See Chapter One for full disclaimer and author's notes.

Chapter Fifteen

The dreams never seemed to be far over the last few nights, always lurking around a dark corner of her mind; tonight was no exception. Sam found herself back in the dank interrogation room, her captors standing over her, ready with a blow when she didn't give them what they wanted, or sometimes when they simply wanted something to beat on. She struggled to maintain her military bearing, refusing to allow them to break her.

The questions came, rapid fire. "Where are your companions? How many are hiding among the trees? What are the codes that will open your defensive iris?"

Always her answer was the same. "Carter, Samantha. Lieutenant Colonel. 43-412-6775-320. 12-29-68."

Unexpectedly her dream shifted and Jack was there with her, encouraging her, promising her he would come for her and not to give up. She drew strength from his presence, bolstering her flagging will and filling her with a stalwart resolve. They wouldn't break her. They wouldn't force her into a betrayal of everything she stood for, everything the code by which she lived her life demanded.

In the waking world, Jack had been roused by Sam's jerky movements and mumbled words that at first he couldn't make out. When he realized she was reciting her name, rank, service number, and date of birth his heart broke. As he listened to her litany repeated time and again his chest tightened in anger and anguish. He was accustomed to being in control, able to influence any given situation, generally through force of his considerable will.

But this, an enemy that stole in like a thief in the night, an enemy against which he had limited skills, he didn't know how to deal with it. The feeling of impotence was nearly overwhelming, until finally he reacted in the only way he knew how. Reaching out, he gently gathered Sam close, running his hands soothingly through her hair.

"C'mon, wake up for me Dorothy. It's okay. You're safe now. You're home. It's over, it's all over."

Sam awoke with a start, disoriented from clinging images of her dream that dug like icy tendrils around her heart. As awareness came flooding back, she attempted to push herself out of Jack's arms, embarrassed at the tears that gathered in her eyes, but he merely tightened his hold, right now needing it at least as much as she did.

"Jack?"

"I'm right here."

"I'm okay…" Sam said shakily, her need to remain strong in front of him still running as deep as ever.

"Well, I'm not, so just… stay put, okay?"

Nothing else he could have said would have worked more completely, and Sam sank into Jack's embrace, wrapping her arms securely around him, anchoring them both. He continued his rhythmic stroking of his fingers through her silken hair as her heart rate gradually slowed and became more regular. She hated the dreams, hated how weak they made her feel and her initial instinct to cover the weakness of her tears had been one born of an upbringing and education that rewarded control over her emotions. Carters never cry. Carters are always strong. Wasn't that what her father had always taught her?

It was as though he could practically hear what she was thinking as Jack watched Sam struggle for control. But that course of total, uncompromising, rigid command over emotion could only lead to a life of loneliness and depression, eventually pushing everyone else away. He knew it only too well and he would be damned if he allowed Sam to travel that same path.

"Don't, Sam."

"What?" She asked, startled by his voice.

"Don't do this. It's okay."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Sam whispered, knowing it was a lie. Knowing Jack knew it too.

"Don't do this," he repeated. "You hate the dreams, but you live with them. Eventually you learn to deal with them. And if you're really lucky, you find someone you can share them with."

Sam wasn't sure if they were talking about just her any longer, and knew that what Jack said was truth. But a truth she wasn't sure she could yet accept. The fact that he had mentioned it at all spoke volumes about how deep Jack's own feelings ran; he who used words so sparingly, but meant every word he uttered.

"I… I'm not sure I can…" Sam's voice was a harsh whisper. She knew that once the bands of control were loosened she might never be able to put them back into place again. And once that happened, everything might change forever. She couldn't risk it.

Jack simply nodded in reply. "If you change your mind…."

"I know. And you have no idea how good that makes me feel."

"Okay," Jack replied, as Sam curled into his side, her head resting comfortably on his shoulder, willing the remaining whispers of her nightmare to the furthest corners of her mind as she sank back into sleep. For now he resigned himself to allowing her to keep what had happened to herself, but if the frequency of her night terrors was any indication, he might not be able to let it go on for much longer.

He couldn't stand the sight of Sam in distress, the fear written so clearly across her features, and knew that one day soon he was going to have to force the issue with her. Force her to relive what had happened so that she could move past it. It was hardly something he was looking forward to, but acknowledged the necessity.

But for now there was nothing left to do but sleep and so surrendered himself to it, Sam's soft breaths a lullaby easing him into slumber.

SG1-SG1-SG1-SG1-SG1-SG1

The news of the Tau'ri's escape spread like wildfire through the Jaffa ranks, none of them envying the Commander's position as he reported to Lord Ba'al.

"I have no excuse, My Lord. We are not worthy of your greatness. We have failed you, My Lord," he groveled piteously, hoping that his boot licking might just save his life.

The reaction was hardly what he'd expected of his Master. Lord Ba'al was quietly introspective for several minutes, leaving his Commander to sweat in front of the communications array. Instead of thundering away at him, when he did speak, Lord Ba'al's voice was quiet. The kind of quiet that usually ended up killing someone.

"Yes, you have indeed failed me. And your failure shall not go unpunished. But this may yet be turned to our advantage. We needed a practical test of this weapon's capabilities on a small scale and we now have that opportunity. Prepare for an assault. The Tau'ri know we are here and we must assume they know of our plans, since your carelessness with your prisoner may well have extended to your tongues as well. Ensure the weapon is prepared. When the Tau'ri attack they won't be expecting us to use it… yes, this could be very advantageous indeed," Ba'al continued almost to himself.

"Prepare your troops well, Jo'nack, and you might yet live to serve this ship again. The Tau'ri will attack through the Chappa'ai, concentrate your forces there. Expect that they will land forces on the planet and will assault the main complex. It will be then that we demonstrate the true power of this formidable weapon."

"Yes, My Lord. It will be as you command."

"And Jo'nack, allow one of them to live. News of our triumph must be carried back to Earth. I want O'Neill to know the full extent of his failure."

"Yes, My Lord," Jo'nack replied, the relief at his continued survival causing his knees to shake slightly. Never before had he seen someone fail the Master and live. His only thought was that he was not intended to survive the coming battle. But he could accept that as his fate and in the end his triumph, even in death, would assure the continued honor of his family and his remaining Jaffa.

As the communications device winked off, Jo'nack turned to the Jaffa standing behind him.

"Go, assemble your men. We shall lay in wait for the Tau'ri. This time we shall not fail our Master!"

Snapping smartly to attention and bringing sharp fists up to their chests, the Jaffa turned and hurried from the room. The time for their redemption was at hand.

SG1-SG1-SG1-SG1-SG1-SG1

The week was crawling slowly by and to Sam it felt as though seven days had been extended to a month. Enforced rest wasn't something she had ever done well, and this was no exception. If not for her nagging fatigue, she would have shrugged off the Doctor's orders and continued to work her customary ten to twelve hours, albeit from home and not her lab. As it was, she was able to get through about six before she needed to take a break from her laptop keyboard and stretch out on the couch. Besides, if Jack had suspected she was working as much as she was, he'd likely have her back in the infirmary faster than she could say naquada reactor.

But it was now finally Thursday, and if Sam could just get through the next three days she'd be back on base for a physical and hopefully a return to duty. The injury to her leg was healing nicely and she hoped wouldn't leave much scarring. All in all, she was cautiously pleased with her recovery and was hoping Doctor Brightman could be convinced to return her to full active duty.

Jack would be another matter entirely. Ever since she'd come home he'd been spending most of his off time at her place, only returning home when absolutely necessary. Sam was somewhat surprised to discover his presence, rather than feeling claustrophobic, was instead warm and comfortable. His solid presence a bastion in the chaos that seemed to dominate the rest of her life. The dreams that had plagued her sleep since she had first awakened in the infirmary had been her constant companions and could be counted on to wake her at least once each night. Oddly she'd begun to become accustomed to the interruption and she suspected it was her continued struggle with the dreams that kept Jack there most nights.

When they had first begun dating, she'd been somewhat surprised at their relative restraint around each other. After years of sexual tension, she'd half expected them to fall into bed at the first opportunity. But as the days stretched on, she realized that what she felt for Jack ran much deeper than simple sex. There was nothing even remotely simple about their relationship. After what had happened to her on -035 things had become even more complex. Sam drew on Jack's strength more than she had ever relied upon anyone since her mother died. She had come to depend upon his stalwart presence each night, holding her close as the night terrors left her feeling sick and shaken. It was a need that at first she had resented as a form of weakness she felt she couldn't allow herself, but now was grudgingly coming to accept. She needed Jack, in a way she had never needed anyone. The thought scared her to death.

Sam had considered talking with Jack about all of it, her experiences on -035, her fears since returning, her need of him. She knew that her unwillingness to discuss what had happened worried him, and she acknowledged that she wasn't going to be able to keep from talking about it for much longer. She even realized, somewhere deep down, that if she faced what happened, she might actually begin to put it and the dreams behind her. But it wasn't going to be that simple. Opening up wasn't something she did willingly, a trait she knew she shared with Jack.

It had been gnawing at her, this incessant feeling that she had to face what happened, and not just through talking. What began as a niggling feeling in the back of her mind had blossomed into an all out assault, leaving her feeling as though she might break apart under the attack, and it left her confused and frustrated. It wasn't as though this was the first time she'd be captured or injured in the line of duty. Why was this so different? What had changed that made this time so difficult to simply put behind her? She was no stranger to the depression or night mares following such a difficult mission, but never before had it been so pervasive, dominating nearly her every waking and sleeping thought.

Shaking her head to clear the unanswerable questions, Sam knew one thing for certain, if she didn't get back to -035 and take out that weapon herself, she just might not be able to live with it. Ever. She knew of the plans to attack the temple and knew the jump off date was rapidly approaching. But in order to convince Jack she needed to go along, she was going to have to tell him all of it. Everything that had happened and everything she was feeling now, and hope that he understood enough to allow her to go.

Sam had been rehearsing the conversation over and over in her mind for the last couple of days and now that the week was drawing to a close, she knew her time was running short. She was going to have to talk to him and soon if she hoped to join to expeditionary force in time to be a part of this mission. But it was still early in the day, and Sam didn't expect Jack back from the mountain for several hours at least and so had just pulled open her laptop when her cell phone rang shrilly from the kitchen. Rising from her seat in the dining room, she picked up her phone, noting the digits as a cell number she recognized well she flipped it open.

"Carter."

"Colonel Carter, it is Teal'c."

"Teal'c, how are you?"

"I am well, and you?"

"Other than bored out of my mind most of the time, I'm fine. How're things at the SGC?"

"They are as you would expect."

Sam chuckled, "So, business as usual then?"

"Indeed." Teal'c was silent for a moment, not knowing human etiquette well, he was unsure how to frame the request that had caused him to pick up the phone initially. In the end, he opted for the direct approach, noting that more often than not with his friends from the SG-1 the method was most effective.

"Colonel Carter, I was hoping I could come by your home today."

"That would be great, I'd love some company."

"Shall I bring a meal, perhaps?"

"That sounds good, how about Chinese? We can make it a late lunch."

"Very well, I shall be there in an hour."

True to his word, just under an hour later Teal'c arrived on her doorstep, Chinese take out in hand. Welcoming him in, Sam broke out the plates and drinks and they enjoyed a meal of Szechwan Beef and General Tso's chicken while talking over the latest base gossip. Sam had discovered years earlier, much to her surprise, that Teal'c was unusually well plugged into the base grapevine. She had never considered herself one to take part in idle gossip, but it was nice to hear about the goings on at the SGC.

Sam gathered the empty cartons and dishes, depositing them in the kitchen before joining Teal'c in her living room. Anyone who hadn't known the Jaffa as long as she had wouldn't pick up on the subtle signs, but she had known him for over eight years and could tell there was something bothering him.

Sam folded herself onto the couch, eyeing her companion sitting across from her. Over the years she had come to regard Teal'c as one of her closest friends, closer in many respects than even Janet, when she had been alive. There were things that only another comrade would understand, and things that simply couldn't be shared with a commanding officer.

Daniel simply didn't have the background to understand the pressures she faced, but Teal'c's long service to Apophis lent him an uncanny insight and he seemed to implicitly understand, even when Sam didn't herself. His unerring intuition was at times unnerving, but when she was feeling at her lowest, as though no one could truly understand, there he was. Sometimes with a shoulder to cry on, other times with a simple look or gesture. Always it lifted her up, set her on her feet again, and they would carry on. She could let down her guard with him as she could with no one else, even Jack. Especially Jack.

"I wish to apologize, Colonel Carter."

The statement came from around a blind corner and was the last thing she expected to hear.

Sam stuttered before replying. "Ah…you… you what?"

"I owe you my apology."

"What the hell for?"

"I should not have abandoned you on P7X-035."

"Teal'c, you didn't abandon me, I ordered you to leave."

"I should have ensured that Daniel Jackson made it through the 'gate. Once that mission was accomplished, I should have returned for you."

Sam stared at her hands, clasped in her lap. She hadn't considered at the time how difficult her orders would be to carry out, she had only considered the danger to Earth and her duty to get their intelligence through the 'gate and into the hands of people who could neutralize that threat. It wasn't until much later, when she was alone in that dank cell, that she realized what effect that order was likely to have. And by then it was too late.

"Teal'c, you did as I ordered you. You did your duty, and I counted on that. I knew you would follow that order and I knew that meant leaving me behind. I'm not sorry about giving that order. I'd do it again, if I had to. And I know you'd follow it again, because that's who you are, Teal'c."

Teal'c inclined his head. "You are my sister in arms, Samantha. Among the Jaffa, that bond is something to be honored and protected. I do not believe I should have allowed your order to come between me and my duty to you."

Sam was utterly stunned. She hadn't thought it possible for Teal'c, a dedicated warrior with a devotion to duty that rivaled any she had ever seen, even her father's, to admit something of such magnitude. It was unthinkable, and rocked her down to her very soul.

"Teal'c, you can't mean that…"

"I can. I have sacrificed much to the cause of my people, to the cause of freedom. I am unsure that I can sacrifice so much ever again. You, Daniel Jackson, O'Neill, you are as much my family as Rya'c. I had a duty to protect my family as well as a duty to the Tau'ri. I failed in that duty."

Sam could feel Teal'c's eyes on her, waiting for her to say something. She drew in several deep breaths, attempting to calm herself.

"Teal'c, you can't think like that. One must always come before the other. The greater good always has to be considered before the good of one team or one individual."

"I have meditated on this for many hours. Many things are still unclear to me. But I am coming to believe that perhaps in this Daniel Jackson is correct. There can be no greater good than duty to those you care about."

Sam blew out a frustrated breath. She couldn't believe she was hearing this from Teal'c of all people. Daniel she expected, but not this. Teal'c had been the bedrock of SG-1 since the beginning and now that foundation was showing some cracks. She wasn't sure how to deal with it.

"So, what're you going to do now?" Sam asked quietly, afraid of the answer.

"I am unsure. I do not want to leave SG-1 or the Tau'ri, but I cannot change how I feel on this matter."

"Maybe if we just give it some time, when things aren't so…. close…"

Teal'c regarded his companion thoughtfully. O'Neill had come to him concerned that she had not yet spoken to anyone. Teal'c at first had thought his concern unwarranted, her reticence of late was not unexpected given her recent experiences, but it did seem unusual for the steadfast Colonel. Now that he was in her presence all he had done was unload his own problems upon her, and it shamed him. But it felt good to be able to confide in her, both as a friend and a comrade in arms.

"I am sorry, Colonel Carter. I should not have unburdened myself upon you."

Sam shook her head adamantly. "Teal'c, I'm glad you came to me. I'm glad you trust me enough to speak with me about this."

Teal'c inclined his head in agreement. "I do indeed trust you, with a great many things, including my life. Do I also hold such trust from you?"

"Of course. You don't need to ask that…" Sam replied immediately, confused that he would ever doubt her loyalty.

"Then would you not speak with me of P7X-035?"

Sam stopped cold, her mouth falling open. So, that was it. His real reason for visiting. "Jack sent you," Sam accused softly. "Didn't he?"

"O'Neill knows nothing of my intentions to visit here today, Colonel Carter."

"But he did talk with you, didn't he?"

"He has. But only out of concern for you."

Sam stood slowly, making her way to the double doors that lead to her back yard. Crossing her arms, she stood in front of them, leaning her head against the cool panes, watching her breath fog the glass. "I… I'm not sure I can."

"Would you feel more comfortable speaking with Daniel Jackson?"

"Somehow I doubt it, Teal'c. Daniel really doesn't understand… can't understand."

"Then one of the medical professionals at the SGC perhaps…"

Sam cut him off sharply. "Good God no. There's no way I'm going to have any of this wind up on my permanent record in any way, shape, or form."

"Is it not procedure, after such an incident, to speak with someone in that capacity?"

"Normally, yes. But after some of our… less than stellar experiences with people in the psychiatric profession over the years, Doctor Brightman agreed to let me work out on my own who I would talk with."

"And yet, you have spoken of this to no one."

"No," Sam acknowledged. "Not yet. I'm not sure why this is so hard this time. Why can't I just get over it already?" Sam huffed, exasperation coloring her voice.

"Perhaps it is not just this incident, Samantha. This is not the first time in recent months you have undergone something like this."

Fifth. He means Fifth. God, something else better left alone. Buried down deep. She had only spoken of it very briefly to O'Neill on the Daniel Jackson as they journeyed back to Earth after Fifth had inexplicably released her. She still wasn't sure she trusted his motivations for any of that.

Teal'c came to stand behind her, reaching out a warm hand and placing it gently on her shoulder. She jumped slightly at the contact, tense with the memories that seemed to suffocate her at every turn.

"Come, sit."

Such an innocuous phrase, one she had heard hundreds of times before. But this time was different. This time it brought it all back, every blow, every hour spent in that dismal chair interrogated in what seemed to be an unending session of questions and pain. Sam was no longer in her own home, but back on -035, the Jaffa standing over her ready to mete out agony with a flick of their wrists. Jaffa just like Teal'c, standing over her. Commanding her to sit. Commanding her to betray her oath to the Air Force and the SGC.

The flashback hit her like a physical force, a blow that couldn't be prepared for or avoided. She couldn't imagine anything worse. It all came back, every moment of excruciating suffering that she had endured swept into her consciousness like a hot, unstoppable flood and it left her shaking and nauseated. Slowly the images receded from her mind and she dimly became aware of Teal'c gripping her shoulders tightly, attempting to steady her. Sam deliberately slowed her breathing, bringing herself under control.

"Samantha, are you well?"

"Teal'c?"

"I am here." He was shaken. Among the Jaffa, it was not unheard of for warriors to have waking visions of the horrors seen in battle. Some endured such things and became stronger for it; others were never the same, unable to ever function under fire again. He wasn't sure what had triggered her vision, but the rigidity in his team mate's body belied what had been happening, and for a moment he feared her collapse.

Gently taking her arm, Teal'c led Sam to the nearby couch and helped her to sit. The intensity of the visions was shocking, more so than the worst of her nightmares, as though she were literally living it over again. It was like she had ever left the temple and for a long horrifying moment, she wondered if she had indeed escaped at all. She clung to the powerful arms that supported her as she sat quaking, her eyes darting about the room in search of some hint of the subterfuge.

"Home?" Sam whispered, the fear coursing through her veins clenching her belly in response.

"Indeed."

"God… what the hell…"

"You saw the temple."

Sam lifted a shaking hand to her face. "Yeah."

"Has this happened before?"

"What? No…no. Jesus…. I could live with it never happening again."

Teal'c nodded then rose and made his way to the kitchen. Sam could hear the water in her sink run momentarily then Teal'c returned with a tall glass of water and extended it to her. She reached out, grasping the glass so tightly her knuckles were white with the effort. Sam sipped at the cool water, allowing it to soothe her arid throat.

"What's happening to me?"

"Your mind requires healing, the same as your body. Healing you have avoided thus far. Perhaps this is a sign you cannot ignore that need any longer."

Sam turned away, gazing forlornly out the window. She wanted to pull back from his supportive touch, wanted to divorce herself from the understanding look in his eyes. She cursed herself for her weakness as she felt the beginnings of tears stinging at the corners of her eyes. Okay, so talk it out, huh? If this is the alternative... Well sure as hell can't be as bad.

When she began speaking it was in low tones that Teal'c had to strain to hear.

"I've never felt like this before. After Fifth I could just… put it away. If I didn't look at it, I could live with it. Get past it. But this time…. this time… it's like it's following me. Every time I close my eyes, it's there," Sam murmured brokenly, the admission wrung from her, painful to touch. "I got lucky with Fifth. If he hadn't decided to let me go I'd be…"

"You would be dead right now."

"Yeah."

"But it was not so on P7X-035. It was your own resourcefulness that enabled your escape. No one else."

"Yeah, well, I didn't feel all that resourceful at the time. Just desperate. For a while there I didn't think…"

"You did not believe you would survive."

Sam sighed deeply. "Yeah."

"Have we not been in situations where it seemed unlikely we would emerge with our lives?"

"I guess…but I was on my own this time, just like with Fifth. It never seemed so…. terrifying when you guys were there with me."

"And now you have twice faced that eventuality alone. Even for the strongest warrior there is no shame in admitting the fear that comes with such experiences."

"I guess. It just never seems…" Sam trailed off, unsure how to phrase what she was feeling to the Jaffa who hadn't know prejudice in the way she had experienced.

"Do you fear that some would consider this a weakness? Some sort of failing of yours?"

Sam smiled gently. "One of these days you won't be able to surprise me like this, Teal'c. I'm not sure what it's like with the Jaffa, but for women here on Earth, especially in commands like the SGC… it's hard. Hard because you feel like, no matter what you do, no matter how good you are, people are always looking for the chink in your armor. The time when you come up short. It's like I'm always proving myself."

"Even after all you have accomplished with the SGC?"

"Maybe even more so. I know it's cliché, but it's like I have a reputation to live up to now."

Teal'c inclined his head, understanding written across his features. He knew well the advantages and pitfalls of a strong reputation.

"I'm just…" Sam stopped, nearly choked on the word, she'd uttered it so infrequently. "afraid."

"Of what?"

"That it'll always feel like this. That I won't be able to get all the way back this time."

And now here it was, the heart of the matter. Fear could be an overwhelming adversary, weilding weapons that at times can scarcely be understood let alone combatted. Fear could rot away at a person's confidence or it could inspire incredible feats of strength in overcoming it's influence. Until now, Sam had always defeated the beast, rising above it to claim utter victory at times when it seemed as though no one, no matter how resilient could survive.

Teal'c considered his response carefully, knowing full well that he was treading on shifting ground. A soldier's confidence was a vital and ultimately fragile thing, one misstep could spell disaster, for Sam and the team.

"I believe in you, Samantha. I know that O'Neill and Daniel Jackson feel similarly. Allow us to help you carry this. Share the burden with us and perhaps we can all emerge from this stronger than before."

Sam ducked her head to her chest. She knew he spoke the truth from a pure heart, but sharing this much of herself had never come easily. "I don't know if I can."

"For as long as I have known you, you have never backed down from a challenge. Never. Do not back away from this one. This is something to be conquered, like any other trial we have endured over the years. Treat it as such. A problem to be solved."

Sam bit her lip, considering. The idea had been niggling at the back of her mind for the last couple of days and she realized now that she could use an ally in pulling it off. If she was right, it would free her from the dreams and flashbacks. If she was wrong, she'd be freed anyway, but in a way that might destroy those around her. In the end, Sam felt as though she had no real choice, caught between the proverbial rock and hard place with nothing but options that went from bad to worse.

"If I asked you for something, would you hear me out before answering?"

"Of course."

"I need to be on the mission. Don't ask me why, because I'm not sure I really know. But I am sure that if I'm going to ever be able to put this behind me, I need to go."

"Are you certain that is a wise course of action?"

Sam snorted derisively. "Just the opposite, actually. I'm fairly sure this is a pretty foolish course of action. But I can feel this as strongly as I have felt anything before. I have to be there. I have to help take them down, otherwise this is going to haunt me for the rest of my life."

Teal'c gazed at his teammate critically, noting the resolve in her eyes and the surety in her voice. She believed it to be true, and perhaps that was all that really mattered. But he feared she was far from ready for such a demanding mission, physically as well as emotionally.

"And what of O'Neill and Doctor Brightman? It is unlikely they will clear you for such a mission."

"Ah… that's where maybe you could help."

It was not the first time she had asked him to take a leap of faith based on little other than her word, and the consequences were as dire as they had ever been. Deny her request and she would likely either find a way to get there on her own, and he would be unable to watch out for her or she would stay behind possibly destroying any chances of her ever returning to full duty. Grant her what she was asking for, and they could lose her anyway, considering her weakened state.

The risks were great in either eventuality and he understood the enormity of Sam's impasse. Teal'c did not, in any case, believe that his team leader would sit idly by at the SGC when she felt so strongly that she needed to be on the mission and in the end, his decision was practially made for him.

"I will request you be assigned to my team for this mission. I have been given the task of assembling one of the two strike teams along with Colonel Reynolds. That will mean you will be fully under my command, Colonel Carter. Should I feel the need to order you out of a situation, I must ask that my order be followed."

"I understand. Believe me, following your orders is not something that's going to be a problem for me. I'm glad you'll be there with me."

"Indeed."

Sam was relieved and unnerved in a ball of conflicting emotions that churned at her stomach. Teal'c had been the wild card. Jack and Doctor Brightman were the true constants in this, their reactions predictable, nearly set in stone.

Teal'c however, could have gone either way. If he had refused her, the task would have become infinitely more difficult. Sam's resolve, however, would have been unaffected. She needed to do this; could feel it in her bones that this was the right thing for her to do. Convincing others of that fact was the hard part. But now she had an ally, and one she thought was one of the few people who could truly understand her reasons.

Sam looked up into Teal'c's warm brown eyes, shining with concern; in the beginning the former First Prime had intimidated her, along with much of the SGC. But now all she saw was a friend and fellow soldier and she knew she could count on him to get her through just about anything.

"Thank you, Teal'c."

"Your thanks may be premature. Thank me when we have returned safely and our mission has been accomplished."

TBC….