Sorry this is up so late, but there were some technical difficulties and I had to edit a final project for my video production class. But now...IT'S THE END OF THE SEMESTER:ahem: Sorry. I had to get that out of my system. I still have to do exams, but I only have two and one of them is an open book law test (Law of Mass Communication where 'hey!' we learned about copyrighted materials and libel and a bunch of other boring...er...exciting stuff!). Hope you guys enjoy the chapter.

I hate to say this, but I lost track of the invisible cookies I promised reviewers. So by way of apology, some additional will be posted, but it won't be in this story. I won't say more.

I own nothing in this story. If I did...I don't know what I'd do with the money...

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Nothing under heaven is as soft and yielding as water.

Yet for attacking the hard and strong, nothing can compare with it.

The weak overcomes the strong.

The soft overcomes the hard.

Everyone knows this, but none have the ability to practice it.

Therefore the sage says:

One who accepts the dung of the nation becomes the master of soil and sustenance.

One who deals with the evils of the nation becomes king under heaven.

True words seem paradoxical.

--Tao Te Ching, verse 78

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"I can't believe Sam is alive and we found her," Daniel said as they walked through the village the next day.

"She's a resourceful gal, even when she doesn't want to be," Jack said, his hands in his pockets. "The trouble will be getting her back to Earth."

"I do not believe she will return to Earth with us willingly O'Neill," Teal'c said.

"She won't have a choice," Jack said. He sighed and they stopped to watch a group of samurai practicing. "Some culture," he muttered.

"Fascinating really," Daniel said. "In Feudal Japan women weren't allowed to become samurai. They must have had a need to…"

"Daniel, shut up," Jack said. "Right now we need to figure a way out of here."

"I wouldn't betray our trust Colonel," Sam said from behind them. "If you do you'll find yourself in a more secure location. They won't hurt you since you're here as my guests," she said.

"Guests? Carter, guests are allowed to leave," Jack said.

"Tell you what. If any one of you can beat me in a duel I'll talk to Samanosuke about your leaving. If not, you'll stay here until we say."

"Deal," Jack agreed. "Teal'c, you're up."

"Colonel…" Hailey began.

"It's all right Captain," Sam said. She called over to Ujio and he came over with two bokken. Sam murmured something to him and he began to laugh. He called over to the other samurai and they halted what they were doing and encircled SG-1 and Sam.

"Sure you want all these people here to see you get your butt whooped?" Jack asked with a cocky grin.

"The weak overcomes the strong," Sam replied.

"What?" Jack asked, confusion on his face.

"It's from the Tao Te Ching," Daniel supplied. "It was a book written by a sage known as Lao Tzu. It's sort of a philosophy/religion book."

Sam handed a bokken to Teal'c and he took it. "I do not wish to fight you Samantha Carter," he said.

"It's all right Teal'c. You're their hope back to the city."

He bowed his head and took up a ready stance. Sam lifted her weapon and waited patiently. In a flash, Teal'c moved in, his wooden sword flashing. Sam deflected it and twisted around. She smacked Teal'c hard on the back of the knee and dropped him to his knees. She next rested her sword on his shoulder by his neck.

"Holy mother of…" Jack began in disbelief.

"She took Teal'c out in less than ten seconds," Hailey said in awe.

"Anyone else want to try?" Sam offered, allowing Teal'c to his feet.

"You are indeed a formidable warrior," Teal'c said.

Sam smiled faintly. "Thanks Teal'c, but I'm not that formidable."

"Sam, you just took out Teal'c, Teal'c, in under ten seconds. How is that not formidable?" Daniel demanded.

She shrugged. "I just do what I can in this life to help people."

"By disobeying the Emperor?" Jack asked, arching a brow. "You're acting like… I don't know…savages or something."

Sam walked up to Jack and stared him in the eye. "Coming from a person who's given up his own ideals and ethics, I'll take that as a compliment." She turned from him and walked away, the rest of the samurai save for SG-1's guards dispersing.

Jack stared after her, thinking about what she had just said. He slowly turned and began walking away, staring at the ground in front of him. His team followed behind him, each of them not daring to speak.

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Holy cow Sam beat Teal'c! Bet not even Teal'c expected that. Sorry if it seemed short but it snowed yesterday and I want to go out and play in it. Review!