Hey guys! I know not alot happens in this bit but bear with me ;) Thanks for the reviews! Special thanks to Roonie for the uber-nice one :) Keep it up!

Daniel knelt next to Sam, "This'll sting a little." She smiled tightly and nodded. As if she didn't know after all the blood samples they'd given over the years. He watched dispassionately as dark red liquid filled the vial, then withdrew the needle. "You're done." Sam smiled again slightly, and stood up. Daniel didn't fail to notice Jack hovering next to her. He'd accepted her decision, he didn't like it. "Teal'c?" The Jaffa gracefully crouched next to him as he readied another syringe. "We'll get you out of there you know." Daniel said quietly, as he slid the needle in. Teal'c nodded solemnly, "Of that I am certain Daniel Jackson."

Daniel tried to summon a smile, "Keep an eye on Sam?"

"I shall keep both my eyes on Major Carter."

"Ah right, of course." He extracted the needle, "That's it." He tucked the samples in his pack and rose to stand with his team. The crowd hadn't moved whilst he'd been taking the blood samples. The guys with the crossbow things had lowered them, but not let go. Sam was right, they couldn't fight their way out of this. Not without hurting a lot of innocent people, and maybe dying themselves. Sam and Teal'c would be okay, they had to be. They'd go back through the gate, Janet would figure out a cure, and they'd come back. Simple as that.

As if.

"Okay, so where are we headed?" Jack asked as though it was the most normal thing in the world. Te self elected mob leader, a guy in a leathery red type of tunic looked taken aback. "Only these two may go. You two must return home before you catch the disease."

"And we'll go, but first I want to see where you're taking my people." Jack's tone was light but firm. He wasn't budging, frankly neither was Daniel. If they were going to come back later, they needed to know where their friends were being held. The man exchanged a look with his companions, "If you wish. But we must hurry." Jack glanced back at him. Are we doing the right thing? God he hoped so. Nodding slightly to his friend, he took Sam's arm, and surprisingly she didn't pull away from him. Her face was resolute if sad, and she reached out for Teal'c's arm too. The Jaffa looked at her and bowed his head deeply. Jack was watching this exchange, and as Sam turned to him, Daniel noticed he was avoiding her gaze, "Carter…"

"Shall we go Sir?" Sam interrupted him, smiling as though everything was alright. They looked at each other for a moment, long enough for Daniel to start feeling uncomfortable, then O'Neill nodded, and walked off, they followed behind, as they were led to the 'Haven' of the villagers.

Teal'c was glad his symptoms were less pronounced than in his friend, though he did not understand why the sickness seemed to be slower in him. Without a Goa'uld symbiote his immune system was not much more powerful than a human's. Still, the longer he remained of reasonable health, the longer he could protect Major Carter. Though she was usually more than capable of protecting herself and others, it was obvious even to an outsider observer that she was weakened. She hadn't even drawn her weapon when they were confronted. The fact that same cloudiness was creeping upon his own mind was a fact he chose to ignore. He would care for his friend until he was no longer able, and when that occurred, his health would no longer be relevant.

Next to him, Major Carter stumbled, he put a hand out to help, but she managed to retain her balance and merely smiled wryly at him before continuing. He was proud of being a friend to this woman.

Up ahead, the houses thinned out and eventually stopped altogether. They came instead to a large clearing. A large white building dominated it, surrounded by a high stone wall. Set into this wall, was a large wooden gate, sealed with several large bolts, and guarded by two men with the weapons they had seen the others with. Most of the crowd had dropped away after they left the main village, but several men were still escorting them. One of these went up to the guards and had a rapid conversation with them in which he gestured to Major Carter and himself several times. Teal'c thought he saw pity on the faces of the guards. They were indeed human then. He noticed curiously, a small stream appeared to run through the compound, under the wall one side and out the other. Perhaps a method of providing the sick with water? Possibly a method of escape. He must discuss this with Major Carter later. For now, they must bid farewell to O'Neill and Daniel Jackson. The man who had been talking with the guards returned to their group, "You can enter now." He said, pity gracing his features for a minute. These were not an evil people, they just had great fear. He could forgive them for that, if it did not result in the death of his friend.

O'Neill turned to him, "Look, T', we can find another way out of this."

"I do not believe one currently presents itself O'Neill."

"Doesn't mean we can't find one."

"You are stubborn O'Neill."

"So I'm told." O'Neill's expression was grave, he looked at Major Carter. "Look, I know the alternative isn't pretty. But Fraiser'll have a heck of a better chance curing you two on earth. And however these guys like to comfort themselves, I don't think it's going to be pretty in there."

"Sir…"

"Look, there's still a lot we don't understand about this plague thing. This whole 'soul in a bottle' thing, well, it creeps me out. And I don't want to lose half my team in one trip." Major Carter began to speak, he cut her off, "Hey! It's a lot of paperwork!"

"We will be fine O'Neill." Teal'c attempted to reassure his friend. Major Carter roused herself,

"We have no intention of dying in there Sir." O'Neill turned to her,

"Oh I'm sure of that Carter. But we seem to have a bad habit of getting into these life-threatening situations. And for once I'd really like to resolve them without cutting it close."

"We'll be fine Sir." Major Carter said quietly. "Just get back soon." He looked at her, and she at him. Something akin to sorrow passed briefly over O'Neill's expression, before he straightened.

"Sure you betcha" He replied. "We'll be back before you can say…'Kree'. Teal'c considered this for a second then opened his mouth to reply. "Ah!" interrupted O'Neill. "Don't even think about it." Despite the graveness of the situation, and the increasing discomfort in his stomach, he smiled. "I wish you luck O'Neill."

"Right back at ya." Teal'c nodded, turning to Daniel Jackson,

"I will see you soon Daniel Jackson." The younger man held out his hand, Teal'c shook it,

"Look after yourself in there." He turned to Major Carter, "That goes for you too." The two embraced, and Teal'c was sure he caught a glimmer of tears in the eyes of Daniel Jackson. O'Neill looked embarrassed. When they had broken apart, Teal'c offered Major Carter his arm. She took it, smiling bravely. "Are all Jaffa such gentlemen?"

"I believe I am unique in this aspect." She laughed a little,

"I can't think of a better word to describe you." She looked to O'Neill. "Goodbye Sir."

"Later Carter." The assumed casualness of his tone hide his concern well. He was a strong leader. The best Teal'c had ever, or would ever serve under. He would save them.

But now it was time to leave.

The wooden gate was opened, revealing a stony path leading up to the large white house. He heard Major Carter breathe deeply, and then together, they strode determinably up the path, leaving their teammates behind for a little while. To face whatever fate awaited them.