Re-Evaluation

"I didn't leave…because I'd have rather died myself…than lose Carter."

"Why?"

"Because I care about her…a lot more than I'm supposed to."

"You are not a za'tarc."

Sam took a deep breath. "Now retest me."

"How did you feel when Colonel O'Neill wouldn't leave?"

"I thought it was ironic that there was a barrier separating me from the man I love- who stubbornly refused to leave me behind- even in death."

Freya looked at the blue screen. "You are not a za'tarc."

"General Hammond?"

He looked up to find the CMO standing in the doorway. "Dr. Fraiser, come in."

She stepped inside. "Sir, may I have a word?"

"Of course, Doctor."

She closed the door. "Permission to speak freely? And off the record for the time being?"

The General studied her. "Granted."

"Sir, it's about Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter."

He released the breath trapped in his lungs. This was going to be interesting. "Yes?"

"Sir, the scanner that Anise used to test the base personnel to find the za'tarc picked up something that has me a little concerned."

He looked at her confused. "I don't understand. Are you saying that somehow they were za'tarcs but aren't any longer?"

She took a deep breath. "No, sir. I'm suggesting that the device picked up on tiny inconsistencies that would have forced us to lose two of our best officers."

"Inconsistencies?"

"Sir, as I was sedating Major Carter, she began to admit that she had inadvertently lied when she was tested. OF course, this was shortly after she discovered that Colonel O'Neill was going to have the procedure done in hopes of saving her life."

"I still don't understand."

"Sir, I think we all know that Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter have feelings for each other that they are unable to admit openly. I am suggesting that in this command, the barriers between them are in fact more detrimental to their health than anything else."

"The fraternization regulations."

She nodded. "Sir, I hate to be the one to break the news to you, but there's too much of a possibility that something like the Virus of the Touched could affect any of our personnel." She swallowed. "Therefore, I would move that such regulations be suspended for SGC personnel."

The General took a deep breath. "Do you realize what you're suggesting?"

She nodded. "Yes, sir. That's why I'd like this to be off-record. For the moment at any rate."

"You really believe that the regulations are putting our people at risk instead of helping them?"

"I think it's something to be assessed on an individual basis, but yes, I believe that's true."

He took a deep breath. "Thank you, Doctor. I 've been thinking about something similar for about four years. It's nice to know it wasn't just me. However, I may need to call you with evidence that such drastic measures are necessary."

She nodded. "Yes, of course, General."

"Well, thank you again, Doctor. You're dismissed."

As she left, Major General George Hammond let out a sigh. SG-1 was going to be the death of him yet. But it spoke volumes about their character that it was their close friend and physician who was requesting the change. So, while SG-1 inadvertently doubled his paperwork, he realized that he owed his life to them many times over. It was only fair for him to find them a way to get a life. One that was worth defending.