Life In the Shadows – Part Twenty
Teal'c woke them when he thought it time, a couple of hours before the first bell of the day.
Jack was already awake and bid them a whispered, "Be careful."
The gloomy tunnels seemed even more chilled at this hour as they crept along them, keeping a watchful eye out for any guards. The cold air from the river made Sam shiver even more as they picked up the lanterns and ropes from their hiding place.
Sure enough, there was light in the water and they prepared the ropes. They secured two ropes the best they could. The idea was for one to remain on Teal'c, the other hopefully for him to secure as a sort of safety line, to be tied on the other side as well.
Sam shivered again, she was a strong swimmer, but the water looked anything but inviting and who knew just what Teal'c would have to face … perhaps running out of air … a waterfall? She fixed a smile on her face as he began to enter the water, the light from the lanterns casting an eerie gloom over its surface.
"Good luck," called Daniel.
"If you get in trouble, tug. We'll get you out," said Sam with more confidence than she felt.
"I have no doubt that I will return, Major Carter."
Teal'c waded into the icy water, taking deep breaths to oxygenate his body before diving.
xoxoxoxoxoxo
The water was icy cold, but Teal'c knew his symbiote would afford him some protection and also give him the ability to stay under longer than his team mates. He struck out strongly, the current helping him along, the light becoming brighter as he swam. He kept as close to the surface as he could, feeling as he swam to check for air pockets, but he encountered none.
He burst to the surface and found fresh air and bright sunlight streaming down on him from the entrance to the small cavern. Drawing gulps of the air, he swam to the side. There was only one bank and although a little steep, he managed it easily.
He quickly tied off the ropes, shivering slightly as he moved around, and blinking rapidly in the strong sunlight. He emerged from the cave to find a gentle path leading down into the valley below, and hopefully a way to the gate.
He left one of the ropes fastened and tied the other back around his waist. He gave it a couple of pulls, before striking out strongly against the current to dive once more below the cold waters.
xoxoxoxoxoxo
It seemed a long time before they felt the pull of the rope from Teal'c to warn them of his return. Sam gave a sigh of relief to know he was still alive and on his way back. Together they took the strain on the rope he'd pulled and began to assist him to move through the water.
It seemed to be taking forever, the strain of hauling Teal'c against the current beginning to take its toll, when at last Teal'c burst to the surface. They helped him out of the water. He was breathing heavily and sat for a moment to recover his breath. Daniel threw the blanket they'd brought with them over his shoulders.
"You were beginning to worry us," said Sam.
"It is passable, but the return was obviously much more difficult." Teal'c told them of the exit and the little of the path he had scouted.
"So we can get out. There is a way back," said Daniel, his eyes flashing with relief in the light.
"There is for us. For O'Neill, it is a different matter," said Teal'c quietly.
Sam took a deep breath. "Daniel, Teal'c, I need to talk to you." She squatted down, tracing her fingers around in the dirt of the floor.
"About Jack?" asked Daniel.
"Well, yes. I won't be going with you."
"What? Sam, you can't …"
"Daniel, we know the Colonel can't make it … I can't … I won't leave him here alone."
"You said Jack's dying … you can't seriously expect me to abandon you both?"
"You won't be abandoning me. I'll be here until … until …" Her voice cracked, "I'll get out later."
"No, there is no way I will leave you here. Do you think for one moment Jack will agree to that either?"
"Nor will I leave without you," said Teal'c.
"Please, guys, don't make this more difficult … please," she said, beseeching them with her eyes.
"We will leave together, when the time is more appropriate," stated Teal'c, his face betraying nothing.
"Jack will …" began Daniel.
"Don't you dare tell him, Daniel, don't you dare!" threatened Sam, her voice filled with a hoarse anger.
"Okay, I won't yet, but …"
"But nothing. Either the two of you go tomorrow or you damn well say nothing until …" Sam's voice broke completely and she quickly turned away. She picked up one of the lanterns and marched off, giving them no chance to say anything further.
Teal'c dressed quickly and joined Daniel as they hurried to get back. They weren't unduly alarmed at Sam going ahead, due to it still being early, but they didn't want to take any chances.
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Sam more or less packed them off to work once they'd eaten and rested, the bell for rising sounding not long after their return to their quarters. She was very quiet, refusing to be drawn into any discussion.
Daniel gave up after a while, but only for the time being. He had every intention of resuming the discussion later.
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Jack woke slowly. Sam could see the trouble he was having focusing on her. She gently soothed his forehead and gave him a few sips of water.
"K?" he asked.
"Yes, everyone's fine," she said, knowing what he wanted to hear. "Teal'c managed to swim out and back okay."
"Good."
Sam waited, knowing he would ask, and that she would say the lies she had prepared.
"When … you … go?"
"Soon, in a day or two. Teal'c said there was a huge storm building. So we'll check again and then hopefully …" Sam busied herself smoothing the blanket over him, keeping her eyes down, not daring to look into his face.
"Sam?" he panted.
"Want to try and eat something?" she asked brightly.
Jack didn't respond to that, he grabbed her arm, forcing her to look at him. His dark eyes bore into hers questioningly.
Sam forced herself to stare back, with a slight smile. "Okay, I know my cooking isn't up to much but …"
"Sam, don't," he whispered.
She knew he sensed something, but there was no way, no way in hell she was going to cave in on this one.
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