Malek turned sharply around and caught hold of Sam's hand as it slide out of his pocket. In her hand she held his last chocolate bar in a death grip. He thought briefly about snatching it back, after all it was the last one he had, but he thought better of it as he saw the look in her eyes. He let her hand go and watched with perpetual sadness as she devoured his sweet as if there were no tomorrow. He seriously hoped that this stage of the illness was almost over because there was no more food left in the cave.

"How's it going Malek" Jack O'Neill asked interrupting his musing.

Malek picked up the small bottle of tretonin lying on the table in front of him and turned to face the Colonel.

"I believe that I may have a sample of the new drug ready in about an hour or so. I will need a…I believe that in your culture you would call them a "guinea pig". Am I correct?"

"Well that's one way of putting it…I'll see what I can do for ya."

>>>>>>>

Sam had never known that Malek was a fan of chocolate. Learn something new everyday she thought. It was her father's fault she knew. He was a bad influence on Malek, Selmak too, or so the council seemed to think. Personally, she thought that he was a good influence on them. Malek was the only Tok'ra who was easy to talk to. He was loyal and a friend for life. Of course he could be arrogant, but who couldn't. Anise on the other hand…Sam decided not to go there again. She sat beside the fire, her stomach growling mercilessly, and imagined Anise on earth during the time of the Salem witch trials…oh yeah she thought; they would have defiantly burned her over.

>>>>>>>

"Lucy and Mara said that they know a man who would be willing to be your…umm… "guinea pig". SG-7 is taking them to the "colony" to get him."

Malek didn't even look up, "ok."

Jack left the Tok'ra to his work. Slowly he walked over to where his 2IC sat staring into the dying fire.

"How are you doing Carter?"

"I've been better sir."

Jack smiled at her as he built the fire back up. He reached into this vest pocket and pulled out a pack of half crushed cheese crackers.

"Here ya go Carter. It's not much, but it's something."

He saw the ghost of a smile flutter across her face as she accepted his gift.

"Thanks sir, you're a lifesaver."

"All in a days work Carter."

They passed a few minuets in awkward silence as Sam scarfed down the crackers and the crumbs in the bottom of the pack.

"So tell me, how are your plants?"

"My plants sir?" Asked Sam as she tipped the pack up and allowed the remaining crumbs to fall into her mouth. She was mystified by the sudden change in conversation.

"Yeah…" Jack broke off as a voice from his radio cut across the conversation. "What is it Lieutenant Green?"

"We made it to the colony, sir. You will never believe what we…"

Silence.

"Green? Lieutenant? What's going on?" The sound of gunfire cut through the static from the radio. Jack could hear it echoing through a distant cavern as well.

"Damn." Jack jumped up and grabbed his gun, "Teal'c lets go!"