A/N: I can't believe I'm saying this, but we're getting close to the end of this lovely little tale. However, before I finish, I'm going to do my best to rope as many of you as possible into the third installment of my trilogy, Path From Yesterday. It's Daniel-centered, but I'm adding some S-J quirks and warm-fuzzy moments, which I'm hoping will motivate a few of you Shippers to give it a shot.

Of course, I'm not quite done tormenting you with THIS story yet, so I'd best not get ahead of myself, hey?

By the way, some of you are just too darn perceptive. I'm actually kind of glad I managed to shock most of you with Sam's demise, because I think that, collectively, my faithful readers have figured out most of the other cards I've got stashed up my sleeve. Though I'm not telling who's got which parts correct. You'll just have to read and find out!

And, yes, shiny silver girl, I have noticed how touchy people get when you kill off characters. But its so darn much fun bringing them back together after their deaths that I just can't help doing it. +Evil Author Grin+

Chapter 22

Looking over her left shoulder, Sam was amazed and astounded to see exactly what Jack had just reported – a small, blue woman wearing white robes. Jerking slightly with surprise, she gaped incredulously. "Ah, Jack? Care to explain this?"

Smiling in spite of his recent emotional upheaval, he shrugged. "That's Bett. She's one of the natives. Lives underground." He winced slightly. "She and her people have been keeping track of us since we first arrived here."

Sam couldn't quite tear her eyes away from the petite figure standing in the clearing. "You know her? And she lives–" Suddenly, eyes widening, she stopped mid-sentence. "Wait. Did you say she's been watching us?" Almost immediately, Sam's cheeks flushed with a rosy, pink glow.

Jack chuckled. "Don't worry, Carter. I think they missed most of the really good parts." Unable to repress his glee at having her back again, he leaned forward and planted a swift kiss on her lips. Then, seeing the doubtful expression on her face, Jack's eyes softened. "Hey," he commanded gently, "be nice to her. She's my hero right now."

Hearing those simple words, Sam pulled her attention back to his dark, intense gaze. She wordlessly raised her eyebrows, waiting for an explanation.

Jack looked across the clearing and gestured to the lone, blue figure. "Bett? There's someone I'd like to introduce you to."

Smiling softly, Bett examined both Jack and Sam carefully. Apparently satisfied, she stepped forward and gracefully made her way to the pair. Lightly dropping to her knees, she bowed her head before speaking. "I am pleased to see you well, Major Carter."

Sam's eyes darted quickly to Jack's face. Seeing no alarm, she smiled cautiously. "Uh, thanks… Bett, was it?"

The slim alien nodded slightly. "Yes, that's correct." Suddenly, she seemed to notice the shallow gouges on Sam's ribcage. "You are injured!" she said musically. "Please allow me to see to your wounds."

Sam shrugged. "It's really nothing," she said absently. "I've done worse shaving my legs." At Bett's confused look, Sam waved her hand dismissively. "I'm really more interested in understanding how you've come to know Jack. It hardly seems possible, since I've spent nearly every waking" (and sleeping, she added mentally,) "moment with him for weeks. Yet, I've never seen you before in my life." Sam didn't sound angry or accusatory, just completely puzzled.

Bett nodded understandingly. "Were it not for some extraordinary circumstances, I suspect you and your Colonel would have eventually left my planet without ever making my acquaintance." She sighed. "Indeed, those were my intentions, before fate stepped in with other plans."

Sam still looked mildly incredulous. "Fate?" she asked quietly.

Bett darted a glance at Jack as she spoke. "Yes, fate. In the form of the Gak'Laan that attacked you." She locked eyes with Jack, who nodded slightly to the silent question being asked. Accepting his unspoken request, Bett paused for a moment and gathered her thoughts. "Samantha," she said finally, turning toward the wide-eyed major, "when I last stood upon this cliff, I was, unfortunately, witness to a heartbreaking scene. You see," she said slowly, "the first time the Gak'Laan emerged from the wrecked forest, Colonel O'Neill did not see it in time to save you." Sam's face grew ashen, though she still didn't seem to fully grasp what Bett was saying. "I witnessed the attack during my routine surveillance of your activities." She spoke gently, trying to convey the importance of her words with her tone. "We would not invade your privacy for trivial reasons, Major Carter. We are a fiercely secretive people, but that is only because of the supremely powerful technology we possess." Curiosity flared to life in Sam's eyes at that statement, but she remained silent.

Bett glanced again at Jack and was unsurprised to see him totally absorbed in his newly-resurrected companion. Suppressing a smile at the naked affection in his gaze, she continued. "Samantha, my people have the ability to transcend both temporal and dimensional barriers. It was a somewhat impulsive decision to offer the use of those abilities to Colonel O'Neill, but it is not one that I regret."

The enormity of what Bett was saying finally sank in. "Wait… I was actually dead?" She turned instinctively to Jack, who stared steadily at her with exhausted brown eyes. "My God," she breathed. Reflexively, she reached out and took his face in her hands. "Jack, I…" She shook her head. "I don't know what to say. That must have been…" Swallowing, she trailed off.

"It was hell," he supplied quietly. Placing one of his hands over hers, he continued to gaze steadily into her eyes. "Now you see why she's my hero," he whispered.

Sam could only nod mutely.

From her position beside them, Bett observed the exchange and smiled. "If you'd prefer," she said softly, "we can continue our discussion later. You must both be exhausted. I will gladly take you back to my city for meals, baths, and rest."

At the mention of a bath, Sam's eyes fluttered closed in ecstatic anticipation. "Oh, please," she said breathily. Smiling broadly, she looked at Jack. "Now she's my hero, too."

Jack couldn't suppress a chuckle. Though he was usually the last person in the universe to engage in any public displays of affection, he found himself placing another soft kiss upon her lips. "You sure you can wait a while to get a look at their super-secret gadget?"

Sam's eyes slowly re-opened and absorbed the intense longing in his warm, brown gaze. "Yeah, I think I can wait," she murmured softly.

"Well then, major," he said gruffly, "let's get those scratches cleaned up." Stiffly, he rose to his feet and offered Sam a hand as she got to hers.

Wincing at the multitude of bruises, scrapes, and strains she'd accumulated during the climb and subsequent attack, Sam exhaled slowly. "I hope its not far," she remarked. "I'm just about done-in for the day."

Jack glanced briefly at Bett and then grinned broadly. "Trust me, Sam, you're gonna love how we get there."

Bett led Sam and Jack down a long, windowless passageway. Like the interior of the Ring room, this corridor was decorated with thousands of tiny mosaic tiles.

"I can't believe we're underground," Sam said quietly, running her fingers along the small ceramic squares as they walked. "It's so warm and comfortable," she murmured.

Bett smiled. "Thank you, Samantha. We have worked very hard to make our city into a true home. Since we cannot draw upon the outdoors for a feeling openness, we've tried to think creatively." Her voice danced along the long, stone walls of the hallway. "I'm very glad you like it." Slowing to a stop, Bett placed her hand on a control panel that was nearly indistinguishable from the mosaic tiles which camouflaged it. A quiet beep sounded, and a door swung open where, only seconds before, a solid wall had been. "These are your quarters," she said cheerfully. "You are welcome to come and go as you like, though I suspect you will be disoriented if you leave the immediate area. Until you are familiar with the city's layout, it can be confusing." Stepping through the doorway, she gestured for them to follow. "The controls for your door are just to the right of the opening," she said, pointing out the small panel as she spoke. "You need only press the green button for the door to open or close." She demonstrated quickly. Then, walking into the center of the chamber, she made a wide, sweeping gesture. "This suite is yours for as long as you stay with us. This room is meant for entertaining or personal relaxation. The bathing chamber is through the door behind me, and to your right is the sleeping room."

She suddenly stopped, as if a thought had struck her. "I suppose," she said, sounding somewhat embarrassed, "I should have asked you what sort of sustenance you prefer. Meals can be transported here through the use of the control panel, though you might find the command computer somewhat difficult to navigate. Especially," she said ruefully, "since you will not be familiar with the menu choices." Looking at her guests' somewhat overwhelmed expressions, she shook her head. "Never mind," she said softly. "You have more important things to do than worry about our alien cuisine. Please tell me what sort of food you enjoy, and I will have it transported here personally."

Jack and Sam exchanged a brief look of indecision. "Anything has to be better that the MREs we were eating," she said dryly. Then, however, she remembered the yellow food cubes given to her by the Asgard and decided to be more specific. "Cooked meat and vegetables are typical menu choices for us," she said quickly.

Bett nodded. "It will be waiting for you when you are finished cleaning up. If you need anything, simply press the orange button and speak my name." She smiled. "Usually, you would need to give my full name, but I've programmed your panel to understand the shortened form, for your convenience."

Exhaling deeply, Jack sounded relived. "Thank you for that. Carter might be able to eventually memorize all seventy-five pages of your full name, but I'm pretty sure it would be beyond me."

Bett chuckled. "Rest easy, Colonel. I will assist you in any way possible, for I know your day has been long." A sympathetic cast came over her features. "I took the liberty of having your packs transported here. They are in the bathing chamber. Do you have medical supplies to treat Samantha's wounds, or would you like some sent over?"

Sam shook her head and waved dismissively. "We're fine, thanks. I'm really not hurt very badly. I think soap and water will take care of the worst of it."

"Well, then," Bett said musically, "I will leave you to recuperate. Please, take your time. When you wish to speak, simply contact me through the control panel."

She began to leave, but Sam reached out and stopped her with a gentle hand on her arm. "Bett," she said quietly, as the slight woman turned to face her, "I'm not sure I understand everything that happened here today, but I do know I can't thank you enough."

Their eyes locked and a warm, wordless exchange took place between the two women. Finally, Bett reached up and grasped Sam's hand. "It has truly been my pleasure," she said kindly. "You and your Colonel have been a breath of fresh air for my people. I'm very glad that I could help." Then, with a last, affectionate glance at the couple, Bett turned and left the room.

After a moment of silent reflection, Sam took two steps forward, bringing her into Jack's waiting embrace. "I can't imagine what you've been through." Feeling completely overwhelmed, she forced her words past a lump in her throat. "I don't think I'd make it if I lost you," she said tearfully.

"Shhhh," Jack whispered softly into her ear. "You're not going to lose me. And, thank God, I didn't lose you either." Kissing the top of her head, he squeezed her tightly. "Now, let's go take get into that bathtub so we can go to bed." Suddenly grinning, he pulled back slightly and looked into her eyes. "That wasn't supposed to sound quite so suggestive," he said impishly.

Sam found herself grinning right back at him. "Why the heck not?" she demanded playfully. "I know I'm looking forward to having you all to myself in an actual bathtub and," her eyes grew liquid as she spoke, "a real bed."

Suddenly, neither one of them seemed able to get into the bathing chamber quickly enough.

A/N: I wasn't sure whether I should elaborate the, er, mushy stuff that's about to happen at the end of the chapter. I still might, depending on what my adoring public wants to read. I just didn't want to overdo it on the sex details! LOL!