Things seemed to work just fine for two weeks. Anna made sure to follow her CO's orders to the letter and stay out of his way as much as possible. But then there was this pre mission briefing. For some reason he was already dressed in BDU – black – and she just couldn't keep her eyes off him. Well looking at your team leader while he was preparing a mission wasn't wrong in itself, but usually one was supposed to actually hear what he was saying instead of – well, drooling. She realized she was in trouble when the room fell silent.

"Lieutenant?"

Obviously he'd addressed her before. Triple crap.

"Sir?"

"Did you or did you not finish the translation Major Carter asked you to do?"

Oh. Translate. She could do that.

"Yes, Sir."

"So?"

"So – what, sir?"

She could tell he was about to lose his patience.

"Did you bring it?"

Heat rushed to her face. Crap. Multiple crap! She had been working on that thing late into the night because Sam had told her it was crucial for today's mission. Then she had fallen asleep with her face on the desk. When she woke up she decided to take a nap in her bed instead of the chair and return to finish it early in the morning. Which she hadn't done. Had they been talking about that piece of information all along? Obviously she wasn't prepared and therefore the team couldn't move out. She swallowed. Could she pretend she just needed to get it from her office? There had been half a page of text left, and she had stopped because it was complicated and hard to pin down. No way would she be able to finish it in time. She swallowed again.

"Uh, no, sir. Actually it might not be exactly finished..."

And there it was. He did lose his patience. Pushing back his chair he stood. She ducked her head expecting him to yell. Instead his voice was dangerously low.

"T, Carter, you are dismissed. The mission is canceled until further notice."

He waited for both to get up. When Anna stood, too, he added:

"You aren't going anywhere right now, lieutenant."

Sam licked her lips.

"Uh, sir, maybe it isn't necessary -"

"Major, I said you are dismissed. Get the hell out of here."

Anna swallowed again. Nice try, Sam. She made a mental note to thank the older woman later – given she would still be alive later. The door closed. The colonel still stood. Anna wasn't sure whether to duck or to stand to attention. She certainly didn't dare to look at him. When he didn't say anything she forced herself to do it anyway. Now that he was sure he had her attention he asked:

"Wanna tell me what's up with you?"

She thought about playing dumb for a moment, but when she saw the look on his face she reconsidered. Don't mess with this colonel.

"I can tell you're disappointed, sir. I swear I'm trying to do my best -"

"The hell you are."

"Sir?"

"I know what you're capable of, lieutenant. And this is not your best."

He pulled himself together, deliberately keeping his voice gentle.

"I like you, lieutenant, or else you wouldn't be on my team. You're smart, and you're talented. I know your file, and this is not like you. So is there anything I can do for you?"

Oh boy. Wrong question. Focus.

"No, sir. I'll just have to work harder, sir."

"No, I'm not buying that. Something is bothering you. Spill."

"Please don't make me, sir."

"Pardon?"

"It's – personal, sir."

He really didn't know what to say to that. He cleared his throat.

"Listen, I won't force you to answer the question. But whatever it is, you'll have to sort it out. I have to be sure I can rely on you. I'm not going into combat with you if I have the slightest doubt I can trust you. Am I clear?"

"Crystal, sir. I swear you can, sir."

She was in deep, deep shit. And it hit the fan the very next day.