Okay, I know a few of you wanted longer chapters, and I tried, honestly. This chapter is a little longer, but I got writers block accentuated by the fact that midterms are coming up. Because of midterms and the fact that I'm going away to a wedding, it may be awhile before I get the next chapter up - but don't lose faith, I'm working through my writer's block and hopefully I'll have a nice long chapter, or at least a couple chapters to post in a little over a week.

Chapter 8: Skewed Reality –

Sam walked quietly along the semi-empty halls of the SGC. She glanced at her watch. 0630. It had only been 30 minutes since Janet had finally released her from the infirmary. She had been planning on going straight to her quarters to get some decent sleep, but instead found herself wandering the familiar halls. She thought about the last 5 days of living in an alternate universe. It was quite odd knowing that you had died and seeing just how everyone was affected by your death.

"Now you know how I feel."

Sam stopped dead in her tracks. Wildly, she looked around for the source of the voice. She recognized it; after all it was also the source of her catatonic state that landed her in the infirmary yesterday. She had hoped against all hopes that she had simply been in a weird dream state, but she was hearing the voice again. That did not bode well.

"Pull yourself together Sam." She told herself as she continued down the hall and around a corner. "Just relax or people are going to start thinking you'er crazy." Sam was so wrapped up in calming herself down that she didn't see the person getting ready to turn the corner from the other direction until it was too late. "General! Sorry sir, guess I was too wrapped up in my thoughts."

"Colonel." Jack barely acknowledge before continuing down the hall.

Sam stared after him. She hadn't thought it possible, but General O'Neill was even colder and more aloof towards her than he had been since she first came through the stargate.

"You're running out of time. You need to do something before he slips even further."

Sam rolled her eyes.

"There's no way I'm going to be able to ignore you is there?"

"No. After all, this is why I brought you here."

Sam simply rolled her eyes again and headed towards the commissary.

"You're going the wrong way. Jack's office is back that way."

"I know. I may be from an alternate universe, but the layout of this place is still the same."

"Then where are you going?"

"To the commissary for breakfast." Sam stopped. "Do you really expect me to go say to the General what you want me to say on an empty stomach? Not going to happen."

Λ

"Are you finished yet?" No answer from Sam who was focusing on her food. "You're ignoring me aren't you?" Again, no response. "What do I have to do to get you to listen to me?"

Just then Daniel and Teal'c walked up to the table with trays of food and sat down with Sam.

"Morning Sam." Daniel said. "How are you feeling this morning?"

"I'm doing well."

"Sure, you'll talk to him."

"Daniel, Teal'c can I ask you guys a question?" Sam asked. When both nodded their assent she continued. "Considering the differences in our universes I was hoping you could help me with something. If I were to walk around talking to myself would you think I was crazy and have me committed?"

Daniel and Teal'c shared a look.

"Normally…no." Daniel said slowly. "But after your…episode yesterday…probably."

"Okay. Fine."

"Are you sure you are well this morning Colonel Carter?"

"Yes Teal'c, I'm fine, I just have a lot on my mind."

Λ

"Are you trying to have me committed?" Sam asked aloud after ditching Teal'c and Daniel and slipping into an empty room. "It's not bad enough that you put me in a catatonic state yesterday, but talking to my 'invisible friend' would definitely warrant a visit with Mackenzie."

"Sorry. I completely forgot about that."

"Not to mention that since you want to remain anonymous it would be really difficult for me to explain who I was talking to."

"When you're right, you're right. Now can we get on with it?"

"Ugh, fine."

Λ

Sam slowly raised her hand and held it suspended in front of General O'Neill's office door. She bit her lip as she wondered what she would say.

"Try saying what you would if you were me."

"That's not helpful." Sam whispered. She paused as realization hit. "Wait, you can read my thoughts?" She hissed.

"No, just your facial expressions. After all, I do know you very well."

Sam glared in the general direction she figured her "friend" was and then knocked on the door.

"Enter!"

Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, Sam opened the door and stepped into the lion's den.

Okay, so you guys probably hate me right now. I'll do what I can to add a chapter before I go out of town. Of course reviews are always helpful in pushing me along...