Chapter 14 by Natters

A/N: Okay guys, almost half way… sorta… The chapters will get longer when we get to P2Y 957 and then the real ship sets sail ;)

Sam's POV

Where's Apophis and a worldwide crisis when you need him? My feet are killing me. I don't consider myself a 'shoe girl'. I'm quite happy, when I'm not in BDU's to wear one of my four pairs of shoes. My 'going out on the town' boots, my trainers, my sandals or my dress shoes. Easy choice.

But no, Janet said I had to get a new pair of heels. Doctor's orders, and uncomfy as Netu after 20 minutes! Only a man could come up with this pair of torture devices.

Ouch! The next man who steps on my toes is gonna get my heel 'accidentally' in his instep. It's like Teal'c asking me to dance opened the floodgates. There are about five men here that I have yet to dance with at least once in the past two hours. And one of them is General Hammond.

I even danced with Mrs. Hammond's father, and he's over eighty years old! Not that he wasn't a sweet old man, but couldn't I get a break in somewhere guys. I've got to hike twelve klicks to the village on P2Y-957 tomorrow.

Perhaps if I try sending the Colonel a distress signal he'll help me out. We seem to have this silent communication down pretty good. Or… maybe not. He looks as drunk as… as I've ever seen him. Great. The one time I need him to save my six and he gets drunk.

I flinch as that uncharitable thought runs through my head. He's always there when I need him. It's what he does. That selfless 'nobody gets left behind' credo, that has helped us all through how many near death situations now?

"So… Sam, you're being very quiet." Prompts the current man I'm dancing with. Which one is he again? Oh yeah, Major Bobby Cobbe. SG-3. A Jarhead, as we Flyboys and girls like to say.

"I'm sorry Major. My mind must have drifted off. You know us scientists, can't stop thinking for a second." I say with a fixed smile.

"Well, Sam, tonight is for fun, not for thinking. But you're so pretty, no one can blame you for the brains."

Of all the nerve! I saved your six last week, you asshole! "Will you excuse me Major? I have to go… powder my nose."

"Sure Sam."

He lets me go, and I limp off before I give into the impulse to kick his ass, blistered feet or not.

Finally free, I take a deep breath as I enter the ladies room. Luckily, the General's gone all out and the receptions at the best hotel in Colorado Springs. There's a perfect little sofa where I can sit down for a rest.