She couldn't do it. She wanted to scream in frustration but there was nothing she could do. She was sure the Colonel would be disappointed in her. She had to think of him that way right now and not as Jack, since she was working out how the HELL to get them home.

"Whatcha doin'?" Jack strolled over to where she was, sitting outside enjoying some of the autumn weather. The days were definitely getting cooler and shorter and she knew, if they wanted to make it home, they had to do it soon.

"Trying to figure out how to get us home." She paused. "Sir".

"Sir?" he looked at her in surprise. It was then he saw her frustration and realized something was wrong. He sat down beside her, pushing her over a bit to give him more room. "Hey, what's this about?" he asked gently.

"I can't do it Colonel. I've tried and tried but I don't see how we can get a ship and make it home. I know you were counting on m –"

"Whoa Carter", he said, turning to her. "I don't expect you to figure this out on your own. We'll do it together."

"But you told me to think of something."

"I did?" he asked in surprise. "When did I say that?"

"Last night, before bed."

He thought back and realized he'd said something to her before falling asleep. He should have know his over-achieving – girlfriend? lover? Mate? (what the hell did he call her anyway?) would take him literally.

"Sam, I was just joking. I really don't expect you to solve all the problems in the world." He stopped for a minute. "Well, maybe I have in the past – and you've done a pretty fantastic job at it – but I'm not asking you to do that right now. Come on, let's go over everything and see what we can come up with." He nudged her with his body. When she didn't respond he did it again, and kept doing it until she fell off the rock.

"Jack", she screeched as she picked herself up off the ground. She could see him grinning at her. With a serious expression she sat back down. When she didn't smile, even after a couple of seconds, she could see Jack begin to get worried.

"Sam, come on. I was just teasing, really. Don't let it get to you." When she still didn't answer he continued. "Did I hurt you? I'm sorry S- aack!" he yelled as suddenly he was pushed violently off the rock and landed with full force on his butt! As he pulled himself back to his feet he could hear laughter coming from some of the men – Drobe's voice being the loudest. He glared at Sam who now had a big, shit-eating grin on her face.

"You deserved that … Sir!"

"Yeah, I guess I did Carter – although remember – I'm older than you - you could have given me a heart-attack!"

"I don't think it was your heart that was hurt!"

"No, you're right, it wasn't. He turned to her, eyes narrowed. "You realize you're going to have to kiss it better now, don't you." This time he was the one with the evil grin.

"Sorry Sir. You know me - I don't believe in kissing ass!"

He burst into loud laughs at that and threatened to get her (later!). By the time they had both settled down she was feeling much better. Leave it to O'Neill to know exactly how to help her get over her frustration.

Sighing she faced him again. "So, do you have any ideas as to how we're going to get off this planet and back home?"

"Well, it looks like we're gonna have to do what we said and steal a ship. I saw a couple of Teltaks down there and I figure they're our best bet since they're smaller and we know how to fly them. The problem is going to get one without being seen."

Sam had been over this a hundred times but couldn't work out a way to make it through all the Jaffa, slaves and any Goa'ulds who were hanging around. They hadn't seen Ptah, assuming he was here, but certainly there was someone in charge.

"I just don't know how we're going to get into one and fly it out of here. There are too many soldiers and we don't have the supplies or people to even create a diversion. If we had a good supply of C-4 we might be able to make it but I just don't think we can do it with what we have."

"Hmmmm, I agree, force isn't going to do it and I doubt a diversion would work either, not with that many soldiers. Nope, I think stealth is the key."

"But Jack, they must have guards 24 hours a day. I don't see that we can sneak in either, not without getting caught."

It was a difficult problem but Jack refused to let it defeat him. He'd been in tough situations many times in his life and he'd almost always managed to figure a way out. If there was anything he was good at, he thought modestly, it was coming up with unique solutions to difficult problems. Okay, if he were being honest he usually came up with crazy solutions to difficult problems!

"Wait a second!" he snapped his fingers. "Maybe a diversion is the way to go!"

"With what? We don't have enough ammunition and we don't want to use the tribe, do we?"

"The tribe?" He looked at her with a puzzled expression. "Oh, you mean as a diversion? No way, I wouldn't put them in that kind of danger. No, I was thinking of something completely different. I don't know if it will work but it's worth a try. The problem is I will need the tribe's help." When she looked confused he explained. "I'm not going to use them as the diversion but I will need them to help me get it ready." He sighed. "If I can get the Chief to agree!" He knew he had a battle in front of him.

When he'd explained the plan to Sam she looked at him as if he were crazy. Yup, he grinned, it's a 'Jack O'Neill special'! Just might be crazy enough to work.

Now, of course, it meant convincing the tribe!

That night, as they curled up together, Sam asked the question he'd been dreading – which he'd been thinking about as well.

"Jack, what's going to happen to them? If the Goa'uld decide to make this a permanent mining site they will discover the tribe and there's no way they can protect themselves."

"Yeah, I know."

"Can we just leave them?"

"I don't know Sam! I mean, what difference will it really make for us to stay. I don't want to leave them helpless but you said it yourself. We don't have very much ammunition and there's not much we can do against a whole troop of Jaffa. We might be able to help for a while but eventually they'd win. The only thing I can think of is for the tribe to move far away."

"I know, I've thought the same thing but I don't see how they can move now, not with winter coming." They both sat quietly, worrying about the people they'd come to care about.

Jack laughed softly to himself. Who would have thought that he'd become friends with a bunch of Neanderthals! He would have been somewhat worried about what that said about him except for the fact that Sam, a certified genius, had also made friends in the tribe.

He knew if he left he'd always worry about their fate. Drobe was a young man, just starting his life with a new mate. He was funny and caring – and not stupid. Jack would hate it if anything happened to him.

"Maybe we can come back and help them."

"I can't see the Air Force letting us come back for a bunch of cave people." Sam answered sadly.

"No, probably not. But if we could prove that there was some kind of valuable mineral on this planet – I think they'd let us return!"

"You know, I think you're right! That means we'd better find out what it is they're mining. It may be something we've never seen before. Who knows, it could be something vital in our fight against the Goa'uld!"

"So, that means that now we don't just have to steal a ship – we also have to steal some of whatever they're mining. Oy, this is going to be interesting."

The next day Jack approached the Chief. He knew it wasn't going to be easy but it had to be done.

He spent over an hour talking at the man, trying to convince him that he and Sam had to leave. He tried to tell him that they had their own home; that they had to return. Nothing seemed to get through to him.

The most frustrating part of the whole thing is the Chief basically said no and then refused to say anymore or even listen. He didn't argue, didn't speak, he just sat and chewed on a piece of grass. Jack was seriously tempted to strangle him.

"God!" he said later. "Talk about an obstinate old bugger! He's made up his mind and it doesn't look like we're going to change it!"

"Do we have to have his okay? Maybe we should just go anyway."

"Yeah, I would that except we need the help of the others. Without them I don't see how our plan can work and they won't help without the Chief's okay."

"So what are we going to do?" she asked worriedly.

"I don't quite know, but I'll think of something."

Over the next few days they tried to figure out a way to convince the Chief but nothing worked. They even tried to speak with Maru and some of the others but everyone turned a deaf ear to them. The Chief had spoken and that was the end of it. Even Drobe, who Jack had counted on, just laughed and walked away.

"No, my friend", he said, "you stay. We need you." Jack couldn't get anything else from him.

"So, how do you feel about living in a God-damned cave for the rest of your life?" Jack plopped down on the ground, angry and frustrated.

"We'll figure it out." Sam sat down beside him and began to rub his shoulders. "We'll do it Jack, don't worry. You said yourself you've been in tough situations before. I'm sure it'll work out."

"I may have been in tough situations but they never had the Chief in them. God, we should send him out as a lethal weapon. He's worse than Janet."

"Jack!" she laughed. "That's mean."

"No it's not. Janet is terrifying."

"Terrifying? I thought she was your friend?"

"She is. She's also terrifying. Have you seen those needles? And what about those damn penlights. And I gotta tell ya, if Janet decides something is good for you there ain't a thing you can do to change her mind – just like the Chief! Yup, let's pit Janet against him and see who comes out on top."

Laughing, she swatted him. "Now you can't tell me you haven't gotten around her lots of times. She's always complaining that you're sneaky and that she has to watch out for you."

"Yeah", he said disgustingly. "Problem is she knows me too well and watches me too closely. It's hard to be sneaky when someone knows you that -" He stopped and stared at her, his mouth hanging open.

"What is it Jack?"

"The Chief doesn't know me that well."

"No, at least not like Janet but he's watching a lot closer since we left that day."

"Mmmm hmmm, but still, he doesn't know how tricky we can be."

"Nooooo. How tricky are we planning to be?"

"Well, what is the one thing the tribe will listen to over the Chief?"

"Uh, nothing as far as I know."

"You're wrong – who do they see as being the most powerful one of all, their God?"

"The Chewi?"

"Yup. The Chewi."

"But that doesn't do us any good at all unless you plan to go speak to it and ask it to help." She laughed.

"That's exactly what I'm going to do."

"You're going to go talk to a tiger? Don't you think that's a bit – dangerous?"

"Yeah, if it was a live tiger."

"You want to talk to a dead tiger?" she asked, confused.

"Yup, if it's still there."

"Oh, you mean the one that attacked you? But that was weeks ago. Even if the body is still there it will be totally decomposed."

"I know, but maybe we can salvage some of it."

"Ooh yuck. And what are you going to do with it."

"I'm not quite sure, but I'll think of something." He grinned at her and she knew he had another crazy plan in the works. God, the man was incredible.

The next morning he had to get away from the camp and make it back to where he'd been attacked. It was in the area he was pretty sure the tribe wouldn't go so figured they wouldn't have seen the body.

"Are you sure you should do this alone?" Sam asked. She didn't like the thought of him wandering around with deadly animals and Jaffa in the vicinity.

"I'll be careful, don't worry. I'm gonna take my weapons and I'll just go there and return as quickly as possible. Just keep things calm here." With a quick kiss on her cheek he headed out, trying to look innocent!

It took him a while but he finally arrived at where he was sure the attack had taken place. At first he couldn't see anything but then noticed something off to the side, under one of the trees. As he approached he could see that it was, indeed, the carcass.

It had obviously been dragged over by some other animal or animals that had feasted on it. There was not much left other than the bones and a bit of skin. With a soft groan Jack reached into his belt and pulled out his knife. This was going to be a messy job but hopefully one that would help.

He managed to retrieve one of the animal's paws with its incredibly long and vicious looking claws. He also took the fangs, figuring he could always keep then as a souvenir. He unconsciously rubbed his shoulder as he took the teeth, remembering the horrifying feeling of the animal biting through his flesh. He'd always have the pretty wicked looking scars from his encounter with the Chewi.

Finally finished he began the long walk back to the cave. Now that he had the 'supplies' he had to figure a way to convince the Chief. He had originally thought to do some kind of trick but finally decided against that. The Chewi was too important to the tribe and he didn't feel comfortable using trickery.

By the time he got back he was both hungry and tired. He wrapped his trophies in a piece of leather he'd taken for the purpose. He had hidden his weapons again, except for his knife.

"I'm ho – ome" he sang, walking into the cave. Sam looked up and smiled and both the Chief and Maru glared at him. They hadn't been too worried because Sam had been there but they obviously didn't like the idea of him leaving, even for a few hours.

Tough, he thought. I'm not some kid that has to ask permission. Okay, except maybe from Sam. He had been married before.

After eating supper he told Sam his decision about the Chewi. She agreed and crossed her fingers that it would work.

The next morning Jack made his way to the communal fire. It was here the Chief sat every morning to listen to any complaints or concerns of any of the people. He was the wise man, councilor, priest, judge and jury for the tribe.

Jack approached, trying to look as humble as possible. Asking permission, he sat across from the old man who looked at him suspiciously. He obviously knew something serious was about to happen.

O'Neill again spoke of needing to leave with Sam. He explained that they had to go home; they had their own 'tribe' who needed them. He told them that Sam had family that missed her and needed her. This time the Chief seemed to listen although he didn't speak. After Jack was finished he stopped and waited.

"Do you have family?" the Chief asked.

Jack closed his eyes for a second but then shook his head. "No, Sam is my family." The Chief nodded and then continued.

"You must stay. I am sorry. We" he gestured to the tribe, "your family now." That seemed to be it. The Chief stopped speaking and simply looked at him.

With a deep sigh Jack knew this was the moment to use his 'Ace in the hole'. Placing the leather packet in front of him he took a deep breath.

"You say I have been chosen by the God – by Chewi. If that is so, then he has spoken to me and has told me I must leave." The old man frowned, not sure what was coming. If it was true that Chewi had spoken to him he would have to listen.

"To let you know the truth of this he has given me these." He reached down and unfolded the leather. The Chief actually jerked back, shocked. There, in front of hi, was the paw and teeth of the Chewi. He looked back up at Jack with wonder in his face.

"You speak true. Chewi talks to you and has chosen you." With a gesture he called the tribe to come forward. One by one they all came and stood in a circle around the fire. All of them stared in awe at the items on the ground. Little did Jack know that it was strictly forbidden to take any part of Chewi. They had been told, since they were tiny children, that to do so would bring death. They were taught that only one 'chosen' could touch the Chewi and live.

When Jack had first appeared, and had survived the tiger attack, they had known he was special. Now, to see him with these items only proved he was chosen.

The Chief began to speak. "Chewi says Jawk and Samanta to return to their tribe. It is so. Go – with our blessing."

Jack nodded in respect and acknowledgement. He knew this was difficult for the Chief and the tribe but it would make things simpler for he and Sam to have their cooperation.

As he stood up he noticed that everyone backed away. They all had a look of awe and some a look of fear. He felt badly, not wanting them to view him differently. He glanced over at Drobe, who had the same expression on his face. Walking up to his friend he stood solemnly in front of him and then suddenly grinned and slapped his friend on the back.

"We'll still go fishing okay?" Drobe didn't say anything for a few heartbeats and then he too grinned.

"Yes! I fish – you clean!" Once he laughed the rest of the tribe seemed to relax and all of them began to speak at once. They had never experienced such excitement in their lives.

Once everything had calmed down he turned back to the Chief, who still sat quietly.

"I need to ask a favor", he said in the simple language of the cave. "I need the help of the men for us to return to our tribe." This time he didn't have to argue – the Chief simply nodded. Whatever Jawk needed, he would receive.

As he returned to Sam's side he gave her a small smirk. "Told ya! I knew we could do it."

"Yes. You're amazing Jack!" She was thrilled although they still had a lot more to do before they could get home. "Do you think they'll be able to help us?"

"I don't know. I hope so. The one good thing is it should help them as well."

"Yeah, I guess. I was just thinking of all that could go wrong."

"Carter, you think too much, although I guess that's not a bad thing. Just keep thinking about everything that could go wrong and figure out a solution. We'll prepare for every contingency."

"Ah, okay – or we could just 'wing it'."

"Wing it? Is this the Carter I know and love?" He watched as she grinned.

"You've rubbed off on me Colonel."

"I have? Good." He walked over and put his arms around her. "You know, I really feel like I need to rub off on you some more", he said suggestively.

"Really?" she raised her eyebrows at him.

"Oh yeah!"

"And our 'resolution'?"

"Ah Carter, you know resolutions are made to be broken."

"Yeah, but it only lasted one night."

"Wow, a whole night? I'm impressed with myself. I figured I'd last a couple of hours at the most."

"Jack."

"Yeah?"

"You're impossible."

"That's what they tell me Carter, that's what they tell me."