Title: Shadow Play
Author: Cindy Ryan
Category: Xover SGA SG1, AU
Timeline: AU after AHBL pt.2
Notes: Many thanks to Kari for the beta

With time running out, Sam and John stood in the armory. The few rifles Atlantis had were laid out in front of them on a table.

Memories of his father were almost overwhelming Sam as he went through the motions of showing Sheppard how to load the rock salt.
Sam shoved the memories away... he had to focus.

"Usually this works better with sawed off shot guns but we gotta work with what we have," Sam explained as he leaned against the table.

John put down one fully-loaded weapon and picked up another. "Just when I thought I was getting used to weird…."

A genuine smile crossed Sam's face as he picked up one of the empty rifles. "Welcome to my life, Colonel."

John returned the smile. "I bet we could one up each other on tales of weird."

"Bet we could."

They worked in silence for several minutes before Sam reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and pulled out a folded piece of paper.

"Colonel? Can I ask one last favor?"

John looked sideways at the younger man. "Yeah."

Sam handed him the piece of paper. "If my end doesn't work…"

"It will," John promised, one hand still on the rifle. "My team's been in weird situations before and some how we... well not always, but almost always, we get the upper hand. Carson's saved my ass more times than I care to count, Sam, he'll pull you through."

Sam laid the paper on the table next to Sheppard. "Just in case… give this to my brother."

Sheppard reluctantly pocketed the piece of paper. "Let's keep working."

Sam met John's gaze briefly before returning to the task at hand.

*********

Dean sputtered as he broke the surface. He blinked water from his eyes as he swam in a circle searching for the next danger.
There was nothing.
Nothing but darkness.

Then, just as suddenly, a small rocky mountain appeared to his right. Dean treaded water, staring at the rock, waiting.
When no monster, demon, or ghoul appeared, Dean swam towards it. He pulled himself up onto the rock and sat.

After catching his breath, Dean looked at the dark turbulent sky. He didn't like at all that she had disappeared and there was nothing new for him to fight.

"What?" Dean called. "Have some place better to be?"

Only the sound of the waves answered him.

Dean couldn't help but wonder if his brother had found a way to help him.

*******

Cameron Mitchell was just about to scoop his friend up into his arms when Sam started to come around.
Releasing a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, Cameron lightly touched Sam's face.

"Sam? Can you hear me?" Mitchell asked anxiously.

Sam waited for the dizziness and nausea to pass before she risked opening her eyes.

"Sam?" Cameron called once, more slouching closer to her and placing a hand on her shoulder.

"That was fun," Carter muttered sarcastically as she tried to ease herself out of the water.

"Easy," Mitchell cautioned as he placed an arm around Sam's waist to steady her.

"Ow," Sam whispered as her headache intensified.

"What?" Cameron asked, worried she'd broken a rib or collar bone.

"Head," Sam replied as she closed her eyes and leaned back against the wall.

"Come on, let's get you out of here."

"No," Carter protested as she slowly reopened her eyes. "No, I need to keep working… apparently it still has a bit of a punch."

"It'll keep for a few hours, Sam… we need to get you checked out."

Carter took a hesitant step away from Cameron and paused. When the world didn't tilt, Sam continued to the other side of the cave.

Cameron watched her with a sigh. Then he shook his head and took his previous position at her side.

"What can I do?"

Sam smiled at him briefly as she retrieved his wet flashlight. "Hold the light."

"Yes, ma'am," Mitchell replied returning her smile.

**********

After leaving the armory, John and Sam stopped back by the kitchen and retrieved several containers of salt.
John knew if he came across anybody who wasn't in the loop, he wouldn't be able to explain why he was carrying rifles and table salt.

Thankfully nobody else crossed their paths and they walked to the infirmary to complete the next step of Sam's preparation.

As John set the rifles against a corner by Dean's bed, Carson drew two vials of Sam's blood.

Sam looked over at Sheppard. "One's a backup. You should only need one vial for the spell."

John nodded grimly.

"Thank you, Doctor," Sam said to Beckett as Carson capped the vials.

"You're welcome, lad. Just wish I could do more."

"Doc," Sheppard began, catching the Scot's attention. "When things start going down, it's going to be fast and hard. Is there somebody in your staff you can trust?"

Beckett nodded, looking warily from Sheppard to Winchester and back again. "Aye, why?"

"Because you may be working to save both brothers at once."