain blinded their view. Soon both women were soaking wet and shivering, teeth clattering loudly as they pressed forward. Janet could feel Sam slipping away, taking more and more of her weight as they moved until the blonde collapsed lifelessly beside her, her arm around the doctor's shoulders the only reason she didn't fall. Janet continued to drag her friend, knowing if they didn't find shelter soon they both would die, but before long she collapsed. A flash of lightening illuminated their surroundings. Janet glanced up. She could see the cave just twenty feet away, but she didn't have any more strength.

Detached, she let her head fall to the ground. She could feel her body going numb, but she didn't have the energy to care anymore. Her mind soared in her exhausted state. She could hear the rain and the wind as they tore by, the sound of the trees around her as they fought against the onslaught of nature. She could see stray beams of light as they fought through the clouds. Just as she was about to give up and fade into oblivion she heard the soft sound of breathing near her. It wasn't easy breathing though, the harshness seemingly out of place in the tranquility of nothingness. She listened, perplexed as she tried to place the sound she heard.

Sam! It came to her in a flash. Gathering up her strength she lifted her head and turned in the direction of the breathing. Sam was ridiculously close to her, her pale face lying just inches from her own, her breathing harsh as her lungs protested their latest mistreatment. One thought entered her mind; Sam will die if I don't move. Boosted by a sudden adrenaline rush, Janet pushed her way to her knees, grabbed hold of her friend and started dragging her the last few feet. After what seemed like hours, she finally found dry ground under her knees. Looking up, she gave a silent prayer of thanks as the cold walls of the cave surrounded her. She had just enough presence of mind to pull a few more feet, getting Sam in the cave with her, before she fell down next to the unconscious scientist. This time she couldn't stop the blackness from claiming her.

A small movement beside her caused her to rise to awareness. Exhausted, it took her a few minutes to remember what happened. Her eyes couldn't focus in the darkness of the cave, and she couldn't hear anything above the squalor outside. She was cold and stiff, her muscles aching. A flash of lightning illuminated the cave briefly and she saw the prone form of her friend next to her. Reality crashed down upon her. She wasn't sure how long she'd been out, but the storm still raged outside.

"Teal'c? Do you copy?" She tried to raise the Jaffa on the radio, but only static greeted her. Hoping the storm was interfering with their radios, she turned her attention to her friend. Grabbing her wrist, Janet was unsurprised to find her pulse weak. She was dismayed to see her leg wound had reopened, leaving a small pool of blood on the dirt floor. Digging through her bag she found a bandage and applied a pressure dressing, relieved when Sam weakly moaned in response.

"Sam? Can you hear me?" Janet searched her face for signs of consciousness, but the moans stopped and her face relaxed again. Janet noticed the sling used to immobilize the Major was gone, ripped off during their mad dash to the cave, but she was too tired to worry about that right now. She also noticed a slightly blue tinge on her lips and suddenly shivered as she realized how cold it was. Through her earlier ministrations Sam had been stripped of all but the most basic clothes needed to maintain her modesty. Although it was necessary at the time, Janet wished she had something to help warm her cold friend.

Sam's skin was thankfully dry, though she was losing body heat in the frigid air. Her own clothing was still damp, which was making her very uncomfortable. Janet began to strip out of her damp clothes, shivering as the wind blew upon her bare skin. She laid out her clothes on a nearby rock to dry before reaching for her pack, praying what she desperately needed was inside. She gave silent thanks as her hand found what she was looking for, the emergency Mylar blanket. Pulling it free, she went over to her friend, grabbing her as tightly as she dared, cocooning the blanket around them. The air between the two women abruptly began to warm. She'd just lay here for a second, just until Sam started getting warm again.

SG1SG1SG1SG1

Teal'c was doing his best to ride out the storm. He had been able to find shelter, having much more time to look than his companions. He had been unable to raise them since the storm had started. He sincerely hoped it was just interference from the storm, and not some other disastrous reason. He cursed his own uselessness, if only he had been paying closer attention he would have been able to warn Dr. Fraiser with plenty of time to reach safety.

Whenever the storm appeared to pass, he left the protection of his shelter only to return minutes later when the storm raged again. He was determined to rejoin his teammates, but he would have to wait until the storm calmed. Knowing there was little to do at the moment; he placed himself in a light state of Kelno'reem. He would be ready to move as soon as possible.

SG1SG1SG1SG1

Janet awoke slowly, letting her memories of the past events come to her. Looking over at her friend, she was happy to see her shivering stopped. She moved her hand to Sam's forehead. She was warm and no longer had the blue tinge. Satisfied Sam was again stable; she jumped out of the cocoon she had made with the blanket. Shivering in the cold air, she went over to her clothes, glad to see they were mostly dry, and pulled them on. Grabbing her flashlight, she did a quick search of the cave. When she was convinced there were no native animals that would come back and evict them, she returned to her patient.

Grabbing her med kit, she decided to properly dress her wounds. She rearranged the blanket so only her thigh was visible. Janet reached down and gently peeled back the previous dressing. The gauze was soaked through, although it looked like the bleeding had just about stopped. She quickly cleaned and dressed the wound before wrapping Sam snuggly in the blanket.

The storm still raged outside, but thankfully the cave shielded them well. The air was cold, however, and Janet wished they could start a fire. Janet rose and went to the opening of the cave. Outside she could see several branches and small logs broken by the storm. If she could get them inside, they might be dry enough to burn in a few hours. Returning to her pack, she began searching for her rain poncho, surprised to find an extra set of clothes for Sam that she forgot she added back at the SGC. She pulled out the slightly wet clothes, laying them out to dry like she laid out her own a few hours before. Finding her poncho, she went outside, gathering several of the smaller logs and bringing them in the cave. Feeling exhausted after that short effort, and knowing there was nothing more she could do for now, she pulled off her boots and poncho and climbed back under the blanket. She would get a few hours sleep and then see if the wood and the clothes were dry.

The next time she opened her eyes the storm had calmed a bit. It took her a minute to realize the wind had died, although it was still raining heavily. The cave was pitch black and Janet decided it must be nighttime. Grabbing her flashlight she headed to the entrance. She tried to raise Teal'c, but wasn't surprised when static was all she got. She returned to the little wood pile. The wood was mostly dry now and she was able to get a small fire going. The fire provided welcome heat against the cold night air, and she could now see the entire cave from the light provided. She was worried about the smoke drawing unwelcome visitors, but decided anyone wandering around in this storm would want to join them rather than hurt them.

She grabbed the dry clothes for her friend and dressed her. Sam now had several cuts to the soles of her feet from the sharp rocks they had to run over. Not for the first time she wished her friend had been properly dressed for their mad dash to the cave, but there was little she could do about that now. At least none of the cuts were deep and they had already stopped bleeding.

Finishing her task, the doctor was able to rouse Sam long enough to get her to sip some water before moving her closer to the fire. Finishing off the canteen, she grabbed her rain gear again. Heading back outside she grabbed more wood to start drying, leaving the empty canteen outside. By the time she had a nice pile of wood, the canteen was full again. She grabbed it, returning to the safety of the cave and resuming her place by her friend's side.

Digging through her bag, she found a MRE and opened it, barely tasting it as she wolfed it down. She didn't realize she was that hungry. Grabbing her med kit in one hand and her pistol in the other, she prepared for a long night. There was little she could do until morning but keep her friend safe and the fire going.

A soft moan jerked her back to awareness. Damn! She didn't mean to fall asleep. Grabbing some of the now dry wood, she placed them on the dying fire. She looked around trying to see what woke her when Sam cried out. She leaned over her friend, loosening the blankets when Sam struggled against them. Janet placed her hand on her forehead, hoping she wasn't right and was dismayed when she felt the heat coming from her friend. She checked her wounds, expecting to see an infection raging out of control and perplexed when the wounds were healing nicely. A coughing fit pulled Janet out of her musings. She gently held Sam as her coughs sent ripples through her weakened body. Janet bent down, placing her ear on her friend's chest, listening to the sound of her breathing. She cursed at the congestion she heard.

She dug through her pack, cursing again when she couldn't find the IV supplies she desperately needed. She grabbed a clean rag and her canteen before returning to Sam's side. She again stripped her patient in an attempt to cool her overheated body, but left the blanket for the times her fever would turn into chills. She spent the night, and most of the morning by her friend's side, pushing her own exhaustion aside to care for her patient. So intent on Sam, Janet didn't even notice when the weather finally calmed down.