Sam woke up confused and panicked. She sat up, turned on the light, and took several deep breaths. It had only been a dream. Glancing at the clock she noticed it was only 0630. Knowing she wouldn't be able to sleep much after that dream, she changed and headed off to the infirmary. She had been told to report to the infirmary that afternoon and have the cast removed. Seeing as she was already up, she wondered if they would do it earlier. A brace would be a significant improvement over the cast, at least she could scratch her leg that way.

To Sam's surprise, Carolyn was already there, and waved her in. Sam took a seat next to one of the beds, as Carolyn finished with another patient.

"You're up early."

"You too."

"Yeah, thought I'd get a head start on the rush."

"Want the cast off that bad?"

"Yes, please."

"We'll take this one off now, then you'll need a couple of x-rays. If everything checks out, we'll fit you with a brace."

"Thanks Carolyn."

Dr. Lam signaled a nurse to go with Sam to remove the cast, and take Sam to get the x-rays done. In less than an hour, Sam was getting ready to leave the infirmary, minus the cast. Even though the leg was in a brace, she would still need to use the crutches for a week, perhaps longer, and would begin physio immediately. Fortunately there was someone on base to help her with that, so if she stayed to work, she could continue with the therapy, and not have to worry about finding someone to drive her.

Hungry, she headed to the commissary, and took a seat opposite Daniel, who had his nose buried in a cup of coffee.

"Morning, Daniel."

"Mornin."

"How long you been up?"

"Not long enough."

"Ah."

"Sorry, Sam. Just got some stuff on my mind."

"Feel like sharing?"

"Yes, but let me get it straight in my head first."

"What's it about? Something happen last night after I went to bed?"

"Sorta."

"You find something on Ba'al? Why didn't you get me?"

"It wasn't that."

"Then what?"

"Jack stopped by."

"And that has to do with this how?"

"We talked."

"About?"

"Umm, well..." Daniel stalled, trying to find a way to explain his and Jack's discussion, without betraying Jack's unspoken trust that he wouldn't say too much.

"Me?"

"Umm, yeah, kinda."

"I figured."

"Really?"

"Yeah. We had words before I left the briefing room."

"Words?"

"A few. What did he say to you?"

"He said you'd left, pissed at him."

"I was."

"Why?"

"That night we fell asleep on your couch, I woke up and we were in each others arms. He claimed he was sorry, and he only did that because he had too much to drink. How is that supposed to make me feel? I'm not a toy he can have whenever he wants."

"Sam, calm down." Daniel glanced around, as several heads turned to look at what was going on.

"Sorry. I'm still a little mad."

"At Jack, or yourself."

"I'm not sure. Daniel, where's this going?"

"What do you think of Jack?"

"What do I think of him? What do you mean?"

"How do you feel about him."

"He's a friend."

"Is that all?"

"Daniel." Sam's voice held a warning, but Daniel ignored it.

"Think about it. How do you feel towards him. Not now, in general."

"Excuse me. Dr. Jackson, you are required in the infirmary." An airman interrupted them to Sam's relief.

"Ok. Sam, we'll continue later. Think about what I asked you."

Daniel left Sam staring at her breakfast.

"Jack, what's going on?"

"Daniel, there's been a problem with Vala."

"Now what did she do?"

"One of the villagers overheard her talking to Cam. They know she's not a god. They've imprisoned Cam, Vala, and SG-3."

"What about Bosco?"

"He's here. They sent him back to tell us what's going on. You need to talk to him."

Daniel entered the infirmary and saw Bosco, covered in bruises and lacerations.'

"What happened?"

"I was tied up and beaten, before they escorted me to the gate." Bosco spoke thickly through a split lip.

"The others?"

"Locked up."

"What about their weapons?"

"Daniel, wait. Bosco, start from the play." Jack hadn't heard the full story yet, and wanted to know exactly what had happened.

"After the play ended, Vala dismissed the villagers. Colonel Mitchell asked her how long she was going to keep up the charade of being their god. That continued for most of the evening. At dinner time, several villagers brought us food, but wouldn't come close to us. Vala explained that they were afraid of the weapons we had, so we took them off, and placed them on the ground next to us."

"Did you see the villagers with weapons?"

"No, Sir. Nothing more dangerous than rocks and wood. They seemed like a peaceful bunch, and Vala explained that they were never tortured by her when she was there."

"Please, continue."

"Yes, Dr. Jackson. Sometime in the early morning, Colonel Mitchell and Vala started arguing again. The Colonel wanted Vala to tell the villagers the truth. One of them must've overheard us. When the morning meal was served, several villagers had concealed zat's under their robes, and shot us. We were placed in separate cells, but there wasn't enough. I was tied up outside, and the villagers tried to beat information out of me. They untied me, and took me to the stargate. I was told to dial home, and come back with Dr. Jackson. Anyone else would be killed as soon as they stepped out of the gate."

"Me? Why me?"

"I don't know. I wasn't able to talk to the others before I was returned here."

"Thanks Bosco. Get some rest. I'll be back later."

Jack and Daniel exited the infirmary and walked to Jack's office.

"Daniel, what d'ya think?"

"We've got to go back."

"I know that. Why did they ask for you?"

"Vala? She would only ask for me. I've got to go."

"Ok, I'll get SG's.."

"No, Jack. You heard Bosco. Anyone else will be killed."

"I'm not sending you alone. I'll get some teams ready. We can use the MALP to see if there's anyone guarding the gate."

"I'll be ready in a few minutes."

Daniel ran down to his lab, and found Sam sitting in front of the computer.

"What's going on?"

"There's been a problem on P8X 412."

"What happened?"

"Cam, Vala and SG-3 were captured. They sent Bosco back to get me."

"You? Why?"

"I don't know. I'm heading out after we check the MALP telematry."

"Anything I can do?"

"Keep looking for Ba'al. This whole situation doesn't sound right to me."

"You think he's behind this?"

"Who knows."

"Ok. Be careful."

"I will."

Daniel walked out of the door, and turned back inside to make one final comment.

"Sam, about earlier. We will continue when I get back. Just please, think about what it is you want from Jack, and don't say anything to him about it until after I get back."

Daniel ran down the corridor before Sam could say a word.

Once the gate was dialed, Jack ordered the camera on the MALP to sweep the area. They watched as the video revealed the gate guarded by at least 20 men, all bearing some kind of weapon. Jack beckonned Daniel over.

"This is Dr. Jackson."

"You may come through. They are waiting." The man on the screen brandished his zat around, unsure of where the voice was coming from.

"What do you need me for?"

"The one known as Qetesh requests your presence. If anyone else comes with you, they will be killed."

"And if I don't come?"

"The others will be killed. Her first."

Daniel watched as one of the men shot towards the MALP and the connection died.

"Daniel.."

"Jack, I've got to go."

"I know. Take two radios. Hide one. They might not know to look for a second one. If they take your GDO, go to the Alpha site or another planet where they have one. Dial home from there. Your iris code will be locked out in 24hrs unless we hear from you before."

"Got it. Anything else?"

"Don't get yourself killed."

"Thanks Jack."

Daniel walked down to the gateroom, and through the event horizon.

AN: Thanks for the great reviews!!! Sorry about the delay, work's been a little tough lately. More as soon as I get it written.