Sorry this took so long.

If you're interested in my adventure away from RL, Fanfiction wouldn't let me post the web address, but you can find it by going to justgiving dot com and searching for kathylye2.

After my adventure, it was RL getting in the way.

Then I re-wrote and re-wrote and re-wrote, because this was the hardest chapter I have ever written. I apologise that it's a bit of a let-down, but I just couldn't get it right. Please don't think this is the best I can do – I'm planning a short, hopefully funny story that will be better.

Chapter 5

Another volley of crossbow bolts whistled towards Jack, thudding into the barricade. A couple of shots ricocheted off the top of the barrel he was using as cover. He waited for a pause in the fire, then risked a glance. Somehow, Serel had made it unharmed to the house on the corner of the square. The insurgents had organised themselves and were laying down an effective cover fire. Three of their number were attempting to follow Serel, using the limited cover in the square.

"Carter! Teal'c!" They broke off their fire and turned to Jack, who flicked a few hand signals at them. Teal'c nodded and moved to his side.

"Go!" Teal'c opened fire with his zat, causing the attackers to scatter for better cover. Sam joined her fire with his. Checking his way was clear, Jack stowed his zat and vaulted over the barricade, sprinting hard for the nearest doorway. He ducked inside just as a bolt shuddered into the frame. Flattening himself against the wall, Jack gingerly stuck his head out, ducking back as quickly as he could. Teal'c and Sam were still laying down fire, but a couple of insurgents had managed to break through and were getting close to the house Serel had disappeared into. Jonah was aiming his zat at them. Jack shoved himself away from the wall and made a break for the next doorway. Zat fire whipped past him, missing one of the insurgents by inches. Jack grabbed the wooden frame and pulled himself into the doorway. The bolts that followed him this time were further wide of the mark; he didn't know if it was the range or the covering fire that was affecting their aim, but at this point, he didn't care. Taking a deep breath, he once more swung himself out of the doorway, running hard for the house on the corner. Ahead of him, he saw two insurgents bursting through the main door. There was a scream from inside.

Pulling out his zat, Jack skidded to a halt. He forced himself to move cautiously, calming his breathing. Checking every corner, he moved through the house to the back room where the prisoners were being held. Both the guards were down, but still breathing. Readying himself, Jack took a couple of deep breaths and shoved the door open with his shoulder, sweeping the room with his zat. He fired quickly, taking down the nearest insurgent, but froze at the sight of the other man pointing his crossbow at Serel's head. She was kneeling, industriously untying the prisoners.

"Put the weapon down, or I'll have to shoot you." Vaguely, Jack was aware of shouting outside the house.

The insurgent shrugged at him, "Then the Prophet will die."

Jack had a fraction of a second warning. Behind him, a board creaked; he threw himself to the side, twisting around and firing blindly at his attacker. A sudden, hot pain seared down his arm. He landed hard on his back, watching his second shot take down the man who had flanked him. The impact with the floor sent another stab of pain down his arm. Serel cried out and Jack spun to bring his zat to bear on the other insurgent. The butt of a crossbow connected viciously with the side of his head and everything went dark.

Sam followed Teal'c over the barricade, advancing quickly on the unconscious bodies and disarming them. The square was suddenly strangely quiet. Glancing behind her, Sam could see Jonas showing the townspeople how to use the plastic restraints to secure the insurgents. She looked up at Teal'c and gestured with her head towards the corner building. The Jaffa nodded, reaching the door in a few swift strides. Sam took up a covering position. She followed him through the door and into the living quarters, systematically sweeping the rooms with her weapon.

"Major Carter!" Teal'c dropped to the floor as a crossbow bolt flew over his head. Sam dived for cover. As she hit the ground, four men emerged from the room ahead, one dragging Serel with him. Sam rolled onto her back and opened fire with her zat, taking out one of the insurgents. Teal'c's first shot went wide, but his second hit Serel. She dropped like a rag doll. The other men abandoned her and ran hard for the exit, trying to keep low. Sam vaguely recognised one as Ganad; he glanced back at his sister before making his escape.

Teal'c was already checking on Serel. "She will be fine, Major Carter," he said in reply to her unspoken question.

"Sir?" Sam called out as she got to her feet. She was answered by a moan. "Sir!" She raced into the room, skidding to a halt and dropping to her knees next to Jack. His arm had a crossbow bolt clean through it and was bleeding badly, but she was more worried about the large gash on his head. Sam leaned forward to examine it more closely; it wasn't too deep, but the skin had split open along its length, spilling blood into Jack's salt and pepper hair and making it hard to see the damage. Trying to calm her breathing and ignoring the dread in the pit of her stomach, she unhooked her pack and fumbled for a field dressing. "Teal'c!"

By the time Teal'c joined her, Sam had dressed the head wound and was tying a tourniquet around Jack's arm.

"I will get help." The big Jaffa disappeared again.

"Sam?" Jack's eyes flickered open.

Sam looked up from her examination of the bolt in his arm and put a restraining hand on his chest, "It's OK, sir; I'm here. Just stay still, Teal'c's getting help."

Jack smiled slowly and moved his hand to cover hers. "Sam…" His eyes closed and he lost consciousness again.

Serel entered quietly and knelt next to Sam, "Major, I'm sorry. I didn't think he would…"

"All the possibilities and you didn't think he'd follow you? What the hell were you thinking?"

"Please, I had to…" Serel was interrupted by Teal'c's return with Jonas and some townspeople. She stood and turned away from Sam's accusing gaze. It took a few minutes to lift Jack and carry him out to a waiting cart in the square; he came around a couple of times and swore incoherently, but was unconscious again when they settled him in the straw. Sam and Jonas climbed up next to him.

"Is he going to be OK?" Jonas's worried eyes met Sam's.

She shrugged, "I think so. I don't think the bolt has done too much damage and it should heal cleanly, but the head wound looks nasty. I'm sure he has a concussion, but I don't know how bad it is."

"What was Serel doing?"

"I didn't give her chance to explain." Sam turned away. Jonas considered her for a moment, then slipped off the back of the cart and joined Serel at the head of the group.

"Serel?"

She sighed, "I'm sorry, Jonas. I couldn't see what would happen; there are too many paths. I can see the way I need to take, but the potential outcomes are too many. I didn't consider that Colonel O'Neill would follow me."

"One thing you should know about Jack; if he thinks he can protect you, he will follow you."

Serel smiled sadly, "I know that now."

"What were you doing?"

"I was finding my path. I had to speak to my brother."

Jonas stopped her, his hand on her shoulder gently turning her to face him. "Why?"

Serel rested her hand on his, "I can't tell you. But you must trust me."

He looked into her wide, innocent eyes, barely hearing the noise of the cart passing behind him. "I do trust you. I just don't think the others can anymore."

She shrugged, "It does not matter. I have found my path and I will walk it." Serel turned and followed the cart.

Sam was pacing. Jack had been in Era's hut for nearly half an hour, but the loud swearing had ceased almost ten minutes ago and everything had been worryingly quiet since. Teal'c emerged, bending low to avoid hitting his head on the lintel.

"Colonel O'Neill is well. The removal of the bolt proved…painful, but the wound is clean."

Sam nodded, relieved. Jonas jogged up to join them, "Serel wants to talk to us."

"We're goin' home, Jonas." Jack stood at the door of the hut, gingerly pulling on his jacket.

"But, Colonel…"

Jack pushed past him and took his pack from Teal'c, "We are leaving."

"Sir, what about the technology?"

"She didn't hold up her end of the bargain, Carter. She said none of us would get hurt." He gave a wry smile and touched the bandage around his head, "Serel wants our help, she's gonna have to start sharing." Jack slung his pack onto his back and strode away. Teal'c followed.

"Colonel! Colonel! Please!" Serel was running towards them.

Jack stopped and spun around. "Serel; enough! We are outta here!"

"You must hurry…"

"So help me, Serel…"

"No, you must hurry to the Ligade. The insurgents – they are going to destroy it. You'll be trapped here."

Sam moved to Jack's side, "How?"

"Yeah, those explosives they've got wouldn't do it and it'd take weeks to bury it."

"There is a lake, Colonel."

"Oh, for cryin' out loud!" Jack yelled to the heavens. Resigned, he turned to his team. "Let's go."

They approached the Gate cautiously, sweeping the area. All was quiet. Jack shook his head.

"Dial it up, Carter."

"Colonel…"

"I don't wanna hear it, Jonas."

"Serel needs our help. These people need our help. Not to mention the good we could do with the technology in that cave. We can't leave now."

Jack pulled off his cap angrily, wincing slightly, "In case you hadn't noticed, Jonas, we have two injured people here. We're going home. General Hammond can send another team through to study the technology – Serel doesn't need us; she's doing her own thing."

Sam's hand hovered over the fifth symbol, "Did anyone else hear that?"

"I believe it was an explosion, Major Carter."

"God damn it! What is wrong with this planet?"

Sam watched as a thin column of smoke rose above the trees. "Sir?"

Jack wearily rubbed a hand across his face, "Fine." He followed as the others started to run.

The bentra was empty. Smoke was drifting out of the cave mouth. Silently, Jack motioned for Sam and Teal'c to check inside. He and Jonas moved around the huts, searching for signs of life.

"Sir!"

Jack turned to see Sam jogging towards him, Teal'c following her at a slower pace.

"The chamber's been destroyed. The explosion brought down part of the cave wall. We couldn't get past to examine the extent of the damage, but I think the technology has been destroyed." Sam glanced around, "Any sign of Serel or the others?"

"O'Neill." Teal'c pointed to the far side of the enclosure. Bacen was watching them. As they watched, the rest of the women started emerging from the undergrowth, led by Serel. She approached Jack, holding out her arms.

"You are here. Thank you." She took his hands and kissed him gently on both cheeks. She moved to the rest of the team, greeting them in the same way.

"What did we do?" Jack removed his cap and leaned against the side of a hut. Serel reached out and gently touched the bandage on his head.

"I am sorry you were hurt, Colonel. But you helped me to find the right path for me and my people and for that I am in your debt."

"All we did was follow you around. And we didn't stop the insurgents."

Serel smiled at Jonas, "I did not intend that you stop them. Without you, I would not have had a choice."

"Why did you need to talk to your brother?" Sam asked.

"I told him how and when he could destroy the cave. I took the Chosen to a cave nearby to ensure their safety; some of the insurgents are not as rational as Ganad. They may have been harmed."

"You used us. You used us to get to Ganad and you tricked us to get us out of the way." Jack kicked at the ground angrily, turning away. "Ever since we got here, you've been using us."

Serel nodded sadly, "I'm sorry," she whispered.

There was a noise from the undergrowth. SG-1 spun, training their weapons, and saw Ganad aproaching slowly. Serel went to him. Hesitantly, he put his arms around her and rested his head on her shoulder. She held him for a long time, stroking his hair and whispering comfort. With a shuddering breath, he pulled away a little and looked into his sister's eyes. His face fell.

"Serel?"

She slumped, hanging on to her brother for support, a hand clutching her head. As one, the women and girls rushed to surround Serel and her brother, who was lowering her gently to the ground. SG-1 joined them.

"Bacen, fetch some water," Era was searching her bag, pulling out small bunches of herbs.

As the little girl raced towards a nearby hut, Serel reached out and took the healer's hand. "You cannot do anything for me, Era."

Sam knelt at her side, "We have a healing device; come back with us and we can…"

"Carter." Jack shook his head gently.

"Your Colonel is right, Major. It is time for me to face the fate I have made." Serel reached up and brushed a tear from her brother's cheek, "You chose well, Ganad; together, we have saved our people."

"Chose?"

"I gave my brother a choice, Jonas. I could no longer dictate his fate as I did yours."

Ganad stroked her hair, "But you did not tell me that it would hurt you – you did not tell me the results of my actions."

Serel smiled at him fondly, "As someone once pointed out to me; that's life."

It was getting dark when SG-1 were led to their hut once more.

Sam settled on the straw, "Sir, why can't we take Serel back to the SGC? I can heal her; we can contact the Tok'ra…"

"She doesn't want to leave, Sam," Jonas interrupted. "She wants to die here with her family."

"Why?"

"Because despite what she says, she always believed this was her fate."

Jack kicked a stool across the room in frustration, making the others jump. Shoulders suddenly slumping, he went and retrieved it, moodily inspecting the broken legs. He sat down heavily in the straw, tossing the now useless piece of furniture to the side.

"Just face it; Serel played us. Carter, you're on first watch." He snatched up some fruit and scooted back into a corner.

"Yes, sir."

The team were preparing to go home when Era found them. Jack was still in a bad mood, scowling at anyone who came near him. Out of breath, Era wordlessly took Jack's hand and led him out of the hut. The others followed them to another of the small dwellings where the women were gathered. They made way for Era and SG-1.

Serel was lying on a cot, her brother at her side and Bacen sitting at her feet, crying softly. As the team entered, she smiled and touched Ganad's hand. He nodded, understanding, and rose, picking up the little girl and carrying her outside.

"I am sorry. I know you wanted to help us and you have. You have not failed, but I am sorry that I had to use you. Please forgive me." Serel reached out to Jonas, who took her hand and squeezed it.

"There's nothing to forgive."

"Colonel, Major; there are things I must tell you."

Teal'c stepped forward and bowed solemnly before leaving. Jonas released Serel's hand and followed him. Standing at the door, the two men watched Jack and Sam sit next to Serel, their shoulders almost touching as they crowded onto the small bench. She turned slightly onto her side and they bent their heads to listen her. After a few moments, Jack straightened suddenly. Sam awkwardly pushed herself to her feet and turned away from the bed. Serel watched her, then lay back on the pillows, her hand once again flying to her head as a wave of pain hit her. Almost immediately, Era and Ganad were pushing past Jonas. Jack stood and moved out of the way. Once more, the women made way for SG-1 as they left the hut.

"Serel wants us to leave. She says there's nothing we can do and she didn't think we would want to be around when she…" Sam busied herself with the clips on her pack, her eyes on the floor.

"But…"

"Drop it, Jonas." Jack started to walk away, "This mission was a complete bust. We're going home."

Jonas strode quickly after him, "Colonel! What else did she say?"

Jack stopped. Jonas tilted his head to try and get a better look at the face shadowed under the cap. Jack turned and sought out Sam's gaze. They stood for a moment, silent conversation passing between them.

"Nothing."

Teal'c strode through the shimmering event horizon. With a puzzled glance at his two colleagues, Jonas followed.

"Sir?"

"Carter?"

"Do you think…"

"I try not to, Major."

"Yes sir."

Side by side, they stepped through the Gate.

I didn't want to be too obvious, but I think I've ended up being completely vague instead. Basically, I liked the idea that SG-1 aren't always in control, especially Jack. And that there are some things in life that are fated and some things that can be changed – the fun and frustration comes from working out which is which.