A/N: Thanks to everyone who's still with me! Please R&R!

Chapter 5:

Teal'c was concerned for Major Carter. He cared for her deeply and disliked seeing her suffer in any way. And she was suffering, of that Teal'c was certain. He had sensed her anxiety regarding her appointment with Dr. MacKenzie long before she had confessed to it, and he strongly believed that her troubles went far deeper than that. And for that reason, Teal'c felt it would be wise to keep a close eye on her.

Knowing that it would be the most likely place to find Major Carter, Teal'c approached her lab. And sure enough, she was there when he arrived. But as he paused in the doorway, Teal'c was rather puzzled. It was still only late in the morning and yet Major Carter was dressed in civilian clothing and was hastily gathering some of her belongings together in her bag.

"Major Carter." He brought her attention to his presence, noting that she was distracted enough to not have sensed his arrival.

She looked up briefly. "Teal'c. Hi." She went back to what she was doing and Teal'c watched as she moved about her lab.

He stepped further into the room and stood there, his hands clasped behind his back. "Are you already preparing to leave the base for the day?" he inquired.

She was packing her laptop computer into her bag now. "Ah, for the week, actually." She glanced up at him again. "I guess you haven't heard."

Teal'c cocked his head slightly, one eyebrow raised.

Major Carter sighed, leaving her packing for the moment. "General Hammond's put me on stress leave. I'm not allowed back on base for at least a week."

"I see," Teal'c said. He was not surprised that she appeared most unhappy with this information. "And you are displeased by this."

She sighed again. "Yes," she admitted. "I just want to get back to work, Teal'c. Back to normal. But it seems like no one else wants me to do that."

"On the contrary, Major Carter, everyone wishes to see you well and working again as usual," Teal'c assured her.

She looked away for a moment, as if gathering her thoughts. "I know everybody means well, but I just..."

Once again, she averted her gaze, and Teal'c knew she was struggling to keep her composure, struggling to keep threatening tears at bay.

She took a deep breath and picked up her bag, slinging the strap over her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Teal'c. I can't talk about this right now."

Teal'c bowed his head slightly. "As you wish." He stepped aside so she could get to the door, and with one last glance in his direction, she moved past him and out into the corridor.

Teal'c remained where he was for a moment, feeling troubled. Then he, too, left the lab, going in search of Colonel O'Neill and Daniel Jackson.

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

Seated at a table with Jack, Daniel looked up as Teal'c made his way across the commissary to join them.

"Hey, Teal'c," Daniel greeted as the Jaffa sat down beside him.

"What's up, T?" Jack asked, nodding at the tray-less tabletop in front of his friend. "Not hungry?"

"Not at the moment," Teal'c replied, folding his hands on the table. "I have a pressing matter to discuss with you, O'Neill."

Daniel put down the forkful of food he was about to put in his mouth. "Does it have something to do with Sam?" he guessed.

"Indeed," Teal'c confirmed. "I have just come from speaking with Major Carter, and I believe her to be in great distress."

Daniel felt his concern for Sam begin to grow again.

"Is she upset about Hammond putting her on stress leave?" Jack asked, seemingly not overly worried.

Teal'c gave a single nod. "That and other matters relating to her abduction."

Daniel gave Jack a pointed look, thinking back to their earlier conversation. He really did think that Jack was the one who needed to talk to her. And soon.

Aware of Daniel's eyes on him, Jack sent a dark glare his direction. "Daniel, we've been over this. I'll take care of it."

"When?" Daniel pressed, unwilling to let the subject drop so easily.

Jack let his fork drop to his plate with a clatter, clearly exasperated. "Tonight, Daniel. Now would you give it a rest?" Eyes still dark with annoyance, he got to his feet. "I've got things to do."

And without another word, Jack practically stormed out of the commissary, Daniel watching him go with raised eyebrows.

"You know, Teal'c," Daniel said, his eyes still on the now-empty doorway, "I don't think Sam's the only one having trouble dealing with things."

"I am in agreement with you, Daniel Jackson."

Daniel shifted his gaze back to his Jaffa friend. "But I'm not too sure what we can do about it. You know Jack -- he's not one for talking about his feelings."

"Indeed," Teal'c agreed. "But I am of the belief that Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter will be best helped by each other. And it is also my belief that, in time, they will do just that."

"Well, I hope you're right," Daniel said. "Because I'm getting really worried about the both of them."

"As am I."

And alone at the table now, the two men lapsed into silence.

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

By early evening Jack was dressed in his civvies and ready to leave the base, but he had no intention of heading home. Not yet. First, he was going to check on Carter.

The tension in Jack's body hadn't eased one bit all day. In fact, it had increased steadily with each passing hour. Except for the times when Daniel and Teal'c had brought him reports on how Carter was doing. At those times, the tension in his muscles had increased by leaps and bounds.

As he drove his truck off the base, Jack repeated to himself what Daniel had told him that morning. And as he did so, his hands tightened their grip on the steering wheel.

Flashbacks. Carter was having flashbacks. And Jack would bet anything that she was having nightmares too.

Why hadn't she said anything? Okay, stupid question. It's not like he would have said anything if it were him. But still... he wished that she'd been able to tell him. Not that he hadn't guessed, it's just that he had hoped... hoped she still wasn't suffering like that. She'd already been through so much, and Jack just wanted it to be over for her. Over and done with. But obviously it wasn't going to be that easy.

No, nothing about this was easy. If it were, Jack would've already taken care of things and Carter would already be back to her usual self. But it wasn't that easy. Not at all. And the most frustrating thing of all to Jack was how careful he was always having to be.

Of course he cared for Carter, and it was at times like this that he wanted her to know that. It was at times like this that she needed to know that. But that wasn't the problem. Not exactly. The problem was how much he cared for her. And that was a problem for a whole slew of reasons, one being that it was dangerous to let himself feel those feelings, to let himself act on them even in the smallest of ways.

But right now, Carter needed him. That much Jack knew. And some way, somehow, he was going to be there for her. He wasn't going to leave her to suffer any longer. No way.

And so, with a strong feeling of determination settling over him, Jack headed his truck in the direction of Carter's house.

He'd told Daniel he'd take care of it. And he would.

TBC…