She envied the Colonel, stab wound and all. All he had to do was lie in bed in agony, a simple thing compared to having ten native women surround one giggling and laughing and using one as a mannequin! She'd always wondered if she would ever have a big wedding (if she were ever to get married). She knew now that she would elope, and not to a tropical island.

"No, you can't have my shirt!", she said for what must have been the fiftieth time. "I'll wear it."

"But you cannot", Ionala told her. "No man wants a woman who covers herself."

"Mine does", she answered sharply. Of course that got shocked looks from all the women.

"No, he may say he does", Kapena told her seriously, "but he doesn't. To hide yourself from your man is a bad portent. You must be open and free."

"I am open, I just wear clothes", she told them. The next thing she knew, numerous hands were unbuttoning her shirt and pulling it off of her. Her t-shirt followed next until she was in her bran. "No way!" she say, crossing her arms over her chest.

There were lots of giggles and then she felt her bran loosen. Someone had figured out how to unclasp it in back.

"Please ladies!" she cried. "I don't feel comfortable without a top. In my culture it is considered – uh – embarrassing for a woman to go naked."

"You will not be naked", a shocked Kaili gasped. "That would be shameful!"

"Oh good", Sam heaved a sigh of relief. She should have known they were simply getting her to change into a native dress rather than wear her own clothes. "So, what do I wear?"

Nalani, one of the youngest women, and the one who seemed to do nothing but giggle, held up a small bit of cloth. "Here."

Sam stared at it. What was it – a handkerchief? Maybe this was the 'something borrowed' part of the wedding. "Uh, what is that?"

"It is you bridal costume", Oke pronounced. Oke was the senior women in this group and the one who seemed to have the last word on everything. She approached Sam and took the piece of cloth, which Sam could now see was a loin cloth with strips of cloth hanging down, like a very skimpy skirt. "You shall put this on. It belonged to Ailani's bride – it is an honor that you are being allowed to wear it."

Sam bit her tongue at that, worried that she'd end up insulting someone if she weren't careful. But still! A loincloth? "Uh, what do I wear on top?"

"You will be provided with adornment. You shall look beautiful for your mate."

"It's too bad he won't be able to enjoy it since he's still so ill", Nalani giggled. She was instantly quiet when Oke glared at her, although Sam could see a number of the other women trying to hold back laughs. She took a deep breath and let it out. Why did they have to come to this planet?

She finally decided to simply go along with the women and allowed her bra to drop. She then grabbed the damned cloth and managed to figure out how to put it on. It was a good thing she was a soldier and had gotten used to undressing in front of other women, otherwise she would have been rather embarrassed. The next thing she knew she was being drawn over to a stool and made to sit. The women then fussed with her hair and put some color on her face. She grimaced, not really wanting any make-up, but deciding to just let it go for now. She prayed that it wasn't too garish and wondered at the fact of how universal make-up seemed to be.

Once they were done with her hair and face the women brought jewelry, made mostly from shells and painted wood. Bracelets were placed on her arms and ankles, rings on her fingers and earrings on her ears. Kapena threaded flowers in her hair and then stood back and smiled.

Now all Sam needed was a shirt! They'd promised her something and they'd better deliver or she was grabbing a couple of the big shells and sticking them on her chest! And wouldn't the Colonel love that? She couldn't help but grin. No matter how good he'd always been (or almost always) at maintaining the proper decorum between them, he was a man.

"Here", Oke returned holding a lei of beautiful tropical flowers. She carefully placed it over Sam's head and then stepped back and nodded. "You will do", she announced.

Sam looked down at the flowers, realizing quickly that they didn't cover anything pertinent. Oh no! No way, she thought. She was not going to marry the Colonel with only a few flowers and her breasts sticking out. Damn it, what was wrong with these people.

She opened her mouth to object but discovered that no one was paying any attention to her. Their eyes were all focused on Ailani, who was standing staring at her. Beside him was his brother – what was his name? Sam glanced at him and then back at Ailani – but then her eyes returned to the brother.

He had the strangest look in his eyes. She felt a frisson of fear travel up her spine. This man – Teina, that was his name – was watching her as if he owned her. She shook herself a bit, hoping it was her imagination. When she looked at him again, though, she knew it wasn't. This man was trouble.

"Are you ready?" Ailani asked her, sounding abrupt and not as friendly as he had been.

"Uh, yes, I guess so although I really -"

"Good", he interrupted, clearly not paying any attention to her. "The men are bringing O'Neill to the fire. You shall be married there."

"But he's not well enough to -"

"He is being carried", Ailani said dismissively. He then turned to Oke. "Bring her when it is time."

"Yes Ailani", Oke answered.

Sam sat silently, surrounded by the women. No one spoke to her, although they all looked happy so she didn't think it was anything bad. Maybe they thought she needed the space since it was her wedding day.

Hah! It's not like it was a real wedding. She and the Colonel would participate in the ceremony and then when they left this planet they'd forget all about it. She groaned silently. She didn't want to forget it.

She heard the sound of drums and chanting and figured it must be the men starting the celebration. The sun was starting to go down and the sunset was breathtaking. It was then that Oke stood and gestured to her.

"Come, it is time."

Sam wanted to reach up and cover herself with her hands, but in the end didn't. It would probably draw more attention to her lack of clothes than if she just walked out proudly. Surely the flowers hid most everything important.

Four of the men, plus Ailani, had visited Jack in his hut. The Chief had explained that they'd take him out to the sacred fire and that the ceremony would be performed there. He wasn't much looking forward to the trip, but there wasn't much he could do to object. He was worried about how Sam would be treated were she to continue as a single woman. He knew vicious these cultures could be to a woman they considered 'loose'.

The men weren't particularly careful when they picked him up and he had to bite his lip to keep from groaning. He wondered briefly why he'd picked this planet but he wasn't all that impressed with the natives. They hadn't been terrible, but they certainly hadn't been completely warm and welcoming.

He couldn't really blame them however, not when he thought about it. They'd had two strangers plunked into their laps – one of whom had been out of his mind and then was severely injured (although that was probably the fault of someone in the tribe). And then there was Sam – a thoroughly modern woman who probably disturbed he equilibrium of their male-centered culture. No, he had to admit they'd been lucky to have been treated as well as they had been.

They finally arrived at the fire, for which he was grateful. It turned out they'd built a make-shift backrest for him so he could partially sit up. It was much better than lying flat, which made him feel way too vulnerable.

The men were laughing and talking – clearly taking advantage of the celebration. He could see some of the women off to one side, preparing what looked like a feast. Soon a group of young men came out carrying drums and began chanting and beating a continuous rhythm on them.

He wondered what happened during the ceremony and hoped that he didn't make a fool of himself and say or do the wrong thing. He'd tried to ask, but had received either confused looks or – and this was from Ailani and his brother – glares. He wondered what was up with them.

A few moments later and he heard some murmuring and then the drums picked up a faster beat. The crowd standing by the fire separated and Jack saw a few of the women walking forward, their hair and necks festooned with flowers.

At that moment the women stepped aside and there stood Sam, her body glowing in the firelight and the fading embers of the sun's light.

He couldn't breathe. For a moment he thought that maybe he was in worse shape then he'd thought. But he soon realized his paralysis had nothing to do with his physical health and everything to do with his Y chromosome. God, she was gorgeous.

Sam felt herself blush – she probably glowed from top to toe she thought in disgust. The next moment she wanted to giggle. The Colonel sat staring at her, his mouth hanging practically to his chest. She didn't think she'd ever seen him look so – surprised about anything.

She was led up to him and then made to kneel beside him. She understood that normally they were both to stand, but with him being ill she was required to be at his level. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, to catch his eyes wandering down. They then flipped back up and he was looking directly at her, a panicked and embarrassed look on his face.

The urge to giggle returned.

Ailani said a few words – she didn't have a clue what they were – and then the priest took over. There were a lot of flowery words, probably very meaningful in their tradition – but she paid little attention. Instead she continued to look at Jack – not Sir, not the Colonel – but Jack. He was gazing back at her as if he wasn't sure he'd just been given the best gift in the world, or whether he was in deep, deep trouble.

As far as he was concerned, it was both. He couldn't believe that Sam – the absolutely gorgeous woman beside him, was going to be his wife. He totally forgot that they'd agreed that this was just for expediency sake and would be forgotten. No, all he could think was he was the luckiest man in the whole damn universe – that thought was immediately followed by the one that he was actually the unluckiest. Crap, what a time to be injured!

"If any man has reason to challenge the coming together of O'Neill and Sam'ata, he must present himself now", the priest's voice went on.

Jack and Sam were paying little attention, that's why, when a voice spoke at that moment, they were both startled, not sure what was going on.

"I challenge the one called O'Neill", the voice had stated. "I challenge him for the hand of Sam-ata. He is not worthy of her and is not of this tribe. His destiny is with the gods, not with us. I challenge O'Neill."

There was dead silence among the people of the Ati-Makani. Sam reached out, to place her hand on Jack's arm, when she was snatched away. "No – she must not touch him", Teina, the challenger spoke. "I have challenged him."

"Teina, why do you do this?" Ailani asked. "Sam'ata is not of our tribe and has been travelling with this man. You do not even know if she is pure."

"Hey wait a minute", Jack started to speak.

"You will be quiet, stranger", Teina said loudly. "You have been challenged and you have no choice." He turned back to his brother. "I follow our laws brother. You cannot prohibit me from challenging the stranger."

"I am not trying to prohibit you Teina, I am just trying to understand why you are doing this. There are many maidens in our tribe who would be pleased to accept you as their mate. Why would you want Sam'ata, who is with this man?"

"I told you, I do not need to explain myself." He turned to the other men. "Is this not so? Do our laws not state that I may challenge for my chosen bride?"

"Uh, it is true Ailani", Ponui, the man who had been with the Chief when Sam had been discovered, spoke. "He has the right."

"Fine", Ailani sighed and looked around. "The wedding will be halted – for now. Once the challenge has been fought we will resume – although which groom is to be decided. We shall hold the challenge in seven moons from –"

"NO!" Teina again moved forward. "That is not acceptable. I demand the challenge now. It is my right."

"But he is injured Teina", Ailani frowned. "It would not be a fair fight."

"Again, that does not matter. Our laws state I may challenge where and when I choose. I choose here and now."

"This is crazy", Sam said pushing herself to her feet. "We are not of this tribe – we are guests, visitors. You have no right to force your laws on us."

"Be quiet woman!" Teina shouted. "Ailani, who are you to allow a woman to speak to you like this."

"You be quiet, you little weasel!" Jack hissed, forcing himself to stand. He swayed, but then managed to stand still and tall. "You will not speak to her that way!"

Teina sneered. "Since she will soon be mine I will speak with her the way I want."

"She will not be yours – she will never be yours", Jack answered.

"So, you accept my challenge do you?"

"I do", Jack answered. "It's okay Sam", he stopped her from speaking. "I'll be fine."

"But Jack, you can barely stand."

"Hey, you know me – a little thing like a knife wound never stopped me."

"Please Sir – be careful. It's not worth it. We can just leave."

"Somehow I don't think Teina wants us to go, do you?" he looked at the young man. "No, I take that back. He'd like me to leave – permanently. It's you he wants, although why I'm not quite sure."

"You insult the woman", Teina laughed. "She will be glad to have me."

"Never", spat Sam. "I would only ever be with a man of honor and courage – not a weasel like you."

"Ailani, do something! I have challenged this man and I am waiting."

The Chief shook his head and sighed. "Clear a space", he informed the tribe. "Aitu, retrieve the weapons. You shall monitor the fight and declare the winner."

"The winner is the one who survives", Teina spat.

"You are not fighting to the death?" Ailani said, sounding shocked.

"Of course. I must rid our tribe of this evil."

Sam had been watching everything play out and was trying to figure out what was going on. She looked over at the Colonel, who was pale and still seemed wobbly, although he also had a determined look on his face. He also seemed to have an understanding of what was going on. She wished he'd share it with her.

Soon a circle was cleared and the man Aitu appeared holding two long poles. He handed one to Teina and then walked over to Jack, who took one gingerly in his hand. He looked at it for a moment, testing its weight and balance.

"When my arm drops the battle will begin. The winner will be the one who can knock his opponent to the ground and hold him there for a count of ten. I urge both men to show mercy and not to kill, although that is your right."

Teina grinned, clearly sure that he had it in the bag. As soon as Ailani's arm dropped he began to circle, slowly, looking for an opening. Jack simply stood and watched his opponent.

Sam sucked in a deep breath the first time that Teina lunged towards his opponent. Somehow Jack, even though injured and weak, managed to get out of the way of the lethal looking stick. He continued to stand quietly.

Over the next few minutes Teina continued to try and lunge forward, but each time Jack was able to move. It was only as things had gone on for over ten minutes that Sam realized something was going on, something more than the Colonel being good at dodging.

She wasn't quite sure what was happening until a few minutes later. She watched as Jack closed his eyes and stood totally still. She wanted to scream at him, to tell him to open his eyes, but he simply stood, quietly. Teina watched him for a few seconds, and then a grin appeared on his face. He wiped one hand on his leg to get the sweat off, and then grasped his pole. With a pleased grin he rushed forward, his pole raised to chest level. He clearly had the intent to kill, and the audience all held its collective breath, expecting to see a dead O'Neill any second.

What happened, though, was confusing and terrifying. One minute Teina was rushing forward to attack an unseeing Jack. The next, Twina was lying on the ground, peering up at the sky.

Jack placed his foot on the other man's chest and held it there while Aitu monitored the time. After a suitable number of seconds, Aitu declared Jack the winner.

He withdrew his foot and sighed deeply. Even though he'd been able to pull up some Ancient skills and gifts that had taken way too much out of him. He wanted nothing more than to go home and curl up in bed.

"Teina, Jack has triumphed and will now take Sam-ata as bride", his brother informed him. Teina scowled.

"She won't be his bride for long", Teina hissed. "I shall have her and O'Neill shall be dead!"

"Yes, well you already tried once to kill me but that didn't turn out so good, did it?"

Ailani was looking at his brother with a puzzled expression and then he turned to O'Neill. "What is this about him trying to kill you?" the Chief asked.

"He's the one who stabbed me", Jack informed everyone. "I recognized his voice", he explained.

"LIES!" Teina screamed. "He lies. I did not touch him."

"Really? I think you proved today that you wanted me out of the picture. Who else in the tribe wants me dead?"

"Teina, is this true?" Ailani asked.

"No – of course not. I didn't hurt anyone. I just felt that Sam-ata deserved a stronger, more virile mate. This one is old and sick."

"Geesh, thanks!" Jack said sarcastically. "Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to sit down." Jack's legs gave out and he slid to the ground. Fortunately Sam was there to help break the fall and he took advantage of that to continue holding on to her.

"Aitu, take some of the men and lock Teina up. We will look at all the facts tomorrow and determine his guilt or innocence."

"You will regret this brother", Teina shouted as he was led away.

"So, how about that wedding?" Jack asked, looking and sounding exhausted. "I'd really like to marry Sam and take her home, if that's okay with you?"

"Of course", Ailani answered, although he looked suddenly older and grayer. He motioned to the women to again approach and got the men to start with the music. A moment later the ceremony had begun – a few moments after that and Jack and Sam were married.

"Uh, may I add one of our customs?" he asked after the priest declared them married.

"Of course", Ailani answered. He still felt guilt and anger about his brother, and was willing to be more lenient about outside customs.

Jack smiled and took Sam's chin in his hand. He then leaned forward and gently touched his lips to hers. "My wife", he whispered.

The feast began in earnest, although Sam noticed that Ailani had left – probably to see his brother. She stayed by Jack's side, which seemed to be the right thing to do if the expressions of the women were anything to go by. She watched him carefully, but he appeared to be holding up pretty well. He was watching the festivities, and she'd caught him a few times peeking glances at her. He held her hand the entire time, even when people brought them plates of food.

She enjoyed the evening immensely, as long as she didn't think about Teina. She hoped they would soon get to the bottom of his attacks.

When she saw Jack's eyes begin to droop she realized he'd had enough. She went up to one of the old women and explained her problem. The woman nodded and got her husband, who then went and told Aitu, who seemed to be the master of ceremonies for the event. Sam rolled her eyes at the inefficiency caused by the fact that she couldn't just go up to Aitu himself and ask him.a

Four men showed up to help move him and the next moment Jack was back in the hut, feeling exhausted but with a sense of accomplishment. He dozed quietly as Sam got dressed (so sue him for hating the loss of that loincloth). "So, how did you enjoy your wedding?" he asked her when she was fully clothed.

"Except for the challenge to a duel part, it was nice. How about you?"

"Same. You – uh – looked beautiful Sam."

She snorted. "I've never been more humiliated in my life!"

"Why?" he asked, sounding genuinely puzzled.

"Going topless to my wedding?"

"Oh – that", he covered his eyes with his arm, but she could still see his grin. "Personally that was the highlight for me", he informed her. "Took all my pain away", he admitted.

She swatted his arm. "I'm going to tell Ailani that you want to go native and you'd like one of the men's loincloths. See how you like it Sir."

"The question is Carter, will you like it."

That completely stopped the conversation – for a moment.

"I'd love to see you in a loincloth Sir", she answered, sounding serious and professional. "As I'm sure would Daniel and Teal'c."

"Over your dead body Carter", he said warningly. "Don't you dare get any ideas!"

"I won't – except one, which is you need to go to sleep. I'll be here beside you if you need anything."

"Okay", he replied. His eyes were so heavy he could barely keep them open anyway. As he drifted off he thought of one more thing. "Hey Carter."

"Yes Sir?"

"It's – mmm", he was half asleep. "It's – our wedding night."

"Yes Sir, it is."

He nodded. "'Kay. So come over here and snuggle", he told her. "I should get some reward for winning you in a fight."

"What you get Colonel, is me not killing you for saying you won me", she told him. She spooned up right behind him and put her arm around him. "There, now go to sleep."

"Yes Ma'am", he murmured. "You're a great snuggler, did you know that?"

"Go to sleep Jack", she said softly. He nodded, and a moment later was sound asleep, the woman he loved holding on to him tightly.