-- Chapter 5 --

"Sammy, I am so sorry."

"For what, Dad?" I studied his expression and realised what he meant. I squeezed my eyes closed for a moment. "Oh God. They told you."

"I didn't know. I swear."

"I know that. Please don't worry. I'm fine."

"When I find out who it was that didn't pass along the message that you were in trouble—"

"Dad, please," I interrupted. "It doesn't matter. I really am okay."

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. I half expected to be talking to Selmak when he looked at me again.

"Jack's pretty angry," my dad said.

I smiled. Perhaps Selmak was just helping to calm Dad down. That was good. I liked Selmak.

"I know. But it doesn't matter. Cronus is dead. And I'm fine."

"And you stole his Ha'tak." Dad smiled at me. "Nice job."

I laughed. "Yeah, Colonel O'Neill's pretty excited about that."

"He thinks the only reason I came was because of the ship. He thinks I wouldn't have come to help Daniel if he'd asked."

"No, Dad, that's not..." I sighed, knowing that he might be right. "It's not you. It's just—"

"The Tok'ra in general."

I winced.

"Yeah," he said. "And I'm afraid the request I have to make isn't going to help matters much."

"What request is that?"

"Well, we'd sort of like to borrow your Ha'tak."

My eyebrows rose. "Oh."

"I've talked to George about it, and he said that as soon as you're on your feet again, he'll discuss it with your team."

"Sounds good," I said, nodding.

He took my hand between his, squeezing it firmly. "It just kills me to know what he did to you."

I sighed. We were back to the Cronus issue. "Dad, please. I know this is new to you, but you have to believe me. I'm okay." I smiled at him, squeezing his hand.

My dad stared at me for a long time, his eyes filled with conflicting emotions. I lifted my hand and cupped his cheek. "Really," I said firmly.

Suddenly, he pulled me into a hug, crushing the air out of my lungs.

"I love you, Sam."

"I love you too, Dad."

"If I had known—"

"I know. It's not your fault."

He drew back slightly, making it much easier for me to breathe, and gazed intently into my eyes. "You're really okay?"

I pulled his head down to kiss his forehead. "I am." It seemed I was finally getting through to him, so I smiled. "Now, I'm just itching to get out of here. Can you put in a good word for me with the warden?"

Dad chuckled and ruffled my hair. "You got it, kiddo."

"I'll see you at the briefing."

I watched as he headed off for Janet's office. A few minutes later, he emerged. He gave me a wink and a thumbs up as he passed my bed on his way to the hallway. Good. I waited impatiently for a few minutes to pass so it wouldn't be so obvious I sent Dad to talk to her. I was about to make a break for Janet's office when Doctor Bedard poked her head into the room.

"Um, Major Carter?"

I looked at her warily. I wasn't all that fond of her to begin with, and the fact that her actions had nearly killed Daniel certainly wasn't earning her any bonus points. But she looked apologetic enough. I nodded to her, and she approached my bed.

"I'm so sorry. It was all my fault." The words tumbled out of her mouth in a jumble. "I should have been able to figure out the lock on my own. And I should have realised that the other control panel was booby-trapped. I should have known. I've been studying Sumerian since I was twelve."

Wow. Three whole years. I stifled my protest as she sat down in a chair next to my bed and covered her face with her hands. I looked around desperately, but there was no one to rescue me.

"I nearly got everyone killed. Ed and Doctor Jackson—" Bedard's voice broke into a sob, and she lowered her head to rest on the side of my bed.

I pursed my lips, watching as her red curls bounced with her sobs. Feeling more than a little awkward, I placed a hand on her trembling shoulder.

"I'm so sorry," she sniffled into the mattress. "I–I don't think I'm cut out for this job."

It was possible she was right, but a single botched mission shouldn't be the deciding factor. And she did seem pretty broken up about her involvement over what had happened to Daniel. I sighed. "You wouldn't have been brought into the program without good reason. I know from your file that you're an exceptional linguist."

She took a deep, shuddering breath and lifted her head. "I never meant—"

"Of course you didn't," I interrupted, squeezing her shoulder. "I'm sorry about Colonel Haswell."

Bedard's face scrunched up, and I was afraid she was going to start crying again. But she lifted her eyes to the ceiling and blinked several times, clearly regaining control of herself.

"Thank you, Major," she finally said. Then she looked at me with startling intensity. "I need you to know that you don't have to worry about me. It's just a crush. Nothing happened."

I blinked at her, confused by the non-sequitur. "What are you talking about?"

"I can tell that he cares for you a great deal."

"Who?"

"Doctor Jackson." She sniffed again, swiping away a curl that had glued itself to her tearstained cheek. "I stopped by earlier to see how he was doing. I was happy to see that he was sitting up with you. You seemed to be having a nightmare, and he was speaking to you in that wonderfully soothing voice of his."

Bedard paused, flashing me the tiniest of smiles. "I couldn't help but stare at the two of you. It was just beautiful. Like something out of a movie. Colonel O'Neill caught me though. I don't think he likes me much. He's, uh... He's a little scary."

I tried not to laugh. I really did. But a chuckle escaped anyway. I could just imagine the Colonel's reaction on catching someone spying on his team. Scary wasn't normally a word I'd use to describe Colonel O'Neill, but in that situation and from Bedard's position, I could see how she might think so. Especially since the Colonel probably didn't like her much.

Though I bet his dislike of her would pale in comparison to the wrath he'd be visiting on Jankowicz.

"Anyway," she continued quickly. "What I'm trying to say is that you're a very lucky woman, and I wish you all the happiness in the world with Doctor Jackson." She stood up and squeezed my hand. "I only hope I can regain your trust."

And just like that, she walked away. I watched, dumbfounded, as she disappeared through the door to the hallway.

All the happiness in the world with Daniel? What was she talking about? Did she think...?

I shook my head at the empty doorway. Of course I loved him. I loved all of my teammates. There was nothing more to it than that.

Was there?

A movement out of the corner of my eye made me turn my attention from the door. Janet was standing nearby, a smug little grin on her face.

I narrowed my eyes at her. "How long have you been standing there?"

"Oh..." She drew out the syllable, her eyebrows raised. "Long enough," she finally finished.

"Janet," I warned.

She started making notes on my chart, a too-innocent expression on her face. "What?"

I just stared at her. One thing I knew: Janet's scheming couldn't cope with silence. It was a technique Dad had always used on me any time he thought I was hiding something from him, and it helped Cassie deal with her mother all the time. Janet really hadn't been impressed after I'd taught her that.

Sure enough, she broke. "I'm just saying," Janet said with an overly casual shrug. "She has a point."

When I rolled my eyes, she continued. "Think about it, Sam. He was injured, and you forgot to eat for five days. That says a lot, in my opinion. And you should have seen the look on his face when you collapsed."

"Aren't you the same one who was worried that there was a problem between me and the Colonel while he was trapped on Edora last year?"

She waved her hand dismissively at me. "This is different. Daniel's a civilian." My scepticism must have shown on my face because she smiled and patted my arm. "I'm just saying maybe you should think about it."

I should have told her the same thing I had told her last year. That of course there wasn't a problem. That there was nothing to worry about because her imagination was getting away from her. Again.

But this time, I wasn't so sure. Although I had never considered it before, there was a hint of truth to her words. And the idea scared me to death.

As if she could hear my thoughts, Janet's smile broadened. "You're clear to go. I know General Hammond is anxious to have that briefing with your team and Jacob. I'll let him know you're available, but I want you to eat something before that." Her eyes twinkled mischievously at me. "And check on Daniel for me, will you? Make sure he eats something too. I'd go myself, but I'm just so swamped in here."

Janet gestured to her infirmary which, apart from me, was completely empty.

"Very subtle, Janet."

She grinned at me. "I thought so. Now, shoo. Before I think of a reason to keep you here another day."

A few minutes later, I poked my head into Daniel's office. It looked tidier than it had in years, and he was thumbing through what looked like reports in a folder.

When I knocked lightly on the doorframe, he looked up and smiled at me. I felt the fluttering of butterflies in my stomach, but with a deep breath, I managed to push the sensation away.

"You busy?" I asked.

"Actually, no." Daniel pushed the folder aside and gestured at his desk, which was nearly empty. "I thought I'd been robbed when I found my office like this, but turns out Julie Bedard organised my staff for bit of a translation blitz." He shrugged helplessly. "Honestly, I've never felt more useless."

I chuckled, knowing that Daniel didn't like being idle any more than I did. Still. "That was nice of her."

"Yeah, it was," he said softly.

I refused to acknowledge the slight twinge in my gut as jealousy. What had Janet and Bedard done to me? I was clearly more susceptible to suggestion than I'd thought.

"Janet's ordered me to eat before the briefing and to make sure you do the same."

Daniel grinned and stood up. "Best not disobey her orders then."

We headed to the commissary to find it nearly empty. After grabbing some food at the counter, we looked around. Colonel O'Neill was there, staring blankly at a wall. I glanced at Daniel and saw the same confused concern I was feeling on his face.

"Jack?" Daniel asked as we approached.

I jumped, startled, when the Colonel pumped a fist in the air in apparent triumph.

"Yes!" he said quietly. "And he picks up a spare in the final frame."

"Uh, sir?"

Colonel O'Neill looked up at me as if only just noticing we were there. "Hey, guys. Out of the infirmary, I see. Good for you. Knew you could do it."

"You okay, Jack?" asked Daniel.

The Colonel leaned back in his chair, weaving his fingers behind his head. "Just relaxing. Why?"

Daniel squinted at him. "Picks up a spare?"

"What?" His eyes widened in defence. "It's Thursday night!"

I took a deep breath, preparing to pursue my commanding officer's most recent unusual behaviour further, but he interrupted me.

"Carter, don't tell me you're going to eat. What a clever idea, you genius, you."

I endured the Colonel's teasing as we all ate a quick meal. When we'd finished, we headed for the briefing room. Teal'c, General Hammond, and Dad were already there, discussing the fate of Cronus's Jaffa.

"The remainder of his forces not on Juna will likely be absorbed into Apophis's ranks," Dad was saying.

Teal'c nodded. "Apophis has indeed become the most powerful System Lord. It will prove most difficult to defeat him."

Dad took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. He said nothing, but I knew he and Selmak thought that was our fault.

"Oh, come on," said Colonel O'Neill as he took a seat next to Teal'c. "He's got to be down to his last life by now."

Daniel and I sat down across the table from Dad and our teammates.

"The reason I've called this briefing is that Jacob has a request to make of us," said General Hammond.

Colonel O'Neill crossed his arms over his chest. "Let me guess. The Tok'ra want a favour."

They began discussing the risks and benefits of lending the Ha'tak we had captured to the Tok'ra to move their base of operations. I listened as Daniel argued with the Colonel. Bedard was right. Daniel's voice was soothing.

I stole a few glances at him out of the corner of my eye. He was gesturing broadly with his hands. He had really nice hands, too. And how long had it been since I noticed how handsome he was?

"Sam?"

I looked across the table at Dad, who was looking at me expectantly, a tiny smile playing on his lips. Oh crap. My mind backtracked into the conversation I had only been half-listening to. "Um, yes," I said, hoping my memory wouldn't fail me. "I think flying lessons in exchange for helping move the Tok'ra base is very fair."

Teal'c nodded. "I am not suitably qualified to pilot a Ha'tak. The assistance of the Tok'ra would be most appreciated."

Oh good. So I hadn't been as inattentive as I'd feared. Silently, I cursed Bedard and Janet for putting such crazy thoughts and feelings about Daniel into my head. I forced myself to push them out of my mind and focus on the task at hand.

"Not you too, T," groaned the Colonel.

I turned to General Hammond. "It could take us months to learn to properly fly that ship on our own, sir."

"And with our help," continued Dad. "We could get your team up to speed over the course of this mission."

Colonel O'Neill shook his head. "General, I'm telling you this is a bad idea. Let the Tok'ra get their own ship. They don't share with us, why should we share with them? It's not like they're always jumping at the chance to help us out in our time of need, are they?"

Dad's eyes were moving back and forth between me and Daniel, and I recognised the scheming expression on his face. He saw me studying him and gave me an innocent smile before leaning forward over the table to look around Teal'c.

"Actually, Jack," he said. "There's something else in this deal that might benefit Earth."

"Oh? Do tell."

"We found a device not long ago in what we believe was an outpost used by the Ancients. We haven't been able to get it to do much, and we were hoping that Sam and Daniel might be able to help us figure it out."

I narrowed my eyes at Dad, wondering what he was up to.

"That sounds a lot like you needing more of our help."

Dad smiled patiently at Colonel O'Neill. "It's Ancient technology that we're willing to share, Jack."

"I'll believe that when I see it." The Colonel turned back to General Hammond. "I still think this is a bad idea, sir."

"I'm sorry you feel that way, Colonel," said General Hammond. "Because I happen to agree with Jacob and the rest of your team. The potential benefits outweigh the risks, and I think this mission will strengthen the Tok'ra-Earth alliance."

Colonel O'Neill's cheeks puffed out with a sigh, but he nodded. "Yes, sir."

With the meeting ended, Dad followed General Hammond into his office while my team and I left the briefing room to prepare for the mission. A few hours later, we were on Juna, sending SG teams 5 and 9 back home. Dad took the controls, and we lifted off. The Tok'ra base on Vorash was four days away by ship. The Colonel and Teal'c kept themselves busy with to Dad's flight lessons. I, on the other hand, was having trouble concentrating.

If I was completely honest with myself, being on the ship kind of creeped me out. It hadn't bothered me a week ago when we were battling Cronus's Jaffa, but now, with very little to do, and one empty corridor after another, the ship was getting to me.

Daniel had noticed, I think. But with Bedard's and Janet's words still ringing in my ears, I was having a hard time relaxing around him too. Which was another thing I think he had noticed.

Well into the third day, I'd had about enough. I excused myself from the bridge, retiring to the room where we had set up our cots. And I fell into a restless sleep.

It was cold. My spine tingled with the presence of nearby naquadah. This was a dream. It had to be a dream.

Suddenly, something icy touched my arm. My eyes flew open, greeted by the unwelcome sight of a gold-symbolled wall. My arm was resting against the cold wall, and the naquadah was even closer. Right behind me.

With a gasp, I sat up and struck out at the intruder. But my blow was stopped, my arm held firmly in mid-air.

"Whoa!"

That was Dad's voice. I forced my eyes to focus and finally saw him. His fingers were wrapped around my wrist, just inches away from his jaw. His other hand held a blanket. I relaxed, and he released me.

"Sorry," I muttered, rubbing the cold touch of the wall out of my arm. "Forgot where I was for a second."

He let out a heavy sigh and sat on the cot next to me. "This is your idea of 'okay'?"

I closed my eyes. "Dad, please."

My eyes opened as he tucked the blanket around my shoulders. "You were shivering," he said softly.

"Thanks." I smiled at him but felt it slowly fade away as he looked back at me. The expression on his face was one I had seen far too many times growing up. I squirmed under his steady gaze.

"It was just a nightmare, Dad."

He continued staring silently at me, clearly not satisfied with that explanation.

"I know how it looks, but I'm okay. You can't tell me you don't have nightmares about some of the things you've been through."

His expression softened. I took it as an encouraging sign.

"I have fantastic medical staff on my side," I continued. "And the best support system of friends I can imagine."

One corner of his mouth tugged up in a smile. I breathed a sigh of relief. It was short-lived.

"And more than friends, it would seem."

Oh no. "What?" I asked, hoping I was misunderstanding him.

"You and Daniel?"

I closed my eyes, rubbing my forehead. A conspiracy. That was what this was.

"I'm not blind, Sammy. And Selmak's pretty quick to pick up on that sort of thing. Even used the phrase 'kindred spirits' to describe the two of you."

With a deep breath, I turned to him. "Dad, there's nothing going on."

"Well, why not?"

I blinked. This was a very strange conversation to be having with my father.

"We're really, really good friends. That's all." I tried my best to hide the fact that while that might be true, it didn't preclude the fact that I was considering the possibility that I might want more.

"You sure about that?"

Apparently, I failed. Time to change the subject. "How much longer until we get to Vorash?"

I wasn't sure he was going to let me get away with such a blatant avoidance tactic, but after a moment, he shrugged. "Should be about an hour or so." He grinned. "But with Jack at the controls, who knows."

Sure enough, an hour later, we entered orbit above the Tok'ra base, and the five of us ringed down into the tunnels. Both the Colonel and Teal'c seemed quite pleased by Tanith's surprise at our arrival.

The Tok'ra quickly took Tanith into custody and began loading their supplies and equipment onto our ship. I was surprised when Dad invited us to attend the High Council meeting to discuss Tanith's sentencing.

Jalen sat at the head of the table, clearly representing High Councillor Per'sus. "If we wish our new base of operations to remain secure, Tanith cannot be permitted to know of it," she said.

"Indeed," said Ren'al. "His usefulness has come to an end. His actions have been duplicitous."

Jalen looked at her, clearly surprised. "You propose that we execute him?"

"No. He has provided us with the opportunity to move freely through Goa'uld space. Without his dissemination of false information to Apophis, we would never have been able to retrieve hundreds of our operatives and allies."

Both Colonel O'Neill and Daniel tensed on either side of me. I put a hand on each of their arms and, with a gentle squeeze, silently asked them to remain calm, though I'd probably feel the same way if our situations had been reversed.

Of course, the one I really should have been trying to keep calm was Dad, because he was suddenly on his feet.

"There's at least one person that we didn't retrieve though, isn't there? Which of you was the one to receive the message from Earth saying that my daughter was missing?"

If there had been insect life on Vorash, we probably could have heard crickets chirping in the silence that followed Dad's outburst. I winced as he slammed his fists down on the table.

Dad addressed Thoran, apparently having seen some sign of guilt in his features. "How could you not have told me?"

"Tanith's misinformation only gave us insight into the movements of Apophis and his fleets. We had no intelligence reports coming from Cronus's forces." Thoran looked around the table at the rest of the High Council. "You were on a vital mission at the time, and it was decided that we could not afford for you to be distracted from the task at hand."

Dad's face was growing red with anger. "Distracted from—" His head suddenly dipped down and his eyes closed. When he looked up again, the redness had begun to fade and Selmak spoke. "I am deeply disappointed and betrayed. The mission could have been postponed. Or another operative could have taken over in my stead."

He gave me a kind look before glaring at the other Tok'ra at the table. "Major Carter is not only the daughter of my host, but she also possesses the memories of Jolinar of Malkshur. We owe her a great debt, for during the time she was tortured by Cronus, she did not divulge any information about our operations." Selmak sat down again. "And despite our repeated failure to respond to their requests for assistance, the Tau'ri have still agreed to lend us their Ha'tak during our time of need."

"It is because of the Tau'ri that the Tok'ra are in danger of extinction!" said Thoran. "Their ill-advised and poorly designed attacks on the System Lords have allowed Apophis to gain more power than he has ever had before."

Jalen stood up, pushing her chair backwards with a loud scrape. "Please, we are getting away from the topic we must discuss. We are here to sentence Tanith. I propose that we remove him from the host and leave him on Vorash when we abandon this base."

Around the table, all heads nodded their approval of the proposal.

"Then it is settled. And as for the other issue..." Jalen sat down again and looked straight at Dad. "You are correct. You should have been informed." She looked at the other members of the High Council, her eyes finally falling on Thoran. "Fighting amongst ourselves will accomplish nothing. If we are to defeat the Goa'uld, we must be honest and trusting of each other. Otherwise, we are no better than they are."

Thoran met Jalen's gaze steadily for a tense moment but then nodded. Teal'c requested the honour of informing Tanith of his fate, which the High Council granted. The meeting was called to a close, and Thoran gave me what I decided was an apologetic nod as he left.

The transfer of equipment from the underground base to our Ha'tak in orbit continued. The transport rings were certainly getting good use over the last few hours. I was helping a couple of Tok'ra secure some containers in one of the cargo bays when Dad and Daniel showed up.

"Ah," said Dad. "Here it is." He gestured for Daniel and I to gather around one of the large containers in a corner.

"This is that device I was telling you about from the Ancient outpost." Dad opened the lid. "Our notes and equipment have already been packed away, but when we get settled into our new base, maybe you two can have a crack at it."

"This is incredible," said Daniel excitedly. He pushed the lid up further to see more of the device.

"You'll probably have to spend a lot of long hours alone together trying to figure this thing out."

I glared at Dad, but he just smiled innocently. Despite my father's apparent matchmaking interests, I had to admit that the idea of an Ancient technological puzzle was intriguing. And to be honest, the idea of having a reasonable excuse to work closely with Daniel was even more appealing than usual.

As Daniel's fingers danced over some of the writings on the device, my mind conjured an image of those fingers moving over my skin. I gulped. What was I thinking? Could it be? Were Janet, Dad, and Doctor Bedard right?

I knew I loved him, that much went without saying. But now I was starting to worry that I was in love with him. How could I have let that happen? When did I start wanting more from him than just his friendship?

Daniel glanced my way, giving me an excited little smile that caused my stomach to backflip.

Oh God. This was a disaster.

To be continued...
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