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"What?" Fear, anger, frustration, panic were all in that one word…

Sari flinched. "I'm sorry," she said sincerely.

"What do you mean, "it's gone?"" Carter demanded sitting up, pain forgotten.

"I mean what I say. The chappa'ai is gone."

"I bet it just got up and walked away," Sam muttered sarcastically.

The girl sighed, "The rain swept it and the star device away. There is no way back."

She rubbed her forehead. "Tell me this is a really bad joke," she pleaded.

The girl looked at her for a moment then dropped her eyes. "I'm sorry," she whispered, slipping out of the room.

Carter laid back down; her conscience quickly began reproaching her. 'Sam, she's helping you and you're yelling at her like it's her fault! Calm down for cryin' out loud!''

"Hello?" she called, "Sari?" the girl didn't appear, "I'm sorry for snapping at you."

Sari, in the other room, quietly continued about with her chores until she finally heard steady breathing. Crossing over on silent feet, she stood next to Sam. She placed a hand on her forehead; Sam moaned slightly but didn't wake.

The young woman looked troubled when she left. She had found the woman on top some rocks, some distance from the stone ring. She had been badly injured… but how severe she hadn't known until right then.

Colonel Carter was going to die.

Å

"Jacob!"

Daniel thought he had never been so glad to see the aged Tok'ra. After eating dinner, Teal'c had gone to inform Jack of their extended stay while he explored the Tok'ra tunnels. The entire morning, however, they had been requested to stay in their rooms while the council debated the issue of the ship. It had gotten boring, quickly. Jacob had arrived several hours ago but went straight to the Counsel.

And that was seven hours ago.

The ex-General smiled. "Daniel! Came to pay the old man a visit, eh?" he looked around, "Where's Sam?"

Daniel looked at him, hoping that that was a bad joke. "Jacob… they uh… didn't tell you anything?"

Jacob looked alarmed; looking at their faces, he could tell something was wrong. "Where the hell is Sam?"

Ten minutes later…

"How far away is it?"

Daniel sighed. "According to Walter, several thousand light years."

"Seven months," Jacob said softly. He got to his feet and began pacing the room. He looked like he had aged several years.

"Look, we're willing to go there by ourselves," Daniel said, getting to his feet.

"Daniel, that's a year and two months, there and back."

"Sam would have done it for me," Daniel said quietly.

"You were unable to procure a vessel," Teal'c murmured, looking straight ahead.

Jacob sighed, and nodded. "The Tok'ra High Council sends their regrets. At this time, we are unable to spare a ship."

Daniel cursed under his breath in several languages.

"Don't the Asgard owe you a favor?" Jacob inquired.

Teal'c answered. "We have been unable to contact them."

Selmac took control, "I will speak to the High Council again. If they agree, I will send a message to you."

Daniel nodded wordlessly and left, followed by Teal'c.

Stargate Command…

"How'd it go?" General O'Neill asked watching them come through- Daniel dusted with sand.

Daniel rolled his eyes. "Uh, well, at this time they are unable to spare a ship- maybe later. Selmac is talking to them"

Jack wanted to say 'I told you so' badly but refrained. "I'm sorry, Daniel." He left the archeologist and Tea'c and made his way to his office, closing the door behind him. Once in his chair, he buried his face into his hands.

Carter's last hope rested on the Asgard.

Å

"Samantha?"

Carter stirred but was unable to drag her eyelids open.

"Samantha, wake up!"

"Go away," she mumbled, starting to fall back asleep.

Sari looked at the silver chain she held; several thin sheets of metal dangled from it. "Colonel Carter," she read quietly. Looking thoughtfully at the woman on the bed she snapped, "COLONEL CARTER!"

Carter's eyes flew open; she bolted upright before promptly gasping and lying back down. "What?" she hissed, "oh, god, what a headache…"

She tossed her long braid back and sat on the edge of the bed. "I need to talk to you," she began seriously.

"'Bout what?" Sam asked, massaging her temples.

"Your injuries are quite severe."

"I feel fine," Carter said, looking down. "Aside from the massive headaches and the bruises everywhere… I'm good."

"You have internal bleeding… you are, in fact, dying, Colonel."

Several emotions flashed across Sam's face before her military mask returned. "And…?"

"I do not know what the matter is, I can not even help you with any medicines we have… I can procure one though."

"What?" Sam asked cautiously.

"I could procure a symbiote, if you-"

"No!"

The girl sighed, "You will die without one!"

Carter looked at her steadily. "Then I die."

"There is only one other way to save you then."

"How?"

"I can help you ascend."

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