Jack was sitting in a corner, his armed guard watching him as he twirled around mindlessly in his swivel chair, bored and hot in his dress uniform. Kanan had told them about Anubis' attack fleet and in response, the General had set up a meeting with the Tok'ra and the Secretary of Defense to plan what would happen next. Kanan had stressed that the attack would commence in four days, and the Secretary wasn't in a good mood when he arrived on such short notice.

"Atten-hut" Jack said, rising to his feet and saluting as the secretary came in

"George, mind telling me what's going on? I didn't have time to get briefed on the plane, I was on the phone with the president trying to brief him." The General looked to Jack.

"Colonel, would you like to explain?" But Jack wasn't listening.

I too have been torture by Baal before. Kanan was saying. The first time I tried to rescue Shayla.

Really? Did he use that-

The gravity field generator? Yes. But I have not experienced the Tel'vac Acid as you have.

That stuff should be outlawed, even to the Goa'ulds.

I believe General Hammond wishes to speak to you.

Wow, what?

General Hammond…

"Colonel O'Neill?" he repeated.

"Sorry sir, it's really hard with two people talking to you at once." Jack said, rubbing his head.

"That's…alright Colonel. Did you hear the question?" The General asked. He had taken to being very sensitive to Jack, knowing that he must be hating this.

"I'd like to know what's going on Jack," the Secretary said, also being very tender and gentle. "I realize this must be very hard for you, but if the fate of this planet is at stake…" he trailed off.

"Yes sir, Kanan thinks it'd be easier if we waited and explained it when everyone's here. And frankly sir, I agree." The whole room fell silent with a nod from the Secretary.

Daniel was leaning back in his chair and rocking from side to side, staring at the ceiling. Teal'c was standing perfectly still, hands clasped behind his back, looking out the window to the gate room, awaiting the arrival of the Tok'ra. An armed guard had his weapon hung loosely in front of him, obviously having lost interest in Jack. But Carter had a grave look on her face and was, with her eyes narrowed, staring fixedly at the table.

"Off-world activation!" the alarms went off. The group was ordered to wait, and the Secretary and General Hammond walked down the stairs.

"Hey Sam." Jacob said with his arms held out to her. They hugged and sat back down, Sam sitting with Jack and her father on either side of her.

"Greetings General Hammond. It is good to finally meet you Mr. Secretary. I would like to thank you and your people again for the supplies you sent us, they were very helpful." Aldwin said.

"You're very welcome Councilor. I hope relations between our two peoples will continue like that in the future. But right now, we have some more pressing issues to talk about." Aldwin nodded.

"Why have you asked us here?" The Secretary raised his eyebrows.

"You haven't told them yet George?" The General shook his head.

"I thought it would be better Kanan told them himself."

"Kanan?" Selmak asked. Jack stood up, walking towards Aldwin and Selmak; both Tok'ra had taken control of their hosts, and dropped his head. When he lifted it again, Jack could feel that he had no power over himself, but he was growing used to it. He felt a strange heat in his eyes as they glowed gold; Kanan was speaking. He explained everything that he had to Jack, with slightly less detail about taking the human slave as a host against his will, and left off at the part where he was left on the water-aired planet. Sensing that he really didn't want to say this part, Jack took over and finished.

"And then he took me as a host, against my will," He added scathingly, "And now we're here." Kanan took over again.

Would you cut that out? If you're gonna talk, say everything and be done, this is driving me nuts!

"I would never have taken a host that was not willing unless the need was dire. Colonel O'Neill agrees that it was and we both now wish to know what is to happen about the fleet on Othialsgoth." Selmak considered Kanan for a moment and then looked at Aldwin.

"So the situation is obviously time sensitive Councilor. What do you propose we do?" The secretary asked.

"Understand sir that the Tok'ra will do everything in their power to help thwart this attack, but as of yet, we can do nothing to help you until we have presented this information to the rest of Tok'ra council." He turned to Kanan. "You are aware that because of your actions Kanan, you-"

"Have been banished?" He finished. Selmak nodded.

"Yes, and until you have redeemed yourself, you are not permitted to return to the ranks of the Tok'ra." Kanan nodded slowly and sat down, massaging his forehead.

"Thank you very much Councilor. We hope to hear from you soon." The Secretary said. After a quick farewell, he and General Hammond escorted the two Tok'ra down to the control room. Sg-1, having been dismissed, sat quietly for a while. Sam had barely moved since her father had arrived and still sat staring down at the tabletop.

What the hell was that? Jack asked Kanan, a slight edge to his voice. It was less like asking than thinking; Jack had already grown accustomed to 'speaking' to Kanan silently, making it easier for him to understand.

You are referring to what I did for Major Carter on the planet?

Yeah, so? If you know everything I now, then what were you thinking? Jack asked. He had a peculiar feeling in the pit of his stomach that he didn't want to place.

She was in danger. I don't really understand it myself. Something came over me; I wonder if it was not me but you that caused us to take action. You and Major Carter-

Are colleagues. We work together; we have a bond that maybe other officers don't have because we've depended on each other for so long, but that's it. Jack said defiantly. Hell, it could just be that gate-travel's going to our heads finally.

Never have I had a host as strong-willed as you, Jack…

"So what now?" Daniel was saying the real world.

What are you fighting so hard to hide?

"Carter? You okay?" Jack asked, seeing the look on her face. She didn't respond, only opening her mouth to say something and thinking better of it.

"Sam?" Daniel joined in. She still didn't speak, looking pleadingly at the Colonel, silently begging him to change the subject.

"Well since there's nothing we can do right now, I vote for pizza and Star Wars at my house." Jack said happily, clapping his hands together. The other three agreed to meet there in two hours, Daniel laughing heartily at the look of utter joy on Teal'c when he heard they'd be seeing Star Wars again.

"How many times has it been now Teal'c?" He asked.

"Fourteen." He replied cheerfully. Sam had only nodded and stood up to leave, but just as she was heading for the stairs, Jack caught her by the arm and whispered in her ear.

"Why don't you show up early?" It was more of an order than a request. Sam gave a quick 'yes sir' and practically fled down the stairs.

"What's up with Sam?" Daniel asked while he and Teal'c walked down the hall together.

"I believe she is having a difficult time adjusting to O'Neill's blending with the Tok'ra Kanan." Teal'c replied. Daniel shook his wet hair.

"I don't know, it seems like more than that." This time Teal'c didn't reply, causing Daniel to look at him oddly. "She told you something didn't she?"

"She did not."

"Then what aren't you saying Teal'c?" Teal'c sighed and dropped his head somewhat; an Airman was walking in the hall with them, when he spoke again, it was in Goa'uld so he and Daniel could speak privately.

"In the past, both Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter have shown great distress when the other was in danger." Daniel cocked his head somewhat.

"They show distress when we're in trouble to, right?" He replied in the same language. Teal'c shook his head.

"I do not believe either of them are less concerned with our safety."

"Then what do you believe?" Daniel's eyebrows had disappeared into his long sandy hair. Teal'c looked around the locker room to make sure they were alone and then spoke in English again.

"I believe that Colonel O'Neill's and Major Carter's relationship may be more than of a professional manner."

"All I've seen is that they're good friends."

"I fear they are considerably more than good friends Daniel Jackson. And worse, I fear they will never come to know it."