Hidden by the blanket of darkness that stretched beyond the temple, neither one of them spotted the little girl standing next to a cluster of trees and watching them intently. Her eyes followed the woman as she walked back into the temple, then gazed at the man as he tiredly took his place against the pillars once more. Frowning, she cocked her head and turned; looking off into the distance, in the direction of the Stargate. When she looked back toward the temple, her small features were filled with trepidation.
Chapter 14 – A Slight Change of Plans
The sun shone brightly the next morning – all traces of the stormy night washed away, except for the scattered puddles lying about the ground. After ascertaining that his 2IC was no worse than she had been yesterday, Jack had gotten his team up and moving. Gear had been packed, Daniel's notes tucked safely away with the stone tablet, and the team was ready to move out. Sam had taken several pain killers, without Codeine this time, and was ready for the long walk ahead; or so she hoped. She was still stiff and sore, but her ribs didn't pain her quite as much as the previous day. Nor was she experiencing headaches or dizziness as she had yesterday.
Jack had talked with Sam briefly that morning, informing her of his decision to wait to mention Grace until they were back at the SGC. He wanted everyone focused on getting safely back and didn't want the added distraction that a discussion about Grace might provide. Plus he figured he could kill two birds with one stone – tell Daniel and Teal'c at the same time they briefed General Hammond. Though she didn't like withholding information from her team mates, Sam readily agreed with Jack's decision and said no more about it.
The four members of SG-1 stood on top of the steps to the temple, surveying the open area around them. "Well, its been an interesting trip, but time to head home and pay the bills. Everyone ready?" Jack asked, slipping on his sunglasses and looking expectantly at his team mates.
"Uh, one thing sir," Sam spoke up hesitantly. Jack raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to continue. "In all the…excitement…of the past few days, I forgot to mention the energy reading I took when we first came here. It seems as if there is an energy source coming from the direction of the ravine. I'm guessing there might be a supply of naquadah located deep within the ravine."
Jack glanced in the direction she indicated, then he looked back at her. "Are you proposing, Major, that I let you climb down there to check it out?" he asked, a tone of disbelief in his voice.
Sam smiled. "No, sir. I just wanted you to be aware of the energy reading. I'll be putting it into my mission report. I'm sure the General will want to send another team back to check it out."
"Well, OK, then. Just so long as it's not us." Jack looked at his team.. "Now are we ready?" At their nods, they began their trek away from the temple, stopping briefly at their campsite to pack up the remainder of their gear before heading to the hill that would lead them back the way they had come. When they got to the bottom of the hill, Jack sent Teal'c and Daniel ahead. As Sam made to follow them, he stopped her with a hand to her arm.
"Carter, I don't want a repeat of yesterday and those stairs, if you get my drift. You stop when you need to rest - do I make myself clear? No proving anything to anyone. If I so much as think you are pushing yourself too hard, I will put you over my shoulder and carry you up myself. Is that understood Major?"
Sam looked into his eyes, noting the seriousness in their depths. "Yes sir," she mumbled, looking down. There was no doubt in her mind that he would do just what he threatened; and in her book, that would be so much worse than her requesting frequent breaks.
"Good. Let's head up then, shall we?" Sam nodded and began the ascent, conscious of Jack's presence close beside her.
While the hike down had been relatively easy, the walk back up was not; at least for Sam. Her ribs twinged with the different movement required to climb the hill and her leg, awash with a fresh set of bruises, ached by the time they were halfway up the hill. Jack had unconsciously placed his hand at her elbow when she began to slow, offering support as they climbed.
Sam pulled to a stop at the halfway mark, her breathing moderately labored and a sheen of sweat already covering her face.
"Sir, I need…" she didn't get to finish.
"Drink some water – we're taking five," Jack ordered. "Teal'c, Daniel, we're resting for a few minutes. Go ahead to the top and wait for us there."
"Everything all right, Jack?" Daniel asked as he glanced back, a worried edge to his voice.
"We're fine Danny. We'll be right after you," Jack reassured the younger man. He looked back at his 2IC, relieved to see she had plenty of color in her cheeks – unlike yesterday when she had been as white as a ghost. "You going to be OK?" he asked softly. Sam just nodded in answer, not wanting to waste her breath talking.
After a five minute break, Sam was ready to continue so resumed the trek up the hill, Jack once more close to her side. She needed one more brief rest before they crested the top of the hill, where Sam gratefully sank to the ground next to Daniel and sipped at her water. Daniel shot Jack a concerned look. Jack sent back his own silent communication; indicating his concern about Sam, but also his certainty that she would be fine.
Teal'c had walked a few feet away from his team members, his head cocked to the side as he listened intently. Jack walked over to him, putting a hand on his shoulder. "What's up, T?" he asked quietly.
"I am unsure, O'Neill. The forest has grown quiet. Something is amiss," he replied, a frown of concern darkening his features. Jack moved away from Teal'c, letting his own eyes carefully peruse the darkness of the trees in front of him. He felt rather than heard Daniel and Sam come up behind him.
"What is it sir?" Sam asked, her voice quiet and all senses on alert.
"Not sure. Something has Teal'c in a dander though," Jack replied, the words light but the tone serious. They all trusted Teal'c's senses implicitly and didn't take lightly any inkling of danger that he might be having.
After a few brief moments waiting, Teal'c turned to them abruptly. "O'Neill, we must move into an area that provides more cover. There is no time for hesitation."
Jack didn't waste a minute. "You heard the man. Move out." The foursome quickly moved off to their left, into the dense covering of the trees, instead of down the hill that led toward the marshes. They had only gone a few yards when they heard the unmistakable sounds of an Alkesh coming closer. "Crap! Why now?" Jack complained harshly as he pushed Sam ahead of him and retreated further into the forest.
They stopped under the overhanging bows of a tall tree, similar to a Douglas Fir. Its thick, green branches obstructed them from view. The sound of the approaching spacecraft grew louder and Jack could just make out the shiny silver surface of the craft as it flew above them, followed closely by another.
"Great, just great. Would it be too much to ask that for once, when we find something significant, we don't have the Goa'uld on our asses?" Jack asked no one in particular. "I mean really, have we ever barged in on them uninvited?" His question was met by three pairs of raised eyebrows, to which he offered an absent shrug.
"We should attempt to ascertain who has arrived on this planet, O'Neill," Teal'c interrupted the tirade. "Perhaps it is the Tok'ra, and not the Goa'uld as we fear."
"Good point, T." He turned to Daniel and Sam, who was looking a bit pale, but otherwise seemed unaffected by their hasty march into the woods. "Danny, you and Carter stay put. Teal'c and I will make our way to the ridge and see what's going on. I'll stay in contact. If something happens, you two need to get back to the gate. We can't risk them getting their slimy hands on that tablet."
"Yes, sir."
"What about you guys, Jack?" Daniel asked, his gaze flickering between Jack and Sam; he was concerned that, on his own, he might not to be able to help Sam and protect the tablet, should the need arise.
"We'll be right behind you Danny, don't worry." Jack held the younger man's gaze a moment, nodded at them both, then turned and quietly followed Teal'c back toward the top of the ridge. Both Daniel and Sam had their weapons pulled out before the other two left the safety of the tree and now stood looking out into the forest, ready for whatever might come next.
A mere 15 minutes later, Sam's radio crackled to life. "Carter, we're heading back. Keep alert. O'Neill out." Sam and Daniel remained on alert, turning in unison when they heard the crackling of the twigs and saw the green outfits of their teammates parting the low branches of the tree.
Jack stood before them and sighed. "Well, it's not Dad down there." He stated meaningfully, looking at Sam who gazed back at him in immediate understanding; it wasn't the Tok'ra that had come to the planet unannounced. "About 8 Jaffa poured out of each Alkesh, followed by a Goa'uld. Some of them went into the temple with the snake; the others are searching the area."
"They must have heard something about the great source of power to be found within the temple," Daniel stated, looking thoughtful.
"Or they picked up the naquadah on their scanners," Sam added.
"Whatever the reason, they're here now," Jack complained.
"Could you tell who it was Teal'c?" Daniel questioned.
"I could not. But we will not remain safe here for long; the Jaffa who serve this Goa'uld will see the signs of our camp and will search the area."
Even as he said the words, they heard the faint sounds of clinking armor as several Jaffa struggled up the steep hill. "We can't risk taking these guys out right here; it will just bring the rest of them running," Jack said to the group. "We're going to take the round-about way back to the gate," Jack informed them.
Sam looked at her team mates, gnawing her bottom lip in uncertainty. "Sir, I might not be able…"
"You'll be fine Carter," he interrupted. "We'll help you. There's no time to waste; let's move out."
They left the cover of the large tree, as quickly and quietly as possible, skirting the path and staying within the darkness of the forest. After 30 minutes of walking, it was apparent that Sam would not be able to keep up the pace for long. She was lagging already; the only thing helping her keep tempo with the men was Daniel's hand on her arm, propelling her onward. Jack had taken point as Teal'c covered their six. And while he was conscious of Sam's diminished capacity to keep up, Jack was hell-bent on getting them back to the gate as quickly as possible – and in one piece.
When Sam stumbled to her knees and remained there, breathing heavily, Daniel called a quick halt. "Jack, we have to stop! Sam can't keep up with this pace."
Jack came back to them and crouched in front of her. "Carter?"
"I'm sorry…sir. I… just need…to catch… my breath," she wheezed out, clutching her side to try and ease the pain that had started anew.
"Shit!" Jack exclaimed, looking around the area; his senses on high alert. He knew the possibility that the Jaffa were right on their tails was pretty high. But he couldn't push Sam to do something that her body obviously couldn't handle right now.
Sam blanched at the cuss word, awash with guilt over the fact that it was her fault they had to stop, but unable to do anything about it. Jack saw the look and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, letting her know that she shouldn't blame herself.
"O'Neill. We must not remain here," Teal'c stated with urgency. If the Jaffa were trailing them, he knew they would be here before long.
"I know T, I know." His gaze met the Jaffa's eyes, a silent communication occurring between the two warriors. "We're going to need to split up," Jack stated decisively. "Teal'c, I'll need you and Daniel to draw the Jaffa off our trail. Then get yourselves to the gate as quickly as possible. If it's clear, get Daniel through with that tablet and bring back reinforcements."
Daniel's eyes widened in alarm at this new proposal. "Wait a minute! What about you and Sam? You can't just sit here and wait for another SG team to come back you up!"
"We're not going to just sit here, Danny. We're near the ravine. While you two draw the Jaffa away, we can get there and climb down a little way. We just might be able to find an outcropping of rocks to hide behind; better yet, a cave. We'll stay there at least until the threat has passed. Heck, if there's only a few Jaffa on our tail, Carter and I can take them out and join you at the gate within a short time," he assured the younger man.
"Sir," Sam spoke up hesitantly, "Teal'c may need you… to help secure the gate. I'll find somewhere to hide… and wait here. That tablet… is too important; I can't let you risk losing it… because of my inability to keep up," she insisted, still breathless but meeting his gaze with determination.
"That tablet is not the only thing that's important here, Major," he replied, his eyes sparkling with a hint of anger. "And you know me a hell of a lot better than that; we leave no one behind."
"But Sir," she tried.
"No! I don't have time to argue about this." Turning back to Teal'c and Daniel, he stated, "You have your orders. If you think it's safe, take the Jaffa out T. But don't leave any evidence behind. Stay on silent communication and let me know when Daniel is safely through the gate." Teal'c nodded solemnly and pulled out his Zat, waiting expectantly for Daniel. With one last look of unease, Daniel turned and followed Teal'c back the way they had come; the two men intent on confusing the Jaffa with a new trail… and hopefully leading them away from Jack and Sam.
Jack turned back to Sam, still a hint of anger in his demeanor: he couldn't believe that she had even considered the idea of being left behind! "Let's move, Carter!" he ordered, even as he reached down and pulled her to her feet.
Sensing his anger, Sam allowed herself to be pulled up and followed him further into the forest, to the edge of the ravine. Jack edged closer, leaning to peer over the steep edge of the rocky cliffs. He grimaced as he noticed how sheer the rock face was; he'd never be able to get himself down there, much less his injured 2IC. Sam had come to stand by his side, shuddering as she, too took in the steep drop. "We'll never be able to maneuver our way along that, Sir."
Before Jack could respond, they heard the distinct clinking sounds of the approaching Jaffa guard. "We're going to have to try something, Carter. I don't think these guys are coming to welcome us to the neighborhood."
"This way," a soft, insistent voice called to them. Sam and Jack turned simultaneously to their right, to see the familiar figure of a small child standing near the edge of the cliff. "Please, follow me, Sir. I know where you can hide," she pleaded, her large brown eyes beseeching him to listen. When he didn't move, but just stood there in startled indecision, she turned her eyes to Sam. "Please Mommy; please come with me." She stood with both hands outstretched, beckoning them forward with small waves of her fingers. "There's not much time. You have to trust me."
Sam looked at the child intently, her gaze roving over the small face of the girl who would one day be her child. In that moment, her heart knew the truth; this little girl truly was her child. Though she didn't understand the how or the why of it, she knew this much was true. And so, without hesitation, she left her commanding officer's side and made her way over to her daughter.
Next chapter should be out this weekend...thanks for your patience!