Chapter 19 – Time to Regroup

Beroni had been removed from the room on a stretcher, Janet accompanying him to the Makesh medical facilities. The High Chancellor had likewise been removed to the holding cells; a bit more worse for wear than when his guards had seen him last, but no one made any comments. Especially in light of the fact that Teal'c stood imposingly on the temples' steps, his countenance forbidding.

JJ had fallen asleep in Jack's arms and his father was loath to relinquish his hold on his son; so he didn't. He and Sam had moved to the side of the circular room and sat down on a stone bench, talking quietly about all that had happened. JJ was cradled in Jack's left arm, Sam in his right.

"So you're telling me that those necklaces contained a transportation device and that's how you and JJ were taken out of the room?" Jack asked, the disbelief evident in his voice.

"Yes," Sam sighed as she took out the two beads she had tried to fashion together into some sort of beacon. "As soon as I realized it, I took them off and threw them across the room. Later that night, I thought I might be able to use the technology to alert dad or Thor to where we were. Guess I should have realized that you would come to our rescue instead," she smiled up at him.

Jack just grunted. "Fat lot of good I did. It was really Malem and Daniel who figured things out. I just wanted to tear certain people apart." He sat in silencefor a few moments before heturned stricken eyes on her. "I'm sorry Sam. If I hadn't stayed longer at the damned feast…"

Sam raised her fingers to his lips. "Shh. This is not your fault. In fact, I've been thinking..." She narrowed her eyes at him in warning as she felt his smile under her fingertips. Then the mood changed swiftly as she dropped her hands to her lap and looked down. More quietly, she said, "This wouldn't have happened if I hadn't insisted that we come here. I knew how you felt about this mission, but still I pressured you into coming. Can you forgive me Jack?" she pleaded as she looked at him once again, her eyes filled with tears.

Jack drew her closer and kissed the top of her head. "This is not your fault either, Sam and I won't let you beat yourself up over it, understand? The entire fault lies with the High Chancellor and the Bologna creep." He smiled at the soft chuckle he earned from Sam, happy that she didn't bother to correct his mispronunciation. She knew without a doubt that neither one of them would ever eat that particular lunchmeat again.

Sam lifted her head from Jack's shoulder as she heard Thor's voice clearly over the transmitter that Jacob held. "Jacob Carter, my sensors have picked up the bio signs of Colonel Carter and Jonathon Jacob. Shall I transport them to my ship at this time?"

Jacob shared a grin with them over Thor's timing as he handed the transmitter to Jack. "Uh, that would be a no, Thor. We have them with us as we speak," Jack answered the alien. "You're timing is a little off there, buddy."

"I apologize for the dealy, O'Neill. Are they well? Do you require medical assistance?"

"No," Jack stated, smiling at Sam. "They're just fine. A bit shaken up and tired, but fine."

There was a pause, then a confused sounding voice. "I do not understand, O'Neill. Would not shaking up them cause injury?"

Sam covered her mouth with her hand but a snort of laughter could clearly be heard. Jack gave her a mock frown as he answered his friend, "Uh, no Thor. It's just an expression. I'll explain later."

"Very well O'Neill. Should you require assistance, I am at your service."

"Thanks buddy," Jack handed the transmitter back to Jacob and put his arm back around Sam, who started to giggle louder now that Thor couldn't hear. "What have I told you about giggling, Colonel?" he teased.

She schooled her features as she looked up at him but the mirth in her eyes betrayed her. "Sorry, Ambassador."

Jack gave her a soft smile and said tenderly, "Actually, that's music to my ears, Sam. You can giggle all you want to…in fact, I insist." He bent his head down and nibbled at her neck, causing the aforementioned giggles to begin again.

"Ah hem," came Jacob's amused voice. "You think you two could save all of that for later? We still have some loose ends to tie up here."

Jack released Sam and stood up, shifting JJ so that his head now lay on Jack's shoulder, his little arm around his daddy's neck. "Loose ends, why are there always loose ends?" When no one answered him, Jack sighed and continued. "First of all, I figured Malem can take care of the High Chancellor on his end – he seems to know what he's doing. And secondly, I could care less what happens with Bologna - as long as I don't ever see him again."

"Beroni," Daniel called from across the room.

"Whatever," Jack replied.

"That's not exactly what I was talking about, Jack. What about that?" Jacob pointed to the chair, still sitting undisturbed in the middle of the room, except for Daniel's persistentpoking and proddingof the object.

"What about it? There are what, three ZPMs in here? I say we take them back with us, bid these people sayonara, and head home. The sooner the better," Jack stated, looking with distaste around the room

"You can't be serious, Jack," Daniel said from his spot behind the chair. He stood up and pushed his glasses back up on his face. "This is Ancient, Jack. It was put here for a purpose – possibly to save these people. We can't just leave here without studying it and maybe even attempting to activate it…"

"Daniel, don't even go there, OK?" Jack's voice turned frosty but his tone was still soft in deference to his sleeping son. "If you are for one minute even suggesting that…"

Sam put her hand on his arm, "Daniel's right, Jack. We can't just leave now." As he looked at her in disbelief, she continued quickly. "I'm not saying we put JJ in the chair to see what happens, not right away at least. But we do need to study this a bit further, Jack. What if it really is the only was to prevent the total annihilation of these people?"

"These people, as you so eloquently put it Sam, kidnapped you and JJ. They had no regard for your well-being, why should I care about theirs?" His voice had taken on a hard edge; there was no way in hell he was going to risk them again!

"It was only two people, Jack," Sam reminded him quietly, "Not the entire village."

Jack shook his head, "I can not believe you are even suggesting this, Sam. Not after what we have all just been through."

Sam sighed and ran a hand tiredly through her hair. "You're right Jack. Now isn't the time. I'm tired, you're tired, JJ's obviously tired. Can we just go back to our quarters and rest, please?"

Jack took in her wan appearance, the pale skin and circles under her eyes and felt a pang of guilt for the tone he had taken with her. But he really didn't even want to consider the thought of placing JJ in that chair, never mind staying on this planet much longer. For her part, Sam knew it was too soon to be broaching the topic with him; besides, she really was tired. And from looking at Jack, she knew he hadn't slept last night either.

"Come on, let's go get some rest," he said as he led her toward the exit, his arm firmly around her shoulders once again.

"But Jack…" Daniel began to protest.

"Not now Danny. You and Jacob can investigate to your hearts' content. I'm taking my family back to our quarters." Without a backward glance to see how Daniel took his comment, Jack and Sam exited the circular room and made their way out of the temple.

They both squinted as they emerged from the temple; the sun was now reaching its zenith in the sky and, compared to the darkness in the lower levels of the temple, it seemed inordinately bright. Teal'c turned from his post at the top of the steps. He had remained outside, watching as the High Chancellor was taken away by the Makesh guards. He didn't quite trust them to lock their leader away.

"Colonel Carter, it is good to see you well," he greeted them with a slight bow, his eyes raking over JJ's sleeping form to ensure that his small Godson was indeed safe at last.

Sam smiled tiredly at him. "Thanks Teal'c. For everything you've done."

Teal'c's face fell momentarily before he straightened again, looking over Sam's shoulder but not meeting her eyes. "I have done nothing, Colonel Carter. In fact, it is because I failed to perform my duties sufficiently that you and Jonathon Jacob were taken. I hope that, one day, you and O'Neill can forgive me."

Sam looked at Jack in surprise; she had never even considered that Teal'c would feel guilty about this. Jack knew how Teal'c felt, for he felt the same way, no matter what Sam said. Sam moved away from Jack to put her hand on Teal'c's arm, waiting for him to look her in the eye.

"Teal'c, there is no reason for me to forgive you." When he looked away in pain, she hastened to continue. "There's no reason, because you are blameless. Teal'c, you couldn't have stopped the High Chancellor and Beroni any more that Jack or I could. There's a lot of guilt going around right now, and it's all by the wrong people!" she insisted.

"I made a promise to O'Neill before we departed on this mission…" Teal'c began but Sam cut him off.

"I know that Teal'c, and you did what you could. I know you would give your life for JJ and that you love him with all your heart. That's more than enough for me. Please, don't take on the blame for this; it's no way to honor your Godchild."

Teal'c looked into her eyes and saw the truth of her words. He gave her a small smile, then bowed gratefully toward her. To Teal'c's surprise, Sam enfolded him in a hug and kissed him on the cheek. He looked over at Jack while she did this, not surprised to see Jack grinning back at him and shrugging his shoulders in a helpless fashion.

When Sam returned to Jack's side, Teal'c asked, "Is there anything you wish me to do O'Neill?"

"Not right now, T. Daniel and Jacob are going to stay in the secret chamber and try and figure out what it's supposed to do. I am taking my family back to our quarters for some much needed rest," he stated, looking down at JJ. "My son has the right idea," he added with a grin.

"I will accompany you, O'Neill. No one will disturb you in your slumber."

Jack opened his mouth to argue that it wasn't necessary, but when he took a look at Teal'c's determined face, he closed it. Even though Sam had assured him that they held him blameless, Teal'c was bound and determined to stand watch and not let anything else happen to any of them. So instead of arguing, Jack quietly stated, "Thanks Teal'c."

Two hours later, Teal'c quietly pushed at the slightly open door to Jack and Sam's bedroom and peered in. He smiled in satisfaction as he took in the slumbering forms of Jack and Sam, facing each other on the bed. JJ lay cocooned between them, his teddy bear clutched tightly in his arms. Jack's arm spanned across his son to rest against his wife's hip; keeping both of them in close proximity. Teal'c knew it would be a long time before Jack felt comfortable out of their sight.

Thanks so much for all the reviews! I, like you, was glad to have Jack whump Beroni! I felt the O'Neill family deserved a little respite before the last bit of action ensues, so was compelled to write this chapter. There will still be a few more chapters of this story - a few people thought I had ended it rather abruptly last chapter! The lunchmeat reference was made particularly for one reviewer who REALLY likes both bologna and salami I believe! You know who you are:)