A/N Blank lines between paragraphs now. Tdrm brought it to my attention that it isn't easy to read, and so I guess I annoyed a few more of you as well! Sorry about that!

This chapter is in two halves, but I shall upload them both at the same time.

Chapter 9a

Sam shifted uncomfortably in her blue dress; her eyes scanning the scene below her. Bruises were beginning to appear on her ribs and limbs from the 'gentle' beating the guards had given her the night before, but she wasn't bothered. She had been closely watched all night and had not yet had a chance to escape. Now, as she stood on a balcony, she kept her senses alert for any change in the level of security around her. The market place below was rapidly filling with people, and she glanced at her watch. 09:28. 'I think it's safe to say I'm not going to get rescued in time', she said to herself. Leaning forward on the balcony, she scrutinised the brickwork and buildings for anything that might be used to an advantage. Behind her, the two guards shifted suspiciously.

"Oh relax would you? I'm hardly likely to jump. Yet," she declared, irritated by their constant coddling. They smirked at her and she returned her eyes to the scene below. There was a group of people moving slowly and loudly towards the scaffolding, and as the crowd were pushed back Sam realised it was Colonel O'Neill and Daniel at the centre of the group. They looked quite rough and Sam didn't doubt for a second that they had tried to fight their way out. She knew Colonel O'Neill's mentality and knew he wouldn't have gone down without a fight, so to speak.

As guards positioned them on the ropes she desperately scanned the crowd again. Most had now turned to watch the proceedings. Why weren't they helping? Wasn't Robin supposed to be one of them? Sam didn't have much to say about societies ruled by fear, but she knew eventually they would rebel against their oppressors. Now would be a good a time as any. As her eyes scanned the people below, she noticed a couple of hooded shapes moving through the crowd. Trained to notice things like this; she was willing to bet the Sheriff's guards had not seen it. Looking around the market square, she saw more hooded figures at regular intervals in the crowd.

Suddenly the Sheriff appeared beside her, distracting her from the scene below.

X x x x x

Jack struggled as the guards slipped a rope round his neck, but with his hands bound behind his back it was a bit pointless. Daniel was trying a more diplomatic approach.

"Hello. Hi. Is it possible to speak to the Sheriff?"

A grunt and a tightening of the rope round his neck suggested the answer was no.

"Oh. Thanks anyway."

The guards finished their job and dismounted the scaffolding.

Jack glanced at Daniel. "Well, this is nice. Any last ideas Danny boy?"

"Not yet. You?"

"None. Zilch. Natta. And now would really be a good time."

Jack's eyes scanned the crowd in front of him and the battlements surrounding the market place, and he did a double take as he noticed a balcony to his right.

"My god, is that Carter?" He enquired incredulously.

Daniel followed his gaze to the balcony and observed the blonde woman in a blue dress watching the scene below.

"Ermm. It would appear to be."

Jack nodded. God she looked hot like that, he thought to himself. He was so not repeating that out loud.

"At least you get to see her in a blue… bodice… dress… thing before you die." Jack grinned wryly at Daniel.

"Hmmm." She did look quite amazing, Daniel admitted to himself. He watched as the Sheriff appeared at her side and she turned to face him. She didn't look happy as she replied to his comments. In fact, she looked ready to kill. Daniel couldn't see from this distance, but he was willing to be her eyes (which would match the colour of her dress) were glinting dangerously right now. The Sheriff was a brave man. Or a foolish one.

"Well she looks mighty pissed." Jack noted.

"She is about to see two friends hung. I imagine you would be too." Daniel replied.

"Yes," said Jack flatly. "I imagine I would."