The next morning he woke up, feeling much better than he had in, well, he didn't know how long. He wasn't completely recovered, but he was well on his way. He smiled when he thought of the main reason he was feeling better. The reason, that was lying, snuggled up next to him.

He stayed perfectly still, thinking about Sam in her wedding – clothes. He couldn't help the grin that appeared. That had been some outfit. Hell, that had been the outfit of his dreams – literally. He just wished she would adopt that dress while here on Atamakie or whatever the hell the name of this place was.

Unfortunately his morning daydreams came to a halt when his bodily needs made themselves known. At least he could get up this time. He was completely over peeing in a jar.

"Sir?" Sam muttered beside him, still half asleep.

"Just seein' a man about a horse Carter", he told her. "Go back to sleep."

"Kay", she said, her eyes already closed.

He grinned again, thinking how cute she was when she was asleep. It wasn't the first time he'd seen her this way, but it was the first time he allowed himself to enjoy it.

When his bladder protested he grimaced and made his way to his feet. He wobbled a bit and it took a moment to catch his breath, but after a few seconds he felt well enough to make his way outside. He wasn't quite sure where the facilities where, but he was sure someone would tell him.

He exited the small hut and took a deep breath. There was some residual pain, but for the most part he simply enjoyed the fresh, warm air. He could hear the waves just beyond the village and wished, for a moment, that he and Sam were actually on a tropical vacation somewhere rather than fugitives from Earth.

One of the village men noticed him and came up and asked if he needed anything. When he explained his predicament he was directed to a small building just outside the village. It was as he walked there, slowly, that he started to think about the situation in which Carter and he had landed

Crap! He'd been too sick to really think about what she'd done but now it all became starkly real. She'd given up everything to save his sorry butt. She couldn't go back to Earth now since she'd be charged with helping him escape. Hell, they'd probably charge her with treason!

Why had she done it? He cursed, startling the man who was next to him at the latrine. He apologized but the guy got out of there as quickly as he could. Once Jack was done he slowly made his way back to the hut. By this time he was sore and weak and knew he'd probably overdone it on his first excursion on his own.

Sam was going to kill him, he realized. Unless he could get back into the hut before she woke up! He tried hurrying but that just made his chest hurt even more.

As he neared the hut he found himself becoming more tired as well as angry. What the hell had she been thinking? She'd just thrown away a great career to help an old worn-out soldier. How was he going to fix this?

Maybe he'd contact Earth and agree to return if they dropped all charges against Sam. He shook his head. He couldn't chance that. The NID might finally get something out of him and while he didn't quite know what was in his head, he was pretty sure it was stuff he didn't want them to know.

And even if they dropped the charges, Sam's career was essentially finished. There's no way the NID – or the Joint Chiefs – would allow her to retain her rank. She'd probably be asked to retire and then would disappear into some job at some college somewhere.

But was that worse than being stuck on some chauvinistic planet somewhere in the galaxy? And that made him think of something else. Why in hell had he dialed this planet? Sure it was beautiful, and the people were okay, but it certainly wasn't someplace he'd choose to live out the rest of his life. And he knew that Sam would go crazy here. Either that or she'd cause a cultural revolution here by starting a women's suffrage movement.

Damn it all Sam! Why did you screw up your life like this, he muttered furiously.

He entered the hut, to find an equally pissed off Sam Carter glaring at him. "What the hell were you thinking Jack?" she asked. "You practically died and yesterday you couldn't walk and today you're out taking a stroll. Do you want to kill yourself?"

"No Samantha – I wanted to take a piss and figured I could do that without you holding my hand. Or do I have to ask your permission for that too?"

He could practically see the steam coming out of her ears as she stood up. "No Sir – you don't have to ask my permission for a damn thing. You can do whatever you want – which is usually what you do anyway, damn the consequences. So if you want to bloody well go and kill yourself then fine, I won't say anything."

"Well you're sure as hell saying plenty now", he shouted. Suddenly he felt a terrible twinge and bent over, clutching his chest and beginning to breathe in slow, shallow gasps.

"Oh my God Jack", Sam said as she rushed up to him and helped him to lie down. "Here, take slow breaths, as deeply as you can." While he did that she opened his shirt to check his wound. "It looks okay – its not bleeding. Can you tell me what's wrong? Where does it hurt?"

"I have a – terrible – pain in my – pride", he gasped. After a few seconds his breathing got better and the pain began to dissipate. He closed his eyes and forced himself to calm down.

"In your 'pride' Sir?" she asked carefully.

"Yeah", he looked up at her with a sheepish grin. "I'm sorry Carter. You were right – I shouldn't have gone on my own like that. I just felt so good this morning and I was so sick of being stuck in here. I thought the latrines would be closer than they were."

She sighed and answered his smile with one of her own. "I'm sorry too. You scared me and I'm afraid I said some things I shouldn't have. I hope you'll forgive me Sir."

"Only under one condition Sam", he said gently.

"Yes?"

"Drop the Sir. We're not in the Air Force now and I'm no longer your Commander, remember? Here we're Sam and Jack, or in instances like today, Sam and Idiot."

She giggled. "You're not an idiot S – ur Jack. I just need to remember that you're likely to escape confinement unless watched very carefully. It was a lesson Janet told me she had to learn years ago. She had a whole system to keep you – uh – contained."

He stared at her with narrowed eyes. "Really? Hmm – nice to know. For that we have to find a way back to Earth because I so owe Doc Fraiser for that one."

She laughed again and sat down beside him. She nudged him with her shoulder. "And you don't have to ask permission to pee Jack", she told him, "but I'm happy to hold your hand if you want."

He scowled at her and shook his head but a short time later couldn't help but begin to laugh. "I gotta admit Carter – that's the first time in a long time I've gotten in trouble for going to the bathroom without permission. I think the last time was in third grade. Mrs. McMannus made me stand in the corner for twenty minutes for that one."

"She did?" Sam laughed. "That's horrible. I promise I won't make you do that."

"Thanks Carter."

They sat for a few moments in companionable silence, until Jack remembered what had made him so angry in the first place. This time, thinking about it, he only sighed. He could no longer be angry at Sam, but was still horrified to think of what she'd given up for him.

"What is it?" she asked softly, nudging him with her shoulder again.

"Nothin'." He answered.

"The truth Jack", she told him sternly.

He sighed and turned towards her. "I'm just thinkin' that you gave up everything for me and you shouldn't have. You can't go back to Earth now."

She shrugged. "So? It was my decision and one I don't regret." She smiled briefly. "And look at where we ended up. What girl wouldn't want to live in a tropical paradise?"

"You", he said bluntly. "This is no place for us Sam and you know it. As soon as I'm better we'll leave here and find a better place."

"Where? There aren't many planets that we know about that the NID don't also know", she said. "In fact I'm sure they pretty much know all the same ones we do."

Jack took a deep breath. "Probably, but we'll figure something out. I just wish you weren't stuck in this whole mess."

"You don't want me with you?"

"Ah hell Sam – I didn't say that. In fact I can't think of anyone -" He took another breath. "Of course I want you with me – even though that's selfish. You should be home working at the SGC and living your life."

"I am living my life Jack – it just happens to be on an alien planet light years from home. It's an adventure and at least we have each other."

He put his arm around her and pulled her tightly into him. "That we do Sam, that we do."

They stayed pretty much indoors that day – which fortunately the tribe expected since it was their honeymoon. Sam went out a couple of times to retrieve some food and drink and received lots of sly looks from people.

"What's wrong?" Jack asked as she came into the hut carrying a tray of local foods. She had a fierce scowl on her face and was walking as if ready to stomp down the dust to hades.

"Nothing", she muttered.

"What did we say about being honest Sam?"

"Okay fine! What is wrong with the people of this village? I just wanted to get some food and instead had to deal with that all afternoon."

"Uh – that?"

"Yes. They all think that you – that we consummated our marriage and are looking at me like some – some deflowered Victorian virgin!"

"I think once you're deflowered you're no longer a virgin", he corrected.

"Aaaaargh! I know that Jack! I'm just saying that they're all looking at me and thinking 'we know what you did last night'! It's outrageous."

"Except we didn't last night", he explained.

"I know that and you know that, but they don't."

"Mmm", he nodded. "Do you think I'll get the same looks when I go out there?"

"No", she said, sounding disgruntled. "I'm sure they know you're not a virgin", she said.

Jack choked, although he had to grab his chest briefly. "It's not like it's written all over me", he sputtered.

"What isn't written all over you Jack?" she looked at him with a frown, completely lost in the conversation.

"That I'm not a virgin. Maybe I should get a t-shirt."

She stared at him and shook her head. "Go ahead, just don't walk close to me when you're wearing it."

"Why not? It's not like you had anything to do it."

Okay that brought the conversation to a screeching halt. Sam could feel herself grow pink and only could look at the Colonel after a few moments of silence.

"Uh no – I guess not", she mumbled, her voice sounding strangled.

"But I bet there are some rules about retaining the designation. You may have to help me out there."

It took her a few seconds before she understood what he was saying and then this time she turned bright red. "Jack", she laughed. "You are so naughty!"

"True, but I'm sick so you have to humor me."

"I do not", she told him.

"Do too."

"Do not!"

"Yup you do Carter."

"I do not Jack."

"Hey, do you realize you sound just like Daniel?" the Colonel asked with a gleam. "I was missing those conversations, but you do it almost as well as he does."

"I do not sound like Daniel", she snapped, although her eyes were also gleaming.

"Yes you do Carter."

"No I don't."

He grinned. "Yes. You. Do."

"I do – oh my God, I do!" The horrified look on her face sent Jack into paroxysms of laughter. He again had to clutch his chest, although this time Sam handed him a pillow to hold against himself. He ended up lying down on his side while he continued to laugh. It hurt, but he figured it was probably also doing him some good.

"Anyway, I am not helping you retain your – your -"

"Non-virgin status?"

"Yes, that."

"Too bad", he sighed dramatically. "And I heard it's a great way to help speed healing."

"Mmm", she gave him a look and shook her head. "It would probably make you have a relapse."

"Really?" he asked, sounding interested. "Wow Carter – you must be a real wild -" he stopped suddenly and pressed his lips together. After a moment he looked at her apologetically. "Sorry – kind of got carried away there."

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "That's okay. It was kind of fun."

"It was, although the real thing would be bet – ter", he let his words fade out and closed his eyes. "I think I'd better go to sleep now. I'm afraid my foot is much too big to keep trying to eat."

"Okay Jack", she smiled and tucked the blanket around him. "Rest. I'm going to go find out what's going on."

"Are you sure you want to?" he murmured. "They'll wonder why you're not in here with me."

"I'll just tell them you had a relapse!" she said and on that she was gone.

Jack chuckled. After a few moments he turned on his side and was soon sound asleep.

Sam made her way over to Ailani's hut. Now that she was a married woman it wasn't considered exactly proper behavior, but frankly she didn't care. They were going to leave this place as soon as possible. Some of the people were nice, but for the most part she'd had enough of them and their strict – and stupid – rules.

"Sam-ata", Ailani strode from his hut and looked down at the beautiful alien woman. He still felt a pang at being unable to have this glorious creature although he also felt angry and betrayed by her, even though he knew that was unfair. But Ailani was used to getting pretty much whatever he wanted – he was the Chief – and in this case he'd wanted her but instead the sickly man who was half out of him mind had won her. Life was not fair.

And then there were the things that Teina had told him. He'd mentioned the circle and the threat from beyond their home. He had half convinced Ailani that the strangers were to be feared, that they would cause the destruction of the Ati-Makani.

"What are you doing here?" he asked. His words were angry but the tone was more resigned. He knew this woman did not act the same as the women of his tribe. The fact was, he kind of liked it.

"I came to find out what you've discovered from Teina. Why did he stab Jack?"

"There is no proof that he did", he answered sternly. "Teina swears he did not."

"He is lying!"

"You will not speak so of my brother", Ailani answered, his nostrils flaring in anger. "He is my kin and one who insults him insults me."

"I see – and if he stabs someone does that mean you too are guilty?" she asked angrily.

"Enough! This is not women's -"

"Oh please, just stop right there. The women of your world may have to listen to everything you say and act like you're the smartest one around, but I don't have to. I have a brain and I have eyes and ears. It was obvious that Teina wanted to kill Jack – hell he challenged him to a duel to the death. And Jack remembers him being the one who stabbed him. What more do you need?"

"How do I know that Jack O'Neill is telling the truth?"

"How do you know? Because what reason would he have to lie? He had nothing against your brother, but it was obvious your brother has something against him. You know he's guilty. Why aren't you doing something about it?"

"What do you know of the great circle?" Ailani asked suddenly.

"The great circle? You mean the – uh the big circle. "Uh, not much, why?"

"Because Teina said you are demons and that you know how to open the circle and travel to the underworld. He said you will capture our women and children and take them through the circle and we will never see them again."

"What? How in the world did he come up with something so ridiculous?" Sam asked. While she was speaking she was thinking seriously. Teina knew something about the gate, and about the Goa'uld if his story was true. She had to figure out whether he was acting alone or whether there were others in on this. She had a sudden attack of panic that maybe the Goa'uld were back and were simply hiding and waiting their time.

She looked up at Ailani and could tell he was confused about what to believe. Sam knew she had a window of opportunity to try and convince Ailani to hold Teina and ignore the lies he was spreading. Then she'd have to get Jack on his feet and they'd head to the gate, hopefully never to return.

"It is not ridiculous", Ailani defended his brother. "Still, I will reserve judgment for now."

"And what about Teina?"

"He has been confined to the village. I will decide in a few days what is to happen to him."

"Confined to the village? Do you mean he can just walk around anywhere he wants to go?"

"Yes, that is the case."

"And you didn't bother warning us?" She turned in disgust from the Chief. "I have to go check on the Colonel and make sure he's okay. Tell Teina that if he comes near to either of us I will kill him."

She walked back to the hut, again serious, but this time very, very worried.

"Sam-ata", Teina's voice stopped her dead. She was still a ways from their hut and there appeared to be no one around – a least no one who would stop anything.

"Teina", she glared at him and would have continued, but a hand shot out and grasped her arm. "Let go of me", she hissed.

"No", he told her. "You told lies about me to my brother and this I will not accept."

"Lies? Everything I told him was the truth. You tried to kill Jack and you will try again. But please know that this time you will not be successful. If you hurt one hair on his head I will kill you."

Teina turned purple with anger and strode forward to reach out to grab her. Sam waited for a moment and grabbed his arm and using his own momentum managed to flip him onto the ground. She immediately dropped and pressed her knee into his back and pulled his arm behind him. "I told you, try anything and you will have to deal with me. Do not ever try and touch Jack or me again. Do you understand?"

When he didn't answer she pulled his arm back farther, until he grunted. "Do you understand?"

"Yes", he hissed. "Let me go."

"Not until you've sworn, on whatever you find holy, that you will not harm either of us. Do you swear?"

"Yes – I swear – in the name – of Ra I – will not – harm you or – your mate."

"My mate Jack" she told him.l

"Your mate Jack."

She let him up at that and watched as he scampered away. She didn't believe that he would leave them alone, but she felt a sense of satisfaction that she'd brought him down. She'd needed that after the frustration of her conversation with Ailani.

"Still in good fighting form Carter."

She looked up in surprise to see Jack leaning against the hut, watching her. He looked angry but she knew it wasn't directed at her, but rather at Teina.

"Jack – how long have you been standing there?"

"Since before Teina accosted you", he told her.

"And you didn't intervene?" she smiled.

He laughed softly. "I wanted to Carter, but I knew you would have kicked my butt if I'd tried. I also knew you had things under control."

She regarded him with pleased surprise. "Thank you Colonel. That means a lot coming from you."

"It Jack, remember."

"No, in this case its Colonel", she smiled.

"Come on Carter", he motioned with his head. "I need to sit down." She followed him inside and helped him sit \. She then grabbed a drink for both of them and sat down beside him.

"So, did you hear him?" Jack asked quietly.

"Ra?"

"Yeah. The snakeheads were here. I just hope it was in the distant past", Jack frowned.

"Well I don't see any evidence of any recent activity, and the fact that he mentioned Ra, seems to indicate they probably haven't seen anyone for a long time."

"Let's just hope they don't find out what happened to him."

"No", she grimaced. "I don't think that would be a good idea – unless they consider Ra bad. Maybe they'd be happy about it."

"Let's not find out. In this case I suspect innocence is bliss." Jack sat for a while, sipping his juice, seemingly lost in thought. "Do you think Teina really will leave us alone?" he asked suddenly.

"No. He wants you gone too badly."

"But why? I did nothing to anger him. In fact I've been unconscious most of the time. I get the feeling he thinks I'm a threat, but why?"

"I don't know but I can hardly wait to get out of here."

"Me too", Jack sighed. "I'll try and get better faster and then we can move it to the gate."

"Where are we going to go Sir?" she asked softly.

"I don't know Sam – but we'll find somewhere, even if it's a planet with just the two of us."

She stared straight ahead, her eyes glazed over as if she were seeing something vastly different than the small hut. "That sounds kind of wonderful Jack", she said softly. "Just the two of us."