Three Weeks Prior

Sam took a sip of water, her eyes taking in the upscale restaurant she was in. "It's lovely Jack, really. But why are we here?"

Jack smiled sheepishly. "It's my way of saying I'm sorry."

"Sorry for…" Sam prodded.

"For not being able to spend any time with you last time I was in town. It was all business and I felt bad," he told her.

"Bad enough to take me to Lambert's? Jack, I know you don't like fancy places like this. You didn't have to do this," Sam replied.

"Yes, well… Hey, how 'bout that wedding scenario? Not too far off, huh? Especially the part with Thor and that cake. I wonder if they have cake here," Jack muttered, flipping through the menu.

Sam grasped his menu, and pulled it down so she could see his face. "Especially the part where we got married. Freakishly similar to real life, don't you think?" A playful grin danced on her lips.

"It really was," Jack agreed. "Too bad Marty didn't buy it."

"His loss," Sam shrugged, perusing the menu items. She slowly brought her eyes back up, noticing Jack's gaze. It was boring straight through her.

"Stop gazing," she whispered, blushing.

"Why?"

"Jack, don't be difficult. What if someone sees?"

"We're legal. I don't see a problem."

And there wasn't. They'd gotten married when the going was good. The two had finally gotten their chance when Sam went to Area 51, and they had run with it. A short notice, but lovely wedding had taken place. When Sam had transferred back to the SGC, no one had made a fuss. They needed her there and Jack at Homeworld Security. Neither one of them would be an acceptable loss to the program-the President's own words.

Sam sighed. Sometimes Jack could be so incorrigible. "If I am the hot topic of the rumors circulating the SGC tomorrow…" she said warningly.

Jack frowned. "We're at dinner, for cryin' out loud. I know we don't get to do this much, and maybe you're a bit uncomfortable. But don't worry about what anyone else might see or think. Besides, I don't see any SG personnel here. Relax a bit, okay?" He outstretched his hands, lacing his fingers with hers.

"You're right. I'm sorry." Sam let out a deep breath, pressing her palms against Jack's, fingers still intertwined. "I'll relax."

"Good," Jack grinned. "I have a calming affect on people." He leaned forward, kissing her softly on the lips.

Sam smiled into the kiss. "You certainly do," she murmured.

Jack sat back in his chair, a smile twitching at the corners of his mouth.

Sam shook her head, laughing lightly. "Jack," she smiled. "I'll be back in a minute."

As she walked past him, Jack craned his neck to see her go. Sam's green top hugged her features in all the right places, letting him see every curve. Her black skirt fell a little low on her hips, giving Jack a glimpse of pale skin. Nice, he grinned.

Sam made her way to the restroom, smile still on her face. She wasn't expecting an arm to wrap around her neck and she gasped in surprise. She felt a tiny prick in her neck, and Sam moaned as she tried to keep the world from going black.

Strong arms held her up, and began pulling her down the hall. Sam tried to call out for help-for Jack. He was so close, but no words came out. She saw a waiter…was that their waiter? Sam wasn't sure; everything was spinning. She heard the man holding her exchange a few words with him. 'Please help!' her mind screamed, but they continued on their way, the darkness soon overtaking Sam's world.

Jack glanced from his menu to the waiter as he returned. He was so ready to order.

"Sir? The woman you are with…she's not feeling well."

Jack was confused. Sam had just been fine. "What happened?" he asked, rising from his seat.

"She seemed lightheaded. Another gentleman was escorting her outside for some air."

The Air Force General made a beeline for the restrooms, daring anyone to get in his way. He threw open the back door just in time to see a car speed away around the corner.

Jack put his hand to his forehead. "Well, this is cliché," he groaned.

Sam woke, grimacing slightly. Her whole body ached, especially her arm.

"I am sorry about that," an unfamiliar female voice spoke up. "We had to remove the transmitter as quickly as possible-in a moving vehicle no less. We had to be sure you could not be tracked."

Sam's eyes focused on a blonde woman, then the two men sitting behind her. She was in some sort of lab…set up in a warehouse? She blinked her eyes in confusion. "Who are you?"

"Samantha Carter would not remember me, but Jolinar of Malkshur would." Her eyes flashed briefly.

Sam's drug fogged brain took in this new information, but she didn't speak.

"I am Athena. I knew Jolinar many, many years ago. At the time, I knew her as Hatmehyt. It was not until after she deceived me that I discovered she was Tok'ra." Athena said the name with distaste.

"What do you want?" Sam asked, playing it cool. Her Jolinar experience was coming back to haunt her-again.

"Hatmehyt and I were searching for a device. One that would give the owner great influence…I would have no problems rising to power." Athena sighed, then continued. "Then I was struggling. My relationship with Svarog had failed and I was looking to find another Goa'uld to partner with. Hatmehyt came to me with information concerning this device. I was intrigued to say the least. I would find this machine, then rid myself of her. I should have known she was as cunning as I."

Sam knew Jolinar could be manipulative. She remembered her experience with Bynarr well. She also knew Jolinar wouldn't betray the Tok'ra. She did what she did for a reason…a covert job for the Tok'ra more than likely. And what kind of device was it? Something along the lines of Telchak's device, or the armbands that had made she and SG-1 super human? At any rate, it would have given the owner a definite advantage.

"What happened?" Sam asked. She was actually quite interested in finding out more.

"Hatmehyt retrieved the device before I did. Instead of returning to my homeworld, she disappeared. Soon after, it was revealed she was not Goa'uld, but Jolinar of the Tok'ra. I was never able to locate her or the Tok'ra to seek my revenge or to claim what was mine. Fortunately, my position in the Trust has afforded me many opportunities. Not long ago, a Tok'ra was captured. This device was among his belongings. I was told it could only be used if the proper code was entered to activate it. Jolinar was the only one who knew this code. It was not made known to any other Tok'ra, for fear others would try to use it the way the Goa'uld would. Nothing ever came from the Tok'ra's studies of the machine-they could never find a positive use for it. I know Jolinar wished to use it to somehow destroy all Goa'uld, but she failed."

The story had intrigued Sam, but she shook her head. "Look, I can't help you."

"I think you can." She nodded to the men in the room. One hurried over, quickly pressing a device to Sam's temple.

She winced, pressing her hand to the unwelcome memory device. Sam had had way too much experience with this technology.

"We have the machine. Now you will remember the code."

"No," Sam replied defiantly. This was not good. Not only could they find the information they needed, but also the secrets of the SGC, Tok'ra, and countless others.

One of the men turned the machine on and Sam squeezed her eyes shut. She would have to fight this.

Jack walked briskly through the corridors of the SGC, Landry beside him. His fists were clinched and his jaw was set.

"They're searching and interviewing witnesses. So far, nothing has come up," Landry informed him.

"Well, what did you honestly expect? All I can figure is it's the Trust. They have the resources to pull this off. Right in front of my face, no less," Jack fumed.

"We've got Barrett on the job. We're doing all we can, believe me." Landry looked to his fellow general, sympathy written across his features. "We'll find her, Jack."